Chapter 64 Good News
Sheng An was completely unaware of the "good deed" the little donkey had done, and in the dim light of the night, he didn't even notice the bruises on Xu Jinnian's instep.
Occasionally, I would smell a faint odor of medicinal oil, and I would simply assume that the stopper of the medicinal oil was not properly sealed and was leaking.
When it was time to move the family's belongings to Shengyuan ahead of schedule and the donkey was needed to pull the cart, Sheng An noticed that the donkey's fur was messy and it looked listless.
"What's wrong? Are you sick?"
Sheng An stepped forward and patted the little donkey's head. Seeing the little donkey's eyes filled with tears and its pitiful braying at her, she unconsciously loosened her grip.
From an angle that Sheng An couldn't see, Xu Jinnian glanced coldly at the little donkey and said in a calm voice, "It provoked Honghong and got taught a lesson by Honghong."
Upon hearing this, Sheng An's gentle palm instantly turned into an iron fist, slapping the little donkey hard on the forehead: "You donkey, how dare you provoke a fine horse? You're courting death!"
Honghong was worth five thousand taels of silver, but she only spent twelve taels to buy the little donkey.
If Honghong gets even a tiny scratch, the cost of losing the whole little donkey wouldn't be enough!
Sheng An grew angrier the more she thought about it, and gave the little donkey a few more whacks: "If you cause me trouble again next time, don't blame me for turning you into a donkey meat sandwich!"
The little donkey was patted so hard it cried out pitifully.
It wanted to take advantage of Sheng An's inattention to kick up its hooves, but Xu Jinnian gave it a look that seemed to say "I'm a dead donkey," and it was so frightened that its hooves trembled and it lowered its head, not daring to meet Xu Jinnian's gaze.
A good horse is ridden, a good donkey is bullied.
He was bitten on the butt by a fierce horse in the donkey shed, and then beaten up by a terrifying two-legged beast outside the shed.
Waaah, life is so hard for donkeys!
Sheng An couldn't hear the little donkey's thoughts. He wanted to temper its temper, so he didn't let it rest and personally led it to pull the cart.
The cart was piled high with goods, and the little donkey struggled to pull it uphill.
After several attempts, the little donkey became a useless little donkey, lying on the ground pretending to be dead and refusing to get up.
Fortunately, all the large items were moved out, and there were only some odds and ends left. It wouldn't be too late to move them out on the day they officially moved in, so Sheng An was too lazy to bother with them anymore.
When the neighbors saw the Xu family moving their belongings, they assumed something had happened and came to inquire with concern.
The family didn't mention Shengyuan, only saying that Sheng'an was going to open a small restaurant there, and it would be more convenient to rent a place there.
The neighbors were very reluctant to see them go, after all, the Xu family father and son were very good people, and they never refused to help anyone who needed it.
In the early years, petty theft was rampant in this area, but Xu Jinnian and his son dealt with it severely, and petty theft gradually disappeared.
The neighbors have never forgotten this kindness.
However, people strive for better things, and no matter how reluctant they are to part ways, they can only offer their blessings.
After entering September, the leaves on the trees gradually turned yellow, and in just ten days or so, they turned into withered yellow leaves.
When the autumn wind blows, the leaves flutter and fall, and every morning when Sheng'an wakes up, he can see the yard covered with fallen leaves.
One day, the family was having breakfast when they suddenly heard the sound of gongs and drums outside.
Grandma Sheng said in surprise, "I haven't heard of any family having a wedding recently. It sounds like it's going to be very lively."
Sheng An hadn't thought much of it at first, but upon hearing her grandmother's words, she suddenly realized something and looked intently at Xu Jinnian: "The provincial examination was over half a month ago, could it be someone outside delivering good news?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the other three all turned to look at Xu Jinnian, who remained calm.
Judging by the days, the results of the provincial examination should be out by now.
Just then, a loud knock came at the courtyard gate, and the excited shouts of the old lady next door rang out: "Jin Nian, Jin Nian, you passed! You passed the imperial examination and became a scholar!"
Jest—
Everyone at the dinner table except Xu Jinnian stood up in unison.
"Quick, An'an, go open the door!"
Grandma Sheng was too excited. She wanted to get up to open the door, but her legs were too weak to walk, so she quickly nudged her granddaughter.
Sheng An took a deep breath, quickly got up and ran outside.
Xu Chenglin followed closely behind, and Grandpa Sheng also helped Grandma Sheng walk out anxiously.
Only Xu Jinnian remained calm, slowly drinking the last mouthful of porridge in his bowl before getting up, straightening his clothes, and walking slowly to the courtyard gate.
Having confirmed they hadn't come to the wrong house, the two bailiffs who came to deliver the good news beamed with smiles and bowed to Xu Jinnian, saying, "Congratulations, Scholar Xu, on achieving the top score in the imperial examination!"
Wow!
The crowd that had gathered at the entrance stared in shock at the messenger who brought the good news, wondering if they had misheard.
First place! It's actually the top spot!
Good heavens, could the Xu family boy be the reincarnation of the God of Literature?
They have lived here for generations, and the story has been passed down through generations. Several scholars have emerged, but only the young man from the Xu family has achieved the top rank in the imperial examinations!
What a talent, what a great honor!
The neighbors were overjoyed, each one as excited as if their own child had passed the imperial examination.
Such a joyous occasion is a source of pride for the entire alley, and people will look upon it with greater respect when it's out in the neighborhood.
It's not that no one complains, but if you drown yourself in the acid, your ancestral graves won't emit auspicious smoke to bless your child to get the top score in the exam.
Instead of pointless jealousy, it's better to accept reality and appease her to save face.
Ignoring the noisy crowd, Xu Jinnian stepped forward and took the good news from the constable: "Thank you both for your hard work. Please come in and have some water before you leave."
The two constables waved their hands repeatedly, their attitude very respectful: "Thank you for your kindness, Scholar Xu, but we still have a trip to the countryside, so we won't go in and bother you any longer."
Xu Jinnian did not force the issue and nodded with a warm smile.
While the two were talking, Xu Chenglin turned around and went back into the house.
When he came out, he had two red envelopes in his hand.
Xu Chenglin was good at handling things. He smiled and handed the red envelope to the two constables: "Thank you for making this trip. Take this and buy some wine."
The two constables smiled even more sincerely, accepted the red envelope, said a string of auspicious words, and then left happily.
No sooner had they left than the neighbors swarmed around Xu Jinnian, congratulating him: "Scholar, your years of hard work have finally paid off! Congratulations!"
Xu Jinnian politely returned the greeting: "Thank you all."
Several neighbors, holding their grandsons, squeezed in front of Xu Jinnian, urging their grandsons eagerly: "Quickly touch the scholar's clothes, absorb his literary aura, and you'll become a scholar like him in the future!"
The children were bewildered and scared by the crowd, shrinking back and not daring to move.
Seeing this, Xu Jinnian leaned down slightly and took the initiative to hold the children's chubby little hands.
Seeing this, the neighbors had a much better impression of Xu Jinnian.
Look at him, what a fine young man! Even after passing the imperial examination, he remains as gentle and humble as ever, without the slightest hint of arrogance or haughtiness.
With such a mindset, one has a bright future ahead.
The neighbors were so enthusiastic, and people from other places who had heard the news also blocked the entrance to the Xu family's house and refused to leave.
Most of the morning had passed, and the entrance was still noisy until lunchtime, when the crowd gradually dispersed.
Sheng An breathed a long sigh of relief. Her head was buzzing from the noise, as if a hundred bees were buzzing inside. She rubbed her forehead to relieve the discomfort.
Seeing that the person's expression remained calm and completely embodied the principle of not being elated by external gains, Sheng An's somewhat restless heart calmed down.
She walked over with a smile and gently poked the man's cheek: "Congratulations, scholar!"
Xu Jinnian gently patted her head, his eyes filled with endless tenderness: "My glory is also An'an's glory. I'm happy for you both."
Sheng An was overjoyed. If her family hadn't been there, she would have lost control and buried herself in the man's arms.
At this moment, Xu Chenglin calmed down and asked Xu Jinnian for his opinion: "Last time you promised the clan chief that after you passed the imperial examination, you would go back to the village to pay respects to the ancestors. When do you plan to go back?"
Xu Jinnian's tone was slightly indifferent: "No rush, let's talk about it after we move."
Xu Chenglin naturally wouldn't object, nodding and saying, "We should have some fun moving into our new house, so let's combine it with the celebration of your passing the imperial examination. I'll only invite your aunt's family."
Then he looked at Grandpa and Grandma Sheng and said, "If Uncle and Aunt have someone to invite, they should inform them in advance."
Grandpa and Grandma Sheng quickly shook their heads: "At our age, our old relatives are no longer alive, and we are not close to the younger generation, so there is no need to invite them."
Xu Chenglin wasn't surprised and looked at his son and daughter-in-law: "Where are you two?"
Sheng An only had one person to invite: "Zhao Di is my best friend, and I plan to invite her to my new home to celebrate."
Xu Jinnian continued her sentence: "Just the teacher and three classmates."
Xu Chenglin understood: "Alright, this is more than enough to set up two tables, and it will save us some trouble."
Having decided who would be hosting the banquet, Xu Jinnian planned to go to Master Jiang's house and, while he was there, check on how his three classmates had done on their exams.
Having nothing else to do, Sheng An decided to go back to the village and invite Zhang Zhaodi to visit his new home on the 18th of this month.
Upon learning that their granddaughter was returning to the village, Grandpa and Grandma Sheng also wanted to go back and take a look, mainly to see if there were any areas of their house that needed repair.
So the three of them returned to Huai Shu Village together.
The villagers naturally didn't know that Xu Jinnian had passed the imperial examination and become a scholar. When they saw the three of them, grandfather, grandmother, and grandson, suddenly return, they all came to ask him about it out of curiosity.
Seeing that Grandma Sheng looked much better after only two months apart, dressed in fashionable clothes, she seemed to have become several years younger. The elderly neighbor was very envious and, holding Grandma Sheng's hand, exclaimed, "You've raised a wonderful granddaughter."
If you live to their age and have a filial child by your side, then your life has not been in vain.
Many people grow old and become useless, only to be disliked by their children and grandchildren. When they are cold or hungry, no one cares, and they can only watch helplessly as they die.
“I only have one granddaughter, An’an. You have a whole house full of children and grandchildren, I envy you so much.”
Grandma Sheng wasn't one to boast, so she didn't utter a word that would make people hate her. Instead, she comforted her old friend and then sighed deeply, "My husband and I don't want to be a burden on An'an, but we really have no choice, alas..."
The sigh was both genuine and feigned, and the elderly neighbor felt a little relieved: "Things will always get better."
On the other side, Sheng An and Zhang Zhaodi were taking a walk along the river.
Upon learning that her best friend's husband had passed the imperial examination and was moving to a new house in a couple of days, Zhang Zhaodi felt no jealousy whatsoever. Instead, she playfully hugged Sheng An's arm and said, "Scholar's wife, you've finally made it!"
Hearing her friend's teasing, Sheng An gave her a reproachful look: "So, are you going or not?"
Zhang Zhaodi nodded quickly, like a chick pecking at rice: "Yes, yes, of course I'll go!"
Her best friend was celebrating two happy events, how could she not go?
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