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

Daya and Erya came very early, bringing back their husband and children, and the lively family instantly made the yard lively.

After paying New Year's greetings, a few naughty boys pestered Zhang Ping'an for lucky money, saying that their uncle was the best. In fact, they knew that Zhang Ping'an had money and doted on them the most.

Zhang Ping'an did not disappoint the children. He took out the New Year's money he had prepared long ago and distributed a portion to each of them.

The children received lucky money and delicious food, so they were very obedient and played by themselves.

The family that matchmaker Wang introduced to Wu Ya was surnamed Deng. Their parents had passed away long ago, and now they only had two brothers relying on each other. The eldest brother in question was named Deng Qingzhu.

Just after the hour of Chen, the man came over with pork and wine in his hands. Although his parents were no longer around, he was a man who knew how to behave.

Xu was very enthusiastic when she saw someone coming. As she took the things, she complained, "Why are you carrying so many things when you just come?"

This is of course just a polite remark.

Deng Qingzhu said shyly, "The proper etiquette must not be missed!"

Wu Ya and Liu Ya were hiding in the kitchen to help and didn't come out.

Daya, Erya, Zhang Pingan and others did not need to be shy, as it was the first time for everyone to meet this person. Although they were engaged, the man's family had no parents, and the Zhang family had just settled down, so the engagement ceremony was very simple. The matchmaker Wang brought people to deliver the engagement gift, and after exchanging the engagement letter, it was considered an engagement.

To be honest, Deng Qingzhu looked really good. Unlike the other big and strong men, he had a delicate and fair complexion, and was well-groomed. It was obvious that he loved cleanliness. He spoke softly and slowly. Zhang Ping'an saw that although there were some calluses on his hands, they were much better than those of ordinary craftsmen, and there were no protrusions on his knuckles.

Erya noticed it too. She was cheerful and cheerful, so she smiled and joked, "I see our future brother-in-law's hands are even smoother than mine. I can tell at a glance that his family lives a good life. He doesn't have to do any hard work, so Wuya will enjoy a good life in the future."

Deng Qingzhu listened and replied softly, "Second sister, you're joking. My family has a craft of pasting lanterns that has been passed down from generation to generation. The regular customers in the neighborhood know about my situation and usually take care of me. Therefore, my business is pretty good. I don't have to work in the fields, but I still have to work hard for most of the day. Pasting lanterns is a delicate job and you can't be careless!"

Facing everyone's gazes, Deng Qingzhu might have felt embarrassed by being looked at. Her face quickly turned red and she looked a little at a loss.

Daya smiled and helped to relieve the situation: "Stop standing there and come to the table to eat, otherwise the food will get cold soon. How can we keep the guests waiting for so long?"

The table was already filled with hot rice porridge and various home-cooked dishes made early in the morning, both meat and vegetables, which looked very presentable.

This time, Xu was not stingy in entertaining the guests.

Deng Qingzhu sat down properly as he was told, without saying much, and looked very honest.

While eating, Zhang Pingan found a topic to warm up the atmosphere and asked, "Brother Deng, does your business usually require you to go out and peddle in the streets?"

Deng Qingzhu swallowed the food in his mouth, put down his chopsticks and replied, "That's not necessary. Regular customers come to order, and we deliver it to them after it's ready."

Everyone nodded after hearing this. Daya smiled and said, "That's a good skill. You won't have to worry about having food to eat in the future."

Zhang Laoer also praised it a few times: "If you have a skill and can work hard, you won't have to worry about your life. That's good!"

Mrs. Xu thought that the fifth son-in-law was the most handsome, somewhat like a scholar, and well-mannered. The more she looked at him, the happier she became. She kept helping him pick up the dishes, and both the host and the guests enjoyed the meal.

After dinner, Xu took Deng Qingzhu aside to chat about family matters. She finally asked about his house. There were only two rooms, and she didn't know how the two brothers would divide it when they split up in the future.

Deng Qingzhu wasn't stupid, so she didn't give a perfunctory answer. She replied seriously, "Aunt, although our house is old, it's enough to keep us out of the wind and rain, and the location is good. My second brother and I plan to renovate it after we save some money. As the eldest brother is like a father, I won't consider dividing the family until my second brother gets married. I hope you can forgive me for that."

Zhang Laoer nodded to show his understanding. He had a longer-term vision than Xu.

At this time, Zhuzhu and his brothers started crying while playing, and the adults hurriedly pulled the children apart. For a while, the yard was a little noisy.

Deng Qingzhu didn't mind the noise at all, instead she smiled gently at the child. Xu saw it and felt more and more satisfied. She thought that this was a good choice of son-in-law, and the fifth girl would definitely not be wronged when she married him in the future.

Wu Ya was in the kitchen listening to the noise outside, feeling an indescribable emotion in her heart.

She quietly looked at Deng Qingzhu through the crack in the door. This man really looked like a good person. His family was satisfied with him, and his conditions and family background were also suitable for her. But she always felt that something was missing.

Maybe deep down in her heart she still longed for a heart-pounding relationship, not just compatibility, but now that things had become a foregone conclusion, she no longer thought about it and secretly made up her mind to try to accept Deng Qingzhu. After all, there were still many days to come.

Maybe this is my destiny, to marry a down-to-earth and hardworking man and live an ordinary life!

After everyone chatted for a while, Deng Qingzhu stood up to say goodbye. He had to go back to make a batch of lanterns. Xu hurriedly took out the prepared return gift and asked her son to accompany him to deliver it, showing an attitude of importance.

When they were almost at the entrance of the alley, Deng Qingzhu turned to Zhang Ping'an and said with a smile, "Little brother, no need to see me off. I know this road very well. Let's go back quickly. Thank you uncle and aunt for your hospitality today!"

"We are a family from now on, Brother Deng, please don't be so polite," Zhang Pingan said with a smile.

After the two parted, when Zhang Ping'an returned to the yard, Daya and Erya were still discussing this brother-in-law. In their opinion, this person was suitable for living together.

Wu Ya came out of the kitchen and heard everyone's discussion. She felt a little embarrassed and whispered, "Sister, please stop talking."

Daya patted Wuya's shoulder gently and said with a smile: "Wuya, Deng Qingzhu is indeed a good person. He doesn't have parents-in-law to serve. You can just wait to enjoy the good life in the future. Now you only have your own family, so don't be embarrassed."

Mrs. Xu was somewhat pleased with herself and said unhappily, "How could your parents' careful selection be wrong? Don't worry, we only hope for the best for you!"

In the afternoon, Da Ya and Er Ya's families went home after dinner, and the second day of the New Year was celebrated in a lively manner.

On the third day of the Lunar New Year, Zhang Ping'an brought a few gifts and went to visit several colleagues in the library to wish them a happy new year. He didn't talk much, just sat down and drank a cup of tea before saying goodbye and leaving, just as a formality.

I don't have to do it very well, but at least I won't offend anyone. This will make my work much easier in the future.

After greeting these people during the New Year, Zhang Ping'an had nowhere to go. He stayed at home every day eating, drinking, reading and spending the winter there. He was so comfortable!

The leisurely time passed by in a flash, and it was the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.