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

Yesterday, Zhang Ping'an brought Jinbao with him to Luojia Village to meet Liu Shengyuan and Luo Fuan.

After meeting again after a long separation, everyone was filled with emotion and had a lot to talk about.

So they simply stayed in Luojia Village after dinner.

It is also quite interesting to watch the moon, chat and listen to the frogs croaking in the yard.

Although the Luo family's house was quite dilapidated, it was located in a large enough area and had a large yard.

In addition, Luo Fuan is diligent in cleaning up on weekdays, so the place is very tidy and clean.

When Mr. Luo saw Zhang Ping'an and others coming over, he was surprised and then delighted. He was very enthusiastic towards them. He knew that young people had something to talk about and Zhang Ping'an and others would definitely feel uncomfortable if he was there, so he didn't listen.

After finishing his meal, he went to the oil mill to pack up the food, leaving the space for a few people.

You can rest there and keep an eye on the food at night.

After not seeing him for many years, Liu Shengyuan still retains the shadow of his former self. He speaks and acts in a gentle and elegant manner, and is the standard of a refined scholar of this era.

Apart from a tired look in his eyes, he looked very much like Liu's father when he was young.

At this moment, he asked with particular apologetic concern, "Uncle, is it okay for you to go alone? Actually, we are all so familiar with each other, there is no need to be so polite."

Luo Fuan waved his hand and sat down, smiling, "It's okay, my dad is happy to go there alone. It's not far away anyway. My second uncle will be back later, so they can keep him company."

"That's good," Liu Shengyuan felt relieved.

"Ayuan, you are really good. I heard that you have settled down in Nanchang Prefecture and passed the imperial examination. You are really amazing," Jinbao praised sincerely.

"This achievement is nothing to be proud of. It's far inferior to Ping An," Liu Shengyuan replied modestly, shaking his head.

"Why don't you get together with us classmates after you come back? No matter whether we are rich or poor, the friendship we had in the past is not fake, right?" Zhang Pingan said as he punched Liu Shengyuan rudely.

Liu Shengyuan smiled bitterly, feeling somewhat helpless and ashamed, and solemnly bowed to the few people to apologize, "I'm sorry, I really wanted to finish my business quietly and go back. As soon as I thought that meeting is parting, and we might not have the chance to see each other again, I felt very sad. That's why I was very hesitant, not knowing whether to meet or not. Who knew that I would meet Fu'an by chance? It shows that we are still very predestined. I am here to formally apologize with three cups of tea instead of wine. I'm sorry!"

After saying that, he drank the tea in the cup and poured two more cups.

The three of them didn't find it strange.

Jin Bao punched Liu Shengyuan lightly and scolded him softly, "Ayuan, that's enough. Let's forget about it this time, but don't do it again in the future. Who said we can't see each other again? The rest of our lives are long, and who can predict what will happen in the future?"

"That's right, Ayuan, you just think too much. You have been like this since you were a child," Luo Fuan patted Liu Shengyuan's shoulder and said casually.

"Alas, it's mainly because I have seen too many farewells over the years. In terms of character, I can't compare to you. I'm ashamed," Liu Shengyuan sighed.

Ever since he took the imperial examination, he had a premonition that his life would be full of ups and downs, mainly because his mentality was too easily influenced, and he was not firm enough or stick to his principles.

It turned out that it was indeed the case.

It was indeed his fault that he did not say hello to them when he returned home this time.

Although Zhang Ping'an didn't know what Liu Shengyuan had experienced in recent years, he knew that he was very tired when he saw that he was wearing gorgeous clothes but looked exhausted.

Sensitive people always have a harder time than ordinary people, and are more likely to be depressed and become ill due to worry.

"There are always people better than you. There is no need to compare yourself with others. Just compare yourself with yourself. Your original ambition was to pass the imperial examination and become an official. Now you have passed the imperial examination before you are even thirty. This is better than many people. There is nothing to worry about. Take it step by step. Time will give you the results you want. Always comparing yourself with people who are better than you will only force yourself into a corner with no way to retreat," Zhang Pingan comforted.

These words were not only said to Ayuan, but also to myself.

Liu Shengyuan was somewhat moved after hearing this.

He is like a taut bowstring that has been stretched for so long that he doesn't even know when it will break.

After a while, he talked in detail about his recent situation. It turned out that he and his wife had a very harmonious relationship, and they had both a son and a daughter. Their marriage was the envy of others.

However, Liu's father and his wife's family had always had high expectations for him, and they devoted a lot of effort to his cultivation. They also intervened in the education of their grandchildren and family affairs.

It puts a lot of pressure on him.

In the end, he felt difficulty breathing, loss of appetite, and even vomiting before every exam.

After the establishment of the new dynasty, he finally passed the imperial examination and felt relieved. He also felt that he had given an explanation to his father Liu and his wife's family.

He felt that the step of becoming a Jinshi was extremely difficult, like an insurmountable chasm.

"My father and father-in-law both think that I am just unlucky and are still waiting for me to pass the imperial examination. But only I know that there is something wrong with my health. Even if I pass the imperial examination, how can someone like me become an official and benefit the people?" Liu Shengyuan said with a bitter smile at the end.

"It's so serious, so you quit drinking, right?" Luo Fuan was very worried.

"Yeah, alcohol makes people drunk. I'm like this even without alcohol, so if I drink, I'll just become a mess. How can I study for the exam?"

After finishing speaking, Liu Shengyuan let out a long breath and revealed a long-lost relaxed smile: "After telling you, I feel much better. Thank you!"

"In the final analysis, it's because your uncle was too strict with you since you were young, so when you face him, you can only choose to avoid problems and ease conflicts." Zhang Ping'an frowned and suggested seriously: "In fact, I think if you stick to your own ideas and principles, the results will be different."

"He has been too sensible since he was young! He is used to it!" Jin Bao hit the nail on the head.

"Forget it, all this is in the past. My father is in poor health now and probably won't live long. No matter what, he has given so much for me in his life, and this can never be erased. This is the last time I can obey him," Liu Shengyuan replied slowly.

Then his tone became firm: "From now on, I will be myself and live for myself!"