After Zhu Xunmiao and Li Qing left the banquet, Hong Hui followed them and planned to talk to Zhu Xunmiao.
There was a reason why Hong Hui took the initiative to make friends with Zhu Xunmiao.
Hong Hui's great-grandfather passed the imperial examination and became a third-rank official. Although Hong Hui's grandfather and father were not as good as him, they were also scholars. The Hong family was a family of scholars and was highly respected in Chongcheng County.
Unfortunately, Hong Hui's grandfather was not good at business, but his father was better at it. As a result, the Hong family today is just a well-known shell.
But for the sake of face, they have to work hard to maintain it!
For example, their family used to hold the Mid-Autumn Poetry Festival every year, but now even though the family has no money, they still have to find a way to organize it.
But... where is the money going to come from
Hong Hui's great-grandfather liked to collect antique calligraphy and paintings. Originally, there were many valuable collections in their family's warehouse, but now most of them have been sold.
Although Hong Hui is young, he has to make plans for his own future and the future of the Hong family.
Taking the imperial examination is the most important thing. Even if he only passes the examination and becomes a juren, the Hong family can breathe a sigh of relief.
In addition... he worked hard to create a good reputation, make friends with all kinds of people, and secretly find ways to make money.
Hong Hui made friends with Zhu Xunmiao because Zhu Xunmiao was rich.
A few days ago, he told Zhu Xunmiao that he didn't know how to prepare for a poetry gathering, and asked Zhu Xunmiao to help him find some **, and also asked Zhu Xunmiao to help him consult on what kind of wine, drinks and snacks would be better...
Then Zhu Xunmiao brought him the **, drinks and snacks without asking him for money.
The Hong family didn't spend any money at all on this poetry reading, and he even received a lot of gifts.
It was because Hong Hui thought that he could get many benefits by making friends with Zhu Xunmiao that he followed Zhu Xunmiao after he left the table. As a result... Zhu Xunmiao did not go to the toilet, but went to the yard where his younger brother lived.
Everyone outside knows Hong Hui, the eldest son of the Hong family, but few people know that the Hong family has a younger son. Hong Hui himself is ashamed to mention his younger brother to others. Hong Hui's younger brother is named Hong Zhao. When he was born, he looked no different from an ordinary child, but as he was raised, the Hong family found something wrong.
Hong Zhao was a very stupid kid. He could hardly understand what they said. If he wasn't careful, he would scream and hit people.
At first, Hong's mother took care of him with great motherly love, but later she couldn't stand it anymore and handed him over to the care of the servants.
But this is her own child after all. Mother Hong visits Hong Zhao every day and cares about his food, clothing, housing and transportation.
Although the Hong family is not as wealthy as before, they can still support a slightly abnormal child.
Hong Zhao is usually quite quiet, but when he encounters something unhappy, he will cry and make a fuss, and even hit people.
It was okay when he was young, and his little fists didn't hurt adults at all. But as he grew older, it did hurt a little when he hit people. He also always wanted to get out of the house, and would scream when he couldn't get out.
During that period, his screams were heard from time to time in the Hong family, making the whole family uneasy. Hong Hui was so annoyed that he moved directly to the county town.
Two months ago, a servant who was taking care of Hong Zhao was unwilling to be beaten and fought back, accidentally injuring Hong Zhao.