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

Chapter 410 Solution

After receiving the gifts, the children bowed respectfully and returned the gesture.

Looking at the little kids of different heights acting like adults, Zhang Pingan was so cute that he almost laughed out loud.

Sure enough, cubs are the most healing!

Several of the sisters-in-law had round faces, full foreheads, thick earlobes, slightly plump figures, and delicate makeup on their faces. They looked very dignified and elegant, which was very consistent with the aesthetic of this era.

It can be seen that the standards of several brothers-in-law in choosing daughters-in-law are very consistent.

After everyone greeted each other, the men, women and children were divided into several tables and sat down one by one, separated by screens.

Qian Youyi naturally sat with his sisters-in-law.

Zhang Pingan sat next to several of his brothers-in-law.

Halfway through the banquet, my brother-in-law Qian Ying asked, "Brother-in-law, the provincial school will be closed for the holidays in about ten days, and the imperial examination in February next year is just around the corner. How confident are you this time?"

After hearing this, the others slowed down their drinking and looked over with concern.

The Qian family is full of talented people, not to mention that my father-in-law, Minister Qian, was a third place winner in the imperial examination.

Take my elder brother-in-law Qian Ying and my second brother-in-law Qian Jie, who are of the same generation. They both passed the imperial examinations at the age of twenty and became second-class Jinshi. They are now working in the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War respectively.

It’s not an exaggeration to praise the young and promising people!

Zhang Ping'an knew that as a son-in-law, everyone naturally had extremely high expectations for his academic performance.

Only with the status of a Jinshi can one pursue a career in officialdom more easily.

"Brother, the teachers in the first class of the provincial school are all famous scholars with profound academic attainments. I have benefited a lot from taking classes there. I estimate that I have about 40% to 50% chance of passing the imperial examination next year," Zhang Pingan said modestly after thinking for a while.

This is almost true.

The provincial school has monthly assessments. He can rank in the top 20 of several classes in Shangshe. Judging from the passing rate of the provincial school in previous years, the probability is about 40% to 50%.

For ordinary students, this ranking is already quite good. Even if they fail this time, there is still hope next time.

Minister Qian was not entirely satisfied. He lowered his head and thought for a moment before saying, "Well, how about this? After your holiday, come to the Qian residence every day and I'll give you some guidance on simplifying things and focusing on the essentials. Your time is more valuable than gold right now, so you need to improve as quickly as possible!"

Zhang Ping'an was overjoyed when he heard this. Tanhualang was among the top three in the country, and he received one-on-one guidance. He only had this opportunity because he was his son-in-law.

"Thank you, father-in-law, for your kindness. I am deeply grateful," Zhang Ping'an stood up and saluted.

"Sit down. We're all family, don't be polite," Minister Qian raised his hand to gesture for him to sit down and talk.

"It just so happens that there isn't much work to do at the end of the year, and the Ministry of Rites is a low-paying government office, so you can squeeze in some time. You're just one step away from passing the exam now, and it would be a pity to wait three years before taking it again. It would be best if you could pass it in one try, so that I can legitimately arrange a place for you," Minister Qian said slowly.

The meaning of support here is very clear.

"I understand!"

"Come, have some food. The glutinous rice lotus root balls and steamed fish are made by a chef who is good at Chu cuisine. You are from Huguang, so try them and see if they are authentic," said the second brother-in-law Qian Jie warmly.

The maidservant was very tactful and came forward to help serve the dishes.

Zhang Ping'an tasted it and found it was really good. It had the taste of his hometown, but with a touch of freshness. He wondered what he added to enhance the flavor.

If the eldest brother-in-law Qian Ying is a versatile person, then the second brother-in-law Qian Jie is warm and generous, rough but meticulous.

My third brother-in-law Qian Wei doesn’t talk much, but you can tell from his eyes that he is not a simple person and has a steady temperament.

My fourth brother-in-law Qian Yu has a baby face and looks young. He is eloquent and always has a smiling face. Even if you don’t meet him, you can’t tell anything about him.

Both of them were successful candidates in the last provincial examination, but failed in the metropolitan examination.

I am currently preparing for the exam and plan to give it another try in February next year.

After the meal, Zhang Pingan gained a lot.

Several brothers-in-law told a lot of gossip about the court and the aristocratic circles, as well as the complicated in-law relationships.

It's denser than a spider web.

Don’t say that men don’t gossip. There are some things men also need to understand, otherwise they may offend others accidentally.

The reason I told Zhang Ping'an all this in advance was to give him an idea of ​​what to do, so it could be considered an introductory course in advance.

After dinner, the women went to the greenhouse to drink tea and chat, while the men went to the study to play chess.

It’s lively with so many people, you won’t feel bored at all.

In this way, it was not until after 3 p.m. that the couple returned home together.

Zhang Laoer and Xu were so bored in the house that they could only eat pumpkin seeds to pass the time.

Xu ate so much that she developed sores on her tongue.

"I didn't believe people saying I was bored before, but now I really believe it," said Xu unhappily.

Zhang Laoer sighed, "Who says not? I'd love to go out to the fields and wield a hoe to stretch my legs, but unfortunately, there's no decent land to buy outside of Lin'an City right now. I have so much energy but nowhere to use it!"

When the two heard that their son and daughter-in-law had returned, they got up and went to the main room.

"Dad, Mom, I hope you two have had a good meal today. If the servants are negligent in any way, you must tell me," Qian Youyi said with a smile.

He took out a jewelry box and said, "Mom, this is a return gift my mother prepared for you. Do you like it?"

"Oh, I have gifts to receive," Xu was a little flattered.

When you open the box, you will see a sea of ​​jewels and treasures.

"I see you usually dress plainly. This winter plum hairpin with kingfisher feathers, coral, and peony hairpin is perfect for you. The earrings and ring are also matching. Why don't you ask your maid to help you try them on tomorrow?"

Xu was a little uncomfortable, but she was still very happy in her heart, because it meant that her in-laws did not look down on her. She raised the corners of her mouth and said, "Then thank your mother for me!"

After saying this, he asked with concern: "Are your parents-in-law in good health? It's cold in winter, so please take care of your health!"

"Thank you for your concern, mother. My father and mother are in good health," Qian Youyi replied. "I know that father doesn't smoke, so I prepared a few jars of good wine as a return gift for him. They are heavy, so I have asked the servants to put them in the wine cellar. Just tell the servants when you want to drink."

"My in-laws are so thoughtful and considerate. Actually, it doesn't matter what I drink," Zhang Laoer also laughed.

The old couple felt relieved that their in-laws did not look down on them.

Seeing that the atmosphere was just right, Xu thought for a moment and tentatively said, "Daughter-in-law, it's supposedly quite nice here. The house is big, has everything, and there are servants to serve us. We old couple are enjoying a good life together!"

Mrs. Xu hesitated halfway through her words. Seeing her daughter-in-law looking at her calmly with a puzzled expression, she continued, "But, I'm not very fond of my own bed. I can't sleep well here. I feel uncomfortable. Why don't your father and I move back to the old house tomorrow? It's close anyway, and your father and I will visit often."

Qian Youyi was very surprised and frowned slightly before asking, "Mother, do you feel that there is something that is not well taken care of? If it is just a matter of finding a bed, you can just ask the servants to bring it over. It is not a difficult task."

Xu didn't know how to explain her thoughts clearly, and hesitated, "It's not just about the bed. Oh, I don't know how to explain it clearly!"

Zhang Ping'an didn't want to embarrass his parents, so he explained in a gentle voice, "Youyi, my parents mentioned this to me before. They're mainly used to the old house now. They can take care of the flowers and plants, and visit my eldest sister, second sister, and grandma from time to time. It's my fault for forgetting to tell you before!"

Qian Youyi was not angry when she heard this. She only sighed and said, "My husband, there is no need to say more. I understand. The big house is good, but it lacks a bit of the atmosphere of fireworks!"

"Oh, that's what I mean!" Xu couldn't help but slap her thigh excitedly.

Scholars are really smart and can make it clear in just one sentence.

"Mom, I'm not that kind of strong and overbearing daughter-in-law. I can understand all this. Logically, I shouldn't interfere with where you two live. But my husband and I have only been married for three days, and you and dad have moved back to the old house. From outsiders' perspective, it seems that my husband and I are unfilial, and it's giving others an advantage!" Qian Youyi said gently.

"What!!!" Xu's voice rose an octave, and she said angrily, "Who dares to say you're unfilial? This was a decision your father and I made. It has nothing to do with you. How can you smear us?"

Zhang Laoer was also very angry when he heard this. Isn't this just spreading rumors about his son and daughter-in-law? Compared with the people around them, his son was so filial. He frowned and looked at his son.

"It takes less than a quarter of an hour to walk between our two homes. They're so close, it shouldn't be that bad," Zhang Pingan was puzzled.

Although this dynasty attaches great importance to filial piety, the concept of housing has become much more open-minded. If conditions permit, it is not required that the whole family live together, as long as they can support their parents normally and fulfill their filial piety.

For example, the Yan family precepts mentioned that "the relationship between father and son should be strict, but not intimate", emphasizing that a certain distance should be maintained between father and son to maintain family order and etiquette.

"I think it's better to do this. Grandma was considerate of me because I just got married and was worried that I wouldn't be able to adapt, so she said that we can get together for the New Year's Eve dinner. I appreciate her kindness, but it's freezing cold in winter and we don't have much to do anyway. Why not invite them to our house tomorrow for a gathering, and invite my sisters and uncles as well. We can have fun together, talk to my parents, and I can get to know them. Do you think this is okay?" Qian Youyi said after thinking for a moment.

The daughter-in-law said this in such a kind way that the matter of returning to the old house was naturally not mentioned anymore.

Xu felt that her ideas were taken seriously, and she became more confident.

Zhang Ping'an was naturally happy that his parents could stay.

But he didn't want to force them, and let his parents suffer for his own selfish reasons.

He could see that they were uncomfortable living there.

Qian Youyi is very smart and she saw through Zhang Ping'an's thoughts at a glance.

After they returned to their room, she comforted him, "Don't worry, I have my own way. Mom and Dad will definitely be happy to live here!"

"Huh?" Zhang Pingan asked in confusion.

"You'll know then!" Qian Youyi smiled cunningly.