Chapter 674: Gasping for air [Many thanks! Bow again! Debt 38]

Before the sky was bright,

at the Bianjing county examination hall,

there were already quite a few pedestrians and carriages outside the examination compound.

Because it was dark, some people on the nearby streets were carrying lanterns, and some were holding torches.

Xu Zaijing and Zaihang stood in front of the Xu family's carriage.

Zaihang lifted the carriage curtain, looked at Hualan, who was holding the child inside, and said, "Madam, wake Zhong'er up earlier! He will have to get out of the carriage later. It would be better to avoid him getting cold just after waking up."

"Understood, husband. Zhong'er, Zhong'er, wake up," Hualan said inside the carriage.

After a while, Xu Xingzhong, wrapped tightly, was handed out by Hualan from the carriage and given to Zaihang.

Xu Xingzhong's eyes rolled in Zaihang's arms, and after yawning, he said, "Father, Mother, hasn't Little Uncle come yet?"

"He's coming soon," Zaihang smiled.

Hualan stood to the side, straightened her son's collar, and nodded with a smile.

The classmates from the school also arrived in the vicinity one after another.

Xu Zaijing looked at Qi Heng, who was walking over, and smiled, "Once Mu'er enters the examination compound, Yuanruo, you can go back and take a nap."

Hearing Xu Zaijing's voice, Xu Xingzhong turned his head and smiled, "Little Uncle."

Xu Zaijing reached out his right hand, lifted his nephew by his clothes with one hand, and after pulling him over, casually placed him on his neck.

Hualan looked at Xu Zaijing quite helplessly and exchanged a smile with her husband.

Xu Zaijing said to Gu Tingye to the side, "Er Lang, why are you staring at me? It's not like you don't have a nephew."

Gu Tingye curled his lips, reached out toward Xu Xingzhong, and said, "That brat Xing'er is very heavy now; carrying him is like carrying a sandbag, I'm not looking for trouble."

Qi Heng smiled and shook his head, waved to Xu Xingzhong, and said, "If it weren't for my mother asking Buwei to call me today, I might have slept through it."

"If you didn't come, Yuanruo, and the scholar found out, you'd definitely have a hard time," Gu Tingye smiled.

As they were talking,

the carriages around them gradually increased,

and Xingzhong, riding on Xu Zaijing's neck, happily pointed into the distance and said, "They're here, they're here, Little Uncle and the others are here! I see the Sheng family lantern."

"Yo! Zhong'er is truly great," Gu Tingye said with a smile.

Just as Xingzhong said,

soon the Sheng family's carriage stopped nearby. Sheng Hong and Wang Ruofu got off the carriage together, followed by Wei Shuyi and Changmu, and at the very back were the three Lan sisters.

"Why did Mother come too?" Hualan asked in confusion.

"Mother-in-law is Mu'er's legal mother, so naturally she has to come."

Gu Tingye, who heard the conversation, smiled and raised an eyebrow. In his heart, Sheng Changmu was taking the county examination at such a young age; whether he passed or not was one thing, but at least this talent was extremely rare.

Better safe than sorry; if Sheng Changmu really kept passing examinations from now on, his future could be said to be limitless.

First Madam Wang naturally couldn't be negligent.

Sheng Hong and his wife led Changmu to the vicinity of the Xu family. After Hualan greeted them with a smile, she looked at her younger brother not far away and said, "Mu'er, work hard today, strive to pass in one go."

"Yes, Eldest Sister, Mu'er will work hard."

"Mm!" Hualan nodded with a smile.

"Wish Little Uncle everything goes smoothly."

"Mu'er, we are waiting for your good news at home!"

Xu Xingzhong and the three Lan sisters to the side also offered their blessings.

After bidding farewell and exchanging pleasantries with Sheng Hong and his wife, as well as Xu Zaijing and the others, Sheng Changmu carried his book box and walked toward the gate of the examination compound.

When he was about to reach the gate, Sheng Changmu looked back. In the dim light, he vaguely saw Wei Shuyi, his Little Niang, in the crowd.

Although he couldn't see clearly, he could feel his Little Niang's gaze.

After taking a deep breath, Sheng Changmu, who was not very old, turned around and continued walking forward.

After Sheng Changmu's small figure disappeared from view, the crowd gradually dispersed.

When walking toward their respective carriages, Hualan chatted with Wang Ruofu while holding her arm, and then chatted a few words with Wei Shuyi, who was following behind.

"Mu'er really likes that wolf skin cushion; he has to take it wherever he goes," Wei Shuyi smiled.

"As long as Little Brother likes it."

On the way back to the carriage,

Hualan walked beside Wang Ruofu and whispered, "Mother, did Grandmother return to the capital?"

Wang Ruofu nodded, "Yes! Your younger sister is about to have her capping ceremony in a few days, so naturally your grandmother and aunt have to come."

Hualan pursed her lips, "No wonder you came today. Tell your daughter the truth, was it Grandmother who asked you to come and send Mu'er off?"

"What do you mean by your grandmother asking me to come? Can't I come myself?" Wang Ruofu questioned.

Hualan looked at her mother and shook her head, "Daughter doesn't believe it."

Seeing this, Wang Ruofu glared at Hualan helplessly, "It was your grandmother who asked me to come, alright?"

After finishing, Wang Ruofu glanced at Zaihang, then leaned against Hualan's ear and whispered, "Zhong'er is already so big, find an opportunity to get pregnant again!"

Upon hearing this, Hualan pushed Wang Ruofu away in embarrassment, looked around, and said, "Mother! Why are you saying this at a time like this!"

"Alright, alright, I won't say it anymore!" Wang Ruofu said, admitting defeat.

Arriving in front of the carriage,

the sky was slightly bright,

Wei Shuyi parted ways with Sheng Hong and his wife. When she was preparing to get on the carriage, she bowed to Zaihang and Hualan.

When Wei Shuyi raised her head, she saw Xu Zaijing, who was holding his nephew beside Zaihang, also nodding at her with a smile.

Thus, Wei Shuyi bowed to Xu Zaijing again before turning and leaving.

Three days later,

Chen hour (after 7:00 AM),

Sheng family schoolroom,

Scholar Zhuang was pacing back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back.

Although Changbai, Xu Zaijing, and the others were looking down at their books, Qi Heng and Changfeng were looking at the door from time to time.

The three Lan sisters to the side,

Seeing Mo Lan was pursing her lips and writing,

Rulan wasn't dozing off, but was looking at the door from time to time,

and Minglan, at the very back, was holding an ink stick stuck in the inkstone, motionless, her mind wandering, not knowing what she was thinking about.

"Tsk."

After Scholar Zhuang in front made a 'tsk' sound for some reason, he walked toward the door.

Just as he impatiently lifted the cotton curtain, footsteps could be heard in the courtyard.

Seeing Qingyun walking over quickly with a look of joy, Scholar Zhuang understood what had happened at a glance, then let go of the cotton curtain, his expression becoming relaxed and leisurely.

Everyone in the schoolroom saw Scholar Zhuang's appearance at the door.

Changbai smiled slightly and looked at Changmu to the side.

Soon,

Qingyun lifted the cotton curtain and walked in, smiling and cupping his hands, "Scholar, everyone, I just checked, the seventh young master passed the county examination."

"Wow!"

"That's great!"

"Mu'er, you are truly amazing!"

A burst of happy cheers rang out in the schoolroom.

Shou'an Hall,

inside the room,

the Old Madam was sitting on the Luo Han chair, with Wang Ruofu sitting below, and Mama Liu standing behind Wang Ruofu.

Wei Shuyi, standing to the side, had a heaving chest, obviously emotionally agitated.

Behind Wei Shuyi was an embroidered stool; she had just been sitting on it.

In the hall, the maid Danju was reporting with a smile on her face.

"Good! Good! For the one who sent the good news, did you give a reward?" the Old Madam smiled.

"Replying to the Old Madam, the gatekeeper gave it."

After Danju finished speaking, Wang Ruofu looked at Wei Shuyi, her eyes full of admiration.

The Old Madam instructed, "Ming'er Little Niang, sit."

Wang Ruofu smiled and agreed, "Right, sit down quickly!"

"Yes, thank you Old Madam, thank you First Madam."

After Wei Shuyi sat down, the Old Madam said earnestly, "Ming'er Little Niang, Mu'er being able to have this achievement is naturally something we should be happy about."

Wang Ruofu nodded with a smile.

The Old Madam continued, "But, the county examination is only the first step of the imperial examinations; there are still several barriers to pass above! There are countless examples of those who were brilliant when young but didn't turn out well."

"Not to mention far away, the Scholar Sun that the Sheng family's eldest branch found for Shulan before is a typical example; that person was a scholar at twelve."

Wei Shuyi nodded heavily, looking at the Old Madam, waiting for what was next.

"The schoolroom naturally has Scholar Zhuang's guidance. When at home, as Mu'er's Little Niang, you must also frequently remind and warn him."

"Your family was also a scholarly family, so I imagine I don't need to nag you."

After the Old Madam finished speaking, Wei Shuyi stood up and said, "Old Madam, rest assured, I understand."

"Mm. First Madam," the Old Madam looked at Wang Ruofu.

"Mother, please speak, please speak," Wang Ruofu smiled.

"As the saying goes, 'brothers fight tigers, father and son go to battle together.' No matter how Mu'er does in the future, First Madam is his legal mother above him. Only when Bo'er, Feng'er, and Mu'er are all good can our Sheng family be prosperous."

"Yes Mother, daughter-in-law understands."

Ministry of Personnel,

Sheng Hong, in official uniform, stood at the door, smiling from ear to ear.

From time to time, colleagues from surrounding government offices came over to cup their hands and talk to Sheng Hong with a smile.

Officials said one after another, "The younger generation is formidable, the future is promising," and "Young talent, a bright future," and some adults even asked if Sheng Changmu was betrothed, wanting to arrange a child marriage for their granddaughter.

Sheng Hong could only cup his hands and say, "Brilliant when young, but may not turn out well," to be modest;

as for those asking about Changmu's betrothal, Sheng Hong said, "The child is still young, not considering it for now," and added that phrase about being brilliant when young to decline.

In short, until he went home at noon, Sheng Hong's cheeks were a bit sore from smiling, but his mood was incomparably happy.

After Sheng Hong returned to the Sheng residence, he went to pay his respects to the Old Madam.

The Old Madam gave another earnest exhortation.

Sheng Hong bowed and said, "Son understands, Mother rest assured, in the future, I will definitely supervise Mu'er's homework at all times and not dare to be negligent."

"Good! Although Hualan's life in the Xu family is still okay, Hong'er, you should know that only when the sons in the family are good can our family's Mo'er, Ru'er, and Ming'er be better in the future," the Old Madam exhorted again.

"Mother is right, son will definitely keep it in mind."

"Also, Ru'er's capping ceremony is tomorrow, your mother-in-law, brother-in-law, and others are all coming to our house, you also exhort the First Madam, at that time, you must not be complacent and lose your head."

"Yes, Mother."

Wei hour (2:00 PM),

the sun was a bit dazzling,

Sheng residence, Jin'an Studio,

Wei Shuyi stood at the courtyard gate with the maid Seeing Qiujiang, blocking the sun with her hand and looking toward the direction of Shou'an Hall.

When she saw a few figures, Wei Shuyi couldn't help but raise the corners of her mouth.

A moment later,

Minglan's aunt and Xiaodie, accompanied by Mama Liu, walked over.

Their faces were full of irrepressible smiles, and each of them was holding a small bundle in their hands.

Upon reaching them, Mama Liu bowed slightly and smiled, "Little Niang, the two First Madams just finished paying their respects to the Old Madam and First Madam, I won't enter the courtyard, you three chat."

"Thank you, Mama Liu, please walk slowly."

"Hey, Little Niang, I'll take my leave."

After Mama Liu walked away, the smiles on the faces of Xiaodie and Minglan's aunt became even more enthusiastic.

"Come, let's go in," Wei Shuyi smiled.

Minglan's aunt grabbed Wei Shuyi's sleeve and said excitedly, "Heavens! Sister, how did you teach Mu'er, how did he pass the county examination at such a young age?"

Xiaodie to the side was also extremely excited, "Little Niang, is the seventh young master the Wenqu star descending to earth? He is too amazing!"

Wei Shuyi looked at the two and shook her head, "Mu'er only passed the county examination; there are still several barriers to pass above. Being like this now doesn't prove anything."

Then she said to Minglan's aunt, "Sister, does Mother know?"

"She knows, she was so happy at noon she ate an extra bowl of rice, and your brother-in-law even set off seven or eight strings of firecrackers, you can't imagine how happy he was!" Minglan's aunt smiled.

"Although you and Shangfeng don't have a low monthly allowance, you can't be so wasteful, setting off one string is enough, why set off so many!" Wei Shuyi said with a hint of blame.

Minglan's aunt curled her lips, "Jiang Shangfeng is willing, I can't stop him."

Hearing Minglan's aunt call her husband by his name directly, Xiaodie to the side pursed her lips helplessly.

"Xiaodie, is the child obedient lately?" Wei Shuyi asked again.

"Obedient!"

"Then in the future, can I call you Scholar's Da Niangzi?"

"Little Niang, you!" Xiaodie looked at Wei Shuyi shyly.

Looking at Wei Shuyi's calm eyes, Xiaodie nodded and said, "Husband said, he must work hard this year and not be compared by the seventh young master."

"Your husband is also someone who can talk nonsense, Mu'er is only how old," Wei Shuyi shook her head and chided.

Everyone entered the room and handed the congratulatory gifts in the bundles to the maid Seeing Qiujiang.

Minglan's aunt and Xiaodie sat on both sides of Wei Shuyi.

Stroking her sister's hand, Minglan's aunt sighed, "Sister, you can finally be considered to have come through the bitterness."

Wei Shuyi shook her head, "This is just the first step of a ten-thousand-mile journey, how can you talk about coming through bitterness. It's you, Xiaodie's example is before us, you and brother-in-law haven't had a child for so long, you should always try."

Xiaodie nodded repeatedly to the side, "Wei sister, my eldest sister-in-law also didn't have a child for many years, she tried and then..."

Minglan's aunt looked listless, "How old am I now."

"Slap." Xiaodie patted Minglan's aunt's hand and frowned, "Sister, don't say that, look at the wife of the Duke of England and the wife of Marquis Xu, when they gave birth to their youngest, which one wasn't older than you."

Wei Shuyi also advised, "Sister, try it, if it works, Mother and brother-in-law can also have their wishes fulfilled."

Minglan's aunt was shaken and said slowly, "Speaking of which, I have met that Yanei a few times, and we can be considered acquaintances, then I will... try?"

Wei Shuyi and Xiaodie nodded repeatedly with smiles.

The next day,

it was the Cold Food Festival,

the schoolroom was on holiday,

in Bianjing city, families with young ladies would mostly choose this day for their capping ceremony.

The Sheng family's fifth young lady, Rulan, was also on this day.

Besides the two branches of the Sheng family, Rulan's grandmother Old Madam Wang, aunt First Madam Feng, married sister Hualan, cousin Shulan, unmarried cousin Kang Yun'er, and others all attended.

In the afternoon,

the capping ceremony ended,

the Wang family returned to their residence in the capital,

on the way,

First Madam Feng and her husband Wang Yan were in a carriage, following behind Old Madam Wang's carriage.

In the carriage,

First Madam Feng sighed while holding her handkerchief, looked at Wang Yan, and said with a depressed tone, "Husband, you say, how come all the seeds of scholarship went to the Sheng family?"

"Bo'er is like his father-in-law, that's because of younger sister Wang Ruofu! This Mu'er is also so amazing at such a young age, why is this?"

Wang Yan had quite a bit of envy in his eyes, and after thinking about how cool it would be if Changmu were his own son, he said faintly, "Isn't it said that the Little Niang is also a girl from a scholarly family? Plus, the brother-in-law is also a smart and smooth person, so naturally, their scholarship is stronger."

First Madam Feng nodded, "Before in Yang Zhou, I knew that Wei Little Niang was smart, but I didn't expect it, it actually passed to Mu'er."

"Hualan is the First Madam of the Marquis's residence! The in-law Xu family is powerful, and the children in the family also study well. It looks like the Sheng family is about to rise!"

"Husband, I see that Ru'er and You'er are about the same age, and she just had her capping ceremony today, how about..."

"Hiss!" Wang Yan gasped in shock, feeling incomparably tempted.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 675 =====