Volume 2: Residence in the Capital Chapter 80: Telling the Loving Mother
When Zhang Shou returned to the Duke of Zhao's mansion, he did not wait for Zhu Ying, who had gone to visit her mother, to come back, but instead received a letter of appointment. Obviously, Chu Kuan, the chief of the Imperial Household Department, did not speak without thinking, although a small position as a doctor of the Imperial College should not require the intervention of the emperor, let alone the drafting of an imperial edict by the cabinet, but such an incredible thing was decided.
So he said goodbye to the lady, packed up his things, and quietly left the Zhao Mansion with Qi Liang, Deng Xiaodai and A Liu.
Deng Xiaodai took a day off and saw a big scene that he had never thought of before, and went straight back to Shuntian Prefecture. After finally passing the exam to become a Lingshi, he did not intend to give up this career that he had longed for, even though his teacher had transformed from a country boy to a doctor of the Imperial Academy. Even though his ancestor was the Grand Master Ge who was respected by countless scholars.
As for Qi Liang, who had just ranked seventh in the provincial examination, he did not stay in the capital any longer, but decided to follow Zhang Shou back to Rongshui Village.
He rode a horse when he came here, and on the way back, because it was already late, Zhang Shou had no confidence in his poor riding skills, so he naturally took the carriage arranged by the lady. At this moment, he was curled up in the carriage, half-shaken by the bumps on the road, complaining that Ah Liu, the driver, seemed unreliable, and at the same time he made up his mind to go back and practice horse riding.
At least, riding a horse and rubbing your thighs against each other is much more comfortable than riding in a car.
Why didn't Emperor Taizu invent the spring? Well, the real helical compression spring is actually the product of industrial development to a certain extent. If there were no steam engines, piston cylinders, etc., it would be really difficult to do it...
I don't know what the so-called books left by Emperor Taizu are in the inner book hall. He was good at mathematics since he was a child. He got A in advanced mathematics, A in physics, and A in circuit analysis in college, but what he fiddled with most were various chips and circuit boards...
"Young Master, since returning from Yuehua Tower, Madam Tai has not mentioned the matter of the prefectural examination and the prefectural governor. Is it really not a big deal?"
Seeing Qi Liang worried, Zhang Shou came to his senses and said lazily: "If it's serious, the lady will definitely inform me. She didn't say a word about what happened later, so it's not a big deal. Besides, since Wang Fuyin was so tough when he was provoked by others, it's obvious that he was not being plotted against, but was well prepared and confident. So, small people like us shouldn't worry about it."
"Young sir, you are no small figure. I am simply dazzled by what you have seen today. Mr. Ge and Mr. Qi are both the most powerful figures among the famous scholars in the capital. Even those who have participated in many Yuehua Tower literary gatherings, Concubine Yu and Princess Yongping may not have seen them so closely. That eunuch Chu, the secretary of the Imperial Household Department, seems to be very unusual, but everyone is very kind to you."
"Oh, that was a coincidence. Besides, it wasn't because of my ability, but because..."
Zhang Shou dragged out the words, then suddenly stretched out his hand and patted Qi Liang on the head: "Don't try to trick me, kid. Anyway, remember, I won't get carried away just because someone seems friendly and kind. So, I want to tell you something..."
He paused, then said nonchalantly: "Some things cannot be done just as others want you to. In life, although we cannot really throw away all worries and be free, we don't have to be bound by our hands and feet. Even if we are in shackles and dancing on the edge of a knife, sometimes it is more interesting than staying in a cell as an honest prisoner, do you understand?"
As soon as Zhang Shou saw Qi Liang's distressed look, he knew that the person didn't understand, but he didn't want to explain.
It took him a long time to realize the true meaning of happiness in life. He did not expect a 16-year-old boy who grew up in the countryside to agree with this, but just gave him a warning in advance. However, he could not help but think of one thing in his heart.
Zhu Ying now does what she wants and is free and unrestrained, because she is carefully cared for and pampered by her family and elders. She is like a rising sun that shines its rays wantonly, bright, dazzling and charming. But if one day, she encounters an accident, can she still maintain that bright quality that makes him unable to distance himself from her even if he wants to?
If possible, he hopes she will always be this dazzling...
"Master, Master?"
When Zhang Shou opened his eyes again, he saw Ah Liu's big face close to him. He sat up straight and asked instinctively, "Are we home?"
"We're home now. My wife is talking to Xiao Qi."
Zhang Shou patted his face quickly to get rid of the last bit of sleepiness, and got off the carriage. Although he had taken a nap in the carriage, he was now on solid ground, and he truly felt the bumps along the way in this springless carriage. He had slept curled up, and after landing, the soles of his feet felt as painful as needles, so much so that he had to hold down Ah Liu beside him, so that he could barely stand steady.
"Then Madam Wu, I'll go back first." Qi Liang bowed to Madam Wu, then turned around and bowed respectfully to Zhang Shou, and then ran home like a flash. Although he was the only one left in his family, after finally passing the prefectural examination with a ranking that his father could not even imagine, he still decided to burn a stick of incense for his father.
As for what to eat alone at night...the kind-hearted lady asked them to bring back a lot of food!
Zhang Shou had no time to speak to stop him, Qi Liang had already run away quickly. He had originally wanted to invite people to his house for dinner before leaving, so he had to give up this idea. He limped to Wu, and saw that she was staring at his feet in shock. He had to cough and said, "Mom, it's okay, I just curled up and took a nap in the car, and my legs are numb."
"Is that so?" Mrs. Wu glanced at Ah Liu, and when she saw him nod, she felt relieved and continued, "Xiao Qi just said that you met Mr. Ge after entering the city, and then stayed in the Duke of Zhao's mansion for a night. You also attended a literary gathering today? You must be tired. Come in and eat something, then take a shower and rest early."
Seeing Wu dragging him inside, Zhang Shou did not resist, but could not help asking, "Mother, don't you ask why Yingying didn't come back with me?"
Mrs. Wu was stunned for a moment, and then she forced a smile and said, "Yingying has been away from home for so long, it's time for her to go home. It's hard for a rich lady like her to stay in the countryside for so long..."
Before Wu could come up with a thousand and ten thousand reasonable excuses for Zhu Ying's failure to return, Zhang Shou started laughing. Then, he held Wu's hand. The hand was obviously cold, but a little damp and sweaty.
"Mother, I encountered a lot of things when I entered the city this time. But the most important thing is that the emperor rewarded me for my contribution in capturing those rebels on the night of August 14th and gave me an official position."
Zhang Shouti did not even mention the so-called life experience that Concubine Yu had told him today, and he downplayed the emperor's appointment. However, when Wu turned around, her face was still full of ecstasy.
"Really? God has opened his eyes, this is really God's eyes!" Wu was so excited that she couldn't speak, and even forgot to ask what official position the emperor gave her. She suddenly let go of her hand and rushed into the mansion, and her shouting voice was heard immediately afterwards.
"Old Liu, hurry up and prepare some incense and candles for me. I want to go and worship my ancestors! Ah Shou has become an official! He has become an official!"
Zhang Shou sighed, and did not stop Wu's voice that could almost be heard by the whole village. Seeing Aunt Liu quickly set up the incense table and tributes in the front yard, and Old Liu took the incense burner and incense, he saw Wu kneeling directly in front , burning incense and praying, mumbling to herself, just like any other New Year's Day. He used to think it was ridiculous, but now he finally understood.
Perhaps, the ancestors that were originally worshipped were not very distant ancestors...
He slowly came behind Wu and knelt down on one knee. Immediately afterwards, he heard her reciting a few words in a very low voice.
"...madam's spirit in heaven...bless Ah Shou with wealth, honor and safety...and make him a good official..."
Hearing this, Zhang Shou smiled slightly, and then whispered behind Wu: "Mother, tell our ancestors that I am a doctor of the Imperial College, and the place where I serve is the Imperial College where scholars from all over the world gather. In the future, I will go there to be a teacher."
Seeing Wu looking back in surprise, with a look of disbelief on her face, he said in a serious tone: "I will try my best to live a wonderful life, live up to the flesh and blood and life she gave me , and live up to this life."
