Zhulan said: "It's been prepared for a long time."
Zhou Shuren waited for Ming Qing to come over before going to see the results together.
Mrs. Wu Li also cleaned up the kitchen and hurried home. She wanted to wait for the person who brought the news at home.
About an hour later, someone came to Zhulan's house to announce the good news, "Congratulations, Zhou Shuren passed the college entrance examination."
Zhulan was happy for Zhou Shuren. It was worth Zhou Shuren's effort to figure out the examiner's preferences. She took out her purse and gave it to the person who brought the good news. "Congratulations, take it out and have some tea."
Two purses, each containing one or two taels of silver, are a big red envelope.
Seeing the person announcing the good news was about to leave, Zhu Lan hurriedly asked, "Two people in my family are taking exams. How is Zhou Mingqing's score?"
The people who brought the good news looked at each other. They really didn't pay attention. They were only thinking about being the first to deliver the letter. "Someone should be here to deliver the letter soon. Madam, please be patient."
Zhulan sent away the person who brought the good news, and then set off firecrackers. No matter in modern times or ancient times, Zhulan was quite afraid of firecrackers, but today she lit them up for Zhou Shuren.
The neighbors all knew about the firecrackers being set off at the door. However, because Zhou Shuren was old, even though he passed the imperial examination and became a scholar, his neighbors still thought he was not worth associating with, and no one even came to congratulate him.
Zhulan didn't care and waited patiently to see if anyone would come to report good news. Mingqing was the only one who was the best student in the clan leader's family, but he had taken the exam several times. The clan leader's family was full of hope this time, and Zhulan sincerely hoped that Mingqing could pass.
Another half an hour passed, and finally the person who brought the good news arrived. Zhulan learned about Mingqing's results. This year, the top 30 were selected in the college entrance examination, which was 10 fewer than in previous years. Mingqing ranked 29th and almost failed. After seeing off the person who brought the good news, Zhulan felt relieved.
Just as he was about to turn around and go into the yard, a waiter came over and said, "Mr. Zhou Bing asked me to tell you that he will not be back this afternoon, so you don't have to wait for me."
Zhulan counted out twenty coins and gave them to the waiter. "Thank you for your hard work. Today is a big happy event at home. Take this and have a cup of hot wine."
The waiter took it with both hands and said, "Thank you, ma'am. I want to share in your good fortune, too."
Zhulan returned to the courtyard, and Wu Ting came running errands, "Aunt Zhou, we have prepared some wine for the evening, please invite Uncle Zhou and Aunt Zhou to come over for a drink."
Zhu Lan asked hurriedly, "What place did your elder brother get in the exam?"
Wu Ting felt sorry that his elder brother didn't become a top scholar, but it was also a great thing that he passed the examination. "Second place is not as good as Uncle Zhou. I will definitely ask Uncle Zhou for advice in the future."
Zhulan said modestly: "Your brother is very capable."
Wu Ting nodded in agreement, "Aunt Zhou, I'll go back first."
"Okay, our whole family will be there tonight."
Wu Ting ran away happily. The family had spare money now and his brother had become a scholar, so their lives would get better and better.
Zhou Shuren came back in the afternoon, reeking of alcohol. Zhulan frowned, "Why did you drink so much today?"
Zhou Shuren was half drunk. "I didn't expect that I would get first place in the exam. You kept pouring me wine. If I hadn't pretended to be drunk, I wouldn't have been able to get away."
Zhulan twisted the handkerchief and wiped Zhou Shuren's face, feeling distressed, "They are all so arrogant."
Zhou Shuren sobered up and said, "There are many children from aristocratic families in this exam. I am old and from the countryside, so I am naturally not convinced. These people are arrogant and will not make things difficult for you in the future because they are drunk once."
Zhulan sighed. The ancient class system was too obvious. She couldn't help but hug Zhou Shuren's neck and said, "Thank you for your hard work in this family."
Zhou Shuren has gotten used to it in modern times. He doesn't feel suffocated. No matter what class you are in, some grievances are inevitable. Even if you become a high-ranking official in the future, you will still feel suffocated. However, he enjoys Zhulan's comfort!
Zhulan let go of her hand and sat aside, holding Zhou Shuren's head and pressing it on her legs, slowly massaging his head. Zhou Shuren was already feeling very aggrieved, and his heart instantly relaxed.
Zhulan said, "When we go to Wu's house for dinner tonight, drink less. You are not young anymore. Don't think you are fine just because you can drink a lot."
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. I'll be with you for a long time!"
Zhulan's lips curled up, "You have to keep your word. I have grown ten years older for nothing. I must live longer."
Zhou Shuren opened his eyes, full of tenderness, "Well, I got the news today. The new dynasty has been established for twelve years, and the child exam is held every year. Today, the academic official revealed that starting next year, it will be changed to twice every three years."
"It has nothing to do with you. It has to do with the children. If Chang Lian and Chang Zhi can't make it next year, they will have to wait another year."
Zhou Shuren nodded, "Yes, so our plan needs to change."
Zhulan asked again, "How many people in our county have passed the examination and become scholars?"