Cheng Shao took the essays and poems written by Cheng Xumo and flipped through them leisurely, saying, "Not bad! If there are no accidents, it should be among the top two."
Cheng Jing didn't feel relieved after hearing this. Instead, he became more nervous and asked, "Second Uncle, what do you mean by this accident?"
"You are so concerned that you are confused!" Cheng Shao laughed and said, "Didn't you help someone with contemporary essays a few days ago? Why do you become so worried about Jiashan? Jiashan's essay is well-written in terms of both the topic and the introduction. In addition, the writing is fluent and the metaphors are appropriate. It may be a little lacking in the top three, but it should be no problem for the second place." As he spoke, his expression became serious, and he said to Cheng Xu, "Jiashan, your original essay was much better than this. Are you... too radical?"
He only thought about passing the imperial examination, so there were no major flaws in his essay, but that also meant it was mediocre.
Cheng Xu looked towards Cheng Shao with a calm expression and deep eyes.
"Second uncle," he said softly, "I want to pass the imperial examination."
So as long as you are among the top two, it will be fine.
Cheng Shao was a little disappointed.
In his opinion, Cheng Xu could definitely win the "three first prizes" in a row and become the first number one scholar in the Cheng family to win the three first prizes.
He gently put aside the article that Cheng Xu had written.
Cheng Xu's eyes dimmed.
Cheng Jing jumped up anxiously and asked, "What do you mean? What do you mean by 'I want to pass the imperial examination'? Will our family lose you food or clothes? If you don't do well in this subject, you can still take the next one?" He suddenly thought of his wife's restlessness these days, and hurriedly asked, "Did your mother say something to you? Why are you so confused? Passing the imperial examination is good, but there are also many candidates who fail. I didn't let you participate in the spring examination directly because I was afraid that you would feel pressured by the title of Jieyuan. I didn't expect you to take the golden mean..."
He could not hide his disappointment.
Cheng Xu lowered his head and said nothing.
Sometimes he thought about it and felt that it was not unreasonable that his father and mother had such a good relationship.
They all hoped that he could get the top three honors in the imperial examination.
But is it so easy to pass the imperial examination
If he is not careful, he might be swept into the top three and become a fellow Jinshi.
This was something he could never tolerate.
He thought of Cheng Chi’s words.
Or maybe this is the reason why he finally decided to just get a second place
Cheng Shao couldn't help but frown after hearing what Cheng Jing said, "Why have you become so impetuous? There are so many scholars in the world. It would be great luck for Jiashan to pass the imperial examination. There are countless talented people in history who never passed the imperial examination. What's more, he is already grown up and has his own ideas and plans. If he doesn't want to study in the Hanlin Academy for his whole life, it's enough to pass the imperial examination. I don't think there will be any problem with your article. You should prepare for the examination of Shujishi!"
Cheng Jing was embarrassed and wanted to say something, but Cheng Shao said, "Jiashan is tired too. You should take Jiashan home to have a good rest. The files have been submitted. Whatever you say is a done deal. Don't ask any more questions. Just wait for the results to be announced. If you pass, just go and write happily. If you fail, it's no big deal. You can take the exam next time. He is still young and has plenty of opportunities. But you should be patient. Our Cheng family is not born with people who can pass the imperial examination without any effort. People like Silang also worked hard for several years."
"Uncle is right!" Cheng Jing saluted Cheng Shao, his face flushed.
Upon hearing this, Cheng Xu looked at Cheng Shao with a twitching mouth, but in the end he said nothing, bowed to Cheng Shao, and retreated.
Cheng Shao just shook his head.
Aunt Chang brought in tea and was stunned to see that Cheng Jing and Cheng Xu had already left.
Cheng Shao disagreed and said, "Don't worry about them. They are like children who believe everything they hear. They are not as patient as Silang."
After hearing this, Aunt Chang smiled, with a graceful and generous demeanor, and gently made tea for Cheng Shao.
Cheng Shao took the teacup but hesitated.
Aunt Chang looked at him in confusion and waited quietly for him to speak.
Cheng Shao's expression suddenly became a little unnatural, and after a while he whispered: "I can't let you follow me like this. I've thought about it. If you don't dislike me, I'll go to my sister-in-law tomorrow and let her make the decision for us... and marry you."
He didn't take her in, he married her...
Aunt Chang's eyes suddenly felt sore and sad, and her vision became blurry.
She murmured, "My family is just a business... there aren't many people..."
Cheng Shao said: "I am alone too... I hope you don't mind me being alone..."
"No, no." Aunt Chang's tears fell, "You were the runner-up in the imperial examination that year..."
Cheng Shao laughed and said, "Now he is just an old man!"
"No, no." Aunt Chang was speechless.
Cheng Shao discussed with her: "Then should I go to Chaoyang Gate tomorrow?"
"Okay!" Aunt Chang whispered, covering her mouth for fear of crying out loud. She turned around and quickly walked out of the inner room of the main house, returned to the east wing where she had been resting these days, and took out an inconspicuous black box from the top floor of the bookcase, which contained some banknotes and small change.
She took out a piece of paper from the bottom of the box.
The paper was neatly folded into a shape the size of a silver note and was a little yellowed. When it was opened, it was a half-torn piece of rice paper with the words "Difficulty and ease complement each other, and length and shortness punish each other" written on the paper.
The ink is rich and the handwriting is elegant.
She collected it for fourteen years.
She still remembered that it was her turn to be on duty that day. The emperor was in a bad mood for some reason, so he called Cheng Shao to the palace to talk. As they were talking, the emperor got angry. They were all trembling with fear. Cheng Shao wrote a few words to the emperor.
The emperor was furious when he saw it and tore up the paper.
Afterwards, he inexplicably felt better and asked them to bring in the chessboard, and started playing chess with Cheng Shao.
From then on, she remembered Cheng Shao and also remembered this word.
Every time he entered the palace, as long as she was on duty, she would brew tea that he found palatable and replace it with his favorite agarwood ink sticks. Occasionally, she would remind him when the emperor lost his temper.
When his son died, she was sadder than he was.
She thought she would just watch him like this for the rest of her life, but she never expected that one day, the emperor would give her to Cheng Shao just because she was the oldest and the most taciturn.
It would have been fine to give her to Cheng Shao. She thought that if she could still move and Cheng Shao didn't mind her age, she would just serve him well for a few years. She didn't expect that Cheng Shao would marry her.
Is this God's will?!
Miss Chang threw herself on the quilt and cried silently.
Old Madam Guo was quite happy to know the purpose of Cheng Shao's visit, and said, "After all, Aunt Chang has served the emperor, so I think the rules are good. If you think it's appropriate, I'll ask Silang to go to the Imperial Observatory to choose a date and help you get married."
The emperor looked at Cheng Shao in surprise for a long time without saying anything. After finally coming to his senses, he immediately said, "You won't marry her just because she was given to you by me, right? If you don't have anyone around you, I can help you find a matchmaker. Why do you have to marry a palace maid?" As he spoke, he remembered that he had visited the Empress Dowager's family in the palace a few days ago, and said, "I remember that the Pengcheng Earl's family has a good daughter. I will ask for you tomorrow. Or you can find one among the ministers. How can you marry Chang Yu'e?"
Cheng Shao was both amused and annoyed, and said, "I am already old, and you still want me to marry a girl who is fifteen or sixteen years old? I think Chang is good, and she is someone close to you, so she is the best choice!"
The emperor was not happy and said, "What's wrong with marrying a fifteen or sixteen-year-old? Chang Yu'e is so old, she must not be able to have children. It's fine if you don't want to remarry, but if you do, you must have a son or a daughter. You don't have to worry about my face. I asked her to serve you at that time. If you think she is difficult to settle, just send her back. I will let her leave the palace tomorrow and let her go to Huangjue Temple to accompany those concubines."]
Wouldn't that harm the Chang family again
Cheng Shao begged for mercy: "Don't I have a grandson? Besides, at my age, I just want to live in peace and quiet. Chang is one of the most kind and honest people in your palace, so that's enough."
The emperor thought about it and felt a thorn in his heart. He said, "How about I grant you a marriage?"
Cheng Shao really didn't know what to say, so he could only say, "I've discussed it with my sister-in-law, and we've decided to just invite everyone at home for dinner. There's no need for all the formalities."
The emperor thought of Cheng Shao's low-key and reserved character, and said, "Then let the queen give some gifts to Chang, and let the crown prince go to the wedding banquet."
Cheng Shao could not postpone it any longer, so he thanked the emperor. The emperor then asked him, "Do you want to think about it again?" Cheng Shao hurriedly stood up and said goodbye.
While Zhou Shaojin was writing down the things that Cheng Shao needed for the wedding, he said to Mrs. Guo who was sitting on the kang opposite and playing with Yun Ge'er, "I think this matter is a little inappropriate! Although Aunt Chang is old, it is her first time to be a bride. Inviting everyone in the family to dinner like this is like taking a concubine. Aunt Chang must feel regretful. Second Uncle, either don't marry her or, since you have decided to marry her, you should follow the proper etiquette."
Madam Guo was stunned and said with a smile: "Then what do you think we should do?"
"I think Second Uncle must be afraid of noise." Zhou Shaojin said with a smile, "Why not follow the ancient etiquette, but just don't make too many guests."
Madam Guo thought for a moment and said, "Then I'll go talk to your second uncle."
Cheng Shao was a little surprised when he heard this. He asked Mrs. Guo, "What Zichuan's wife said... doesn't it make sense?"
"I think that makes sense." Madam Guo said, "Although some things are done for others to see, if you don't do them, you will inevitably be independent and eccentric, which will make people feel incredible."
Cheng Shao was straightforward and said, "Then I'll leave this matter to you."
Old Madam Guo asked Zhou Shaojin to ask Aunt Chang if there was a place for her to go back to. Although the six rituals would be a little rushed, they would still be performed according to the etiquette.
Aunt Chang's eyes were filled with tears as she said, "I am from Yongding. I haven't been back for many years. I don't know who else is back home."
Zhou Shaojin asked Cheng Chi to find out.
Mrs. Pengcheng knew about it but waved her hand and said, "Even if you find her, so what? It's so far away, you can't go to Yongding to propose marriage. I think this is a good idea. I will take Aunt Chang as my goddaughter, and then let her get married in our house, and her family members can come to watch the ceremony."
In this way, she can be considered as related to the Cheng family.
Mrs. Pengcheng laughed.
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Hey guys, today's update!
O(∩_∩)O~
※(To be continued)