Chapter 96 The Top Scholar Returns Home, Warmth and Warmth Fill the Air
The sun sets, casting a crimson afterglow across the sky.
The crackling of firecrackers continued, and the area around Zhang's residence was crowded with onlookers. Neighbors with official positions also came out to offer their congratulations.
Zhang Shu dressed in a light green brocade robe, and politely and formally thanked the guests who came to congratulate her. Today, she was truly radiant and filled with joy, a testament to the saying, "Four scholars from one family have passed the imperial examinations." Her eldest disciple ranked first in the second class of the imperial examinations, her second disciple ranked fifth, her third disciple ranked seventh, and her youngest disciple, living up to expectations, became the top scholar! Who could rival her glory today?
The neighbors, unaware that she was the renowned "Master Zhang," flattered her, saying, "See how right I was the other day? Your family has indeed produced four Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) today. What a glorious achievement for your ancestors!"
She then tentatively asked, "Now that your disciples have achieved great success, I wonder if you would like to take on more disciples?" Speaking of which, she also had a good-for-nothing granddaughter.
Zhang Shu, looking as if he had exhausted all his strength and was nearing the end, placed one hand on his chest and said, "My dear sister, you don't know, my disciples are incredibly unruly. I've been working day and night, and besides, I'm getting old and my strength is failing me..."
“Once, while taking care of them, I vomited a lot of blood and almost died.”
The neighbor, who had initially felt sorry for the family after hearing the first part, felt a deep sense of empathy after hearing the latter part. He helplessly rubbed his legs and said, "Yes, I'm getting old, I'm useless now, and my daughter is too busy." As people get older, they either have back pain or leg pain, there's really nothing they can do about it.
"Sigh! These unfilial children I raised are just like that. I never see them all day long, and they're useless when I need them. They don't remember anything good about me!"
"Don't be modest, sister. I can see that your apprentices are very filial!"
Zhang Ting reined in her horse and stopped not far from the mansion. Although she had a glorious day, she was exhausted and hungry after a long day of travel. Just then, she heard the whole conversation, and her fatigue vanished instantly. She was speechless and looked up at the sky.
Old woman, you're talking nonsense again.
Her gaze involuntarily fell on the three senior sisters standing in front of the mansion gate. Seeing their faces contorted and their mouths twitching, and that they had to cooperate with their teacher's performance from time to time, she breathed a sigh of relief.
She can't be the only one suffering from poisoning, can she?
But even if she goes there now, she probably won't be able to escape their clutches.
Helpless, Zhang Ting dismounted and handed the horse to the official behind her. As soon as she turned around, she saw a round, black head quietly peeking out from behind the gate. The owner of the head opened his bright eyes, silently called her name, glanced at the four people beside him, raised his chin to the right, and winked at her.
Zhang Ting smiled slightly and nodded gently. While the four of them were chatting happily with their neighbors and the people hadn't noticed, she quietly slipped in through the side door on the right, a secret joy rising in her heart.
Behind the door, Zong Suyi was already waiting. As soon as Zhang Tingfu came in, he rushed over and hugged her like a bee to a flower, kissing her cheek twice with his moist lips, his heart overflowing with love.
The wife looks even more beautiful and charming today!
Zhang Ting's face was slightly damp. She hugged Zong Suyi's waist, her eyes reflecting his face. She suddenly chuckled softly, "I am so grateful to my husband for saving me today."
“That’s right.” Zong Suyi’s eyes curved into crescent moons, her heart overflowing with sweetness.
"My lord has worked hard these past few days, and I am deeply grateful." During the three years of the imperial examinations, the household was busy with all the work, which was all thanks to Zong Suyi, which allowed her to devote herself wholeheartedly to her studies.
When Zong Suyi heard her say "hard work" and "gratitude," she couldn't help but have impure thoughts, even thinking that she wanted to take matters into her own hands that night. Feeling embarrassed and annoyed, she gently poked the tip of her nose with a slightly flushed face and scolded, "Shameless."
What's there to be ashamed of?
Zhang Ting knew that her husband's imagination always tended to go astray, but she never understood how he ended up in that situation.
She placed her hand on Zong Suyi's head and chuckled to herself. Her breasts were full and round, and the feel was as good as ever.
The other person, not wanting to be labeled, angrily tried to pull her hand away, gritting his teeth and saying, "Let go." She had just washed her hair that morning, so she didn't want him to smear it with oil again.
They were playfully bickering when they suddenly heard a conversation coming from outside the mansion gate.
The neighbor asked in surprise, "Old lady, why hasn't your top scholar's wife returned home yet?"
The two paused for a moment, their bodies stiffening, before their eyes met in unison.
Zhang Shu was also quite puzzled. "Yes, the sun has already set, why hasn't Xiao Ting returned yet?"
Zong Suyi's eyes darted around, and he pricked up his ears to listen to the sounds outside.
Suddenly, the eldest sister said, "Just now, I saw a bright red figure coming from afar, it looked like Xiao Si."
Where did that person go?
"Xiaoyi was here just now, but she's gone now."
Zong Suyi raised an eyebrow, realizing the situation was not good, and gestured towards Zhang Ting with her lip.
The two exchanged a glance, turned around in unison, and tiptoed towards the inner courtyard.
A sense of urgency rose in Zhang Ting's heart. He walked with a heart pounding like a drum, and as he went further and further away, the sounds of conversation outside disappeared.
Zong Suyi leaned against the wall of the inner courtyard, a cheerful laugh escaping his throat, like a string of melodious piano notes.
Zhang Ting casually wiped away her sweat; this was the first time she had ever sneaked away like this.
She bent her knees slightly and leaned against Zong Suyi, her emotions infected by his laughter. She felt as if she were being bathed in a gentle spring breeze, feeling incredibly relaxed and at ease.
Zhang Ting gazed at the sky above, filled with the glow of the sunset, and quietly recalled the complex experiences of the day.
The certainty of victory in the imperial examination, the nervousness before the results were announced, the excitement and elation of becoming the top scholar, the compliments and congratulations from those around him, the exhilaration of riding through the streets on horseback, and...
She turned her head to look at the person next to her, her lips slightly curved, her eyes as soft as cotton.
Suddenly I felt incredibly fortunate; fame, fortune, friends, and lovers—all were fulfilled at this moment.
Moreover, things will only get better from here on out.
The family business will grow bigger and bigger, her senior sister and friends will have better futures, her official position will rise higher and higher, and Zong Suyi will also be pregnant with their baby...
Everything is moving in a positive direction.
The two of them leaned their heads together, watching the sky gradually darken, the moon rise, and a gentle breeze ruffle the stray hairs on their faces.
"I have already sent someone to secretly deliver your box of Eastern Pearls to Steward Xu."
"Good. My wife's achievement of becoming the top scholar today is all thanks to her. Speaking of which, that Minister Xu is really petty."
"Luckily we took precautions in advance and contacted the palace, otherwise we would have been in real trouble today." The box of pearls was priceless, and Zong Suyi, fearing that Zhang Ting would be distressed, comforted him, "Money can be earned back, but fame and fortune are more important. You are now a sixth-rank compiler in the Hanlin Academy, which is very prestigious. Those who are second or third-ranked and sent out to other places will at most be seventh-rank, and who knows how long they will have to wait for a vacancy. I heard that some people from the last imperial examination were not able to be sent out."
Zhang Ting replied gently, "Alright, my lord, don't worry. This is nothing to fret about." She patted his head and said, "It's getting late, let's go eat."
"Mmm." Zong Suyi smiled broadly and took her arm, walking happily towards the dining room.
Night had fallen, and lanterns were lit throughout the Zhang residence. The warm yellow light made the red silk throughout the mansion even more festive, and even the servants had joyful expressions on their faces.
Zhang Ting simply turned her gaze into the distance, her eyes deep and dark, like a treacherous, dark pool filled with danger.
Xu Xiang acted so unfairly, he should at least compensate her with two boxes of pearls, right?
The young couple arrived at the dining room, where everyone was already seated. The room was warm and inviting, and servants filed in carrying steaming dishes, placing them one by one on the table. The cozy scene gradually dispelled the coldness between Zhang Ting's brows.
Xun Han, with the air of someone who's been there all along, pointed at Zhang Ting and grinned lewdly, "I knew you'd gone to find your husband."
Zhang Ting smiled and slapped her hand away, "Stop it, sit down now."
Zou Yueru was also present today. Upon seeing her, she couldn't help but tease, "Oh! Our top scholar's wife is here!" She couldn't help but sigh: In the blink of an eye, the changes in their status and circumstances over the past three years have been earth-shattering.
"Sister Zou, please have a seat." Zhang Ting nodded gently and warmly invited her to sit down. "I know you're not used to the food in the capital, so my husband specially ordered the kitchen to cook some special dishes from Tongzhou Prefecture today. We guarantee they'll be authentic. Please don't be shy later."
"I will certainly enjoy your kindness to Tingmei, hahaha," Zou Yueru replied readily, though a strange bitterness rose in her heart. Now that Zhang Meimei had achieved the highest rank in the imperial examination and been granted an official position, shining brightly, she still treated her with the same care and attention as before. How could she not be moved?
Indeed, time is the best test of a person's character and virtue.
She had no regrets in this life for having such a close friend.
Zhang Shu looked at his apprentice with a hint of resentment, then looked away, muttering angrily, "Unfilial little brat."
On this glorious day for her, this little thing secretly ran away. Especially the neighbor who was particularly looking forward to showing off his good apprentice. In the end, the stage was all set up, but the person was nowhere to be found.
Oh my! What's going on here?
Zong Suyi glanced at Zhang Ting with amusement, as if to say to her, 'Your aunt is actually scolding you.'
Zhang Ting glanced at Zong Suyi, ignoring his ill-intentioned instigation, and pulled the man down to sit.
You shouldn't argue with an angry old woman at times like this, lest she escalate her anger and get even more worked up, eventually beating you up on the spot.
Unfortunately, his own "wise wife" is always stirring up trouble, as if she wants to create chaos.
Thinking of this, Zhang Ting clenched her teeth and secretly pinched Zong Suyi under the table.
Zong Suyi suddenly felt a slight pain in his waist, accompanied by a tingling and numb sensation. He almost let out a soft moan, but he immediately covered his mouth in fright, turned his head and glared angrily at Zhang Ting, silently cursing her as a 'shameless lecher'.
Zhang Ting felt wronged; she truly hadn't expected him to be so sensitive about even pinching her.
Zong Suyi ignored her explanation, angrily pursed her lips, and turned away to silently curse her.
Zhang Ting didn't understand what he was saying this time either. Oh well, it wasn't anything good anyway.
She sighed, realizing she had been unfairly blamed again, which was truly frustrating and upsetting.
"Little Fourth, what's making you so happy?" Yang Fuchen asked, puzzled as his fourth junior sister burst into laughter for no apparent reason.
"...Oh no, Senior Sister, please eat." Zhang Ting closed her smiling mouth and placed a piece of squirrel-shaped mandarin fish into her bowl with her chopsticks. "This dish uses...it is said..."
Xun Han couldn't stand seeing Yang Fuchen and Zhang Ting getting along so well, so she pushed her bowl over and interrupted them, saying, "Junior sister, give me a bite too." Then she pushed Yang Fuchen aside and continued talking to her fourth junior sister.
Zhang Ting welcomed everyone without hesitation, displaying a dignified and gentle demeanor as she chatted amiably with them. Everyone in the room sighed in unison that she was just like a gentleman, as pure as jade.
Zong Suyi angrily poked at the empty bowl, snorted softly, and cursed inwardly: hypocrite, scoundrel.
But the next moment, a large piece of fresh and succulent fish was placed in his bowl.
His thick eyelashes trembled slightly, he tilted his head, and a sweet smile curved his lips.
Hmm... I guess I'd call her a good wife, if all else fails.
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