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

By the time the father and son slowly returned to Lin'an Wharf by boat, it was already dark.

Xiao Yuer was so tired that he fell asleep on the boat.

After being gently woken up by Zhang Ping'an, he habitually snuggled into his father's arms.

"Who was it that insisted on going to the night market after returning to Lin'an when he got on board? Do you still want to go there now?" Zhang Ping'an asked with a smile.

After hearing this, Xiao Yuer rubbed his eyes and woke up a little. His tone was still sleepy, but he said firmly: "Of course I have to go shopping!"

"Okay, then I'll ask the driver to go around and go through the night market. We'll take a look and then go back," Zhang Ping'an nodded in response.

He is about to set off for his hometown tomorrow, and he is very willing to fulfill his son's little wish.

He hopes his son can have some happy childhood memories.

After years of development, Lin'an's night market has become very mature and lively.

There are corresponding areas for various kinds of food and toys.

And only those with superb skills can survive in this night market. There is basically no fraud, and most of the money they make comes from repeat customers.

Therefore, even locals come here often.

Although Xiao Yuer spoke with determination, he was actually not fully awake at all. When he arrived at the night market, he seemed a little bored.

He covered his little mouth and yawned continuously, but still insisted on not going home.

Zhang Ping'an didn't expose him. Seeing Xiao Yu'er's eyes fell on the stall of an old man making clay figurines on the roadside, he carried the child over and asked for a few based on the images of his family members.

"Let's buy a few clay figurines as a souvenir and put them in your own toy box."

"Well, okay!" Xiao Yuer nodded with a smile on his face.

The old man had good skills and in just a few strokes he made a lifelike sculpture based on Zhang Ping'an's description.

There were a lot of children gathered around, chattering and occasionally exclaiming in surprise.

The old man pinched one, and the little fish was held in his hand.

Everyone else's figurines were fine, but when it came to his mother's clay figurine, Xiao Yuer was not satisfied at all. "This one is not well shaped, it doesn't look like her!"

The old man had a good temper. After listening to it, he asked what was wrong and then made some changes with a smile.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Yuer kept shaking his head and said it didn't look like it.

After going back and forth several times, the old man became somewhat helpless: "Young Master, please forgive my incompetence. I really don't know how to change it!"

Zhang Pingan listened for a long time, and watched for a long time, and then he began to understand what the problem was. So he put the child down and said to the old man with a smile: "Old man, why don't you let me try?"

The old man is well versed in the ways of the world, so how could he refuse? Upon hearing this, he bowed and smiled and said, "Please!"

Zhang Ping'an has been practicing calligraphy and painting since he entered the academy. He is not an expert, but he is good at basic colors and shading.

He put three white dots around the pupils of the clay figure, one on the upper left, one on the upper right, and one on the bottom, using the visual aftereffect to create a sense of light.

Suddenly, the clay figure's eyes became brighter and more lively.

Then he tilted the eyeball's axis about fifteen degrees and pinched a tiny bulge at the inner corner of the eye.

Now, whether viewed from the side or the front, the clay figure's eyes are looking gently at the person holding the clay figure.

It is more lively than before and the expression is more vivid.

When the old man saw it, he clapped his hands and praised it!

Xiao Yuer was no longer picky this time. He took the clay figure and held it tightly in his hand.

There were children nearby who begged Zhang Ping'an to help make a few.

Zhang Ping'an politely but firmly refused. After paying the money, he picked up his son, turned around, got on the carriage and prepared to go home.

Xiao Yuer felt much better holding the clay figurine. He sat in the carriage, shaking his short legs and laughing with his hands covering his mouth.

"What are you so happy about?" Zhang Ping'an asked, rubbing his son's head.

"Hmph, I won't tell Dad. This is my little secret!" Xiao Yuer narrowed his eyes and smiled.

He would never tell his father that he was happy because his father only made the clay figure for him!

He also wants to save face, this is his little secret!

When the father and son arrived home, Xu and Zhang Laoer were sitting in the yard enjoying the cool air.

It is mid-July, the hottest time of the year.

I have packed all the things I need to take back home, so I can only leave tomorrow.

Therefore, Zhang Laoer and Xu were quite happy at this time.

There is also a sense of anticipation and excitement about returning home.

"Why did you and your son come back just now? It's dark now. I was just about to send someone out to look for you!" Xu smiled.

He then ordered people to bring out the iced fruit and mung bean soup: "I saved this especially for you. Come and drink it to cool down the summer heat!"

Xiao Yuer ran forward and held up the clay figurine in his hand to show the old couple: "Grandpa, Grandma, look, it's a clay figurine! Daddy bought it for me!"

Zhang Laoer was very enthusiastic. After taking a closer look, he smiled and praised, "It's really well made. Is it made after our family members?"

"Yes!" Xiao Yuer nodded heavily and asked, "Grandfather, which one do you think is the best?"

"The best?" Zhang Laoer took a closer look, then saw the anticipation in his grandson's eyes. He understood a little and said lovingly, "The best one, I think, is this clay figurine made after your mother. The eyes are really bright and it looks noble, a bit like your mother's spirit when she was alive!"

"Grandpa, you're so smart!" Xiao Yu'er was even happier than if he had been praised himself. He said in a crisp voice, "Dad helped me make this. Dad knows everything. He's amazing!"

"Your father has always been smart!" Xu agreed.

Everyone likes to hear this.

Finally, Xiao Yuer said solemnly: "I will keep these clay figurines and show them to my mother next time I visit her!"

"Then you better keep it," Zhang Laoer joked, "Do you want Grandpa to make you one? Your father's toy box as a child was made by his grandfather. It's very sturdy. If we hadn't been fleeing at that time, it would definitely still be useful!"

"No need! I have it, and I'm going to put it in my best sandalwood box," Xiao Yuer had his own idea.

The family chatted in the yard for a while before going back to their rooms to rest.

Spent the last night in Lin'an.

At this time, Zhang Ping'an had just celebrated his 23rd birthday, and Xiao Yuer had just turned five years old. The birthdays of father and son were only three days apart.

But because it is not appropriate to hold a banquet during the seventh day of the lunar month, the family just ate a bowl of longevity noodles together to celebrate the birthday.

Tomorrow, the father and son will begin another journey in their lives!