Chapter 125 This marriage should be postponed
The autumn examinations, or formal imperial examinations, would be held in August.
Before this, each prefecture and county would conduct selections, starting with the county examination. Only by passing one level could one proceed to the next, until one met the standards to participate in the formal imperial examination. Therefore, the county examination was particularly important as the first hurdle in the imperial examination system. Only by passing it could one participate in the next level of examination.
Uncle Zhao became somewhat worried, mainly because Zhao Yunjing had to take leave to return to the village during the two busy farming seasons over the past year. After the increase in grain production in Peach Blossom Village, the newly arrived Magistrate Tang would also frequently visit the academy to ask him about grain planting. Magistrate Tang also asked him to accompany him to other villages to promote new grain varieties and autumn rice planting.
It can be said that the good harvest in Taohua County last year was half due to the hard work of the people themselves, and half due to the efforts of Lord Tang and Zhao Yunjing.
With so much energy devoted to agriculture, how can he keep up with his studies?
Zhao Yunjing poured half a glass of wine for Uncle Zhao. This wine was made by Zhou Mujiao herself and was called a cocktail. Zhou Mujiao did not say what the origin or meaning of the name "cocktail" was, but in short, although this wine was not as strong as liquor, it was still addictive.
"Father, Mother, Ajiao, my studies are fine."
Uncle Zhao drank half a glass, his face turning a little red. He looked at his son under the lamp and thought his son was doing well.
Zhou Mujiao suppressed a laugh: "Uncle, let me toast you. You've worked hard this past year."
At first, planting flowers didn't go smoothly because the spring rice had just been planted and the harvest was still in sight. Everyone was thinking about what else to plant in the fields, hoping to harvest as much as possible. Seeing that everyone was more enthusiastic about planting flowers than she was and that she was rather indifferent, Zhou Mujiao decided to rent land and hire people to plant them.
Uncle Zhao felt the money was too much to bear, so he led the eighteen and nine little ones to beat drums and gongs, constantly promoting Zhou Mujiao's vision, achievements, and monthly income, like a brainwashing session held by a pyramid scheme leader. They almost blew Zhou Mujiao into the image of a god of wealth descended from heaven. Whether Uncle Zhao's brainwashing propaganda succeeded or Zhou Mujiao accidentally made another wish later, in any case, the flowers were successfully planted, and the money was successfully earned.
After toasting Uncle Zhao, Zhou Mujiao toasted Aunt Zhao. Just as she was about to put down her cup, Zhao Yunjing said, "Ajiao, I'd like to toast you too. The Zhao family has been so grateful to you these past two years. Next spring, when I pass the imperial examination, I will welcome you into the family in grand style."
Zhou Mujiao smiled slightly and was about to nod when Jiang Wuyu, who was standing next to her, objected.
Jiang Wuyu said, "Ajiao is still young, only eighteen years old this year. It's not too late for her to stay a few more years. Besides, we're moving to the capital at the end of the year. There are many things to do there. How can she get married so hastily?"
Uncle Zhao scoffed, "Brother Jiang, you say that because you don't understand the feelings between the two children. They've been in sync for a long time."
Jiang Wuyu smiled and said, "Marriage is a major event, and it has always been about the parents' decision and the matchmaker's words. In the past, Ajiao did not have the care of her elders, so there were naturally not so many rules. Now that she has her grandmother and me as her uncles, we, as her elders, naturally have to pay more attention to it."
Strangely enough, Uncle Zhao and Jiang Wuyu, both extremely open-minded people, actually got along very differently from the very first time they met. However, since Jiang Wuyu had saved Shiba, Uncle Zhao was initially very polite to her. But later, for some reason, he suddenly stopped caring about anything and completely let himself go, clashing with Jiang Wuyu every day.
At first, Aunt Zhao and Grandma Li would try to mediate and break up the fight, but later they realized that the two of them were just bored and had nothing better to do, so they stopped interfering and went to study the new style together.
Now that Zhou Mujiao's life-long happiness is at stake, the man who almost became Zhou Mujiao's biological father is naturally nervous.
Grandma Li glared at Jiang Wuyu: "I think you've had too much to drink. Come on, let's go home!"
"Mother, what I'm saying is the truth. Doesn't our Ah Jiao deserve better?"
Cocktails have a lower alcohol content than spirits, but they are still quite potent. Jiang Wuyu especially loves them, but he has a low alcohol tolerance and gets drunk every time he drinks. He had only had three or four glasses and was already feeling tipsy. After saying this, he drank another glass and let out a big burp.
"Alright, if you keep drinking, I doubt you'll even be able to find your own doorstep!"
"The entrance? Isn't the entrance right there?"
It is indeed the entrance, but it's the entrance to the restroom.
Helpless, Old Mrs. Li spread her hands and called two servants to help the person up.
"Grandmother, let me do it."
After Zhao Yunjing and Grandma Li took Jiang Wuyu back, Aunt Zhao scolded Uncle Zhao: "That Brother Jiang is our savior. It's one thing for you to always argue with him, but what kind of occasion is this today that you still argue with him? Honestly, what if you make him angry and he really won't let Ajiao marry into our family?"
"No, no, Gillian and Yun Jing have such a good relationship, how could she not marry him?"
"They may have a good relationship, but Gillian is a woman with her own ideas. A girl like her doesn't necessarily have to get married. Our son isn't so outstanding that Gillian can't live without him. How can you say something so self-evident?"
Aunt Zhao lowered her voice slightly: "The old lady and Brother Jiang don't look like ordinary people. They seem like they come from a wealthy and powerful family. When Xiuzhu first married into the family, I knew she wasn't a real Bai family girl. Maybe these two really are Xiuzhu's relatives. If they really are Xiuzhu's relatives, then they can certainly take care of Ajiao. If they really are from a wealthy and powerful family, how could our Yun Jing, just a farmer's son, possibly catch their eye?"
“I’m not saying they look down on people. I know that Grandma Li is approachable and Brother Jiang is righteous and capable. It’s just that if they don’t mind, then we should feel ashamed.”
Upon hearing this, Uncle Zhao sobered up halfway. Recalling Old Madam Li's usual behavior and her composure and sense of entitlement when ordering around the servants, he realized that Old Madam Li originally had maids and servants at her beck and call.
If an old lady like Madam Li has maids and servants at her beck and call, she must at least be a wealthy landlady. Otherwise, she must truly come from a prominent family in the capital.
Thinking of this, Uncle Zhao's other half sobered up and looked miserable: "What should I do? I've already offended Brother Jiang. If Grandma Li takes her anger out on Yun Jing and really doesn't let A Jiao be with Yun Jing, then I'll be dragging Yun Jing down!"
Zhou Mujiao happened to be coming from the archway and smiled when she heard this: "Uncle and Aunt, Yun Jing and I have long been engaged. Even if the Emperor bestows marriages on us to other people, we will find a way to be together."
"Ah Jiao..."
Uncle Zhao stammered, "Although I always urge you two to get married, aside from the fact that you are not related to us by blood, I actually consider you a real family member. So if, and I mean if, Yun Jing fails to pass the imperial examination, then you shouldn't waste your time. Find a good husband and live a peaceful life. You're too busy and tired right now."
As soon as Zhao Yunjing passed through the archway, he heard Uncle Zhao 'advising him to give up'. He said helplessly, "Father, Mother, have some faith in me. I said I would definitely pass the imperial examination, so I will definitely succeed."
Zhou Mujiao nodded: "I also believe that he will definitely succeed. Moreover, starting from the county examination, he will always be the top scorer. He will become the first Zhuangyuan in our Great Liang to achieve the highest score in all six categories!"
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