"How could I have married such an idiot like you? I thought you were a good person, but I never imagined you would be so clueless. Starting tomorrow, you're packing your bags and going back to your hometown. Don't let me see you disgraceful scum again!"
Lord Lu looked at her sharply. He regretted his decision. This woman was short-sighted and hadn't learned a single thing about housekeeping.
"Master, I... I'm only doing this for the children's own good. How can you treat me like this?"
"To you? I've already been lenient by not divorcing you. If it weren't for the sake of our children, do you think you'd still be standing here? I've climbed up to this county magistrate step by step, steadily and surely. Haven't you heard how the previous magistrate courted his death?"
You're arbitrarily breaking up other people's marriages? Do you think my official position is too secure? Chen Xichun is no pushover. He dared to complain to the governor back then. Do you think he's stupid?
"Let me tell you, I'm already being lenient by letting you go back and take care of the child. Don't take my career for granted and always think about your family. You don't even care about Qiuqin's feelings. You're such a heartless stepmother. Pack your things and get back to your hometown tomorrow. Send your niece back too!"
After saying this, Lord Lu flicked his sleeves and left, leaving Madam Lu alone, who plopped down on a stool, her eyes filled with despair.
The thought of going back to face her family's ridicule filled her with humiliation, but she dared not do anything more at the moment. She could only calmly instruct the maid to pack up all the luggage.
"Aunt, I heard that Uncle is angry. What happened to your face? Why is there a handprint?" My cousin came over to ask after hearing that my aunt was having her luggage packed. Seeing the handprint on my aunt's face, she guessed what had happened.
*Slap.* A slap landed on my cousin's face.
"You still have the nerve to ask? I'm ashamed for you. Now look what's happened, your uncle is telling us to pack our bags and go back to our hometown tomorrow. Useless idiot, you have absolutely no brains!"
Hearing her ask so loudly, as if she wanted all the servants to know, Madam Lu was furious and slapped her across the face.
When Xichun heard what her sister-in-law said, Madam Lu had already taken her niece back to her hometown, and a great weight was lifted from her heart.
Time flies, and A Zhao has learned to crawl amidst everyone's laughter. Fu Changfeng and Xi Chun have also prepared a lot of luggage, and the two of them are heading to Yizhou Prefecture together.
Fu Changjin had already gone to the prefectural city ahead of time. This year's provincial examination was being held in the prefectural city, and the whole family was looking forward to a good result.
"Congratulations, Master, Madam, and Young Mistress! The young master has lived up to expectations and passed the imperial examination!" A servant from the Lu family ran over to deliver the good news. The provincial examination was to be held earlier, so not long after Xichun and the others set off, Brother Fu's good news spread.
Upon hearing this, the entire Fu family beamed with joy. Master Fu even took out a bag of silver coins to thank him for bringing the good news.
"Hehe, there's good news in the family today. Go and share these things with the neighbors so they can all share in the joy."
When people heard that the eldest son of the Fu family had also passed the imperial examination, they all came to congratulate him. Lu Qiuqin was also overjoyed and wept. She never expected that her husband could pass the exam on the first try. All his years of hard study had not been in vain.
Congratulations!
Congratulations to you both!
"Hehe, I heard that Young Master Fu also went to take the imperial examination. If he passes with flying colors, then your family will truly have changed its status." Everyone gathered around Master Fu to congratulate him.
"Not at all, not at all. Passing the provincial examination is not so easy. But he is young, so he can just give it a try." Master Fu was not confident either, and dared not boast about it, so he could only say some modest words.
Xichun stood at the bow of the boat, gazing in the direction of home.
"I miss home. We'll go back after I finish my exams." Fu Changfeng guessed what she was thinking. The trip was originally planned before A Zhao was born, but even he was a little reluctant to part with her now, let alone Xi Chun, her mother.
"I can't sleep all night, I keep thinking about A-Zhao, I wonder if he's crying now, if he's asleep, and if he'll behave?" Xi-Chun had never been separated from A-Zhao for such a long time, and she couldn't help but worry.
“With your parents around, A-Zhao will definitely be obedient. Don’t think about those things. You’ve been planning this trip for a long time. Let’s enjoy the scenery along the way so as not to get upset. Look at you, you’ve lost a lot of weight.”
Xi Chun had become quite plump after giving birth, thanks to the postpartum meals provided by Madam Fu. However, in just a few days, she has lost a lot of weight, which makes Fu Changfeng feel sorry for her.
"Yes, that's what I was thinking too, but I just can't help it. Aren't you going to study anymore? I wonder if my older brother passed the imperial examination and became a scholar."
"It's alright. I've been studying these past few days, so a couple more days won't make a difference. My elder brother has been steadily progressing these past few years, and I think passing the provincial examination shouldn't be a problem. If he passes, he will definitely take a boat to meet us in Yizhou."
Their family business has expanded to Yizhou Prefecture over the years, so they had their servants prepare a house next to the examination hall long ago. Although it wasn't big, it was indeed much more convenient for the candidates.
The boat traveled very fast, and in just a few days, they arrived at the bustling and lively Yizhou Prefecture. Before the boat even stopped, Xichun could already hear the commotion on the shore.
"It's so lively here, there are so many people, even quite a few business owners." Xi Chun had witnessed the prosperity of Yizhou Prefecture, which even the prefectural city couldn't compare to, let alone Weinan County.
On the shore, pedestrians came and went in an endless stream, some carrying loads, some carrying bags, and others hawking their wares. Even when Xichun disembarked, he was still immersed in the charm of this bustling street life.
"Guests, are you here in Yizhou to take the imperial examination? This young master has an imposing presence and an extraordinary appearance; he is definitely destined to become a scholar. I once rode in the carriage of a scholar. Would you like to ride in my carriage, young master and madam?"
A rickshaw puller came over to solicit customers. He spoke politely and elegantly, and his words were considered auspicious. Even Xi Chun couldn't resist the temptation and wanted to accept.
"Sir, my carriage has a canopy, making it more convenient for your wife to ride in. Why don't you take my carriage? The top scholar in the imperial examinations once rode in my carriage." Another tout came along.
"Thank you. Since this brother came first, we'll take his carriage. Thank you so much, brother." Fu Changfeng stepped in to help, and the two of them finally got out and boarded the carriage without any trouble.
Along the way, the coachman told them many interesting stories about traveling, mostly about the situations that candidates had encountered in previous years when they went to take the imperial examinations. Zhu Nian also knew what the young master wanted to ask, and chatted happily with the coachman, gaining a lot of information in the process.
When the two arrived, they found that the area was filled with scholars in long gowns, all of whom were candidates for the imperial examinations from various prefectures. They had come to try their luck and see if they could pass the examinations.
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