The journey of the only child of a peasant family to take the imperial examination

When the shift was almost over, Wang Jingzhi came over stealthily and whispered, "Brother Zhang, do you want to buy some food? I heard from my cousin that the price of food is going to go up again soon. If you want to buy, you can ask your family to bring a cart to stock up."

"Buy it," Zhang Pingan said decisively.

I don’t know when these miserable days will end, food is the top priority!

Zhang Ping'an was very grateful for meeting Wang Jingzhi in the yamen. The other party really gave him a lot of convenience in buying grain. Otherwise, he would have to use the money he earned from selling wine and down jackets to stock up on high-priced grain.

After Zhang Ping'an called his cousin Dazhu, brother-in-law and others, he went to the West Market to buy a cart of grain.

When she got home, Xu had already prepared dinner. The dock was in chaos now, and Zhang Laoer no longer went out to pull the cart. Xu felt that no one in the family was doing the hard work, so she didn't cook in the evening. It was either dumpling soup or noodle porridge, just enough to fill her up!

Xu had also heard about the recent incident of selling daughters outside the city, but when she heard Zhang Ping'an say that Dahuoba, two alleys away, had also found a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl as a concubine, she was still shocked!

"Are girls really so cheap nowadays? Dahuoba looks so dirty and has dirt up to his neck. How can he marry a virgin?" Xu asked in disbelief.

She lived a good life in her parents' home. She was married into the Zhang family in a formal way and was a good match for Zhang Laoer. Although they had a hard life in the first few years, the Zhang family and Zhang Laoer were not bad in terms of conditions.

Zhang Ping'an was also touched and whispered back, "Well, no money is required. As long as Uncle Huoba can help the girl's family move to the city, that's all that's needed."

Zhang Laoer sighed and said nothing. He told his two daughters, "Fifth and Sixth Girls don't have much to do right now. Try not to go out. It's a mess outside!"

"We know, Dad," the five girls responded in unison.

Mrs. Xu was still in shock. "This world is really messed up. In the past, an old man like Dahuoba wouldn't even look down on widows with slightly better conditions, but now he's marrying a virgin!"

Zhang Lao Er didn't like to hear this. He knocked on the bowl and said in a deep voice, "Eat, don't gossip about other people!"

Xu said unhappily, "Why don't you let me speak? Are you still envious of others?"

"I don't have that," Zhang Laoer said helplessly.

"Dad, Mom, let's eat, or it will get clumsy soon," Zhang Pingan advised.

For the sake of their son, the two of them let the matter go.

Early the next morning, before Zhang Ping'an went to the yamen, his aunt Li came over with a bowl of egg pancakes in a lunch box. They were still steaming hot when they were brought out, and it was obvious that they were freshly made.

Zhang Laoer said politely, "Sister-in-law, food is so precious these days. Why did you bring all this? If you need any help, just tell me. We are all family, no need to be polite."

Li pushed the bowl towards Zhang Ping'an and said with a smile, "Ping'an, try it and see if your aunt's cooking skills have declined. She just made it this morning and even added chopped green onions."

Under the burning gaze of his aunt, Zhang Pingan took a small piece and tasted it, nodding and saying, "Not bad, very fragrant, aunt, your cooking skills are still so good!"

Mrs. Li smiled and sighed, "You've been a picky eater since you were little. You don't like leftovers. I remember when your brother Erzhu's eldest son had his full-month banquet, you didn't even touch a single piece of the leftovers. That's when I knew you were destined for wealth and prosperity, unlike the rest of us. And now, you're already this grown up, and you're getting married soon. You're the most successful of the younger generation in the family!"

"No, aunt, you think too highly of me. Whether you are destined to be rich or not, it all depends on how you live," Zhang Ping'an said modestly.

"Alas, it's a pity that your brother Dazhu is the worst off. He is already in his twenties and doesn't even have a child. The miracle doctor you found for us last time said that your eldest cousin's wife is injured and it will be difficult for her to get pregnant. I am so worried and can't sleep every night," Li sighed.

"Aunt, is there anything I can help you with?" Zhang Ping'an asked. He was not stupid. He knew that since his aunt had come all this way, she must have something to ask for.

Li then revealed her purpose: "There are many refugees outside the city now, and marrying a wife is free. I want to find a good-looking girl with a clean family background for your brother Dazhu. When the time comes to register the household registration, you can help me with the arrangements."

Zhang Pingan asked in surprise, "What about the eldest cousin's wife?"

Mrs. Li paused and said, "To be honest, I think our Zhang family has done her justice. Even if a new bride comes into the family, it won't cause her any trouble, and we won't chase her away. Besides, this will also benefit her. If they have children in the future, they will have someone to rely on when they are old. Your eldest cousin's wife didn't object, and your grandmother agreed too."

Mrs. Xu, who had overheard this, continued, "It should have been done a long time ago. Otherwise, Erzhu's son Chenyang would have been married in a few years. Sister-in-law, you might not know this, but the man in the alley ahead, Dahuoba, is the one who pulls a cart like our child's father. He's almost 40, has two grandchildren, and married a 15-year-old virgin! Our Dazhu has both good looks and a wealthy family. He's definitely not worthy of anyone!"

Mrs. Li had never known about this and was equally shocked: "How could he marry a virgin?"

"That's right," Xu curled her lips.

After hearing this, Li became more confident and went out with a smile on her face.

Less than half a day later, when Zhang Ping'an was still on duty at the yamen, Li came to register with her cousin Dazhu and a little girl about fourteen or fifteen years old. They looked pretty good indeed. Although their hair was messy, their faces were fair and clean and their eyes were big.

"Not bad, right? I was afraid that the woman was deceiving me, so I specially asked her to wash her face clean. I just took her to see a doctor, and there's nothing wrong with her. She is indeed a virgin," Li said happily.