Liu Ruolan ignored her husband. Her daughter was already sixteen, and it was normal for her to get married. If she really wanted to turn her into an old girl, that would be troublesome.
Cheng Jingzhou originally wanted to take the opportunity to worship his ancestors and return to his hometown to get married, but the actual situation did not allow it.
He had to go back to worship his ancestors, but Uncle Xie, as an official of the imperial court, obviously couldn't leave just because he wanted to.
As for his parents now writing letters asking them to come over in a hurry, it is obviously not appropriate, so they can only delay it for a while.
Cheng Jingzhou was still a little disappointed.
He really wanted to take the good boy away now.
But the reality does not allow it, so we can only wait.
Cheng Jingzhou took Ping An and Master Wu all the way back to Gaoyang County, once again making Gaoyang County the focus of the city.
Because Cheng Jingzhou won the top prize, he also brought a guard of honor when he returned to his hometown to worship his ancestors. This was a personal gift from the Holy One, and he would take it all back when he returned to Beijing.
After Cheng Jingzhou arrived in Fucheng, he first went to Mingshan Academy to meet with Chief Xu and several gentlemen, and then sent Xie Xiuwen's letter to them before returning to Gaoyang County.
Mrs. Cheng couldn't sit still while waiting. Finally she heard the servant come to report that the honor guard of the Number One Scholar had entered the city.
Cheng Xuezheng also had a look of relief on his face. He was naturally happy that his son had a promising future. This ancestor worship could be regarded as reassuring the ancestors of the Cheng family.
Cheng Jingzhou's Di Bao, who won the first prize in the examination, had arrived in Gaoyang County a few days ago.
The county magistrate not only visited the house in person to send congratulatory gifts, but also presented a reward of three hundred taels of silver in the name of the county government. Coupled with the congratulatory gifts from other county officials and squires, it can be said that the Cheng family has gained a lot.
Mr. Xie also sent someone to make a special trip, and the congratulations he sent were quite satisfactory, which made Cheng Xuezheng feel at ease.
Someone from the Chen family also came to send congratulations, but Xie Ronglan was the least happy.
She knew that Cheng Jingzhou was really capable.
If she had married Cheng Jingzhou back then, she would be the first lady now.
Xie Ronglan did not think that Cheng Jingzhou and Xie Rongzhao had to be together if they were married. Instead, she felt that the Xie family was sorry for her and failed to let her marry a good family.
Xie Ronglan had a grudge in her heart, but Cheng Jingzhou didn't know it.
As for Xie's family, all they know is that they know and can't do anything. If you don't know, you won't rush to inquire about this kind of thing. After all, some people don't like Xie Ronglan for a day or two.
When Cheng Jingzhou came back, it was natural to have a banquet at home. After a lot of work, Cheng Jingzhou finally had the opportunity to visit Xiejiazhuang.
Regarding family letters, Cheng Jingzhou had already sent them in person on the day he returned to Gaoyang County. However, the Cheng family had guests at that time, so he did not delay much. Now he went to Xiejiazhuang to pay his respects, which was considered as a courtesy.
Cheng Jingzhou met Xie Zhou and Liu Dalang. The three of them had studied together when they were in the capital. Now that they meet again, they can naturally recall many old things.
"Uncle asked me to check your homework when I see you. He also said that you should write two articles a month, no less. Next time I go back to my hometown to take the exam, I will also let you all take the test."
Xie Zhou and Liu Dalang are both married and have children. Now that their families are in a relatively good situation, they can concentrate on studying without any distractions.
"Uncle does have confidence in us, but I feel that my writing is still a bit lacking."
Liu Dalang on the side also nodded: "I feel the same way. I always feel that I haven't fully understood many things."
Cheng Jingzhou smiled and said: "Why are you anxious? We have to wait for another two years for the provincial examination. I will give you time to study hard again."
The few people looked at each other and smiled, and inevitably mentioned the current situation of Xie Ronghui and others.
Xie Zhou was still a little envious when he learned that Xie Ronghui was arranged to go on a study tour.
Those who can go out to study must have plenty of money. He doesn't think about this anymore. He just hopes to understand everything in those books, and he will be satisfied.
"By the way, my uncle asked me to bring this to you. The two of you discussed changing it and reading it. If it's useful, keep it and show it to other clan members or classmates in the future. In fact, if you want me to read it, If possible, you'd better copy it by hand."
Xie Zhou felt even more grateful when he got these annotated books and the reading experience specially written by Xie Xiuwen.
"Uncle has tried his best for our Xie family. Even though he is now a third-grade official, he still does not forget us juniors. If we were to change places, I don't think I would think so carefully, I'm afraid it would It’s hard to be comprehensive.”
Liu Dalang was also grateful. Xie Xiuwen was his uncle. While taking care of the Xie family members, he did not forget about their Liu family. This shows that this uncle is a person who values love and justice.
The three of them talked from the provincial examination to the general examination, then to Xie Ronghui's study tour and Xie Ronlang's talent, etc., and finally got around to Xie Rongzhao.
"How is my dear baby now? Has he grown taller? Is he fatter or thinner than when he was a child?"
Cheng Jingzhou smiled and said: "She has indeed grown taller and lost a lot of weight. If you miss her, then you have to work harder. When you get to the capital in the future, you can see with your own eyes whether she is more beautiful than when she was young."
Liu Dalang smiled and shook his head: "Brother Cheng, in fact, what we are most concerned about is your marriage. What did my uncle say?"
Cheng Jingzhou's face was slightly stiff: "Uncle is not willing to let the good boy get married so early, but I listen to auntie and the marriage can be completed this year. I also want to solve this matter when I come back this time."
"If you two get married, it should be more convenient for you two to get married in the capital. This is thousands of miles away, and my uncle is a busy man. It is impossible for him to spare so much time to prepare for the wedding. If you get married in the capital, my aunt will take care of everything. It’s quite cheap. But in this case, Uncle Cheng will have to work hard.”
Cheng Jingzhou sighed: "We have no choice. If we want to get a wife, we have to go to the capital. Fortunately, my parents are okay with it, and I had already asked someone to find a house in the capital."
"Inner city?"
Cheng Jingzhou nodded.
Liu Dalang said sympathetically: "Houses in the inner city are not cheap."
Cheng Jingzhou smiled and said: "There's nothing we can do about it. My uncle's family all live in the inner city. If I buy a house in the outer city, I'm afraid my uncle will be even less willing to marry me to me. What matters now is not the quality of the house. The most troublesome thing is whether we can find a suitable house.”
Hearing what he said, Xie Zhou and Liu Dalang really felt that houses in the inner city were not easy to buy.
If I buy it too small, I always feel that it is not worthy of the status of the No. 1 Scholar.
But if you buy a big one, you may end up spending thousands of taels of silver upon purchase, which is a bit scary just thinking about it.
Xie Laosan opened the curtain and came in, saying in a loud voice: "I know you are hiding here and talking. The banquet is about to start. Let's go."
Grandpa Xie sat on the main seat, grinning so happily that his lips reached to his ears.
The eldest grandson won the imperial examination and his granddaughter was about to marry the number one scholar. He really felt that his second wife and his family were the backbone of his Xie family.
Xie Xiuran came over cautiously: "My dear nephew, have you seen Brother Hui in the capital? Is his daughter fat?"
