Xu's second granddaughter, Zhao Ping'er, also chimed in.
"That's right, cousin. Is it so easy to become a scholar? You know, last year, when Grandma found out you were going to take the exam, she was so happy that she didn't sleep for days and nights. But what happened... tsk tsk tsk. You, don't let Grandma down again."
Zhao Cai'er glanced into the kitchen and saw Xu Shi's face as black as charcoal. She stopped her mocking laughter and quickly changed the subject with a smile:
"No, no, no, Ping'er, you're wrong. Maybe An'an won't disappoint Grandma this time. An'an, you are our family's hope. Your cousin is here to congratulate you in advance. Congratulations to Zhao An on passing the exam with flying colors."
After saying that, Zhao Cai'er glanced at Xu Shi and said, "My cousin and grandma are waiting for your good news."
She was most annoyed by her grandmother, who praised Zhao An and Zhao Yang all day long, saying they were good students and had potential for academic success, and she flattered them to the skies.
It's as if her grandson is the smartest person in the world.
If Zhao An still fails the exam this time, let's see how she brags then.
Zhao's sister-in-law was sitting in front of the door tidying up firewood. She listened to her two daughters mocking Zhao An the whole time, and a sarcastic smile was also on her lips.
Zhao An's face turned ugly.
Zhao Yang snorted coldly, looking at his two older cousins with displeasure, "Wait until my brother passes the imperial examination, then you can come and congratulate him! It won't be too late!"
"Yangyang!" Zhao An interrupted Zhao Yang, his face contorted with pain.
The student hasn't even passed the exam yet, so what's the point of talking about becoming a Jinshi?
If you pass the exam, everyone is happy; if you fail, you're just humiliating yourself.
Qiu Xu knew long ago that Xu's two granddaughters were sharp-tongued.
He shook his head at Zhao An, "Cousin An'an, don't listen to them. The exam is just for a title; whether you pass or not doesn't matter."
His older sister had always taught him this way.
“I know.” Zhao An nodded, and as he turned his head, he saw Madam Xu walking towards him.
“An’an, Ah Xu is right. Don’t listen to these two little girls gossiping.” After saying that, Madam Xu glared at Zhao Cai’er and Zhao Ping’er. “You two little girls, are you trying to annoy me?”
The two granddaughters pouted and went back to their room, unhappy.
"What are you doing back in your room? Come out and cook. Didn't you see Xiaoyan and the others are here?"
She was going to treat Xiaoyan well at noon today.
Mrs. Xu shouted loudly into the house, and her two granddaughters, though reluctant, still came out to cook.
Grandma has the most say in this family. They can tolerate each other's little tantrums, but if they anger Grandma, they won't have an easy time.
Sister-in-law Zhao's face fell.
Why is it that Zhao An and Zhao Yang don't have to do anything, while her two daughters have to cook?
This extremely unfair treatment has been going on for many years.
“Mother, An’an and Yangyang are your grandsons, but Cai’er and Ping’er aren’t your granddaughters? You have to treat them all equally.”
Upon hearing this, Madam Xu became furious.
"Have I ever mistreated them? It's all your fault, those two daughters, always so jealous and sullen, not one of them is easy to deal with. This year, I'll marry them both off so they won't cause trouble at home."
Upon hearing this, Sister-in-law Zhao panicked, "Mother, Ping'er is only fourteen years old, how can she get married?"
“They’re both fourteen, not young anymore, and there’s also Cai’er. Tomorrow I’ll ask Zhang, the matchmaker in the village, to help them find husbands.”
Sister-in-law Zhao shut her mouth indignantly, her resentment towards Xu Shi deepening even further.
It's all her husband's fault for being uneducated. If he could be an accountant like her third uncle, she would have a respectable life.
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