As soon as Zi Qing opened the door, it was indeed Li Zheng who came with two officials to deliver a message. "Little girl, are your parents at home? Go and inform them that your father's brother, Zeng Zi Fu, has become a scholar." said Li Zheng.

  Zi Qing hastily invited them in, Zeng Rui Xiang instructed Zi Qing to make tea, Shen Shi quickly went back inside and brought out two handkerchiefs which she handed over, the officer took one and smiled as he put it away, didn't linger for long, said a few congratulatory words before leaving, saying they still had to deliver messages elsewhere. Zeng Rui Xiang personally saw the officials off.

  Inside, Zheng accompanied him to the door and saw the runner off with a smile. He said: "Zeng Xiucan, I hope you will strictly teach my child in your school. This kid is wild and restless, like a monkey. If he can become a scholar in the future, it would be a great honor for our ancestors. Your son Fucan is two years older than him and has been knowledgeable about books and etiquette since childhood. It's obvious that those who have read books are different from those who haven't. Fortunately, you set up this school, otherwise, all the children in the village would be like a group of monkeys. However, now that your son Fucan has become a scholar, I'm afraid your school will be busy soon. Don't decline at that time."

  "Don't worry about it, we're all fellow villagers here. It's already not easy for them to send their kids in." said Zeng Rui Xiang.

  Shen's family saw that Li was about to leave, so he hastily handed over a string of silver coins that had been prepared in advance and said, "In the past few years, I have benefited greatly from your care. This is the lucky money for my child's good fortune, you must accept it."

  "Now, since the separation of the family, the life of Xiū Cái's family has been getting better and better every year. They bought land, built houses, and in the blink of an eye became one of the wealthiest families in the village. The children are all very promising, studying hard from a young age. We can't help but feel inferior to them. Since it's a gift of money for good luck, I'll humbly accept it. Taking it back home will bring some good luck too. Thank you, thank you! Another day, I'll come to your house to ask for a cup of celebratory wine."

  "It should be so." Zeng Ruixiang smiled. Li Zheng put away the money, cupped his hands and made a fist, and walked away with a smile on his face.

  Zeng Ruixiang returned home and opened the official letter to take a look. He sighed with regret, "What a pity! Zifou was just one spot away from being a Jinshi."

  Zi Qing was just about to ask clearly, when the doorbell rang again. Zi Fu and Zi Lu rushed in. Zi Fu asked at the door: "Dad, mom, I just heard that the village people said that the official had entered the village and was looking for our family. Has my score come out?"

  Zeng Ruixiang handed over the official document and said: "What a pity! You can see for yourself. It's just one short of being a Jinshi."

  Zi Fu took over the official letter, glanced at it, and also let out a long sigh. He lowered his head and said, "I'm sorry, Father. I've disappointed you. From now on, I'll work even harder."

  "Dad isn't disappointed in you, Dad just feels a little sorry, Dad knows you did your best." Zeng Ruixiang said, patting Zi Fu's shoulder.

  "All right, what's the use of saying all this. It's just a waste of breath. What's the point of asking whether it's auspicious or not? Just tell me if the child is a boy or not?" Shen Shi didn't understand what "auspicious birth" meant and thought that Zi Fu hadn't been born yet.

  Upon learning that Zi Fu had passed, and after Zeng Rui Xiang explained what a "lin sheng" was, Shen Shi wiped away her tears and said: "This is quite good enough. Our family doesn't lack those few taels of silver to spend. Fu Er is only 14 years old, and he's already passed the xiu cai exam on his first try. If he studies hard, in three years' time, he'll surely be able to pass the ju ren exam for me. In my opinion, let's first go to the old house to send a message to the child's grandparents, so they can also rejoice. It just so happens that I've finished making clothes for Father and Mother, we can send them over together. Tomorrow, let's invite them all to come eat a meal and celebrate. Ah yes, husband, do we still need to set up a banquet in the village? Just now, Li Zheng also said he wanted to come ask for a cup of celebratory wine."

  Madam Shen was full of satisfaction, although she had already figured out what a "廪生" meant and felt a little regret in her heart. However, since her son had passed the imperial examination at the age of 14, which was not easy, she couldn't be too demanding on him as there were still many days ahead.

  "Mother, don't make a fuss, it's just a xiucai after all, what's there to celebrate? Just having dinner as a family is enough." Zifu hastily said.

  Zeng Ruixiang looked at Zifou and nodded slightly.

  The next day, the old man and Tian Shi wore the new summer clothes made by Shen Shi, bringing their two daughters in early. Autumn Jade shouted as soon as she entered: "Zi Fu, the aunt of Xiucai Laoye has arrived, why don't you hurry up to greet her?"

  Zi Fu busy came out of the house, smiled and said: "Grandpa, grandma and two aunts arrived so early today, I was just preparing to go fishing."

  Shen was cleaning the frogs caught by the children last night, and there were still loaches in the basin that had been caught yesterday. After hearing what Zifeng said, he said: "It's so hot today, let's take a rest today. Anyway, there are still many frogs and loaches at home. I also killed a chicken, which is enough."

  Shen's family didn't plan to make too many greasy dishes, so when Zifu saw Shen kill a chicken, he said: "Mother, let Qing'er make white-cut chicken with this. She often made it in Changzhou and my classmates all said it was delicious. I have an appointment with someone else today, so I'll be back early." After finishing speaking, Zifu took Zilu to go fishing, saying as they walked: "Grandpa, Grandma, I have an appointment with someone else, it wouldn't be right if I didn't go. When I get back from fishing, I'll bring some for you to eat."

  "Alright, alright, good boy, hurry up and go, the earlier you leave, the earlier you'll be back." Mrs. Tian smiled and waved her hand, her face beaming like a chrysanthemum flower. On the way she had just come from, many familiar people saw her and came forward to greet her, all praising her for raising such a good grandson, who at a young age had already become a scholar, and would surely become a high-ranking official in the future. The old lady was looking forward to enjoying the blessings of being an official's wife. Mrs. Tian felt as sweet as if she had drunk honey when she saw the villagers' envious glances.

  The old man was also discussing with his son whether to hold an ancestral worship and set up a wine table. Zeng Rui Xiang thought for a moment and replied, "Dad, I think it's better to talk about this later. Fu Er has only taken the first step, which is also the easiest one. Three years from now, he still needs to take the imperial examination and become a scholar-official. That would be considered truly achieving something. My point is that if we make a big fuss now to celebrate for the child, what if three years later Fu Er doesn't pass anything? We wouldn't have anything, but I'm afraid he can't bear other people's idle chatter. I think the child also thinks this way."

  The old man also agreed with this, but Tian Shi originally wanted to take the opportunity to show off in front of several sisters-in-law and villagers, and Chun Yu's family could come over to celebrate. When he heard that there would be no wine, his face immediately turned a few shades darker. After thinking for a moment, he said: "Others may not be invited, but the child's eldest aunt should also be informed, let her family come over to celebrate."

  Zeng Ruixiang naturally didn't know her thoughts, and was discussing family matters with the old master. After hearing Tian Shi's words, he replied: "This isn't a big deal, what's there to celebrate? Chunyu's family is busy at this time, the farm work hasn't been finished yet, and the crops can't be delayed."

  Tian's face turned even darker after hearing this, Zi Qing couldn't help but smile secretly on the side. She knew Tian's thoughts all too well - wasn't she just thinking of having her whole family come over to take advantage of the situation? Just as she was smiling, the doorbell rang again. This time it was San Bao and her several grandsons who had arrived. Upon seeing them, Tian immediately put aside her earlier displeasure. Over the years, she and San Bao's family hadn't been lacking in comparisons. San Bao's family had five sons, and the elderly villagers often praised them for being diligent and filial. San Bao was a good teacher.

  The Tian family had been holding their breath for a long time, with two sons, one working at the yamen and the other being a xiucai. In recent years, due to Xia Yu's illness, life at home had been tight. However, in the past few years, her second son's family had been doing well, and even the old third son from the third house was helping his own son with temporary work. She had truly puffed out her chest and felt proud, not to mention that now her eldest grandson was making a name for himself, having passed the xiucai exam at just 14 years old. This time, the third house would be left far behind, even if they ran barefoot.

  Tian's family deliberately shook off the new clothes on his body, and smiled: "Third sister came with a good heart today. Third sister is really in good shape. At such an old age, I heard that during the harvest season, you have to help several sons take turns cooking, and also help your sons dry rice. I'm not doing well, standing under the sun for a while makes me dizzy."

  "I'm not as lucky as you, my son is filial and my grandson is promising, I don't need to lift a finger to help, everything is delivered to my doorstep. My sons at home are idle, I can only do my best to raise them, they're all born from my womb, how can I favor one over the other? As a mother, I just want my children to live a good life." The third aunt replied with a smile.

  Tian heard her words and was slightly distracted, just about to respond, when Shen heard that San Niang had arrived, she hurried out of the kitchen, not having time to speak, San Popo opened her mouth: "Yu Mei, San Niang knew that Zi Fu passed the imperial examination, rushed over to take a look at you, this is the honor of the entire Zeng family, in those years San Niang often said you were a good daughter-in-law, you see you taught these children well, now it's also bitter to sweet, the days of enjoying wealth are still ahead."

  "Look at what San Niang said, isn't he just a small xiucai? The road ahead is still long, who knows how far this child can go?"

  "Don't worry, you can be sure. I often tell these young ones to cherish the opportunity to attend school and study hard. It's not easy for children from poor families to get into school. If it weren't for Rui Xiang helping out, where would they find such a good thing?"

  "That's not right, my son didn't even take the county exam for the sake of several children in our clan and village, but there are still people who don't appreciate it." Tian said this with some indignation, because Zeng Rui Xiang didn't receive many gifts, and all the children in their household were exempt.

  Three old women heard some whispers, Shen Shi quickly pulled her into the house to talk, Zi Qing was not interested in listening and ran to the kitchen to prepare dinner. "Qing Er, your brother just told you to make what white cut chicken? I've never heard of it? Where did you learn it?" Shen Shi asked as she sent off Three Old Women's family and returned to see Zi Qing fiddling with the chicken in the kitchen.

  "My daughter, I was told by someone when buying vegetables in Changzhou that it's simple and delicious, so I learned to make it." Zi Qing quickly explained that it was actually a dish her mother loved to make the most in the past, indeed simple and delicious, and she remembered it.

  At over ten o'clock, Ziqing was preparing the dipping sauce when another guest arrived at home. Shen called Zishou to open the door, and Ziqing didn't pay attention. Before long, two people entered the kitchen and saw Ziqing busy, asking: "What are you doing? Why is there only scallion and ginger but no dishes?"