After Zhu Pingan returned home, he mentioned his grandfather's idea. Unexpectedly, his mother Chen was the first to agree, and she agreed very much. Since his mother agreed, Zhu's father naturally had no objection.
The eldest brother Zhu Pingchuan also agreed with both hands. Ever since the news that his younger brother had passed the imperial examination and became a scholar reached Juan'er's home, his future father-in-law had become much more favorable to him. In the past, he always kept an eye on him, fearing that he would be alone with Juan'er. But after his younger brother passed the imperial examination and became a scholar, his father-in-law turned a blind eye whenever he was with Juan'er.
The dinner was very rich. Mother Chen was afraid that Zhu Ping'an would be hungry, so she put all the delicious food into Zhu Ping'an's bowl. Whenever he ate a little slowly, mother Chen would ask him, "Why don't you eat? Is it because the food you cooked is not good?" After mother Chen said this, Zhu Ping'an could only eat it without hesitation. Mother Chen, who was eating all the time, narrowed her eyes in satisfaction.
The consequence of this is that Zhu Ping'an can only sleep on his back at night, as any other posture cannot hold back his mother's love.
At night, Zhu Ping'an lay in bed, looking at the moonlight outside the window. The evening breeze brought the fragrance of the soil into the window, which was the smell of harvest. The frogs outside began to croak again. Zhu Ping'an lay flat on the bed, smelling the fragrance of the soil. In the midst of the frog croaking, he gradually dozed off and fell into a sweet dream.
Mornings in the countryside are different.
The big roosters with shiny feathers flew up to the branches, and their crowing announced the arrival of dawn. Amid the repeated crowing of the roosters, the countryside slowly opened its sleepy eyes. The barking of a few dogs broke the tranquility of the village.
The main room of Zhu's family opened the door, and mother Chen came out of the room carrying a wash basin. As soon as she opened the door, Chen saw Zhu Ping'an sitting by the well in the yard practicing calligraphy.
"How come you got up so early even though you passed the exam? You just got home and didn't even take a good rest." Mother Chen looked at Zhu Ping'an, who was practicing calligraphy with well water on the stone. She didn't know when her second son got up, and she couldn't help but feel distressed.
"I'm used to it, mother." Zhu Ping'an raised his head and smiled innocently.
"Habits are formed through development. Don't get up so early tomorrow." Chen felt distressed and wanted her little son to sleep a little longer. Other children would never wake up no matter how hard she tried, but her little son, on the other hand, had never been woken up by her, and he always got up earlier than her.
"Yes. Okay, mom." Zhu Ping'an nodded in agreement.
"You just try to fool me. You always promise something, but you get up early every time." Chen scolded.
"Second brother, this is hardworking."
Zhu's father also got up and walked out of the room holding a bottle of night scent. Hearing Chen's scolding, he couldn't help but curl his lips.
A loving mother often has a spoiled child. It is such a good thing that my second child is so hardworking.
Zhu's father thought very simply that men should be diligent and work hard. Pampering a man will not lead to anything.
"No matter how hard you work, your health is more important." Upon hearing this, Chen glared at Zhu's father.
After being glared at by Chen, Zhu's father dared not say anything and just expressed his support for Zhu Ping'an with his eyes.
The whole Xiahe Village gradually got up, and smoke from cooking fires rose. Some went to the fields, some visited their neighbors and chatted, and the day began again.
When Zhu Ping'an's family was having breakfast, his grandfather came to discuss the banquet with Zhu's father. He was very enthusiastic and finally decided to hold it three days later in Daming. Maybe it's still like this in rural areas now. If someone gets admitted to a good university, the whole village will celebrate. What's more, his grandfather was so enthusiastic and his mother Chen was so supportive, so Zhu Ping'an let the elders arrange it.
After breakfast, Zhu Ping'an walked out of the house with his schoolbag slung across his shoulder, heading for Shanghe Village. He had to thank his teacher for his teachings for passing the imperial examination, so he had to tell his teacher about the banquet at home and invite him to attend. In addition, he had to thank the rich man Li's family in Shanghe Village. It was thanks to the books in the rich man Li's family that he had sufficient knowledge reserves for the imperial examination. And the last time he got the yellow flower question, it was also thanks to that black-bellied girl, although she was unintentional.
Arriving at Shanghe Village, Zhu Pingan went to his mentor's house first. Usually, the door was left unlocked at night, but today it was locked, which was a bit strange. He pushed it, but it wouldn't budge. He looked down and saw a piece of paper. This paper must have been posted on the door, but it fell to the ground due to the wind and sun. Zhu Pingan picked it up and saw four words written on it: "Going out to visit friends." This piece of paper was probably left for him. It seemed that his mentor's wife had also gone there, otherwise it would be impossible for no one to be there. He didn't expect his mentor to be quite romantic.
Since my mentor is not here, let’s go to Li’s house and borrow another book.
Li's house is not far from his mentor's house. It is a tall house with a large courtyard. The yard seems to have just been painted and looks very new.
Zhu Ping'an stepped forward and knocked on the door between the two stone lions.
Boom boom boom
After knocking twice, I heard Uncle Li's familiar impatient voice again.
Soon, a small door opened from the gate, and Uncle Li poked his head out with an impatient look on his face.
"Oh, it's Master Zhu here. Come in, come in. No, no, wait for me to open the main door. How can Master Zhu go through the small door?" Uncle Li, the doorman, was as attentive as a lackey. How could he be impatient at all? His face was full of enthusiasm.
"Uncle Li, please don't call me like that. It will shorten my life. I'll just go in through the small door." Zhu Ping'an smiled bitterly.
"How could that be? Master Zhu is a man blessed by the stars and will live a long life. How can he go through the small door? Master Zhu is a scholar, how can he go through the small door?" The doorman shook his head, then quickly opened the door and invited Zhu Ping'an in.
The doorman, Uncle Li, really goes with the flow. His enthusiasm made Zhu Ping'an a little amused and helpless.
"Uncle Li, you'd better not call me Master Zhu." Zhu Ping'an entered the gate and turned back to discuss with the doorman Uncle Li in a serious tone, "It sounds weird to me, so just call me as you usually do.
"Master Xiao Zhu, you'll get used to it. The scholars all call you Master." Uncle Li, the doorman, did not have the neglectful attitude of the past at all. His attitude was extremely nice.
Uh, Zhu Ping'an was a little speechless. Seeing the attitude of the doorman Uncle Li, he knew he wouldn't be able to get him to change his mind in the short term.
"Is Master Li home? Thanks to Master Li's generosity and care in the past, Ping An was able to pass the college entrance examination by chance. I am very grateful. Three days later, my family will hold a buffet, and I hope to invite Master Li to honor me."
Zhu Ping'an paused and then stated his purpose.
Uncle Li, the concierge, shook his head slightly and said, "My master is out and hasn't come back yet."
So forget it.
Zhu Pingan thanked the doorman Uncle Li and walked to the study room with ease, ready to borrow books. (To be continued...)
ps: Thank you very much for your support and thank you for your monthly tickets. The next chapter will be updated around 3 pm tomorrow.