After three months' absence, Jing Li and Qin Zhao finally returned to the bamboo courtyard.
The yard hadn't been properly cared for in several months, and a lot of weeds had grown in the flower beds. They covered the furniture in the house with burlap to block out the dust before moving in, but there was inevitably some dust on the ground.
Jing Li subconsciously wanted to go to the kitchen to get a broom, but was stopped by Qin Zhao.
He put the luggage aside, removed the linen covering the bed, and pressed the man to sit on the bed: "Sit still, don't move around."
After saying that, he rolled up his sleeves and went to the kitchen.
No matter how glorious the top candidate in the county examination is outside, he still has to sweep the floor, water the flowers and cook when he returns home.
Jing Li felt a little secretly proud.
Mr. Qin was very dedicated in doing his housework. He quickly cleaned the house and then went to the yard to water the flowers and weed.
Perhaps because he was used to farm life, Jing Li was not used to seeing Qin Zhao busying himself, so he simply helped him pack his luggage and even took down the bedding on the bed and replaced it with new ones.
He had just spread out the new bed sheet when he heard Qin Zhao's voice coming from behind him: "I told you not to move."
Qin Zhao strode over and pulled the man aside: "I'll take care of these things, you just be careful."
Jing Li: “…”
It started again.
"I am pregnant, not disabled."
The women in the village were not so pampered. Jing Li had seen a woman working in the fields even though she was five months pregnant.
Jing Li was pushed down by Qin Zhao to sit on a chair. She said unhappily, "Can you see any family in the village that doesn't do any work when they are pregnant?"
"My home." Qin Zhao said calmly, "Take a break and change your clothes. The village chief is hosting a banquet tonight."
Jing Li: “…I know.”
Before the county exam, the village chief had promised that if Qin Zhao won the first place, he would hold a banquet in the village to celebrate. Today was the perfect time to fulfill his promise.
There happened to be an open space outside the village chief's house, where village gatherings used to be held.
When Jing Li and Qin Zhao arrived, dozens of tables were already set up on the open ground. There were also several large pots set up next to them, and the sizzling sound of cooking and the aroma of meat filled the entire village.
Meat can only be seen a few times a year in the village, let alone such a sumptuous banquet, which is impossible even during the Chinese New Year.
Everyone couldn't wait and had already taken their seats. When they saw Qin Zhao coming, they stood up and greeted him.
The village chief came forward and said, "Finally you are here. I have been waiting for you."
They were taken to the table at the front.
The front seat is considered the main seat, usually only those with higher status in the village can sit there. In addition to several elders in the village and the village chief's family, there is also a family at the table.
Chen Yanan and his family.
Chen Yan'an ranked 15th in the county exam this time, which is considered one of the best results in the town. The village chief was probably afraid that his family would think too much, so he invited him to the main seat.
Qin Zhao greeted Grandma Chen, bowed to all the elders, and then took Jing Li to sit down.
"You guys came back pretty quickly, why didn't you play for a few more days?" Chen Yan'an came over and whispered to Qin Zhao, "I regret coming back to the village. I get scolded every day. If I had known earlier, I should have followed Brother He to review in the county town!"
Chen Yan'an thought that his life would be easier after the exams, but it turned out that he was too optimistic. After the county exam, there was the prefectural exam, and after the student exam, there was the provincial exam. Unless he passed the exam and became the top scorer, his mother would continue to nag him.
Jing Li hesitated for a moment, thinking that even if he passed the exam and became the top scholar, Mrs. Chen would still nag him. But before he could finish his words, Chen Yan'an was dragged back by his mother by the ear.
Jing Li: “…”
After Qin Zhao sat down, the village chief announced that the meal was ready.
The dishes served on the table, although they were just ordinary farm-style stir-fries, were rich in variety, colorful, fragrant and delicious, making them very appetizing.
The village chief said, "The chef who is cooking today was specially invited by me from the neighboring village. He used to be a chef in a restaurant in the capital city, and his cooking skills are beyond reproach."
The chef was just serving the dishes. When he heard what the village chief said, he smiled and said, "It's a blessing to be able to cook for the chief judge!"
Qin Zhao shook his head: "It's just a county exam, why should the village chief spend so much money?"
"You can't say that. No one in our village has passed the exam for many years. We should celebrate." The village chief said, "After the news of your passing spread, more people came to register for the Mengxue Academy. Everyone now thinks studying is good. This is all thanks to you."
"Besides, this meal is not entirely my fault. These ingredients were donated voluntarily by various households. We all want to celebrate for you from the bottom of our hearts!"
After hearing what he said, Qin Zhao finally felt relieved.
However, Qin Zhao had an uneasy meal, as people would come and talk to him from time to time. Similarly, Jing Li was not idle either.
"Shuang'er is the best. When I was pregnant with my first child, I had no appetite in the first few months." The village head's wife who was sitting at the same table said, "You have no reaction at all?"
Jing Li paused while picking up the food and forced a smile: "No, no..."
Strangely enough, after holding the fish fry, he did not have any symptoms of loss of appetite, nausea or morning sickness. Not only did he feel much more comfortable than in the winter, his appetite was also better than usual.
If it weren't for the occasional bloating in his abdomen, he would have even forgotten that he was carrying a baby.
But they had only been back for less than half a day, so how come the village head’s wife knew about his pregnancy? ?
A woman at the next table heard this and turned around to say, "Not all Shuang'er are like this. My uncle from my mother's family also married a Shuang'er. During the first three months of her pregnancy, she couldn't eat anything and lost a lot of weight!"
"I also heard that Shuang'er suffers more than women when she is pregnant. It's rare to see someone like Qin Zhao's husband."
"What do you know? That's because my husband loves me and takes good care of me."
Jing Li listened silently, his ears slightly red.
Seeing this, Qin Zhao touched Jing Li's back in a soothing manner and picked up some food for him: "My husband is shy, please don't tease him."
"Look, you're already feeling sorry for them." Several village women teased them a few more times before letting them go.
After the banquet, Qin Zhao walked back holding the lantern in one hand and holding Jing Li's hand in the other.
Jing Li lowered her head and touched her belly, seeming to be worried about something.
Qin Zhao tilted his head to look at him and asked in a low voice: "What are you thinking about?"
Jing Li shook his head: "It's okay..."
"It wasn't me who told you about your pregnancy." Qin Zhao said, "It was probably Chen Yan'an."
Jing Li: “… guessed it.”
That kid has always been a talkative person, so it's no surprise that the news would get out.
But that wasn't what he was worried about.
They will not move away for the time being. The child will be born in Linxi Village, and the villagers will know about it sooner or later.
only…
Jing Li pursed his lips and said, "Qin Zhao, if I keep doing this here, I'll be suspected, right?"
When Jing Li found out she was pregnant, she was only two months pregnant. She hadn't shown signs of pregnancy yet, so he didn't think much about it. But now it's three months, and she still hasn't shown signs of pregnancy.
If this continues, how can I explain it to my neighbors
Moreover, the abbot Jingchen once said that koi will not be pregnant for ten months. This month... doesn't make sense at all, right
"So that's what you're worried about." Qin Zhao stopped, put his arm around the man's shoulders, lowered his head and looked at him, "Didn't I tell you that you just need to take good care of yourself during this period of time and don't have to worry about anything else?"
Jing Li: "But I..."
"Don't worry about that." Qin Zhao said firmly, "Trust me, nothing will happen."
Jing Li opened his mouth and wanted to say something else, but when he met Qin Zhao's calm and steady eyes, he forgot what he was going to say.
The moonlight is just right tonight. Under the cool moonlight, Qin Zhao's facial features look even more handsome and neat.
He smiled at Jing Li and said, "If you keep letting your imagination run wild, I'll punish you."
Jing Li's heartbeat paused for a moment, then uncontrollably accelerated. He swallowed and whispered, "Then... What if I can't help it?"
Qin Zhao understood what he meant, lowered his head and kissed Jing Li lightly on the lips: "Can you bear it like this?"
Jing Li's legs felt a little weak.
He knew clearly that Qin Zhao was only asking about "wild thoughts", but he still couldn't help but think in the wrong direction.
Ever since he knew Jing Li was pregnant, Qin Zhao never touched her again, and seemed to be worried about an accidental sexual intercourse, so he even restrained himself from kissing her.
Several times, Jing Li clearly felt the other party's reaction, but he did nothing.
What those villagers said just now was right, her husband really is very caring.
Even a bit too much.
Jing Li's cheeks flushed and he moved back awkwardly, trying to hide some inappropriate reaction.
Qin Zhao smiled and kissed him on the lips again: "I understand."
I can't help it.
Xiaoyu missed him.
Qin Zhao stood up and continued walking forward with the man in his hand: "Don't let your imagination run wild, go home."
"… "
Jing Li felt inexplicably lost. Without waiting for his reply, Qin Zhao finished the second half of the sentence: "If I don't go home, how can I help you?"
Jing Li blinked, then realized what Qin Zhao meant by "help", and his ears turned red.
For the next period of time, both of them stayed in the village.
Qin Zhao's prediction was correct. After returning to the familiar environment, Jing Li felt more secure and no longer woke up often at night.
Before he left, he entrusted his fields to his neighbors to take care of. When he came back this time, he found that the wheat in the fields was growing well and the weeds were removed very cleanly, which showed that his neighbors cared very much about his land.
Qin Zhao also gave each family three hundred coins as a reward.
It is the busy farming season of early spring recently, and Qin Zhao planted several seasonal vegetables in the fields. They all take a short time to grow and can be eaten within half a month.
As for the Mengxue Academy, the village chief originally wanted Qin Zhao to concentrate on studying for the prefectural examination and not go to the academy. However, he could not resist the desire of the students to meet Mr. Qin, and Qin Zhao did not reject it, so he readily agreed to resume teaching.
only…
"You are not allowed to go." Qin Zhao pushed Jing Li back onto the bed and said seriously.
Jing Li frowned: "Why?"
Qin Zhao put on his clothes slowly and said righteously: "There are many children in the school, and I have to teach and can't take care of you. What if you get bumped?"
Jing Li: “…”
This person treated him like a porcelain doll that would break if dropped.
Jing Li thought about it and softened his voice: "Qin Zhao, I'm so bored at home alone..."
"I'll only be gone for two hours." Qin Zhao touched Jing Li's hair and said gently, "Be good and wait for me at home. If you're bored, read some books or practice calligraphy. Think of it as prenatal education for your child. Be obedient. The kitchen is cooking soup. I'll come back at noon to make you something delicious."
… When I’m bored, I read and practice calligraphy, and I also use it as prenatal education.
Is this the world of academic masters
Jing Li had no choice but to agree obediently.
Qin Zhao left quickly. Bells rang from the academy across the wall, and Mr. Qin, who had been away for a long time, started teaching again.
Jing Li naturally would not study and practice calligraphy obediently. He lay on the bed for a while, then got up and went to the bookcase to look for a storybook. However, perhaps because he was not in a good mood, the storybooks that he had read with great interest in the past seemed boring today. Jing Li changed several books in a row, but could not finish any of them.
After reading the storybook, he flipped through Qin Zhao's collection of books.
Qin Zhao's collection of books was even more boring than his story books. They were either the Four Books and the Five Classics or various medical books. Jing Li pulled out a book out of boredom, and suddenly another thinner book fell out from the middle of the thick book.
Jing Li glanced at it casually and found that it was the "Secret Affair of the Imperial Examination" that he had seen before. For some reason, it was stuck in the book.
He was about to put it back on the bookshelf, but paused.
The "闱" in "春闱" is written like this
Jing Li is no longer the illiterate little fool who believed whatever others said a year ago. He lowered his head and re-examined the four words.
The classroom was silent. Qin Zhao had already consulted the village chief to inquire about the course progress, so he randomly selected a few people to take a test on the content that the village chief had taught.
Most of the students answered haltingly, but Lin Qing'er answered fluently.
Qin Zhao nodded appreciatively: "Very good, sit down."
"…If you didn't memorize it just now, go home and copy the article ten times and bring it to my next class." Qin Zhao said, "Today I will teach you-"
Someone knocked gently on the school door from outside.
Qin Zhao paused, a sense of foreboding suddenly emerged in his heart, and he whispered, "Come in."
The door was pushed open and Jing Li stood outside, looking at him innocently.
Qin Zhao frowned slightly: "What are you doing here?"
Jing Li curved the corners of his mouth and said with a smile: "I will give the child prenatal education, sir."