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

Time flew by and almost a month had passed. Just as Zhang Ping'an and his elder brother-in-law were eagerly waiting, Chi Bao finally returned home exhausted.

But there was no family member following him, and he returned the same way he went.

Even after eating, his face looked very bad, without any joy at all.

Zhang Pingan initially thought that he was acting like this because he hadn't accomplished his task and felt bad after eating, so he waved his hand and asked someone to sit down and talk.

No blame either.

He only asked carefully: "Is everyone at home okay when you return this time?"

After eating, I rubbed my hands, not knowing how to answer.

After a long while, he knelt down with a plop and kowtowed, saying, "My Lord, everything else at home is fine. The old master and the old lady are still in good health, and the young master is smart and clever. It's just...it's just..."

He hesitated for a long time and didn't say the last sentence even after he finished eating.

Zhang Ping'an and Liu Sanlang were extremely anxious, and they immediately had a bad premonition.

"Is Madam unwell?" Zhang Pingan asked after a moment's thought.

After eating his fill, he nodded heavily and replied in a low voice, "I only found out after I went back this time that my wife had been seriously ill for more than two years and had difficulty moving. It was said that she ached all over and couldn't sleep every day. She also vomited blood from time to time. She had seen many doctors but to no avail.

Later, the lady sent someone back to her parents' home and invited her eldest brother to come to the house to talk. Then the Qian family discussed with the old man and the old lady and decided to send the person to the Qian family's hot spring villa in Zhoushan for recuperation.

He's been gone for over two years, and apart from a letter sent to Lin'an every month, he hasn't seen anyone else. We don't know how he's doing right now. The old lady said he might not be doing well, otherwise he wouldn't even be away for the young master's birthday party."

"Going to Zhoushan?" Zhang Ping'an stood up, his heart sinking.

"Yes, I heard it was Madam's idea. She insisted on going to the other courtyard to recuperate. Madam was seriously ill, so the old lady and the old master naturally did not dare to stop her. In the end, it was Madam's eldest brother, Lord Qian, who came to pick her up personally and sent her to Zhoushan. He also invited many doctors to accompany her," replied Chibao.

"Didn't the old master and the old lady go to Zhoushan Villa to see the lady?"

"The old lady said that Madam doesn't see outsiders. She and the old master took the children to the island several times, and were asked to go back after arriving. From what I saw, the old lady was worried too. She started crying while talking, and she didn't dare to let the young master know." Chi Bao's tone became increasingly depressed as he spoke.

In his heart, the lady was different from other young ladies from wealthy families. She was a very good person. After he and the villagers came to Lin'an, the first place they officially settled was at Mrs. Qian's dowry farm.

Only then did they gradually gain a foothold and the whole village was able to survive.

It would be really unfair for God to let such a good person die of illness at such a young age.

I felt very upset after eating.

"It seems that they are deliberately hiding it from me. I have received so many letters from home, and my brother-in-law Qian Ying also sent me a letter, but he didn't say a word about it. It really makes me suffer!" Zhang Ping'an sighed bitterly, with grief in his eyes.

"Sir, please don't blame your family for this."

Chi Bao helped explain, "Before I came back, the old lady and the old master repeatedly told me to explain it to you properly. They also had their own difficulties. The lady was ill at the time and insisted that they swear not to tell you the news of her serious illness, so that you would not be distracted on the front line and could go to the villa to recuperate with peace of mind. The old lady and the others had no choice!

Now that Madam's condition is unclear, they can't bring the young master to Runan Prefecture to reunite with you."

After saying that, he looked at Liu Sanlang and replied, "Captain Liu, I've also visited the Liu family. Everything is fine. It's just that Old Master Liu and Old Madam Liu are old and have bad teeth. They can't eat much now. They like to sit by the wall to bask in the sun. My eldest aunt is afraid that something might happen to them, so she doesn't dare to leave. Plus, my cousin is about to arrange a marriage, so I told you that they won't come this time. They will come after everything is settled at home!"

"I feel relieved that everything is fine at home. The most urgent matter now is Xiaoyuer's mother's matter. I have to ask for leave to go back and see her. I have kept her on the island for several years without seeing her. This..." Liu Sanlang hesitated to speak.

"Generally, returning home to visit relatives is limited to weddings and funerals of close relatives, or the Spring Festival. If you go back during the spring break, it cannot exceed ten days. You are not allowed to leave your post at will at other times. Otherwise, you will be dismissed from office at the very least, and you may be charged and imprisoned at the worst. Runan Prefecture is a long way from Lin'an, and there is definitely not enough time. I will first submit a memorial to the court to ask for leave, and then write a letter to my brother-in-law Qian Ying to find out the situation." Although Zhang Ping'an was very anxious in his heart, he looked calm.

He thought of Jin Bao and Xiao Yifei again. They had been communicating frequently in the past few years since they came to the north.

I haven't heard either of them mention it.

It was probably because they were both outsiders, and when he was not around, they certainly couldn't ask too much about the affairs of the mansion's inner chambers.

If I invite them to visit my parents and ask about the situation this time, it might be more realistic and faster.

After writing several letters and memorials and sending them out, Zhang Ping'an was still feeling uneasy and had a feeling that he couldn't let go.

Liu Sanlang could only comfort him: "Ping An, don't worry, there's no point in worrying, let's wait and see the results, don't act impulsively!"

As for resigning, that is impossible, not to mention how much time it would take to wait for the court to send someone to take over.

Even if I really quit, I'm afraid it would be difficult to explain to my mother-in-law Xu, father-in-law Zhang Laoer and others when I go back.

Especially my parents-in-law, Zhang Laoer and Xu, if they knew the news, they might even kill themselves.

We are all adults, with elderly parents and young children to take care of. We cannot act impulsively. No matter how great the pain and sadness are, we have to suppress them and consider practical issues.

Only if my brother-in-law has a successful career can the whole family live safely in Lin'an and Xiaoyuer can have a better future.

Zhang Pingan naturally understood this truth. He wiped his face and said, "Brother-in-law, don't worry. I won't act impulsively. I have such a heavy burden on my shoulders! As the old saying goes, 30 years ago, the son looked to the father, and 30 years later, the father looked to the son. I'm in the middle position. How dare I act impulsively? I don't have the qualifications, haha!"

Liu Sanlang felt sad, but there was nothing he could do.

Why is God so slow to treat good people!

At this moment, a man who had returned with the full-fledged meal suddenly rushed into the inner hall and reported, "Master Zhang, Master Liu, something bad has happened. When we were clearing the luggage, we discovered that Master Liu's second son had come along hiding in a suitcase!"

"What? Maodan is coming?" Liu Sanlang was startled at first, then stood up and said angrily, "This careless boy is so bold. Where is he?!"