"Young Master Lu, you're a scholar now! I'm here to report the good news to you, Madam." The man dressed as an official rubbed his fingers together as he reached out.
Those who know, know; at this point, a reward should be given.
Although he was only a scholar, he was still a very important figure in the small village.
However, Madam Zhu had no money, and Old Madam Zhu had even less. All the money she had was used to treat Madam Zhu and Lu Congrong's injuries.
Old Lu, who was sitting in the inner room, came out, took out a money bag, handed it to the officer, said a few polite words, and then saw the man off.
In the courtyard, Lu Congrong glanced at Zhu Shi, who was so overjoyed that she forgot her own surname, constantly muttering, "I passed! I passed!" A fourteen-year-old scholar was quite a figure in the county town.
Having passed the imperial examination and become a scholar, Zhu Shi was now practically floating on air, knowing she would have no worries about food and drink.
Lu Congrong got excited and ignored the millet in the yard, looking towards Su Jiaoniang's courtyard.
Her brother is already a scholar, so the young master who is captivated by Su Jiaoniang should know now what is best for him!
Just moments ago, Old Madam Zhu was looking down on Zhu Shi, but now her attitude has completely changed. She stared at Zhu Shi's belly and said, "Having only given birth to two is too few. Why don't you try to see if you can have more? Give Dai Shu another son, so he'll have someone to help him in the future."
"..." The joy on Zhu's face lessened.
Is having a baby the same as giving birth to a pig?
You can have it just because you want it?
Besides, she can't have a baby alone. Lu Dashan hasn't been home lately, and when he does come back, he beats her...
“Old man, Daishu has passed the imperial examination. This matter needs to be handled properly. You go and discuss with the village chief what to do. I will go to the county town to talk to the second son. Now the second son’s family can no longer bully us.”
Thinking back to when I went to the county town to find my second brother a couple of days ago, I almost lost face.
Old Zhu was holding her head high and puffing out her chest, looking exactly like a petty person who had achieved success.
Sweetwater Village instantly became lively.
Madam Jiang even went to Su Jiaoniang and said, "Now that Lu Daishu has become a scholar, he might treat you badly. You must..."
"What can we do? We'll deal with whatever comes our way. Even if the county magistrate wants to skim some profits, he'll have to find a way to collect taxes. As a mere scholar, he needs to think carefully about what he wants to do. The more promising a young man is, the more he should cherish his reputation."
Su Jiaoniang smiled. Was she afraid?
If you're afraid of even a scholar, you don't need to stay here. Just pack up your son and send him to the palace to become a eunuch.
Seeing that Su Jiaoniang understood the situation, Madam Jiang stopped trying to persuade her and instead brought up Gouhua and Xiaoya's business.
"The two girls made their business very successful. It's said that the girls from the main branch of the Lu family even tried to make fried chicken, but their stall was overturned." Not only was the fried chicken expensive, but it also didn't taste good.
The title is still attached to someone else's.
Isn't this a scam?
"That's right, the two kids are just playing house and they're doing a pretty good job." Children who go out to do business should be bullied, but the people from Zhang the blacksmith's family who are with Erzhu and the others all look like lumps of stone and are not to be trifled with.
After the two talked for a while, Mrs. Jiang left.
Lu Dashan was dragged out of the gambling den in the county town by Old Zhu.
When Lu Dashan, who was addicted to gambling, heard that Lu Daishu had passed the imperial examination and become a scholar, a glint of light flashed in his bloodshot eyes. A scholar!
He immediately followed Old Zhu away.
The people in the gambling den followed them discreetly.
Upon hearing that Lu Dashan's son had passed the imperial examination and become a scholar, everyone was overjoyed. The scholar's father was different; he could make a lot of money from him in the future.
Sweetwater Village instantly became lively.
People who previously had grievances against the Lu family started to swarm around them. Those with daughters went to talk to Madam Zhu, and some even wanted their sons to marry Lu Congrong...
Life is full of ups and downs.
When it falls, step on it; when it rises, pull it back up.
Jiang shook her head. It was all in vain; the Lu family had no good members.
That day, Lu Daishu returned to the village.
Firecrackers immediately went off.
Riding a donkey with a rosy brow, Lu Daishu, his eyes red, had walked to the county for the exam. This time, his classmates sponsored him with a donkey.
This is the benefit of fame and success. The young Lu Daishu began to harbor ambitions.
Thinking of the humiliation he suffered at the county school, and the ridicule he received from the wealthy students over a bowl of shaved ice... he became more and more determined.
We must continue taking the exams to become officials.
We must regain our lost face.
Upon returning to the village, he saw the people standing at the entrance to greet him. He straightened his chest, jumped off the donkey, and displayed the humble demeanor of a truly wealthy family that he had witnessed before.
His gaze searched through the crowd, but he didn't see Su Jiaoniang or the others. His eyes were dark and unreadable.
"Scholar is back! Come home quickly, Mother has cooked some meat for you." Madam Zhu happily took Lu Daishu's hand and led him towards her.
Lu Congrong led the donkey and reached out to touch its face.
The joy on this side had no effect on Su Jiaoniang at all.
At that moment, Su Jiaoniang received news from the county town that the wheelchair had been made.
Surprised, Su Jiaoniang sat up straight abruptly. Good news!
She walked outside, and Xiao Ya, who had come back early from selling cold noodles, followed Su Jiaoniang, holding Su Jiaoniang's hand: "Mommy, where are you going? Are you alone? Will you be lonely? Xiao Ya will go with you."
"Alright, little girl, you'll stay with your mother!" Su Jiaoniang took the little girl's hand and walked outside.
As I walked out of the village, I saw many people along the way.
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