dressed as a scholar

The spring day passed quickly, and it was sunny for half a month without knowing it, and the weather was already very hot.

Fang Yu changed his clothes early in the summer and read books for more than two hours in the morning. When he opened the door, the sun was already shining brightly in the courtyard.

On the cloudless blue sky, there is no wind blowing, the leaves of the trees are softened by the sun, and the trees in a yard are all hanging down, only two old camphor trees are still fighting against the scorching sun.

The Fang family's house has just ushered in the first summer of the master's stay. The green plants in the house were only planted around October last year, and they sprouted and bloomed in the spring of the next year, but they can't shade the sun and avoid the sun. The house is also cooler than those old houses with towering green plants.

Qiao Hezhi was afraid that he would be too hot to read, so he installed a manual fan in the study room, and placed two pots of orchids at the air outlet. When the servants pulled the fan rope, the scented wind would blow out, which was very elegant and interesting.However, he has only been fresh for two days. Although the fan can reduce the heat, there must always be someone waiting to pull the rope. Break his train of thought for writing articles.

He only used this handmade fan when it was too hot at noon. In addition, the orchid was replaced with two pots of tuberose. Not only is it hot in summer, but mosquitoes are really annoying. There are fewer during the day, but at night It can be said to be suffering, buzzing in the ears, and just beating mosquitoes can last for an hour.

He withdrew his dark eyes stimulated by the sun, and saw that it was almost noon, and Xiao Qiao would usually give him a cold mung bean soup or white fungus soup, but today he was nowhere to be seen. Come here, his mouth is a little dry.

He was going to look for someone in Xiaotong courtyard, but he came here first.

"Why did you come out? Finished today's homework so early?"

"It's hot in the room, so I'll come out to breathe." Fang Yu saw that Qiao Hezhi's clothes were neatly dressed, and there was still a little sweat on his forehead, so he stepped forward to wipe it off for someone: "Have you ever been out?"

"I know you're hot. I heard that there's a new ice cellar in the city. Didn't you rush over there to buy some ice cubes? I asked Xue Zhu to bring a basin to the study. You can blow some air in the gazebo and go in later. It's not as hot anymore."

Hearing that there is ice to enjoy the coolness, Fang Yu has a smile on his face. Ice in summer and charcoal in winter, the consumption of these two seasons is unacceptable.

"In this way, I don't have to suffer from the scorching heat when I study in the afternoon. But this morning, I haven't brought soup yet."

Fang Yu pinched Qiao Hezhi's hand to act like a good boy. After summer, he got used to drinking it. It would be a shame if he broke it someday.

"I prepared it early, but I was too busy bringing ice to bring soup." Qiao Hezhi said with a smile: "Early this morning, the farmer in the village brought some agricultural products. There are early-ripe plums and rice fields. The crucian carp and green shrimp inside, you like to eat cold dishes in summer, so I boiled a sour plum juice and put it in a deep well to chill, and then steamed the crucian carp and green shrimp to enjoy the cold salad, and it was delicious. "

Fang Yu was already eloquent when he heard the words. In the scorching summer, who can resist a plate of cold crucian carp and green shrimp.

Shelled freshwater prawns topped with ginger and garlic, sauce and vinegar sauce, a sauce made from a series of spice powder, served with green onion and coriander, one bite of freshwater shrimp, the first taste of the sauce in the mouth, bite into pieces Fresh prawns are tender and sweet meat.

He could eat a whole plate by himself.

"There's lime juice in today's gravy."

"You have a good mouth." Qiao Hezhi put a fat shrimp into Fang Yu's bowl, and he was very satisfied watching people eat it: "Didn't you say that vinegar juice and lime juice have a sour taste a few days ago, but lime juice is more refreshing?" Is it clear, I specially used lime when mixing shrimp today, the taste is really better."

"You do everything well." Fang Yu said: "I saw that the freshwater prawns are all big, and the crucian carp is also smooth. The meat is very tender and beautiful. I think the harvest in the field this year is also good."

Qiao Hezhi nodded. When talking about the harvest, he subconsciously thought that Fang Yu had already gone to rush for the exam at that time. He was depressed, but he didn't show it. Insect pests, and anxiously sent some self-raised chickens and rabbits to my uncle's workshop, and asked for some medicines that can suppress insect pests."

"There are still these things in Uncle's workshop?"

"Are there any weird things at Uncle's place? He even said he would send me some insect repellent incense. I asked him to hurry up and deliver some. If it works, he will save himself from suffering at night."

Fang Yu laughed. There are also mosquito coils similar to later generations on the market today. They are made of wormwood and sulfur, and they also have some insect repellent effects. If he is free, he will probably go to Lin Xuan's to toss mosquito coils together. But now it's the end of June, and I have to prepare to go to Fucheng to catch the exam at the end of July.

The academy was busy urging students, and Xiao Qiao at home was also watching hard. He had a lot of homework on weekdays, and he no longer had any extra thoughts to toss about other things, so he simply concentrated on his studies.

…………

The days soon turned to July, and from the middle of the month Qiao Hezhi began to prepare things for Fang Yu to go to Fucheng for the exam.

Yuncheng belongs to Yongjiang Mansion, and if you drive faster from here, you can reach the mansion in two and a half days. Even if it is not too far away, Qiao Hezhi doesn't intend to let Fang Yu go there just because of the time of the provincial examination. .

Qiao's father used to do business in Fucheng. Qiao Hezhi heard that the customs there are different from those in Yuncheng, and there are big differences in food and other things. There were scholars who went there before because they were not acclimatized to the environment and they were not comfortable with the exams. It's a pity. After traveling all the way, I haven't displayed my strength yet, and I will have to study hard for three more years when I go back next time.

Having learned these experiences and lessons, he prepared things early and made arrangements clearly. At that time, Fang Yu went to Fucheng ten and a half months earlier to adapt to the environment, and he was not afraid of delaying the exam due to water and soil issues.

The day in August is still sweltering, and the examination room is so narrow and small that the examinee has to stay in it for nine days. He usually prepares his clothes lightly and comfortably, but he is also afraid of heavy rain For the weather, I deliberately prepared a thick autumn coat and a jacket that was thicker and closer to winter clothes. I pulled Fang Yu and confessed: "If the weather is cold, don't be greedy for coolness, and you must remember to add clothes."

The township examination is approaching, and the taste of rushing to the exam is getting stronger and stronger. Fang Yu listens to the master's chattering teachings in the academy during the day, how to write a good essay, how to make a good impression on the invigilator and the examiner, and how to pay attention to the examination room. Things like this, talking about it makes people dizzy, I don't know how many people heard it, but it makes everyone more urgent and worried.

When he got home, he couldn't relax. Xiao Qiao dragged him to tell him about his basic necessities, for fear that he would suffer in the exam.

Around July [-]th, some students had already reported leave with their master, packed their bags and went to Fucheng to catch up with the exam. This group of students who left early included those who went to familiarize themselves with the environment in advance, and some students from poor families who could not afford to rent a trip The fast horse-drawn carriages, those who are a little better can take an ox cart, and those who are still a little better can only go on foot. It is really difficult to reach Fucheng without five or six days.

Qiao Hezhi saw that there were scholars going out of the city with a cloth bag every day at the gate of the city, and he also became anxious. Although he was reluctant to leave Fang Yu so early, he also knew that he should not delay the business because of his own selfishness.

So at the age of 25, he urged Fang Yu to leave.

"Fame and achievement are trivial matters. You have to take good care of yourself over there, and don't get sick in a hurry." Qiao Hezhi was like an old mother, worrying: "Don't take my words to heart, the last time you go back to your hometown There was also an old scholar who was anxious because he couldn't answer the exam questions, and when he came back he fell seriously ill, which made the family very worried."

Fang Yu smiled and listened to Qiao Hezhi's confession: "I'm not a child anymore, can't I take care of myself well. Don't worry and wait for me to come back."

Qiao Hezhi naturally knew that he should be able to take care of himself in simple things, but after all, he was different from ordinary people, there were too many unusual things, so he couldn't say a few more words.

After packing his luggage, he couldn't help but ask Fang Yu again: "Do you really want me to go with you?"

Fang Yu sighed: "I also want you to go with me, but I won't be able to stay together for a few days, and besides, the autumn harvest is coming, and the business inside and outside the house needs someone to take care of it. Fortunately, you are troubled by running back and forth. You don’t have to worry about it because you have classmates with you in the past.”

"Since that's the case, I don't have much to say. I will take care of the family affairs. You don't have to worry about the family when you go to the scientific examination. If it doesn't work, I can go back and trouble my parents."

Fang Yu nodded: "If you feel lonely at home, you can bring your mother-in-law to accompany you, or you can go to the lake wind well to stay for a few days, it's fine."

Mrs. Chen has been honest these past few months, and has not done anything unpleasant for a long time. Fang Yu is also relieved. If he wants to change to the past, he will definitely send Qiao Hezhi to Qiao's house before he can travel with peace of mind. go.

After the two confessed to each other and settled down, they had to get up early tomorrow to go on their way, so they took a rest early.

The person lying on the bed didn't sleep peacefully, Fang Yu put his arms around Qiao Hezhi's waist from behind: "I've been here for so long, you won't miss me enough to cry, right?"

"Who wants you to cry." Qiao Hezhi patted Fang Yu's hand: "Go to bed soon."

But Fang Yu didn't listen to anyone's dissuasion, he insisted on pulling Qiao Hezhi to be gentle, and said something that made people blush and heartbeat.

The next day when the sky was bright, a big lantern was lit at the entrance of the Fang family's house. Qiao Hezhi and Mrs. Chen sent Fang Yu off together. Seeing the wheels of the carriage slowly rolling forward in the mist, Qiao Hezhi subconsciously followed a few steps out and married herself. The two of them had never been separated for such a long time, and when the morning breeze blew across his face, his eyes were a little red.

"Hezhi, go back to the house, it's cool in the morning."

Qiao Hezhi looked at the head protruding from the carriage window, nodded vigorously, and wanted to agree, but his throat seemed to be choked by something.

"My son has rushed to take the exam three times. I think he will be able to pass the exam this time."

Chen clasped his hands together, bowed to the sky, and then squinted at Qiao Hezhi who was still standing on the air vent, and said: "Everyone has gone far, and who is still here to show it? It's better to go back to the house if you have these skills." Farewell to the Bodhisattva."

"By the way, I'm going to the temple in Lingxuan Cave Mountain tomorrow to eat fast and practice for a few days, so that I can pray for my son. I heard that the Bodhisattva over there is very effective. There are many scholars who are going to take the exam these days, so go to clean up There are also many people worshiping Buddha, if you don’t donate more sesame oil money, I’m afraid there will be no meditation room.”

Qiao Hezhi also knew what Chen Shi meant by saying this. Although Chen Shi was not as arrogant and domineering as before, Fang Yu still talked to him with a gun when he was not in front of him. Now the lord is going out for a month, and the two are together It is inevitable that there will be discord under the eaves, since she wants to go outside to clean up, it will save a lot of trouble.

"I'm going to ask Si Yu to get some silver taels. It must be enough to donate five or six hundred guan. My husband said that sincerity can lead to spiritual success, so don't be too trapped by external things. I will directly send my servants to Lingxuan Cave Mountain Come on, get it done early, and the mother-in-law will be able to live in peace when she passes by."

Mrs. Chen quickly said: "Don't be so troublesome. We are from a rural family, so we don't need to prepare anything in advance. Just give me the sesame oil money, and I will take it with me when the time comes."

"Since the mother-in-law has made up her mind, the daughter-in-law will listen to the mother-in-law."

Left and right spent money to buy a clean house, and Qiao Hezhi didn't bother with it much, so Si Yu took the money and sent it to the Longevity Hall.

On the other hand, he lay down on the bed and took a rest. Fang Yu made a fuss late last night, so he almost didn't get up this morning.