The Blessed

In mid-November, it was time to harvest the rice. Looking at those heavy ears of rice, the whole family smiled like flowers. But, since it was also time for Ling Jinghan to take the examinations in the town. This time, Ling Jingxuan didn’t watch it himself, but left everything to his dad, Zheng Da, Zhou and others, asking them to hire more people to reap the rice as soon as possible, after all it was getting colder and colder. If there was a wild wind or a big rain, dozens of mu of crops would go to nothing.

In the after of 16th, according to Yan Yi’s intelligence, the eunuch who was here to announce the decree was still in the prefecture. He’d only arrive in here in at least two or three days, so Ling Jingxuan decided to go to town with Yan Shengrui to accompany Ling Jinghan for the examination. On hearing their second uncle was going to take the examination, the few little buns all shouted to go with him. Having no choice, Ling Jingxuan could only take the three little buns and their footboys to go with them.

Maybe because they were going to town, or maybe to encourage Ling Jinghan, the little guys all changed their new cotton padded coats. And their black vamp boots with golden silk stripes were also brand new. On the contrary, Ling Jinghan himself was wearing total plain cotton robes, looking quite relaxed, totally a look of “I have been fully prepared’.

"Jinghan, our whole family counts on you. You got to perform well, and bring credit to mom, dad and your big brother.”

Before he left, Lady Wang held his hand and nagged. Those same words, he had been listening to them all these days. Even his hears were going to grow cocoon. He threw an eye at his big brother for help. He already didn’t know how to reply. Did she want him to say “I won’t simply perform well, I will aim at the first place!’.

“Mom, you know the first taboo before taking an exam is being nervous. You are just giving pressure to Jinghan. Just an examination for tongsheng. Don’t you think it’s as easy as turning a hand for our Jingpeng?”

Receiving his younger brother’s signal for help, seeing that it wasn’t early, Ling Jingxuan moved forward and pulled her aside, in case she might cry or what later. In his sub-consciousness, the examination for tongsheng was like the graduation examination for finishing primary school. Jinghan was fourteen years old. How could he not pass it? Even for the examination for xiucai title, he wasn’t worried a bit. The reason he was going with him was mainly because this was the first time Jinghan was taking an exam. So he wanted to back him up, though it seemed he didn’t need it at all. And, he also wanted to have a look at the newly opened branch of Baiyun Cabinet.

"Yeah, you are right. Look at my mouth! Jinghan, don’t be nervous. It’s Ok even if you fail. You can take it next year.”

Her tone changed so fast. Ling Jingxuan and others all found it so hilarious. Ling Chenglong who specially came back from the field grabbed his wife in his arms, “Come on, let the kid perform himself. Even juren Zhang praised Jinghan’s literary talent. There’d be no problem.”

After his son had learned for quite a few years. Ling Jinglong had some confidence in his son. The tongsheng examination wasn’t enough to make him nervous.

"Hmm, be careful on the way and come back as soon as you're done, huh?"

Nodding, Ling Wang really reddened her eyes, and finally nagged Ling Jingxuan, “Jingxuan, take care of your younger brother. Make some good food tomorrow morning. It’d be a whole day. Don’t let him starve. Besides, now is cold. Wear more clothes. What if it’s too cold in the examination room and he passes out? No! I think I should go with you.”

Speaking of which, Lady Wang meant to push Ling Chenglong away. The three brothers took a look at each other, then crawled onto the carriage, “Mom, you shouldn’t go. Dad, bring mom home. We’ll come back as soon as the examination is over.”

Before long, two carriages parked side by side outside drove away in succession, and the three brothers went to the town together.

"All right, the kids know what they are going. You always like nagging before them. It’s no strange they feel bored. Or, you think Jingxuan can’t take care of his younger brothers? Or Jingpeng wouldn’t support his big brother? Or Jinghan isn’t reliable? They grow up already. We should learn to let go and do things within our capability to kill time.”

You know what, on such things, Ling Chenglong saw a bigger picture than Lady Wang, some of his thought were even like those modern parents. After the kids grew up, sometimes the parents’ too much care would receive minus effect and make the kids annoyed. Let go in some things, and when the kids need, they could lend a hand, and in this way it could maintain their family bond.

“You really have a slippery tongue!”

Eyes reddened, she threw him a stare. Passing over him, she brought Lady Lan and Lady Zheng to go to her younger sister Wang Jinyu’s place. Now she was the supervisor, much busier than her elder sister, and also lived much fully. As for Ling Chenglong who was ditched there, he scratched his head and then went into the field. Those workers were busying harvesting the rice.

When the two carriages arrived in town, it was almost six in the afternoon. In winter, it grew dark quite early. When they settled down in Xinyuan restaurant, it was already dark outside. After dinner, they all went to their own room to sleep early. Early the next morning, Ling Jingxuan went into the kitchen to prepare breakfast in person. Those chefs all knew him. Knowing that his second younger brother was having examinations today, they congratulated him on seeing him. Ling Jingxuan also replied with a smile.