Chapter 134 She passed the entrance exam for Ming'er Middle School. ...
When the three Ming sisters returned, each of them carried some things.
Mingren and Mingli's belongings were all provided by the employer, while Mingyi bought his own.
Knowing that it was Ming Er's birthday, they all tacitly prepared a gift for him.
Ming'er had previously mentioned wanting to eat roast chicken, so Mingsheng bought her a whole roast chicken and added some other dishes.
Mingsheng was so happy that he drank a few more cups.
Six months ago, she never imagined her family would have such good fortune. She gave the roast chicken leg to Ming'er, telling her to eat as much as she wanted today.
Everyone in the family knows that Ming Er has a big appetite, and they also know that this child is sensible, so they don't let him eat as much as he wants.
The more sensible a child is, the more heartbroken Mingsheng feels.
Mingsheng gave all the roast chicken to Ming'er. She didn't eat it all herself; she shared it with the family and also prepared some meat dishes. It was the most sumptuous meal the family had ever had.
I also cooked pork offal soup and made shortbread. Taking a sip of the hot soup made me feel incredibly comfortable.
Everyone is happy that life is good.
Ming Sheng took a sip of wine, looked at Ming Er and said, "I heard from Scholar Ming that you will have to go to the county town to take the exam in the spring."
"The female tutor said I should try out. If I can pass the exam and become a student, that would be the best. Don't worry, Grandfather, I will definitely try my best."
Mingsheng nodded without saying anything more.
Talking too much will only make the child hold a grudge, which isn't a good thing.
“I remember Ming Xiucai said it was February. Second son, when you two go back after the New Year, take Ming Er with you. Let her stay in the county town during this time, so you won’t have to travel back and forth later.”
"I understand, Mother. Don't worry, we will take good care of Ming'er," Mingyi said.
If they pass the exam, it will be a tremendous blessing for their family.
Mingzhuo looked at his younger sister with some envy, but he also knew that his sister was just that talented. According to Mingnufu, she would have to wait at least two more years before she could take the exam.
Even though Ming Er was about to take the imperial examination, Ming Zhuo wasn't jealous. He thought it would be better to use that energy to read a few more books.
She was waiting for the next year's imperial examination to be passed, so that she would have a younger sister who would also become a student in the school.
The Ming family had a very lively New Year, and Ming Sheng also took the opportunity to make arrangements for the New Year. After the New Year, he asked Ming Er to tell Ming Xiucai, and then packed his things to go to the county town with Ming Er and his wife.
Mingsheng was still worried, so he went along to check on the situation.
It was her granddaughter's first exam, and she was a little nervous, worried that her second son and his wife wouldn't be able to take good care of her. Especially since the child has a huge appetite, she was worried that if she went hungry, she wouldn't do well on the exam.
After thinking it over all night, Mingsheng finally decided to go and take care of Ming'er himself.
"Old man, I'm leaving the family to you."
"Don't worry." It wasn't busy during the Spring Festival anyway, there wasn't much work. The eldest and third sons were even discussing getting some chestnuts and candied hawthorns to sell in town.
When it comes to making money, these two are anything but ambiguous.
The children in the family were all raised by Old Man Ming. With such a prodigy as Ming Er, the rest of the family's granddaughters who are able to go to school will also be sent there to study.
Now, it's natural to want to earn as much as possible, because education will cost a lot of money in the future.
After the New Year, everyone left, and the Ming family home felt much emptier.
Ming'er wasn't cold, but Azu insisted on wrapping her in thick clothes, even refusing her suggestion to pull the cart.
"You don't need to pull the cart. You'll catch a cold and that would be troublesome. You need to take good care of yourself during this time. Don't worry about anything else," Mingsheng said with concern.
Ming Er couldn't bear to refuse his grandfather's kindness, so he obediently wrapped the clothes around his neck.
I've been to the county town a few times before, and each time I come, it feels different from the last time I saw it.
She found the food from the street vendors quite novel, but Mingsheng wouldn't let her eat anything indiscriminately.
"After you finish your exams, you can eat whatever you want. Before the exams, you have to eat home-cooked meals." Mingsheng strictly controls what you eat.
She had already inquired beforehand and heard that so-and-so had gotten a stomachache before the exam because of eating the wrong thing and missed it. There were also all sorts of other unexpected situations that prevented them from taking the exam. The reason Mingsheng came along was because he was afraid something might happen to Minger.
When they arrived at the house where Mingyi was currently living, they even set aside a separate room for Ming'er. She only needed to study in the room every day, and she didn't have to worry about anything else.
If you get tired of reading, practice your boxing in the yard. It's best not to go out unless necessary.
When Mingsheng was taking the preliminary examination, he personally escorted Ming'er to the door.
Ming Lao Er and his wife didn't dare to slack off either, and specially came over to see Ming Er off together.
The entrance was crowded with people seeing off their children taking the exams, so the girls didn't stand out.
Listening to the elders' advice, Mingsheng wanted to say something, so he patted Ming'er's hand and said, "Just do your best."
The students had to take five exams in a row. This was Ming Sheng's first time participating in something like this, and he was even more nervous than Ming Er himself, who was taking the exam.
"Is the dry rations we prepared enough for Ming'er?"
"Is that enough? We've prepared quite a lot."
"He's not dressed warmly enough. I wonder if Ming Er is cold inside."
Mingyi thought that Ming'er didn't seem to be very afraid of the cold. While others would wrap themselves up thickly in cotton-padded clothes, Ming'er would avoid wearing any if he could.
But since talking about these things would upset his mother, Mingyi didn't say it directly.
“Mother, Ming Er knows what’s hot and cold, he won’t let himself get cold.”
“She’s young, and all the other candidates I’ve seen are older than her. That’s what I’m worried about.”
Mingyi knew that they couldn't help Ming'er by worrying here, so she thought about making preparations so that Ming'er could have something hot to eat after finishing his exams.
Mingsheng said, "Okay, let's buy some meat and make some meat soup with the big bones."
Mingyi offered a few words of advice, but since the stall was still busy, Mingsheng told her to go and help out so as not to delay things.
After everyone left, she paced back and forth in the yard with her hands behind her back, unable to calm herself down.
Ming Er entered the examination hall and found his exam location.
Xiang Bei had seen this kind of examination format at tourist attractions before, but seeing the ancient imperial examination in person now is a completely different experience.
It was February, and the weather was still quite cold, so the test takers were all dressed very warmly.
Ming Er looked quite energetic. He sat in the examination room, looked around, and waited for the examiner to hand out the papers.
She also saw Ms. Xiang encouraging her.
Is it cold?
"It's not cold."
Don't be nervous, the questions for the preliminary exam aren't that difficult. Just answer them like you would in a regular mock exam.
To help Ming'er get used to the exam in advance, the system helped her simulate the exam environment quite a bit.
These things are really nothing to Ming Er.
Most of the girls who were able to go to school were physically weak. Some of them couldn't withstand the cold and fainted. They were carried out immediately and didn't make it to the exam paper, so naturally they didn't get a ranking.
Mingsheng would stake out the door every day, and whenever he saw someone being carried out, he would crane his neck to look. Once he saw that it wasn't Mingyang, he felt much more at ease.
Ming Er practices martial arts at home, making him stronger than the other examinees. Ming Sheng is confident he can finish the exam no matter what.
On the last day, the candidates were all a little dizzy and lightheaded when they came out. Fortunately, they came out after the exam and saw their family members who were waiting for them. Those who couldn't hold on any longer could faint without worry.
Mingsheng looked around but didn't see Ming'er. Just as he was getting anxious, he saw Ming'er come out from inside.
"Ah Zu!" Ming Er rushed over immediately.
When Mingsheng saw his granddaughter come out, he immediately breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that she was alright.
Ming Er's complexion looks much better than the other candidates.
"Ming Er, you've finally come out! Come on, come on, let's go home."
"Grandpa, I'm starving. I feel like I can eat a lot of food."
Upon hearing this, Mingsheng immediately laughed, "Come on, let's go home. What do you want to eat? Look how skinny you are, you must have had a hard time in there. I've seen quite a few people being carried out these past few days, it really scared me."
Even Mingli came. Although he had prepared dry rations, he still lost weight after staying inside for a few days. Ming Er has such a big appetite, Ming Sheng was worried that she might get cold, and whether she would have enough dry rations.
What would you like to eat?
“Roast chicken, Grandpa, I can eat two roast chickens now,” Ming Er said, holding up two fingers.
Mingsheng first took Ming'er home, letting her take a good bath and change her clothes, before letting Mingli go out to buy Ming'er roast chicken.
Upon hearing this, Mingyi and his wife rushed home.
Knowing that Ming'er finished his exam today, I specially bought bones with meat on them and stewed them in advance.
Mingyi laughed, "These bones make a wonderful soup. I made some wontons this morning, and I'll cook a bowl for Ming'er. She can eat it after she takes a bath."
"Don't mention the exam to Ming Er yet. Wait until the results are released," Ming Sheng instructed.
"Don't worry, Mother, I know what I'm doing."
When Ming Er came out of the bath, Ming Sheng brought him a bowl of steaming hot bone broth wontons.
Mingli also bought the roast chicken.
"Eat quickly, eat quickly," Mingsheng urged.
Ming Er picked up the roast chicken but didn't rush to eat it. He first tore off a chicken leg and gave it to his grandmother, and then gave the remaining chicken leg to his second aunt, second uncle, and third aunt.
The four of them naturally put the chicken leg back.
It's not worth fighting with a child for a bite to eat at a time like this.
I originally wanted to make some steamed buns or something for Ming'er to take in, but I heard that all the pastries and such need to be crushed, let alone steamed buns. How can you eat them if they're ruined?
In the end, the second son made very thin pancakes for Ming Er to take in, and also cooked some vegetables.
Fearing the vegetables would spoil, Ming'er ate them on the first day, and for the next few days he just ate flatbread.
Upon seeing the meat in front of her, Ming Er politely declined for a while, but everyone else refused to eat and kept urging her to eat more.
After finishing a bowl of wontons, I ate two roast chickens.
The soup in the pot was ready, and Ming Er, not afraid of getting burned, casually blew on it and gulped down three big bowls.
Then he gnawed on the bone with meat in the bowl, cleaning it thoroughly and even sucking out the marrow.
After they had almost finished eating, Ming Er finally spoke, "I think it's actually not too bad inside, not too cold, but the examiner walked around in front of me twice."
"Did that affect you?" Mingsheng asked nervously.
Ming Er shook his head, "No, it's just that I heard her telling someone that my handwriting is beautiful, and she even guessed who my teacher is."
Mingsheng was immediately delighted.
This means that the county magistrate has taken a liking to Ming Er, which is a good thing, as Ming Er has a good chance of passing the imperial examination.
Ming Er didn't say anything; she was quite confident in herself.
Especially when she left the exam room, Ms. Fu praised her for doing well.
Ming Er didn't tell his family this, thinking that everyone would know when the results were released.
They will still be staying here. If they are on the list of successful candidates tomorrow, they will continue to take the exam here in April.
Mingsheng meant that if Ming'er could make the list, he could stay here and not have to travel back and forth.
They will have to stay here for the time being.
After eating and drinking his fill, Ming Er took a walk in the courtyard to aid digestion before going to sleep.
I didn't sleep well in the exam room, so I closed my eyes and fell asleep as soon as I got to my room.
Mingsheng looked inside from the doorway several times before he could finally relax.
"If our family could produce a scholar, our ancestors would be laughing in their sleep," Mingsheng exclaimed.
Thinking back to her childhood, Mingsheng was filled with emotion. Originally, her mother wanted to send her to school, but she couldn't concentrate on her studies and preferred to go up the mountain to interact with wild animals.
When it was her turn to be a mother, she wanted to send her three daughters to school, hoping they would be successful, pass the imperial examinations, and bring honor to the family. But who knew they would turn out to be three disappointing daughters.
Just when she was pinning her hopes on her eldest granddaughter Mingzhuo, who knew that Ming'er, chosen by a deity, would appear out of nowhere.
Mingsheng thought that it might just be a stroke of good luck from his family's ancestral graves.
If Ming'er takes the exam in April and makes the list, she'll buy a house in the county town and bring the whole family there.
She had planned all of this in her mind and hadn't told anyone else. She was quite confident in Ming'er's grades, and Mingsheng started looking for a suitable apartment on his own.
With the money from selling ginseng, we might not be able to buy a place in the busiest area, but we could still buy a place elsewhere, even if it's a bit remote. We could buy a big courtyard and move the whole family there.
She has three daughters and is quite strong herself, so she's not afraid of being bullied by the neighbors because they're strangers.
On the day the results were announced, Ming Er didn't go; Ming Sheng took Ming Yi and his wife to see the list.
I recognize the names of my family members; Ming Er is such an easy name to recognize.
Mingsheng started reading from the end and read all the way to the beginning.
“Mother, look, the person at the top of the list shares the same surname as us, named Mingyang. They might even be from our clan.” Mingyi started looking at the names from the front, and when he saw the name at the top of the list, he immediately came over to talk to his mother.
Since going out to do business with men, Mingyi has become much more worldly-wise. He thinks that since they all have the surname Ming, if they are really from the same family, they might even be able to claim kinship or something.
Mingsheng looked at his second daughter and was furious. He slapped her on the back of the head and said, "Why are you bothering with her? Look at Ming Er, Ming Er! Find Ming Er's name."
Ming Lao Er hurriedly went to look again, but from beginning to end, he only saw a man surnamed Ming, who was the one in charge of the case.
"Mother, it seems Ming Er didn't pass the exam. I didn't see her name," Mingyi said with a sigh.
Mingsheng was somewhat disappointed, but then he thought, so what if he didn't pass? Ming'er is only six years old, so it's not a big deal if he didn't pass.
They had only heard stories about six-year-old prodigies; those who could pass the exams were no ordinary people.
Although Ming Er is the one chosen by the gods, what if the gods don't protect this place? There might be other paths in the future.
Mingsheng quickly consoled himself, thinking that at worst he could take the exam again once he had a solid foundation in the second year of high school.
“Let’s go home. We can always take the exam again next year. Don’t tell Ming’er about this when we get back, so as not to upset the child,” Mingsheng said.
When they got back, they were dumbfounded.
People from the county came to their house to deliver the good news: Ming Er had passed the imperial examination with top honors.
When the good news was announced, the people from the county government and Ming Er, who came to open the door, stared at each other for a long time before realizing that the child in front of them was Ming Yang, the top scholar in this case.
Although the child was young, he was very good at greeting people and welcomed them directly into the house.
His speech was clear and logical, no wonder he became the top scholar at such a young age.
With the adults in the family away, Ming Er could entertain these people, but she couldn't manage on her own. She then asked the neighbors to go to the place where the results were posted to invite her great-grandmother back, but the neighbors and Ming's family took different routes and didn't run into her.
When Mingsheng and the others returned, Ming'er was preparing to give some snacks to the person who brought the good news.
"My great-grandmother will be back soon. Please wait a moment, there are some snacks here, please have some to tide you over."
The messengers, not wanting the chief to serve them tea and water, quickly waved their hands, saying they dared not.
Mingyi was completely dumbfounded by the situation before him. "Mother, is there a mistake in the good news? I remember the top scholar's name is Mingyang, not our Ming Er."
Ming Sheng was stunned for a moment, then suddenly remembered that that was what his family called Ming Er. The deity had given Ming Er a formal name, and although Ming Er emphasized that he chose the character himself, his family didn't care.
My family has always called him Ming Er, we're used to it. When I saw that name just now, I didn't even realize it was Ming Er's real name.
Now that he understood, Mingsheng burst into laughter.
She passed the entrance exam for Ming No. 2 Middle School.
Mingsheng quickly called his second son and his wife to entertain the people who had come to deliver the good news.
Coincidentally, the person who brought the good news had also eaten pork offal soup at the Mingyi couple's stall. What was even more unexpected was that the top prize this time belonged to the couple's own niece.
Ming Sheng had hoped that Ming Er would pass the exam, but he never expected her to be the top scholar. He quickly went to get the silver, wrapped it in a red envelope, and gave it to her.
"We sisters will accept this congratulatory gift. Congratulations, Patriarch Ming!" said the person who brought the good news.
"We'll share the joy of what we've received," Mingsheng said, beaming from ear to ear.
The silver must not be handled carelessly; someone must accept it.
After delivering the good news, they left.
The neighbors who had come to watch the commotion were still there, so Mingsheng quickly asked his second son and his wife to buy some pastries to share with everyone, "so that everyone can share in the joy."
After seeing the neighbors off, Mingli rushed over; she had already heard the good news.
Ming Er not only passed the preliminary examination, but also came in first place.
Mingsheng went back inside, but his heart was still beating fast.
"Mother, I still don't understand. Wasn't the top scholar named Mingyang? How did he become our Ming Er?" Mingyi was still puzzled.
Mingsheng rolled his eyes, not wanting to say anything.
Ming Er ate some pastries and said, "Second Aunt, I am Ming Yang, that's my full name."
"My goodness!" Mingyi fell to the ground with a thud.
She was on tenterhooks just now, thinking her mother was so bold as to let Ming Er impersonate the top scholar, and she was trembling with fear the whole time. She didn't expect that the other party hadn't made a mistake.
“Do you think everyone working in the county government is as muddle-headed as you, able to mistake the chief clerk?” Mingsheng said, taking a sip of tea.
She said it herself: how could someone chosen by the gods not even make the list? Not only did they make it, they became the top scholar.
Mingsheng was starting to look forward to the upcoming exams, as this would bring honor to his ancestors.
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