The daily life of a peasant girl taking the imperial examination

While eating, Zhuge Yunshu told his family about what he had seen and heard in the town.

She paused deliberately when talking about the final announcement of the results of the tribal academic conference.

"Tell me quickly, who are the top three?" Grandma Chen pressed.

"That's right, that's right, you brat, you're just keeping us in suspense." Her mother, Madam Lin, was very dissatisfied.

Zhuge Yunshu cleared his throat, stood up, and announced loudly, "Third place: Zhang Hao from the Zhang family school; second place: Wang Yi from the Wang family school; first place: Zhuge Yunshu from the Zhuge village school."

"Oh, wait a minute, where's that math genius?"

"That's right, she got such good grades, and she even got first place in the last subject, Classics."

"..."

"Oh no, Da Hua, who did you say was first place again?" Zhuge Laifu exclaimed excitedly.

"Zhuge Village Clan School, Zhuge Yunshu".

The whole family then realized that they had all been tricked by Da Hua.

"You unlucky kid, you're third in calligraphy, first in mathematics, and first in classical studies."

"Dahua, you've gone astray."

"Exactly, they've even learned to lie."

"..."

"Hehe, I was just trying to liven things up." Zhuge Yunshu looked embarrassed.

She regretted it too; she should have known better than to make that joke.

Everyone in the family, from the oldest to the youngest, would criticize her in a completely different way.

After saying that, he quickly changed the subject: "Now, I have three important announcements to make."

"First, I have been admitted to the town's school ahead of schedule, and I will go to register in three days."

"What, really?"

“You’re so young, even the town’s top school wants you.”

"My Dahua is so promising."

"..."

"Quiet, let me finish." Zhuge Yunshu looked at his agitated family members with a helpless expression.

"Secondly, I can earn money for my family now." After saying that, he took out the remaining two taels of silver and put them on the table. "This is what I earned from copying books. I sold seven books and got six taels of silver."

"Copying books can be so lucrative?"

"Seven books earned six taels of silver, which is equivalent to a year's income for the family."

"Wow, Da Hua is so capable, she can even earn money for the family."

At this moment, Zhuge Laifu quickly interrupted the crowd's praise, "Dahua, didn't you say it was six taels? Why is there only two taels on the table?"

"Could it have been lost on the way?" Grandma Chen exclaimed in surprise.

Zhuge Yunshu: "..."

"Look, the remaining four ounces are over there."

The Zhuge family members followed Zhuge Yunshu's hand and saw a pile of packages haphazardly packed in the corner.

"It's not what I think!" Zhuge Laifu murmured.

The eldest aunt, Madam Su, and the second aunt, Madam Zhang, quickly stepped forward and carried over the several large bags containing the items.

First, they brought out two jugs of wine, then ten boxes of pastries, followed by a large bag of maltose, a large bag of candied hawthorns, and eight dressing boxes.

Upon seeing these things, everyone in the Zhuge family was dumbfounded.

Looking at the ever-changing expressions on her family members' faces, Zhuge Yunshu saw that the adults were mostly gratified and distressed, while the others looked at her as if she were a spendthrift.

My older cousins ​​are much simpler; they all just crave food.

Several of my older cousins ​​were completely captivated by the beautiful dressing box.

"You spendthrift child, this amount of money could cover the family's expenses for more than half a year." Grandma Chen's face was full of pain.

"Dahua, if we saved this money, it would be so much better for your education in the future," Lin said, equally distressed.

“Dahua, Grandpa knows you’re a good girl. When you earn money, your first thought is to buy things for your family. But you can’t keep spending money like this.”

After saying that, he glanced at everyone in the family and said, "Don't act innocent after getting a good deal. This is money you earned yourself, and you can't even make your own decisions..."

Zhuge Yunshu had long guessed that her family would not be able to bear spending four taels of silver at once.

But she also knew that her grandfather would definitely side with her.

whee!

Otherwise, she wouldn't have been so bold.

"Grandpa and Grandma, Mom and Dad, please don't worry about me. I work hard to earn money so that my family can live a better life. In my heart, you are the most important family members to me, and money can't compare to that..."

Zhuge Yunshu went on and on, trying to let his family know that they were always more important than money.

Of course, the effect was also remarkable; look at how many people were so moved they were almost crying.

"Alright, let's distribute the gifts!" Zhuge Yunshu quickly changed the subject.

"These two jugs of wine are for Grandpa, my eldest and second uncles, and Dad. I know you all love to drink, but you just can't bear to drink them all. And these eight dressing boxes, containing wooden combs, hairpins, and earrings, are for Grandma, my two aunts, my mother, and my four cousins. They're very pretty; I chose them according to your preferences."

"Finally, these treats, especially maltose and candied hawthorn, were mainly for my older cousins, while the snacks were distributed to everyone by my grandmother."

The Zhuge family members were deeply moved by Zhuge Yunshu's thoughtfulness.

Especially the women in the family who received the dressing box—what woman doesn't love beauty? They never expected that Da Hua would always give them the best gifts.

"This is the first time I've received such a beautiful gift. With you as my granddaughter, my life has been worthwhile."

"Dahua is so adorable. I've only ever seen these things at the landlord's daughter's house."

"Dahua, from now on you will be your second aunt's dearest daughter, and your second aunt will definitely love you the most."

"Big Cousin, you are our dearest sister."

"..."

Zhuge Yunshu: "..."

Lin: "..."

Oh no, someone is trying to take her daughter away from her.

"Alright, everyone, let's not keep thanking each other. We're all family, so there's no need to be so polite."

After Zhuge Yunshu finished speaking, he took out 100 taels of silver notes from his purse and handed them to everyone in the family to see.

And he explained the origin of the money in great detail.

"Be careful, this is 100 taels."

Grandma Chen would repeatedly emphasize this point whenever it was handed to someone.

Finally, after everyone had finished reading, Zhuge Yunshu handed the silver notes to his grandmother, Old Chen, for safekeeping under everyone's intense gaze.

Looking at everyone in the family, Old Master Zhuge instructed, "Don't talk nonsense outside, especially you children. If I find out, you'll be punished according to family rules."

After saying that, he glanced at his daughters-in-law and said, "And you, don't tell your families either. Don't flaunt your wealth, understand?"

Everyone nodded and promised not to gossip, because there was a family in the village who suddenly received a sum of money and spread the news everywhere, only to have it stolen by thieves that very night.

They didn't want their hard-earned money to go to waste.

The old man looked at Zhuge Yunshu and asked, "Dahua, what are your plans for this money?"

Everyone in the family turned their attention to Zhuge Yunshu.