Traveling through time as a peasant girl to turn things around

On August 20th, Chai Zhen rose early, before dawn, and asked the kitchen staff to start cooking. Then he went to Sun Qing's place, knocked on the door, and the servant opened it. Chai Zhen said, "Qing'er, are you up yet?" Sun Qing heard, "Second Grandpa, I'm up. I'm packing my things." Chai Zhen said, "Come to the front yard living room for dinner. I'll take you there later." Sun Qing said, "Okay," and came out. "Have you got everything?" Sun Qing said, "I've got my brush, ink, paper, and inkstone." The servant followed him to the front yard for dinner. Steamed eggs, millet porridge, steamed buns, braised pork, and cucumbers were a light meal. Chai Zhen said, "Let's keep it light during the exam period. We'll have barbecue afterward." Sun Qing said, "Nephew, I understand. Thank you, Second Grandpa." He finally slept well yesterday, and the fatigue from the journey had vanished. He woke up this morning feeling refreshed. Little Milk Bag came out and said, "Brother Qing, here." Little Milk Bag handed him a black backpack. Sun Qing's eyes widened. He had seen it before in the village; it was very nice. Sun Qing quickly took it and looked at it. Little Milk Bag: "There are large white paper, pens, inkstones, drinking water, bread and bucket noodles in it. Pour the seasonings in it, throw the bag out, pour hot water on it and soak it for a while before eating. Eat a small amount to fill your stomach at noon and have a good meal when you come back in the evening." Sun Qing took out the schoolbag. Wow, there were so many things! He took out his things and put them in it. After eating, Chai Zhen asked the guards to rush to the carriage to take Sun Qing to take the exam. He had to leave before dawn and arrive at the Imperial College in time! Chai Zhen asked, did you bring the exam certificate? Sun Qing: "Yes." Chai Zhen: "Take it and go." Go outside and get on the carriage.

Ye Heng's guards were well-known throughout the capital, and they quickly took a shortcut to the examination venue. It was already packed with people. The carriages stopped and everyone got out. Chai Zhen watched over the carriages while the guards led Sun Qing to the line. The servant stayed behind. Sun Qing, carrying his backpack, was in high spirits. He followed the guards and soon stood in front of the gate, waiting for it to open so he could enter.

Sure enough, soon the sky brightened, and the Imperial College gates opened. Imperial guards stood guard, and imperial guards came to check documents and conduct body searches. One by one, they filed forward, and soon Sun Qing was at the guard's door. He opened his bag and took out everything. The inspector said, "No papers allowed." Sun Qing gave the papers to the guard and packed up everything else. After looking at his exam documents—what we now call admission tickets—he said, "Go in." Sun Qing entered. Following the front line, the guard returned to the carriage and said, "Grandpa, are you leaving the papers behind and not letting us in?" Chai Zhen replied, "Let's go back." Chai Zhen took the papers, climbed in, and his servant also joined. The guard drove the carriage back to the Chai residence.

Chai Zhen asked the guard, "How many days will the exam last?" The guard said, "Three days, with one exam every other day." Chai Zhen knew.

Back at the gate, the carriage was tied up. A gatekeeper fed the horses hay, soybeans, and water.

The students behind the mansion had also left. Chai Zhen: "Ah, it's finally quiet."

The civil examination took place at the Imperial Academy, and the military examination, also today, took place at the horse farm, where the princes and nobles rode their horses. The farm was already packed, and the number of people was about the same as the three-day break. First, the civil examination took place. Each person sat at a table in the open air, writing a memorial to the emperor. Then, a policy essay. "Ding ding..." the bell rang, and the invigilator announced, "Begin!"

The entire venue was utterly silent. The only sound was the grinding of ink. Regent Ye Heng sat on the dais, sipping tea and eating a snack—he was having breakfast. Duke Huo watched, reaching out to pick up a snack and eat it too. "Delicious!" General Li walked back and forth from the venue to inspect the food. After a while, Ye Heng took out a corn cob and began to chew on it. Duke Huo asked, "Any more?" Ye Heng smiled. "Here, one for each of us. No more." Duke Huo said, "One will do. I heard you ate a lot at the fruit shop the other day." Ye Heng asked, "How did you know that?" Duke Huo said, "Hey! Don't ask me that. I just know. Eat." They both ate with relish. Otherwise, sitting here would be so boring!

Until noon, some went to the toilet, some ate and drank water. They all put away their papers and ate.

At the exam room, Sun Qing put away his papers, opened his bag, and took out his instant noodles. He tore open the seasoning packet and poured it in. He then poured hot water over the noodles, letting them soak for a few minutes. He then lifted the paper lid and ate with a small spoon. The delicious aroma wafted everywhere, and someone noticed and whispered, "What are you eating?" Sun Qing replied softly, "Noodles." He lowered his head to eat his own, finishing his soup, and then the bread, quickly filling himself up. He drank a few sips of water and declared it all sweet. Sun Qing felt happy and grateful to his second grandfather and his little sister, Guoguo. He quickly regained his spirits, collected the trash, and took it out, then returned to his seat and continued answering the questions. He carefully examined the questions. After all, he had been studying for years, and this year with the tutor had made significant progress. His writing was divine.

The afternoon passed quickly, and it was time to hand in the papers. Sun Qing checked his name and finished answering the questions. The teacher began collecting the papers, and the students lined up in the courtyard to leave. As Sun Qing exited the main gate, he saw the guards who had escorted him there to meet him. He followed the guards to the carriage. Chai Zhen and Guoguo had arrived, and Little Milk Boy was delighted. "Brother Qing, were the questions easy to answer?" Sun Qing replied, "Not bad." Chai Zhen replied, "Looks good. Let's go home and have a good meal." Sun Qing was also happy. He spoke cheerfully along the way, and Little Milk Boy listened attentively. "From what you said, it's OK. You'll be on the list." Sun Qing said, "This is only one exam. There are two more. We still need to work hard." Chai Zhen replied, "Right. Let's eat and get some sleep so we can review tomorrow." Sun Qing replied, "Yes, Second Grandpa." Little Milk Boy replied, "Well, we have to finish all the exams." As they spoke, they soon arrived home. The carriage drove in, and several people disembarked to eat in the living room. Chai Zhen replied, "Eat well this time. We didn't eat well at lunch. Let the kids eat." Afterward, there was tea and fruit. After Sun Qing had eaten his fill, he returned to the backyard and went to sleep.

After the palace, the students were provided with dinner by the Chai family, free of charge, so they could eat their fill and rest well. The Chai family said that they would have three free meals and three exams.

The martial arts exam papers were collected. The day after tomorrow would be the martial arts exam. Ye Heng took the papers back to the palace. A few old men reviewed the papers, commented on them, and determined the scores. Then Ye Heng went home.

At the Chai residence, Jiaxing, Chai Zhen, Yeheng, Huo Hua, Xiaodong, and the Minister of War all arrived. Little Milk Bag brought out some wine, and they all ate with great satisfaction. They devoured the meat and drank the wine with relish. Yeheng rested briefly, then went back to the palace. By the time he returned, it was almost midnight. The Emperor had told him to prepare for the exam, as he would soon depart for the front lines.

Little Milk Bag had already slept through a nap, and woke up when Ye Heng returned. "Brother Ye just got back!" she asked, "Well, you should sleep, you're still growing!" Little Milk Bag was speechless. It was you who woke him up. Guoguo took him to the space and let him take a bath before going to bed. The time in the space was twice as long as outside, enough for Ye Heng to rest. Oh, I'm just a worrier. Guoguo went to get some food for Ye Heng to eat when he woke up. She made tea with the spiritual spring water, and then Guoguo went to bed.

Ye Heng had a good sleep and woke up in his own bed. He put on his clothes, washed up, and went outside to do some boxing before going to the living room to eat. Guoguo was already sitting there. The meal was on the table, and everyone ate. Afterwards, Guoguo went to the warehouse to take a look and put out some food. Vegetables, meat, eggs. Then he took Qiuju and Dongshuang to the women's workshop, took out the finished clothes, and put them on the cart. Qiuju drove the cart to the shop. Along the way, little Naibao watched the hustle and bustle of people coming and going on the road. Everyone was trying to make money to support their family. Seeing a few children begging for food, little Naibao asked Dongshuang to ask if their parents were there and come back to report. Dongshuang got off the cart as ordered. "Hey, kids, where are your parents? Why do you want food?" A little boy said, "We are all orphans. Our parents died in the earthquake. We fled here. We are young and can't find work!" The little boy lowered his head. Four or five children all said the same thing. Qiuju walked to the front of the carriage and said, "Master, we are all orphans. We are too young to find work." Little Milk Bag: "Go and ask if you can come home with us and work with us." Dong Shuang: "Okay." "Little friends, my master said that you must work with us. We won't be tired. We will have food, clothes and a place to live. You must come with us. Ah, we are from the Chai Mansion. The shop in front is my home." The little boy said: "Sister, I know. That day when it got dark, the big brother gave us roasted sweet potatoes to eat, and I was full. It would be fine if we went there, but we have more than ten children living in a dilapidated temple outside the capital. Can you take us all in, sister?" Dong Shuang: "I will go and ask my master." Dong Shuang: "Master, they have more than ten children in the dilapidated temple outside the city. Can you take them all in?" Little Milk Bag: "Yes." Dong Shuang: "Children, you can. Come with us. I'll give you some food and go back." The children said happily: "That's great. Thank you, sister."

The carriage rattled along, quickly arriving at the shop. Little Naibao got out and looked at the four or five children following behind. She said, "Dongshuang, go to the backyard and boil some water for them to wash. Qiuju, go buy some clothes for the children." "Okay." They split up. Yingchun and Xiahua moved the clothes upstairs. Little Naibao sat at the cashier's counter, sipping tea, while Xiahua and Yingchun arranged the items and made trips to the warehouse to pick up the goods. Soon, someone arrived. A wealthy woman asked, "When can I pick up the clothes I ordered?" Little Naibao replied, "No later than the fifteenth day of the first lunar month." The woman said, "Okay, but my child is a boy. Can I order one?" Little Naibao replied, "Of course!" The woman said, "One inner suit and a windbreaker, is that okay?" Little Naibao replied, "Okay, Madam. I'll come over to take your measurements. Please sit down for a while." There was a sofa nearby, and the woman sat down, holding the child.

Yingchun and Xiahua arrived soon, Xiao Naibao said. Yingchun took out a notebook and measured the little boy for the lady. Yingchun wrote down the delivery date and the boy's two coats and windbreakers. The lady gave a deposit of fifteen taels of silver. One hundred taels for the adult and one for the child, two hundred taels for the two pieces, a total of three hundred taels, all recorded on the receipt.

The lady then went to explore the second floor. The things were indeed practical. Xia Hua explained how to use the items, such as toothpaste and toothbrushes. The lady bought a lot, enough for everyone in the family. Towels, underwear, and other things. After filling two large bags and spending another three hundred taels of silver, she happily left. Little Milk Bag put away the banknotes and put the silver in a drawer.

Little Milk Bag stayed for a while and then went downstairs. In the backyard house, Little Milk Bag fell asleep again. When Chai Zhen came, Guoguo was sleeping soundly. Chai Zhen covered her with a quilt. Then he sat in the house and drank tea. When Xia Hua went to the warehouse to get something, she saw Chai Zhen and bowed, saying, "Grandpa, Xia Hua has a few words to say to you, but I wonder if you will listen?" Chai Zhen: Go ahead.

"I am Xia Hua, your servant. I have been dealing with you for a long time. I want to live with you and marry you. Is that okay?" Xia Hua didn't know how much courage she mustered to finish her words. Chai Zhen didn't know what to say after hearing that. He quickly said, "I am sixty years old and you are still young. No." Xia Hua: "Your servant doesn't mind, but I am over twenty years old. I am still a servant, I am just afraid that your master will despise me." Chai Zhen: "I will ask someone to help you find a marriage and a good family. I am not looking for a woman anymore. I am half buried in the earth." Xia Hua: "You look like you are thirty, not much." Chai Zhen: "Really? You are not that young." Chai Zhen stood up, looked in the mirror, and said, "I am still a handsome guy." He also smiled. Chai Zhen: "If you are willing to wait for me to talk to my family and everyone agrees." Xia Hua: "Okay, grandpa. I will go to work." Xia Hua went to get the goods with a red face.

After Xia Hua left, Chai Zhen looked at himself in the mirror and said, "I look much younger. I look only in my early thirties. How come I'm so handsome?" The little kid woke up and said, "Grandpa, you're just so handsome!" Chai Zhen asked Guoguo, "Would you like if Grandpa found a companion?" The little kid said, "Guoguo, I do. I have no objection to having someone who loves and takes care of you." Guoguo is a modern person. He is very sensible. Chai Zhen: "Guoguo, great grandfather is telling you that Miss Xia Hua just confessed her love to me and wants to marry me!" The little milk bag was stunned and said, "Okay, Sister Xia Hua is beautiful, smart, knows martial arts, can do accounting, is literate, and has no parents, so she is an orphan. Okay, great grandfather. Okay, okay. Guoguo should prepare a wedding gift for great grandfather." Chai Zhen: "Guoguo, don't tell anyone yet. Wait until great grandfather goes home and discusses it with the family." "Okay, the family will definitely agree." "Good thing! Good thing!" The little milk bag sang, "Today is a good day. What you wish for will always come true. Today is a good day. We open the door and sing peace...." Chai Zhen felt younger after listening to it.

Six days in a row, the last day of the students. Chai Zhen sent Sun Qing to the examination hall, and when he returned home, he looked at Guo Guo, and the little milk bag understood immediately and said, "We are all family. Guo Guo heard that someone likes great grandfather and wants to marry him. Guo Guo should ask the family first if they are willing!" Guo Guo's words

Like a thunderclap, Chai Ping'an looked at his father, who looked like he was in his sixties. He slowly thought about how he slept with his wife in his arms. His father had been alone for years. His mother died young, leaving him with no one to talk to. Chai Ping'an spoke first, "I agree." Li Hongying listened to Ping'an and said, "I agree too. It's good for Dad to have a companion. He's still young." Wang Min, Zhang Baohua, and Li Ru all agreed. Jiaxing said, "Grandson, I agree." Huanhuan, Hengheng, and Guoguo all agreed. Little Milk Boy then said, "It's Sister Xiahua!" Chai Zhen said, "Call her Xiahua. No need to change your name. Just be respectful when you speak to her." Everyone said, "Okay, everyone knows that girl. She's a good one." Better to have a good day than to choose one. Three days later would be the auspicious day! Chai Zhen: "Ahem, take your time, in a week, a week later." Little Milk Bag: "Okay, we have to prepare anyway. Everyone, get moving and clean up a yard for Great Grandpa! No, Great Grandpa is the head of the family and the leader of the family, so the main yard should be where Great Grandpa lives." Chai Zhen: "I will live in the east room of the main yard, and Yeheng, Guoguo and Ping'an will live in the west room." Old Lady Li: "Everyone, get started on cleaning up the house and moving." They repainted all the walls, and everyone moved to their assigned room, as there were so many people, things moved quickly.

In the evening, Chai Zhen drove a carriage to pick up Xia Hua and said, "Have you thought it through?" Xia Hua said shyly, "I have thought it through. I thought about it when I saw you last year." Chai Zhen: "Okay, we will have the wedding in a week. I will take good care of you." Xia Hua also said, "I will take good care of grandpa too." Chai Zhen: "I have good news to tell you. My family, adults and children, both men and women, have agreed. Congratulations! You are a good person and my family unanimously agrees. We have decided that you can be my, Chai Zhen's, woman! Let's go to a restaurant for a meal to celebrate!" Chai Zhen took Xia Hua to dinner. Chai Zhen drove the carriage and Xia Hua rode in it, just like a family.

Chai Zhen's strong hand led Xia Hua into the restaurant. No one looked at them strangely; it was a normal scene. They found a private room to celebrate their wedding. They drank a few glasses of wine and ate a lot. Jiaxing came to pick them up, and they got in the car and headed home. Chai Zhen said, "Go home and get some sleep." Xia Hua said, "Yes, Grandpa too." Xia Hua hurried off. From now on, she was no longer alone; someone cared for her. The other three beauties all knew about it, and the sisters had a blast that night.

Sun Qing was brought back by the guards. After the exam, he waited for the results to be announced. After dinner, he went to bed early. The next day, he got up and went to the shop with Jiaxing to help. He quickly learned how to use the electronic scale to weigh things and collect money. The day was busy, but he felt fulfilled. After get off work, they all went to the restaurant for dinner. Jiaxing also rewarded everyone with a silver ingot. Sun Qing refused it. Jiaxing said, "Everyone gets it. It's a reward for employees. When you have nothing to do, you can work in the shop and get paid." Sun Qing said, "Okay, I'll listen to Brother Jiaxing." Jiaxing said, "That's right. Everyone here gets paid. There's no point in me making too much money. We're all in the same boat." Sun Qing looked at the ten taels of silver he made a day. He knew that business was all about making money.

After everyone had their fill, they went home to wash up and sleep. It was a very fulfilling day. Xia Hua and Chai Zhen sat in the backyard garden, discussing what they would do in the future. Chai Zhen said, "If you want to work, work. If you don't want to work, just play at home and take care of the children. You can do whatever you want. We don't have any rules. When I marry you, we'll be family. Tell me what you have to say. I won't let you suffer any grievances." Xia Hua said, "No, I don't feel any grievances. This kind of life is good. I'd rather go back to work in the shop, just like I am now." Chai Zhen said, "Okay, I respect your choice." The two looked at the flowers and plants in the backyard. It was very late before they went back to sleep. Before leaving, Chai Zhen said, "It seems you are a blessed person marrying into the Chai family." Later, Chai Zhen lived to be over 130 years old without any illness or disaster, and Xia Hua lived to be over 90 years old. We only know that they died a few days apart, but we have no idea when they died! This is a later story.