After the Zhili students entered the examination room, Mi Niang also got on the carriage and asked the servants to lead the carriage to Guo Yaoyu's home. The family that Guo Yaoyu married into was originally from Wuxi, which meant that Guo Yaoyu would be the head of the family after she married into the family. It was for this reason that Mi Niang dared to go to her home alone.
Guo Yaoyu was lucky. She got pregnant as soon as she got married, and the baby was due in a few months.
"This woman is pregnant as soon as she enters the house. If she gives birth to a boy, there will be no pressure at all." Zhou said to Mi Niang thoughtfully.
Just like herself, although she was a married woman, she really found her feet after giving birth to a son.
It just so happened that Mi Niang was going to get married the next year. No one had ever told her these things before. Zhou and Mi Niang had always had a very good relationship and they had never had a quarrel. She was just expressing her feelings.
Mi Niang knew that what Zhou said was good advice. The last time they went to see Wu, she heard that Wu had given birth to a daughter. She paused for a moment before saying, "It's good to have a daughter, too."
This expression is very subtle.
But it is enough to see that people are obsessed with having sons. This is also due to the social situation. Only men can support the family business. Women who set up a female household will find it difficult to survive. No one will say anything if a man is a widower, but if a woman is a widow, there will be a lot of gossip in front of her. Although Mi Niang disagrees, she has to admit that what Zhou said makes sense.
"I took note of everything my sister-in-law said."
When I saw Guo Yaoyu again, her maid was cracking walnuts. She was wearing a red pomegranate skirt and her belly looked very big. She was sitting on the kang and was about to get up when she saw Mi Niang come in.
"Why should we be so polite? I came here to see you. It would be bad to trouble you any more."
Guo Yaoyu smiled and said, "Then I won't be polite."
Zhou tactfully went to the next room for tea and snacks, leaving the sisters to talk.
"How are you? Aunt Guo has returned to Jiangling, and you don't have any elders around you. If you have any questions, just come to my house and find me."
For Guo Yaoxian's marriage, Mrs. Guo took her little daughter back.
Guo Yaoyu nodded: "Thank you very much. I also have a sister-in-law here, and we can help each other. It's just that she has never given birth and doesn't understand these things. Then I will have to trouble your mother. I really don't know how to thank you. good."
Mi Niang looked at her with an expression that said, "Why are you so reserved?" "What's the big deal? Isn't this how it should be?"
"Hey, how are you?" Guo Yaoyu looked at her.
Mi Niang was puzzled: "I'm locked up at home, what can I do?"
Guo Yaoyu suddenly said mysteriously: "I heard that Madam Li once wanted you to be her daughter-in-law, why didn't you agree at that time?"
"What are you talking about? That's not true. Where did you hear that?" Mi Niang quickly denied.
Guo Yaoyu saw her sitting upright and said, "It's my fault."
"Who told you this?" Mi Niang asked seriously.
Guo Yaoyu thought for a moment and said, "I don't know who it is, but there are rumors like this. You don't have to take it to heart. Anyway, I heard from my husband that Lord Li is highly valued by the emperor, and he will probably be admitted to the palace in the future."
Therefore, Guo Yaoyu felt it was a great pity.
To be fair, families of civil officials tend to marry into other families of civil officials. Guo Yaoyu felt that Mi Niang's father was a newly-appointed Jinshi and had close relations with the Li family. Since there was that opportunity, why not marry her?
Mi Niang smiled and said, "Whether you will be rich or poor is predetermined. Although I don't believe in fate, I also know that it is impossible to have all the good things in the world."
"That's right. Mr. Fang is still young. If he wins this time and succeeds again next year, you will be a successful candidate for the imperial examination when you marry him."
Seeing Guo Yaoyu talking about social etiquette, after a while she started talking about the baby in her belly in great detail. Mi Niang listened patiently for a while before saying goodbye.
When they got home, Second Aunt Ding smiled and said, "Why do you look so tired? Come and rest for a while. I've cooked some angelica root and eggs. Remember to eat them. Girls need to replenish their qi and blood."
Mi Niang was a little unhappy: "Sister Guo is now full of social conventions. Either she is worried about her husband and the baby in her belly. Although my daughter knows that it is normal to get married, she is not willing to be around her husband and son every day. Or she is desperately trying to give birth to a son and making secret recipes. It scares me to see this."
"But that's how life is. There isn't so much romance, poetry, or painting. There are just the daily necessities of life. However, it also depends on the kind of person you meet." Even now, Second Grandma Ding couldn't say that she had much experience in how couples get along.
However, she just thought that Mi Niang was educated and Aunt Fang was also very talented, and only educated people have something to say.
Although there is no need for a romantic relationship between husband and wife, they must have something in common.
"Besides..." She looked at her daughter: "People are not immutable. If he is old-fashioned, you can change him to suit you."
Mi Niang then realized that these words touched her heart, but she still spoke well of Fang Weiyan: "I don't think he is a conservative person."
Mrs. Ding Er thought it was funny and said, "It's true that when a girl grows up, she can't be kept."
It snowed on the first day the candidates took the provincial examination. The candidates were naturally miserable from the cold, but the ones who suffered the most were their families.
Zhou blamed herself, "It's so cold, the steamed buns and cakes she brought in are already cold. I was really stupid, letting her bring thousand-layer cakes, which are made with lard. In such a cold day, the lard has frozen the greasy smell. I wonder if your eleventh brother will feel sick after eating it. If he really doesn't do well in the exam, it will be my fault."
Mi Niang said hurriedly, "Don't worry, sister-in-law. I think everything will be fine. Didn't sister-in-law prepare other food besides the thousand-layer cake? Besides, it's not like Eleventh Brother hasn't taken the exam before, so you can put your mind at ease."
After hearing what Mi Niang said, Zhou felt that she was making a big deal out of nothing. At the same time, she was surprised and asked, "Didn't Mr. Fang also take the imperial examination? Why aren't you worried at all?"
Mi Niang was really not worried. After hearing what Zhou said, she also said, "As the saying goes, a young Jinshi at 30 is a good candidate, and a Mingjing at 50 is a good candidate. He is only 19 years old this year, so even if he fails the exam, it doesn't matter. Besides, there are many scholars who failed in the provincial exam. Even if he passes the provincial exam, there will be another imperial exam next year, and he may not be able to pass. It's really hard to pass every step."
However, Mi Niang was really not too worried about Fang Wei Yan. He seemed to be more focused than Ruan Shiyi. For a young man from a wealthy family to move to Longyan Temple and study hard for several months and put aside all distractions was already better than many people.
For example, her father was already in his twenties when he took the imperial examination, and he took it twice before he passed, which was considered very impressive.
"You're right. I'm the one who's too eager for quick success." Zhou sighed.
Although it's nice to live in my aunt's house, I'm always worried and unsure of where to go. I can't eat or sleep.
Of course, it wasn't just Mi Niang and the others. Fang Wei Yan's family was also extremely worried. Dong An Hou even asked Xu: "Are you sure about Yan'er? We should also send someone to keep an eye on him so that he doesn't get caught in the cold."
Xu smiled and said, "Your Highness is right. We have already prepared all this. As for whether it is certain or not, my wife told me that Lord Li said he would meet him again in the Golden Palace next year. His teacher also said that he is ready, but he is still young. Even if he fails, I think it will not matter."
Dong'an Hou asked curiously, "As a mother, you are so open-minded?"
Since ancient times, husbands have married young wives. Dong'an Hou really loves Xu, his second wife. Xu couldn't help shaking her head: "I'm not too optimistic, but even if he doesn't succeed, it's only three years away. Besides, he will get married next year. As a mother, I don't have to worry too much. I just have to take care of Weijun. Isn't that a good thing?"
Dong'an Hou sighed: "Time flies by so fast. I still remember when Wei Yan was a child, there was a fire and chaos in the palace, but he remained calm and told me that he was afraid of rioters and asked me to make trouble near the auspicious jar. I didn't expect that he would grow up so quickly."
"Isn't it? He is very smart and takes the overall situation into consideration. I don't know how much worry I have saved with him." Mrs. Xu was also deeply moved when she mentioned this.
The Marquis of Dong'an felt a little embarrassed. After all, the title of Crown Prince in the mansion was given to Ding's eldest son. In fact, he did not like the eldest son's temperament, too gloomy and dull. But at that time, Ding was the only one who gave birth to a son. He was already in his thirties. His first wife, Shen, had raised the eldest son in her arms. Because Ding was so pitiful, he made the eldest son the Crown Prince.
Who would have thought that when the relationship continued, Xu would also be so successful.
He is now in his fifties and will eventually pass away. He cannot take care of his affairs after his death and he only hopes that his sons can become independent.
That's how he was. He always wanted to balance the relationship between the remaining members of the Ding family and the Xu family, but he couldn't do it, so he could only leave it to fate.
Xu knew this early on, so she did not let Fang Weiyan waste time, but let him start school early. Fortunately, Fang Weiyan was very smart and his academic performance far exceeded that of ordinary people, which gave Xu hope.
But when she came out from Marquis Dong'an's place, she was far from as calm as she had been with Marquis Dong'an. After returning to her room, she knelt in front of the incense table in the side room and prayed for her son.
"May the Buddha bless Wei Yan and make him successful this time. This way, we mothers will have someone to rely on for the rest of our lives."
After saying this, he struck the wooden fish for another half an hour before returning to the room.
Fang Yaqing was already waiting in the room. She was also there to accompany Xu, and told Xu: "I heard from Fuquan that Mi Niang specially went to see my brother off today. It seems that she is very concerned about him."
"That's right. Your brother treats her well. He often visits Ruan's house recently." Xu said sourly.
Fang Yaqing laughed and said, "No wonder they say that mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law have always been incompatible. You valued Mi Niang so much before, but now you find fault with them too."
Xu cleared her throat and said, "What are you complaining about? I'm not complaining at all."
After saying that, Fang Yaqing looked at the sky and saw that it was getting late. She asked worriedly, "I wonder how my brother is doing?"
The sky was gloomy and pitch black. Fang Weiyan was sleeping in the examination room. People around him were grinding their teeth and snoring, and there were also people writing furiously by the light of candles.
He was lucky and was not assigned to a bad room. He had experienced this kind of examination room before in his previous life, and when he returned to it in this life, his mood was different.
Although there was heavy snow at this time, he could still feel the warmth in his palms and the smiling face.
Is she hoping to pass the imperial examination?
If he really stole Li Yuan, how would she treat herself? Would she kiss him again?
He, who usually had a light sleep, actually fell asleep in a daze.
Of course, Jian Yuehua was also unable to sleep all night. She was told about a good marriage. Her future father-in-law would be promoted from Grand Bachelor of Dongge to Grand Bachelor of Jianji Palace. Her husband was young and handsome. This made Jian Yuehua feel that all the hardships she had suffered before were worth it.
"Miss, can't you sleep? Are you hungry? Do you want me to bring you some snacks?"
Jian Yuehua said impatiently, "No need, grandma said that we are not allowed to eat at night."
"Yes." The maid said cautiously.
But Jian Yuehua wanted to tell her story again, so she couldn't help but laugh and said, "If Young Master Wang wins the title of first prize, wouldn't Fatty Ruan be so angry that he would die?"
The maid was speechless. Miss Ruan was clearly a beauty with such beauty that she could captivate the whole country. She was just not as slim as the young lady. However, she was well-proportioned and everyone who saw her would be stunned by her beauty.
But he still had to agree with Jian Yuehua and said, "You are right. How can the young master of the Marquis's Mansion compare to the young master of the Prime Minister?"
Jian Yuehua snorted coldly: "The people of the Fang family are really blind. They actually picked someone from a humble family. Look at Ruan Mi'niang, she is so poor." Although she has changed a lot in public, she is still the same in private. There is not much change.
"How can Miss Ruan compare with you? She is incomparable in every way."
"The gap will get bigger and bigger in the future. Even though Fang Weiyan is a nobleman, he is useless."
But Mi Niang didn't care at all what Jian Yuehua thought. It wasn't that she was relying on her judgment from her previous life, but Jian Yuehua, like Madam Zhang, had a sense of superiority. However, that sense of superiority was entirely dependent on Madam Jian and Lord Jian. All their advantages were due to others, not to their own achievements.
As the saying goes, the influence of a gentleman will be cut off after five generations.
Nothing in this world is eternal.
After the provincial examination, Ruan Shiyi was carried home. The weather was too cold and he was exhausted from taking the exam. Seeing this, Ruan Yuxin, who was standing by, became even more averse to taking the imperial examination.
Long Erbo went to pick up Eleventh Brother and came back. He saw Fang Weiyan and said, "As expected of a young master from a wealthy family, Weiyan still looks as elegant as ever, without any loss of grace."
Ruan Jiading smiled and pinched his beard: "His knowledge is already very good, let's see how he performs this time."
But Ruan Shiyi was in a very bad condition. He was under too much pressure, and he always felt that his academic knowledge was not solid enough. He was so angry that he fell ill. Zhou was usually very successful in business, but all her hopes were still on Ruan Shiyi. Therefore, when Ruan Shiyi fell ill, Zhou became worried all day long.
She had to ask the Second Madam to find a doctor to treat her. She only heard that everything would be fine if she rested, but Ruan Shiyi had lost all confidence in the doctor.
No matter how Ruan Jiading tried to persuade Ruan Shiyi, it was of no use. In fact, Ruan Shiyi was only 24 years old this year, not very old, but he had already taken two provincial examinations.
"Shiyilang, you are still young. When I was your age, I was not even a scholar. How about you open your mind and wait for the future?"
Ruan Jiading's words were sincere and earnest.
Uncle Long also advised: "When you were my age, if you didn't want to take the exam, then forget it. You are so young, and it was not easy for your uncle Ding to get you a citizenship in Shuntian Prefecture. This is just the first time, and you give up. Are you worthy of your parents?"
Only then did Ruan Shiyi relax a little and even smiled a little.
Mi Niang felt sad when she saw this.
But it was said that people from the Dong'an Marquis's Mansion were also trying to inquire about Fang Weiyan's performance in the exam, but Fang Weiyan was indifferent. His third brother Fang Weiting breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that Fang Weiyan must not have done well in the exam. He also said, "You are still young. I heard that the examiners in the court always want to train young people."
Fang Weiting didn't even pass the provincial examination, and because of this he felt ashamed, he went on a trip to other places. Of course, he didn't study there, but instead he had a lot of fun and visited almost all the Qinlou and Chuguan.
He and He Tinglan were of the same kind and were not very restrained in their love of women. However, since they had just been married and were still interested in his wife, Xiangjun, and wanted to have a legitimate son first, he did not bring any women home.
Now seeing Fang Weiyan coming out of the examination room with a calm expression, I couldn't help but feel extremely happy, but I had to pretend to comfort him.
Fang Weiyan did not refute, "Third brother is right."
Of course, someone who was paying attention also heard their conversation. The Jin family had always been generous and had good relationships with people in the Marquis' Mansion. When Aunt Jin heard about this, she said to Jin Shuqin and her sister, "Your aunt thinks highly of your cousin. If she is sad this time, you should go and comfort her."
Jin Shuqin smiled and said, "Mother is right. But the results haven't been posted yet, so who knows if Fourth Cousin has passed or not? Maybe he hasn't passed."
Aunt Jin nodded: "It looks good."
After the mother and daughter finished talking, Jin Shuqin looked at her sister Jin Shuhui and said, "Why do you always stay at home? Auntie has mentioned you several times. You should go out and relax."
Jin Shuhui shook her head and said, "Sister, I just don't think it's worth it for you."
Jin Shuqin was immediately shocked: "Shuhui, do you know what you are talking about?"
Jin Shuhui buried her head in a piece of paper again, and no one knew what she was writing. Aunt Jin could only sigh.
When the Jin family suffered a disaster, Shuhui was young, but unlike now, she loved to cry. She had lost her husband and was unable to take care of her daughter, so she left her with her younger sister. Her younger sister loved her and treated Shuhui as her own daughter. Fang Weiyan was also very good to her. One day, she saw Fang Weiyan playing house with Jin Shuhui and asked Fang Weiyan whether he would marry Shuhui. The child should be.
But Shuqin happened to be the eldest daughter, so she was more willing to match Shuqin with Fang Weiyan. Unfortunately, her younger sister chose a girl from outside in the end.
From then on, Shuqin was able to adjust her state easily and still often went to see Fang Yaqing or to flatter Old Madam Weng, but Shuhui refused to go.
But Aunt Jin was living under someone else's roof, and the mainstay of the family was a maid's son, and she was not ambitious either, so she had no background to criticize her sister. Besides, it was just a joke when we were kids, who would take it seriously?
"The results are out. The results are out."
All the sons and daughters rushed to see the list, and Mi Niang's family also sent someone there early.
Both Zhou and Ruan Shiyi were very nervous and even stopped joking like before. But Mi Niang knew in her heart that judging from Ruan Shiyi's condition, he might not win because he was too scared.
If a person is afraid to the point of being afraid, he must not have learned very well.
This does not mean being calm and not talking. A calm person actually means being confident.
After a while, Huzi came running in and said, "Congratulations, Second Master and Second Madam. Our aunt won the title of the Five Classics in the Shuntian Prefecture County Examination."
The top five in the provincial examination were called Jingkui. Although Fang Weiyan was not the first place winner, being one of the five Jingkui was already very good.
Mi Niang said happily: "This is really great."
Although Second Madam Ding wanted to take Ruan Shiyi's feelings into consideration, she still knew what was important, especially since her son-in-law was closer to her. She hurriedly said to Ruan Jiading, "Let's go to the Marquis' Mansion to congratulate him now."
"Okay, let them prepare the gifts and we'll go now." Ruan Jiading was very happy.
Zhou quietly asked Hu Zi: "Do you know the name of the Eleventh Young Master?"
Hu Zi said tactfully: "I don't think I saw it."
At this time, Ruan Jiading had no choice but to comfort Ruan Shiyi: "Don't be discouraged, just come back next time."
After that, he asked Hu Zi: "Go and see if there is any on the secondary list."
Hu Zi lowered his head and said nothing, obviously he had seen it.
Ruan Shiyi smiled bitterly: "Uncle, please stop comforting me. I know I will never make it. I will study hard in the future."
Everyone watched him stagger in, but they were powerless to do anything.
Especially since Ruan Jiading himself had failed the exam several times, only an indomitable will could make him stronger, and he could only comfort himself.
But Fang Weiyan was also waiting at home, the atmosphere was very tense, the Marquis of Dong'an came home specially to wait for the announcement of the list, the Crown Prince Fang Weichang remained silent, she had now replaced her father in the Five Armies Commandery, and there was a murderous aura about her.
The second young master Fang Weishi was very thin and shrewd. He took a sip of tea, seemed to be dissatisfied with the taste of the tea, and frowned.
Only the third young master Fang Weiting was very free. Fang Weiyan looked unhappy that day, so his father specially waited for him at home today. If he didn't win, it would be a real disappointment.
He crossed his legs and picked his teeth with a silver hairpin. Only after being glared at by the Marquis of Dong'an did he sit up straight.
Perhaps Fang Weijun was the only one who was really worried about his brother. Seeing that the servant who brought the good news had not arrived yet, he even walked out for a long time.
"Fifth brother, please sit down." Fang Weiyan asked him to sit down.
Fang Weiting also laughed and said, "Yeah, Lao Wu, please stop shaking. It's giving me a headache."
Finally, the sound of gongs and drums was heard. Even the experienced Marquis of Dong'an stood up immediately, and the servants came in to announce the good news: "My Lord, our fourth son won the provincial examination."
As expected, the yamen runners came over, and the main gate of the mansion was opened. The visitor said, "The third place winner of the direct examination of the Gengchen year is Fang Weiyan from Shuntian Prefecture."
Fang Weijun danced with joy: "My brother is a man, my brother is a man..."
Dong'an Hou also hurriedly said, "Quick, bring the reward money, and ask Madam to prepare a banquet and invite the opera troupe to come."
After hearing the news, the women came forward to congratulate Xu. Xu wiped her tears and said, "I never thought that God would have mercy on me. Yan'er is really a child who has worked hard and achieved success."
Even her sister-in-law Fang Furong, who always tried to suppress her, stopped saying anything sarcastic.
It was also said that relatives and friends came one after another, and the Dong'an Marquis's Mansion was extremely lively, not to mention Fang Weiyan himself. He heard more compliments in one day than ever before, but he did not feel happy at all.
She hoped to win the first place, but she didn't. I wonder if she would be disappointed?
Just as he was thinking about it, he heard that Ruan Jiading and his wife were coming, and the Marquis of Dong'an personally invited them in.
Ruan Jiading smiled and said, "My Lord, congratulations. The Fourth Young Master is indeed a descendant of a famous family."
Dong'an Hou was in a good mood and said, "Congratulations, everyone."
When Mi Niang learned that the winner of this year's exam was Zhang Ao, Jian Yuehua's fiancé, she had no regrets. Chun Tao and the others were dissatisfied, but Mi Niang said, "As long as she can pass the exam, it's fine. Why bother so much? Let her be happy if she wants to be happy."
She even said, "Don't mention this. It won't be good if my sister-in-law hears it."
Fang Weiyan was just very happy today so it was nothing to say, but if he brought it up often in the future, he was afraid that Zhou and the others would think he was showing off. Sometimes people become more humble and cautious when they are proud.
Chun Tao stuck out her tongue: "I see, we are happy for you too, young lady."
"I know. So this month's salary for the servants in our room will be doubled. Go open my money box."
The girls were all very happy.
It was not until the Chinese New Year that Ruan Shiyi returned to his former self and Zhou's mood improved a lot. The money that Second Lady Ding had invested in the shops was also delivered this time, and it exceeded expectations. The key was that Ruan Jiading's Beijing inspection results were all top-notch, and the Minister of Works Cao wanted him over and appreciated him very much, so he was promoted twice. Now Ruan Jiading is a fifth-rank doctor of the Du Shuisi of the Ministry of Works.
In the past, Ruan Jiading would never have dared to think about this.
Mi Niang said happily: "Dad used to be very good at flood control, and now he is doing his job. I think the Ministry of Works is not as good as the Ministry of Revenue, but Dad likes it, isn't it better?"
Ruan Jiading stroked his beard and said, "I am just repaying Lord Cao for his kindness. How dare I not do my best in the future?"
After his promotion, Xu was naturally very proud and said to Fang Weiyan: "What am I saying? You made the right choice of your daughter-in-law. Her father was promoted in just three years and even jumped two levels. He is now a fifth-rank official in Beijing. I wonder if those who laughed at me before still have the nerve to laugh at me."
Fang Weiyan was also happy for his father-in-law. "I heard that my father-in-law presented a book called "Water Control Classic" to Lord Cao. Lord Cao was very optimistic about him and insisted on recommending him."
"This is your luck. If your father-in-law does something bigger in the future, we can help each other."
Jian Yuehua didn't expect Fang Weiyan to lose to her fiancé, but Mi Niang's father was better than her father. His father is still only a male. In fact, it's not that her father is not as good as Mi Niang's father, but her father is only in his twenties this year. It's already very good to pass the imperial examination at this age.
But she was still unhappy.
Mrs. Jane was very happy, as this proved that her daughter had made the right choice.
Although her daughter's family is unwilling to associate with her now, she can feel at ease. Although she left her, she is living a good life. If she had not left, perhaps her daughter would have married the small businessman of the Wu family.
Fang Weiyan sent a generous gift. Now that he had the honor of being a judge, and would take the imperial examination next year, he would naturally be different from others.
Of course, his purpose of coming here was also to meet Mi Niang.
Although they met again after several months, Mi Niang was still as charming as ever. She handed him a purse and said, "Here, this is my latest embroidered purse. Congratulations on your success."
Fang Weiyan was upset: "But I didn't win the first prize, and I failed your expectations."
Mi Niang didn't expect that he cared so much about her casual words, and couldn't help but say: "This is already very good, I don't care about the top prize, my future husband is so good, so many women will want to compete with me for him, this is already very good."
Husband?
Is she talking about herself?
Fang Weiyan looked at Mi Niang and said, "My father-in-law got promoted. I congratulate you too."
His eyes were clear, with distinct black and white. When he raised his eyes, it seemed as if he contained infinite energy that could bring peace to people.
Mi Niang exchanged a glance with him, and Fang Wei Yan only felt that her eyes were charming, with a hint of water in them, and she looked so delicate that she could be plucked. When he looked at her again, she was back to normal.
"I..." Fang Weiyan said, but didn't know what to say.
He was still eloquent at the literary conference yesterday, but now he didn't know what to say. He just remembered the ambiguous and joyful kiss on the palm of his hand that day...
Mi Niang, however, was like a worm in his stomach. She looked at him shyly and tenderly, and encouraged him: "What else do you want?"
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