Chapter 57

For the examinees who were waiting in the provincial government for their results to be released, life passed quickly and slowly. Even if they went out to play and thought about the exam, they couldn’t enjoy themselves. Song Cun only went out for a few days after the exam. Days, after that I read in the house, very honest and well-behaved.

On the day when the rankings were announced, Song Cun woke up early. Although he had confidence in himself and was not sure whether he would win the exam, he couldn’t relax. After getting up, he had breakfast when he suddenly heard the sound of gongs and drums outside. His heart tightened, and then he smiled. He wasn’t so nervous when he took the college entrance examination before, but he didn’t expect to be nervous this time, but this feeling is not bad.

When Li Mu was already hearing the sound of gongs and drums, he ran out to have a look.

As the sound of gongs and drums came from far to near, Song Cun couldn’t help standing up and muttering, “Let me go out and have a look.”

When Song Cun went outside, the yamen servants saw Song Cun and asked with a smile, “Who is Mr. Song Cun?”

Li Mu said with a smile: “My young master is.” He said and looked at Song Cun.

The official messenger who announced the good news said: “Master, is Master Song Cunsong, Masong County, Huidong Province?”

Song Cun smiled and said, “Exactly.”

The official said: “Congratulations to Mr. Song for winning the Juren examination and winning the third place.”

Song Cun looked at Li Mu, Li Mu took out the silver with a smile, and handed it to several officials: “Masters, you have worked hard.”

Several officials weighed the weight of the silver, the smiles in their eyes deepened, and a string of good words came out of their mouths.

Residents nearby came out to watch the fun when they heard the sound of gongs and drums. Some children knew that Song Cun had become the new Juren, and they circled around him, calling him Master Juren. Song Cun looked at their smiling faces and asked Li Mu to go back to the house to get sugar, dried fruit, The cakes were distributed to them, and they got to eat, and ran away cheering.

The people around dispersed, and when they returned to the house, Song Cun asked Li Mu to pack his luggage, and after attending tomorrow’s Luming Banquet, they returned to the capital.

At the Lu Ming Banquet, Xie Yuan and Li Mingze dominated the limelight, but Song Cun didn’t express any opinion, and planned to go back after the banquet. Unexpectedly, just after walking a few steps, he met Li Mingze who came out. When he saw Song Cun, he smiled heartily and said, “Brother Song, I have admired your name for a long time.”

Have you heard of your name for a long time?

Song Cun didn’t know he was so famous, Li Mingze explained with a smile: “Brother Song must be wondering why I know you?”

Song Cun was really puzzled.

Li Mingze said: “My eldest brother is a disciple of Master Chen of the Imperial Academy, and he often mentions you.”

Song Cun was stunned, and said: “So that’s the case.” He didn’t ask who Li Mingze’s eldest brother is.

Li Mingze glanced at him, and explained with a smile: “My elder brother often says how good your policy writing is, and I’m not convinced.”

Song Cun smiled: “You are right to be unconvinced. After all, you took Jieyuan in this township examination, and I was only third.”

Although the ranking does not mean that his talent must be lower than that of the other party, Li Mingze’s ability to pass the Jieyuan exam must have real talent and learning, and he will not be inferior to him.

Unexpectedly, Li Mingze said, “I’ve read the theory you wrote, and it’s really good.”

Song Cun said: “But scientific research is not only about policy theory.”

Li Mingze smiled, but he was a little surprised. Thinking about it, how can a person who can write that kind of forward-thinking and policy theory be a narrow-minded person who can’t see himself clearly? He said, “I like you a little bit.”

Song Cun was taken aback for a moment, and thought that this person spoke too directly, and looked more like a modern person than him.

Seeing him in a daze, Li Mingze smiled again, and said, “Chunwei, let’s compete again.” After speaking, he laughed and strode away.

Song Cun looked at his back and laughed heartily. In fact, he admired people with this kind of character.

The next day, Song Cun set off for the capital.

Aunt Li’s son, whom Aunt Li hadn’t seen for two months, felt that he was getting thinner and darker, so she took his hand and said, “I’m not in a hurry to go to school these days, I’d better stay at home and recuperate my body.”

Song Cun responded with a smile. There was an illusion that my mother felt that you were thinner.

Song Shuqing and Song Shulan said to her brother with a smile: “Congratulations to my brother for passing the Juren exam and becoming the Master Juren. We are also the younger sisters of the Master Juren.”

During these days, they and their sister-in-law are also paying attention to the situation of the local examinations in various places, and they already know that my brother has passed the exam.

Song Cun put his hands behind his back, smiled and let them joke.

After Aunt Li and the two younger sisters left, Song Cun looked at Chu Mingjia, glanced at her abdomen, and asked, “Are you okay?”

Chu Mingjia smiled and said, “No big reaction.”

Song Cun smiled: “That’s good, you have worked hard these days.”

Chu Mingjia glanced at him: “I’m not protected from wind or rain at home. No matter where I work hard, it’s not as hard as you are traveling outside.”

Song Cun sat down, looked at her, and joked, “I didn’t expect my wife to be so virtuous.”

Chu Mingjia glanced at him, and said in his heart that I am not virtuous, my own family, I don’t work hard, there will always be someone willing to work hard for me.

After Song Cun came back, he first went to the Imperial College to visit the gentlemen, and prepared generous gifts, and went to Chu’s house with Chu Mingjia. When Chu Chengming saw Song Cun, he patted him on the shoulder and said with a smile, “Not bad. Next year Is Chunwei planning to participate?”

Song Cun smiled: “I plan to try the depth.”

Chu Mingcheng frowned: “Aren’t you too anxious?” My sister-in-law is still young, so he can wait another three years. Wouldn’t that be more sure?

Song Cun said with a smile: “If you don’t try, how will you know that you can’t do it?” Even if you fail the exam, you can take the exam after three years.

Chu Mingcheng glanced at him: “That’s fine.”

Chu Mingzheng, the eldest daughter of the Chu family, also came with her husband-in-law. She quietly pulled Chu Mingjia, and said with a smile, “Shall we go to your original yard to talk?”

Chu Mingjia smiled, and the two turned around and walked towards the courtyard where she used to live.

Chu Mingyue saw their backs from behind, pursed her lips, and suddenly shouted: “Eldest sister, third sister, where are you going? Why don’t you call us if you want to play?”

Chu Mingzheng looked back at her, with a gentle tone: “Your third sister and I are both married. We have something to say, and there are some things you can’t listen to. You, a little girl, go play nearby.”

Chu Mingyue blushed. Although the elder sister was gentle, she always felt that there was something in what she said. The most annoying thing was that she couldn’t find anything to refute her.

The two sisters followed the maidservant, bypassed the corridor, and arrived at Chu Mingjia’s boudoir. After the two sat down, Chu Mingzheng said: “The fourth sister is getting more and more careful. Such a temper is fine at home. Empresses will suffer.”

The sisters at home always let her go, so who can let her go at her husband’s house?

Chu Mingjia said indifferently: “Now she is pampered and protected by her parents. Even if she is a little cautious, in the eyes of the third uncle and the third aunt, she is still loved. She never thinks there is anything wrong. When she gets married in the future, the mother-in-law is not a relative. Mother, I will teach her how to be a daughter-in-law, then she should know how to restrain her petty temper.”

Chu Mingzheng frowned and looked at her: “Have you been wronged at your in-law’s house?” Otherwise, how could you say such words?

Chu Mingjia smiled and said: “How could it be? The Song family is different from other families. The aunt doesn’t care about things, the two younger sisters are well-behaved and obedient, and the husband depends on me for everything, and he is no longer at ease.”

Chu Mingzheng looked at her, thinking that her younger sister was pregnant, she asked: “Now that you are pregnant, have you prepared a man for your sister-in-law?”

Chu Mingjia was stunned for a moment, trying to understand what the eldest sister meant, she said: “My husband and aunt didn’t mention it, why should I make myself unhappy?”

Not to mention preparing a room for her husband, just thinking about it makes her feel uncomfortable.

Chu Mingzheng asked her in surprise: “Sister-in-law didn’t say anything?”

Chu Mingjia came close to her ear, and whispered: “My husband is more self-disciplined in this respect, and he didn’t have a room before marriage. I also found that whenever we were in the room, and a little maid came in to help me dress up, he would find a reason to go out.” .Since he doesn’t like little girls to serve him personally, he certainly won’t like those concubines. I’m doing it for his own good.”

Speaking of this matter, she was very straightforward. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to prepare a room for her husband, it was because he didn’t like it, so she didn’t prepare it. Besides, her husband had her to take care of him, so he didn’t need anyone else at all.

Chu Mingzheng nodded his head and said with a smile, “Ghost spirit.”

After finishing speaking, she was a little envious of her younger sister. Although her sister-in-law’s family background was poor, she lived a more comfortable life than anyone else. Unlike her, her husband had already taken three concubines. Her cousin is protected by her mother-in-law and loved by her husband. Although she is the main wife, she is not enjoying life.

After returning from Chu’s house, Song Cun and Chu Mingjia went to Liu’s house with generous gifts. After returning from Liu’s house, Song Cun sent a post to Zhou Qilue, Wang Hongyi, and Zheng Chengping, inviting them to come over for a drink. After Chu Mingjia learned about this, he ordered the kitchen to prepare wine and vegetables, and asked her nanny to prepare melons and fruit tea. , this is the first time she has entertained guests after marriage, so it’s time to entertain.

Zhou Qilue is also married. After getting married, he has changed his inertia. This year he became a child. To Song Cun, Zhou Qilue’s elder brother Zhou Qimou and his parents are very grateful. Everything is difficult at the beginning. Without Song Cun’s guidance, the youngest son It is not so easy to correct evil and return to righteousness, willing to study, and now I am still a child.

Both Wang Hongyi and Zheng Chengping are Juren, and they, like Song Cun, will take part in next year’s examination. Zhou Qilue said: “You all have to take part in next year’s examination, and when you have official positions in the future, I will rely on you.”

Several people knew that he was joking, the Zhou family’s family background did not need them as a backer.

The three said one after another: “Okay, I will rely on you.”

After a few rounds of drinking, a few people were slightly drunk, Song Cun asked the boy to take them back, he smelled of alcohol, he didn’t go to the main courtyard, so as not to get smoked by Chu Mingjia, after washing up, he directly rested in the study.

Chunwei will be in February next year, from Tongsheng to Juren, Song Cun’s exam is relatively smooth, and Chunwei also hopes to pass the exam, so he dare not slack off in the slightest, reading and reviewing at home every day, and sometimes Wang Hongyi and Zheng Chengping will come to join him Exchange ideas.

Chu Mingjia’s belly was bulging day by day, and the delivery date was probably in March. Song Cun didn’t dare to make her too tired, so he distributed the housekeeping rights to his two younger sisters, and asked them to learn how to be housekeepers, so that they would not be able to do anything when they married in the future.

Chuming Jiale is relaxed, Song Shuqing and Song Shulan are not stupid, even smart, housekeeping is not difficult for them, not to mention there are rules, there are not many people in the family, just follow the rules.

Years later, the number of newcomers in the capital gradually increased. Many candidates from other places came from all over the country to rush for the exam. Chu Mingjia was still more than a month away from her due date. Mrs. Liu picked it up, but Mrs. Liu was worried about her niece, and her niece and son-in-law came to pick her up. She was too happy, so she packed her luggage and went to Song’s house.

With his aunt around, Song saved a lot, so he could study and prepare for the exam with peace of mind.

Chunwei also has three exams, each for three days, and nine days for the exam, and he has to stay in the exam room for these nine days. Compared with Qiu Wei, Chun Wei is more difficult. After all, the capital is still extremely cold in February and March.

Chu Mingjia and Aunt Li are worried about Song Cun, but this is the only way to become an official in the imperial examination, and they can’t stop him from taking the exam. I can only try to keep him warm.

In Chu Mingjia’s dowry, there were several pieces of high-quality leather, and she took them all out for the sewing room to make cloaks for Song Cun.

Looking at the leather, Song Cun’s eyebrows twitched a few times, and he said slowly, “You don’t need so much, do you?”

Chu Mingjia looked at him and said seriously: “It takes so much. There is no carbon in the examination room. You have to live in it for nine days. It is always good to prepare more. The cloak is made big, and it can also be used as a quilt.”

Well, she is a pregnant woman, in order to make her feel at ease, Song Cunyi is with her, besides, she is also thinking about him, as much as possible.

The days are fleeting, and soon it is the day of the exam. Song Cun is wearing a fur coat improved by the sewing room, a fur cape, and fur boots on his feet. Armed went to the examination room, and when he reached the gate of the examination room, he was taken aback when he saw a familiar figure, and shouted, “Brother.”

Chu Mingcheng smiled and said, “I’ll see you off.”

I have to say that Song Cun was still a little moved. Just as he was about to speak, Chu Mingcheng interrupted him and said, “Quickly go to the queue. If you have anything to say, you can talk about it after the test. Don’t think too much, just take the test with peace of mind. I’ll leave now.” La!”

Song Cun nodded and watched him leave. As soon as he got to the side of the line and stood up, Zhou Qilue, Wang Hongyi, and Zheng Chengping walked over.

Zhou Qilue saw Song Cun’s bright smile: “Didn’t expect me to come here?”

To be honest, Song Cun was not surprised. After all, based on their relationship, it was normal for Zhou Qilue to send the exam, but he still said, “I really didn’t expect it. How did you get up so early?”

Zhou Qi said slightly embarrassed: “I wake up very early these days. I’m used to it.”

Song Cun was a little surprised by this, Zhou Qi rubbed his nose slightly: “I learned everything from you.”

Song Cun said appreciatively: “Not bad. I always knew that as long as you study hard, you will definitely achieve something.”

Zhou Qilue’s cheeks were slightly red, and they exchanged a few words of greeting. It was their turn in the team, and the inspection was stricter. All of them had to take off their clothes for inspection. Fortunately, although Song Cun was wearing thick clothes, except for the inner jacket, they were all made of fur and fur, which was good for inspection. .

Wang Hongyi was more difficult to bear. No one prepared him a warm cloak, and no one made him a fur coat. He could not wear cotton jackets. It takes half a cup of tea to check. It’s such a cold day, you can imagine how much you suffer.

At this time, Song Cun felt his wife’s intentions. Otherwise, he would have to endure the cold for a while longer, and his health would be weaker. If he entered the cold air again, it is still unknown whether he would be able to survive the nine-day exam.

For Song Cun, the time of nine days passed quickly and difficult, because the amount of questions in the exam was extremely large, and there were endless questions every day, and he was afraid that he would not finish the questions due to lack of time.

The hard part is the cold weather, which is fine during the day, but at night, when the temperature difference is large, I shiver from the cold, and I can’t sleep all night because of the cold. Song Cun’s clothes are so thick, and it’s so cold, let alone those who wear thin clothes.

Song Cun suffers in the examination room, Chu Mingjia, Aunt Li, Song Shuqing, and Song Shulan are also worried about Song Cun, and for some reason, the temperature has been so cold these days, even if Song Cun wears thick clothes, it can’t keep him warm. To take an exam, just thinking about it this way, they all find it unbearable.

Thinking of this, Chu Mingjia regretted it very much, he should have prepared more clothes for her husband.

Aunt Li frowned, and said: “I heard that in previous years, someone carried people out of the examination room. Song Cun has always been in good health, so it should be fine.”

Chu Mingjia’s heart tightened, and he told Li Mu: “Put two quilts in the carriage, and you will guard them before going to the examination room every day.”

As for what she was guarding, she didn’t say that others knew about it.

Aunt Li hurriedly said: “Yes, yes, go and watch.”

After Song Cun finished the last question, the hand holding the pen was frozen stiff. He looked at the other people, who were also shivering from the cold, he sighed, thankful again that Ming Jia had prepared enough warm clothes for him. Otherwise, even with such a strong body, he would have to catch a cold.

Even so, he was too cold to think about anything else. After handing in the papers, he left the examination room. When he saw Li Mu, Song Cun got into the carriage directly and nestled under the quilt. He didn’t wait for Wang Hongyi and Zheng Chengping. Said: “Go home.”

Back home, Chu Mingjia greeted him with a big belly, he hurriedly said: “Don’t worry about it, I’m fine.”

Chu Mingjia looked at his stubbled and exhausted handsome face, and said distressedly: “There is a servant, I don’t need to work hard, I just give orders. Hot water has already been prepared at home, and there are herbs in the water to dispel the cold.” Hurry up and take a bath.”amp;quot;

Aunt Li and her two younger sisters also said, “Hurry up and take a hot bath and eat something.”

Song Cun took a bath, ate two bowls of hot chicken noodles, and fell asleep on the bed.

Chu Mingjia came in to take a look and saw that he was in a deep sleep, but she didn’t wake him up. She told Li Mu to find a doctor and check his pulse.

Chu Mingjia breathed a sigh of relief, and asked the doctor to prescribe some medicine to dispel the cold, and waited for Song Cun to drink it when he woke up.

Song Cun slept for a day and a night. After waking up, he ate and drank the soup that Chu Mingjia brought, called Li Mu, and asked, “How is Master Wang and Master Zheng?”

Li Mu bowed and replied: “Young Master Wang fell ill when he came back, Young Master Zheng just suffered from the cold just like Young Master, nothing happened.”

Song Cun frowned: “Prepare something, I’ll go see him.”

Song Cun got into the carriage and met Zhou Qilue who came to visit him when he went out, and the two went to Wang’s house together.

The mistress of the Wang family heard that Wang Hongyi’s classmates came to see him, but she didn’t stop him, and such things can’t be stopped.

Song Cun and Zhou Qilue were led into Wang Hongyi’s room by the porter.

Seeing Song Cun and Zhou Qilue, Wang Hongyi lay on the bed and coughed, smiled weakly twice, and just about to speak, he coughed again and again.

Song Cun interrupted him: “Stop talking, lest you cough again.”

Zhou Qilue looked at the little girl next to him, and asked, “Why are you coughing so badly? Did your second young master see the doctor? What did the doctor say?”

When Wang Hongyi heard Zhou Qilue’s words, a helpless smile appeared on his pale face.

The little girl hurriedly said: “There is a doctor in the mansion, the doctor saw it and prescribed medicine.”

Zhou Qi said impatiently: “What did the doctor say?”

The little girl said weakly: “Doctor, the doctor didn’t say anything, only prescribed medicine.”

Zhou Qi slightly frowned: “What do you mean?” After speaking, he looked at Song Cun.

Song Cun frowned, what could be the meaning, most likely the meaning of the mistress. This body is also a concubine, and he does not express his opinion on how the concubine should get along with his aunt. But Wang Hongyi is his brother, whether he is a concubine or not, he is a life, even a aunt should not ignore life. He said: “Brother Wang is like this, you have to hire a better doctor.”

Zhou Qilue patted his chest and said, “Leave this matter to me, and I will invite the doctor right away.”

An hour later, Zhou Qilue left and came back, bringing an old man with white hair over. He said, “This old man used to be an imperial physician in the imperial hospital.”

When the old doctor heard Zhou Qilue’s words, he blew his beard and stared at her eyes, and hummed without saying anything.

Song Cun’s eyes lit up, so did Wang Hongyi’s eyes. As long as a doctor treats him, he is always in good health.

After Wang Hongyi drank the old doctor’s medicine, he lay on the bed and said, “If you hadn’t come to see me and invited me a doctor, I would have been in trouble this time, even if I didn’t lose my life, I would be ruined in the future. ”

He didn’t panic, his father was away on business and was not in the capital, his aunt wanted him to die sincerely, she didn’t intend to let the doctor heal him at all, the medicine prescribed for him didn’t help at all, instead the condition got worse.

Song Cun didn’t know how to comfort him, so he could only say, “Take good care of your illness. If you can win this time, let’s release him.”

After staying outside for ten or eight years, with his own financial ability, who can hold him back when he comes back?

Wang Hongyi smiled weakly: “I hope I can pass the exam.”

Song Cun and Zhou Qilue walked out from the Wang family, Zhou Qilue sneered: “Since you don’t like bastards, you shouldn’t have let **** be born in the first place, like our family has no bastards, nothing happened.”

Song Cun didn’t say anything, Zhou Qilue continued to mutter: “I will bring the old man here tomorrow, I don’t worry about brother Wang’s illness. His wife is like dough, and can’t help him with anything. Fortunately, you came early The family is separated, otherwise, wouldn’t you be tortured by your aunt?”

Song Cun sighed, and said: “Although my aunt didn’t want to see me, she didn’t want my life. Compared with Wang Hongyi’s aunt, she was better than Wang Hongyi. Now that the family is separated, she doesn’t care about us. “He didn’t know how many things he saved.

Zhou Qilue didn’t like Yang’s family very much. If he really didn’t like concubines, he would be like his mother, who asked the man not to have concubines or concubines before marrying. If he was born, he wanted to marry a noble family, pretend to be magnanimous and virtuous, to please his in-laws, but also to secretly harm Bastards are the most unpleasant.

He told Song Cun his thoughts, Song Cun smiled and said nothing. Zhou Qilue can say this because his world itself is very simple. There’s no such nonsense in his family.

Under the system where men are superior to women, even marriages cannot be autonomous. If they don’t pretend to be magnanimous and virtuous, and don’t please their in-laws, how can they live?

Of course, taking human life is wrong no matter what.

After returning home, Aunt Li and Song Shuqing came over with red eyes, and Song Cun asked, “What’s wrong?”

Aunt Li’s eyes were red: “I won’t fight with her or grab her, but why doesn’t she let me go?”

As soon as Aunt Li opened her mouth, Song Cun knew she was talking about the Yang family, and just now on the road she told Zhou Qilue about the benefits of the Yang family, and immediately slapped her in the face.

He asked, “What’s the matter?”

Song Shuqing pursed her lips and said in a low voice, “Mother asked me to marry her nephew from her natal family.”

Song Cun frowned, his eyes turned cold: “When did it happen?”

Aunt Li said: “After you passed by, she sent a mother to tell me about it. She also said that it is a great blessing for your sister to marry into the Yang family.”

Song Cun looked at Song Shuqing and asked, “What do you think?”

Song Shuqing lowered her head and said in a low voice: “When I was in the Marquis Mansion, I met that man. I didn’t want to. If I married him, I would rather enter the palace to serve the emperor.” It was better than being ruined by such a person.

Song Cun frowned: “Nonsense.”

Song Shuqing’s eyes were red, and she couldn’t shed her tears.

Seeing this, Song Cun slowed down his tone: “That’s not the case, I will tell my second brother about it. You are not young anymore, what kind of family do you want to find, tell your brother, it’s hard to say it with your brother, and talk to your aunt It’s okay for your sister-in-law to say, after all, your brother will make the decision for you, don’t talk about entering the palace.”

“I see, brother.” Song Shuqing was a little embarrassed, she was also anxious when she heard the message from her aunt, so she said that. But she might not think that way in her heart, if the aunt really didn’t let her go, she wouldn’t mind entering the palace.