When Mr. Hu's son and Ji Changze returned to the village together, they were walking in a daze.
If this were placed in a county or city, a scholar would not have that much weight, but in a town, it would be different in a village. Ordinary people were called scholars, but that was what the scholar master called him.
There used to be a famous scholar in the town. He lost his wife in his thirties and still had children. The wealthy family in the town rushed to marry off their sixteen-year-old daughter, and a lot of dowry came with it. This is the power of being a scholar in the eyes of the people.
Even the scholars of the previous dynasty were the same. During the years of chaos, many books were destroyed and many people died across the country. When the imperial examination was announced today, I heard that the number of people who came to take the exam was much better than before. Sharp decrease.
It's not that these scholars don't want to take the imperial examination, but most of them can't carry it on their shoulders or lift it with their hands. It would be better if the family has some force to guard it during the chaos. Those whose families only have money or are poor want to survive. Difficult.
Even if I survive, there are many elders in the family who have passed away. When an elder passes away, one must observe filial piety. Either the family has no money because of the turmoil, or the family has no intention to study. In short, if we want to talk about the previous dynasty, everyone If the guy’s knowledge level is 10, then by now, it would be good to have 67.
I could pass the exam in the previous dynasty, and I can certainly pass the exam now.
Ji Changze knew what Hu's son was thinking. He didn't directly say that he didn't want to take the imperial examination. After returning to the village, he said goodbye to Hu's son and returned to Zhao Yueniang's place.
Zhao Yueniang was making clothes. Ji Changze only took one look and knew that they were made for him. He smiled, sat at the table and said, "The household registration has been completed, and we can get married in two days."
"Then let me quickly prepare your clothes. Are you tired? I'll heat up your meal first."
The two of them were not married yet, but they looked like an old married couple.
Zhao Yueniang got up and went to the kitchen to heat up the food. She was thinking about whether to tell the villagers and let the villagers come and have fun on the wedding day.
There is an unspoken rule in the village that the more people who come to join in the fun on the wedding day, the more face they bring to the bride and groom, and it also has the meaning of blessing.
But Zhao Yue's family was not very respectable in the village before. In addition, the second room was noisy every day, so some people in the village who were afraid of trouble were not willing to associate with them.
Otherwise, we might as well not hire anyone, and we don’t have much money left at home, so we still have to save it for Nagasawa to buy medicine to replenish his health...
Just as she was thinking about it, someone suddenly called her at the entrance of the yard: "Yue Niang, Yue Niang."
Zhao Yueniang subconsciously raised her head and was surprised to find that there were many people standing outside her yard, all of them looking at her with excitement and joy.
what happened
Apart from the second room causing trouble, there have never been so many people in front of their house.
Seeing her raise her head, the villagers standing at the door became even more excited and hurriedly called her over.
Zhao Yueniang didn't know what was going on, so she wiped her hands and walked over: "Third Aunt, what's going on? Why are so many people here?"
"Yue Niang, we want to come to see the scholar. Is he here? Isn't it convenient for us country people to meet him?"
Zhao Yueniang was stunned: "Master Xiucai? What Master Xiucai?"
"You don't know yet!"
The third aunt who spoke was even more surprised than she was, and said in a loud voice, "Isn't it Ji Changze who lives in your house?! This is the scholar, didn't Xiao Hu accompany Ji Changze to apply for household registration today? Come back He told us personally when he was here, he is a serious scholar!"
Zhao Yueniang became more and more confused.
Scholar? Nagasawa
Ji Changze, who was in the room, heard the noise outside and came out. As soon as he came out, he heard what the third aunt said. Qing Jun's fair face showed a bit of embarrassment. He smiled and cupped his hands in embarrassment and explained. He said: "Don't misunderstand me. My fame is not what it is now. It was obtained by the previous dynasty. The current court does not recognize it. Don't call me a scholar anymore. Otherwise, people who know about it will think that I have something." How shameless.”
When they didn't know his status as a scholar before, the villagers had a bad impression of Ji Changze.
First of all, he is too thin and too white. It seems that he does not often bask in the sun, which means that he does not go to the ground often. Secondly, it is his speech. Although he knows that his throat is injured and cannot speak, it always makes people laugh. Don't you think this is just like being mute
But now that we know that he is actually a scholar, the situation is different.
Is that called thin? All scholars are like this. This is called having a slender figure and good looks.
The white hair is a proof of knowledge. If you see any scholar who wants to go to the field, aren't they always reading and writing in the house
And speaking, he is worthy of being a scholar. Even his speech is different from those of the country people. He is soft-spoken, gentle and polite. Even if his voice is hoarse, it still makes people feel like a spring breeze. This is called the character of a scholar.
In a word, Ji Changze has the word "xiucai" all over him. People in the village think he has a halo no matter what he does.
As expected of a scholar, every move he makes is different from ordinary people.
Looking at Ji Changze who was smiling sheepishly and greeting the villagers, Zhao Yueniang was still confused. She finally recovered, then pulled Ji Changze aside and asked quietly, "Are you really a scholar? Why didn't you follow me before? explain?"
Ji Changze: "That's just the merit obtained by the previous dynasty. It doesn't count now. Isn't it just in vain to make people laugh if I say it?"
Zhao Yueniang: "..."
The scholars of the previous dynasty were also scholars!
How could he make people laugh? If he had told this story when he first came to the village and had no money to treat his illness, there would have been so many people in the village trying to help him treat his illness. How could he have fallen into the drowsy state he had before? In a situation where he almost died.
Zhao Yueniang opened her mouth to speak, but when she raised her eyes, she saw Ji Changze standing in front of her with his back straight, looking at her quietly with a pair of clear and gentle eyes, with a little doubt in his eyes, as if he was wondering why she had such a big reaction. .
She didn't know what to say for a moment.
If Ji Changze was still a refugee, the marriage between the two would be a perfect match.
But now, knowing that Ji Changze was once a scholar, it was obvious that she was beyond her reach.
But Ji Changze didn't look like he was regretting his marriage.
Looking at Zhao Yueniang's hesitant and confused look, Ji Changze knew what she was thinking. He coughed weakly, turned around and asked the villagers who were still discussing his status as a scholar: "Everyone, I haven't recovered yet, so I'll go back first." I have a room, please don’t say outside that I am a scholar, this is a matter of the previous dynasty.”
He softened his voice again and said to Zhao Yueniang gently: "Yue Niang, I'm relying on you here. I... cough cough cough, I'll go back to the house and take a rest."
Zhao Yueniang's various thoughts in her heart were directly dispersed by his coughs, and she nodded quickly: "Go and rest quickly, it's windy outside."
Ji Changze was weak and weak, but his feet were firm and he turned around and returned to the house.
He is a weak scholar, how can he stand this kind of excitement.
The people in the village weren't lively, they were simply in a state of excitement.
"Have you heard? Zhao Yueniang's soon-to-be-married husband is the man she picked up. He is actually a scholar."
"A scholar!! This is a scholar!!!"
"Zhao Yueniang's fortune is really lucky. After putting off getting married for so long, she actually got a scholar."
There were people who were happy for Zhao Yueniang, but naturally there were also people who were jealous.
Some families with daughters began to think about it.
"My girl is only seventeen years old this year. Isn't she younger than Zhao Yueniang? If I can help her win the favor of a scholar... "
"Back then, this scholar also passed by my door. I asked him to give him a drink. My mother-in-law insisted on driving him away. Tell me! This is just a short step away. This scholar belongs to our family!"
For the people in the village, marrying a scholar is equivalent to stepping directly onto the ladder to a higher level. Everyone's moral values are not strong, and many people are interested in it.
Mr. Liu is very happy these days.
Originally, it was great news that her daughter had found a husband. However, this husband was not missing any arms or legs, nor was he very old. Instead, he was gentle, polite and very kind to her and her daughter.
Just when I was feeling satisfied, the great news that my future son-in-law was actually a scholar from the previous dynasty hit me again.
Her daughter was able to marry a scholar.
This is a scholar! !
Ms. Liu has been going to the stream to wash clothes more often recently, just to hear other people's admiring compliments.
As a result, when I went there today, I met the second roommate.
Second Bonnie Zhao was washing clothes while following a circle of young and old daughters-in-law nearby, talking eloquently: "Master Xiucai is worthy of even the daughter of Chen Yuan's wife in the town. How can he like a wild girl from the country?" I see, this marriage will definitely not work out. You are envious of her now, but in a few days, you will pity Zhao Yueniang."
Liu was so angry that she threw the pot on the ground: "What nonsense are you talking about! Nagasawa and my Yueniang have already decided on a date, and the whole village knows this!"
"Yes, we have decided on a date, but that doesn't mean we have to get married after we have decided on a date. How old is Zhao Yueniang this year? She will be twenty-five soon. Although she is a bit pretty, she still drags someone like you to support her. My dear mother, is this talented scholar stupid? I don’t want to marry a nice young lady, but I have to marry a wild girl from the country who drags my mother to marry."
These words gave Mr. Liu a headache.
She has always felt that she was a drag on her daughter. When she was young, she failed to keep the family property left by her husband. When her daughter grew up, many people did not want to marry her because they had to support a mother like her.
Now that Ernie Zhao was scolding her, her face was clear with anger, but she didn't know what to say.
Just as he was feeling embarrassed, a hoarse but gentle voice suddenly came from the distance: "Auntie, who are you talking to?"
When the voice was heard to be that of Ji Changze, the eyes of the wives around him lit up. They all looked up and saw Ji Changze, who was standing upright in a gray robe at the top of the steps, slowly walking down. He is full of elegance that is different from the men in the village.
After coming down, he didn't go to see Second Bonnie Zhao, but smiled at Madam Liu: "Yue Niang and I just came back from shopping for wedding items, and it's such a coincidence that I meet you here."
Mrs. Liu was already happy when she heard the words "buying things for the wedding".
Why wouldn't Ji Changze marry her daughter
She has bought all the things for the wedding. Now these people should know that her daughter is really getting married.
Looking up further, I saw my daughter standing on the top of the steps looking over here. The tense expression on her face relaxed. When the corner of her eye caught the stiff and ugly look on Mrs. Zhao's face, she felt quite proud. , even the tone of his voice was a bit higher; "Nothing, I'm just talking to Yueniang and her second uncle, whether she wants to come to your wedding. After all, they are also relatives, and we can have a lively time together." .”
When Second Bonnie Zhao heard this, the stiff look on her face became even more serious.
She had just finished saying that Ji Changze might not marry Zhao Yueniang, and Ji Changze had already finished shopping for the wedding items, and he spoke to Mrs. Liu in such a respectful and gentle manner, as if he regarded Mrs. Liu as a serious elder.
Face hurts.
Just when she thought she couldn't get off the stage, she saw Ji Changze's face showed an embarrassed look after hearing what Liu said, as if he didn't want to discuss the topic of her attending the wedding.
Is it possible that she really guessed it right
Ji Changze didn't want to marry Zhao Yueniang at all, otherwise why would he have such an expression.
She felt happy in her heart, and the ugly look on her face relaxed. She smiled proudly and asked, "Nagaze, why do you seem to be unhappy? This wedding is a great event."
Ji Changze's expression was tangled, his eyebrows were slightly twisted, and he said in an awkward and gentle manner: "Marriage is naturally a happy event. As the elder Yueniang, you should also come, but..."
As expected, I don’t want to get married.
Zhao Erbo's heart was almost filled with joy. She worked harder to soften her face and said to Ji Changze as gently as possible: "If you have anything to say, just say it. There are so many people here, what do you want to say?" Just say it."
Ji Changze still hesitated: "To say it... would be too hurtful..."
"What's the matter? They are all from the countryside. How can they be so fragile? I don't know about others. My younger brother and sister are the most congenial with me in temperament. We are both people who like to speak out. If you have something to say, you can say it. "
It is good to hurt people. If Zhao Yueniang was regretted in front of so many people, she would not be able to marry even if she was a fairy.
Second Aunt Zhao was so proud that her smile almost reached the sky.
Ji Changze: "Isn't that good? Why don't we wait until we get back?"
"What are you waiting for? Go back! Just say it right here!"
If we talk about it after we go back, how can we let the whole village know that Ji Changze regretted his marriage and Zhao Yueniang was tragically abandoned.
Second Bonnie Zhao wished she could pull Ji Changze's mouth open and ask him to speak quickly, but she couldn't do so. She could only urge, "It's okay. If you have anything to say, just say it here."
She watched Ji Changze finally start to speak, and was already preparing for the line "What? You want to break off the engagement", when she heard Ji Changze's iconic slightly hoarse but very gentle voice saying awkwardly:
"The second uncle is coming, and Yueniang and I are naturally welcome. However, we hope that Yueniang's cousin will not come on the wedding day. This... I will have some wedding money at home on that day, which is not convenient..."
The smile on the corner of Zhao Erbo's mouth froze.
This is simply a careless way of saying "Don't let your daughter come to our wedding to steal things."
After almost half a minute, she finally managed to squeeze out the words from her throat: "W-what did you say?"
Ji Changze's face was full of embarrassment, but every word he spoke was more heart-wrenching: "Although I don't talk about people's rights and wrongs behind their backs, but you insist on saying it to me, then I will say it. Yueniang is worried a lot about this marriage. If she is a cousin I went and stole... and took some things that I shouldn't have taken. When the time comes, it will be Yueniang or I will give it to her. I don't know how long I will have to worry about. It's better to leave it alone that day when the second uncle comes. I’m taking my cousin with me.”
Second Bonnie Zhao: “…”
"you you you!"
Seeing that she was too angry to say anything, Ji Changze stood back slightly as if he was frightened, with an innocent look on his face: "Second aunt, are you angry?"
Second Bonnie Zhao: “…”
This guy called her daughter a thief in front of so many people, how could she not be angry?
Pianji Changze added another sentence: "Just now, I was worried that you are an elder, so I thought we could talk in private, but you insist on me talking now, and since you are so enthusiastic and say you don't mind, I'll do it for you." ...Second aunt? Second aunt? Aunt, why did the second aunt fall back while talking?"
The second uncle Zhao, who had just been so angry that her vision went dark and almost fainted, was just struggling to get up when she heard Ji Changze standing in front of him say in a tone of sudden realization: "I understand, I'm afraid the second uncle is too worried." This is my... unique hobby."
"Eh." He sighed and said, "How pitiful the hearts of parents in the world are."
Second Bonnie Zhao: “…”
This time she was really angry.