Chapter 348 Imperial Examination

  Ms. Li bit her lip and clenched her fists, the annoyance on her face didn't show.

  Even though my sister is heartless, this is not the time to quarrel with her. If there is a quarrel at this time, the two hundred taels and thirty dowries will not be available.

  Madam Li endured her displeasure, wiped her tears with a handkerchief and said, "Pity my Xianlan, my sister's kindness, I thank Xianlan for her kindness."

  Old Madam Fang has always been soft-hearted rather than hard-working, and seeing this, she felt a little soft-hearted. After all, she was the one who made it happen.

   spoke again to comfort her: "Okay, sister, don't worry, I will treat Xianlan as my own daughter in the future, and I will love her even if others have it."

  Ms. Li said: "Thank you, sister."

   But I have already had a grudge in my heart, and I still can't offend my sister right now. When she is successful, I will see who dares to look down on her in the future.

   "Okay, it's getting late, sister, look at Xianlan, drink more water to let her calm down, and don't make any more fools."

  After Madam Fang finished speaking, she sighed and left outside the door.

   "Sister, walk slowly."

  Ms. Li looked at the back of her sister leaving, the resentment in her eyes remained unabated, and her clenched fists tightened.

  —

  The next day,

  Jiaojiao was still asleep when she heard the sound of crackling firecrackers.

  Bao Ya came in with the toiletries and shouted: "Jiaojiao, get up, the front yard is very lively today, my sister combed Jiaojiao's hair beautifully, let's go and see it too."

  Jiaojiao rubbed her eyes, got up from the bed, "OK."

  The white cat on the side was also woken up, wagging its tail, and let out a "meow~"

  Bao Ya saw the cat on the bed, put down the washing basin and veil, stepped forward and raised her hand to hug it.

   "You little guy will enjoy the blessings. From now on, you won't be able to sleep on the bed without taking a bath. You may be stained with some dirty things by running around every day."

  Bai Miaomiao let out a dissatisfied voice: "Meow~"

   Jiaojiao smiled and sat down on the bed, and said to her sister: "Miaomiao likes to be clean very much. I came back last night and washed my paws before getting on the bed."

  Bao Ya heard about it, smiled and touched Bai Miaomiao again, and said, "So that's the case, but it's a clean cat. It seems that I misunderstood you."

   "Jiaojiao, I am going out for a stroll by myself."

  Bai Miaomiao escaped from Bao Ya's bondage, jumped directly to the ground, and walked lazily outside.

  Bao Ya chuckled, "This cat has a strange temper."

  Jiaojiao picked up the handkerchief and soaked it in the water, twisted it and asked, "Sister, is the full moon feast starting with the firecrackers outside?"

   "Not yet. It is said that Xiao Ping'er was born at this time. Firecrackers are set off on the hour for good luck. It will take a while for the banquet to start. Parents have been there early in the morning to help."

  Bao Ya combed her sister's hair, and said, "However, guests outside the gate are endless, and there are little maids outside the house who distribute candies to the children in the neighborhood. It's very lively."

  Jiaojiao has never seen this kind of human banquet, and she was curious and looking forward to it, so she couldn't help speeding up the washing action.

  …

  Fang Xinyu, as the general judge of Huaizhou City, gathered guests for the eldest son's full moon banquet.

  Among them is his mentor, Mr. Li Wenshan, who is surrounded by everyone.

  Li Wenshan, with gray hair and plain clothes, sat at the head of the table, with clear eyebrows and bright eyes, showing the temperament of a Confucian scholar.

  Fang Xinyu waited to pour tea for others, and said, "Teacher, the journey is so long this time, and the students feel very guilty about your traveling all the way."

  Li Wenshan glanced at his beloved apprentice, and said with a smile: "Hanzhi has never had time to marry and become a teacher. Now that the baby is full moon, it is natural that he has to go for a while. You and I will be a teacher and a student, so there is no need to see outsiders."

  The letter is written by Fang Xinyu.

  At this time, a man in a brocade robe clasped his fists excitedly and asked, "Master Li, the results of the triennial imperial examinations have come out. Which student do you like?"

  Other people also came forward one after another when they listened to the imperial examination.

  Li Wenshan stroked his beard, and said with a smile: "The results have been released, but there is still an hour before the announcement of the rankings. I can't say yet, everyone may wish to guess."

  One of the old men raised his hand and said with a smile: "Young Master Qingyuan is well-known in his studies, and he is the nephew of Master Li. He is personally guided by Master Li. The champion must be Young Master Qingyuan."

  Li Wenshan chuckled and shook his head, "My nephew is naughty, so he didn't win the first place, no."

  Another student raised his hand, "I heard that Fangfu has a nephew named Li Wenjun. If the judge is so outstanding, his cousin must also be outstanding. The students dare to guess that it is him."

  Li Wenshan was taken aback when he heard that, then looked at his lover and said with a smile: "This son's name is only one word different from the old man's, and I have never heard of it in the letter."

  Fang Xinyu's face was slightly stiff, and then he clasped his fists and replied: "It's a distant relative, but I don't know him very well, and I don't know much about this person."

  Li Wenshan nodded, "I see."

  The student who asked the question just now saw that the two had finished speaking, and hurriedly clasped his fists and asked again: "Master Li, I don't know if my answer is correct, but that Mr. Li Wenjun?"

   Doctor Li shook his head, and replied: "No, I have never heard of this name, so I don't recognize this person."

  The student smiled helplessly when he heard that, cupped his fists and said, "Thank you, Master Li, for your answer."

   "But Mr. Situ from Situ Mansion..."

  …

  When the Wang family came, they saw everyone surrounding a white-haired old man, talking about something.

  Bao Ya went to inquire and found out that people were talking about the No. 1 scholar in this year's imperial examination.

  Bao Ya was taken aback, and hurried back to her parents.

   "Mother, they are talking about the number one scholar. Did the elder brother say in the last letter that he took part in the imperial examination?"

  Bao Ya was busy with the business of the small restaurant in the shop in the town, but she only heard her mother mention it, and she didn't read the letter at that time.

  Liu Zhihua was taken aback for a moment, "I seem to be talking about taking an exam."

  Jiaojiao hurriedly said: "Sister, I read the letter to my parents. My elder brother did take the imperial examination."

  Bao Ya heard about it, and quickly looked at the other side happily, and said casually: "I'll go over and inquire to see if my eldest brother is on the list."

   "Sister, I'm going too." Jiaojiao followed.

   It was about Qiusheng's exam, so Liu Zhihua and Wang Zhuangzhi hurried to follow.

  Here, almost everyone mentioned their names, and after a round of guessing, no one answered correctly.

  Master Li looked at everyone and said with a smile: "It's almost an hour. If no one guesses anymore, then I will announce it."

  The Wang family squeezed in with great difficulty, the voices of the crowd were noisy, and Jiaojiao's sensitive ears happened to hear this sentence.

  He quickly raised his hand and shouted smartly: "Wang Qiusheng!"

  Master Li was about to announce the answer, when he suddenly heard a familiar name, he was slightly taken aback.

  He got up suddenly, hurriedly searched for the location of the voice, and asked with a smile, "Who guessed it just now?"

  Jiaojiao waved her hand, "It's us!"

  Everyone saw Master Li's excited face, and hurried to get out of the way. Jiaojiao and Baoya walked to the front with their parents supported.

  (end of this chapter)