"My mother..."
Fang Houde's remaining hand hugged Qin Xuelian tightly. This tough man, this selfless man, was also in tears today.
Eight years ago, it was precisely because of the Taoist examination that the Li family was Nanshan Village’s greatest hope! The Fang family of three was driven out of Nanshan Village without mercy.
Eight years later, his son won the first place in both the Daodian and county examinations.
All the grievances are gone, and the only thing left is full of pride.
Fang Houde looked at the direction of Nanshan Village, and his waist straightened subconsciously, as if to say: "You see, my son did not enter the Taoist hall, but my son also passed the Taoist exam, and he also has both sexes. Top of the list!”
…
On this day, Beishan Village is destined to be festive.
All the villagers in the village were busy with laughter. Those who were cooking, those who were setting out bowls. Whether they were old people or children in the square, their faces were filled with joy.
When Fang Zhengzheng returned to the village, it happened to be time for the banquet.
so…
When he excitedly shouted at the entrance of the village that our party was back, except for a few birds who responded, it was of no use. All the villagers gathered in the square to eat and drink.
Who would stupidly guard the entrance to the village
Fang Zhengzheng was a little depressed. He was the one who topped the double list. Logically speaking, the news should have reached him. How come no one came out to greet him when he entered the village
What's even more annoying is that the little guy who reported the news didn't even see it.
It was such a failure.
After thinking about it, Fang Zhengzheng was not so thick-skinned that he shouted, "I won the first place on the double list, I'm back, come and greet me."
Therefore, he could only ride his silver-scaled horse home alone in great loneliness.
Then, Fang Zhengzheng became even more depressed. The house was dimly lit, and every oil lamp was not lit. Could it be that he was asleep? Not so early
While I was thinking, I heard a burst of lively laughter not far away.
After listening carefully, I found that it was coming from the direction of the square.
"Are they all dancing in the square... Well, let's take a look!" Fang Zhengzheng tied up the silver-scaled horse and walked toward the square in the dark.
Not long after, I saw the entire square filled with people.
All the villagers, whether they were old people or children, were talking happily, eating and drinking around the table, and everyone had a smile on their face, but...
But no one noticed Fang Zhengzheng in the darkness.
"Huh? There's something to eat!" Fang Zhengzheng didn't care about this. When he saw the dishes on the table, his eyes suddenly brightened.
With a quick glance, he spotted Fang Houde and Qin Xuelian sitting at the table in the middle of the square.
Fang Houde was obviously very happy today, his face flushed red after drinking, while Qin Xuelian changed her usual posture, and miraculously did not try to dissuade her, but just held the food for Fang Houde.
After finding his father and mother, Fang Zhengzheng walked straight towards the middle table.
Along the way, we passed five or six tables.
Finally, a drunk old man saw Fang Zhengzheng passing by. The old man was startled and rubbed his eyes vigorously, as if he couldn't believe it.
"Why does it look like Zheng Zheng is back?"
"Old Li, have you drunk too much? After passing the county examination, you will go to Xinhe Mansion to take the government examination. How can you come back? Hurry... drink quickly!"
"Yes... that's right!" The old man thought about it. Preparing for the government examination is so important. How could Fang Zhengzheng come back
Fang Zhengzheng didn't hear the discussion behind him, but came directly to Fang Houde's side.
He sat down on the chair, then picked up the chopsticks and quickly put the big rabbit leg of a green rabbit in the middle of the table into his mouth.
"Sure enough, the barbecue in the village is still delicious!" Fang Zhengzheng said while eating.
"Of course, I dare not say anything else. The most famous thing in our Beishan Village is the barbecue. Those are the ingredients prepared by Fang Zhengzheng himself!" When Zhang Yangping, who was drinking, heard this, he immediately He started bragging.
"Thank you Uncle Yangping for the compliment!" Fang Zhengzheng took a sip of wine.
"You're welcome... eh? Uncle Yang Ping... ah! Fang Zhengzheng!" Zhang Yangping waved his hand casually, and then, when he turned around, he jumped up from his chair.
"That's right... that's right?!" Qin Xuelian also noticed Fang Zhengyi who was chewing on the rabbit leg at this moment, with a look of disbelief on her face.
"Mom, do you feel a great surprise when I come back for two days?" Fang Zhengzheng smiled and acted coquettishly towards Qin Xuelian.
When Fang Zhengzheng smiled casually, the whole square suddenly became quiet.
All the villagers stared at Fang Zhengzheng, who was sitting on the table eating barbecue, with wide eyes, feeling as if they were seeing a monster.
A double list leader who should have been on the way to take the government examination...
Back to the village? !
The villagers were all in disbelief. However, after a moment of shock, the whole place was filled with excitement. No matter what, it was a joyful thing for Fang Zhengzheng to be back.
"Ah, integrity is really back!"
"Fang Zhengzheng is back?"
"Oh... you are so upright!"
The villagers immediately stood up and gathered around. Some villagers even had bones in their mouths and their words were slurred.
Among them, the most excited one was Qin Xuelian.
When she saw Fang Zhengzheng clearly, she could no longer hold back. Tears rolled down her face. She hugged Fang Zhengzheng into her arms with both hands, holding Fang Zhengzheng's mouthful of oil tightly and completely. Not willing to let go.
"Mom..." Feeling the warmth in Qin Xuelian's arms, Fang Zhengzheng could only swallow the roasted meat in his mouth with great difficulty.
"It's okay to come back and stay for two days, and ask your mother to prepare something delicious for you, hahaha..." Fang Houde looked at Fang Zhengzheng and smiled innocently, but the corners of his eyes were a little moist.
…
After the surprise, the villagers began to ask questions again.
They were all curious about the Taoist exam. After all, ordinary villagers would never have the chance to take the exam.
Therefore, they began to ask what questions were asked in the literary test of the Taoist Canon Examination, or asked whether it was difficult, and whether they could eat anything in it, etc...
All kinds of questions, all kinds of strange things.
Fang Zheng didn't mind at all and answered them very seriously.
When the villagers had finished asking questions, Zhang Yangping also spoke.
"Integrity, although you won the top two rankings in the Taoist exam this time, it's better not to put too much pressure on yourself in the government exam!"
"Yes, I heard someone say that the county examination is just a threshold. Only after passing the government examination can you become a real big shot and get rewards from the dynasty!" Another villager added.
"Well, you are honest. After all, you have never studied in a Taoist hall. You are still young. It doesn't matter. You can pass the county examination this time. We are all very proud of you. If you don't perform well in the government examination, we will all The village will still support you, even if you wait a few years before taking the exam!" Zhang Yangping continued.
"Your Uncle Yangping is right. No matter what, you have taken the first step. In the future, your Uncle Yangping will always support you. In this Xinhe Mansion examination, you just have to do your best. Don't have any mistakes." Too much pressure! Mentality... is very important!" Fang Houde nodded aside.
Fang Zhengzheng understood that his father and Zhang Yangping probably said this because they were worried about putting too much pressure on him.
It feels like what modern parents say before sending their children into the examination room, don't be stressed, just do your best, and it doesn't matter if you fail...
"I think I can top the list again in this government examination!" Fang Zhengzheng smiled slightly, full of confidence.
"Hahaha..." When the surrounding villagers heard Fang Zhengzheng's words, they immediately laughed, without any malice, just smiling happily.
"Good boy, have ambition!"
"Well, it's a good thing to be ambitious, but don't set your goals too high. It seems that Xinhe Prefecture hasn't topped the double list in the imperial examination for more than a hundred years, right?"
"Haha, this kid is just joking. Old man, do you still take it seriously?"
The villagers all smiled kindly. No one really took what Fang Zhengzheng said seriously. Li Zhuangzhi from Nanshan Village passed the county examination six years ago, but in the prefecture examination, he failed consecutively. Didn't pass the first level even once.
(End of chapter)