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

Chapter 430 Boating on the Lake

As a half-outsider at this time, Zhang Pingan hated this damn information barrier. It felt very bad to know nothing and only obey the arrangements of fate.

Seeing that his father-in-law had no intention of saying anything more, Zhang Pingan didn't dare to ask.

After staying at Qian's house for lunch, Zhang Ping'an went home.

I only realized after I got home that I received a lot of messages today.

Most of them are classmates, who make plans to go out for food, drinks, and fun, and to keep in touch with each other.

Among them was even Mr. Fan, who invited him to go boating on the lake in the suburbs the next day.

"By the way, Jinbao came this morning. He knew you had finished the exam and asked you out for dinner," said Xu.

"I was planning to go find him after a rest, why didn't you invite him to have dinner at home?" Zhang Pingan said.

"I tried to keep it, but the kid refused, saying he'd just tell you when you got back," Mrs. Xu said hurriedly. "Ever since we moved here, I feel like Jinbao's family has become quite distant from us. Jinbao wouldn't have been so polite before!"

"It's okay, I'll go find him later!"

"Also, your fifth brother-in-law sent a servant to say that he would like to invite our whole family to dinner at Zuixianlou tomorrow night. It's rare that he is so thoughtful, so you should remember to reserve time for tomorrow night," Xu continued.

"This fifth brother-in-law is really attentive. I don't know how disappointed he would be if I failed the exam," Zhang Pingan shook his head with amusement.

Mrs. Xu actually liked this son-in-law. He was perceptive, knew when to act, was a scholar, and wasn't bad looking. Although he wasn't as good looking as her own son, he was still a handsome man. Upon hearing this, she smiled and said, "Why think so much? No one is perfect. Why pick on this?"

"Oh, Mom, you know that no one is perfect," Zhang Pingan was surprised.

"I learned it from your wife. She would be very particular about words even when scolding a maid. I listened to her," Xu said with a smile, her lips raised high, very proud of her learning ability.

"Mom is so awesome," Zhang Pingan praised.

After resting for a while at home, Zhang Ping'an packed a few books and took a carriage to Jinbao's house.

Jin Bao's mother opened the door and was very happy to see Zhang Ping'an coming. She turned her head and shouted to the yard: "Jin Bao, Ping'an is here!"

Very loud.

Jin Bao immediately ran out of the study when he heard the sound and said in surprise: "Ping An, you're here! I went to your house this morning to look for you, but you were out. It's really not easy to see you now!"

"Well, I went to the provincial school and my father-in-law's house. I came here after I finished my work." He pointed to the bundle in his hand and said, "I found all the books you asked me to find, and I brought them to you!"

"Let's talk about the study," Jinbao said with a happy smile on his face.

Jin Bao Niang said with a smile, "I'll go get you some food and bring it in."

After that, she whispered to Zhang Pingan, "Ping'an, you've come at the perfect time. Please help your aunt persuade Jinbao. He's not satisfied with any of the girls the matchmaker has suggested to him. If he delays any longer, he'll be single. I'm so worried!"

She said she was speaking in a low voice, but the yard was small and Jin Bao's mother's voice was quite loud. When Jin Bao heard it, he felt embarrassed and angry, and said with a red face, "Mother!"

"Okay, okay, I won't say anything. It's all because I spoiled you. You can't say anything. What should I do?" Jin Bao's mother muttered a few words before going to the kitchen.

Zhang Pingan followed him to Jinbao's study, and he was also a little confused: "You have been talking about this marriage for half a year, why don't you agree? You are old enough."

Girls at that time were generally very simple and never left the house. Zhang Pingan felt that if they were compatible, marriage was a must.

"But I don't like any of those girls. Life is short, and I don't want to do something that will make me unhappy," Jin Bao sighed.

"You always say you don't like it, so what kind of thing do you like? You need someone to refer to," Zhang Pingan said casually.

Jin Bao was silent for a moment after hearing this, and then he said hesitantly: "Then I tell you, you are not allowed to laugh at me!"

Zhang Pingan raised his eyebrows. Is it true?

His expression suddenly became serious, and he promised, "I will definitely not laugh!"

"Well, that's right... that's right... I like Miss Liu, who is well-educated and good at music, chess, calligraphy and painting!"

"Puff!" Zhang Pingan spat out a mouthful of tea and asked in surprise, "Who? Isn't that Miss Liu I was thinking of?"

Jin Bao was a little angry: "You still say you can't laugh?"

Zhang Pingan confirmed again: "Are you really talking about Miss Liu from Qunfang Tower?"

"Yeah," Jin Bao nodded, then said with a bit of disappointment, "But I know I'm definitely not worthy of a woman like this."

"Do you like Miss Liu, or do you just like women like Miss Liu who are good at playing the piano, chess, calligraphy and painting?" Zhang Pingan asked. This is very important.

Speaking of this, Jin Bao's eyes were a little confused: "I don't know either."

Zhang Pingan almost sighed when he heard this: "Alas, it's not that I, as a brother, don't support you, but women in the brothel are used to big scenes. Not to mention that you don't have that much money to spend, even if I invite you home, you can't control me!"

After saying that, he paused and said, "I think you just long for that kind of woman. So, I'll ask your sister-in-law to help you keep an eye out and see if there's a suitable woman who can help you get together. Some women from small official families who have fallen on hard times are also good at music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and are just as well-educated and well-mannered."

"Then please thank my sister-in-law on my behalf," Jinbao said a little embarrassedly.

"I think you all have read too many storybooks. You have become stupid when writing stories. It is not easy for talented men and beautiful women to happen in real life. It is better to find a pure woman and live a down-to-earth life with her. This kind of life is plain but extraordinary," Zhang Pingan advised.

"One by one?" Jin Bao wondered, "Who else?"

"I'm just giving an example," Zhang Ping'an said after clenching his fist and coughing.

"Oh!" Jinbao was still a little unhappy.

It took him a long time to cheer up. "By the way, let me show you my new storybook. It's selling very well. This time the female character is a fox fairy, and a human and a fairy fall in love."

Unable to refuse such a kind offer, Zhang Ping'an took a look and found it really well written. However, he had watched too many melodramas and gossip news in his previous life, so he had a strong tolerance for it. This bit of melodrama was nothing to him.

"Not bad," Zhang Pingan commented.

"Then take it home and read it. It's a gift for you," Jinbao said generously, waving his hand.

"No," Zhang Ping'an put it down quickly. He couldn't let his wife develop the habit of reading storybooks.

After spending the whole afternoon at Jinbao's house and having dinner, Zhang Ping'an went home.

Have a good night's sleep!

Soon it was the next day. After breakfast, Zhang Ping'an took a carriage to the outskirts of the city to meet Mr. Fan. The two of them agreed to go boating on the lake and chat.

In fact, it is still quite cold to go boating on the lake in mid-February.

If it was another classmate who invited him, Zhang Pingan would definitely not go.

But it’s Mr. Fan!

When Zhang Ping'an arrived, Mr. Fan had already arrived. He was wearing a royal blue cloak with dark embroidered patterns and a black fox fur around his neck. He was standing by the lake with his hands behind his back.

Her gray hair was tied up high with a jade hairpin, floating in the air with the cold wind.

There is a smell of a hermit.