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

The peaceful time passed quickly, and soon it was May, and the weather gradually became warmer.

That night, when Zhang Ping'an came home from school, he found that his mother was not at home, which was rare. It was his fifth and sixth sisters who prepared dinner.

After asking, I found out that my aunt Li had asked me to help. Mei Zi from Dazhu's family gave birth today, and it seemed that the delivery was a bit difficult. Although a midwife from the south of the city was asked, it would always be good to have more people to help.

Zhang Laoer casually chatted while eating, "We don't know how to register the child after he is born, and the girl still doesn't have a proper status. I wonder what your aunt thinks!"

"I think my aunt wants to wait until she gives birth to a son before making any decision," Zhang Ping'an guessed. "If she wanted to give the child a name, she would have given it long ago. She wouldn't have waited until today."

"That's right," Zhang Laoer nodded.

Ever since her marriage went wrong, Wu Ya had become even more silent. She stayed in her room all day and rarely smiled. Upon hearing this, she paused while eating and continued, "What if you can't give birth to a son? Even if you do give birth to a son and give Mei Zi a legitimate status, then where does that leave your eldest cousin's wife?"

Zhang Laoer said nonchalantly, "It's not that complicated. There's no need to overthink things. After all, they'll have food to eat. Even when things were so difficult before, we didn't say we'd abandon your eldest cousin's wife. Our Zhang family has done our best!"

Liu Ya ate silently without saying a word. Although she was the most introverted among the sisters, she had the most ideas. Thinking of the storybooks she had read before, she always felt that a woman's life should not just be about having something to eat. Otherwise, what's the difference between her and a kitten or puppy?

She knew that if she expressed these thoughts, Zhang Laoer and Xu would definitely deny them outright, and her sisters and younger brother would not approve of them either, so she never expressed them on purpose. However, it was difficult to suppress the seeds that had already sprouted.

Liu Ya didn't know that her smart elder sister had already guessed it.

After dinner, it was already late and Xu had not returned yet.

Zhang Laoer stood up and said, "I'll go get your mother."

Zhang Pingan was a little full from eating today, so he stood up and said, "Dad, let me go with you. I ate a lot just now, so I'll just take a walk to help digest it. I'll do my homework when we get back."

"Okay, OK," Zhang Laoer nodded.

The father and son went out together.

After arriving in the yard, Zhang Pingan wiped the raindrops from his face and said in surprise, "It's raining? I'll get three umbrellas."

After saying that, he turned back to the house, took out three umbrellas and handed one to his father.

May is the plum rain season. The rain tonight is not heavy, but as the old saying goes, slanting wind and drizzle will wet your clothes, so you have to take an umbrella.

The father and son walked side by side, slowly strolling to Zhang's house holding an umbrella.

The alley was quiet, with dim lights faintly visible from the doors of each house, accompanied by the rustling sound of rain.

Zhang Laoer felt that this moment was particularly heartwarming, and he sighed, "I always felt like you were still so young, but in the blink of an eye, you're as tall as me. I can still clearly remember the first time you insisted on going to the market with your mother and me. Time flies!"

"Yes, it's been almost sixteen years," Zhang Pingan said with emotion, "You and mother both favor me. I am really happy in this family!"

"You're my son, so of course I have to treat you well. It's the same in every family." Zhang Laoer thought it was nothing, and then said proudly, "Although you're my only son, you're better than them all. Daddy is proud of you!"

"Dad!" Zhang Ping'an felt a little touched.

The alley wasn't too long, and just as they finished speaking, the father and son arrived. Zhang Ping'an went forward and knocked on the door. It was Erzhu's cousin who opened the door. Seeing the two of them coming, he greeted them, "Come in and sit down. Second Aunt will probably be busy for a while!"

"Okay," Zhang Laoer nodded in response.

Only after the father and son entered the yard did they hear muffled groans coming from the woodshed next door.

Cousin Dazhu was squatting alone under the eaves of the firewood house, smoking a cigarette, his face a little blurry in the smoke under the night sky.

Seeing Zhang Laoer and his son coming over, he nodded and greeted them.

Erzhu followed their gazes and explained, "She's been giving birth since noon, and she probably doesn't have the energy to cry anymore. Grandma just asked me to bring in a bowl of brown sugar and egg water, so she should be almost done. Big brother was worried, so he squatted at the door after dinner, waiting for news!"

"Where is your father?" asked Zhang Laoer.

Erzhu curled his lips: "He went to bed early! He is very happy!"

After entering the main room, Erzhu went over to pour a cup of tea for the two of them. Erzhu's wife was getting water for the children to wash their faces and feet.

When they were in Zhangjia Village, the villagers gave birth at home, and many of them screamed heart-wrenchingly. However, Chenyang and Chenxi were used to it and were not scared at all.

Zhang Chenyang was still thinking about his toys, and said to his father, "Dad, Donkey Egg and Cat Egg both have small wooden swords, so please carve one for me too. Otherwise, when we play horseback fighting, I can't be a general and can only be a vanguard."

Zhang Chenxi also came closer and said, "Dad, I want one too, I want one too!"

Er Zhu was impatient and glared at me, "What the hell do you want? I'm almost dead from working all day, and I still have to peel this and that for you. You're so annoying. I should let you experience the hardship of planting rice in the fields, and then you'll stop making trouble!"

"No, I want it," Chenxi is the younger brother, who is usually more favored by Erzhu and his wife. He put his hands on his hips and made a fuss.

Erzhu raised his palm and said, "Try and ask for another one. Believe it or not, I will beat you up!"

"Hmph, you're not as good as Donkey Egg's and Cat Egg's father, so you just beat us up," Zhang Chenxi pouted. In the end, he didn't dare to make trouble anymore and sat back unhappily.

Zhang Laoer saw it and smiled, "If the kids want it, just carve a couple for them. It's not a big deal!"

Erzhu pounded his shoulder and complained, "Second Uncle, you don't know them. They are spoiled. They will be fine after a little trouble!"

After Zhang Pingan sat down, he supported his chin and stared at the oil lamp in a daze. It was really easy to be in a daze in such a quiet time, letting his thoughts drift freely, emptying himself, and the whole person became peaceful.

After hearing what his cousin Erzhu said, Zhang Ping'an turned around and found that his cousin Erzhu was only 26 years old, but his back was already slightly hunched. He was now pounding his shoulders with his hands to relieve the pain. The burden of life had left deep marks on his face, and there were already two obvious wrinkles on his forehead.

Before he could finish his thought, a loud cry was heard.

Erzhu's wife stood up and said with a smile: "It's born, I'll go see it!"

Everyone followed him out.

Just then, Xu brought out a basin of blood and prepared to pour it out, Zhang Laoer asked, "Is it a boy or a girl?"

Xu said happily, "It's a boy. The first pregnancy is a little difficult, but the rest will be easier."

You can see that he is happy from the heart.

Erzhu's wife heard this and said, "I'll go light a pot of fire and bring it in to warm you up. You must be cold after losing so much blood!"