An Wuji bought a large quantity of chili sauce, chili oil and other products in Xichun. In the middle of the month, he and his friends left Weinan County and headed to Guangming Prefecture in high spirits.
Xi Chun's business has stabilized, with monthly profits around four hundred taels of silver. This is indeed much more profitable than when she was setting up a stall. Because the environment is designed to protect privacy, many people are willing to come and eat there.
At the end of August, Xichun was hoping that Fu Changfeng would send good news. She had inquired beforehand and found out that as long as one ranked first in the examination, the chances of passing the imperial examination were very high. Officials also valued people and their positions. Although the prefect had been arrested, fortunately he did not dare to interfere with the imperial examination, so all the results were retained.
Dong dong dong! The sound of gongs and drums came from outside the door. Taozi and Xichun both looked out and saw several constables walking towards the Fu family's direction, banging gongs.
"What's going on? Why are the officials from the yamen banging gongs? Is there some case going on again?" People who were eating were all looking outside.
"Look at the red cloths they're wearing. This is obviously a happy occasion. I think they're heading in the direction of the Fu family. Could it be that their youngest son passed the imperial examination and became a scholar?"
"I think it's probably true. I've heard that the young master of the Fu family has always been very talented. Even the teachers at the academy have praised him. He didn't seem to have any reputation before, but he's started to shine in the last two years."
"Although there are scholars in our city, it is rare to find one so young. If one passes the provincial examination, there are even fewer. I think there have only been one or two in recent years."
"It's not that easy to become a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial civil service examination). You can become an official directly after passing the exam. Look at the county magistrate back then, he was selected from among the Juren. In the entire Jiannan Circuit, only a hundred people were selected every three years. Most of the outstanding ones were from Yizhou Prefecture or other prefectures. We would be lucky if our small county had a few."
Xi Chun heard the comments from others and hoped that Fu Changfeng could pass the exam. There was a big difference between a student who passed the preliminary exam and a scholar who passed the county-level exam. Although his family did not expect to get rich by becoming a scholar, it would still be a form of protection. In the future, even if the county magistrate wanted to touch his family, he would have to think twice.
"Sister Xichun, do you think Young Master Fu really passed the imperial examination and became a scholar? I haven't met him yet." Taozi asked curiously. He knew that Young Master Fu would get engaged to Xichun when he returned, and he already regarded him as his brother-in-law. He didn't associate the scholar with his brother-in-law.
"A scholar also has a mouth and two eyes, but he does indeed enjoy many privileges, and he can also be exempt from taxes on some of the land under his name; he can take whatever amount is collected," Xichun explained to him.
"Wow, that's amazing! I think Young Master Fu can not only pass the Xiucai exam, but also the Juren exam they're talking about."
"It's not that easy to pass the exam. Some people still only become scholars even when they're old and gray. But since Young Master Fu loves reading so much, his chances are probably high." Xi Chun didn't know exactly how difficult it was. When the county exam was held in the county town before, there were also a lot of people, but it wasn't as crazy. Maybe it was similar to the college entrance exam?
Xi Chun thought to herself that she would go and see for herself the scene of the candidates entering the examination hall someday.
"Miss Chen, my mistress asked me to tell you that the second young master has passed the imperial examination and should be on his way back. The master said that a three-day banquet will be held when the young master returns." A servant of the Fu family ran to the restaurant and quietly told Xichun about this.
"Great! This is the lucky money for bringing you the news." Upon hearing this, Xi Chun almost slapped her hand on the abacus with joy, and then she handed him a handful of copper coins.
"Thank you, Miss Chen. Thank you, Miss Chen. The master also said that they have already chosen a date, and after the banquet, they will ask a matchmaker to come and propose marriage." The servant happily took the money and left.
Xi Chun shared the good news with the others, and everyone was proud of Fu Changfeng's happy occasion.
"Young Master Fu said I wiped the table very cleanly back then. When he comes back, I will definitely continue to wipe the table for him."
"I never thought we'd have a scholar among our own people. When Young Master Fu comes back, I'll have a good look at him and see if I can get him to pat my child's head so he can be smarter and go on to study for the imperial examinations."
Everyone's reasons for being happy were quite different, and Xichun listened with a smile.
Fu Changfeng had already embarked on his journey home. This trip back was much easier than the last one to the prefectural city. He had kept his promise, and his family was safe and sound. He would study hard in the future and protect his family and Xichun.
"Young Master, we'll be home in a few days. I noticed you weren't this excited when you made the list. Are you eager to get home and get engaged to Miss Chen? Hehe." Zhu Nian teased him.
"Don't talk nonsense. I'm just eager to go home and see my parents as soon as possible." His lips never left his mouth, and he still insisted on pretending to be nonchalant.
"Young Master, you're really stubborn." The two had grown up together since childhood and never acted like master and servant, which is why Zhu Nian dared to tease them like that.
"Hurry up and get on your train, stop talking so much nonsense."
Xi Chun was still in the shop when she suddenly saw Zhu Nian walk in, and quickly looked behind him.
“Miss Chen, our young master just arrived home and is still talking with the master and mistress. He asked me to come and tell you personally that he has returned safely and will come to see you after he is done with his work.”
"It's good to be back, Zhu Nian. Do you want some fried chicken? I remember you used to love it."
"Really, Miss Chen? I've been craving this for ages. Back in Yizhou Prefecture, nothing here tasted as good as this. I've been craving it ever since."
"Taozi, go prepare a fried chicken for Zhunian, and also bring up a bowl of the ice jelly we made."
"Okay, I'll go right away. Brother Zhunian, please wait here for a moment." Taozi and Zhunian were also acquainted. Upon hearing Sister Xichun's instructions, he quickly went to serve him the dishes.
That evening, just as Xichun was about to close up shop and go home, she saw Fu Changfeng rushing towards her. He was wearing a brand new robe, which he had changed into after washing up. He had told his parents before coming over so that he could see Xichun as soon as possible.
"Why are you here? Why aren't you resting? I heard from Zhu Nian that you all rushed back, so you must be exhausted." Xi Chun felt a pang of sympathy seeing the weariness hidden beneath his happy face.
"It's okay. If I come back and don't see you, I'm worried I won't be able to sleep at night. How's business? Are you tired?"
"It's alright, I'm used to it anyway. I feel uncomfortable when you suddenly say such mushy things. You should go home and rest first, and come over when you have time." Xichun was a little embarrassed by his sudden gentleness.
“Okay, I’ll come see you again tomorrow. This is a hairpin I picked out in Yizhou Prefecture. I think it suits you very well, so I’m bringing it to you first.” He took out a hairpin. The hairpin was very simple, but it was polished smooth. Xi Chun usually just bought a hairpin for ten coins from a roadside stall and used it to half-up her hair. She didn’t expect him to notice this detail.
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