The villagers all started praising it.
"Congratulations to Zhancai for passing the imperial examination and becoming a Xiucai. You have brought honor to our village."
"Yes, Zhancai, I've watched him grow up since he was a child, and I knew he was destined for greatness. Look at him now, he's passed the imperial examination and returned as a top scholar. He'll surely achieve great things in the future and bring honor to the Chen family!"
"That's right. Zhan Cai has been exceptionally intelligent since he was a child. He's a golden boy who will shine sooner or later. He's sure to have a bright future."
There are people in the world who won't eat horse meat, but there's no one who won't accept flattery from horses.
Chen Zhancai was flattered and felt incredibly pleased with himself. He held his chin high and nodded arrogantly.
"My fellow villagers are too kind. I will certainly live up to your expectations and strive to achieve fame and success as soon as possible."
The villagers surrounded Old Lady Chen and her daughter-in-law Liu Fengjiao, showering them with praise.
"Auntie, congratulations! You've given birth to a wonderful son. He's really made you proud this time."
"Yes, you'll be a scholar's wife from now on. When Zhancai becomes a high-ranking official, you'll be able to enjoy a life of leisure."
"That's right, you won't have to worry about food and clothing for the rest of your life."
"Fengjiao is a thrifty and good wife."
“Who can argue with that? Fengjiao is a scholar’s wife now, but she’ll be an official’s wife in the future.”
......
Old Mrs. Chen had lived most of her life, and could be said to have been steeped in bitterness. This was the first time she had been praised like this, and she was so happy that the corners of her mouth almost stretched to her ears.
Hearing the villagers calling her "scholar's wife" so affectionately, Liu Fengjiao felt like she could fly with joy.
She had waited over twenty years for this day since marrying Chen Zhancai when she was a teenager, and now her suffering had finally come to an end.
No matter what method she uses, she must break off all ties with Wang Qizhang once she returns to town, and from now on, she will live a quiet life as a scholar's wife and never cheat on her husband again.
I want to live a good life with him and try to have another child for him, to make up for the past six months of neglect...
Thinking of this, Liu Fengjiao's lips curled up, revealing a shy smile.
At this moment, Erdanzi hurriedly ran up to Chen Zhancai from a distance, "Third Brother, the person has arrived at the village entrance. When are we going to carry them into the village?"
"Don't rush, let them wait at the village entrance first."
“No, brother, those guys don’t seem willing to wait. They say they’re in a hurry to return the sedan chair to the sedan shop. Why don’t we just carry it into the village first?”
"How can that be? I've already decided that I can only enter the Chen family's house before the banquet. If everyone knows beforehand, there will be no surprise."
As he spoke, Chen Zhancai casually took out several dozen coins from his pocket and handed them to Erdanzi.
"Distribute this money among them and tell them not to act rashly without my orders."
"Great, this will definitely work." Erdanzi took the money and turned to leave, but then seemed to remember something and said with a grin, "Third Brother, when will you give me the reward you promised?"
"Don't worry, as long as you don't tell anyone else, you'll get even more benefits."
"Don't worry, brother, I won't let a word out. I guarantee I'll complete the mission." With that, Erdanzi took off running out of the village.
Liu Fengjiao approached Chen Zhancai and asked, "Husband, what were you and Erdanzi talking about just now?"
"No, no, no, I didn't say anything." Chen Zhancai was lost in thought when Liu Fengjiao's sudden words startled him. He hurriedly explained, "I was just chatting with him casually for a few minutes."
"That can't be right. I think I just heard something about a sedan chair being carried into the village. What's going on?"
"My wife, don't ask now, you'll find out soon enough."
"Just tell me already, don't keep it to yourself."
"My lady, don't worry, this is a pleasant surprise."
Seeing Chen Zhancai's mysterious look, Liu Fengjiao smiled and gave him a reproachful look, thinking to herself,
I remember Chen Zhancai had promised her that if she passed the imperial examination and became a scholar, he would hire a sedan chair and marry her in a grand ceremony again.
Let the villagers see that Liu Fengjiao never married the wrong person.
Thinking back to this, Liu Fengjiao felt a surge of emotion. This man was truly thoughtful; he still remembered this matter after all these years.
Her eyes welled up with tears, and she said softly, "Zhancai, now that you've passed the imperial examination, my parents and brothers will definitely come to congratulate you. Considering all the years I've given you children, please don't hold it against them anymore."
When Chen Zhancai heard her mention his father-in-law, mother-in-law, and brother-in-law, his face suddenly darkened.
For so many years, whenever I visited their home during holidays, they would always make sarcastic and cynical remarks.
They were implying, both openly and subtly, that he wouldn't pass the imperial examination and wasn't cut out for studying.
How much discrimination and disdain they suffered in front of them, who can know, who can understand?
Now that he's passed the imperial examination and become a scholar, they want to fawn over him? Dream on!
Besides, we're about to announce some good news, and if they show up and cause trouble, wouldn't that be a disaster?
Thinking of this, he shook his head and smiled, "Fengjiao, you should go back to your parents' home right now and ask your parents-in-law and your brother to come another day. There are so many people today, what if we don't entertain them well? Wouldn't people complain?"
"It's alright, my family doesn't care about this." After saying that, Liu Fengjiao took Chen Zhancai's hand. "Come on, let's go take a look. Wu Baoan is writing up the accounts!"
"Alright, alright." Chen Zhancai couldn't resist, and silently thought about what to say later.
As the two approached, they saw the village's sixth wife place a bamboo basket on the table, take out six eggs from it, and greet Wu Baoan with a smile.
"Village head, please write this down for me. This is the gift my family is giving."
"Alright, Zhao Laoliu's family will receive six eggs as a gift." After writing the gift book, Wu Baoan shouted to the villagers who were pouring in, "Anyone else who wants to give a gift, hurry up and register here."
Hearing the shouts, the villagers gathered around and began to whisper among themselves.
"Hey hey~~ How much are you all planning to give as gifts?"
"My family doesn't have any extra money, so we just gave two eggs."
"Yeah, my family isn't much better off. We have three more eggs than yours."
"My family doesn't raise chickens, so please bring two catties of fermented rice and flour."
"That's enough. We're just a small family, not comparable to the wealthy ones. Sixth Brother's wife just gave us six eggs as a gift."
"Really? That much!"
"Let others give as much as they want. Anyway, my family doesn't owe the Chen family any favors. Giving them a little more or less is just five coins."
"You're absolutely right. That's good enough. If the village head hadn't come to inform me personally, I wouldn't have come to join in the fun."
“That’s true, that’s what I think too.”
“You’ll really lose out if you don’t come. I heard the Chen family has really gone all out this time, hosting a 28-table banquet. This is a rare opportunity, so you definitely won’t regret eating more.”
"You old rascal, you're quite the sly one. But to be honest, I haven't eaten a single grain of rice since yesterday, all for the sake of getting a good meal from him."
"Alright, alright, stop talking and hurry up and give the gift."
......
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