Chapter 214 Chapter 214 Regret
When Yu Li got a king horse, the news that Fu Wenxiao had won the top spot in the imperial examination finally reached Nanjun Province.
The provincial capital was the first to receive the news.
When Yuan Chongshan, the governor of Nanjun Province, saw the news sent from the post station, he was not surprised at all, and even smiled and said to the housekeeper beside him: "I knew it a long time ago. With Master Fu's talent and knowledge, it is reasonable for him to get the sixth place in the imperial examination."
This man had studied in the upper study room with the other princes since he was young and was taught by great Confucian scholars. Even the imperial tutor had praised his talent.
Fu Xiao had always been superior to those princes in those days, which shows how outstanding he was. He was so outstanding that many people secretly lamented and wondered why this boy was not a prince.
If Fu Xiao were a prince, perhaps the situation in the capital wouldn't be so chaotic now.
Yuan Chongshan also felt secretly sorry.
But it's not too bad. Although he is not a prince, he is the son of Princess Yuan'an. If Princess Yuan'an can...
Yuan Chongshan sighed secretly, not knowing how Princess Yuan An was doing.
Now that Fu Xiao has returned to the capital, I hope Princess Yuan'an's health will continue to hold up and she will recover.
After reading the news sent by the post station, Yuan Chongshan asked someone to spread the news that Fu Wenxiao was chosen as the top scholar.
Soon, scholars in the provincial capital also knew that Fu Wenxiao had won the top spot in the imperial examination.
And he got six yuan in the first place.
This was the first person in the Daqing Dynasty to win the top six places in the imperial examination. You can imagine how surprising it was, especially since Fu Wenxiao was from Nanjun Province.
Nanjun Province, as the southernmost province of the Daqing Dynasty, has always been regarded as an uncivilized place with a barbaric atmosphere. The literary style here is not as prosperous as that in Jiangnan, and has always been looked down upon.
The scholars in Nanjun Province were overjoyed.
Who dares to say that Nanjun Province is a barbaric place and laugh at them for being uncivilized? Fu Wenxiao, who won the sixth place in the imperial examination, can slap them in the face.
Yu Jin, who was doing business in the provincial capital, also got the news first and was very surprised.
Although she knew that her brother-in-law was well educated, she had no accurate idea of how well educated he was. She never expected that her brother-in-law would become the top scorer in the imperial examination.
The delighted Yu Jin generously raised the monthly salary of the girls in the store and announced a discount on the store's merchandise to celebrate.
Not only Yu's Rouge Shop, but many shops and restaurants in the provincial capital are offering discounts, saying that they want to celebrate the scholar from Nanjun Province who passed the imperial examination and won the first place in the imperial examination with six yuan.
This is a happy event for the entire Nanjun Province.
Yu Yin, Yu Zhu and Sun Fangniang, who also came to the provincial capital to help, were all very surprised.
That evening, the sisters gathered in a house in the provincial capital, prepared a table full of good wine and food, and sat together to celebrate.
They drank peach blossom wine, ate food, and talked about Yu Li and others in the capital.
"Second sister, has the letter from eldest sister arrived?" Yuzhu asked expectantly.
Ever since Yu left the capital, she has sent letters every month to tell her sisters what she encountered in the capital.
The Yu Jin sisters also did not forget to write back to her. Although the sisters were separated by distance, they never stopped writing to each other.
But after all, the journey is long, so sometimes the letter arrives on time, and sometimes it arrives late.
Yuzhu and Yuyin were both very worried about the letter that they hadn't received this month.
Yu Jin said: "It hasn't arrived yet. Maybe it was delayed on the way."
The letter was delivered by someone from the Fu family. Generally speaking, if there was nothing unusual, the letter would arrive on time and would not be easily lost.
Yu Jin knew very well that although her elder sister and brother-in-law had gone to the capital, there were still people from the Fu family here who were secretly protecting them.
Within half a year, she doubled her business and formed her own caravan without encountering many setbacks.
Yu Jin was not stupid. Things were going so smoothly that he knew someone was secretly helping and arranging things for them.
She couldn't think of anyone else except Fu Wenxiao.
The people from the Fu family who came to help that day were all very capable. Yu Jin learned a lot from them and knew that the Fu family was not simple and might not be just traveling merchants from the north.
Two days later, Yu Li's letter finally arrived.
After receiving the letter, Yu Jin opened it and read it immediately. After reading it, she stood there in a daze, as if she had gone dumb.
Yu Yin and Yu Zhu were also anxious to read the letter. Seeing her standing there motionless, they couldn't help but get anxious: "Second sister, what's wrong?"
At this time, Yuzhu had already carefully taken the letter and was reading it word by word.
Although Yu Yin was also anxious to read the letter, she did not snatch it from her younger sister. She suppressed her anxiety and waited until her younger sister finished reading it before she read it.
Sun Fangniang came over, pushed Yu Jin, and asked worriedly, "Ah Jin, what happened? Did something happen to Li Niang?"
Yu Jin came back to her senses, looked at the sisters present, opened her mouth, and her voice was a little dry.
"It's nothing, actually." She murmured, "Eldest sister said..."
"What?! My brother-in-law is the son of the Duke of Zhenguo?!"
Before Yu Jin could finish his words, Yu Zhu's voice suddenly rang out, like thunder.
Suddenly, the scene was silent. Sun Fangniang and Yu Yin were stunned, thinking they had heard wrongly.
Yuzhu also suspected that she had read it wrong. She turned to look at Yujin and asked uncertainly: "Second sister, did I read the word wrong? That's not what it means?"
She was still young, and although she also learned to recognize words, she did not recognize as many words as her sisters. Perhaps she recognized the wrong words.
Yu Jin said, "You are not mistaken. That is what is written in the letter."
Her voice was a little erratic, and she looked a little silly before she could react.
After these two years of experience, there were very few things that could make her distracted, but what happened today made her not know how to react for a moment.
This is really unexpected.
My brother-in-law is actually the prince of Zhenguo?
Although she was in the South, she had heard of the Zhenguogong Mansion and knew that the Fu family had guarded the northern border for generations and resisted the northern Di tribes from moving south. When the news of Zhenguogong Fu Zongxu's death reached the South a few years ago, many people felt sorry for him, and even ordinary people couldn't help but sigh after hearing it.
Yu Jin had never thought that her family would be related to the Duke of Zhenguo in Northern Xinjiang, and her brother-in-law was the prince of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.
The room suddenly became quiet.
The girls present looked at each other, all shocked by the news, not knowing how to react for a moment.
After a long while, Yu Jin said, "Let's go back to Shanping County first."
"ah?"
"The news that my brother-in-law is the son of the Duke of Zhenguo cannot be concealed. I'm afraid that this news will spread in a while." Yu Jin said calmly, "We have to go back to Shanping County first to keep an eye on it, so that no one can use my brother-in-law's identity to cause trouble."
Most of the news from the post station were passed on first, so only the news that Fu Wenxiao was the top scorer in the imperial examination was passed on. On the contrary, the news that Fu Wenxiao was the son of the Duke of Zhenguo was delayed a little.
Of course, even if those officials received this news, they would not reveal it on their own initiative because there is no need.
It is more likely that this news was brought back by the caravans traveling north and south, or by the scholars returning from the capital.
Sun Fangniang also understood something and nodded, saying, "Ajin is right."
Yu Yin and Yu Zhu were still a little confused, but they all listened to their sister. Since their second sister said so, they decided to go back first.
Two days later, the sisters returned to Shanping County.
Shanping County also received the news that Fu Wenxiao had won the top spot in the imperial examination. These days, Qingshi Village was very lively, with groups of scholars running to Qingshi Village, saying they wanted to pay their respects to the place where Fu the top scholar once lived.
Even the houses in Shuying Lane became the places where those scholars set foot. Fortunately, there were yamen runners watching, so those people did not climb over the wall.
Ge Yayi and others did not expect these scholars to be so crazy.
This house was bought by Boss Li. Even if Boss Li came to Beijing and is not living here now, no one can just break in. They have to help Boss Li keep an eye on the house.
Ge Yayi and others were also excited about Fu Wenxiao's success in the imperial examination.
In the future, Li Lao Da will be the wife of the top scholar. When she becomes an official's wife, it will naturally be beneficial to those who follow her.
They just don’t know when Li Lao Da will come back, but no matter what, they have to guard the house for Li Lao Da.
The entire Shanping County was extremely lively because of this news.
The people in Shanping County were all proud of it. Their county actually produced a top scholar. For those common people, this was something they could brag about for the rest of their lives.
Not to mention those who have interacted with Fu Wenxiao. They tell everyone about what they had said to Fu Zhuangyuan, as if they had won the lottery. This always attracts many people to stop and listen, making the speaker even more excited.
In Zhang's Butcher Shop, Zhang Fu and others were also very surprised to hear the news.
Boss Tu even went to the military camp to tell Xuan Huaiqing, who was training soldiers in the camp, the news.
Xuan Huaiqing looked calm and said, "With Fu Xiao's talent, isn't it natural for him to be the top scorer?" Then he added, "I just got the news two days ago that Fu Xiao has been reinstated. I guess he is now the Duke of Zhenguo."
Although the Xuan family was in the south, they also sent people to pay attention to the situation in the capital.
A few days ago, the Xuan family also received news from the capital, which was much earlier and more comprehensive than what others knew.
He knew that Fu Xiao was the only one left in the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion, and that he would inherit the title of Duke and become the Duke of Zhenguo.
Xuan Huaiqing's expression was somewhat complicated.
Both his father and Duke Zhenguo Fu Zongxu died on the battlefield.
However, his father died in a battle with the enemy, and Fu Zongxu's death was full of mystery. Although it was announced to the outside world that he was killed by the Northern Di people, the news they received seemed to be more than that.
Xuan Huaiqing shuddered when he thought of what his grandfather had said to him a while ago.
If Fu Zongxu's death was really related to the saint in the capital...
Boss Tu was stunned for a moment, but soon reacted, "Then Li Niang is the wife of the Duke?" He touched his head, "Can I still ask Li Niang to go fight bandits together in the future?"
Not only do they have to suppress bandits, but they also have to go out to sea to fight Japanese pirates. He is also thinking of asking Yu Li to join him in the future.
In Boss Tu's heart, no matter what Yu Li's identity becomes, he will always regard her as Yu Li from Qingshi Village, just like his sister, and he will never forget her no matter what he does.
Xuan Huaiqing was a little confused when he heard this, "It should be possible, right?"
With Yu Li's abilities, it would be a pity if he were confined to the capital or the rear house.
Thinking of this, he felt a little indignant, "What Duke's wife? She is not worthy of Miss Yu at all. She can even be a general in the future. Fu Xiao really implicated her."
If it weren't for Fu Wenxiao's identity, they would have reported Yu Li's bandit suppression long ago. With her abilities and contributions, she could have been promoted to a general.
But this won’t work.
Be it General Xuan, the prefect of Qing'an Prefecture, or the governor of Nanjun Province, they all tacitly kept it under wraps and no one mentioned what Yu Li had done in the South.
Now is not a good time. If the saint or even the princes knew what Yu Li had done in the South, they would probably try every means to get rid of her.
The Prince of Zhenguo, Fu Xiao, does not need such a capable wife.
Fu Xiao can only be a lone minister forever.
Boss Tu looked at him and said, "Master, you can't say that. You can't let them get divorced, right?"
As the saying goes, it is better to demolish ten temples than to destroy a marriage. The couple has a good relationship, so it would be too much to ask them to divorce.
"I didn't say that!" Xuan Huaiqing said, "But it is undeniable that Fu Xiao did cause trouble for her, causing her to be unable to report her achievements."
Although Boss Tu thought it made sense, he couldn't agree with it. He consoled her, "It's okay. There's a long way to go. There will be opportunities in the future. If one day Li Niang's merits are too great to be suppressed, I'm sure the saint will make an exception, right?"
What he didn't say was that the emperor was said to be very old, and he might die someday...
Li Niang is still so young, she can outlast the emperor. When the new emperor ascends the throne, they will report Yu Li's contribution, and it should be easier then.
Maybe the new emperor can really give Li Niang an official position.
Xuan Huaiqing had no idea about his rebellious thoughts. The south was too far away from the capital, and the people here had no impression of the emperor at all, and were less afraid of him.
So it is normal to hope that the old emperor will die soon.
**
When the people of Shanping County were rejoicing over Fu Wenxiao's success in the imperial examination, another piece of news came soon after.
Fu Zhuangyuan is actually the eldest son of Duke Zhenguo and the only son of Duke Fu who guards the northern border. His mother is the late emperor's legitimate daughter, Princess Yuan'an.
When hearing the news, everyone was confused and suspected that they had heard it wrongly.
However, the caravan that brought the news swore that they were not wrong. They had just returned from the capital and the news had already spread throughout the capital.
This was announced by the current saint himself.
"I heard that the prince of the Duke of Zhenguo was harmed by a villain and came to our side. He has been in poor health ever since. Fortunately, a miracle doctor came to his rescue and cured him. Prince Fu then took the imperial examination as a scholar in the south and returned to the capital..."
The person who tells the story adds fuel to the fire and artistically processes the news he knows, turning it into a dramatic story.
This story attracted the attention of many people, but they felt that even the storybook was not as exciting as it is.
People who didn't know Fu Wenxiao treated it as a wonderful story and listened to it with great interest, while people who knew Fu Wenxiao looked confused.
Especially the people in Qingshi Village, they didn’t know how to react.
No matter what, Fu Wenxiao's true identity did shock many people, and it would probably take a long time for the villagers of Qingshi Village to completely accept it.
The Yu family was the most upset about this news.
They were already upset when they heard that Fu Wenxiao was the top scorer in the imperial examination, but they didn't expect that he actually had another identity and such a great background...
Mr. and Mrs. Yu, as well as the first and third wives of the Yu family, felt so miserable. Even Mrs. Yu, who was always tough, finally showed a look of regret.
When they went to bed at night, Mr. Yu and his wife tossed and turned, and the more they thought about it, the more regretful they felt.
"If... we had been nicer to the daughter of the second wife, could we also benefit from the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion now?" Old Lady Yu murmured.
She really regrets it!
How much can girls eat? Why does she keep mistreating them?
It is obvious that Yuqin from the first wife has good food and clothes, so why do they have to deduct the money from the second wife’s daughter?
Although girls are useless, if they marry well, they can also help their parents! Why didn't they understand this before?
If the girls from the second branch had not been treated harshly, now those girls from the second branch would be doing business, marrying the princes of the Duke's Mansion... they would definitely be willing to promote them, and the Yu family would have risen long ago. Maybe the Yu family would have changed its status, and they would not still be living in the village and living in poverty.
But who could have thought that the second wife would have such good fortune?
How could Li Niang have such good fortune?
Clearly she was married to a dying sickly boy just to bring good luck, but who would have known that the sickly boy was actually the prince of the Duke of Zhenguo?
Old Mrs. Yu was feeling very upset, and Old Mr. Yu was no less upset.
He also asked himself, did he really do something wrong?
Girls are obviously money-losing goods. No matter how well they work, they can never compare to boys in carrying on the family line and bringing honor to the family... But the facts are before him, and it is impossible for Grandpa Yu to deceive himself.
But at this time, Boss Yu actually complained to the couple, saying: "Dad, Mom, why didn't you marry Qin Niang to the Fu family? If Qin Niang had married to the Fu family..."
Now he is the father-in-law of the prince of Zhenguo, and is a relative of the Zhenguo Mansion.
Isn't it easier to change one's family than the imperial examination? Presumably, the prince of Zhenguo is willing to promote his wife's family in order to make his wife's status look good.
When Mrs. Yu heard this, she immediately frowned and said sarcastically, "Why? You regret it too? Who was the one who stayed in the city and refused to come back to farm? Can farming dirty your hands? Qin Niang is with you and your wife in the city, how can I marry Qin Niang to the Fu family? What's more, are you willing to marry Qin Niang to a dying person?"
Boss Yu was a little embarrassed and a little hurt, and said, "Mom, how can you say that?"
His mother is becoming less and less kind, and she can even say such harsh words.
Old Mrs. Yu sneered.
At the end of last year, Boss Yu actually falsified accounts and embezzled money from the rice shop, so he was fired by the rice shop.
Because of this, no shop in the county town was willing to hire him. Without any income, he could only return to the village with his wife and three sons in despair, relying on Grandpa Yu and his wife to support them.
As the saying goes, things smell good from a distance, but smell bad when they are close. If you live close to someone, there will be more contradictions.
In addition, in recent years, Mr. Yu and his wife and the people in the first branch of the Yu family have been living increasingly unhappy lives. The original love of parents and filial piety of children and grandchildren have become vulnerable.
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