Xichun took Madam Zeng to the inner courtyard. The men had their own things to talk about, and so did the women.
"Sister, I am truly grateful to you. If you hadn't reminded me, I'm afraid I wouldn't have remembered to call a doctor until the next day, even though the doctor was still taken away by someone more powerful than us."
But I'll always remember your kindness, especially since you brought a doctor without hesitation when we needed one the most. This is a type of shortbread that people in my hometown love to eat; I made it at home yesterday. Have a taste.
"Sister Cao, you're being too polite. Although we haven't known each other for long, we share common interests. I consider you a friend. How can I pretend not to know when a friend is in trouble? Please don't be so polite."
"They say that true friendship is revealed in times of trouble. My husband also has fellow villagers taking the exam here, but no matter how well they talk on ordinary days, they are no match for you when it comes to a critical moment. They have also found a doctor, but when the servants went to ask for help, they all refused."
My husband himself said, "It's fortunate I made you my friend, otherwise his life might not have been saved. Judging from the doctor's tone, if it had been any later, he might have become delirious from the fever."
Madam Zeng was also very fortunate to have made Xichun her friend, and now she and her husband could wait for the results of the provincial examination together.
Zeng Xiucai was also a man of considerable literary talent. He and the Fu brothers exchanged the provincial examination questions and their respective answers. As expected, they both had insights to share. Thinking about how he had previously secluded himself to study, he now felt a little regretful.
“Brother Zeng, there’s no need to be disappointed. The provincial examination is held every three years. For us, seizing every opportunity increases our chances of success. In my opinion, Brother Zeng answered extremely well this time and will surely pass the exam.”
"Brother Changfeng, please don't make fun of me. My answer is nowhere near as good as yours. In my opinion, you will definitely rank higher this time. You always have more ideas for answering questions than we do. I regret not thinking of that back then."
"Hehe, I think you two shouldn't be modest. In my opinion, you are both more capable than me. You will definitely pass the exam with flying colors and win the honors. I will go back and study for a few more years before taking the exam again."
Fu Changjin had been ill, and since he hadn't been fully focused on his studies before the exam, he was quite carefree at the moment. Even if he didn't pass, he had at least witnessed the grand spectacle of the provincial examination, and he believed he would have a better chance next time.
"Hehe, Brother Changjin, don't underestimate yourself. You just had too little time to prepare for the exam, but it's not like you have no chance at all. You'll know the results in a few days. Would you two like to go out and meet the candidates waiting for the results?"
“We brothers are thinking the same thing. If Brother Zeng has any friends who are organizing a literary gathering, please take us there to see it.”
"Of course, if there is a literary gathering, I will certainly inform you both."
After that, the two families kept in touch from time to time. Xichun also had good food prepared and invited Madam Zeng's family to come over for a chat. Over time, they became good friends.
"Sister Cao, I'd like to go for a stroll in the streets tomorrow and check out the business situation in Yizhou Prefecture. Would you like to come along?"
“I had the same idea. Perfect timing, let’s go together tomorrow. They’ve finished their exams, so we don’t need to worry about anything else. We can go out and relax, and let them accompany us to do some sightseeing.”
The two happily made the decision, but Fu Changfeng and Zeng Xiucai were in trouble. They didn't have a literary gathering today and were resting at home. At first, they were happy to accompany the two of them for a stroll, but as time went on, seeing that the two of them were still full of energy, they both complained that their feet hurt.
"It seems you'd better wait here. We'll go in and have a look around ourselves." Xi Chun shook her head and said helplessly to Fu Changfeng before going into the shop with Madam Zeng.
The two stood outside the shop, smiled at each other, and didn't feel awkward anymore. It seemed they were kindred spirits.
"Ahem, I didn't expect that you, Brother Fu, are also a man who obeys your wife's every command at home. What a coincidence!"
"Ha ha."
A few days passed in the blink of an eye, and soon it was time to announce the results. Early in the morning, Fu Changfeng got up before dawn and had tea with Fu Changjin in the front hall.
"Brother, why don't we go check the list together? Waiting here is really nerve-wracking." Fu Changfeng had already drunk his third cup of tea. It was just getting light, and the list wouldn't be posted for another two hours.
"No rush, no rush. Changfeng, you'll definitely pass the exam. If we go out now and miss the messenger bringing good news, that would be terrible. Let's wait here until the officials come and have Zhunian and the others wait at the post office."
Fu Changjin had great confidence in his younger brother, and was sitting there calmly.
"Young Master, Second Young Master, Scholar Zeng has come to visit, asking if you are home." As dawn broke, the gatekeeper came to report.
"Quickly, please invite him in. Brother Zeng must have been waiting impatiently by himself, so he came to find us." Fu Changjin guessed correctly. Scholar Zeng had also gotten up early and was bored waiting at home, so he came over to chat.
"It seems the three of us are quite well-accompanied today, now we just wait for the results to be released at the examination hall."
Xi Chun also woke up. Today was the day Fu Changfeng and Fu Changjin were waiting for the results to be announced. She and Xiao Yue were preparing the celebratory money for the messengers who would announce the good news and the copper coins to be scattered among the neighbors.
Although the results haven't been released yet, Fu Changfeng is confident, and Xichun trusts him. They've prepared in advance so that they won't be criticized for their lack of manners later.
"Xiaoyue, what time is it now? The yamen will be posting the results soon, right?" Xichun asked anxiously.
"We should arrive in about half an hour. Don't worry, young mistress. Zhu Nian and the others haven't returned yet, so the results must not have been posted."
"Oh, we're getting so impatient! Hurry up and post the results. May the Matchmaker of our Peach Blossom Village bless my husband to pass the imperial examination!" Xi Chun's words made Xiao Yue laugh.
"Madam, isn't the Old Man Under the Moon supposed to bless the marriages of men and women? I remember you said before that we should also pray to the God of Literature."
"That's right, God of Literature, please don't blame me. Please bless my husband and elder brother so that they can pass the imperial examination and return home in glory." Xi Chun bowed to the outside again and recited all the gods she knew from Journey to the West, hoping that all the gods would bless them.
As the servants watched the messenger carrying the good news walk past, their hearts were in their throats.
"You won! You won, young master!" Zhu Nian ran in, his feet twitching behind his head, so excited that he forgot all about manners.
"Zhu Nian, did you fall into the Changfeng Pass?" Fu Changjin stood up and asked excitedly.
"Yes, yes, the second young master won. I didn't see the eldest young master's name yet. There were too many people, and I couldn't push my way through. Look, one of my shoes is missing." Everyone looked at his feet, and sure enough, one shoe was missing, leaving only his sock.
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