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

"I want to release it too!" Xiao Yuer shouted after seeing it.

"This can only be released between husband and wife. You can also release it if you find someone you love in the future," Zhang Pingan explained.

The father and son stayed in the ice cellar for a long time. The housekeeper came to check on them three times, but each time he could only sigh and leave.

When he heard Xiaoyuer sneeze, Zhang Pingan finally reacted and sighed: "Alas, it's too cold here, your body can't stand it. Let's go upstairs and let the doctor see you!"

Xiao Yuer curled his lips, but he couldn't be stubborn anymore. He knew that colds were a very serious illness for children, and could be fatal if not taken care of.

After the father and son went upstairs, the housekeeper immediately asked them to drink a bowl of ginger soup and change their clothes.

"Master, now that the Madam is gone, the young master will have to rely on you from now on. You must take care of your health!" the housekeeper advised.

"I understand," Zhang Ping'an nodded, his eyes far-reaching, "I won't let Xiaoyuer be without a father again."

"Oh, that's right," the housekeeper said with relief. He took the box from the servant beside him and handed it to Zhang Ping'an respectfully. "Inside is the letter that Madam left for you. You will understand everything after reading it. As for Madam's dowry... the Qian family means that Madam has only one child, the young master, so it must be left to him. But the young master is still young. If you remarry in the future, this..."

The butler didn't finish his words, but Zhang Ping'an understood what he meant.

He raised his hand to stop talking and said, "Madam's dowry and the family property will all belong to the young master from now on. I will not remarry. Father-in-law can rest assured. I will ask someone to sign a document when the time comes."

The butler breathed a sigh of relief after hearing this. He was just a messenger. It would be best if both sides could reach an agreement, otherwise he could not afford to offend either side.

In fact, he knew that as Zhang Ping'an's official position became more and more powerful, the Zhang family was not short of these dowries and would not covet these things.

But after all, the meaning of dowry is different. If it falls into the hands of a concubine in the future, it will be quite disgusting. It is better to make it clear in advance.

Xiao Yuer cried for several times in a row, venting his emotions excessively. He looked listless now, and his eyes were not as lively as before. I don’t know what he was thinking.

Zhang Pingan felt heartbroken watching this. This is the feeling that only after having a child and becoming a father can one have.

"Let the servants prepare the meal and make two bowls of calming soup. We will rest here tonight," Zhang Ping'an ordered.

The butler responded and then left.

Chi Bao stood aside and only then understood the whole thing. He had watched Xiao Yuer being born, and now looking at this child, he could only sigh secretly, "How pitiful are the parents in the world."

No one had an appetite for dinner, so they left the table after just a few bites.

After Zhang Ping'an coaxed the child to sleep, he stood at the table for a long time before gently opening the box.

What caught my eye were piles of letters sorted by date.

A quick glance revealed that there were more than a hundred letters, filling the box completely.

Zhang Ping'an started with the oldest date, which was his first year in the north.

Qian Youyi had just arrived at Zhoushan Villa.

She did not complain in the letter, hating the heavens, the earth, or why she got the disease.

She just accepted the result calmly. The arrow that had been hanging over her head for so many years was finally shot out.

The only regret is that she will not be able to grow up with her child, share in his joys and sorrows, or stand in front of him to protect him.

That's why she chose to conceal it. She couldn't let herself hold Zhang Ping'an back, nor could she bring shame to her child's reputation.

Because after she passes away, only the child's biological father will be able to truly care about the child and be his support.

"I have met a gentleman in this life, and entrusted him with my zither and Chinese harp. Even if I were to die, I would not regret wearing my red wedding dress. If my soul could know, I would turn into butterflies hanging on a tree branch, and follow you year after year. I just hope you don't blame me."

"In the middle of the night, I hold the lamp and dream, but I am still dreaming. I seal my tears and send them to you. The lotus flower knows how much I miss you, and the child's cry seems to be behind the screen."

All of them express longing.

Seeing this, Zhang Pingan's throat choked.

Each letter seemed to be branded into his heart.

He could see that these letters were all written from the heart, and he could even imagine Qian Youyi sitting alone in front of the window writing letters.

Such imagination made him even more heartbroken.

Looking at his son's sleeping face beside the bed, Zhang Pingan secretly vowed that he would do his best to make his son's life smooth.

Early the next morning, Zhang Ping'an took his son back home to deal with the funeral arrangements.

It is also a bit troublesome to make this matter public.

He had to go to the Qian family again. His father-in-law and his eldest and second brothers-in-law had gone to the capital, and now only his fourth brother-in-law Qian Yu was left in Lin'an.

Both sides need to communicate with each other.

"Dad, when can we come to see Mom again?" Xiao Yuer asked with his head raised, still a little depressed.

Zhang Ping'an stood at the bow of the boat, looking at Zhoushan in the distance.

Hearing this, he lowered his head and replied, "Very soon!"

"How long is soon?" Xiao Yuer asked.

"Tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, when we return to Lin'an and explain the matter, Dad will bring you to Zhoushan again."

"Okay," Xiao Yuer felt happier after hearing this and stopped asking questions.

The father and son spent a silent journey.

After returning home, Zhang Ping'an told Zhang Laoer and Xu about the situation in Zhoushan.

Zhang Laoer and Xu had actually had some bad guesses a long time ago, but they had never dared to verify them.

After hearing this, he felt sad and sighed. Although this daughter-in-law from a wealthy family was not the type that Xu particularly liked, people should be conscientious in what they say and do. To be honest, this daughter-in-law is very good to them, the old couple.

"It's such a pity that the child lost his mother at such a young age. What a sin," Mrs. Xu wiped her tears.

As she cried, she began to feel sorry for her son again: "Look at you, you were a fine person when you left, but after less than a day, your hair has turned mostly white since you came back from Zhoushan. You are too sentimental. It was fine when you were young, but now you are getting more and more worried as you get promoted. It's not good to keep everything in your heart. I don't know much else, but I know that long-term depression can lead to illness. This can't go on!"

"Alas, outsiders only see the glory of our family, but fail to see how heavy the burden on your shoulders is. Dad may sound a bit hypocritical, but I am really satisfied with my current life. You don't have to work so hard in the future. It doesn't matter whether you can be granted a title of nobility or become a prime minister," Zhang Laoer also said, wiping his tears.

When he was young, he was strong-willed and would not cry easily.

As we get older, our hearts become softer and softer.