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

Soon another mule cart arrived. Schoolmaster Ye lifted the curtain and got out, jokingly saying, "There are banquets with lavish banquets and luxury cars everywhere. My mule cart is so shabby that I'm embarrassed to come in!"

"Principal Ye, please stop teasing me. I'm very happy that you're here. Come and sit down," Zhang Ping'an said with a smile.

Ye Xiaoshu was a man of open-minded character. He didn't hesitate to sit down at the table and drink tea. He said with a smile, "Don't worry, I won't just give you the gift and leave. I'll at least get you a meal!"

"Eat as much as you want," Zhang Ping'an said with a smile, feeling very happy. He felt that the two of them were close friends regardless of age.

As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Junhui, Xiao Yifei and Jin Bao arrived one after another.

Perhaps Lin Junhui didn't want to steal Zhang Ping'an's limelight, so he dressed much more low-key today than yesterday. His entourage carried a bunch of gift boxes down from the carriage.

"It's just a small gift, not a token of respect!" Lin Junhui bowed and said with a smile.

After that, he went to pay his respects to Zhang Laoer, Xu, and old man Zhang. His courtesy was very considerate and his attitude was humble, which made Zhang very fond of him.

Xiao Yifei also congratulated with a smile, but there was a dark spot under his eyes and he looked a little haggard.

Zhang Pingan asked with concern: "What's wrong with you?"

"It's that little ancestor at home. He sleeps during the day and wakes up at night. He cries when he wakes up and needs to be coaxed all night long. He basically can't sleep. Now my day and night are turned upside down because of him. The neighbors have come to complain about it several times," Xiao Yifei smiled helplessly, but there was a hint of pampering in his eyes.

After everyone chatted for a while, it was almost lunch time and the neighbors came over one after another.

At this time, a mule cart drove into the alley, and Zhang Ping'an quickly told the cook to serve dinner later.

After the car stopped, my new friend Yue Chi got out and immediately bowed and apologized, "Brother Zhang, I'm so sorry I'm late. I was out on some errands this morning and was delayed for a while. I hope you can forgive me!"

Zhang Ping'an waved his hand and said, "It's okay, the banquet hasn't started yet. You're honored to be here. Without further ado, take a seat!"

Yue Chi then ordered his followers to present gifts and then take their seats.

Seeing that most people had arrived, Zhang Ping'an ordered the chef to serve the food.

The toasts at lunch could not be sloppy like they were in the morning, especially for the guests at the main table, who came to congratulate sincerely and were scholars. Being deceitful would make people dislike them. Zhang Pingan drank quite a bit of wine and felt a little dizzy at the end.

Xu was so distressed that she left the table early without finishing her meal and went to her kitchen to make a pot of sobering soup for her son.

Zhang Ping'an felt much better after drinking it.

The meal was a great pleasure for both the host and the guests and ended in the late afternoon.

The lunch was the main meal, and every guest had to give a return gift. The return gifts on the main table were different from those of the neighbors. Zhang Laoer was afraid of making mistakes, so he watched it personally. It was already past midnight when he finished.

The guests left one after another.

Lin Junhui was the last to leave. He specifically called Jinbao along and said, "Jinbao, you've got a job. The Chengdong Subdistrict Office is still short of a clerk. You've been writing storybooks for a while now, and your writing is good. This job won't be difficult for you, and it's also easy and respectable. If you think you can do it, go to the Subdistrict Office tomorrow morning at noon to find Secretary Wei. I've already told him, and he knows what to do."

The news was so sudden that Jinbao was stunned for a moment.

Zhang Pingan quickly tugged at his sleeve and urged, "This job is good, it suits you. Junhui must have put a lot of effort into it, why don't you thank him quickly!"

Jin Bao finally realized what was happening and quickly thanked him: "Jun Hui, thank you for your trouble. I'll go there early tomorrow morning!"

Jin Bao's parents were also overjoyed and stepped forward to thank him: "Mr. Lin, you are so troublesome. Thank you very much. I wonder if you are free tomorrow. We should treat you to a simple meal!"

Lin Junhui waved his hand and said, "Uncle and aunt, you're too polite. You don't need to have a meal with us. We're all from the same hometown and classmates. I'm just trying to do my bit to help you."

After saying this, he bowed to the elders and left.

Xu had watched Jinbao grow up. This child was simple-minded and kind to her own son. She had always liked him. Seeing that Jinbao had found a job, she was happy for him: "That's good! He can finally eat the emperor's food!"

Jinbao's parents nodded in agreement.

After the guests left, Zhang Laoer took Old Man Lu to move the gifts into the room. They were all valuable items and it was not safe to keep them outside, so they had to count them and check the gift list.

Xu called Zhang Ping'an, and Zhang went in together. The four of them opened the gifts in the room.

Except for the gifts given by Master Lu and Schoolmaster Ye, which were rare and precious books, the gifts given by others were very practical.

Especially those sent by the gentry, which were all precious silks, jades, and gold and silver jewelry.

The bed was filled with silk, satin and other fabrics, more than thirty pieces in total.

Lin Junhui also gave two gold hairpins, which were very valuable.

Zhang Pingan saw the elegant and rich pattern and put them on Zhang and Xu's heads, saying with a smile, "One for each of us, very good. It makes us look more prosperous!"

Xu quickly touched her hair and said, "Oh, don't plug it in! It might fall out!"

Zhang Pingan held his mother's hand and said, "Okay, Mom, it looks good just like this. It makes you look several years younger. No need to take it off!"

"Really?" Xu hesitated, looking at Zhang and Zhang Laoer for approval.

Zhang smiled and said, "It looks nice, just wear it!"

Zhang Laoer also smiled innocently and said, "It looks good, wear it!"

Xu then stopped talking about taking it down and smiled, saying, "The Lin family will also be having a banquet in a couple of days. What should we give as a return gift?"

"There are so many silks and satins, which are also very valuable. We can't wear so many of them at home. We can just take a few more pieces with us. After all, the value won't be much different," said Zhang Ping'an.

Xu was relieved: "Okay!"

Zhang Pingan picked up another red sandalwood bracelet and put it on Zhang Laoer's wrist: "Dad, I heard that red sandalwood can calm the mind and ward off evil spirits. It's perfect for you! Don't say no!"

Zhang Laoer touched the bracelet lovingly and chuckled.

"Ping'an's mother, when your eldest brother and the others leave tonight, remember to cut a few yards of satin as return gifts for your relatives. Now that you are better off, you should not be too petty in doing things. They have been jealous of you for a long time because you have received so many gifts," Zhang reminded.

Xu felt a little distressed: "But Ping An still has to return the gift to others in the next two days!"

"Listen to me," Zhang Pingan said, "Just give me a decent return gift. This is enough."

"You have to remember that when you eat meat, you have to let others drink some soup. Otherwise, others will not let you eat meat with peace of mind and will annoy you every day. These are nothing, just a small profit," Zhang said lightly.

Xu listened thoughtfully: "I know, mother!"

Zhang Laoer saw that the gift list was almost complete, so he discussed with Zhang, "The matchmaker has found another man for Wu Ya, and he sounds promising. I'll tell you about the man. If it's a good match, we can get him settled in the next two days!"