Chapter 18 (1/2)

Mr. Chen stroked his beard and answered, “I’m ashamed to say that we were classmates when I was young, but I didn’t do well in my studies and only take Tong Sheng as my score in the exam, but he was a scholar, even Lin Sheng. Unfortunately, he has not been able to pass the examination of scholar. He has wasted many years, and he had no intention of doing so. Then he returned to his hometown to teach and educate students to inherit his father’s career.”

“It won’t always be bad luck,” Xue Tingxiang said.

If he remembers correctly, the owner of the Qingyuan School, headmaster Lin finally became Ju Ren three years later. At that time, the whole village was in a sensation. Gao Youzhi, the owner of the Qinghe School, was so angry and jealous that he almost spit out blood. At that time, he was about to leave the Qinghe School and go to study in the Shen family. He happened to hear something.

Mr. Chen thought that the young man was just comforting him, and smiled, “I’ll take your good advice.”

Xue Tingxiang was not vague either. He bowed to his hands and said, “Thanks for uncle Chen’s mention, but there are still some trifles at home that have not been dealt with. When everything is in order, I will go to the Qingyuan School to study.”

“You are simply. But you are not afraid of being involved, which will hinder your reputation?” Mr. Chen asked curiously.

“I haven’t entered the school yet. What’s my reputation? Besides, the imperial court has always attached great importance to the selection and admission of talents. If I am really talented people, surely the county magistrate Hu dare not block me too much.”

“I haven’t thought that you are so ambitious. Well, since you dare to go, I will introduce you at the proper time. Although my classmate is inflexible and speechless, his knowledge is first-class. Don’t dare to teach a scholar, but a scholar is no problem.”

“Thanks for your attention an care first.”

For several days, Xue Tingxiang and Zhao’er left early and returned home late.

Xue’s family has been asked twice. Zhao’er said that she should take Xue Tingxiang out to breathe, so as not so much pressure for him. The people in the biggest son’ room are disdainful, while Mr. Xue can’t help shaking his head. After that, no one asked more questions. Most of them knew Xue Tingxiang was doomed to lose. Maybe the two children in the second son’s room know that they will not win, so they abandoned themselves. Instead of reading, they ran around for fun.

Even if he is qualified as Xue Juncai, he has to read books for many days at home to prepare.

Time flies, the appointed date arrived.

This day is no different from ordinary days.

The early morning of the farmer’s family is always busy. After a night, all the livestock in the family have to feed, and a large number of family have to eat. After breakfast, the men would go to the ground and the women would do housework at home.

If there is any difference, it is that Xue Juncai has two more poached eggs in the bowl than others at breakfast.

Because of the order of Mr. Xue some time ago, Mrs. Zhao dare not to cook secretly for the people in her room. But today is unusual, so she can’t help it.

Originally, Xue Tingxiang didn’t have one. Mrs. Yang saw that the father-in-law’s face was not good, so she took the initiative to ask Mrs. Zhao for two eggs to add to his bowl.

Xue Tingxiang wanted to give one to Zhao’er. Unfortunately, he couldn’t persuade her.

For two eggs, the two people whispered in a low voice. But Mr. Xue’s face was a little serious.

However, this is the life of the villagers. No matter how how heavy the mood is, their livelihood cannot be left behind. Especially just in time for spring ploughing. Mr. Xue took his two sons to work in the field for a while, and didn’t come back until almost noon.

About the competition between the two children of Xue’s family, it has been widely spread in Yuqing village.

People kicked up a dust, but most people can understand Mr. Xue’s practice. It’s not easy for rural people to earn money. No one’s money comes from the river. If he has enough money, he will not let them complete.

Knowing that today is the date, villagers let the children at home watch in the village. Seeing that some strangers have gone to chieftain Zheng’s house, these children ran to the ground and shout, “Someone has come to chieftain Zheng’s.” Then the grown-ups didn’t plant any land, and picked up the hoe to return back.

Soon, the courtyard of chieftain Zheng’s house was full of people, and more villagers were pouring here.

The yard was full of shouts and gossips, talking about today.

In the room, chieftain Zheng’s was talking with a middle-aged man in a scholar’s shirt and a flat turban.

This man has a long, thin face, some blue and white complexion, slightly puffy under the eyes. His appearance is not so good, but identity seems to be different, which sitting on the throne.

Chieftain Zheng could only sit beside him.

There is quite a different temperament between his looks. He is the scholar Qiao who is famous in the nearby village.

As early as before, chieftain Zheng was thinking about it. Xue Qingshan came over to invite people from the Xue family. If he didn’t expect it, the perrson is his father-in-law, Yang Zhong, and he is just a Tong Sheng, so he invited a scholar.

One is to show his selflessness, and the other is to show his prestige.

“Mr. Qiao, please drink tea, I’ll send someone to rush them.”

Scholar Qiao waved carelessly, “Don’t worry.”

Just then, there was a lot of noise outside, it was that clan leader Xue came with people.

However, the leader was not Xue, but an old man over half a hundred years old. This old man is medium-sized and dressed the same as scholar Qiao. He is also in a scholar’s shirt and wears a flat turban. Obviously, even if he is not a scholar, he is also a Tong Sheng.

Sure enough, scholar Qiao saw the old man and hurriedly stood up from the chair and bowed to him.

“I didn’t expect you will come here. I’m paying respects to you.”

“Don’t be so polite. Sit down.”

Scholar He is the one who was invited by clan leader Xue to preside over the contest.

Chieftain Zheng was right. At first, Xue Qingshan did plan to invite his father-in-law. Unfortunately this matter was rejected by the clan leader Xue.

It’s only then that the clan leader Xue knew that Xue Qingshan was so stupid. They all said that it was not the way to select talents and avoid relatives, but it’s not his way to do it. It’s clear that he will be judged. Since he thought that he could win, why did he make a mistake, so he took it all over.

He knew that Zheng would not miss the opportunity to show himself. If he invited people, it must be a scholar. He had planned to invite this scholar Qiao, but he was a little late, so he had to use social relationship and invited scholar He.

After showing some courtesies, the two scholars sat down on the throne.

Chieftain Zheng and clan leader Xue were sitting on the side.

“It bothers you too much, chieftain Zheng.”

“Never mind, I’m chieftain here. How can I stay away from anything in the village?”

During the conversation, it seemed that everyone had a pleasant face, but in the words, there was no peace. During this period, several old people went into the house from the outside, They were some old people in Yuqing village, including Mr. Xue and Xue Qingshan, etc.