Chapter 109
Zhao Ger was killing fish in the outer courtyard. Aunt Liu was helping to cook. The kitchen was clean, items were neatly sorted and stored, and the rice jar specifically for holding rice was particularly conspicuous.
Aunt Liu lifted the lid and, seeing it was completely full of gleaming white rice, was stunned for a moment before closing it again.
There was no other rice in the kitchen.
Aunt Liu went out to ask Zhao Ger where the brown rice was kept. Zhao Ger said their family didn't have any brown rice.
Aunt Liu and Zhou Ger were dumbfounded.
"Then, what do you usually eat?"
"White rice!" Zhao Ger said.
Aunt Liu gasped, feeling that Zhao Ger's family was extremely extravagant.
No wonder there was no brown rice at home.
White rice, how expensive! One jin could be exchanged for three jin of brown rice.
Even though their family had some spare money now, they didn't dare to eat like that. Studying burned silver, and there would be many places to spend money in the future. Besides, Fang Zichen was currently living in the village chief's house. If their financial situation improved, the priority should be to buy a plot of land and build their own home.
Owning their own home meant they could live with peace of mind. freeing them from worries about the village chief reclaiming the house back, or if some disagreement arose and they demanded the return of the house. If that happened, they would have had nowhere to go.
A house couldn't be built in a day or two, it that really happened, where would they live then? If they were all adults, they could make do just about anywhere, but they also had a child.
Moreover, farming folk placed great importance on land, considering it their roots.
Aunt Liu thought about advising Zhao Ger to save some silver first, build a house, and then buy a few mu of land. That way, even if the business encountered problems later and couldn't continue, they could still return to farming. As long as they were steady and diligent, they wouldn't starve to death. This would be a backup plan.
But now, the words reached her throat, and after turning them over in her mind, she swallowed them back down.
No matter how good her relationship with Zhao Ger was, he wasn't her own born child. Even if he were, once married, he was the master of his own household. She had already told him everything that needed to be said and advised him on what was necessary. Reaching out to interfere now would inevitably invite dislike.
Having invited people, they had to cook more rice.
Watching scoop after scoop of rice being put into the pot, Aunt Liu felt her heart ache tightly.
The pickled vegetables made a few days ago weren't ready to eat yet. Zhou Ger's family had a perennial supply at home, so he went back to get some and cooked them together with the sliced fish.
The fat from the bought meat was cut off, fried a little, and then stir-fried with cabbage. The lean meat was stewed with dried bamboo shoots.
Many dishes were cooked, filling up the large table.
There weren't enough stools, bowls, or chopsticks, so they had to fetch some from the Liu family.
After all the busy work, dinner was finally ready.
When the village chief arrived, he brought a pot of wine. Liu Daleng carried a chicken. The clan leader brought a basket of eggs.
They said it was their 'congratulatory gifts' for Fang Zichen.
At the dinner table, Guaizai sat next to Fang Zichen and Zhao Ger. Earlier, seeing so many people had come to their home, he asked Zhao Ger why they were coming to eat at their house.
Zhao Ger explained to him that Fang Zichen had passed the imperial examination and achieved first place in the rankings. To express their gratitude for the help they had received in the past and to celebrate this success, they were hosting a meal for everyone.
So Guaizai asked: "Daddy~"
Zhao Ger: "Hmm?"
"Is first place very powewful?"
"Of course it is!" Zhao Ger said.
Guaizai clenched his little fists: "Then Guaizai will also be first place later! Guaizai wants to be powewful powewful!"
"Good!"
"But, why is first place powewful?"
Zhao Ger was stumped.
Fang Zichen tapped Guaizai on the head: "Stop asking. Meal time is not for asking so many questions, otherwise your brain will burn out and you'll become a little fool."
"Ah~" Guaizai was frightened and hurriedly scooped a spoonful of rice into his mouth.
The village chief laughed, filled the cups for He Daleng and the others, and personally poured a cup for Fang Zichen.
"Fang boy, come, have a drink with your uncle!"
Looking at the white wine pushed in front of him, Fang Zichen's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.
Most men enjoyed wine, but Fang Zichen was an exception.
When chatting before, Zhao Ger had asked him if he drank. Fang Zichen had replied that he did not, and even commented that the beverage somewhat resembled horse urine.
Zhao Ger then said: "How do you know what it's like?"
Fang Zichen was dumbfounded on the spot and couldn't retort.
What should I say?
Could I admit I've actually tasted it before?
Absolutely not! I just thought the color looked somewhat similar, that's all.
Before he was of age, he had secretly drunk twice with his second brother. He swallowed it to his throat but vomited it back up, utterly unable to get it down.
But now, it was hard to refuse such kindness.
Not drinking would mean not giving the village chief face.
Fang Zichen steeled himself, tipped his head back, and swallowed the entire contents of the cup in one go. An immediate, visceral wave of sickness washed over him.
Damn!
This wine, is it made from chili water?
So damn spicy.
His body reacted automatically, instinctively rejecting this dangerous substance.
It was like swallowing a spark. After a couple of reflexive gags, it burned all the way from his throat to his stomach, even his backside feeling fiery.
Home-brewed wine wasn't particularly high in alcohol content, but it was very potent and had a strong delayed effect.
Fang Zichen's fair face turned red in an instant.
But his gaze was still clear, he didn't seem drunk.
"Oh! Not bad, kid." The village chief praised: "Quite bold, you have the same style I had in my day."
He downed his own cup and wanted to refill it. Wang Damei patted his arm: "Old man, don't drink too much."
"I know my limits." The village chief said: "Besides, I'm happy today. It's fine if I get drunk."
They had parted ways at the village entrance when they returned from town at noon.
The village chief's home was located in the central part of the village, a densely populated area. It was around noon, and since the examination results were announced that day, many villagers who had just finished their meals and had free time saw the village chief returning from outside. Knowing exactly why he had gone, they immediately crowded around him to inquire.
"Village Chief, how did it go?"
"That..."Seeing him happy and smiling, someone asked hesitantly: "Did Fang boy pass?"
The village chief nodded: "Yes! He passed." As he spoke, he couldn't help but laugh again. It had been almost two shichen (4 hours) since morning, but he still couldn't contain his excitement. His tone was thrilled as he said: "And he was first place! First place!"
Almost as soon as he finished speaking, gasps sounded around them.
"...Re...really?"
"Didn't see wrong, did you?"
"How could we see wrong!" the village chief affirmed. "We asked a scholar. Daleng and I confirmed it repeatedly. No mistake."
Those who wanted to laugh at Fang Zichen's failure were directly dumbfounded.
Who could have imagined!
Not only had Fang Zichen passed the examination, but he had also taken the first place.
First place!
It was an almost unbelievable achievement.
So many people took the exam. Not only did he fight his way out, he reached the top. Truly capable and promising.
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