Urging marriage is a big problem throughout ancient and modern times.

What's more, in the Ming Dynasty of this parent's order and the words of the matchmaker.

What else can Xu Yan do except follow his grandfather's words for the time being?

There is a cloud in the art of war, and 36 strategies are the best policy.

After returning from Lingyin Temple, Xu Yan went back to the house to rest after dinner.

Early the next morning, he set off to return to Ningbo with the little scholar Shuangxi.

I can't afford to provoke, can't I still hide?

pressed these and did not show them, but said that it was twilight for Xu Xiaolangjun to return to Dinghai County, Ningbo Prefecture.

Entering the county seat before closing the city gate, Xu Yan finally breathed a sigh of relief.

In his memory, the stupid son of the landlord's family went out for the first time and stayed alone in Hangzhou for a month, and the family must have been very worried.

Sure enough, when Xu Yan returned home, his father and mother hurriedly called him away.

Xu Huaiyuan still maintained a certain degree of restraint, but Xu Chen took Xu Yan into his arms, patted Xu Yan's head and said, "My son has lost weight, my son has lost weight..."

Xu Yan was a little embarrassed and said, "Mother, can you let go of the child first?" ”

Xu Chen realized that he was a little out of shape, and hurriedly let go of his son, wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes, and said: "You child is really, you don't know how to write a letter to your family for so long in Hangzhou." ”

Xu Yan hurriedly apologized: "The child knows that he is wrong. ”

"It's good to be back, it's good to be back!" Xu Chen took Xu Yan's hand and sat down in front of the official hat chair, picked up the blue and white porcelain bowl from the small table, and gently dug it to Xu Yan's mouth with a spoon: "This is your favorite ice cheese, take a bite to get rid of the heat." ”

Xu Yan's nose couldn't help but sour.

Blood is thicker than water, no matter what, Xu Chen's treatment of his son is excellent.

The ice cream is sweet and sour, and the upper and lower parts of the body are indeed refreshing.

"Ahem, since you're back, let's have a good night's rest. It's going to be a county test in a few days, and I'm going to give my best performance. ”

Xu Huaiyuan, who had not spoken, also spoke. He has always been very doting on this only son, because Xu Yan didn't like to read when he was young, so he didn't force it, thinking that it would be a big deal to raise this kid for a lifetime and let him be a rich man.

But since Xu Yan's "loser" food donation, he found that the child's temperament has changed greatly.

Not only did his son begin to like to read, but he also became very decent in dealing with others, and even showed maturity that was not commensurate with his age.

The county honor, the governor, and these unattainable big men on weekdays all praise their sons.

Xu Huaiyuan saw it in his eyes and was happy in his heart.

Is there any father in the world who doesn't want his son to become a dragon?

If Xu Yan can be promoted to the branch in the future, it will be the lintel of the old Xu family.

"Father rest assured, the child will work hard to prepare for the exam and live up to his father's expectations."

Xu Yanchong arched his hand and replied respectfully. After a pause, Xu Yan turned to Xu Chen and said: "Mother, the imperial court has made a decree, and Sun Qing, the eunuch of the Admiral Weaving, has been arrested by the Jinyi Guard and taken to Beijing for questioning, and my grandfather is safe." ”

Xu Chen bowed slightly, and said with a smile: "Your grandfather has already sent someone to deliver the letter." This time thanks to my son. ”

"The child is just pushing the boat down the river, if you want to say that Sun Qing is arrogant and arrogant, he is looking for his own death. If you do too much injustice, you will kill yourself, even if the governor does not accept him this time, God will accept him. ”

"You flamboyant!"

Xu Chen was amused, his finger nodded a little on Xu Yan's forehead, and he said with a doting "reprimand".

"By the way, your grandfather said in the letter that he wanted to tell you about a marriage. I think for my mother, my son is not young, but I can consider it. ”

It was a mother and son's filial piety, and the happy atmosphere was chilled by Xu Chen's words.

Xu Yan never thought that his grandfather would play such a wonderful move, and joined forces with his mother to force him to comply.

"Oh, my mother kisses my head disease seems to have been committed again. I'll go back to the house and rest. ”

After that, Xu Yan pulled his legs and ran.

Seeing his son's back getting farther and farther away, Xu Chen shook his head and sighed, "This kid." ”

Xu Huaiyuan coughed and said, "Brother Qiu is still young after all, so in my opinion, he is not in a hurry." ”

Xu Chen glared at him and said, "What do you mean by being young, my son is already fifteen years old." Besides, it's just for him to think about it, and it's not an engagement, look at what I'm afraid of. ”

Xu Huaiyuan smiled bitterly: "Lady... That's right. This matter will be left to the lady to decide. ”

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Early the next morning, Xu Yan went to the county government to handle the relevant procedures for the county examination.

The imperial court has made very clear regulations on the conditions for those who participate in the county examination.

The county's origin, net worth, non-advocacy soap subordinate children, and the funeral of parents who do not live. These are the basic conditions, and as long as one of them is not met, you cannot take the exam.

After having these qualifications, five candidates need to guarantee each other, and there is a public guarantee of one talent, and the county government will accept the registration.

Xu Yan's father, Xu Huaiyuan, had already arranged this matter. The other four candidates who protected each other with Xu Yan were all distant relatives of Xu Yan, and people of the same clan were naturally trustworthy. And the guarantor for Xu Yan is Fang Ruchang, the only man in Dinghai County who is an official in addition to his official body.

Mr. Fang once served as a teacher in Ji'an, Jiangxi, but later found it boring and simply resigned and returned to his hometown.

The Fang family and the Xu family have always had a good relationship, and this time Old Man Fang naturally had no problem guaranteeing Xu Yan.

When Xu Yan came to the county office, several people of the same clan had already arrived.

He also had some impressions of these people in his remaining memories, except for one who was about the same age as him, the rest were all in their thirties, which could be regarded as a model of repeated defeats and battles.

Xu Yan arched his hand at them and said hello.

Because the hour is still early, there are not too many candidates queuing up in front of the county government to go through the formalities at this moment.

The messenger glanced at it and brought Xu Yan and the other five inside.

The specific procedures are in the county government room, although Xu Yan has been to the county office several times before, he has really not been to the ceremony.

The six rooms of the county government are modeled after the six departments of the imperial court, and the six rooms perform their own duties.

The second room of the officials and soldiers is the front line, the second room of the household and the second room of the criminal is the middle line, and the second room of the ceremony and the work is the back line.

When Xu Yan and the others went to the ceremonial room, they naturally passed through the rest of the rooms.

And the officer took them with him, and departed.

The rest of the people were obviously very skilled, so they pulled their legs and walked to the ceremonial room, and Xu Yan only needed to follow.

This ceremonial room is basically a miniature version of the county government. Its leader is called a scribe, and his subordinates are called Scribes. The exact number of people is not customized, and it is often decided by the county government itself.

Dinghai County is not a big county, and the number of scribes and posters is naturally not much.

Xu Yan looked up and saw a middle-aged man in his thirties sitting behind the bookcase, with three stickers on the left and right sides of it.

The five of them bowed to the scribe in the room together, and then it was the usual questioning session.

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