Shuangjiayuan

One day before the departure date Shuang Zihua posted a notice in front of the store yesterday informing her customers that the store would be closed for several months to take her son to take an exam. He picked up his things and put them on the horse-drawn carriage. She brought back the bills of exchange that had been hidden all over the house and put them in a box under the bed that still had quite a few silver taels. Shuang Zihua thought for a moment, then put a thousand taels into another bag to spend on the way. She would not have to use the much lighter bill of exchange. When she finished separating the money, she carried the box up and put it in a secret compartment. Using a layer of quilt to hide it. As for clothes and bedding, she bought some that weren't very thick and folded them up and put them in the storage compartment. Shuang Zihua also secretly brought a small cooking stove and separate kitchen equipment. Since her storage compartment is quite large. So she prepared it in case she had to cook food along the way. How about another set of teapots and teacups? She also placed it on the floor of the carriage instead of in the storage compartment. Because she thought it would be easier to sip and drink while traveling.

 In the morning before traveling, gather with others in front of the study office. Shuang Zihua carried snacks and snacks and tea boiled in a medium sized pot onto the carriage. With Shuang Zhizhi also helping her carry things. Shuang Zihua also had another basket of provisions for cooking along the way that she had prepared. Shuang Zhizhi didn't dare protest against his mother for fear that she would feel hurt. Last time, they only ate supplies. only while traveling But it seemed that this time his mother would definitely not allow him to eat such a thing. So she had prepared so many things.

 The two horses themselves were also preparing for their journey. Since Shuang Zihua bought them She took good care of him and also gave him supplementary food such as corn and various fruits in addition to feeding him only grass. This made the two horses even more obedient to her because of the delicious food she diligently provided for them to eat.

 When she had prepared everything Shuang Zhizhi walked over to check on him. After locking the doors, he had his mother drive her horse and wait at the door. He would close the door before leaving for the study center.

 Shuang Zhizhi skillfully climbed into the carriage. His mother didn't know when he had prepared this small staircase. He had seen her hammer it into the carriage a short time ago. It makes getting up and down very convenient for a small person like him. He also wanted to grow up quickly but was discouraged at such a young age. So he could only accept his mother's good wishes like this.

 Shuang Zihua saw that his son had already taken his seat. She then forced the horse to travel to the study center. Along the way, villagers who had come to buy snacks greeted her warmly. and wished her and her child a safe journey. Shuang Zihua gave them a small smile and a sincere thank you in response to them.

 Shuang Zihua's carriage joined the line of four other carriages in front. This time, there were a total of four instructors along as before, although only five of them passed the exam. But they want to take the best care of their students. When they saw that Shuang Zihua was driving his own horse, they all went to chat and volunteered to help her drive instead. But Shuang Zihua politely refused. She thought that it was inappropriate for a widow like her to be close to another man. Even if it's just helping drive the horse. It was Shuang Zhizhi who understood mothers the best. He told the teacher that he would take turns with Mother. Their horses were indeed very tame, so the masters returned to their hired carriages and ordered them to depart immediately.

 During this trip Everyone in the procession ate Shuang Zihua's cooking along the way. As a result, they didn't complain that she often stopped to buy fresh food for cooking on the way even once. After all, they ate delicious food. This is better than these dry, hard, almost unchewable supplies.

 Until they arrived in the provincial town three weeks later. The teacher contacted him and asked to rent a large house for everyone to live in together. But Shuang Zihua saw that it would not be appropriate for her to be the only woman. So she asked to rent a separate house from them but close to each other instead. She also promised that they could come and eat at her house. Or you can have students bring food home to eat at their rented house. However, she came to take care of her son. If she had to take care of a few more people, it wouldn't be too much of a burden for her.

 The teacher, who was considerate at first, soon became enamored with the taste of her food. In return, they asked to pay for her food. Shuang Zihua didn't mind. She received ten taels for food every day until the exams were over. Shuang Zhizhi saw that Mother was able to take matters into her own hands. He did not protest at all. However, he was already helping her pick out the timer for cooking as usual.

 Their convoy arrived at the provincial town before people from other districts. This means you don't have to compete for a house to rent with anyone in the first place. They carefully reviewed their textbooks according to the schedule the teachers had allotted to them. Who has always been nourished from Shuang Zihua's good food? Their bodies were therefore well prepared for three consecutive days of examinations.

 The supplies for taking the exam were also provided by Shuang Zihua for the five of them. She knew that these children didn't have a lot of money. Since she had come to take care of them instead of their parents. She also wanted them to receive the same things that her son received. The food she prepared for them could be heated and eaten for three days. She made the food drier than usual. So that when they reheat it to eat, they just add water and it's convenient to reheat and eat.

 The four students thanked Shuang Zihua deeply. They envied Brother Zhizhi for having such a good mother. They also promised to help take care of Brother Zhizhi during this exam. Shuang Zihua, who had sent the children off with the four teachers, smiled and accepted the children's words with satisfaction, not wasting her energy in taking care of them. As such, for the next three days, she could sleep comfortably just waiting for her son to leave the exam room.

 The three-day exam went well. All the children were more than confident that they would be able to pass this exam. Except for Shuang Zhizhi who didn't say anything. He only smiled faintly at the teacher who had come to greet him with his mother, but the others all knew that the best person among them was this little child.

 Three days later the exam results were announced. Two teachers were the representatives to inspect it. He was afraid that there would be so many people that it would be difficult to check the names. Besides, they only had five students. Therefore, it is not difficult to check the names.

 Two hours later The teacher returned with a wide smile. He said that there were really so many people that it would take a long time for them to insert themselves. Why else would you check the names of the five people? Therefore making it come back slowly like this But none of their students were disappointed. The four of them were all ranked 1-20 in the exam, and Shuang Zhizhi ranked first. He was now the youngest Jiayuan in history at only ten years old.

 The city lord also said that he would have someone bring a rank certificate to send to Shuang Zhizhi at his rented house. So they hurried back to report the news first. By reporting the address of the rental house to the examination supervisor first.

 Not even half an hour The sound of the procession of people playing music celebrating Jiayuan in the province arrived at the entrance of the rental house. The master and disciples, including Shuang Zhihua, were already standing at the door. When the whole procession arrived Officials asked people to stop playing music to listen to the announcement.

" Shuang Zhizhi, age 10, took the Zhuren exam for the first time this year. and ranked first in the provincial examination The city governor then proclaimed him Jia Yuan, the youngest in the history of the civil service examination. May the new Jiayuan do his duty well. To be consistent with the ability of Jiayuan of the province. "

 Shuang Zhizhi bowed to the official and received his credentials. Along with handing over a bag of money in return as Mother had prepared earlier. The officials saw that this little Jiayuan knew the customs well and became more satisfied. He also personally congratulated him and asked if he would continue taking the exam in the capital.

 Shuang Zhizhi refused to take the exam in the capital this year. He said his age was too young. Wait another three years before he can take the exam again. The officials wished them a safe return and then returned to report to the governor.