Chapter Nine, Young Sir

After being helped by Aunt Wu to tidy up, Zhu Ying glanced at the simple yet clean congee and side dishes, along with two delicate white steamed buns. Noticing the bright daylight outside, she couldn't wait to eat and asked, "Aunt Wu, what time is it?"

Despite her heart being filled with unhappiness, Zhu Ying finished this dinner. The reason was different from the simple hunger she felt at noon, as she found the countryside-inspired dishes quite delicious after just one bite. Of course, Zhang Shou's exceptional culinary skills must not be wasted

Moreover, you mentioned last time that the examination for the historical records at the Shuntian Prefecture was part of the new policies implemented by the newly appointed governor. The papers were reviewed by Song, the official he values most. Although there is a possibility of fraud by those clerks, there must still be a few who are competent. Given this, you have your connections; if you still cannot perform well in the examination, your father will surely take you to kneel at the ancestral hall

Deng Xiaodai, it is thanks to Mr. Xiao that you have donned the official robe. Shouldn't you properly set a table and invite Mr. Xiao for a drink?

She did not expect that someone in this rural farmhouse would know how to teach children the multiplication table. Instead, she simply stood outside the low fence and peered into the yard, where she saw a boy with a childish voice actually using a small stick to urge another even smaller child to recite the multiplication table.

What is a "Ling Shi"? Zhu Ying was completely stunned, racking her brain but unable to figure out what kind of official position "Ling Shi" referred to.

Recalling yesterday's line from Zhang Shou, "Who knows the hardships behind every grain of rice," Zhu Ying could not help but gain a deeper understanding of this verse at this moment

What does it matter if I grew up in the countryside? That cannot overshadow the brilliance of my family member, A Shou

In her dream, Zhang Shou no longer maintained a teasing distance from her, but instead smiled with a gentle elegance, ultimately causing her to wake up almost laughing

Hmm. A Liu's response was as straightforward as ever. However, this did not prevent Miss Zhu from being animated and feeling proud.

In the morning, I bid farewell to Baidi amidst colorful clouds, and in a single day, I return to Jiangling a thousand miles away

With a huff that seemed to be out of spite, she managed to force a smile: "I really shouldn't have gotten up so late... By the way, where has A Shou gone?"

What is she really expecting? One can tell from Zhang Shou's poor handwriting that his knowledge must be limited. Therefore, to be able to teach a minor official in this rural farmhouse is already quite an achievement!

If all else fails, as long as the Zhao State Duke's residence can lend him a hand, and as long as his aptitude is not poor, he will surely stand out...! ... Of course, to achieve this, first and foremost, his father and elder brother must return victorious in full force!

In the three years you have spent reading and writing, how many branches of trees have you worn out, and how much money have you spent on paper and pens, only to develop a fairly good level of reading and writing? Furthermore, you have studied arithmetic for three years, using an abacus for three years, and can solve one hundred problems in a hundred breaths, rarely making a mistake. Such a level of literacy and arithmetic is not only rare among your peers but also quite uncommon among those older than you.

Although people referred to him as the young master, Zhu Ying still instinctively felt that it was Zhang Shou who taught the Nine-Nine Song and also Zhang Shou who taught the recitation of poetry

On the road, she managed to extract a few words from A Liu with great difficulty. It turned out that the village where the Zhang family was located, due to the fact that the Zhang family had historically collected rents lightly and had never exploited the locals, was considered one of the relatively prosperous "rich villages" in the vicinity of the capital, where basic needs could be assured.

Before going to bed at night, Miss Zhu felt embarrassed to ask Madam Wu for help again while washing her face and feet. Despite being extremely careful, the front of her garment still got wet for the most part. Fortunately, she had planned to change her clothes that evening anyway, so she could only change into a set that Madam Wu had temporarily found for her, which included an undershirt and underpants that had never been worn. Although they were significantly shorter, they would have to suffice for the time being, and she could not afford to be concerned about the coarse fabric.

It is currently the rice harvesting season, and there are very few able-bodied men and women in the village. Most farmers have gone to work in the fields, and even the slightly older children are no exception. Those who do not have rice fields of their own naturally go to help others with their rice harvest. When it comes time to harvest their own wheat or cotton fields, they will return the favor by providing labor hours in return for the help they received. This is one of the systems that Zhang Shou has advocated for the past three years.

At that moment, several children ran past her, playing and laughing, and along with the sounds of their laughter carried by the wind, there were also a few scattered lines of poetry.

Zhu Ying hurriedly sat up and saw a clothes rack by the bed, on which hung a set of men's clothing. Her eyes brightened, and she quickly got out of bed and slipped on her shoes to try it on.

When she opened her eyes once again, she even heard her own laughter. After finally waking up a bit, she immediately coughed and instinctively called out "Zhan Jin". Not hearing a response, she couldn't help but open her eyes and look around in confusion. It took her quite a while to realize that she was not at home, and that Wu, who had originally been sleeping outside, was long gone.

Along the way, Zhu Ying had already experienced the mute-like personality of the Zhang family's male servant. Feeling half-choked, she was too lazy to ask further. However, after walking a few steps, she heard someone in a courtyard distinctly reciting, "One one is one, two two is four".

Upon hearing the term "official robe," Zhu Ying pondered carefully, and the curiosity that had filled her eyes suddenly dimmed, as she turned away in a sullen manner.

The houses seen along the way vary in age, with most being dilapidated due to years of neglect. The roof tiles are broken, and some even have drafts coming through all sides, consisting of makeshift huts constructed from bamboo fences and thatch, emanating a foul odor

Just at that moment, she only heard another congratulation coming from inside.

Miss Zhu suddenly had such an irrelevant thought, and then asked the person behind her, "Is this taught by A Shou?"

Why are you so foolish! The young master said that if you can recite it completely, without a single mistake, you will get to eat some candy! Sweet candy!

In a better mood, she couldn't help but smile slightly at the corners of her mouth, and then quietly left. Soon, she followed the silent A Liu to the front of a house in the village that appeared to be relatively tidy. She was pondering what lesson Zhang Shou was teaching, when unexpectedly, she heard a cheerful commotion.

Zhu Ying was utterly curious, but when she took another step closer, she heard Zhang Shou let out a laugh

Two orioles sing among the green willows, a line of white egrets flies across the blue sky

Zhang Shouguo is indeed very capable

Thanks to the young gentleman, my uncle merely provided me with a connection to find an opportunity; I never expected that I would actually be able to pass the exam

Of course, she had no idea that those shanties were pigsties in the end

Of course, Zhu Ying was unaware of this; she only felt that most of what she could see on the road were those toddlers, around three or four years old, running about chaotically

The Zhang family's mansion is located at the entrance of the village. Yesterday, when Zhu Ying arrived here, she already found it to be simple to the point of being shabby. Today, as she ventured deeper into the village, she finally grasped what the idyllic rural life, so beautifully depicted in poetry and song, truly looks like in reality

In the next sleep, she, who always chooses her bed when going out occasionally, actually had a beautiful dream

At last, Zhang Shou's outfit was quite simple. Just as she finished putting it on and was admiring the modest yet elegant young gentleman in the bronze mirror, there came a knock at the door from Wu, who had heard the commotion outside and came to deliver hot water and breakfast.

Recalling how she was "disdained" by Zhang Shou both in the kitchen and during dinner yesterday, she could not help but feel even more frustrated that he now disregarded her. As Miss Zhu, countless noble young men in the capital flocked to her, yet he actually ran away! She hadn't even done anything to him yet!

Zhu Ying couldn't help but feel surprised. She suppressed her impulse to dig deeper, nodded slightly, and quickly finished the breakfast that was already late. She then asked where Wu's Zhang Shou was giving a lecture, and in the end, despite not knowing the way, she still brought along Zhang's servant, A Liu.

What do you mean by passing an exam? Could it be that Zhang Shou can still teach students who pass the examinations for scholars and candidates? That would truly be remarkable

Zhu Ying paid no attention to anything else, only hearing two words: "Go out"

She immediately said with a smile, "A'Shou cannot stay idle at home; he is probably giving lessons to the young men in the village right now"

After so many years, the Wu family had long lost hope for this marriage, especially after being humiliated by Zhu Gongquan yesterday. However, after Zhu Ying had taken Zhang Shou away for such a long time and then returned, her temperament suddenly changed, and she seemed genuinely curious about Zhang Shou. This made her feel both delighted and inexplicably proud.

It is already 9 o'clock in the morning. Wu, upon seeing this young lady gasp in surprise, smiled and said, "This is the countryside, not the Duke Zhao's residence. It is perfectly fine to sleep in a little later. A'shou left early and specifically reminded me to tell you to sleep a bit longer."

If Zhu Gongquan were here, he would probably feel extremely embarrassed thinking about how he confidently asserted yesterday that the children of farmers do not understand poetry and literature