This result was exactly what Chen Qingqing had expected. She smiled and nodded, "Okay, thank you for your hard work. I'll cook some of your favorite dishes to welcome you back later."
Da Bao swallowed hard. "Sister Qingqing, I want to eat your spicy hot pot and pickled chicken feet. Although we've passed through many towns and restaurants along the way, none of them are as delicious as your two dishes."
"That's right, this is our family's unique skill. After we're done with this busy period, I'll discuss opening a chain of restaurants with your brother Chen Feng."
"That's wonderful! That way, we can eat our family's food no matter where we go."
Hearing Da Bao say this, Sun Shi couldn't help but scold him, "You, how old are you? All you think about all day is food."
Chen Zhanshan stepped out of the carriage and said, "Sister-in-law, it's not Da Bao's fault. The food outside really isn't as good as Qing'er's cooking."
"Brother, just spoil him!" Sun said casually.
Chen Zhanshan looked at Dabao, his eyes full of affection. "In my eyes, Dabao is like my own child, and it's not my duty to spoil him."
"Second Aunt, my dad is right. Da Bao and I are both children, and we should spoil him." Chen Qingqing said, her eyes crinkling as she looked at Chen Zhanshan with concern. "Dad, how are you? You must be exhausted from the journey!"
"Not tired at all," Chen Zhanshan said with a smile. "Qing'er, let me tell you, this trip has really broadened my horizons. I never imagined Ningjing was so big and prosperous. The streets were packed with people, and they sold all sorts of things. I even saw a blond foreigner who looked really strange..."
"Dad, let's go home first. You can tell us about these things slowly when we get home." Chen Qingqing took Chen Zhanshan's arm and walked home.
After taking only two steps, Chen Zhanshan suddenly stopped. "Wait, I almost forgot."
After saying that, he withdrew his hand and walked to the carriage. "We're home. Aren't you going to get out of the carriage? Are you going to wait for me to take you to your doorstep?"
Chen Qingqing was a little confused and looked at Da Bao beside her, "Who's still in the car?"
Da Bao didn't say anything, but a hint of disdain flashed in his eyes.
At this moment, Chen Zhancai sat in the corner of the carriage, listening to the laughter and chatter outside. He felt a deep unease. His family's land was gone, and he hadn't passed the imperial examination. He was truly desperate. How could he face his fellow villagers, his parents, and Ruhua...?
Hearing Chen Zhanshan's mocking words, he reluctantly moved his buttocks and slowly lifted the sedan curtain, then poked half his head out.
"Oh dear, isn't this a sign of good fortune?" Sun couldn't help but blurt out.
The onlookers were all visibly shocked.
"He really is a scholar, no, no, he should be a graduate of the imperial examination!"
"Yes, yes, Zhan Cai must have passed the imperial examination and become a scholar, otherwise he wouldn't have been able to come back in Zhan Shan's carriage."
“You’re right. Before, the brothers would walk face to face and not even speak to each other, but now they’ve made up as if nothing happened. It must be because Zhan Cai passed the imperial examination and became a scholar, and Zhan Shan is afraid of being targeted.”
"Yes, if it were me, I would also know to assess the situation. A scholar who has passed the imperial examination is not someone that anyone can afford to offend."
......
Chen Qingqing was also completely confused, not understanding why Chen Zhancai would come back with his father. Could it be that he had really passed the imperial examination?
He glanced at Da Bao beside him and saw that Da Bao was looking at Chen Zhancai with eyes full of contempt.
"Da Bao, what happened? Why did he come back with you?"
"Sister Qingqing, it's a long story. I'll explain it to you slowly when we get home."
"Okay." Chen Qingqing nodded.
Chen Zhancai blushed with embarrassment as he listened to everyone's words.
After getting off the carriage, not knowing what to say, he could only awkwardly smile at everyone.
At this moment, Old Mrs. Chen was gritting her teeth, glaring at Chen Zhanshan. This heartless bastard, he'd gotten so used to a few good meals that he'd almost forgotten who he was! It was just a short trip, what was there to brag about?
Once my son Zhancai becomes capable, he'll start by dealing with you, you unfilial bastard, and teach you a lesson for being so arrogant!
Just as I was thinking this, I suddenly heard someone shout, "Isn't that Zhancai?"
He then listened to everyone's words clearly.
She suddenly stood up as if she had been injected with adrenaline, her eyes widening in disbelief, followed by uncontrollable elation.
The son actually came back in their carriage. It seems he must have passed the imperial examination and become a scholar. Otherwise, those two ungrateful wretches would never have let their son ride in such a cheap carriage.
Old Mrs. Chen's eyes revealed an undisguised joy.
She was convinced that her son had passed the imperial examination and returned home in glory.
Finally, I can hold my head high in front of others; I've finally waited for this day when I can bully others with my power.
She will trample all those who looked down on her in the past under her feet.
Today, let's give these peasants a taste of their own medicine. If they know what's good for them, they'll quickly send some gifts and money. If they really don't understand, we'll slowly torment them later.
Thinking of this, she straightened her back and arrogantly glanced at the villagers who were watching the spectacle. She could almost see their ugly, fawning faces.
The more she thought about it, the more smug she became, and she couldn't help but shout at the top of her lungs.
"Don't you all have any sense? My son passed the imperial examination and became a scholar. I haven't even said a word yet, and what are you all doing here? Get out of my way!"
The shout came so suddenly that it stunned everyone, who instinctively made way for it.
Seeing this, Old Mrs. Chen was even more pleased with herself. She strode up to Chen Zhancai and said, "My son, my good son, you've finally come back. My hard times are finally over. You are truly our family's pride and our great hero!"
"Mother, don't say these things now, let's go home first." Chen Zhancai's heart tightened. He didn't expect his old mother to be here, and she even mistakenly thought that he had passed the imperial examination. This was so embarrassing! He grabbed Old Mrs. Chen and was about to leave.
Old Mrs. Chen's mind was now filled with how to show off in front of others, and she was unwilling to leave easily. She struggled to break free.
"Zhancai, what are you doing? I'm not trying to scold you, but I've told you before: don't be soft-hearted, and don't forget the pain once the wound has healed. Some people are just ungrateful wretches; they only use you when they need you and then turn their backs on you when they don't."
As she spoke, she glanced at Chen Zhanshan with disdain and continued,
"Now that you've got some guts, you're all licking your boots and trying to curry favor with me. Bah! We don't need them. It would be so much better if we came back on a tall horse, so impressive and classy. But you insist on riding in this broken carriage. I really don't know what you're thinking."
......
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