Xiao Xitian wrinkled her little nose and glanced up at Xiao Jinheng.
Why was this brat like a shadow, following her even into the mountains...
"Daddy, Second Brother, and the villagers are going up the mountain with me, we'll be fine!~" Xiao Xitian said.
Xiao Jinheng's eyebrows twitched slightly, and he looked indifferently towards the door. "I happen to have something to do on the mountain, let's go together!"
Xiao Xitian: "......"
What business could you possibly have on the mountain?
Going to dance with a bear?
Forget it, if he wants to go, let him go...
With everything prepared, the villagers followed Xiao Xitian and Old Man Yun, heading up the mountain in a group.
The village chief, however, got into a mule cart to go to the county town to report the locust plague to Magistrate Chen.
If the government could really issue relief grain and funds, the common people would be able to alleviate a lot of pressure...
Inside the Yun family's main hall.
Niu Caixia, holding a wet rag, busied herself wiping tables and window frames, clearly enjoying herself.
The bedding was washed clean and neatly folded into the cupboard.
She was a person who couldn't stay idle. Since coming to the old Yun family, anyone could help her with childcare, so Niu Caixia had plenty of time to do housework...
"Caixia, come and rest for a bit. Those window frames were just wiped yesterday, they're not dirty yet!~" Gu Shi walked over with a cup of water, smiling.
Seeing this, Niu Caixia quickly put down the rag and cupped the cup in her hands. "Auntie, I'm not tired. It feels so comfortable to tidy up this house inside and out..."
Gu Shi heard this and let out an 'mm'. "You know, ever since you moved into our home, I've been so relieved. Before Huaihua got married, I didn't feel overwhelmed, but after she left, there was no end to the chores in and out of the house. Relying on this old woman alone, I couldn't do much. Now that Shanshan is pregnant and Guihua is managing the restaurant in the county town, it's all thanks to you being able to handle any task. If it weren't for you, I would have collapsed from exhaustion..."
Niu Caixia was flattered and repeatedly shook her head. "Auntie, Auntie, you're exaggerating. I came to your home to work, there's no need for such talk. Not only do you not dislike me, but you also give me wages every month. I'm already grateful enough!~"
It seemed she hadn't misjudged before; everyone in the old Yun family, regardless of age or gender, were good people...
Zhao Xiaojie was playing with the dog in the yard and felt a hint of displeasure upon hearing the conversation between Gu Shi and Niu Caixia.
Although the main family also paid her a monthly wage, compared to Sister Caixia, her wage was pitifully small...
There was no way around it, who told Sister Caixia to be skilled in all sorts of work.
Just then, an excited shout came from outside the door.
Zhao Xiaojie was momentarily stunned and turned to look, seeing Yun Jinshan rushing in with great haste...
"Sister Xiaojie, are Grandpa and Grandma at home?" Yun Jinshan's eyes were creased into a smile.
Zhao Xiaojie pointed towards the main hall. "Auntie is at home. Uncle and Sweetie have gone up the mountain!~"
Good heavens, what good news have you encountered to be this happy...
Yun Jinshan didn't have time to explain and directly rushed into the main hall. "Grandma, I passed the xiucai exam, hahaha!~"
Although the results weren't ideal, he had at least passed.
Who said he was destined to till the soil his whole life, to be confined to a mountain沟 and live in poverty forever?
His fate should not be decided or commented on by others...
Gu Shi was slightly taken aback, her nose pricking with emotion. "It's good that you passed, it's good that you passed. Grandma will make you braised loaches tonight!~"
It really wasn't easy.
Er Man had even considered letting Jinshan give up his studies and work in the fields, but he didn't expect this boy to be so promising and return with a xiucai degree...
In this era, there weren't many children who wanted to pursue the path of imperial examinations. Being able to pass the Tong Sheng exam was already very good, let alone the level of Xiucai.
"Grandma, where did my father go?" Yun Jinshan asked.
Gu Shi reached out and rubbed Yun Jinshan's head. "There's a locust plague in the village. Your grandfather and father have gone up the mountain to collect Qiye leaves..."
Yun Jinshan let out an 'oh' and glanced towards the inner room. "I'll go tell Shanshan's mother that I've succeeded!~"
It was known that after passing the xiucai exam, one wouldn't have to return to the village to farm. They could stay in the county town as private tutors, or work as managers or bookkeepers for wealthy families...
Du Tieshan had just finished folding Yun Xiaobao's clothes and was about to go help Old Man Sun decoct medicine when Yun Jinshan suddenly ran in. "Shanshan's mother, I passed the xiucai exam!~"
Perhaps because Liu Cuirong had left a deep impression on him and Yun Xiaobao, both children were unwilling to call Du Tieshan "mother" and instead added "Shanshan" before it...
"Really?" Du Tieshan's face lit up with joy, and she rushed to Yun Jinshan. "If you pass the xiucai exam, can you become an official?"
Yun Jinshan: "......"
Shanshan's mother, it's a bit difficult for a xiucai to become an official, but your son is very capable, isn't he?
"You can't be an official yet. If you pass the juren exam, it should be fine!~" Yun Jinshan murmured.
Upon hearing this, Du Tieshan patted Yun Jinshan's shoulder. "Then after your father and grandfather return, we'll discuss sending you to the Imperial Academy to study..."
"Shanshan's mother, no!" Yun Jinshan took a step back and shook his head. "I don't want to go to a place like that and embarrass myself!~"
His personality was quite different from Yun Jinhe's.
Yun Jinshan preferred a pastoral life, ideally living with his family, and disliked crowded and noisy places...
Du Tieshan glared at him. "If you don't go to the capital, what prospects will you have? Do you want to go back to the village and farm?"
"Oh, Shanshan's mother, don't worry about this matter, I'll handle it myself!~" Yun Jinshan said earnestly.
Du Tieshan: "......"
This brat, what can you possibly do?
If you dare to be unproductive, see how your father deals with you.
For the past few days, Xiao Xitian and Xiao Jinheng hadn't attended classes, and Yun Xiaobao and Gao Jingde had also become slacker students. Consequently, Jiang Youde, the esteemed Grand Scholar of the Hanlin Academy, had become completely idle...
"Mr. Jiang, this is the first time I've seen such a young侍讲学士!~" Guan Zhongbo sat cross-legged before the kang table, playing chess with Scholar Jiang. "You must be incredibly learned and talented, Mr. Jiang!"
Scholar Jiang heard this and smiled faintly. "Doctor Guan overpraises me. No matter how learned I am, in the end, I am merely an ordinary mortal..."
Guan Zhongbo heard this and gave Scholar Jiang a deep look. "Learned people really know how to talk. Mr. Jiang, are you married?"
For a young talent like him, with a face like jade and an extraordinary bearing, the young girls who liked him should be able to line up to the village entrance, right?
"St-still not..." Scholar Jiang's mouth twitched.
"Hmm?" Guan Zhongbo's hand paused mid-chess move, and he asked in surprise, "You're still not married? Is there something wrong with... that thing? Come, extend your hand, let this old man feel your pulse!~"
Scholar Jiang: "......"