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

Chapter 442: Palace Examination (Part 1)

Zhang Pingan also laughed: "Let's not talk about me, Senior Brother, your ranking is also very good. There is a high probability that you will be a second-class Jinshi. The teacher will definitely be very pleased when he knows it!"

After saying that, seeing that it was getting late, he suggested, "It's getting late now, it's already dinner time, why don't you come to my house and eat and chat, and let me, your junior brother, show my hospitality."

Pan Shibei was a little embarrassed: "Ping'an, I also really want to have a good chat with you, and talk late into the night, but many people in the clan died on the way south, and the talent is dwindling. This time, I have an uncle who is good at martial arts to come with me to take care of me. If they come back and see that I am not here, they will definitely be very worried. I don't want to make them anxious, so let's wait until tomorrow, I will go to your house tomorrow!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the door was pushed open.

Pan Shibei's cousin and seven or eight servants came back after dinner.

I also packed a portion for Pan Shibei.

At first glance, they were all tall and strong men with muscular bodies, and they obviously knew some martial arts.

When he saw the stranger Zhang Pingan, his eyes were instantly filled with vigilance.

After Pan Shibei introduced the two sides, the uncle's face looked better. However, when he heard that they were going to Zhang Ping'an's house, he immediately refused: "Thank you for your kindness, nephew. It is fate that you two met in Lin'an. I shouldn't have stopped you. However, Shibei has been traveling all the way to take the exam and his health has not been very good. The palace examination will be in a few days. It is better for you to stay at the inn and prepare for the exam. After all, your future is important!"

Seeing that both of them looked unhappy after saying this, Zhang Pingan was a tribute scholar after all, so he compromised and said, "If you really want to reminisce about the past, why not just stay at the inn?"

Upon hearing this, Pan Shibei smiled bitterly and sighed. He had expected this to happen.

Although he downplayed it to Zhang Ping'an, only he knew the hardships and twists and turns of fleeing south to Changzhou.

Not only was most of the family wealth lost, but many members of the family were also killed, and the family was severely damaged.

On several occasions, I suffered a lot of losses and was deceived because I trusted so-called fellow villagers and acquaintances.

He has fully experienced the meaning of the four words "human heart is treacherous"!

The experiences and growth he had gained in the past two years were more than what he had experienced in the first half of his life.

Therefore, everyone in the tribe is now very wary of outsiders.

After he passed the imperial examination last year, he has been the focus of attention in the clan.

This uncle came along to take the exam with an important responsibility. It is no exaggeration to say that he is now the hope of the entire clan.

What's more, he has passed the imperial examination and has a bright future. His uncle is afraid that he might get hurt, so he has to check and taste the food and water himself before he feels at ease.

He had neither the heart nor the means to refuse this heavy kindness.

Although Zhang Ping'an was a little upset, he could understand a little when he saw how nervous the people following his senior brother were, and thought that there would always be accidents during every scientific expedition.

After thinking about it, he told his servant to go back and tell him to eat at the inn that night.

Seeing this, Pan Shibei felt very sorry and relieved.

Unless necessary, he didn't want to argue with his own people. Too many people in the tribe had sacrificed their lives to protect and train him!

During the casual conversation at dinner, Zhang Pingan unexpectedly learned the whereabouts of several classmates in the city.

"So, you were able to settle down in Changzhou thanks to Lu Xiao's connections," Zhang Pingan said with emotion.

Pan Shibei nodded. "Yes, as the saying goes, a county magistrate is not as good as a local official. Things are more valuable away from home, and people are worthless away from home. No matter how much fame and connections my teacher and I have in our hometown, they are nothing when we move south. When the world is in chaos, order is unstable. Master Lu's uncle happened to be an official in Changzhou. When I was looking for a job, I was lucky enough to get help from the Lu family. It was the only good thing I encountered after fleeing south."

"It's all over, things will get better and better," Zhang Pingan comforted.

After saying that, he shook his head and said, "I never thought that my classmate Yuan Ziang is doing quite well in Jinling!"

"The world is unpredictable," Pan Shibei said.

The two of them talked until half past the hour of Xu. Pan Shibei's cousin kept looking over at them, seeming to want to say something but stopping himself.

Zhang Ping'an was also tactful. Seeing that the conversation was almost over, he stood up and said goodbye: "Big Brother, then you should focus on preparing for the exam these few days. We will meet again after the palace exam!"

If he came over in the next few days, he was afraid that his eldest brother's uncle would stare holes into his body.

When he returned home, Zhang Ping'an thought that Zhang Laoer and Xu had gone to bed.

Unexpectedly, there were guests at home.

It would be fine if it was just my eldest, second, fifth and sixth sisters' families, but my uncle's family was there too.

Several younger children were already cuddling up to their adults, feeling drowsy.

Upon asking, I found out that as soon as he left the house, all his relatives came over.

After Zhang Laoer recovered, he remembered to send servants to deliver letters to his daughters and Uncle Xu's family to announce the good news.

However, he didn't expect that they would wait until now and not leave even after dinner.

Everyone wanted to congratulate him in person out of good intentions, and he couldn't turn them away.

The main reason for this is that the fifth son-in-law and the brother-in-law's family are unwilling to leave. If they don't leave, it will be difficult for others to leave, otherwise it will seem like they don't care enough.

Erya is so tired from eating melon seeds!

Uncle Xu's family was quite calm. They had food and drinks and were very able to sit still.

Fang Ziqi was also able to sit still and drink tea leisurely. He had to express his congratulations to his brother-in-law in person today no matter what.

Seeing Zhang Pingan coming back, everyone stood up and greeted him, "Pingan, you're back!"

"Eldest sister, second sister, fifth sister, sixth sister, and uncle, it's so late, why don't you go back and rest?" Zhang Pingan said as he walked.

Fang Ziqi smiled and said, "You are the protagonist today. How can we not congratulate you in person on such a happy occasion? What's the harm in waiting a little longer?"

Uncle Xu also had a beaming smile on his face and said excitedly, "Yes, Ping'an! This is such a joyous occasion that even the ancestors' graves are filled with smoke. No matter how busy I am, I have to say congratulations to you!"

Then he sighed, "Hey, kid, you've been smart since you were little, just like your grandpa! If they were still alive, they would be so happy! It's a pity they can't see it!"

Daya couldn't help but smiled and reminded: "Uncle, if you say that there is green smoke coming out of the ancestral tomb, this is also the ancestral tomb of the Zhang family!"

"Yes, yes, yes, but Ping'an also has the blood of our Xu family flowing in his veins, just the same," Uncle Xu waved his hand, not caring at all.

Zhang Pingan was really getting a headache from all the chatter.

But after all, everyone means well.

Zhang Pingan smiled and said, "I know everyone is happy for me. I have received your kindness. However, the palace examination has not yet begun, and the final ranking has not been determined. I need to focus on preparing for the exam these few days. After the palace examination, I will definitely have a banquet at home for the Jinshi candidates. I will invite everyone over to the feast then!"

Zhang Lao Er also said in a deep voice: "Alright, now that you have seen it, hurry back. The children are about to go to bed. Don't delay their school tomorrow. I will definitely notify you again after the results of the palace examination are out!"

Xu also stood up and said, "Yes, yes, you guys go back!"

Fang Ziqi knew his limits and when to advance and retreat. Upon hearing this, he immediately said, "Father-in-law and mother-in-law, I will take my leave!"

After that, he said to Zhang Pingan: "Ping'an, just focus on preparing for the exam. I will take your fifth sister back first."

Uncle Xu was a little reluctant to leave, but he also said: "Safe, then uncle will go back, you take the exam well!"

After these two great gods left, the others followed suit.

Xu then seemed to remember something and said, "Oh, son, didn't you ask me to send a message to Jinbao to tell him that you passed the exam? He said he would come to play with you after you finished the palace exam. This child is really sensible. He was afraid that you would be distracted!"

Zhang Pingan nodded, and couldn't help but smile: "Well, I understand!"

Now I am only one step away from becoming a Jinshi.

No one visits each other among classmates.

Although Minister Qian said it was just a formality, Zhang Ping'an still made serious preparations and spent the past few days in peace.

In a blink of an eye, it was the day of the palace examination!