In the afternoon, Chi Xingyue just woke up from her sleep and heard laughter coming from the study next door.
She listened attentively, but found the voice unfamiliar and for a moment she couldn't match it with the person in her mind.
Chi Xingyue called out "Baozhu" and the little girl came running in. She helped Chi Xingyue out of bed and reported the situation in her little mouth.
"It's Old Man Han. He brought a bunch of gifts and hopes that the Second Young Master can guide his eldest grandson's studies!"
Chi Xingyue was puzzled: "Didn't his family used to be in business? What's going on? Why are they no longer doing business?"
Baozhu shook her head: "I don't know, but from what Mr. Han said, he wants Young Master Jiang He to pursue a career in politics!"
Chi Xingyue rubbed his brows, thinking that the career path in the government was not something that anyone could leave just because they wanted to.
There are too many factors involved. If Ling Jiheng had not met Emperor Zhou by chance, his imperial examination would not have been so smooth.
But he didn't pour cold water on others. He just felt that given the current situation of the Han family, the most important thing was to make money.
It is said that the economic base determines the superstructure. As for people, they must have enough food and clothing before they can consider realizing their value.
Like the stories she had read in the past about children from poor families who worked hard to pass the imperial examinations, hidden behind these stories was the entire family tightening their belts and saving money to support their studies.
Although they finally got what they wanted, the hardships of life have distorted the psychology of many people.
They did not become honest and upright officials as they had originally intended, but instead exploited the people because of their childhood difficulties.
What's more, being an official costs money.
It costs a lot of money to manage everything every year, not to mention the various festival gifts and servants' expenses.
The monthly salary issued by the court is not enough at all.
The officials could choose not to hire servants, but who wouldn't want to save face? If my wife and I take care of the housework every day, I'm afraid we'll be laughed at by our colleagues.
Where did this money come from? I can’t be greedy!
So, you can’t sit back and relax just because you passed the exam.
At least you need an industry to cover all expenses.
Of course, it was not Chi Xingyue’s turn to worry about these things. Baozhu helped him go out for a walk and then he came back to rest.
The main reason is that Ling Jiran is getting engaged soon, and Xiaohe and the others are very busy going in and out.
Everyone was afraid of accidentally bumping into Chi Xingyue, so they worked very carefully.
After Chi Xingyue noticed this, he took the initiative to leave so as not to slow down their home decoration.
In the study, Mr. Han was extremely flattering to Ling Jiheng, however, Ling Jiheng was still as humble and polite to the two of them as the younger generation he was before.
Ling Jiheng smiled and agreed to Mr. Han's request. He told Han Jianghe about his own insights from studying.
Ling Jiheng could be said to have concealed nothing, but as for how much Han Jianghe could understand, that was another matter.
As the sun sets, the villagers call Shunzi and Jinbao to go out and catch cicada monkeys. All the members of the Ling family except Chi Xingyue and Ling Jiheng go out to join in the fun.
Old Man Han felt a little ashamed for disturbing others for so long, but he couldn't bear to see his grandson miss such a good learning opportunity, so he shamelessly left without saying anything.
Ling Jiheng was a little tired after talking so much. Seeing Han Jianghe's thirst for knowledge, he poured him a cup of tea and drank it before continuing.
It wasn't until it was completely dark that he took the initiative to say, "That's basically it. It's mainly accumulated over time.
As for vision, Brother Jiang He is no worse than me, but he has never considered things from the government's perspective. Just work harder in the future!"
Old Master Han expressed his gratitude, as did Han Jianghe.
At this moment, he had to admit that the top scholar was indeed the top scholar and had real talent and knowledge.
In just two hours, he learned more than he had learned in two years of study.
I really can’t imagine how good the study conditions are for students in the capital city.
"Brother Ling, I wonder if I can come to Changhe Academy to study?" Han Jianghe asked with a bow before leaving.
Ling Jiheng smiled and said, "When you pass the exam, I'll write you a letter of recommendation!"
Han Jianghe nodded, feeling satisfied and proud.
After the two left, Chi Xingyue came out of the house and asked Ling Jiheng how he felt.
Ling Jiheng sighed: "I've worked hard but lack talent. At best, I can only be a Juren!"
Chi Xingyue hummed, disapprovingly: "Being a Juren is pretty good too, it allows you to directly cross the class barrier. You can't look down on Juren just because you got the top scorer."
Ling Jiheng quickly apologized: "Yes, yes, my wife is right!"
Chi Xingyue raised her hand and poked him on the forehead, and did not continue the topic.
Hearing some noise outside the door, he hurried to see what was happening. He saw Jinbao carrying a basket of cicada monkeys, followed by a group of naughty boys.
A group of people made a fire in the yard to roast cicada pupae, and boasted about who was better.
Chi Xingyue couldn't help laughing, but she didn't join in the fun. She obediently ate the meal for pregnant women that Baozhu specially prepared for her.
On the ninth day of the fifth month, Huang Minbo rode a tall horse to the Ling family to propose marriage.
From the county town to Qingshan Village, it was crowded with people watching the fun.
The Huang family was not stingy either, and they threw copper coins along the way, at least ten taels of silver.
When they arrived at the Ling family mansion and opened the betrothal gift box, they were even more envious of the young girls who had not yet found their marriage.
The matchmaker came from the provincial capital and received a big red envelope, so he was smiling particularly happily.
He happily presided over the ceremony for the two of them, and after it was over, he was surrounded by people: "My dear sister, look at my daughter. Isn't she pretty? Maybe she can marry into the capital and become a lady?"
The matchmaker smiled awkwardly and did not answer the question.
Xiao He brought out a basket of peanuts and melon seeds, which instantly attracted everyone's attention.
The matchmaker took advantage of this opportunity to slip onto the oxcart and patted his chest: "You're still a wife, thinking that the young and old men in the capital city are not picky? What are you dreaming of!"
The coachman explained with a smile, "They're just teasing you! Qingshan Village has better conditions now, so people might not be willing to marry far away!"
The matchmaker then realized that this was the fiefdom of the Princess of Le'an County. No wonder it looked like such a place with so many outstanding people and beautiful scenery.
The process was completed, and Huang Minbo and Ling Jiran completely confirmed their relationship.
Geng Suhua put away the engagement cards of the two and made some space for the couple to chat.
Huang Minbo tentatively touched Ling Jiran's little hand. Seeing that she didn't resist, he held it tightly and told her about the pain of missing her these days.
Ling Jiran's cheeks flushed. After she finished speaking, he echoed, "I miss you, too!"
Then he asked about the situation in the Huang Mansion.
"Is Mrs. Huang okay? Do you have any clues?"
Huang Minbo glared at Ling Jiran: "We're already engaged, why are you still calling my mother Madam Huang?"
But he didn't dwell on the issue and said with a smile, "We already have a clue.
Mother is afraid that it will affect our marriage, so she is holding back. When we return to the capital, she will take action."
Ling Jiran breathed a sigh of relief and chatted with him about something else. Seeing that it was getting late, he sent him out.
Huang Minbo felt a little disappointed: "Fiancée, you won't even invite me to have a meal?"
Ling Jiran was touched by his resentful expression and felt a little embarrassed.
She explained, "We will have plenty of time to spend together in the future. If Auntie doesn't go back to the capital with us, she can only stay with you for two or three days."
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