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

"I believe in you!" Zhang Ping said calmly, "Your talent is even better than mine. As long as you find a good teacher, passing the imperial examination is not out of reach. So, I'll write you a letter of recommendation. Maybe you can use it later."

"Well, thank you very much," Liu Shengyuan pondered for a moment and did not refuse, but bowed to express his gratitude.

"It's just a trivial matter, not worth mentioning," Zhang Pingan said with a smile, not taking it to heart.

Then he changed the subject, "But there's one thing you have to promise me. Even if we can't see each other often in the future, we must keep exchanging letters. The friendship we have since childhood is so precious, we must all cherish it!"

"You're right, I was mistaking it before," Liu Shengyuan nodded seriously.

The four of them talked by candlelight all night, and the next morning, Luo Fuan got up early to prepare breakfast.

You can tell at first glance that it was made with great care.

Zhang Ping'an felt a little guilty, as he knew that the Luo family was not well off.

Before leaving with Jinbao, he once again solemnly invited the two: "Fuan, Ayuan, I won't say any more polite words. You must come to my homecoming banquet in two days. I will treat you well then."

"Of course I will go," Luo Fuan said loudly, patting his thin chest.

Liu Shengyuan also smiled and bowed, "I will definitely go!"

Watching Zhang Ping'an and his companion's carriage drive away, Liu Shengyuan said, "I only now understand why Ping'an has always been better than me. It took me nearly twenty years to realize the difference. I'm so ashamed!"

"Ah? What?" Luo Fuan scratched his head, not understanding what he heard.

"Nothing much," Liu Shengyuan said without further ado, and then said goodbye and left. "Fuan, I'm going back too. Let's meet again at the homecoming banquet in Ping'an in two days."

"Okay, I know you still have to go back to deal with your grandfather's grave relocation, and there are a lot of things to do, so I won't keep you here. Be careful on the road," Luo Fuan waved his hand.

He always has an open-minded smile on his face, which makes people admire him.

……

It was only after returning home that Zhang Ping'an learned that such a big thing had happened to his fifth sister.

He, who usually doesn't get angry easily, couldn't help but slam his hand on the table after hearing this. "Is she stupid? Or dumb? She's really had too many good days. She thinks the world is peaceful and prosperous now, with doors unlocked at night and no one picking up things on the road. How dare she take her maid out on the street at night? She's courting death!"

"That's what she said," Mrs. Xu said, almost dying of worry, wiping her tears. "I found out last night and sent a few trusted servants to the town to look for her, but there's still no news. What should I do? Your grandmother said...if it doesn't work, let the maid live in the nunnery for a while as a substitute to hide her. Then we can replace her when we find her. If we can't find her, if we can't find her...just assume your fifth sister is dead!"

"She is a divorced woman, and her reputation is the most important thing. This matter really shouldn't be made public. Does anyone else know about it?" Although Zhang Ping'an was angry, anxious, and a little annoyed, he knew that losing his temper would not solve the problem. He could only be patient and ask about the specific situation first.

Zhang Lao Er replied, "Only your mother, your grandmother, and I know about this at home, along with a few trustworthy servants. No one else knows."

"That's good. Don't tell other family members. If it gets out, it will affect the marriage prospects of other younger generations in the family, especially girls." Zhang Ping'an said this, and he really regretted being too tolerant and indulgent towards his fifth sister.

She is old and still doesn't know her place.