After several months of "exchanges", Xin Jinian's arithmetic performance has steadily improved, and Zhang Qi has been pressed to the end, and he and Cheng Zi'an take turns to sit on the throne of the bottom two or three.

After Xin Zhong learned that Xin Jinian's arithmetic performance had improved, he praised and rewarded countless rewards. Xin Jinian therefore consciously regarded Cheng Zi'an as his own person, and when he was resting after class, he often hooked his shoulders with him to go out to release water and play.

It's good for the two to cooperate secretly together, and as soon as they played, Xin Jinian discovered Cheng Zi'an's real benefits, he can play and know how to play.

For example, they play water fights together and guess who is the bad guy game. The stream on the Ming Mountain is murmuring, and it lasts for many years. They made water guns out of small bamboo tubes, and they played in the summer with more fun than Kemari where the older classmates didn't play with them.

Only the haze of exams looms in the recess. At the end of class, Xin Jinian, who usually immediately bounced up and rushed out, squirmed a few times, Fang struggled to stand up and turned around, and saluted Cheng Zi'an listlessly: "Go, go out to play." ”

Cheng Zi'an casually cleaned up the desk, saw Xin Jinian going to take the bamboo tube, and said, "You are wearing such an expensive brocade robe, and it will be scrapped when you get wet." ”

The silk brocade robe should be cleaned with extra care, and on the silk brocade robe of Xin Jinian, the auspicious cloud pattern was embroidered on the hem of the robe with gold thread. As he walked, the moire shimmered like cash, like a fairy descending to earth.

Xin Jinian looked down and said nonchalantly: "It's okay, it's just a shirt." ”

Cheng Zi'an smiled and said: "You're fine, I have something, I wore a new shirt today, I can't destroy it." ”

Xin Jinian looked at Cheng Zi'an, he was wearing a dark green muslin shirt, his clothes were plain, and he didn't even embroider a leaf, he couldn't help but point to the front, and said with a smile: "Cheng Zi'an, your father is also a person, and he actually wears the same clothes as that poor Fang Yin." ”

Fang Yin was also wearing a dark green muslin shirt, but his was half old, and it was still the one that his aunt gave him a new one after Xin Jinian damaged his coarse cloth shirt last time.

Xin Jinian's voice was loud, Fang Yin was about to go out, when he heard the ridicule, he subconsciously glanced sideways at the back, then turned his head and left in a hurry.

Ever since Xin Jinian and Cheng Zi'an got close, Fang Yin has almost avoided him, and when he usually goes home, he doesn't even look at him.

Cheng Zi'an knew that Fang Yin had summed him up with Xin Jinian, and he didn't care, anyway, they were all gentlemen, he had quality, Xin Jinian didn't.

Fang Yin is not their wayfarer, and he can't force it.

Xin Jinian saw Fang Yin ignoring him, thinking of the upcoming exam, and his resentment towards him suddenly came up, his face suddenly turned dark, and he rolled up his sleeves and said angrily: "Look at him, I still look down on you and me." Watch and hit! ”

Cheng Zi'an glanced at Zhang Qi on the side, swallowed back what he was about to say for the time being, pulled Xin Jinian out, and said, "Let go of the water, don't you hold back?" ”

Xin Jinian snorted and walked out with Cheng Zi'an. Zhang Qi was on the side, his little eyes turned back and forth to look at them, and he followed closely behind.

has been at the bottom of the grades for a long time, and Zhang Qi's brain has been very diligent. He was convinced of Cheng Zi'an's arithmetic results, and during the Dragon Boat Festival, Zhao Zhifu personally summoned Cheng Zi'an, and he answered the questions in front of everyone.

Xin Jinian's arithmetic grades got better, especially after he got close to Cheng Zi'an, Zhang Qi always felt that there was something wrong with each other, but he had no evidence.

Zhang Qi is very unwilling to be the last place forever, even if it is in turn, he will be punished every time he goes back for the exam.

Coming out of the latrine, Cheng Zi'an went to the flowing pool in the courtyard to wash his hands. The Mengtong were playing with each other, and the water droplets splashed over, and he skillfully raised his arm to block it.

Xin Jinian was not polite, picked up the water and splashed it directly, and made a mess with them.

Zhang Qi took the opportunity to squeeze over, snorted at Xin Jinian, and whispered: "Cheng Zi'an, we are good brothers, you tell me, Xin Jinian cheated?" ”

Cheng Zi'an shook the water on his hand slowly, and said without being salty or light: "Mr. Xu emphasized that evidence is necessary to refer to people cheating. ”

Zhang Qi had already inquired openly and secretly several times, and Cheng Zi'an replied like this.

He understands Zhang Qi's careful thinking, and he can also tell him the answer to arithmetic.

It's just that Cheng Zi'an doesn't do this, one is kindness to Zhang Qi, and the other is that a secret is a secret, and there is a risk of leakage if there are more than two people.

After all, Zhang Qi has an indecisive personality, and he wants to cheat when he wants to try, and he tries again and again, but he doesn't have the guts.

Zhang Qi was born in a family of small officials, and it is very likely that he will inherit his father's mantle and continue to be a small official in the future.

The little official is the one who really does things in the yamen, the basic arithmetic is in a mess, the people are suffering, and he himself is looking for death.

Cheng Zi'an had no intention of telling Zhang Qi that he passed by Li Wenxu, who was having a good time, and the water splashed over, and as soon as he turned around, the water splashed on the hem of his robe.

Li Wenxu pointed at Cheng Zi'an and said with a grin: "Cheng Zi'an, but you sent it yourself, you can't blame me." ”

Cheng Zi'an dusted off the hem of his wet robe, Xin Jinian saw this, and wanted to rush up to avenge him, but he was caught by his eyes, and scolded with a smile: "Okay, you Li Wenxu, you actually beat a rake." Anyway, you have a cloth village at home, and you can compensate me. ”

Xin Jinian followed the help and shouted: "Yes, let Li Wenxu compensate you, all the fabrics I wear are bought from his family's cloth house." ”

Li Wenxu was born in a merchant family, and he has been exposed to it since he was a child, and when he looked at Cheng Zi'an, he was immediately unhappy, and shouted: "Cheng Zi'an, my cloth village sells precious fabrics such as brocade silk and silk, and what you wear is just fine cloth, which is not worth a few dollars, so don't blackmail me." ”

Cheng Zi'an said: "You don't brag less, you also have a shop that sells cheap fabrics." People in our village go to Fucheng Cloth Village to buy fabrics, and they all buy them from your family's cloth village. What is the name of the proprietor..... It seems to be called Li Chun, yes, it is Li Chun. Everyone in our village has heard it, and it is said that it is from your Li family. ”

Li Wenxu was stunned for a moment, frowned and thought about it, and suddenly realized: "You are talking about Li Chun!" He was just a concubine of the side branch, and he often came to our house to fight the autumn breeze, and he was rewarded with some old fabrics, which he sold in his grocery store. Don't listen to him brag, how can he be considered a serious Li family. ”

I see.

Cheng Zi'an put down his shirt and said, "Okay, okay, I'll spare you this time." ”

Xin Jinian followed: "Did you hear it, Cheng Zi'an said spare you, next time you don't have long eyes, you will have to pay for it." ”

Li Wenxu not only looked down on Xin Jinian, but also scared him in the end, secretly pouted with disdain, muttered a few times and walked away.

The people do not fight with the officials, and the merchants do not fight with the officials. The Li family is only rich, not yet noble. Li's sons can make money, but they can't study, so far they have donated a few fictitious titles with money, and they are not as prosperous as Xin's.

When he came home from school in the evening, Cheng Zi'an finished dinner and didn't stand still, Cheng Zhen and Cui Suniang went for a walk hand in hand, and he also followed behind.

Cheng Zhen glanced at him a few times, and finally couldn't help but say, "Hurry up for field vacation, the school has to take an exam, right?" You didn't even pay attention to it, staying at home and doing your homework? ”

Cheng Zi'an smiled brightly and said, "Daddy's exam is the most important, so you should stay at home and study your homework." ”

Cheng Zhen raised his hand and made a gesture to beat him.

Cheng Zi'an jumped out of the way and said with a smile: "Daddy and Auntie, you go to yours, don't worry about me, I'll go and play with my friends in the village." ”

Cheng Zhen stared at the bulging purse around his waist for a long time, only snorted, waved his hand impatiently, and said, "Go and go, don't be an eyesore in front of me." ”

Cheng Zi'an hurriedly ran away, and Cui Suniang shouted behind her back: "Don't be naughty, play for a while and come back." ”

Cheng Zhen said angrily: "He went out with a bag of snacks again, how can he come back if he doesn't go crazy with the children in the village for half a day." ”

Cui Suniang pursed her lips and smiled, and said softly: "Zi'an has never looked down on poor people, and he has a good character, but he is a little naughty." ”

Cheng Zhen said angrily: "This bastard boy is looking forward to my high school all day long, so he can live a comfortable life." Wisdom doesn't need to be on the right path, I don't know what he's thinking day by day. ”

Cui Suniang replied that her children and grandchildren have their own children and grandchildren, and the two laughed and walked out slowly.

Cheng Zi'an ran out of the courtyard, braved the moonlight in the sky, and walked to the west of the village.

There is a big banyan tree in the west of the village, and the people in the village always like to gather under the tree to laugh and chat when they are free.

Mo Zhuzi's house is not far from the big banyan tree, and the three main houses have east and west shacks, mud walls, and the roof is half tile and half grass. Outside the fence of the yard, a row of roses was planted, and the flowers were gone, and the thick green leaves covered the fence, forming a green wall.

Some children went to play under the banyan tree together, and when they saw Cheng Zi'an coming, they immediately stepped forward and greeted him with a mouthful of snacks last time.

"Young Master Cheng!"

"Brother Cheng!"

The children chattered and shouted for a while, Cheng Zi'an greeted their enthusiasm, greeted them one by one with a smile, took off the purse around his waist, took out the candied fruit from it, and stuffed one in each person's mouth.

"Eat less sugar at night...... Forget it, just one, you can eat as you like. ”

Mo Zhuzi heard Cheng Zi'an's voice at home, ran out happily, and shouted loudly, "Young Master Cheng." ”

Cheng Zi'an said: "Come to the pillar, those who see it have a share." ”

Mo Zhuzi, like the children, stretched out his neck to pick up the candied fruit that Cheng Zi Ansai had brought and put it in his mouth.

Cheng Zi'an glanced into the room, pretending to ask casually: "Sister Cao'er Hua'er, your brother and they all have a share, well, there are not a few in the purse, you can take them all." ”

Mo Zhuzi thanked him, took his purse and ran back. Soon, Mo Hua'er came out with him, and Mo Cao'er carried her younger brother on her back and looked out in the fence.

Cheng Zi'an looked at Mo Cao'er quietly by the moonlight, and saw that she looked haggard and her hair was messy, and she turned her head from time to time to avoid her brother's hand.

As if sensing Cheng Zi'an's gaze, Mo Cao'er turned around uncomfortably and hid in the shadows.

Cheng Zi'an retracted his gaze and smiled at Mo Hua'er: "Sister Hua'er is also here, let's go, let's go to enjoy the cool together." ”

The children laughed and ran under the banyan tree. Mo Hua'er looked at them enviously, and said in disappointment: "I still have to go back to help A-Niang weave, so I won't go." ”

In the village, some mulberry hemp was planted with needles, and every household would raise some silkworms and sell some cocoons to the spinning shops in the city.

There is also a tax to pay for selling cocoons, and there are more mulberry trees planted, so Li is about to report to the yamen and collect taxes according to each mulberry tree.

In order to avoid paying taxes, the villagers only raised a little to earn a few dollars to subsidize their families.

Linen remained, and the women spun some white burlap and made their own garments.

The linen cloth is thick and hard, and it should be pounded constantly with a hammer to make it softer to be easy to wear.

At this time, there was the sound of pounding clothes in the courtyard of the Mo family.

Cheng Zi'an didn't persuade much, waved goodbye to her with a smile, pulled Mo Zhuzi away, and asked in a low voice: "Zhuzi, has Sister Cao'er cried again, has her family matter been decided?" ”