After the county exam, Xue Pan went back to the study to prepare for the prefectural exam with Mr. Wan.

The prefectural exam was still in Jinling city, so it was convenient to go back and forth.

This was different from the county exam, which only tested the words of scriptures. She had to write an essay, especially when there was a poem at the end.

Mr. Wan did not expect Xue Pan to become a poet or a great writer. He only sent his errand boy to the shop to buy the exam papers of the top twenty students from the previous years. He did not even look at the random comments on the papers. He pointed out a few papers that were really outstanding and strictly ordered Xue Pan to recite them backwards fluently. If he found a good sentence, he just had to imitate it repeatedly.

Then, he asked the servants to inform Mrs. Xue of some "trivial matters". On this side, the wife of the head of the Xue family, a royal merchant, took her daughter to the Zhen family's "Hundred Flower Banquet" in the name of "visiting relatives".

Logically speaking, Baochai was on the list of candidates, so it wasn't suitable for her to participate in this kind of blind date. However, her son's future was there, so she could only temporarily use the name of a girl to interact with the madams of the Jinling family.

Because the four families of "Jia, Shi, Xue, and Wang" were of the same breath and branch, and had the support of the Zhen family, others didn't dare to make things difficult for Baochai.

She was going to leave for the capital next month, so the young ladies of the various families gathered together to see her off. They were all very friendly.

The young ladies gathered together to talk about clothes and jewelry, and the madams talked about their troublesome "Devil King".

Coincidentally, the wife of the current Jinling prefectural magistrate was also sitting at the table.

This Madam Xu had a long face, a deathly pale complexion, and a sickly appearance. Even though she was sitting in her seat, no one dared to disturb her, but when she spoke, they would softly respond with a few words.

Her knees were still empty, so she was especially willing to listen to people talk about the child. When everyone surrounded Mrs. Xue and praised her for teaching her son well, she would interrupt.

While Mrs. Xue was talking about how to get Mr. Yan to discipline her son, Lady Xu couldn't help but say, "It's all because your Pan Geer is of good quality. Otherwise, it wouldn't be possible to use a potato to carve a jade figure."

The other madams roared with laughter and agreed with her. They also said that after the Xue Pan passed the prefectural examination, the Xue family would definitely hold a big banquet.

Originally, there were very few children from noble families who took the imperial examinations, and even fewer who studied and advanced. Most of them studied and studied until they became "poets" for fun.

Zhen family banquet was full of such people, making the Xue Pan look like a magpie on a black sow.

Mrs. Xue knew herself best. Didn't Mr. Wan carve a piece of jade out of a potato?

He couldn't help but smile and say, "He's just a child, so he can't be praised."

She was really afraid that her son would fail the exam and lose face. Other people thought she was being modest, so they praised him again and again.

Lady Xu took note of this. She only wanted to go back and talk to her husband. When she saw the Xue Pan, she raised her hand slightly.

This Xue family was about to rise. Behind them stood the four princes and eight dukes, and behind them stood the Zhen family, which was like a towering tree. Their son was ambitious and their daughter was also beautiful. If they wanted to fight for a position in the palace, they would have to do him a favor.

What was the big deal about giving him a scholar's background?

Moreover, he passed the Xue Pan County Exam himself. He was afraid that he would really be a prodigal son who reined in his horse at the edge of the cliff.

Lady Xu didn't have any children, but she liked to see other people's children learn well. Therefore, she especially helped the Xue family carry the sedan chair. She was about to die, so she wanted to help the head of the family and repay the kindness of this couple.

She only hoped that this person would remember her kindness and not forget to take care of her family for her.

Alas, that newly appointed concubine who had been waiting for her to die and make way for her was not easy to deal with!

When the banquet was over, Lady Xue took the Baochai to Old Madame Zhen's place to say goodbye.

As soon as they stood still, Old Madame Zhen family pulled the Baochai to her daughter-in-law and said, "Look at this child!

He looks so much like our Baoyu. It's as if we are siblings! "Lady Zhen saw him and said with a smile," It's really rare!

When you first came here, perhaps your eyes and brows were not fully grown yet, so you couldn't tell. After not seeing you for three years of mourning, at first glance, you seem to have left my precious jade. "

While talking, she asked a maid to bring up a makeup box, "Good child, this is my heart.

Next month, you will go to the palace to choose servants. Those blind eunuchs will also have to give some face to the Zhen family. There's nothing to be afraid of.

Besides, I heard that your Jia family's aunt's eldest legitimate daughter has also been sent. When the time comes, you sisters will be united and we will ask this concubine to take care of you. Then, there will be nothing to worry about. "

Baochai turned to look at Lady Xue. Seeing her nod, he took the makeup box wrapped in brocade and bowed to Lady Zhen to thank her. Then, the mother and daughter left.

After the head maid sent her out, Madame Zhen shook her head and said to Old Madame Zhen, "This child is quite attractive at first sight. It can be seen that she is a courteous person from her actions. But her family background … An imperial merchant is still a merchant!

Our Baoyu has great fortune. If we match him with a merchant's daughter, I'm afraid that they won't be able to live together in the future. "

Old Madame Zhen closed her eyes and nodded slightly, "Baoyu is still young. Although it's a bit early to look at him, we have to pick out a good girl first.

This Miss Xue's background is low, but I see that her eyes are sharp. She will be a good support for a concubine.

Xue family is rich. With only this girl, she will be my Baoyu's when the time comes.

Have someone send a message to the concubine. Think of a reason to dismiss Miss Xue. If by any chance a noble in the palace takes a fancy to her, it will cause trouble for our family for nothing. "

Madame Zhen then got up and bowed before retreating to instruct the servants to clean up the mess of the banquet. Old Madame leaned on the couch and waved away the numerous servants, leaving only a senior maidservant, who was literate and knowledgeable, by her side. She spoke to her and had her slowly and carefully write a letter.

After the maid finished writing, she read the letter to the old madame. When the old madame nodded, she sealed it with a wax stick and put it together with the things she was going to send to the Consort Zhen.

For the time being, Lady Xue and her daughter worked outside for an entire month. At the beginning of the third month, they had no choice but to prepare their luggage and send Baochai to the capital first. Afterwards, she and her son would set off for the capital.

Lady Xue counted the banknotes and gave a portion to the head steward. Then, she secretly gave Baochai a letter. She even gave instructions to Mama Su, Ying 'er, Bai Lu, and Hua Mei. Only then did she busily order the curtains, veils, and other things that the girl would need on the road. Then, she put medicine, first aid, and other things into the box.

She really couldn't do anything less. She was afraid that her daughter would be wronged outside.

"Because the mourning period is over, I made eight sets of new clothes for the spring and summer seasons for you. Make do with them for now.

When your brother goes to the capital, I'll pick out some good material and bring it with me.

Also, I've prepared a set of the best rouge, cosmetics, hairpins, and rings from our shop. When we go to your aunt's house, you can share them with the girls there as a favor.

That's right, there's also these very important things! "She took out two boxes from her bosom, one big and one small.

Inside the big box was a bottle gourd made from a whole piece of jade. Inside the gourd, small and delicate pills could be seen faintly through the light. The small box was only the size of a palm, and when opened, there was a golden lock with exquisite craftsmanship.

Lady Xue stroked the two boxes and sighed. "These two important things. One is the cold fragrance pill that you often used when you had fevers in the spring when you were young. The other is the lock that the monks and Daoist priests told your father to make for you when they came to beg for alms. In the past three years, there hasn't been a relapse, so you haven't taken any medicine. It's also not good to wear the lock during the mourning period. I don't know if you still remember."

Of course, she remembered.

Baochai picked up the lock and weighed it in her hand. If it was attached to the gold necklace, it would be a total of nine taels. On the back of the necklace, there were eight words, "Never leave, never abandon, forever young."

The overall workmanship was exquisite, and there were auspicious patterns on the base. It looked exquisite and lovely.

This was the "gold" in the "golden jade marriage" that the monks and Daoist priests had prepared.

She didn't know what sin she had committed in her previous life. How could it be a "golden marriage"?

It was clearly an ill-fated relationship!

She put down the golden lock and picked up the jade gourd bottle. She pulled out the stopper, and a faint cold fragrance wafted out.

Since she had been through it all over again, the heat in her body had been completely extinguished. Perhaps this was what Buddhists meant by obsession. Letting go of the disaster was resolved, and picking up the heat poison was reborn.

She rubbed the box for a while, then closed it. She took it and handed it to Ying 'er to put it away. She then looked at the list and nodded her head. Mrs. Xue opened her mouth again and said, "Your aunt and I have written a letter. Take it with you and deliver it. All expenses will be taken care of by the head housekeeper. We won't let you be laughed at for living here for free.

Moreover, after your brother's prefectural examination, we will go to the capital together to look for you. You will listen to your aunt's arrangements regarding the selection of servants. With your big sister Yuanchun as an example, you just have to do as she says. "

Baochai didn't want to say anything more to her, so she just nodded.

In any case, she knew what she was doing. She had to find a reason to completely ruin this matter.

Mrs. Xue thought that she had thought it through, so she happily prepared the carriage and servants. She also ordered the head housekeeper to come and give a few instructions. Only then did she wipe her eyes and reluctantly send her daughter to the capital.

The family had already asked Mr. Yin-Yang to check the almanac and set the date of departure. The collateral families also sent gifts to send them off. The family business was entrusted to the experienced and reliable shopkeepers. In the end, Baochai saw that his brother had obediently followed Mr. Wan and seemed to have learned well. Only then did he feel at ease to board the ship and set off.

Because Jinling was also close to the Jinghang Grand Canal, officials, merchants, and their families were all willing to travel by water. It was fast and stable, and it saved a lot of livestock.

Although this year's selection was a small selection, it was still a selection. It wasn't something that could be avoided.

At this time, many small officials who had daughters on the list of servants had sent their children to the capital, so the journey was quite safe.

The Xue family's boat blended in with a group of government children, so no one recognized it. Because most of the people on the boat were women, most of them didn't like to move around in the wind and waves. Therefore, the journey was smooth and they arrived at the capital's docks in less than half a month.

When they arrived at the dock, the Head Steward trembled as he shouted for the boatman to lower the anchor and fasten the rope. He then went to the shore to look around. After asking around, he finally found the old maid and manservant sent by the Jia family to pick them up on a tall and wide platform.

He hurriedly returned to the boat to report. On the other side, Mama Su personally tidied Baochai's clothes and told her to put on a curtain hat.

Hua Mei's body was a bit longer, so she also had a ten-spoked silk umbrella cover outside. The hanging silk curtain covered the girl tightly. Step by step, they slowly moved to the shore and stood still.

The sedan chair had already arrived. Before Baochai got on the sedan chair, she told the head housekeeper, "Put the things and the servants on the docks and wait. You come with me to kowtow to Old Madame Jia and Aunt Wang.

After that, come and take the luggage and the servants to our residence. Let Hua Mei go with you. If there's anything, tell her to come to the Jia family to find me. "Housekeeper Xue bowed and ran to watch the boatman unload the luggage.

The girl's daily necessities were put in one place and handed over to the Jia family's servants. The family's own belongings were put in another place and ordered his son to guard it. It was only until the girls were clearly separated that the Jia family began to sort out the situation.

A handsome young master with red lips, white teeth, and a handsome face came out. Housekeeper Xue saw his clothes and greeted him, "Sir, you are …?"

The man grinned and craned his neck to look back. Seeing that the person in question was covered up tightly, he stood up straight and answered, "I was sent by Second Madame of Rongguo Province to pick up Miss Xue. There are a lot of people here, so I'm called Second Master Lian.

Lady Wang, whom you call Aunt Wang, is my Second Uncle's legal wife. Because there are a lot of trivial matters at home, most of the time I'm outside running errands. Please? "

Mama Su didn't like this person's behavior. She called Ying 'er and Bai Lu to support Baochai on either side, while she walked in front to lead the way. Coincidentally, she happened to block Jia Lian's gaze from time to time.

After the girl was sent into the sedan chair, the three of them surrounded the sedan chair tightly, leaving not even the slightest gap for the wastrel outside.

Jia Lian snorted coldly in her heart. She was just a girl from a merchant family. Her family had some money, that's all. How could she be respected?

She'd better not have a pancake face full of pockmarks!

He rode his horse in front of her, leading the way in a crooked manner. He viciously tried to guess Bao Chai's appearance. Big and small eyes, flat nose, crooked mouth, connected eyebrows, and so on. He did not stop even after entering Rongning Street.

"Because this road is connected to Rongguo Province and Ningguo Prefecture, it's called Rongning Street. Ordinary people don't dare to casually walk on this road."

He proudly pointed at the birds and beasts on the eaves of the tall doors and said to the housekeeper, "A few days ago, our in-laws, the Lin family, who was the Imperial Salt Inspector at the time, sent their daughter here to be raised. Perhaps the capital is still full of hidden talents, so these beautiful people have all gathered here."

As he spoke, he intentionally or unintentionally glanced at the curtain of the sedan. The person inside didn't react at all, as if she was dead. Only then did he completely turn his face away and stop flirting.

Baochai naturally knew how arrogant the Rongning and Rongning Prefectures were when they were in power. The mistress even dared to interfere in a murder case and distort the truth.

As for other things like printing money, forcefully seizing property, and forcing servants to death, there was nothing they wouldn't do. No wonder they failed miserably in the future and never had a chance to recover.

As the saying goes, if you don't seek death, you won't die. Just by looking at the frivolous, uneducated, and incompetent appearance of the eldest son of the Rong family, it was clear that other than the home of a few innocent girls, only the two stone lions at the door were clean.

The matrons were already waiting at the Yi Gate. They welcomed the soft sedan chair and entered. After walking for about a distance, a servant girl asked Baochai to get out of the sedan chair. There were also four older women with large shoulders and round waists who carried a small sedan chair with an oil roof and green curtain.

After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, the chattering laughter of the young women outside could be heard very clearly. It turned out that Lady Wang had brought her daughters-in-law and daughter out of the main hall to welcome them.

Ying 'er helped Baochai get out of the sedan. Mama Su took off the bamboo curtain and handed it to Bai Lu to hold. She stood on the other side with her hands clasped behind her back to greet them.

Baochai said, "Greetings, Auntie."

He hadn't even bent his knees when Lady Wang hurriedly sent a somewhat mischievous servant girl wearing a pink gown to help him up.

"Child, you are too polite."

Lady Wang stepped forward and took Baochai's hand to lead him into the inner room. "Your mother sent me several letters, saying that she took pity on you for being a candidate to go to the capital at such a young age.

Now that you are at Auntie's home, you can rest assured.

Your big sister Yuanchun entered the palace last year because of a small selection. There will be people to take care of you inside. Don't be afraid. "As she said this, the two of them entered through the east door.

The large kang bed was covered with gorilla red carpet. The front of the bed was set with a large red coiled python backrest, a stone green coiled python pillow, and an autumn-fragrant coiled python coiled mattress.

On both sides of the bed were a pair of small tables in the shape of plum blossoms.

On the left side table were a king's tripod, spoon, chopsticks, and incense box. On the right side table was a Ru kiln flower pot with fresh flowers, a tea bowl, a spit pot, and other things.

On the four sides of the floor, there were four chairs with silver and red flowers scattered on them.

Yao?

Purple filter mother benzene plate R witchcraft prize card can be happy and happy?

Gan xian?

Roasted Chufu

Lady Wang led Baochai directly to the three small main rooms in the east corridor. They sat down at the head of the table on the west side. The old women and servant girls hurriedly served tea and several small snacks. Baochai dabbed his lips and said, "Is Taitai free?

I still need to go and kowtow first. "

"I know you're filial and well-mannered. Wait a moment, I'll personally take you there."

As she spoke, she went into the inner room to change her clothes. When she came out, she pointed to a young woman wearing plain clothes and said, "This is Sister-in-law Zhu, who was left behind by your older brother Zhu."

She then pointed to a girl wearing a plum red dress with a slender figure and an oval face, "This is your younger sister Tanchun."

She waved her hand to send the two people to go to the main courtyard first. She personally led Baochai to the sedan chair and headed west, "I have another boy below me. He's a year younger than you. His name is Baoyu. He's the most gentle and clever. You'll know when you get to know him."

While they were talking, they arrived at the main courtyard where the old madam lived. Baochai got off the sedan chair and tidied his clothes. He waited for the servant girl to come out to invite him before he led Ying 'er, Mama Su, and Lady Wang into the main courtyard.

The hall was decorated with splendid patterns and warm fragrance. A servant girl had already arranged a praying mat in the middle of the hall. Baochai kowtowed according to the etiquette. The old madam sitting at the head of the table waited for him to get up before she called him over to take a closer look.

Baochai was familiar with all the people in the hall. Although the ending was different for each one, in the end he could not escape a sigh.

Old Madam Jia's face was kind, her round face was white and her skin was white. She wore a dark purple dress with a headband wrapped around her head. When she smiled, her face was full of smile lines.