Chapter 673: Zhang Zhan Gets Married
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
When the scholar’s parade ended, w.a.n.g Chuangui was exhausted. His excitement had long dissipated. Fortunately, his mother did not completely give up on him. When he returned home at night, he still received a mouthful of warm chicken soup.
Madam Ma sat beside w.a.n.g Chuangui and told him about the commotion during the day.
w.a.n.g Chuangui almost choked on his chicken soup. “Pfft—”
Halfway through, he remembered that this might be something rare for him to drink, so he hurriedly stopped and swallowed the rest.
He wiped his mouth and said, “Ah Yu actually sold so many things? Then today’s expenses—”
Defeng Pavilion’s food was not cheap. Usually, a table of food costs more than ten taels of silver. This time, Old Madam w.a.n.g directly booked the entire Defeng Pavilion.
Other than their family and friends, Old Madam w.a.n.g also invited some students who knew w.a.n.g Chuangui and other examinees from w.a.n.gbei County.
They did not accept their gifts, so this expense of money was footed by the w.a.n.g Family. Previously, w.a.n.g Chuangui was still trembling in fear, afraid that his mother would place this debt on him again. That would not be icing on the cake, but adding insult to injury.
“When did you see our mother suffer?” Madam Ma whispered into w.a.n.g Chuangui’s ear. “Mother discussed with the new chef at home and gave three recipes to the shopkeeper of Defeng Pavilion. The shopkeeper of Defeng Pavilion only received a deposit of ten taels of silver. After hearing that you’ve managed to score as a second grade scholar, the rest of the money was waived.”
Only then did w.a.n.g Chuangui feel a little emotional. Tears welled up in his eyes. Looking at the bowl of chicken soup in his hand, he finally felt the value of his existence.
It turned out that if he scored well and became a second grade scholar, he could save such a huge sum of money for his family!
“Later on, the shopkeeper heard that All Yu’s fiance is the current top scholar. They said that in the future, when Ah Yu gets married, she will be welcome to eat at Defeng Pavilion for free. Our w.a.n.g Family will also receive a 20% on the food.”
w.a.n.g Chuangui’s smile froze.
He also wanted to eat for free.
This way, even if he fell into dire straits in the future, he would not be unable to eat.
Of course, such a useless thought only lingered in his heart for a moment. With his mother around, it was impossible for such a day to come.
“I can be considered to have matured late in life. I naturally can’t compare to young people.” w.a.n.g Chuangui had long thought things through. His former arrogance had unknowingly been worn down.
He remembered that in the golden hall, everyone thought that he was a late bloomer, so he was confident. Only he knew that his palm was almost pierced through by his nails from clenching his fists too hard. He was really nervous!
Looking at the other students, they were actually similar to him in that setting. Only Qin Huai was really neither servile nor overbearing.
Not only that, when he answered, he actually did not answer smoothly. During this period, Qin Huai had reminded him twice without saying a word. Otherwise, it was unknown if he would be able to obtain that decree at all.
Qin Huai was really talented and hardworking. Having encountered such a person, he couldn’t even feel jealous.
A person who was more talented than him worked harder than him. It was normal that he couldn’t catch up.
“Why didn’t you ask me how much money All Yu earned today?” After w.a.n.g Chuangui finished the chicken soup, Madam Ma brought hot water to wipe his face and mentioned what had happened during the day. “In the past, Mother said that Ah Yu’s brain spun quickly. Today, I’ve finally broadened my horizons. Do you know that those students who usually pride themselves on being n.o.ble were all tricked by All Yu today—”
At this point, Madam Ma smiled again. “That child is quite sincere. She even donated half of the profits she obtained. Speaking of which, 1 only found out today that the difference between n.o.bles and ordinary people is still very big. When Ah Yu’s ident.i.ty as Village Lord Yu was revealed, those students did not even dare to say anything harsh. In the past, I happened to hear them talking loudly. They really dared to say anything and scold anyone. 1 still thought that they were very tough.”
w.a.n.g Chuangui took the handkerchief and poured the dirty water out himself. He also brought in a cup of calming tea for Madam Ma.
Then, he went to bring the water to wash his feet and found clean socks as usual.
As he took off his shoes and socks, he soaked his feet with Madam Ma and sighed. “All Yu has never been an ordinary person. Her path is far longer than ours.”
Madam Ma also smiled. “That’s right. Before Ah Yu came, 1 never thought that 1 would be able to come to Wanning City one day and talk to some Madams of n.o.ble families. Not to mention that our Sanlang even got married to a beautiful wife, and you’ve become a second-grade imperial scholar. It’s simply like a dream..”