After this private money incident, mother Chen and father seemed to be even more in love, even during dinner mother Chen rarely gave father several dishes.
The days at home were warm and uneventful, waking up early in the day to practise calligraphy was never interrupted, after practising, Zhu Pingan went to a nearby place not far away to read for a while, and then came back to enjoy his mother’s loving breakfast. After eating, reading and copying books, the day was so uneventful yet fulfilling.
In this way, three days passed, and Zhu Pingan finished copying the books borrowed from Grand Caiyou Li’s house. After breakfast, when Zhu Pingan was about to return the books from his house to Grand Caiyou Li’s house, there was a knock at the front door.
Zhu Pingan went to open the door with his school bag slung over his shoulder, and the moment he opened the door, he could hardly believe his eyes.
“En master, you are back.”
After Zhu Pingan was pleasantly surprised, he then bowed long and low at the first opportunity, “When did the En Master arrive home, Pingan was not good enough to go ahead and greet the En Master.”
Standing outside the door was none other than Zhu Pingan’s benefactor, Elder Sun, Elder Sun was red-faced, hale and hearty, holding a cloth bag, smiling and stroking his beard, the whole person seemed to be a dozen years younger.
“Exempt, exempt. The old man is used to going and coming in a hurry.”
Old Master Sun was the first to support Zhu Pingan with one hand in vain when he saluted.
“Benefactor, quickly come in.”
Zhu Pingan insisted on a single arch to the end before he got up with a naive smile and opened the door wide.
Old Master Sun walked in, holding a cloth bag.
At this time, Zhu’s father had already driven the oxcart out for a while, and his elder brother had also gone into the mountains, and only his mother Chen was at home.
“He sir is here ah, please sit down. Swine child. Take good care of it.”
Mother Chen made a pot of hot tea and brought it to the hall, then went back to her room, giving the hall to Zhu Pingan and Old Master Sun.
“Thank you.” Old Master Sun said politely.
“This time, the Childhood Examination, old me is quite pleased.” Old Master Sun stroked his beard. Full of redness, he was very satisfied with Zhu Pingan’s play in this Childhood Examination.
“It’s all because of Enshu’s good teaching, the student is just the right person for the job.” Zhu Pingan smiled nervously and returned.
“High school case head, still can not be arrogant and not impatient, the old man is quite pleased, but this child trial. Your performance is worthy of Lao Fu’s praise.” Old Master Sun was quite pleased that Zhu Pingan could still not be arrogant or impatient after his achievement, and he was even more satisfied with the student he had single-handedly unearthed.
Zhu Pingan could only smile nervously.
“This time, the old man has come because he has a great thing to inform you about.” Old Master Sun looked at Zhu Pingan, stroking his beard and smiling.
A great good deed?
What kind of great good thing would it be? Seeing me as young and talented like in the novels. You want to introduce me to someone? But the granddaughters and grandchildren of Master Sun’s family have already started their own families, and the granddaughters and grandchildren are probably just now running away, so it’s not appropriate either.
Zhu Pingan did not know for a moment what the great thing that Old Master Sun said was.
Sun old man looked at his own this winning student blank look, the old man is greatly relieved, “this year coincided with the saint’s thirty years on the throne of the Grand Ceremony, but also the speech officer reported that the Northwest is now unicorn patrol, the saint is very happy, the dragon’s face is very happy. Special decree Enke.”
Enke?
The emperor is going to open the Enke, countryside examination originally three years, the last countryside examination last year just examined. Originally thought to wait two more years to go to participate in the countryside examination, did not think that the emperor is going to open the Enke, that does not mean that this year can go to the countryside examination.
In other words, when is the Enke examination ah? Will not be rushed to the winter it, the countryside test is not like a child test, but a company to stay in the examination room for several days it. Think of the winter will have to be in the Jiangnan Tribute Academy suffocating narrow No. House snail living for several days can not get out, there are some horror ah.
Old Master Sun looked at Zhu Pingan’s appearance. He also thought that Zhu Pingan was happy and bad.
“Do not be too excited, you are still young. This time, you can do your best.” Old Master Sun picked up the teacup, blew slightly, slowly drank a mouthful and exhorted Zhu Pingan.
“Oh, thank you for the reminder, En-Sensei.” Zhu Pingan arched his hand and respectfully thanked him.
“Well, although you are young, you are most reassuring to me.” Old Master Sun nodded his head in satisfaction.
After another moment, Old Master Sun put down the teacup in his hand and pushed the cloth bag placed on the table towards Zhu Pingan.
This is?
Zhu Pingan was somewhat puzzled.
“Though you are young, but this time, the high school student test high school head of the case, the old man is quite gratified. This time also coincides with the Enke, if there is no accident, you will be able to go. Therefore, the old man decided to advance for you to crown, but also in line with the gift, this bag is your teacher’s mother gave, tomorrow you wear this suit to the old man’s home, the old man for you to crown.”
After pushing the cloth bag to Zhu Pingan’s side, Old Master Sun stated the main purpose of this trip.
Crowning, so soon, isn’t it only adults who can be crowned.
Crowning ceremony, one of the Chinese nation’s jia rites, is the rite of passage for Han Chinese males in ancient China. The crown ceremony was almost abolished during the Yuan Dynasty, and the Ming Dynasty quickly restored the destroyed Chinese ceremonial system, and the crown ceremony achieved a second revival. In the first year of the Ming Dynasty, Hongwu made an imperial decree to set up the crown rite, from the emperor, the crown prince, the imperial son, the magistrate, down to the common people, all formulated the rituals of the crown rite, on the whole, the crown rite in the Ming Dynasty was more prevalent.
Of course, the crown ceremony is also mainly the upper class society pay more attention to the mountains and villages also pay less attention. However, as a scholar, the crown ceremony is also very important, mostly by the elders and teachers to add the crown ceremony. Basically, there were not many crown rites in Xiahe Village, and they were not valued, which was why Old Master Sun was responsible for crowning Zhu Pingan himself.
“Thank you, Elder Master, thank you, Elder Mother.” Zhu Pingan results in the cloth bag, rises from the table, and gives a long bow.
After finishing, Old Master Sun stayed for a while longer, giving Zhu Pingan some essentials of the Four Books and Five Classics, and then left. Zhu Pingan kept sending Old Master Sun to the village entrance before returning.
“Quickly tell Mother, what is the Enkei?”
Just as Zhu Pingan entered the house, he was dragged by his mother, Chen, who asked with curiosity and excitement.
Listening to the wall, not good, mother-sama.
“The usual countryside examination is a three-year examination, and the Enke, how to say it, is that the court has a big happy event, and the Holy Spirit has issued a special imperial decree to add an additional examination for the Enke. It’s just one more test, so my son will be able to go for the countryside examination this year.” Zhu Pingan explained to his mother, Chen.
“The countryside examination, what is it again?” Mother Chen’s curiosity intensified.
“A township exam is an exam that only Xiu Cai can take, and after you pass, you’re a lifer.” Zhu Pingan went on to explain.
“Is a Lifu a big official?” The mother, Chen, was excitedly old and powerful.
Zhu Pingan had to proceed to explain to his mother Chen, but after listening to Zhu Pingan’s explanation of the Lifted Man, his mother Chen had proceeded to ask what benefits the Lifted Man had and so on.
When she heard that Zhu Pingan had told her all about the advantages of being an official, especially when she heard that being an official was almost a foot in the door of being an official, her mother Chen’s eyes were glowing as she urged Zhu Pingan to go and study.
“Go and read, read well.”
Mother Chen pushed Zhu Pingan into the room without saying a word and told him to go and read, Zhu Pingan had to sling his cloth bag and smile bitterly, saying that just now he was preparing to go to Li’s house to return the book, so he had to go again in the afternoon.
