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

"Let's see how my aunt talks to my eldest cousin's wife about this matter. After all, they are from different families, and we can't interfere too much. Our family has done everything we can in terms of both emotion and reason."

Zhang Ping'an was not prepared to interfere too much in this matter. Firstly, he wanted to avoid suspicion, and secondly, if he interfered too much, he might end up in a thankless position.

"That's right. Let's see what your aunt and the others do," Xu replied.

The family talked for a while before moving to the dining room to have lunch.

It was hot and no one had much appetite, so the main cold dish they ate was noodles boiled in well water, which was simple, convenient and appetizing.

Mrs. Zhang and Old Man Zhang now only eat two meals a day and don’t come over for lunch.

Before he finished lunch, Hua Wanli sent someone to ask for half a day off. He couldn't go to the yamen in the afternoon because his wife was giving birth at home and he had to accompany her.

"That's great, this kid and our Baoer are destined to be together. They are less than a month apart. Then we can visit each other and have each other as companions," said Zhang Laoer with a smile.

"We don't know whether it's a boy or a girl. Let's not cause trouble for others now. Wait until evening for you to bring some things to check it out," Zhang Ping'an instructed.

"I know," Xu replied casually.

However, before Xu went to visit in the evening, the Hua family sent someone to announce the good news that a six-pound girl had been born.

Xu felt a little regretful: "It's really fast, but it's a pity that it's a girl."

"They are still young and can still have more children. Please don't say this in front of others," Zhang Pingan instructed.

"That's right, this kind of talk can easily offend people," said Zhang Laoer.

"Do you two think I'm a fool? How could I say that in front of others?" Xu rolled her eyes at the father and son.

She quickly finished the last bite, put down her chopsticks, and went to hold her child.

On the second day, the day before the full moon banquet, Zhang Pingan unexpectedly received a letter from his senior brother Pan Shibei.

Of course, it was not to celebrate his son’s full moon, as the eldest brother didn’t know about this yet. It was mainly about the issue of the batch of Annan rice seeds mentioned in the previous letter.

It turned out that the eldest brother Pan Shibei had been suffering from food pressure for a long time.

The southern Fujian region was far less prosperous than the Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions. The imperial court increased taxes and conscripted soldiers, causing the people to complain.

The people don't care who sits on the throne, as long as they can have enough food to eat.

In addition, the local people were tough, Pan Shibei did not have much background, and his style of doing things was not decisive and smooth enough. As a result, this county magistrate was exhausted and not stable.

Moreover, he secretly hopes to accomplish something to benefit the common people.

Therefore, after receiving the letter and seeds sent by Zhang Ping'an, he immediately ordered the agricultural officer to open up a test field and take good care of it to see if the yield was as high as described in the letter.

Now, more than a month has passed, and the rice seedlings are about half a foot tall and growing well.

The main reason I am writing this letter is to express my gratitude.

Zhang Ping'an was also happy after reading the letter. If the eldest brother knew about the existence of sweet potatoes, he would probably be even happier.

After thinking about it, he immediately wrote back, telling him about the current situation of sweet potato planting in Ci County, and said that he would send him some after the sweet potatoes were harvested in September so that he could try to grow them in southern Fujian.

By then, it will be able to greatly alleviate the people’s food problem.

This is because Southern Fujian is far away, and Zhang Pingan, who lives nearby, dares not send a little here and a little there. After all, the imperial court has not ordered a large-scale promotion yet, and people's hearts are unpredictable!

Around 3 p.m., my eldest uncle Qian Ying arrived on horseback. He came specially to celebrate the baby's full moon and to do a facial for my sister.

There was also a cart of gifts on the carriage at the back, which was considered to be a great honor for Qian Youyi and her newborn nephew.

Zhang Ping'an warmly welcomed the person into the house and exchanged a few words.

Qian Ying looked around and asked with a smile, "Where are my sister and nephew?"

"Youyi is out of energy and blood after giving birth, and she's not in good health. She's resting in the house. She even won't let me in to see her, saying she looks too ugly. She insists on waiting until tomorrow, when she's a full month old," Zhang Pingan said helplessly.

Then he turned his head and ordered the servants: "Go and ask the nanny to bring the young master over and let him meet his uncle!"

"You're already a mother, but you still love beauty so much," Qian Ying shook her head, unable to understand.

After a while, the wet nurse brought the child out.

After raising him for a month, the child became white and plump, his arms were like tender lotus roots, and the circles around his neck were no longer visible.

Extra pleasing!

Qian Ying opened her arms and smiled, "Come, uncle, give me a hug, be good!"

The child was not shy and was held obediently in his arms, sucking his fingers until they were shiny.

"This child is brave and will do nothing wrong in the future," Qian Ying praised.

He is most afraid of children crying.

To be honest, he has hardly ever held his own boys.

The two of them had not chatted for long when Qian Ying was about to talk about the burning of the granary in Lin'an.

The servant came to report that the Zhang family from Lin'an had arrived.

Zhang Ping'an guessed that it must be his eldest uncle and third uncle's house, so he apologized to his eldest brother-in-law Qian Ying and went out to greet them.

When we got to the door, we saw that only the heads of each family had come, Zhang Lao Da, Zhang Lao San, Xu Xiaojiu, Liu the butcher, and Manman, the boy from my second sister's family.

I guess my second sister's family really couldn't spare anyone, so they asked a few adults to bring Manman over as representatives.

Several people brought a lot of gifts, and each family marked them with their own marks. They were not worth much money, but they were given with care.

Zhang Ping'an welcomed everyone into the house.

Mrs. Zhang, Old Man Zhang, Mrs. Xu and Old Man Zhang also came out after hearing the news.

The living room was noisy for a while.

Qian Ying swallowed back what she wanted to say.

In the evening, after everyone had a lively dinner, they went to rest.

After all, we have to get up early for tomorrow's full moon banquet, so it's not too late to talk about anything tomorrow.

The next day, at dawn, Qian Youyi got up and sat in front of the dressing table.

"Mammy, please put more rouge on my face and make my eyebrows thicker so that I look more energetic," Qian Youyi said softly. He was still short of breath and spoke weakly. This was a damage to his foundation and it could not be changed.

"Okay, okay. I can also help you apply a thicker lip balm," replied Aunt Rong.

Poor parents!

Aunt Rong was very skilled, so she deliberately applied heavier makeup and added a lot of glittering jewels to decorate her look. She immediately looked like a completely different person from when she just woke up.

He looks much more energetic and in better spirits.

When Zhang Ping'an came in with the child in his arms, he saw Qian Youyi had already finished dressing up. He was surprised: "Madam, you're up early. I said I'd bring the child over to talk to you while you were dressing up!"

"I've been sleeping for a month and couldn't fall asleep, so I got up early. Today is an important day for our baby, and I can't be late," Qian Youyi said with a gentle smile.

He gestured to Aunt Rong to help her up and go over.

The two hadn't seen each other for a month and had endless things to talk about.

The child was dressed beautifully today, wearing a bright red, shiny silk shirt and trousers. In the middle of the shirt was embroidered a fat baby holding a big red carp, and on both legs of the trousers were embroidered small red carps. The colors were clearly layered, vivid, and complemented each other.

You can tell at first glance that it was made by an embroiderer with great skills.

She wore a pure gold jewel necklace around her neck, and her hands and feet were also busy, wearing thin pure gold bracelets and anklets.

There is also a round cinnabar mole in the middle of the forehead, which is said to have the effect of warding off evil spirits and calming the mind and improving eyesight.

Plus the child is fair-skinned, he looks like a rich baby!

"The young master is so well-born. You can tell at a glance that he is blessed, just like the golden boy seated by the goddess Guanyin," praised Aunt Rong.

Qian Youyi reached out and touched the child's little face, then touched the child's body, which was dry.

I know the servants are not lazy and the children are well taken care of.

His legs and feet are strong, his eyes are bright, and he looks strong.

How nice it is to be healthy!

Qian Youyi didn't ask for anything else.

"By the way, the child hasn't been given a nickname yet. You didn't let me in to see him when you were in confinement. I heard from Aunt Rong that you wanted to call our Baoer Xiaoyuer, right?" Zhang Ping'an asked while teasing the child.

"Yes, it's a coincidence. I had a dream on the night I gave birth. I dreamed that a big red carp fell into my arms. When I woke up, my amniotic fluid broke. I thought this must be God's will, so I named the child Xiaoyuer. It sounds smart," Qian Youyi said with a smile.

He was holding a rattle in his hand to tease the child. The child tried to reach out to grab it, but could never get it. It was fun to watch.

"Okay, then let's call him Xiaoyuer. To be honest, it sounds much better than "dog egg, donkey egg"," Zhang Pingan replied.

After saying that, he lifted up the child and said, "From now on, your name will be Xiaoyuer!"

"Oh," the child said, and I don't know if he understood or not, and his chin was drooling again.

"What's wrong with this child? He has to change bibs so many times every day, and his saliva never stops flowing," said Zhang Pingan as he wiped the child's chin.

"My dear son-in-law, all babies are like this. They will be fine after they grow teeth. Look how good our little master was born. His birth date is also good. He was born on July 11th at the hour of Yin. He is destined to be an official in the future," Aunt Rong praised him in a protective manner.

"Mammy, let's just talk about this in private. Don't say it in front of outsiders. Be low-key. The child is still young," Qian Youyi warned.

"Yes, yes, I said something wrong," Nanny Rong admitted her mistake immediately and said no more.

"My eldest brother also came yesterday and brought a lot of things. You can go meet him first later!"

"Okay, I know what I'm doing," Qian Youyi replied casually.

The two played with the child for a while, and seeing that it was getting late, they took the child out.