The Daily Life of a Rich Peasant's Boy in the Imperial Examination

Not only Grandpa Wang and Father Wang came to see Sun Shan, but Mr. Zhong's mother, Widow Li, also came as a gift, bringing fruits and vegetables she had grown and cakes she had made herself.

Sun Shan still cared about orphans and widows.

So he asked, "How is Mr. Zhong doing at the prefectural school? Did he come back to celebrate the festival this time?"

Widow Li tugged at her half-new clothes awkwardly and said, "Thank you for your concern, my lord. My son sent a message from his fellow townsman back home saying that he wants to study hard at the provincial school and won't be coming back.

After a pause, he added, "He said he would come back during the Chinese New Year."

It is difficult for a poor family to travel far, and even though Zhong Xiucai passed the imperial examination, his life was only slightly better than before.

Sun Shan nodded in understanding. "It's a long journey from Chenzhou Prefecture back to Yuanlu County. It would be better for me to study in the prefectural school instead of traveling back and forth."

Widow Li smiled shyly and mustered up the courage to ask, "Sir, my son is old and has never married. I am always thinking about this. In fact, I am very satisfied with his success as a scholar. Now I just want him to get married and have children."

Sun Shan was embarrassed. Just as Father Wang mentioned this, Widow Li mentioned it again. It seemed that older bachelors were really "the wrath of heaven and the hatred of the people."

What could Sun Shan say? He could only console her, "Madam, you're right. You can study at any time, but it's hard to get married if you're too old. You have to hurry."

Widow Li's eyes instantly radiated a brilliant light, sweeping away the sadness of the past.

If Lord Sun had said so, what excuse did he have to look at his son? Even if he was powerful, could he be more powerful than Lord Sun?

He said happily: "Sir, so you think so too."

Then she complained, "When I ask my son to get married, they always say that his studies are more important, and that having a wife and children will delay his studies. I am just a woman and child, and I don't understand the matter of studying. There are not many scholars around me. After thinking about it, I can only ask the adults."

Widow Li has secretly looked at many girls for her son and thinks this one is good, that one is good, and it would be best if she could marry him and give birth to a big fat grandson.

So she mentioned it to her son again and again, but all she got were excuses for not wanting to get married, which made Widow Li feel very miserable.

Her son kept saying he wanted to concentrate on his studies and pass the imperial examination. He also said that getting married would hinder his studies. In short, he had a lot of general principles, but Widow Li didn't understand them, so how could she know the specific situation?

I wanted to ask my relatives, but when I looked around, I saw that they were either illiterate or illiterate. I didn’t know what to do for a moment.

This time when I was delivering the Dragon Boat Festival gift to Lord Sun, I unexpectedly was received in person. I took this great opportunity to express my worries.

Seeing Widow Li’s excited look, Sun Shan silently observed a second of silence for Scholar Zhong.

He didn't want to get married before, but now that he is married and has a daughter, his mentality is completely different.

Before I knew it, I was sitting at the table of the "marriage-urging team". Seeing those older single men and women, I naturally became the "director of the women urging marriage".

Sun Shan said seriously, "Madam, how about this? There is still a year or so before the provincial examination. During this time, you should get to know each other well. After next year's provincial examination, whether you pass or fail, we will arrange your marriage.

This arrangement will allow Mr. Zhong to concentrate on studying for the provincial examination, and secondly, he can slowly look for a good girl to be his daughter-in-law.

Widow Li's eyes sparkled and she nodded repeatedly, "Your suggestion is excellent. I'll take my time to consider it over the next year or so. After the provincial examination, I'll immediately let my son marry and have children. As for whether he should continue his studies or go out to work, we'll discuss it later. Sir, do you think this is feasible?"

Widow Li thought about continuing to embroider for a year or two, doing more work, saving more money, and preparing the betrothal money for her son.

As for the expenses for participating in next year's provincial examination, they have already been prepared.

When I first passed the examination to become a scholar, I received some gifts from relatives and friends, and rewards from the county school and government office.

Although my son had to pay tuition to study at the provincial school, he wrote to say that he had found a job as a teaching assistant which could cover his living expenses.

I also thought about the tax exemptions from my official duties, and all that added up, it was enough to support myself until I got married.

Widow Li didn't know why, but she felt that Lord Sun was very kind. Even though he was very young, he was like a wise old man, and he told her his plan all at once.

Widow Li asked, "Sir, there are two families interested in my son. One is a merchant with a generous dowry, and the other is a landlord who can give some land as a dowry. Sir, which family do you think is better?"

Widow Li felt very embarrassed when she said this.

I heard that scholars regard money as dirt. Mr. Sun is also a scholar. I don’t know if what I said will offend you.

But Widow Li couldn't find any scholar with official titles to discuss the matter with, so she could only shamelessly ask Lord Sun.

Sun Shan: ....

I don't want to interfere in other people's marriages.

If it is a good match, he will just laugh it off. If it is an unlucky match, will Widow Li and Scholar Zhong seek revenge on him?

Sun Shan had no choice but to practice Tai Chi: "Madam, you have to ask Mr. Zhong about the marriage yourself. He has to be happy with it. We can't do it if we like it."

Widow Li asked in confusion, "Sir, it's the parents' orders and the matchmaker's words. It's all up to the parents to decide on the matter."

Sun Shan shook his head repeatedly. "That's the general situation. But your situation is different. Madam, let me tell you something unpleasant. At home, obey your father; after marriage, obey your husband; after your husband's death, obey your son. Madam, you will have to rely on Mr. Zhong for your livelihood. Only when Mr. Zhong is well, you will be well."

Seeing Widow Li's anxiety, Sun Shan gestured for her to listen carefully. "Madam, as parents, we also want our children to live well. If Mr. Zhong finds a good girl and lives happily together, you will be happy. But if he arranges for a girl you dislike and they live like enemies, then we will become enemies and our lives will be very difficult."

Widow Li felt that what Sun Shan said was wrong. How could life always be harmonious? There were always quarrels in every family.

Then he said, "Sir, it is always the parents who decide on their children's marriage. I will definitely find a good one for my son."

Sun Shan nodded. "Madam, you're right. How about finding a few more good girls and asking Scholar Zhong which one he likes? That way, you'll be able to please both him and you. Then, we'll have something to talk about later. Don't make a decision yet. Ask Scholar Zhong what he wants, and then we can discuss it and make a decision. What do you think?"

Mr. Zhong, I can only help you up to this point. You can handle the rest yourself!

Widow Li hummed, "Your Excellency is right. What I like may not be what he likes, and what he likes may not be what I like. It would be best if we both like it."

Sun Shan agreed repeatedly.

Then he immediately changed the subject and asked about the rice in Widow Li's family.

Sun Shan would never interfere in other people's marriages, for fear that he would inadvertently lead to a bad relationship, which would be a real sin.

After Widow Li left, people continued to visit.

Sun Shan waved his hand and said, "Manager Wang, please treat me well. I won't be seeing anyone today."

I'm really afraid that someone will come and ask him about marriage again. It's really a headache.

Steward Wang immediately responded, "Yes, sir, I will certainly entertain them well. I will also ask how their rice is growing."

Whenever Sun Shan met someone who brought him a gift, he would always ask how the crops were doing at home.

Butler Wang noticed the master's purpose clearly.

I need to find out the condition of the land after using the fertilizer so that I can report to the master.