Chapter 263 Chapter 263 The Brightest Cub
Xu Yunfan had a waterwheel built to bring water to the remaining land for the factory construction outside the northern suburbs of the city to plant some crops. Now there are nearly ten acres of vegetable fields, and the use of feng shui is enough. The remaining land is still thrown alone by the river.
Upon learning that Xu Yunfan had a solution, Qin Qingfeng couldn't wait to run back to Prince Xu's Mansion.
"You didn't lie to me?" Fu Qingxu was very surprised and couldn't even sit still.
Qin Qingfeng said angrily, "Why would I lie to you? I've already asked Yunfan to have the waterwheel delivered. You can ask the carpenter to come over and make a few more. Yunfan said his waterwheel isn't that big. With hundreds of acres of land, one waterwheel isn't enough. Here are the waterwheel blueprints."
Fu Qingxu took the blueprint and was almost dazzled by it. He didn't quite understand it at first, but after a closer look, he finally understood it. He smiled happily, "This kid has something! He can handle something this complicated. No, I have to talk to him tonight."
"Let's not talk about it anymore." Qin Qingfeng was a little worried. Fu Qingxu was sometimes not very good at reading people's expressions. Xu Yunfan gave him the blueprint just to prevent Fu Qingxu from coming to his house, but Fu Qingxu didn't think of this.
Xu Yunfan has been busy in a mysterious way for the past month. With the help of Qin Feiyu, the household registration of several members of the Qin family was moved to the capital. When Xu Yunfan learned about this, he almost fainted.
Why?
Xu Yunfan knew that the difficulty levels of the examination questions in each prefecture and state varied. Only the examination questions above the provincial examination were set uniformly by the relevant departments in the capital, and then transported to each prefecture and state by officials responsible for escorting the examination papers.
According to students of Qingfeng Academy, the difficulty of the examination in the prefecture is one or two points simpler than that in the capital. Therefore, even if there are top scholars in the prefectures, they will be the same when they arrive in the capital.
If you were in the capital and got the first place in the academy examination, compared with the first place in other prefectures and states, you would be the first place in the true sense.
Throughout history, students who ranked first in exams in various prefectures and states were fortunate enough to be recommended to enter the Imperial College. However, even these top scorers ended up being just like everyone else after entering the Imperial College.
This is enough to prove that the provincial and academy examinations in the capital area are more difficult than those in other areas. Therefore, getting the first place is truly well-deserved.
Xu Yunfan is not afraid of these things, mainly because he has an appointment with Xu Zhifeng!
No, I have to write a letter to Xu Zhifeng, asking him to take the exam seriously. Maybe both the master and the apprentice will have a chance to get the top spot. Wouldn't it be very proud if we tell others about it?
Xu Yunfan decided to study hard and try to get first place to make himself happy.
Now, getting the first place in the exam is not only a matter concerning him and the Qin family. If he does not perform well in the exam, the Qin family will also lose face.
Qin Run was so happy when she learned that Xu Yunfan was finally going to study seriously. She felt that her husband had finally grown up and knew how to work hard and make progress.
Xu Yunfan wanted to read well, so he would stay in the study after dinner every day. Qin Run didn't dare to disturb him too much and was busy with his own things in another study. Even though he was not in Xiaoli Village, he was still well aware of the progress of each factory through the account books sent by the managers.
But sometimes, Qin Run would inevitably be distracted. There was nothing he could do. Why did Xu Yunfan need to go in and out to read?
It seems like she is busier than him.
It's really puzzling.
The college entrance examination was coming soon. Qin Run had experience and prepared food, writing materials and other items for Xu Yunfan in advance.
Knowing that his brother-in-law would be taking an exam the day after tomorrow, Qin An, Qin Mu, and Xiao Bao all gave Xu Yunfan their blessings. Xu Yunfan smiled wryly and said, "Tell me, what do you want to do now?"
Qin Mu said embarrassedly: "Brother, we want to take a car."
The last time they came to the capital, Xu Yunfan told them that he would take them to ride in another vehicle next time he had the chance. Although horse-drawn carriages could protect them from wind and rain, they were not very convenient after all. Xu Yunfan then said that he would make a bicycle next time and take them for a good tour of the capital. The three children would always remember it.
"Okay, brother-in-law will take you out for a walk tomorrow." Xu Yunfan agreed immediately.
Qin Run paused while picking up the food, "Yunfan, have you made the bicycle?"
"It's done, otherwise how could I agree to it?"
"But didn't you tell me you were reading recently?"
Xu Yunfan: “…”
"Well, I just make time to do it. Even reading books should pay attention to the balance between work and rest."
Qin Run put down the bowl and sighed, "The results of the Master's Competition will be announced soon. Are you sure?"
On the first day of the teacher competition interview, Xu Yunfan criticized this and that, but he spoke very logically and eloquently, and he embarrassed several teachers from the Imperial College. If they had not been cautious, they would have left in anger.
Therefore, everyone in the capital who has some channels recently knows that the husband of the eldest young master who was found in the general's mansion is a man of good words. He single-handedly made several teachers in the Imperial College blush and almost faint on the spot. It is not known whether such a person is good at talking or really has some skills. In addition to Xu Yunfan's performance in the teacher competition, naturally, after hearing that Xu Yunfan was going to participate in the imperial examination, all parties were paying attention to him. If Xu Yunfan did not perform well, he might be laughed to death.
Although she is good at talking but has no knowledge and real skills, people will just think Xu Yunfan is a shrew.
Under the attention of all parties, Xu Yunfan's pressure can be imagined, and Qin Run is naturally full of worries.
Qin Run had heard Xu Yunfan's solemn promises many times before, so he naturally thought that the imperial examination was just like that.
Since coming to Beijing and getting close to Fang Zixi and the others, Qin Run is no longer the person who had only a vague understanding of the imperial examination.
The difficulty of the imperial examination can be compared to a thousand troops crossing a single-plank bridge. Although Xu Yunfan boasts a lot, he has a needle under his butt and cannot sit still.
Xu Yunfan said the same thing, "Don't worry, I'm reading, it's no big deal. I definitely can't read tomorrow, I still have to play."
Qin Run sighed, "Have fun, it's okay. If... anyone dares to laugh at you, I'll call Daddy to deal with him."
Xu Yunfan reacted, put his fist to his lips and coughed twice, then smiled tenderly, "My husband is so good, Run'er, I really love you to death."
The house Qin Run bought was not small. The three children lived in another yard, and Xu Yunfan lived in another yard with Qin Run. In this way, Xu Yunfan became even more unscrupulous.
When they were at Xiao Qin's house, the rooms were not too far apart. When it came to certain things, Xu Yunfan rarely dared to go all out and mess with others. There was no other way. If the noise was a little louder, or the wooden bed made a loud noise, it would be embarrassing if the children heard it.
Now, when the two of them are in love, Xu Yunfan has become bold and presumptuous.
Qin Run made a strange sound in a muffled voice, which made Xu Yunfan's blood boil, and he asked for more without restraint.
Qin Run never stopped Xu Yunfan's "unbridled" behavior, but instead indulged in it. Every time, Xu Yunfan was exhausted and gasping for breath, and sometimes he didn't even have time to get up early for a morning run the next day.
The two of them were fooling around until the middle of the night. Xu Yunfan simply cleaned them up and then snuggled into Qin Run's arms contentedly. After Qin Run patted him twice, he fell asleep.
Looking at Xu Yunfan's sleeping face, he was obviously very tired, but Qin Run had no desire to sleep at all.
Recently, several grandfathers have taken him out often, and whether intentionally or unintentionally, he always meets some strangers.
Those ladies and masters looked at him with subtle scrutiny. Qin Run was not a dull person. Those glances were a coincidence that he met unexpectedly. How could Qin Run not know what the other party was planning?
Obviously, he already has a husband, but Xu Yunfan has not yet married her in a formal ceremony. To put it bluntly, they are now having an affair without a matchmaker. But his status is there. Just like Fang Zixi, although his reputation is not very good, it cannot deny that their status is extraordinary!
As for those concubines' daughters and sons who have some status but cannot marry into wealthy families, Xu Yunfan is a hot commodity for them.
Qin Run wanted to talk to Xu Yunfan about it. He wanted to marry Xu Yunfan as soon as possible, but this year was the year of the big exams. After the academy exam in April, the provincial exam in August followed, leaving no extra time for the candidates. Although Xu Yunfan couldn't sit still, he did spend some time reviewing his lessons. He naturally didn't want to let Xu Yunfan worry about other trivial matters, but some things would always inadvertently come to his mind and disturb his mood when it was late at night and everyone was asleep.
“Hey~”
Qin Run breathed a sigh of relief and was about to close his eyes when the person in his arms moved. His voice was soft and unclear with sleepiness, "Why aren't you sleeping yet?"
"I was asleep, why are you awake?" Qin Run lowered his eyes to glance at Xu Yunfan, then touched his sleepy eyes. "Just sleep if you're sleepy."
It's already the middle of the night. They've been fooling around for too long, so it's normal for Xu Yunfan to be tired.
Xu Yunfan moved his body, found a comfortable position, and stopped talking. After a while, his breathing became steady.
Qin Run was naturally a little tired. Xu Yunfan had been very energetic recently and would pester him for it every other night. Although he enjoyed it, it was indeed tiring.
Early the next morning, Xu Yunfan got up an hour late. After he finished his exercise, the little ones started to ask Xu Yunfan to take them out to play.
Xu Yunfan pushed the bicycle he had made in his spare time out of the room and looked around. "Where's your eldest brother?"
"Brother has gone to the farm." Qin Run got up early in the morning to prepare breakfast, and asked Qin An to watch the fire from time to time to ensure that the eight-treasure porridge in the pot was warm so that Xu Yunfan could eat something hot when he got up.
"That's right."
Qin An, as if remembering something, clenched his right fist and hit the palm of his left hand. "Brother, you haven't had the porridge yet. Brother, come quickly. Big brother made eight-treasure porridge this morning. It's delicious. When Brother left, he told me to watch the fire. The porridge is still hot."
Holding a bowl of eight-treasure porridge, Xu Yunfan suddenly understood why the warmth of "standing at dusk in leisure time, asking with a smile if the porridge is warm" makes people yearn for it.
It is a great blessing in life to have a husband who cares about him.
Anyone who dares to take advantage of Qin Run must ask him for his consent.
Xu Yunfan is not really oblivious to what is happening outside the window. He is only focused on reading the books of sages. He knows very well if someone wants to steal his girl.
Fang Zixi had reminded him tactfully before. Xu Yunfan said something like, "There's no need to chase after someone who can be stolen away. If this one leaves, the next one will be even more obedient." But he didn't really take it seriously.
Qin Run liked him so much, how could she not give him up and find a new love? But it really made her feel uncomfortable that someone was thinking about her husband.
Xu Yunfan thought that it seemed that the marriage had to be put on the agenda. If we really had to wait until after the Spring Festival, it would have to wait until next year.
After Xu Yunfan finished drinking the porridge, Qin Mu washed the bowl directly without Xu Yunfan's intervention at all. Xu Yunfan walked out of the kitchen with peace of mind, went into the woodshed, grabbed a few handfuls of candy and put them in a cross-body bag that Qin Run specially made for him.
"Hey little ones, are you all packed and ready to go out?" Xu Yunfan sat on the bicycle, holding the front of the bicycle with both hands, and pushed one foot on the ground and shouted, "Come here quickly, or I won't wait for you later."
"I'm coming, dad, wait a minute." Xiaobao ran out from the side room, the flesh on his face trembling, coupled with his neat mushroom head, which made Xu Yunfan take a breath and quickly look away.
Xu Yunfan put Xiaobao in the front and asked Qin An and his brother to sit in the back. "Are you all seated?"
Xu Yunfan specially made the back seat of the bicycle a little longer, so it is more than enough for two little butts to sit on it.
"Goff, can the bike really run?"
Qin Mu, who sat on it, still couldn't believe that such a thing could run faster than an ox cart, but since Gefu said so, Qin Mu was half-believing and half-doubting.
Xu Yunfan smiled and said, "Of course, sit down. Gefu will take you out for a walk now, and then we can go to the farm to play. How about that?"
"Okay." As long as Brother Fu takes them in the car, it doesn't matter where they go.
Xiaobao, who was sitting in the front, yelled to Yaya to get up. He was so excited, "Daddy is riding faster. Xiaobao is going to fly. It's so fun!"
The streets in the capital are quite large, and Xu Yunfan pedaled very fast. It was the first time for the children to ride on this kind of thing, and they were so happy and excited that the three of them screamed in surprise, attracting the attention of passers-by from a distance.
Pedestrians on both sides of the road stopped to look curiously, only to see a thing carrying a large and three small children whizzing past them.
Qin An patted Xu Yunfan on the back and pointed to the stall in front. "Brother, stop for a moment. There are people selling buns over there. Let's buy some."
"Okay." Xu Yunfan braked and the four of them stopped steadily in front of the bun stall.
After Xiaobao paid the money and put a big bag of buns in the basket in front, Xu Yunfan kicked the bike and it drove out quickly.
The bun seller came out from behind the stall and asked, "What is that?"
The boss selling chaos nearby looked over and said, "I don't know, but it looks like it's running very fast."
"Wow, this thing looks just as good as a horse-drawn carriage!" A man looked in the direction the bicycle was heading. "In just a few blinks of an eye, it went from one end to the other. Wow, it's really fast."
The student didn't even bother eating the wonton. Looking at Xu Yunfan walking away, he couldn't help but ask, "Uncle, do you know what this is and where can I buy it?"
The man who hadn't yet averted his gaze said, "I don't know. I've been in the capital for so long, and this is the first time I've seen one."
"Oh, no, I have to go and ask around." Although the other student was a little disappointed, his mind became active.
Although the streets in the capital are wide, there are also many pedestrians, so traveling by horse-drawn carriage is not as convenient as imagined.
They all saw that the thing just now turned corners or avoided obstacles very smoothly. If they had such a thing, it would be so convenient to go out.
Many people were curious and asked about it, but after asking around, they still had no idea what it was.
"Xiaobao!" Fang Peihong, who had just come out of Zuikeju with some good friends, didn't need to look. Just by listening to the giggling sound, he knew without guessing that this person who was laughing like a hen laying eggs could be no other than his nephew.
Fang Peihong saw the iconic hairstyle flying towards him and was certain, "Xiaobao, what are you doing?"
Xu Yunfan braked and the bicycle stopped a few centimeters away from Fang Peihong's toes. Fang Peihong was so frightened that he subconsciously took two steps back.
"So it's my second uncle! Are you here for dinner?" Xu Yunfan said with a smile, "I'm taking some kids out to play."
"Hello, second uncle."
"Hello, Brother Pei Hong."
The three children greeted him politely. Fang Peihong grumbled a few times, then turned his gaze to the bicycle, which was almost completely covered by four buttocks. He asked curiously, "What is that thing you're riding? Not only can it carry people, but it can also go so fast."
The most important thing is that you don’t need cows or horses to pull it, which is really convenient.
Xiaobao moved his body and said proudly, "Uncle, this is the car that my father made. It runs very fast."
Fang Peihong walked around the bicycle and asked, "Did you do this?"
"Yeah." Xu Yunfan smiled. "I'm just bored. My family's financial situation doesn't allow it. We don't have a carriage or a driver. It's very inconvenient to go out on a regular basis. I have no choice but to make a means of transportation that can't protect me from the wind and rain for the time being."
Fang Peihong: "..."
This is quite modest.
Outsiders may not know, but as members of the Fang family, don't they know that Xu Yunfan is a very capable kid? The bamboo paper sold in the bookstore opened by the Qi family in the capital is regarded as the best paper by students in various colleges, private schools and even the Imperial College. It is made by his family. In addition, the silver frost charcoal is also his. Let's not talk about other things for now. Just these two things are enough for Xu Yunfan to make a fortune. Even so, Xu Yunfan actually has the nerve to cry poor in front of him?
Fang Peihong didn't want to argue with Xu Yunfan about this, so he asked curiously, "This car looks good, can I try it?"
"Of course, of course." Xu Yunfan shouted without hesitation, "Young men, get off the car first and let your brother Pei Hong and your second uncle try."
"Okay!" The three children were obedient and didn't make a fuss. They got off the car quietly and stood aside holding a big bag of buns.
Fang Peihong and his friends were also curious and decided to stay to see whether this so-called bicycle worked well or not.
Xu Yunfan held the front of the bicycle and patted the seat. "Second uncle, come sit on it. I'll help you. When you first learn to ride a bicycle, you need someone to hold on to you so you don't fall. Just focus on it. These are the pedals. They are used for..."
"Thank you for your hard work." While listening to Xu Yunfan's introduction, Fang Peihong was eager to try it out. After Xu Yunfan gave the order, he sat on it directly. However, this thing seemed very simple to ride when others saw it, but it was not very friendly to those who rode it for the first time.
Fang Peihong retracted his foot, and without support, the bicycle fell directly to the left. Frightened, Fang Peihong quickly put his foot down again. Xu Yunfan held the bicycle, "Don't be afraid, you get on, I'll hold you."
Maybe men all have a certain talent in this area. After Fang Peihong repeatedly told Xu Yunfan not to let go, Fang Peihong mastered the skill in a short while. Xu Yunfan let go of his hand. Fang Peihong was in high spirits and didn't look back at all. He only remembered to look back after riding more than ten meters away. But there was no one behind the bike. Xu Yunfan was already squatting at the door of Zuikeju eating meat buns.
Xie Yun, Zhao Jingran, and Pei An, who had been watching Fang Peihong practice cycling, stared at him intently. After Fang Peihong rode away, they withdrew their gazes and excitedly called out to Xu Yunfan, "Mr. Xu."
"Uh..." Xu Yunfan looked up at the three of them, remembering how they had just come out of Zuikeju with Fang Peihong. He immediately stood up and awkwardly stuffed the remaining half of the bun into Xiaobao's hands. "You must be my second uncle's friends, right? Hello."
Xu Yunfan didn't know Xie Yun and the other two, but they knew him. There was nothing he could do about it. Who in the capital didn't know about Fang Zixi's affairs?
In the past, the Fang family spread the word that Fang Zixi was not bullied or deceived to become pregnant before marriage, and her husband just went back.
Who would believe such talk?
Fang Zixi's husband had gone back, but where had he gone? The Great Yan Dynasty was vast, but it shouldn't take more than three years to go back and forth, right?
Since Fang Zixi gave birth to Xiaobao and raised him until he was three years old, the so-called brother-in-law who returned home as the Fang family talked about never showed up from beginning to end.
But since last month, the matter of Fang's brother-in-law has been confirmed.
Even though Fang Zixi's husband still hadn't shown up, her brother-in-law came to the house in person. Now everyone realized that Fang Zixi's husband was from overseas. No wonder he didn't come to the house.
But if you say that Fang Zixi's husband doesn't value Fang Zixi, why would he send his own brother to meet with the Fang family?
Look, because of Fang Zixi, Xu Yunfan was quite polite when meeting the Fang family.
Fang Peihong had told them about Xu Yunfan earlier. Fang Peihong just wanted them to take good care of his fourth brother's uncle in the future. It was said that this uncle was a treasure that the whole family held in their hands.
Now that the Xu family's treasure has come to the capital, as the husband of Xu Yunfan's eldest brother, Fang Zixi dared not neglect Xu Yunfan. Even the Fang family members were very polite to Xu Yunfan.
Xie Yun, Zhao Jingran, Pei An and others were able to become good friends with Fang Peihong, so their character was naturally good, and their family backgrounds were also extraordinary. Fang Peihong made a special note of this so that they would not be unaware of the situation if their own people beat up their own family members in the future.
The three of them only learned from Fang Peihong that Xu Yunfan was of extraordinary appearance. As for how extraordinary he was, Fang Peihong only said a few words. It was not until the teachers' competition that day that Zhao Jingran discovered that Xu Yunfan's face was truly stunning. If he was not a man, they would have gone home and asked a matchmaker to propose marriage.
Alas, what a pity, Xu Yunfan has such a face, but he is a little man.
"What's wrong?" Xu Yunfan's scalp tingled under the gaze of the three people, and he couldn't help but touch his face, "Is there something on my face?"
Pei An realized that he was almost mesmerized by the man he was looking at. It was such an embarrassing thing, how could he admit it? He coughed tactically and shook his head, saying, "No, we are just curious about the bicycle you mentioned. Hey, I haven't introduced it to you yet. The three of us are friends of the second son of the Fang family. We have known each other since childhood. My name is Pei An, and the other two are Zhao Jingran, the eldest son of the Zhao family, and Xie Yun, the young master of the Xie family."
Xu Yunfan nodded. "Hello, my name is Xu Yunfan. You can just call me Yunfan."
"We've heard Pei Hong talk about you. We even went to see you participate in the Master Competition. You performed very well. I heard you're from overseas. Do you have many strange and exotic things overseas?"
Xu Yunfan was a little puzzled: "Strange things?"
"Yes, look at the bicycle that doesn't need to be pulled by oxen or horses. And the lanterns that Pei Hong said you made for Xiaobao and the other children can light up without candles. It's really amazing."
"Yes, yes, Xiaobao and his friends went out to play for half an hour. The gadgets were so beautiful and bright. I wonder how many children saw them and asked their parents to buy them for them."
Although Xiaobao still lived at Xiaoqin's house, he would occasionally stay at Fang Zixi's house. Xiaobao didn't have many friends in the capital, and when he was in Dali Village, he was taken care of by Qin An, Qin Mu and others. Therefore, on the night that Xiaobao stayed at Fang's house, Qin An and Qin Mu would also stay there.
They were used to the bright house, so even though the Fang family had candles and lanterns and it wasn't too dark, the three children were still not used to it and begged Xu Yunfan to make them beautiful and cute lanterns.
Xu Yunfan made lanterns, and the three little ones were so happy that when they stayed at Fang's house, they insisted on asking their uncles to take them out to play late at night.
Seeing the lanterns in the hands of the children, not only would Xiaobao and the other children like them, but even the adults in the Fang family were curious about them. After getting the children's consent, they picked up the lanterns and looked at them for a long time, unable to let go. As soon as they arrived on the street, needless to say, the three children became the brightest people on the street with the lanterns in their hands.
The news about the lantern spread, and countless people were envious of this little gadget.
However, when they went to ask, the Fang family knew nothing about anything. They wanted to go find Xu Yunfan, but there were people sent by the Qin family at the door of Xiao Qin's house. Who would pay attention to them if they didn't deliver the visiting card in advance?
But even after sending the visiting card, Xu Yunfan was busy studying, so how could he have time to receive them? Xu Yunfan seemed to be busy all the time. No matter who went, the answer they got was always that he was busy and couldn't receive them. Although they were angry that Xu Yunfan didn't give them face, Xu Yunfan had someone in his power who couldn't be offended easily, so they could only bear the anger.
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