Chapter 65: Chapter 65: The Darling Lump Returns
Translator: 549690339
So the family of three entered the kitchen, with Qiao Dami making the fire, and Qiao Changshun learning to cook alongside Qiao Xiaomai.
In addition to the Brewed Snails, Qiao Xiaomai also sliced some pork and made a dish of Stewed Pork with Vermicelli.
The vermicelli was brought by Yuan Ding, who had run out of sweet potatoes at home and had to buy them from Jiwei Inn. Yesterday she agreed with Yuan Ding to bring some, and today she brought them, a full five catties, enough for her family to eat for a long time.
When the lunch was ready, Qiao Changshun moved the small table to the middle of the courtyard, and the family of three gathered around the small table for lunch.
White steamed buns, greasy Brewed Snails, and fragrant Stewed Pork with Vermicelli, Qiao Dami ate so much that her mouth was full, “It’s like Chinese New Year!”
“Eat slowly, from now on, every day in our house will be like Chinese New Year.”
Qiao Dami nodded vigorously, the smile on her small face never ceasing.
Qiao Changshun grabbed a chopstick full of vermicelli, eating it with a slurping sound like eating noodles. Compared to liangfen (bean jelly), he preferred vermicelli, which had a nice aroma, was soft, and filled his stomach.
Just as the family of three was thoroughly enjoying their meal, the Qiao Family’s old courtyard, which had been quiet for two days, became lively again.
The youngest son of the Qiao Family, Sun Junyan, had returned.
Sun Junyan, eighteen this year, went to study at the Bailu Academy at the age of eight and passed the Child Student Test at the age of fifteen.
According to the “Daqi Laws”, before scholars participate in the official Imperial Exam, they must first pass a preliminary examination called the Child Student Test. Once they pass, they acquire the status of a child student and can participate in the subsequent County-level Examination.
After Sun Junyan became a child student that year, he happened to encounter the County-level Examination which happens once every three years. If he passed that, he would earn the status of a xiucai, a degree holder.
A xiucai does not need to kneel when seeing the county magistrate and can also enjoy tax exemptions, which are many benefits for rural people.
With the hopes of the Qiao Family, Sun Junyan went to County Town to participate the County-level Examination.
Perhaps the exam questions were too difficult or he was too young and inexperienced, either way, he failed and did not pass.
However, the Qiao Family and he did not lose heart. He was only fifteen years old, there was still a lot of time ahead.
After dedicating himself to his studies for three years, there is another County-level Examination this autumn. In order to concentrate on his studies, Sun Junyan, from the time of Chinese New Year to now, has returned for the first time in three months.
The family’s hopes had returned. Despite being scolded, Sun’s family and the beaten Zhu Cuiying were all pleased. Sun’s family called back Qiao Chang’an, the third oldest, and Qiao Changkang, the fourth oldest, to the old Qiao Family courtyard. The entire family gathered around the table, livelily enjoying a reunion meal.
In the past, such reunion meals were prepared by Zhuang Luhe. Although her cooking skills were not as good as those of the restaurant chefs in the town, they were definitely much better than the others.
But now Zhuang Luhe was no longer around, and Zhu Cuiying didn’t want to enter the kitchen because of her injured hip, so the task of cooking was shared by Qiao Chang’an’s wife, Zhao Shufen, and Qiao Changkang’s wife, Wu Yinfeng.
As for Sun Junyan, Sun’s family had always been generous. Eggs, pork, and chicken were all served lavishly, like it was Chinese New Year.
However, when these ingredients ended up in the hands of Zhao Shufen and Wu Yinfeng, they did not bring out the usual wonderful taste.
At the dining table, Sun Junyan’s gaze drifted around the more than ten people present and he asked in surprise, “I was so busy chatting with my father and brothers just now that I didn’t notice the absence of my second brother and sister-in-law. Where are they?”
At these words, the dining table went silent for a moment.
Sun’s family withdrew their smiling faces, revealing a look of scorn. She snorted coldly and said, “That cheap woman, Zhuang Luhe, ran off with some random man. She is not your sister-in-law. As for your second brother, even though I’ve always pampered him the most, he provoked the Village Chief to hit your eldest sister-in-law. He’s a treacherous and unfilial thing. In the future, if you see his family, stay away and don’t deal with them..”