After handing the two children over to the nanny, Zhao Dashu discussed the future with them.
"Lei Zi, what are your plans for the future?"
What does "father" mean?
"You will have to observe a three-year mourning period, which will disqualify you from the imperial examinations after the new year. You'll have to wait until three years later. But if we do take the imperial examinations, even if we don't take them next year, we can't let our studies fall behind."
Do you think it's still worthwhile to continue studying at Fucheng Academy? The students there are all aiming to become successful candidates in the imperial examinations, so it's probably not very useful for you.
"If you continue your studies, I think we should go to the capital. The grand academies there are more suitable for you and will allow you to further your studies, don't you think?"
Xiao Lei lowered his eyes and remained silent. Go to the capital?
The whole family continued to work hard for him.
"Father, I think being a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial examination) is good enough. I don't plan to continue my studies."
Zhao Dashu was shocked. "You're not planning to take the imperial examination? You don't want to be an official anymore?"
My God, their family really lost out. They spent so much money and didn't train anything.
Zhao Xiaoyu didn't say anything. Xiao Lei had mentioned to her before that he didn't want to continue studying and just wanted to spend more time with them. However, he was interrupted by the child and they didn't continue their conversation.
After returning home, I was constantly preoccupied with various matters and didn't have the energy to talk about or think about these things.
She knew why Xiao Lei didn't want to continue his studies, but it really wasn't necessary. She still preferred men with a strong sense of career ambition. What could Xiao Lei do if he didn't study?
Should he continue with the business he's in?
She knew that Xiao Lei actually had his own ambitions and aspirations. He had been looked down upon for many years and wanted to make something of himself.
She knew he was holding back a lot of energy, wanting to let those who had looked down on him know that he was not a good-for-nothing, nor was he someone who was unlucky and brought misfortune to his family. He wanted to make Xiao Ping regret his actions.
Although he is now a successful candidate in the imperial examinations, Xiao Ping and the Xiao family patriarch deeply regret their past actions, but that is not enough.
He wanted to keep climbing.
I just feel guilty towards her and the children year after year.
How should I put it?
Actually, she's fine at home. How could she possibly tire herself out with so many servants? Those mistresses have a hard time not because of the trivial matters, but because they're bothered by the countless women in the inner quarters.
If the two of them stayed together day and night, they might one day grow tired of each other. Actually, it's good that Xiao Lei continues to take the exam. He can become an official and benefit the people in the future, so his life won't have been in vain.
Because of herself and her daughter, she believes in the cycle of time, that Heaven is watching what people do, and that good deeds are rewarded. She believes that doing good is never wrong and that it brings good fortune.
Their abilities are limited now, but it would be different if Xiao Lei became an official. Any action he takes would affect more than just one or two people.
Even a minor county magistrate has jurisdiction over quite a few villages.
So, I'll continue my studies.
"Yes, son-in-law feels that being a Juren (a degree in the imperial examination system) is enough. Xiaoyu has been managing the household for many years, which has been very hard work. My parents can't go home because of me and have to stay in the prefectural city. I don't want to continue. I want to spend more time with my wife and children."
Zhao Dashu was somewhat relieved. It was a good thing that his son-in-law wanted to spend more time with his daughter. In fact, his family really had nothing to lack now. If they were just living in the county town, they could live a comfortable life.
No one would be foolish enough to cause them trouble, which doesn't seem like a bad idea.
He patted Xiao Lei on the shoulder and said, "It's good that you've thought it through."
He's a real man, able to take things in stride, and he has great taste!
A discerning eye for talent!
Mrs. Song hesitated a bit. Her son-in-law was such a good student, it seemed a pity that he would give up his studies!
However, she doesn't interfere too much in her children's affairs. As long as they make a decision, she will support them no matter what, as long as they don't do anything to betray her daughter.
"Xiao Lei, you should keep studying. I think after all these years of studying, it would be better if you could at least become an official. What do you think?"
"Little Rain!"
"I hope you can achieve great things, I hope you can become a good official in the future and bring benefits to the people. I hope that in the future, when you go out, everyone will respectfully call me Madam Xiao and be proud of you."
I know you want to spend more time with us. Being an official doesn't mean you don't have time for us. You can still take us out for walks in your spare time.
I don't want you to have any regrets in your life, and I don't want you to have sleepless nights thinking about what would have happened if you had continued taking the exam.
There are no "what ifs" in life. Just do what you want to do, don't hesitate, as long as you don't forget your original aspirations.
Xiao Lie's Adam's apple bobbed up and down. If you were to ask who in this world understands him best, it would undoubtedly be his wife.
"Little Rain!"
"You've studied the classics for so many years and stayed up so many nights, do you really want to stop here?"
"Okay, I'll continue studying and taking the exams."
Xiao Lei exhaled a breath of stale air, his eyes clear. He knew how he should proceed from now on.
The young couple looked at each other, their eyes overflowing with affection. Zhao Dashu was forced to eat a mouthful of dog food, his teeth aching from the sweetness. "You two, that's enough. Your mother and I are still here."
"Cough cough..."
Xiao Lei let go, his ears turning bright red; he had just lost his composure.
"Dad, are you just envious and jealous? We have a good relationship, do you have a problem with that?"
No objection, I dare not have an objection.
"Alright, since you're going to keep studying, what are your plans for the future?" Zhao Dashu didn't want to argue with his daughter; he knew he couldn't win anyway, and in the end, he'd be the one who felt bad.
Getting back to the main point, Xiao Lei looked at Zhao Xiaoyu.
"How about this, we'll stay in the village for another year, and then we won't go to the prefectural city after the New Year. During this year, Xiao Lei can study on his own and visit his grandmother and the others more often."
A year from now, we'll head to the capital to study at Zhao Academy. It'll be almost a year and a half; I'm sure Xiao Lei will be fine. Is that alright?
She looked up and asked the man next to her.
"Yes, this arrangement is excellent."
“Dad, we don’t know when we’ll be able to go back to the village next year. Why don’t you stay in the village and get together with everyone more often? Mom, you should visit Grandma’s house more often too.”
Zhao Dashu and Song Shi both felt that their daughter's arrangement was excellent; if she left after the New Year, they would definitely have many regrets.
After all, their mother (mother-in-law) recently passed away, and they can't do anything.
"Okay, let's go to the capital again next year!"
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