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

Zhang Laoer didn't cry and his emotions were relatively stable, but his shoulders slumped and he looked much older in an instant.

After a while, he asked in a hoarse voice, "Can I not go?"

"Dad, there's nothing we can do. His Majesty's words are as good as gold. How can we change them overnight? Don't worry, I will take good care of myself. Besides, my second uncle Qian Jie will go with me to assist me. The Qian family is confident in letting him go, which shows that there is no danger. It will just be a bit tiring on the road. I will be back next year," Zhang Pingan comforted him with pretended ease.

Wiping away her endless tears, Xu said in a sobbing voice, "How can the Qian family be the same as ours? They have so many sons. If one dies, there are others to take his place. Your father and I only have you as our only child. If anything happens to you, we won't be able to live either. Wuuuuuu!"

"Alas!" Zhang Laoer sighed, wiped his face, gently pushed Xu, and said in a deep voice: "Mother, don't cry. Things have come to this. If you cry like this, Ping An will only feel worse. We, as his parents, are incompetent and can't help him, but we can't hold him back either. Tomorrow, help him pack his luggage so it will be useful on the road."

"Dad!" Zhang Ping'an felt a sore and swollen throat after hearing this, which made him feel uncomfortable.

For more than 20 years, from the time he was born to now, Zhang Laoer, as a father, has really given him a lot of fatherly love and encouragement. From studying, taking the imperial examinations, to becoming an official, he has silently supported him every step of the way.

Now that his parents are old, he is not around to take care of them. It is really a very sad and helpless thing.

This is something that no amount of money can make up for.

"Since you are going out on business, don't be distracted. Just take care of yourself. You still have Dad at home. If all else fails, your brother-in-law can help you. Dad just hopes that you and Xiaoyuer are fine, that's all!" Zhang Laoer said earnestly.

"Don't be sad, Dad knows you're different from most people. I have big ambitions, and I've seen that since you were little, haha!"

At this time, the food on the table had already gone cold. No one picked up their chopsticks. The condensed fat was gleaming, just like Zhang Ping'an's heart at this moment, which looked smooth but actually broke into pieces with a poke.

"Dad and Mom, don't worry, I will finish my errands and come back as soon as possible, and I will take good care of myself. After I leave, you also have to take care of yourselves. Xiaohu will stay with you and help with the affairs of the house. I am used to eating well, so I will take him with me. I will arrange everything for the next two days," Zhang Pingan promised, suppressing the bitterness.

Xiao Yuer came to his senses at this moment, stood up quickly, and asked loudly, "Dad, are you leaving again?"

"Yes, Dad has to go on business and go to Guazhou, which is quite far away, so I can't celebrate the New Year with you this year. But Dad has prepared a New Year's gift for Xiaoyuer. I will give it to you when I leave, and you can open it during the New Year," Zhang Pingan explained in a gentle voice.

After saying this, she wanted to hold her son's hand and hug him, but Xiao Yuer pushed her away.

"What will I do if you leave? I already have no mother. Will I lose my father too?"

After saying that, Xiao Yu'er's tears fell down. Although she was small, she was a strong-willed person. She didn't want anyone to see her tears. She just turned her back and wiped her tears in a hurry.

Zhang Pingan felt distressed when he saw this. He didn't care that his son was angry and refused. He picked him up and put him on his lap. He took out a handkerchief to help wipe his tears and nose. "You look like a little cat. Aren't you the most conceited?"

"Dad... Dad is... going to die, I still... am not beautiful at all!" Xiao Yuer sobbed and cursed.

She was heartbroken. "Before... I always boasted to them, saying that although my mother passed away, I... my father only had me as his son, and that he loved me the most... the most. They couldn't compare to him. But now... I don't even have a father anymore. Why... why am I so pitiful? Woo woo woo..."

It goes without saying who they are referring to are the friends and classmates in school.

Xiao Yuer seldom cries, but once he starts crying he can't stop, and no matter how Zhang Ping'an tries to comfort him, it doesn't work.

In the end, Xu was so heartbroken that she didn't even bother to cry. She carried her grandson over to comfort him.

But it still doesn't work.

I cried until I was exhausted and fell asleep.

Zhang Laoer wiped the sweat from his forehead, breathed a sigh of relief, and sighed, "This kid is so stubborn and strong-willed, just like you!"

After hearing this, Zhang Ping'an touched his son's face and felt helpless, "With such a temper, he will probably suffer in the future."

"Children and grandchildren have their own blessings. Look at me and your mother. We don't have much knowledge, but we raised you so well." Zhang Laoer always thought that his grandson was good in every way, so he naturally disagreed.

Zhang Pingan didn't have to go on duty these two days. He went home after the morning court and bought his son's favorite tofu pudding and mutton pot stickers on the way.

But Xiaoyuer didn't appreciate it.

When he woke up in the morning, Zhang Ping'an had already gone to court.

There's no one to throw a tantrum or get angry with.

When Zhang Ping'an arrived home, he was delighted at first and ran forward two steps. Then he thought of something, stopped, crossed his arms, turned his head to the side, and snorted heavily.

"Are you still angry?"

"Hmph," Xiao Yu'er snorted again, and told the idea he had thought of all morning: "Dad, I want to go to the northwest with you on business. Just treat me as a small burden and take me with you. That way I won't be angry with you anymore."

At this point, Xiao Yu'er felt a little awkward, drawing circles on the ground with his feet, and grunted, "I'm still small, not heavy, and doesn't take up much space. I don't eat much, so I'm easy to carry..."