"It's hard to say about luck. How can Fu Bao pick it up just by asking for it? It's too embarrassing for Fu Bao to say this." Fu Bao's mother, Mrs. Xu, said quickly.
Mrs. Chen laughed dryly and said, "Isn't it strange for me? Since Si Fang moved away, Fubao has never taken anything back from home. On the contrary, I heard that Si Fang and his family are living well in the county. Not only did they bring Zhu Zhu was sent to study, and I heard that his family often eats meat! I wonder if the fourth brother took away all Fu Bao’s blessings? "
"What are you talking about? They can eat meat only because of the money from Fubao selling ginseng?" Thinking of the thirty-six taels of silver that Miao Osmanthus took away, Mrs. Song Li felt so sick that she couldn't boil any pot. Which pot to bring!
Mrs. Song Li glared at her and said in a bad tone, "I can't stop you from eating. If you don't want to eat, just go back to the house!"
Mrs. Chen immediately stopped talking, and the dinner table became calm again.
But the speaker was unintentional and the listener was intentional. Song Fubao's eating movements slowed down.
It turned out that she was not the only one who felt that the fourth room had taken away her happiness.
She had had this thought before. Otherwise, why would it be such a coincidence that her luck would be gone as soon as the fourth room left
Moreover, Ms. Miao said before that she was in conflict with the fourth house, and her blessings were not shared by the fourth house at all. So, is it really her and the fourth house that are in conflict with each other? One goes down and the other goes up. When the fourth bedroom rises, her fortune will go down
Although it seems unlikely, once some thoughts appear, they will slowly take root and become impossible to get rid of.
"You are young, and I originally wanted you to wait for another two years, to work steadily and step by step. But you are so unexpected. I have nothing to teach you anymore. If I make you wait any longer, it will be a delay. It’s your studies. So prepare and give it a try this year.”
Huang Xiucai stroked his beard and said to Yan Qing with pride and reluctance.
The little boy in the past has grown into a handsome young man with a handsome figure and outstanding temperament four years later. Just one stop and you can't take your eyes away.
Yan Qing bowed deeply and said, "Disciple, please follow your teacher's instructions."
"To participate in the county examination, you need to be friends with five people who are taking the same exam, and be guarantored by the county's leprosy students. Being a teacher is not a talent, it is just a supplement." Huang Xiucai said with shame, "But don't worry, one of the classmates who was a teacher is surnamed Li. He is a student, and there happen to be four of his disciples who are going to take this exam. My teacher has made an agreement with him for you to become friends with them."
Yan Qing bowed his head quickly again, "Thank you sir."
"Don't thank me too much. Remember to prepare a gift and come with me to visit you tomorrow."
"Yes, sir."
Yan Qing went home and told his parents that he was going to take the exam. Song Chi and Song Chi were both surprised and happy, "You are going to end the exam this year? Didn't the teacher say that you should study for two more years?"
Yan Qing smiled and said, "Sir, he said I'm ready and can give it a try."
Miao Guihua immediately said, "Then go and try. You are only thirteen years old. It doesn't matter if you don't do well in the exam. We will still have a chance in the future."
In the past few years, the couple made a lot of money by printing and selling books. Not only did they buy a yard, they also saved a lot of savings. There is not much financial pressure anymore, and the only important thing for the family now is Yan Qing's study.
Now that he is about to take the exam, the whole family is nervous. Even the printing work has been stopped to take care of Yan Qing wholeheartedly.
"Huh? Brother, why are you here?"
Two days before the exam, two uninvited guests came to Yan Qing's house.
Yan Qing's uncle Song Hai came here with his eldest cousin Yan Chang.
"Yan Chang's husband said that he was ready to take the exam this year!" Song Hai said with beaming eyebrows, "Shanghe Village is far away from the county seat, so we came here in advance. Originally we planned to stay in an inn, but we don't want you to It’s in the county town, so I found you here.”
"Yan Chang will also take the exam this year?"
"Why, is there anyone else who has to take the exam?" After Song Hai finished speaking, he came to his senses and said with a surprised look on his face, "Is it Yan Qing? Yan Qing also has to take the exam this year? Didn't he just go to school for four years? "
Song Chi smiled and said, "His husband also said that he is ready to try it, so let's go and try it."
Song Hai immediately said seriously, "I'm not telling you, Fourth, how can you be so careless about such a big thing as the exam? Yan Qing has only been studying for a few years and let him go? What if he fails to pass the exam? You are too Yan Qing is still young and may not be able to withstand the blow if he fails the exam. It would be fine if he becomes more courageous, but what if he fails to recover? "
Song Chi felt unhappy, and the smile on his face faded, "Brother, don't worry, his husband said he can do it, so it must be okay!"
Song Hai still had a disapproving expression on his face, but before he could say anything else, Song Chi changed the subject, "Then you just stay here. We are all a family. How can we let you go out to live here?" reason?"
Although I don't want to see them, they are all brothers and nephews, so there is no reason to kick people out if they come to stay at home.
Fortunately, their newly purchased yard is relatively large and has a guest room for them to stay in.
"The house you rent this time is bigger than the one before. Is it true that Yan Qing makes so much money from copying books?" Song Hai felt sour in his heart. In the past, the fourth and his wife were lazy and lazy, and Yan Qing was just like them. He didn't seem to have much future. But in just a few years, they lived in such a good house! And he's from the county town, so why wouldn't he be envious
Even if it is rented, it will definitely cost a lot of money. The thirty-six taels from the time of separation should have been spent long ago, right
Neither Song Chi nor his wife disclosed the matter of printing books, nor did their family members know about it. They claimed that their family's income came entirely from Yan Qing's book copying and Song Chi's carpentry work, and they only said that the newly purchased yard was rented.
Song Chi said perfunctorily, "I don't make much money. Isn't it because Xiao Shu is getting older and it's not suitable to live with us anymore? Yan Qing also needs a separate study room, so she has to change."
Song Hai didn't know whether he believed it or not.
"Hey, what is this room for? Why is it locked?" Song Hai asked when he saw a locked room.
Song Chi replied without changing his expression, "Oh, it's the warehouse for storing sundries."
Song Hai was a little confused, but seeing that Song Chi didn't intend to say more, he didn't ask any more questions.
The father and son settled down here.
Soon the day of the exam came, and all three members of the Song family went to see Yan Qing take the exam, including Yan Shu.
"Brother, you can definitely do it, I believe in you!"
Yan Shu, who is nine years old, is quite tall. She has eaten well in the past few years and does not have to work in the fields in the sun. She has a good foundation, fair skin, and delicate facial features. She will definitely be a beauty when she grows up.
In addition, she studied with Yan Qing for several years, and her whole person changed completely. There is no trace of a girl from a country farm anymore. Some people believe that she is a girl from a wealthy family.
Yan Qing smiled at them and said, "Don't worry, I will take the exam well. You can go back after I enter the venue. There is no need to wait for me here."
Song Hai also earnestly urged Song Yanchang, "Take the exam well and get good results to honor your family!"
Song Yanchang agreed and then lined up with Yan Qing to enter the venue.
There are five county examinations in total, and they are invigilated by the county magistrate. The questions are not difficult. As long as you have learned the Four Books and Five Classics to a similar extent, you can basically pass.
Of course, this is for Yan Qing. There are also people who find it very difficult and fail the test many times and still fail.
Three days passed quickly. As soon as Yan Qing came out, he saw his parents and sister waiting for him outside.
"How is Yan Qing? Are you exhausted? I see there are people who fainted and were carried out. Are you okay?" Miao Guihua asked worriedly.
"Mom, I'm fine."
"As long as it's okay, let's go home first and eat something to cushion our stomach. I've lost weight after living in the cold food and water these past few days."
Song Yanchang also came out soon. His face was a little pale, but he seemed to be in a good mood.
"Yan Chang, how did you do in the exam?" Song Hai asked quickly.
"It's okay." Song Yanchang said modestly.
But judging from his expression, he doesn't look like he's okay, he should be very good.
Of course Song Hai knew his son, and he immediately felt confident. His face became happy, and he looked at Yan Qing again, "Yan Qing, how did you do in the exam?"
Yan Qing smiled and said, "It's very good. Thank you for your concern, uncle."
Song Hai choked for a moment, then said seriously, "Don't talk so full of words, it's better to be more modest. Otherwise, wouldn't it be embarrassing if you don't do well in the exam?"
"But uncle, this is already a humble statement. Originally, I wanted to say it was very good." Yan Qing looked at him innocently and said.
Song Hai: "..."
He snorted coldly and stopped talking to Yan Qing with a dark face.
After returning home, Song Hai and his son rejected Song Chi's offer to stay with them for one more night, and took Song Yanchang back to Shanghe Village that night.
"Why are you leaving in such a hurry? Looking at Yan Chang's face, I thought they would stay one more night before leaving." Song Chi wondered.
"It's just a good time. We'll be in peace after leaving. His uncle has been asking about our family's affairs in a roundabout way, and even asked Yan Qing how long it would take to copy a book. I think he suspects that we have some way to make money." Miao Guihua said.
Song Chi didn't take it seriously and said, "There's no point in doubting it. Our printing room is locked and he won't find out."
That's not necessarily the case.
If he hadn't discovered it, he wouldn't have left in such a hurry.
Yan Qing has keen senses, and he can't hide all the troubles at home from him. So Yan Qing could clearly see Song Hai sneaking into the printing room the night before yesterday with his spiritual sense.
He didn't stop it. Printing technology should have been spread anyway, and he never thought about keeping this technology in his hands. Their family has taken the lead in the past few years and has made a lot of money, so it is time to start promoting cultural development.