It is June now, and the sun will hang high in the sky. On such a day, drinking hot tea is not enjoyment, but suffering. Xu Wenchang was not afraid of suffering, but he would lose his manners if he had to drink so much sweat on his face. So, except for the first bite, afterwards, they all sip lightly.
Yuxi saw his actions in his eyes: "I heard that three of your siblings lost their fathers since childhood and were raised by a widow."
Xu Wenchang did not shy away from it: "Yes. My mother suffered a lot in order to support us."
"I heard that your family used to have only three acres of thin fields, what did Lingtang rely on to feed you?" Even if it is the finest fertile fields, the three acres of fertile fields barely fill their stomachs. But besides rice, this family also has to buy salt and other daily necessities.
Xu Wenchang said: "In addition to three acres of fertile land, my father also opened three acres of dry land. The two acres of dry land are planted with sweet potatoes, other peanuts, beans, etc. In addition, my mother does a good job of needlework and makes some clothes for people on weekdays. The money subsidizes the household. And because of this, she can't see things clearly now."
After a pause, Xu Wenchang said: "It is also the blessing of the Supreme Emperor and the Queen Mother. The three of our siblings will not survive if we face the front." This is Xu Wenchang's sincere words. The former government corrupted a lot of levies and taxes, and there was basically nothing left to pay taxes on the three acres of fertile land. As for high-yield sweet potatoes, there was no such thing in the past.
The sweet potatoes produced by the Xu family are basically enough for their family of four to eat for more than half a year.
"Lingtang has suffered a lot for you, you have to be filial to her." A weak and immature woman pulled up three young children, the hardship of which ordinary people can't imagine. In addition, she has also cultivated both her sons to become talents, which is not something ordinary people can do.
Xu Wenchang smiled bitterly and said: "I was too tired when I was young, and now I am sick. When the weather gets cooler, I will pick her up. There are many famous doctors in the capital, and I hope to cure her disease."
In this regard, Yuxi has the most say, and immediately shook her head and said: "It is difficult to cure the problems that fell when you were young. However, if you get a doctor for diagnosis and treatment, no matter how well you take care of it, you should be able to reduce your symptoms."
"It can only be this way." Xu Wenchang was very confident about other things, including the future of the scientific examination. Only the sickness of the old lady Xu has been pressing on his heart and making him sleepless.
Yuxi smiled and asked: "Reading is a luxury for ordinary people. In such an environment, Lingtang still wants to allow your brothers to study, which is really admirable." Yuxi said this well. Very tactful. In the case of the Xu family, even if the old lady Xu wanted to let her son study, she was powerless.
Xu Wenchang heard the meaning in Yuxi's words and said: "My family can't afford my studies. However, there is a private school in our village. I often hide outside the door and listen to the teacher's lectures. After a long time, I was discovered by my husband. "In fact, Xu Wenchang was already a governor when he was five years old. At that time he wanted to change his destiny, and reading is the best way.
Yuxi smiled: "Then Mr. discovered that you were smart and learned things as soon as you can learn things, so he started to love talents, and then he accepted you as a disciple so that you could study at a private school for free."
The fact is indeed the case.
Yuxi thought it was very interesting: "What about then?"
Xu Wenchang said: "My husband taught me for three years, and he said that there is nothing to teach me. When I was eight years old, he recommended me to study in the county school. I studied in the county school for five years, and I participated when I was 13 years old. Child test. Because the county test, the government test, and the hospital test are the first, the head of the county school recommended me to study at the school in Fucheng. After two years in the school in Fucheng, I met my teacher and recommended him I went to Wansong College to study.” Wansong College is the best school in Jiangnan. It is difficult for ordinary people to get in. However, Xu Wenchang's mentor was Mr. Yiyuan, a famous Daru in the south of the Yangtze River, and the head of the Wansong Academy was Mr. Yiyuan's cousin. With the recommendation of Mr. Yi Yuan, it is not difficult for Xu Wenchang to enter.
Yuxi asked, "The scholar who passed the exam at the age of thirteen didn't take the country examination until three years ago. Is that what Mr. Yi Yuan meant?" Yuxi did his homework before coming. I still understand some things about Xu Wenchang.
"Six years ago, I was planning to take the provincial examination, but the teacher said the fire was not there yet."
Yuxi chuckled lightly: "I'm afraid it's not that the fire has not arrived, but that Mr. Yi Yuan's goal is ambitious. I want you to blog about the'Three Yuan and No. 1'! It's not uncommon for a champion in three years, but'San Yuan and 'It’s hard to see one in a hundred years. It’s true. Not only will you become famous in the world, but your future career will also be smooth."
Hearing this, Xu Wenchang was both surprised and surprised. You must know that when Mr. Yi Yuan said these things to him, there was no third person present. And he never said these words to other people. After all, it seemed too arrogant to say this before it was successful.
Yuxi did not give Xu Wenchang room to think, but suddenly changed the subject: "I heard that your sister is married. What kind of family did you marry?"
"Married to my brother's clan brother." Being respected as a brother, it means that he is also a disciple of Mr. Yi Yuan.
Seeing Yuxi looking at him, Xu Wenchang said: "My brother-in-law's house is in the tea business."
"Then you have free good tea?" When Xu Wenchang said that he doesn't drink much tea on weekdays, Yuxi smiled and said, "Then your brother-in-law has sponsored you?" This question is a bit sharp and a bit tricky. People are embarrassed.
Xu Wenchang paused, and then said: "My brother-in-law wanted to support me, but I declined. I have also saved some money by selling calligraphy and painting over the years. The cost of going to Beijing to rush to the exam is available."
With a hum, Yuxi smiled and said: "It is said that the champion Lang is good-looking and writes well, and he paints well."
"Painting can not only cultivate sentiment, but also support the family, so I have put a lot of effort." As for the good calligraphy, none of the characters in the top rankings are bad. But Danqing is good, it depends on talent.
Yuxi praised his humility, and then asked: "I heard that your brother got married three years ago. I don't know who your siblings are?" When you want to get married, you naturally need to know the details. If Jiaojiao married him, she would definitely have to deal with her in the future. But most people inquire in private. But because of the long distance, Yuxi asked directly.
"It's the eldest daughter of my second uncle." Maybe Xu Wenchang didn't even realize it. There was a hint of coldness in his words when he said this. Without keen insight, one can't hear it.
Yuxi heard from this sentence that Xu Wenchang was dissatisfied with the marriage: "I want to come, Lingtang likes your cousin very much, so I kissed him."
Xu Wenchang smiled and nodded, "Yes, my mother likes my cousin very much." The smile did not reach the eye level.
Yuxi deliberately said: "Many wife and wives in the capital also like to let their sons marry their nieces. As a nephew and daughter-in-law, you don't have to worry about not getting along. If you want to come, Lingtang gets along well with your younger siblings."
Xu Wenchang is also a very keen person. Hearing this, he felt that Yuxi seemed to know that he was dissatisfied with this marriage. Suppressing this weird feeling, Xu Wenchang nodded and said, "Well, my mother gets along very well with my younger siblings."
After talking for so long, I know everything I want to know. Yuxi smiled and said, "Do you know how to play chess? If so, we will play the next game."
"good."
Meilan put on the chessboard, and after she stepped back, she said to Feng Zhixi and Liuer that they would be able to climb the rockery.
Because playing chess requires concentration. At this moment, even if someone was watching from a distance, he would not notice it.
Jiaojiao stood on the rockery, looking straight at her made of rice paper. After seeing Xu Wenchang, Jiaojiao couldn't help but said: "Father, mother, I have met this person."
The husband and wife were not surprised by this, because Xu Wenchang said that he fell in love with Jiaojiao at first sight, and then Feiqing did not marry.
Feng Zhixi smiled and asked, "Then what was your impression of him at that time?"
"I think he looks very good, and the smell of books on him is very strong. When people look at it, they know that he has read a lot of books." Can make Jiaojiao such a comment, showing that Xu Wenchang left her with a deeper impression Up.
Upon seeing this, Liu Er hurriedly asked, "Why haven't you heard of this matter?"
Jiaojiao paused, and said with a smile: "Is there anything to mention. Beijing is a good one to learn well. It's not bad for him." This is really not a slander. Changsheng and Tingsheng both look good. Many younger generations, such as the Han family and the Xu family, have outstanding looks. I've seen it a lot, and it's nothing amazing.
Liu'er felt relieved when he heard this. I'm afraid that like Mi Mi, I don't even think about it when I see Xu Wenchang.
Jiaojiao went to many places when she was a child, and Liuer sneered at men and women, so Jiaojiao would meet young and good men when she went out to socialize. So when I saw Xu Wenchang, she didn't feel much. And Mi Mi doesn't go out very much. Even if you go out, you won't have any contact with young men. Suddenly seeing such a good-looking and courteous man, I was naturally moved.
The three of them waited for a while on the rockery. Seeing that they were still playing the game attentively, Feng Zhixi said, "I don't know when it will be finished? It's almost noon?"
"It should be ready soon." Yuxi's chess skills are not top-notch, but the level is also very high. Liu'er felt that Xu Wenchang was young and could not be Yuxi's opponent.
The result was completely beyond Liu'er's expectation. Two quarters of an hour passed and the two of them had not finished a game of chess.
Feng Zhixi said: "It seems that Mo Zhu's chess skill is very high." Otherwise, it is impossible to play with the Queen Mother for so long.
"Mo Zhu? Dad, when did you have such a good relationship with him, and you even called him in other people's words?" It's not close, and you don't usually call them in other people's words.
"Although Mo Zhu and I are quite different in age, they hit it off at first sight." No matter what, Feng Zhixi was very satisfied with Xu Wenchang. Therefore, he was so eager to settle the relationship between the two.
Watching Yuxi talking with Xu Wenchang for so long, he still played chess. Feng Zhixi's heart also let go. This shows that Yuxi also appreciates Xu Wenchang. As long as Yuxi nodded, the marriage was fixed.