Chapter 499 The old lady came to borrow money
Cheng Wanwan invited the village head, Master Yu, and the Zhao family members.
Three tables were set up in the flower hall. After Granny Qi and the others finished serving the dishes, they left automatically, and the courtyard was bustling with activity.
"Old Mrs. Cheng's eyes are really looking up to the sky," Old Mrs. Zhao said with a hint of envy. "She was arrogant before, and now she has even more reason to look down on everyone. Why didn't a scholar like her come from our Zhao family?"
While eating a pork knuckle, Sun mumbled, "Mother, this matter depends on our Xuanxuan. Xuanxuan will definitely excel in his studies in the future."
"Third Aunt, even if Xuanxuan becomes successful, that will be more than ten years from now. Our Zhao family still has to rely on me." Zhao Sidan said with a grin, "I will also pass the provincial examination in three years and become a top scholar."
"How old will you be in three years? Don't talk big." Old Mrs. Zhao chuckled. "You'll only be twelve after the New Year, and fifteen in three years. Do you expect to pass the imperial examination at fifteen like Master Yu?"
Zhao Sidan raised his chin: "Zheng-ge doesn't study hard every day, yet he still passed the imperial examination and became a scholar. Why can't I?"
Everyone was puzzled. Shen Zheng and Cheng Zhao's attitudes toward studying were worlds apart. Moreover, Shen Zheng had previously said that he did not plan to participate in the provincial examination. How did he suddenly pass the exam?
“It’s Master Yu who knows how to teach,” said Old Man Zhao. “Just wait and see. As long as Master Yu stays in the village, our Dahe Village will definitely produce many scholars and officials in the future.”
Master Yu hurriedly said, "Ziyu was able to pass the exam because of his outstanding abilities, while Zijue really relied on luck. I just mentioned the policy essay questions in this provincial examination, and there were also a few questions related to farming. Zijue has lived in Dahe Village for so long, and he has been influenced by what he has seen and heard, so he should be able to answer some of them. In addition, there are also arithmetic questions in the provincial examination. They look difficult, but they shouldn't be too much of a problem for Zijue."
Cheng Wanwan nodded. Agriculture is the foundation of the country, and the imperial examinations will definitely have questions related to agriculture. Others study without paying attention to what's happening outside their windows, but Xiao Zheng is playful by nature. When he lived in Dahe Village, he would often run around in the fields with Si Dan and sometimes help with farm work. When he got tired, Zhao'er would drag him away to study. This balanced approach to learning was quite effective.
Of course, the most important thing was good luck, because, as Master Yu said, the most important strategy question was answered correctly.
“Oh, I used to think about sending Xuanxuan to study in the city, but I’ll never think about that again.” Sun said with a shameless smile, holding the child in her arms. “Master Yu, I will entrust my son to you after he turns three. Just treat him as your own son. If you need to discipline him, then discipline him; if you need to scold him, then scold him. You must make sure he studies hard and becomes a high-ranking official.”
Yu Zhan looked up: "My father never scolds me or hits me."
Yu Jiao said softly, "Studying requires self-discipline. No matter what you study, it all depends on yourself."
"You're good at talking, but why weren't you self-disciplined when you were learning to draw!" Lu Yingxue scolded irritably. "If you were half as obedient as your brother, I don't know how much trouble I would have to worry about."
As the people in the courtyard were talking, Granny Qi suddenly rushed in: "Madam, there is an old woman outside who claims to be your mother and is requesting an audience."
Cheng Wanwan was surprised. It was already evening, and it was almost dark. What was Grandma Cheng doing here?
The Cheng family received good news today, shouldn't they be hosting a banquet for the neighbors? Why come all this way to invite her over for the feast?
However, when Cheng Wanwan met Grandma Cheng, she realized that she had been overthinking things.
Old Mrs. Cheng did not come alone; the head of the Cheng family and the two elderly people arrived by oxcart and were led in by Granny Qi.
The two looked at the huge house, the pavilions and waterside terraces, the rockery and eaves, their eyes filled with amazement.
Chengjia Village is not far from Dahe Village, so they naturally already knew that Cheng Wanwan had become a sixth-rank lady and that the emperor had bestowed upon her a large mansion. Although they were close relatives, due to accumulated conflicts, the Cheng family had not sent anyone to congratulate her. This was the first time that Old Madam Cheng had come to the mansion.
She was initially quite arrogant after learning that her grandson had become a successful candidate in the imperial examinations, but once she entered this grand mansion, that slight sense of disdain was suppressed.
"Clan Chief Cheng, Old Madam Cheng, please have a seat."
Cheng Wanwan spoke with a faint smile, addressing the Cheng family as "Old Madam Cheng," reminding them that she had no further connection with the Cheng family.
Grandma Cheng didn't make a scene, and went straight to the point: "You already know that Zhao'er became the top scholar in this provincial examination, right?"
Seeing her nod, the old lady continued, "After becoming a Juren (a successful candidate in the imperial examinations), one can become an official. Whether the road ahead is easy or not depends on one's own efforts. Our Cheng family is poor and cannot afford extra money. You are Zhao'er's aunt, so I was thinking, could you help with some of the money for bribing officials?"
Cheng Wanwan picked up the teacup and took a sip of tea.
She was clearly overthinking things; she actually believed the old lady was inviting her to a banquet in Chengjia Village.
Clan Chief Cheng continued, "After passing the provincial examination, you will soon be heading to the capital to prepare for the metropolitan examination. It is said that the questions for the metropolitan examination depend entirely on the examiners' preferences. If you can know the examiners' direction in advance, wouldn't Zhao'er be a sure thing to become a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examination)? After becoming a Jinshi, you can stay in the capital and become an official. This is a matter of bringing honor to the family. I don't think Zhao'er's second aunt would sit idly by and do nothing, would she?"
"Wanwan, I know I've wronged you before." Old Mrs. Cheng lowered her tone, "But this is a crucial period for Zhao'er, and we can't afford to be careless at all. You've helped Zhao'er this time, so you're a great benefactor to our Cheng family. Zhao'er will repay you as her aunt in the future."
Cheng Wanwan then asked, "Does Zhao'er need money to write back?"
"Of course not." Old Mrs. Cheng shook her head. "No matter what happens to this child, he will never complain to the family. We found out about these things long ago. You have to bribe your way to becoming a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial civil service examination). If you don't bribe your way, you may only ever be a Juren and never become an official."
Clan Chief Cheng paused before speaking, "Two hundred taels of silver will suffice. I think Aunt Zhao'er should be able to come up with that, right?"
Cheng Wanwan said in a neither soft nor hard tone, "Clan leader, please don't try to morally blackmail me. Just because I have two hundred taels of silver doesn't mean I have to hand it over. I'll say it again, I have no relation to the Cheng family anymore. You can have the money, but you must write an IOU, okay?"
Both Old Mrs. Cheng and Clan Chief Cheng were stunned.
Now that Zhao'er has become a successful candidate in the imperial examinations, she is just one step away from achieving great things. At this point, shouldn't Cheng Wanwan hand over the money with both hands? Why is she asking for an IOU?
"Since you're going to write an IOU, then I need to borrow five hundred taels." Old Mrs. Cheng gritted her teeth. "Five hundred taels of silver, can you come up with that?"
Cheng Wanwan gave a look to the person behind her, and Granny Qi immediately went to prepare the IOU and silver.
A five-hundred-tael silver note was taken out, along with an IOU and a piece of inkpad.
She had originally planned to send money to Cheng Zhao to take the imperial examination in the capital, where the expenses would certainly be even greater. However, since Old Madam Cheng was morally pressuring her to lend money, why not? Being in so much debt was not a pleasant experience.
Upon seeing the five hundred taels of silver note, Old Madam Cheng pressed her fingerprint on it without hesitation.
With the IOU in hand, Zhao'er can finally see through her second aunt's true colors!
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