At the end of the year, the weather is cold, the sky is frozen and the earth is closed.
Apart from studying at Yuan's mansion, Hu Xu also studied hard at home, keeping away from all other trivial matters outside the study.
After failing the exam for three consecutive years, he once gave up on himself. Now he has regrouped and is preparing for another try, which makes the Hu family, especially his elder sister, very pleased.
It seems that Hu Xu gave up on himself and I was right to scold him out of the house. After selling paintings on the street and working as a helper, he finally realized how to live and how to earn a good future.
The only bad thing about her is that she is still slow to get married at this age.
When he was urged, he used the excuse of "I haven't accomplished my mission yet, so I dare not make promises lightly" to send his parents and her away, but in the end he sent his sweetheart away.
His temper is as soft as dough. Doesn't he know that when someone sees a good opportunity, he should act quickly, accurately, and steadily? Now that someone has gotten there first, who can he blame?
Damn it! She doesn't act like an elder sister at all.
Hu Xu was studying hard with a book in his hand, not knowing that his sister outside the window had been criticizing him in her heart.
The Hu family's elder sister called out, "Ah Xu, it's time to eat."
Tomorrow is the winter solstice, and the family will slaughter a sheep. Hu's father invites his daughter and son-in-law to come back for a drink and to divide the sheep.
With my daughter and son-in-law around, the house is more lively.
"I'm here, sister." Hu Xu put down the book and walked out of the room, following Hu Jin to the main room.
The yard in front of the hall had been cleaned up by Hu's father and brother-in-law, but it was still filled with a faint smell of blood and sheep.
On the chopping board were large pieces of mutton, with distinct textures and bright colors, which looked like good meat.
The sheep was raised by Hu's father himself. The Hu family rented farmland outside the city and relied on growing crops, raising livestock and poultry to provide for their own food and clothing and for Hu Xu's studies.
The ancestors of the Hu family were also a family of poetry and literature, and some of their ancestors had served as officials in the previous dynasty.
Later, the family fell into decline, the branches separated, and the family property was divided. When it came to Old Master Hu, he only got this small courtyard.
Because his family was poor, he had no talent, and was not good at business, in order to make a living, Old Master Hu had to give up studying and become a farmer to support his family.
By the time Hu's father's generation had some savings, he wanted to revive his family, so he placed his hopes on his only son, supporting him in his studies and taking the imperial examinations, hoping that he would one day pass the imperial examinations.
Hu Xu was gifted, diligent and studious, and he lived up to expectations and passed the provincial examination.
After passing the provincial examination, he would be eligible to take part in the metropolitan examination. As long as he could make one more step forward and be on the list of successful candidates, he would be able to remove the ash from the Hu family's brow and restore its former glory.
Unfortunately, God was playing tricks on Hu Xu. He took the exam again and again, but failed again and again. He has been stuck in this dilemma ever since.
Even though he failed the imperial examination, Hu's father never thought of persuading his son to give up. Instead, he often encouraged him.
Because he knew that with his son's talent, as long as he was allowed to find the right path, he would sooner or later spread his wings and soar to the top.
Things turned out just as he expected. Now his son has become a student of Yuan Zu, the chief academic officer of the Imperial College. With his guidance, his academic performance has improved day by day, and his success is just around the corner.
Speaking of which, this matter has to be attributed to Xu Jiang. If it weren't for her guidance and recommendation, how could Hu Xu be where he is today?
You have to thank them very much.
Father Hu picked out the fattest leg of lamb and said to Hu Xu, "Ah Xu, tomorrow morning you take a leg of lamb to Shopkeeper Xu as a gift for the Winter Solstice."
Hu Xu replied, "Okay."
Shopkeeper Xu? The Hu family's elder sister looked at Hu Xulu with an expression that looked like she was waiting for a good show.
Hu Xu was quite helpless. The two siblings had a good relationship, and Hu Xu had never hidden his feelings for Xu Jiang from his elder sister.
She also knew that she had been rejected.
In the end, I got a two-word comment from her, which was what I deserved.
This is truly my biological sister.
After slaughtering a sheep, the first meal is naturally mutton soup.
Hu's mother came over with a bowl of snow-white mutton offal soup and said to Hu Xu, "Send this soup to Ah Qiao. It's a big solar term, and she's home alone with nothing to warm her up. She looks so pitiful."
"I'll go." Hu Jin held out her hand. "I haven't seen Ah Qiao for a long time. It's a good time to talk."
"I'll be there. Sis, please sit down and eat." Hu Xu took the soup away before her and went out of the yard.
Hu Jin wanted to follow, but was stopped by her husband.
Hu Xu came to Song Qiao's door and shouted twice. After a while, Song Qiao came to open the door.
Hu Xu couldn't help but smile when he saw some ash on her face. "Cooking?"
Song Qiao was completely unaware and looked at the soup in his hand and asked, "What is this?"
"Mutton soup. We slaughtered a sheep at home and gave you some." Hu Xu said with some embarrassment, "Thank you for sending me back that day."
This was the first time he got drunk and lost control of himself.
"Nothing." Song Qiao raised his hand to take it.
She had already eaten the pastries, so she didn't miss the mutton soup. Besides, the mutton soup smelled really good, so she couldn't refuse it.
After taking the mutton offal soup, Song Qiao asked Hu Xu to wait and not leave, then he went into the house with the mutton offal soup. After a while, he came out with two wild rabbits.
She handed the hare to Hu Xu and said, "Here."
"Where did the hare come from?"
"My father asked a hunter from the mountains to bring it down."
Wild animals are precious in winter, so Hu Xu is reluctant to collect them. "Since Uncle Song brought them to you, just keep them for yourself."
Song Qiao pinched the rabbit's ears and shook them, "I don't know how to cook, and it would be a waste to keep it."
Hu Xu had no choice but to take it. After thinking for a moment, he suggested, "Why don't I bring it to you when it's ready? Or you can come and eat with us?"
Song Qiao wanted to refuse, but after changing his mind, he nodded and said, "Then let's eat together."
Seeing her agree, Hu Xu also felt relieved. Then he pointed to the door and said, "Then I'll go back. Wait for me at home for dinner."
"Okay." Song Qiao nodded, and after he turned around, she added, "Happy Winter Solstice."
Hu Xu paused, turned around and smiled at her, "You too, happy winter solstice."
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com