The news of Xu Genshu passing the imperial examination and becoming a scholar spread like wildfire, even before he returned home, the news had already reached every corner of the village.

Some villagers went to take the exam, but none of them passed. Unexpectedly, Xu Genshu, whom everyone had the least faith in, actually passed. In just a short time, people in the village had different opinions.

Xu Er, Xu Genshu's second uncle, felt no joy whatsoever. He used to consider himself an elder and often spoke ill of Xu Genshu, but now that Xu Genshu had passed the imperial examination and become a scholar, even the village chief had to take him seriously.

Furthermore, with the relationship between the two families becoming increasingly strained, the only way to ease tensions now is to ensure that Xu Genshu can be of help in the future.

But who should go to offer congratulations? This troubled Xu Er. He couldn't count on Yang Shi, and although Xu Xuewang was good with words, he was afraid that going would cause trouble because of the braised food recipe.

As for himself, well, even if Xu Genshu is a scholar, he's still Xu Genshu's second uncle. He can't just rush up there on his own. Xu Genshu has to come and invite him before he'll go.

"Mother, people outside are saying that Third Uncle passed the imperial examination and became a scholar. Is it true?" Xu Pandi's voice came from the courtyard.

Li Mei, who was hanging clothes out to dry, replied upon hearing this, "It should be true. Everyone's talking about it, it can't be false. Weren't you going to play with Man'er? Didn't you hear her mention it?"

Xu Pandi had just come in when she ran outside again, saying, "I'm going to go ask Man'er right now."

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"This child," Li Mei shook her head. "He can go crazy in a day and disappear without a trace." She was carrying a bucket and was about to go to the backyard when she turned around and saw her father-in-law standing at the door of the main room.

"Father," Li Mei called out. She didn't know when her father-in-law had come out. He would see Pandi running out to play and would scold her again.

Although Xu Er wouldn't curse like Yang Shi, his words weren't pleasant either, and the three children in the family didn't like their grandfather very much.

Just as Liu Mei was feeling uneasy, Xu Er spoke up, "Your uncle's son, Genshu, passed the imperial examination and became a Xiucai. When he comes back later, take some things over to congratulate him."

The eldest son's wife is an obedient person, so it's suitable for her to go. Anyway, she won't say a word once she's there.

Liu Mei was taken aback. Usually, it was her mother-in-law who went to visit relatives, but today...

However, she understood the reason behind it and agreed, "Dad, what should I take with me?" Given the family's stinginess, could they send a box of the cheapest pastries or half a chicken?

In fact, Liu Mei had overestimated it. When her father-in-law handed her the small bamboo basket, she couldn't help but lift the cloth covering it to take a look. Hmm, there should be ten eggs inside.

It's quite good. My father-in-law is indeed an educated man; the number ten has a very auspicious meaning, signifying perfection.

"Go ahead, don't fall behind," Xu Er said to Li Mei.

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Li Mei gave a dry laugh. "I'll change my clothes and then I'll go." She was really embarrassed to take such a small amount of stuff with her.

Using the excuse of changing clothes, she rummaged through the box and found several pieces of cloth, finally choosing the best one to carry with her.

When they arrived at the Xu family's house, they found it already bustling with activity. Not only were there many people in the main room, but there were also several people sitting in the courtyard, all talking to the Xu family members.

Xu Pandi was the first to see Li Mei and called out to her. Only then did Grandma Xu turn around and look over. Li Mei quickly went up to her and said, "Auntie, your niece-in-law has come to congratulate you."

"Thank you for your kindness, Xiaowen. Quickly take your aunt inside," said Old Mrs. Xu indifferently.

Just then, Liu Fang returned from seeing off her guests and led Li Mei directly into the house. "Sister-in-law, this is a congratulatory gift that my father-in-law asked me to deliver."

Li Mei handed the basket forward somewhat embarrassedly. She had seen it when she came in, and didn't know who had sent it; it was a basket full of eggs.

The fabric I suggested was rather underwhelming, but luckily I had prepared a backup plan. "I bought this fabric in town a few days ago; the color is quite nice. It'll be perfect for making an outer garment for Genshu."

"You're so thoughtful. With your skillful hands, your second sister-in-law will make it, and Genshu will definitely look good in it." Liu Fang put the basket aside, took the cloth from Li Mei, and told her that the pattern was beautiful.

Li Mei felt a sense of relief; at least she wasn't really falling behind.

password

"Oh, right, you're here just in time. Here, take this." Liu Fang took out a bundle from the cabinet, inside which were three pieces of children's clothing. "They were all bought according to Pandi and the others' sizes. Try them on when you get back. If any don't fit, bring them back and ask Ma Hong to alter them."

Li Mei didn't dare reach out to take it; her own child had come to play and eaten quite a bit of their food. "Sister-in-law, I..."

Liu Fang didn't give her a chance to refuse at all, and directly stuffed the bundle into her hands, "I still have to thank you for what happened last time, so don't refuse, otherwise I'll feel bad. Putting everything else aside, Pandi and Laidi are my nephews, and the clothes aren't for you, they're for them."

Li Mei was not good with words and couldn't think of a way to refuse Liu Fang, so she had no choice but to accept the clothes.

All she did was tell Liu Fang what the child had overheard, and she actually received such a benefit.

She also had her own selfish motives at the time; she just didn't want her child to be treated like a maid by her brother-in-law again, while her own family got nothing in return.

These days, the Xu family has truly experienced what it means to have their doorstep worn down by visitors. Annoyed by the constant inquiries, Xu Genshu simply went to town with his elder brother and sister-in-law to help out.

Ma Hong also went out with Xu Genzhu. Now they have bought a mule cart, so they can go to farther places and sell more things.

One day, when Ma Hong returned from outside, she had a silver bracelet on her wrist. She went to Liu Fang and showed it to her.

Liu Fang knew that her sister-in-law was simple-minded, so she praised her a few times, saying that her bracelet was even more beautiful than her own. Ma Hong was so flattered that she lost all sense of direction.

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Now all the young people in the family have gone out to work, and the children have gone to school. Only Old Man Xu, Old Lady Xu, and Fuman are left.

Old Xu has always been a restless person, and since he doesn't have to work much in the fields lately, he's been thinking about building a new house. That's why he went out early this morning to prepare for the construction.

When Granny Zhou arrived at the Xu family's gate, she saw that the gate was ajar and assumed that no one was home. Just as she was about to turn around and leave, someone inside called out, "Grandma Zhou."

"Man'er?" Granny Zhou turned around and saw a small face peeking out from the crack in the door.

Fu Man'er opened the door and welcomed Granny Zhou inside. "So many people have come these past few days, they're practically wearing down my doorstep." After the woman came in, Fu Man'er closed the door again.

Normally she would have run out to play long ago, but now she has an important responsibility: to guard the gate of her house and prevent the remaining thresholds from being worn down.

Granny Zhou laughed heartily, "This is a good thing! No one else can step on us like this!" She was genuinely happy for the Xu family that Xu Genshu had passed the imperial examination and become a scholar.

Grandma Xu brought out tea and some fruit, and sat with her old friends under the shade of a tree to cool off and chat.

Before they could even exchange a few words, another person came knocking. But this wasn't there to offer congratulations; it was the village matchmaker, who never showed up unless she needed something.

Fu Man'er leaned against Old Mrs. Xu, looking at Matchmaker Yao with a huff. She had clearly closed the door, but this person still insisted on barging in, and she was talking in a loud, rapid-fire way. The rare peace and quiet was gone again.

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With her two little paws supporting her chubby cheeks, Fu Man'er sighed helplessly. What would this person say about her third uncle? That he was smart, or that he had a bright future? Or that her grandparents had taught him well? She had heard these words for several days and could almost recite them by heart.

Matchmaker Yao praised her excessively, and the red flower on her head seemed about to fall off as she shook her head. Fu Man'er couldn't stand it anymore.

"Your big red flower is about to fall off."

"Huh?" Yao, the matchmaker, was taken aback by the interruption. Fu Man'er stood up, stood on tiptoe, and blew on the flower, causing it to fall down.

Matchmaker Yao chuckled, picked up the flowers and put them in her hair, then said to Fu Man'er, "This must be the little girl the Xu family adopted. She's so pretty, and looks like she's destined for good fortune."

"Little girl, what do you think about finding a wife for your uncle?"

"Huh?" Fu Man'er looked at her blankly, not knowing what she meant.

Ignoring her, Matchmaker Yao turned to Old Lady Xu and said, "Your Xu family is truly a blessed family, with good fortune happening all the time."

"What good news could there be?" For some reason, Old Mrs. Xu had a bad feeling.