Who in the world doesn't love flowers?!
Even if you don't know how to care for flowers and are impatient with getting them wet and muddy, just looking at a few beautiful clusters of flowers can lift your spirits!
Everyone was thrilled to see potted flowers being brought into the garden, many of which were famous varieties.
When they learned that the Hundred Flowers Garden belonged to the Li family and would be used specifically for "flower appreciation," everyone was even more delighted!
Previously, cyclamen often had beautiful flowers, but only those who had booked private dining could see them.
Others can only hear how rare and beautiful a famous flower is, but they can only yearn for it without actually seeing it.
Now that there is such a place specifically for flower viewing, everyone has another great place to go!
The four members of the Cao family, young and old, had been anxious about the empty courtyard, but now, seeing the courtyard full of people, they felt even more anxious.
The jade hydrangea, a rare sight on ordinary days, was crammed together in a dozen pots, with one of its petals already fallen off!
The clivia plants, with leaves as wide as a palm, have already sprouted flower stalks, and dozens of them are piled together, performing acrobatics!
The blooming camellias, with blossoms as large as a person's embrace, were planted in a tiny flowerpot. It was as if one could hear the camellias' pitiful cries!
And that pine-leaf peony was actually being drenched by a water jet!
"Master!" Old Cao could no longer contain himself and rushed over, snatching the kettle from Old Li's hands.
His eyes were red as he shielded the pine-leaf peony from behind, almost gritting his teeth as he said, "Master, this is a pine-leaf peony! You can't water it! This flower is drought-tolerant; as long as the leaves don't turn yellow, you don't need to water it, otherwise it will rot and die!"
Li Lao Er blinked twice, his smile awkward and guilty, "Well, I just saw the soil was cracked, so I just grabbed it..."
"Master, please stop doing this on a whim and go have some tea. I'll take care of these flowers!"
Old Cao stretched out his arms, wishing he could gather all the flowers into his bosom and protect them from the owner's ravages!
Grandma Li and Tao Hongying, who were standing in the flowerpots, admiring the flowers and chatting, couldn't help but laugh at what was happening.
Do they still remember the potted plant that Li Lao Er killed before?
So, Old Lady Li said, "Second son, let's go inside and have some tea. Let Old Cao and his family have this place. Growing flowers is like growing crops. You need seven or eight years of experience to grow them well. If you can't help, then so be it. Don't cause trouble."
Upon hearing what Old Lady Li said, Old Cao blushed, lowered his arm, and looked quite apprehensive.
He was so eager to see the flowers that he couldn't help but be rude to his employer.
These flowers belong to the owner. The owner doesn't just water them; he can uproot them and throw them away, and no one else has the right to say anything.
But he just couldn't bear to part with them; flowers are the lifeblood of a flower grower!
He quickly tried to kneel down, but Li Lao Er lifted him up and comforted him, saying, "Uncle Cao, I really don't know how to grow flowers, but I still really like growing flowers. I'll have to ask you for advice in the future!"
"You can take care of these flowers for now. You can teach me more when you have more free time later."
"Yes, yes! Don't worry, Master, this old servant will definitely take good care of all these flowers." Old Cao was overjoyed. Such a kind and unconcerned master was truly rare.
No wonder the owner was able to bring back so many beautiful flowers.
In the eyes of flower growers, good flowers have a spirit and will choose their own owner.
For example, if a despicable person buys an orchid, even with careful nurturing, it will refuse to bloom again.
This is one of the reasons why scholars and writers love orchids.
The fact that their orchids bloom so well is not only a testament to their skill in cultivation, but also a sign of their noble character.
This is a subtle form of showing off and boasting!
Grandma Li said she was going inside to have tea, but she couldn't stay still at all. She turned around and took her daughter-in-law, granddaughter, and maids to the kitchen to make dumplings.
They chatted and laughed while working, creating a lively atmosphere.
The Cao family of four was also busy as bees, often dancing with joy when they encountered beautiful flowers.
Only Li Lao Er, holding a teacup, stood under the eaves, suddenly feeling a sense of loneliness as if the whole world had abandoned him.
But there was nothing he could do; before he even learned how to grow flowers, he already had a reputation for ruthlessly destroying them…
Three days passed in the blink of an eye, and the Hundred Flowers Garden was completely transformed. The air was filled with the fragrance of flowers, and the garden was a riot of colors, making one's face instantly light up with a smile the moment one stepped through the gate.
The Cao family seemed to be on a high, especially Old Man Cao, who would get up in the middle of the night to check on his precious flowers, fearing that the heavy night dew might damage them.
During the day, he remembers which potted plants need sunlight and which prefer shade, moving them around and having a great time.
The Li family stayed in the "garden" for several days and were so happy they didn't want to leave.
But we have to go out today because Jiaren and Lige'er have finished their exams and need to leave the exam hall!
Li Zhensheng, Li Laosan, and Mr. Wen waited at the entrance of the examination hall again. This time, even Jia Huan, Jia Yi, and Liu Yang came.
The crowd gathered together, craning their necks to peer inside.
Finally, the gates of the examination hall opened, but what came out first were several stretchers.
The student on the stretcher was pale and half-dead, which made everyone's hearts clench.
The weather was already hot, and hundreds of people were confined to one courtyard, where they ate, drank, and relieved themselves, and they also had to use their brains to answer questions. This was a double test of their physical and mental strength.
Those who are usually in poor health will find themselves in a difficult situation at this time.
To prevent cheating, the gates of the examination hall were closed and would not be opened in advance unless there was a fire or an earthquake!
Therefore, even if these students collapsed, they would only receive simple treatment from the doctors stationed inside.
They can be guaranteed not to die, but it's impossible to treat them well. Whether they survive in the end depends on luck!
Ultimately, the imperial examinations were a combination of ability, physical strength, and luck, none of which could be lacking.
The family members of the student who fell ill rushed forward, crying as they escorted the student out. Only after the students who had successfully completed their exams came out did the others emerge.
Jiaren and Lige'er, brothers, were swept out by the crowd, supporting each other. They looked around and their eyes welled up with tears the moment they saw their family.
This is an exam, not a battlefield, but after being locked up for three days and suffering greatly, they couldn't help but feel aggrieved.
Zheng Feng and Zheng He rushed in, each carrying one on their backs, and ran out.
The Li family's carriage had already been prepared with supplies.
As soon as the family and Li Ge'er got into the car, they closed the car door.
With Jia Huan and Jia Yi's help, they stripped the older and younger brothers of their clothes, shoes, and socks, and changed them into clean and refreshing clothes. They also wiped their hands and faces two or three times.
Finally, I handed them a cup of honey passion fruit drink with less ice.
Cool and sweet, it slides smoothly from your mouth to your stomach.
The long-lost taste made Jiaren and Lige'er finally feel alive again.
When they got off the bus again, the two boys had recovered about 50-60% of their energy.
The family was finally relieved and didn't say much.
Li Lao Er and Mr. Wen took their two sons to ask Dean Zhou for leave, asking him to let them stay in the city for a while. After looking at the list, they would go back to the village to rest.
Dean Zhou naturally agreed. After the exam, there was a five-day holiday, which was the academy's usual practice.
Li Lao Er knew how to get along with people. He sent a large bucket of iced fruit drinks to the academy, which made the students of Luo'an who had just come out of the examination hall cheer!
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