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

Hua Wanli was also very disappointed with the study atmosphere in the Imperial College.

But he also had no other options and could only endure it.

He and Zhang Pingan can be said to be a pair of brothers in distress.

After finishing a day's study, the two walked out of the gate together. At this time, the sunset was beautiful, and the sky was filled with a brilliant sunset glow.

Very beautiful and magnificent.

Accompanied by the gentle evening breeze, the haze in the hearts of the viewers is swept away.

Zhang Pingan let out a light breath and made a decision. Or rather, the decision-making power was never in his hands, it just seemed that the decision was given to him.

When they got home, Zhang Laoer had not returned yet. Xu was pacing back and forth anxiously in the yard, looking up and waiting from time to time.

"Mom, don't worry. My brother-in-law takes the martial arts exam differently from me. They take the exam every day and can go home every day. Dad might be staying at my eldest sister's house for dinner," Zhang Pingan advised.

"He didn't even bother to send a letter back," Xu complained.

But in the end, he stopped pacing back and forth in the yard and told Mrs. Hu to set the table.

Wu Ya and Liu Ya are embroidering their dowry in their rooms. The bride has to embroider things like quilt covers herself, and now she basically doesn't leave her room except at mealtimes.

Fortunately, Wu Yaya and Liu Ya have learned it, otherwise we would have to buy a maid who can embroider to help.

Daya often envied the lives of her two younger sisters, and hoped that when her daughter Zhuzhu got married, she would be able to save up such a decent dowry for her!

After dinner, when Zhang Ping'an was doing homework in the study, Zhang Laoer came back in the car with Old Man Lu.

The sound of wheels rolling was very obvious in the yard.

Zhang Ping'an put down his pen, stood up and went out.

Zhang Laoer's face was filled with joy. Seeing his son come out, he couldn't help but share, "Your brother-in-law did very well on the test today. He outperformed everyone else on the archery and weightlifting tests. Among all the other test-takers, no one was as tall and strong as him."

"Brother-in-law was born to do this job. How did Xiao Yifei do in the exam?" Zhang Pingan asked with a smile.

"The kid from the Xiao family did well in the exam, but not as well as your brother-in-law," Zhang Laoer was very proud.

Xu was originally planning to ask Mrs. Hu to prepare something to eat for the two of them, but her son actually guessed it right: Zhang Laoer and Old Man Lu had already stayed at Liu's house and eaten.

"Dad, Mom, I've made up my mind about the marriage that the matchmaker told me about yesterday. If she comes again tomorrow, you should agree to it." Zhang Ping'an waited until his parents finished their work before sitting down in the main hall and bringing up the matter.

Xu was about to ask, but after hearing this, she hesitated and said, "Okay, I'll agree when the matchmaker comes tomorrow. But I can't decide on the betrothal gifts. How much is appropriate? We don't have much money left after buying the house. I'm afraid others won't be interested if I empty our family's savings!"

"Don't worry, let's listen to what the matchmaker says first. Rich families have many rules, and it is definitely impossible to decide in one day. The matchmaker also needs to pass on messages to both sides and discuss. What's more, since the Qian family has decided to marry their daughter to me, I believe they are mentally prepared for the betrothal gift," Zhang Pingan analyzed.

"I was worried about your marriage a few days ago, but I didn't expect that you would get married now," Zhang Laoer said with emotion.

"I didn't expect that. I was planning to talk about this after the imperial examination." Zhang Pingan also felt that plans could not keep up with changes.

But it seems to be a good change so far.

I don’t know if this seemingly flawless apple is hollow and rotten inside.

None of the three slept well that night.

Zhang Laoer didn't even sleep at all. He tossed and turned until the early morning, then got up to accompany his eldest son-in-law to take the exam.

Zhang Ping'an got up early and went to the Imperial College. His left eyelid kept twitching all day long, and he didn't know what was going on at home.

Hua Wanli noticed that Zhang Pingan was a little absent-minded today, so he came over and asked curiously, "What's wrong with you today? You seem a little restless?"

Zhang Pingan exhaled, trying to relax a little, and said frankly: "My family is arranging a marriage for me today, so I'm a little nervous!"

Hua Wanli was shocked when he heard this. "Didn't you say before that we should wait until after the exam in February next year?"

"It's a long story," Zhang Ping'an spread his hands and didn't want to say more.

"Let's make it short," Hua Wanli said gossipingly, unwilling to give up.

"The situation is basically like a huge pie fell on my head with a bang, and whether I like it or not, I have to catch it," Zhang Pingan replied seriously, turning sideways.

"Tsk, that's too bad. Luckily, my cousin and I are childhood sweethearts and have been engaged for a long time. We will get married after the imperial examination next year," Hua Wanli said thankfully, with a hint of gloating in his words.

Zhang Pingan gritted his teeth. "When we first met, I thought you were a nerd. I never knew you were such a gossipy person. I was really wrong about you. I made the wrong choice of friends!"

"Haha, you just realized it now, it's too late!" Hua Wanli said coldly.

After the two of them joked around for a while, Zhang Ping'an's attention was diverted and he felt much more relaxed.

They verbally insult each other, but in their hearts they both approve of each other.

After school, Hua Wanli patted Zhang Pingan on the shoulder and comforted him, "Isn't it just getting married? We are all grown men, what are we afraid of? No matter whether the other person is good or not, most of the time it is the women who suffer. People are always more tolerant of men!"

"Yes, but I admire you for taking on the pressure of marrying your cousin who is three years older than you."

"Alas, it's her bad luck. Her marriage has never been going well. She is already in her twenties. If I don't marry her, who will? Let's go." Hua Wanli talked about his marriage with a calm face, but there was some sweetness in his eyes.

When Zhang Ping'an arrived home, the house was no different from usual. Xu was busy in the kitchen with Mrs. Hu.

Did the matchmaker not come? Zhang Pingan wondered.

While eating, Xu didn't mention the marriage proposal. Her brows were furrowed and she looked worried, which was very different from her usual noisy self.

After dinner, Mrs. Hu went to the kitchen to clean up.

Wu Ya and Liu Ya returned to their rooms.

Only then did Xu wave her hand and ask her son to sit down.

"Mom, were you upset when the matchmaker came today? Why do you look so worried?" Zhang Pingan asked with concern.

Xu waved her hand: "No, the matchmaker was quite polite. I can't say I was bullied, that's all..."

"Huh?" Zhang Pingan was puzzled.

"The matchmaker said that our family doesn't need to prepare anything, and that the girl's family will take care of it. I feel uncomfortable because this is just marrying into the girl's family. I raised my son to such a big age, but how can he be so worthless in the eyes of others?" Xu felt a little aggrieved and felt that her son was not worthy.

In her opinion, if the man's family doesn't provide anything but a person, then isn't that just a live-in son-in-law?

"Has the engagement letter been changed?" Zhang Pingan asked after a pause.

"It has changed. The girl's family said they will propose marriage after your fifth sister gets married. The date is set for ten days later, and the wedding will be in the twelfth month," Xu said unhappily.

There is such a grand ceremony before the daughter-in-law even enters the house. I guess I, as the mother-in-law, will have no status after she enters the house.

My son didn’t know if he could straighten his back.

Xu was worried and panicked!

"Mom, since it's our family that's going to propose, then he's not a son-in-law. It will be clearly stated on the marriage certificate," Zhang Ping'an said seriously, "Besides, the Qian family doesn't lack sons!"