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

The first and third wives and Uncle Xu's family came over to drink again.

Both Li and Ma were shocked. They hadn't heard any rumors at all, and it was decided so quickly.

Although both sides had been engaged and it didn't seem to be their first marriage at this point, the Fang family was still very polite and gave all the necessary betrothal gifts.

They also prepared a complete set of head ornaments and jewelry, which was worth about ten taels, which was much better than the family we mentioned last time.

"What a glorious occasion! Fifth and sixth girls are so lucky," Shen said sourly as she watched the loads of betrothal gifts being sent in with music and dance in the yard.

Zhang didn't like hearing this and scolded her calmly, "Auntie, act like a guest and don't be so nosy!"

Shen was still very afraid of Zhang, and she immediately shrank her neck and dared not say anything.

Xu was in high spirits today. When she was in the south of the city, she often heard people gossiping that their daughter was an old spinster who could never get married. Now her daughter was not only married, but also married well. Seeing the envious and jealous faces of some people, she felt secretly happy.

The youngest son of the Fang family is named Fang Ziqi. He is gentle and handsome, but not thin. He is tall and worthy of the description of a handsome man.

There are three older brothers above him, and they all came together today to help with the betrothal. Their words and actions were well-mannered. During the conversation, Zhang Ping'an felt that this family was indeed quite good.

The eldest brother Fang and Fang Ziqi were both scholars, while the second brother Fang and the third brother Fang were both students. The Fang family had produced a juren before, so the two families were considered to be well matched.

The matchmaker had said it directly at the time that Fang's parents were attracted by the fact that Wu Ya had a young brother who was a juren and had a bright future.

At this time, the parents' orders and the matchmaker's words are important, and if both parents like each other, the marriage can be settled.

Zhang Ping'an was originally worried that Fang Ziqi himself might not be very willing, but he didn't give that impression from his words.

The engagement banquet was lively and lasted until the afternoon.

Wu Ya couldn't describe the feeling she had while sitting in the room. If she had to describe it, it would be that it felt a little unreal.

After the guests left, Mrs. Hu and Old Man Lu cleaned the table.

Xu came into the room with a jewelry box, opened it with a smile on her face, and said, "Wu Ya, you are destined for good fortune. Look, the family we are talking about this time is much better than the one surnamed Deng before. They even have a full set of head ornaments and jewelry. Look at our relatives around us, including your sisters. Which girl will marry as well as you? I don't want these women. I will give them to you as a dowry when the time comes!"

Wu Ya picked it up, looked at it, and put it back, "Mom, please keep it for me!"

Xu picked up the hairpin and earrings and compared them with the fifth girl, saying with satisfaction, "Well, they look good. They look different with jewelry. I'll keep them for you first."

Liu Ya noticed that Wu Ya was not very happy. After Xu Shi left, she said, "Fifth sister, what's wrong with you? I just took a peek at the window. The future Fifth Sister's wife is quite pretty and seems very kind."

After saying that, seeing that Wu Ya didn't respond, he looked outside the house again. After confirming that no one was around, he whispered, "I think he's better than Brother Guo. Don't worry about him."

Wu Ya looked over and whispered, "What about you? Don't you still like my classmate, Master Lin?"

Liu Ya's face turned pale immediately, and she stared at Wu Ya with wide eyes without saying a word.

"I knew it a long time ago. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone else," Wu Ya said.

"I know I am wishful thinking. This is impossible. Fifth sister, you don't have to stop me with this," Liu Ya whispered after a while, then turned and left.

Although Liu Ya is the youngest, she is the smartest among the sisters and learns things quickly. When Zhang Ping'an taught the two sisters to read, Wu Ya would forget most of what she learned today the next day, but Liu Ya would learn it after just a few teachings. If girls could read, Liu Ya would definitely learn it very well.

Xu didn't know about the lawsuit between the two sisters. Even if she knew, she would just say that they were bored.

She was in a very good mood now. She had no worries as she had enough food at home. Moreover, her family was so wealthy now, her son was promising, and her daughter had a good reputation. She had nothing to worry about, so she was generous with her dowry.

Zhang Ping'an has been busy giving gifts these days.

Since others gave him gifts at his Juren banquet, he naturally had to return the favor at other people's Juren banquets.

That day they went to Yue Chi's home, which was also in the east of the city and had a good location. He had thought that since he was from a scholarly family, his home should also be a large mansion, but it turned out to be only slightly better than his own, with only two courtyards.

Moreover, the Yue family has a large population, with an estimated total of more than sixty people, young and old. Yue Chi alone has eight children, all born to his original wife, which really opened Zhang Ping'an's eyes.

The Yue family has very strict family education and pays great attention to the cultivation of children. Every boy must start to learn at the age of three and must study until he is at least eighteen years old. He must take the imperial examination and be confirmed that he is not cut out for studying before he can try other ways to make a living.

Zhang Pingan asked these questions out of curiosity when he saw that Yue Chi’s youngest son could recite the Three Character Classic at the age of three.

"So you see, my hair has turned white from worrying about it. Studying is a very expensive job, and with so many children, the expenses are quite high. When I was five or six years old, my grandfather separated the family. At that time, my family lived in a large house with six courtyards. Later, our family became poorer and poorer. In less than 30 years, we changed the house three times. Now we only have this two-courtyard house and 200 acres of land in the suburbs. Fortunately, I passed the imperial examination this time, and my life will be much better in the future," said Yue Chi.

When he said this, his expression was nonchalant, but only the person involved could understand the bitterness he had experienced.

Zhang Pingan admires people who can study under such high pressure.

Among those who came to congratulate were many members of the Yue family, including Yue Chi's eldest uncle, second uncle and uncle. Just from the gorgeous carriages, clothes and accessories, it can be seen that these three families are much better off than Yue Chi's family.

After dinner, Zhang Ping'an said goodbye and left. It was still early, so he planned to stop by the bookstore and buy a few books.

But as soon as he got off the mule cart, someone grabbed his thighs.

Zhang Pingan was shocked. What was he trying to do in broad daylight?

Looking down, I saw a young boy about ten years old, dressed fairly neatly.

Before Zhang Ping'an could say anything, the other party burst into tears and wailed, "Master, my father has suddenly fallen ill today, and we have no money for his burial. Now I want to sell myself to bury him. I beg you to be kind enough to buy me. I will work like a slave in this life and the next to repay you!"

Zhang Pingan: ...Why did he have to encounter the scene of selling himself to bury his father...