Chapter 120 Chapter 120 Joy
The whole family returned home happily, and their joy lingered for a long time.
Chen Sanfang could not read a single word, but he took Dafu's student document and read it again and again.
She had known that her son Dafu was good at studying, but she didn't expect him to be so capable. Look, he actually passed the examination and became a student!
The result of being ranked third in the county and ninth in the prefecture was not achieved by those guys who barely made it onto the list.
Kang He was also beaming. As soon as he entered the house, he gave a flurry of instructions: "Shenghan, drive back to the village and bring the master to the city. Tell him that Dafu Langjun has passed the imperial examination and that the whole family will come to the city to celebrate."
"Seventh Brother, go tell Mother Hua to prepare more delicious dishes today, slaughter the fish and chickens, and if we're short on manpower, hire two casual workers. And Sister Xue, hurry to Xiangying Tower and order four special dishes. Their roasted lamb is the best, you absolutely have to have it."
As he said this, he turned to Dafu, who had a smile on his face, and asked, "Little boy, is there anything you want to eat?"
Dafu smiled more and more, and he showed his support by ordering a portion of Xiangyinglou's crab roe pastry and a portion of water chestnut cake for Xiaofu.
Fan Jing was also visibly happy, with a look of joy on his brows. He also flipped through Dafu's student documents, which were covered in red and stamped with a gold seal, and were very beautiful.
I have never seen anything like this before. We have been farmers for generations, so how could we have come across such a document?
It was not easy for this generation to have a Fan Xin to study, but the road to the imperial examination was not easy, and he had not obtained this thing for more than ten years. Now, their family has become very successful, and from this point on, their Fan family is also expected to become a gentry family.
These few small pieces of paper have profound meaning behind them.
Dafu looked at Kang He and Fan Jing looking through his documents together, with joy and pride on their faces and the words of Kuixing, which made him happier than if he had passed the imperial examination.
He said, "When I was receiving the documents, I heard the Registrar of the Household Department say that the top scorer in the provincial examination would be directly awarded the title of Scholar without having to take the academy examination. That's the real Kuixing."
Kang He said with a smile: "You are still young. If you get Kuixing's family, you will definitely be overjoyed. However, instead of being happy, you should be worried and anxious. I am afraid that your mentality will change and your future will be affected.
"In everything you do, taking one step at a time, steadily and steadily, is more reliable than a sudden appearance of Kuixing from the sky."
Dafu nodded. Although he felt envious, he also knew that he still lacked a lot. If someone like Kuixing could jump over the level of Tongsheng and directly get the title of Xiucai in one fell swoop, everyone would surely envy him.
But when I think about it carefully, and put myself in the shoes of Kuixing, it is just like what my father said. I will be happy for a while, but when I calm down, I am afraid I will feel like I am stepping on cotton, and my heart will be uneasy.
This achievement is rare. He will take the college entrance examination next year. He should enrich his knowledge and move forward step by step so that he can be steady and confident.
But no matter what, he is extremely happy today.
On the other side, Shenghan was driving the car back to the village, and Father Fan had already looked in the direction of the village main road seven or eight times.
He was thinking about Dafu's list and wanted to go and see it, but he was busy in the village. Moreover, he could not read, so he would not be able to understand the list even if he ran to see it. It would be better for him to wait at home.
"Second brother, how are you? Haven't you received any news yet?"
Zhang Jingui had nothing to do. Knowing that the results of the provincial examination would be announced today, she wanted to join in the fun, so she wandered over to the second house.
She had shown Fan Xin the list many times and, boasting of her experience, she told Fan's father, "It's just a matter of passing or failing. Failing is the norm. Considering the number of scholars in a county and only a limited number of admissions, wouldn't many be eliminated?"
"Dafu is young, and his first time here is just to see what the Imperial Examination Hall looks like. It's important for us, as elders, to have a positive attitude so that the children can relax and take the exam."
"There's no point in getting anxious. The results will be set after the exam. If you don't get anxious, it'll be good. If you don't get anxious, it won't get worse either."
Father Fan listened to Zhang Jingui chattering endlessly, but he didn't hear a word she said. He thought that she was talking without any pain in her waist this time.
It sounded so peaceful. I don't know who was praying to the gods every day when Daxin was taking the exam, and who even forbade people to say such unlucky words as "the sun has set".
"Second brother, don't you think this is the truth?"
Father Fan had his hands behind his back and was wearing muddy straw sandals. He hummed twice in response.
But I was thinking, there is no news yet, but they are already saying comforting words, saying that it is common sense that they won't win, but their family's Dafu will win, by a chance!
Just as the uncle and his sister-in-law were chatting casually, they heard the sound of wheel wheels on the village road. Father Fan quickly leaned over to take a look and saw that it was Shenghan.
He couldn't help but open the door and yell from a distance, "What's going on? Are the results out yet?"
Zhang Jingui also hurried over to listen.
"He won! The lucky young master won! He got third place in the county! Everyone in the room is so happy! He asked me to come pick him up and take him to the city to celebrate. So, hurry up and pack up and go!"
Father Fan slapped his thigh and said, "Oh my goodness, my darling grandson, how could he be so capable! The ancestral graves must be filled with smoke! I was saying that the candles would be popping so loudly this morning, it really is a happy event!"
His face flushed with joy, and he went back to the house to change his clothes and shoes while talking and jumping, completely forgetting about Zhang Jingui who was standing in the yard.
When Zhang Jingui heard the news, his head buzzed and he couldn't recover for a long time.
Seeing Shenghan driving into the yard, he jumped out of the car and wanted to go in to ask for food, but Zhang Jingui grabbed him and said, "You won? You really won?!"
"My lady, how could this be false? If someone says he did when he wasn't on the list, wouldn't that make people laugh? I wouldn't dare spread the news back carelessly. Young Master Dafu is diligent in his studies and intelligent. Everyone praises him, so it's reasonable that he made it."
Zhang Jingui couldn't tell whether she was happy or unhappy for a moment, and her heart was extremely complicated.
When Father Fan finished cleaning up and came out, the farmhands in the house had heard the good news from Shenghan that Dafu had passed the examination for the position of Tongsheng. They were all delighted and congratulated Father Fan.
Father Fan was in high spirits and said generously, "Just take good care of the house. I'll go to the city and give each of you some money."
Now everyone is even happier.
Father Fan came out of the yard and saw Zhang Jingui still standing there in a daze. He said to her with a smile, "Sister-in-law, let's go to the city together. Let's also take a look at Dafu's official seal."
"Congratulations, second brother. I won't go today. Tell this news to Daxin and Old Master so they can be happy too."
Zhang Jingui felt a lump in her throat, but still said a few polite words.
Father Fan could smell the sour smell, but he just smiled and said, "We're family, there's no need to congratulate each other. If sister-in-law isn't coming over today, she can come over for dinner later. We'll have to invite two tables to make it lively."
After saying this, Father Fan became anxious and urged Shenghan to go to the city quickly.
When Zhang Jingui saw that the person had left, she turned around and went home, her thighs almost bruised from slapping.
She said, "Damn it!" Chen Sanfang was right. The old immortal predicted that Wenquxing would descend upon the Fan family, but he never expected it to actually descend upon the second branch of the Fan family!
What a sly old fellow, he's been playing tricks on her and never tells her the truth, causing her so much trouble all these years!
When she returned home, she told the story in a bad mood. Fan Shoushan and Old Master Fan were overjoyed, as if it were New Year's Day. Her sister-in-law, Mrs. Lu, was also happy, saying that since the Fan family had a student, it would be embarrassing if it were to be told to others.
Fan Xin was overwhelmed with emotions for a moment. He had started to learn to read and write with Dafu. He had always felt that the child had some talent and thought he would have a bright future. He never thought he would be so extraordinary.
He was a scholar, and had failed the exams many times. He knew that it was very difficult for Dafu, at his age, to pass the exam in one try.
Fan Xin was proud of Dafu, thinking that he had brought honor to the family, but at the same time he felt a little unhappy, thinking that he himself was already thirty years old, but was not as good as a child.
When it comes to studying, it really depends on talent!
At this time, the whole family of Fan in the county celebrated together, but there was no publicity, and relatives and friends gradually knew about this happy event.
Kang He did not hide anything. The county prepared three tables of food for relatives, friends and even Dafu's teacher to enjoy.
Luo Tongsheng, who used to be so arrogant and seldom came to their house, unexpectedly came to the Fan family to show his support. He praised Dafu highly and said that he felt that Dafu was a promising talent when he stayed at their house. He was very polite to Kanghe and Fan Jing, and even treated Fan Dad, the peasant whom he looked down upon the most, with kind words and drank a glass of wine with him.
The next day, another table was set up and Dafu took charge, inviting several of his good classmates to have a meal and have fun.
The next day, the villagers invited a few tables to a party organized by Fan Dad and Chen Sanfang. Everyone wanted to come and have a drink, but they didn't make a big fuss. They only invited some of their frequent visitors to have a drink.
This joy lasted for several days. Dafu counted the gifts he had received one by one in his own yard.
Xiaofu sat among the boxes, gift boxes, and baskets, opening them here and there to have a look. They were all pens and inks, or books and pamphlets, and some nice, fragrant paper.
Dafu taught him to pick whatever he liked, but Xiaofu didn't like any of them.
"You'll be five in August. Even though you can't study for the imperial examinations like your brother, you still have to learn to recognize some characters. It won't be good if you don't know any big characters in the future."
Xiaofu was lying on a mat on the ground, fiddling with a set of nine-linked rings. He said, "It's good that you can read, brother. I can ask you if I don't know anything."
Dafu laughed and said, "What would you do if your brother is not by your side?"
"I'll follow you wherever you go."
Dafu pinched his cheek and said, "You just know how to act like a scoundrel."
On the second day of May, Dafu said he wanted to go back to school. The Xu family understood that he had passed the imperial examination and would have a lot of social engagements at home, so they allowed him some more vacation time. However, he quickly changed his mind and refused to stay at home for long.
Kang He and Fan Jingzi also agreed. There was no reason to stop Dafu from studying. Besides, they knew that the child had just achieved academic success and was very eager to learn. It would be good for him to learn a little more while he was still motivated.
"Also, I'm very familiar with the way to and from cram school. From now on, I won't drive to pick me up after school. If the weather is fine, I'll walk back after school."
Kang He was silent after hearing this and said, "Okay, I'll do as you say. You're grown up now and have achieved success. It's good for you to learn to take charge of things. But you still have to teach A Wang to follow you, so that Dad and Little Dad can feel at ease."
"This city may seem peaceful, but it's not. We need to be cautious in everything we do."
Kang He thought that Dafu made this request because he needed some space of his own. Young men of his age in the city did have friends and were very mature in their interactions and fun.
Although he was also worried about the child and was afraid that he was not doing well, he knew that the child should not be watched too closely. Too many restrictions would hinder his growth. Moreover, Dafu was such a sensible and well-behaved child.
But Dafu didn't want to hang out with his classmates after school, or do anything else.
He thought simply, and went back to the school to study. His life went on as usual, and he would pack up and leave for the school before dawn. He would sit and study for most of the day, and his bones would often become stiff from sitting.
He seldom participated in activities in the school, and this was not going to work in the long run. He would study too hard and neglect his health, and he was afraid that he would not be able to cope with the long journey to take the exam. He did not want to be a weak scholar.
In this case, it would be better to walk home after school to stretch your muscles. Although it will delay some walking time, you will sweat and feel refreshed when you read and write when you get home.
After hearing Kang He's explanation, he responded, "Yes, I know. There are kidnappers in the village who want to steal children. The people in the city are complicated and there are all kinds of people. I know to be cautious."
Fan Jing didn't say anything. He still hadn't figured out everything about the Zhen family incident, but he had been worried for a few days. However, this was an adult matter, and they would not tell the children about it.
He was worried that something might go wrong with Dafu's transportation, but when he heard the child say this and took a piece of food with him, he tacitly agreed with what the father and son said.
Children grow up not by age, but by experience and what they have seen. It is difficult for them to grow up if they are always pampered. If it is a girl or a boy, it is okay to pamper them, but how can a boy be raised like this all the time?
Look, Fan Xin is a typical example. Fortunately, he has not been studying for many years and married a virtuous and capable wife, so he has improved a lot.
He had taken too good of care of his family in the past 10 to 20 years, and Dafu shouldn't have gone down this path.
After school that day, Dafu and Awang walked home. They passed through the streets and alleys, saw the bustling market, and got some exercise, which made them feel relaxed.
When he met a car passing by, he moved aside and said to Awang, "You follow me all day long, so you might as well learn a few Chinese characters. They will be useful in the future no matter what.
I saw some of my classmates in the school were accompanied by their own servants, so I waited outside the classroom and heard Fifteen say that if one was willing, one could also study under the teacher, but it would only cost an extra two strings of copper coins.
"I'm sorry to tell you about this copper coin, Daddy and Little Daddy. I took it from my private room and gave it to you. It all depends on whether you have the heart to do so. If you do, the copper coin will not be wasted. If not, no matter how little it is, it will be wasted."
When Awang heard Dafu's plan for him, he said, "If I get a chance to learn a few characters, it will not only benefit my future, but also allow me to better serve my young master. How dare I waste such an opportunity?"
He is not stupid either. Dafu passed the imperial examination when he was less than ten years old, and he will definitely have a bright future. He follows Dafu honestly and loyally, and he only wants good things for him.
Being loyal alone is not enough, you also have to be motivated, only then can you become the master's most capable person. How can I think of him in everything if I am so incompetent?
Seeing that Awang was quite ambitious, Dafu nodded and said, "Then I will go and tell the Master tomorrow."
As the two were talking, they suddenly heard someone call out, "Little Fan."
When Dafu heard the soft voice, he turned around and saw that it was his neighbor whom he had met once before.
In May, the weather was getting warmer and even a little hot. However, the boy sitting in the carriage was dressed rather heavily, even in spring clothes, and seemed to be afraid of the cold.
However, his goose yellow brocade robe made him look better than when Dafu first saw him.
Someone seemed to have heard what he and Awang were saying, so he rolled up the curtain of the carriage and greeted him.
Dafu greeted his brother. It seemed that the road leading into the alley ahead was narrow and the traffic was stuck, so the neighbor's brother was forced to wait here.
He asked suspiciously, "Why do you call me that?"
"Did I call you the wrong name?"
Dafu smiled and said, "Indeed, I haven't. I've just never heard anyone call me that before, so it feels a bit strange. How do you know that I made the list, but do any of my brothers have the same fate?"
"It's not like my brothers have suffered the same fate this time. My father works at the county school, so I've always heard about exams. I heard that the third place winner in the county exam was named Fan. I've also seen a lot of relatives and friends coming and going in your house these past few days, so I figured it was you."
The brother said: "I am lucky to meet you today, congratulations to you."
Dafu thanked him, thinking he was quite clever. Just as he was about to return the kite to him, he saw a carriage driving ahead, and the traffic jam had cleared.
Before he could even open his mouth to say anything, he just said goodbye in a hurry.
Unexpectedly, the young man in the carriage said to him in a low voice: "My name is Wu Heguang, and you are Fan Xiaotongsheng."
Dafu laughed, thinking that he must have known his own name, but he still answered, "Fan Zhongyang."
Wu Heguang also smiled gently and lowered the car curtain.
"It's rare for you to talk to someone for a while. It seems like you've known him for a long time."
Inside the carriage sat a middle-aged man with a refined and elegant demeanor. Seeing the young man happy, he smiled.
Wu Heguang sat upright and said, "I've met him once."
Mr. Wu did not ask in detail. The two families were neighbors. Although they had never established any relations, they were bound to run into each other when going out or coming in, so it was not surprising.
He smiled faintly and said, "This young man from the Fan family is quite talented and has a good character. He just passed the examination for the Tongsheng degree and he has already been able to concentrate on his studies so quickly. If he persists, he will have a bright future."
"His family is also well-mannered, that's why he was brought up well."
Wu Heguang didn't quite understand what his father meant, so he just smiled and said, "Dad thinks he's smart, so let him go to the county school."
Mr. Wu scratched the tip of Wu Heguang's nose and said, "This is against the rules. He is only a student. If he wants to enter the county school, he must be a scholar."
After a few more days, Dafu's happy event of winning the imperial examination was finally over. Kanghe and Fan Jingqi were both a little tired from the socializing.
It's really too sweet and tastes bitter.
That day, Kang He finally had some time to go out for a drink with Bao San Ge, hoping to find out more about the Zhen family from him.
"I knew you must have been busy these days, so I didn't come to see you. But congratulations! Your son has passed the exam."
Kang He couldn't help laughing when he heard what Third Brother Bao said: "Don't just congratulate me every time you see me. I've heard too much flattery these days. If I hear a few more, I'll start to tremble."
Third Brother Bao also laughed. He was sincerely happy for Kang He. If the two of them became good friends, the Fan family would be better off. Now that he had achieved fame and honor, Third Brother Bao would have another source of support in the future.
"Let me tell you something serious. You asked me earlier, but I misheard the news. The Zhen family isn't looking to make enemies with you, but rather to seek peace. I was surprised to hear this at first, but after going back and making more inquiries, I finally understood the reason."
"The Zhen family was jealous of your vegetable business and wanted to take over your shop. They spread rumors on the black market looking for you. But who knew they were caught in the act and have since calmed down. They've now come back to apologize to you."
Kang He was even more confused after hearing this: "You said someone took care of the Zhen family? Did he provoke others outside?"
Third Brother Bao shook his head: "It was because I tried to provoke your family that I got punished. Now no one on the black market dares to provoke you easily."
He laughed and patted Kang He, saying, "If you had told me earlier that there was such a way, I wouldn't have worried about it."
Kang He was completely confused: "Please explain yourself more clearly. What do you mean by 'I have a way'? I have never asked anyone to go to the Zhen family!"
Seeing Kang He's genuine ignorance, Third Brother Bao was also surprised and asked, "Didn't you find the people from the Yao Family Escort Company? I heard that Chief Escort Yao has made a promise that anyone who crosses your Fan Family will become an enemy of Yao Yuan.
Everyone knows how powerful the escort business is. Honest businesspeople wouldn't dare mess with your family, and even the black market wouldn't dare take on jobs or cause trouble if they knew you had connections."
"The Yao Family Escort Agency?! The one in front of Qingyufang?"
"There are only two escort companies in the city, and there's only one with the surname Yao. Who else could it be?"
Kang He was even more confused. He knew that there was a security company over there, but he had never done any business there.
He couldn't explain it clearly, and he couldn't explain it to Brother Bao San either. He just agreed to the matter first, thanked Brother Bao San and left, then turned around and told Fan Jing about this mysterious matter.
Fan Jing frowned and said, "I don't know this person either."
Kang He thought that Fan Jing didn't know him either. If he knew him, there was no reason for him not to tell him.
"That's strange. People are protecting our family for no reason."
Fan Jingjue felt something was not right. If the matter was not clarified, he was afraid of disasters in the future. So he went to ask Kang He about the Yao family escort company in detail.
It's like listening to a book, and I get to hear another legendary story.
It is said that Yao Yuan, the chief escort of the Yao family escort company, followed his father to travel around for business when he was five or six years old. He lost his father at the age of eight and depended on his mother for life. When he was twelve years old, he gathered several skilled people and started to work as a peddler, buying tea and selling his own tea outside.
He was smart and managed to survive until he was sixteen. With the money he had saved and his connections, he opened a security company. He worked hard bit by bit and now, at only twenty-two years old, he has run the company well.
From what Kang He and Fan Jing heard, he was indeed a capable person.
The two of them ran to Qingyufang to secretly spy on the escort leader. When they saw him, they looked at each other silently and then went home.
"I just didn't expect it to be this kind of person. Could it be that he likes to come to our house to buy vegetables, and he couldn't bear to see others bullying each other, so he stepped in to help?"
Kang He himself felt that it was a bit far-fetched.
Fan Jing said nothing. He had long seen that Yao Yuan was a martial artist and not an ordinary person. Now that he knew he was from the escort business, he was not too surprised.
But why should he help their family...Fan Jing suddenly stood up and went to Qiao'er's yard.
"What's wrong, big brother? What's the matter?"
Qiao'er was making clothes in the house. She liked the satin she had brought back from the city very much. She wanted to make a set of summer clothes, which would look great when she went on a cruise to watch the lanterns and admire the lotus flowers.
When he looked up, he saw Fan Jing walking in with big strides, with a stern face, as if his brother-in-law had provoked him again.
Fan Jing sat down on the stool. He usually spoke directly and to the point. When talking to family members, he didn't like to beat around the bush.
"Are you dating Yao Yuan from the escort company?"
"oops!"
When Qiao'er heard Fan Jing come in and blurt out these words, a needle tip pierced her thumb.
Tears welled up in her eyes, and she quickly put her finger into her mouth. Her face instantly turned red, and she said angrily, "Big brother, what are you talking about!"
Kang He was chasing after him. When he heard what Fan Jing said, his eyes widened and he slapped his forehead. Why didn't he think of this?
There is also a lovely young lady at home!
"Something happened in our shop a while ago. I didn't tell my family about it, but you know about it."
Kang He rushed forward and smoothed things over for Fan Jing. When this man opened his mouth, he didn't intend to scare the little girl.
"Your elder brother and I have been waiting for that side to make a move. We waited and waited, but in the end, not only did they not use any tricks, but they even came with gifts to ask for peace.
I was busy with Dafu's affairs a few days ago and didn't have time to find out the reason in detail. Now that I have found out, it turns out that it was this Yao Biaotou who settled the matter for our family."
"Neither your elder brother nor I know this person. You were the one who took care of the shop the most recently. Your brother is asking if you have made friends with this person?"
Kang He spoke more tactfully. After hearing the whole story, Qiao'er's face turned even redder. She thought to herself that there was really nothing that could be hidden from her brother and brother-in-law.
She lowered her voice a little: "There is such a person who often comes to buy vegetables. We often meet and greet each other..."
Qiao'er coughed dryly. She felt embarrassed, but she didn't expect that this fool would do such a big thing behind her back.
When she met him the other day, she only said congratulations to her nephew for passing the imperial examination. She also said that a warrior like him would have to run to catch up with her, but he might not be able to catch up even if he rode a horse, which made him laugh.
This person only talks about trivial matters but doesn't mention anything about this important matter. What a fool he is. He hides the good deeds he has done.
Qiao'er cursed in her heart, but she couldn't help but be deeply moved.
Compared to the smooth talk and those little tricks to please people, it was these practical things that touched her heart the most.
Kang He saw that she recognized Yao Biaotou, and he didn't expect it to be true. For a moment, he didn't know what to say.
"You've been smart and opinionated since you were little. Your older brother and I never worry about your own affairs. Mom and Dad love to nag, and I always help to persuade them. Now, what are your thoughts on this Yao Jialang?"
Qiao'er blushed and said, "Although he's a bit naive, I think he's a good character. I didn't tell my family because I was afraid things wouldn't be settled. With my mother's temper, she'd definitely make a scene again."
"Now that my elder brother and my husband know about it, I won't hide it... I'll also see what my family thinks."
Kang He couldn't help but chuckle. What she meant was that she was already satisfied and she wanted to see if her family was satisfied.
Fan Jing sighed slightly. No wonder he felt something was wrong when he saw that boy that day. So this is the case.
The fact that he was noticed by such a powerful sister shows that he has some ability.
Fan Jing said, "In that case, we should carefully inquire more about the Yao family. If there is nothing bad, we can tell our parents and move on."
Qiao'er nodded: "I understand."
Kang He added, "But no matter what happened this time, I still have to thank them. Find a day and invite them to our house for a drink. Your elder brother and I will host them."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
