The Bookish Scholar of the Red Mansion

That night, Xue Biao lay on the bed tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep. Jiang Yuanbai was lying between him and Xin Suzhao. Seeing this rich young master rarely behave like this, he couldn't help but ask why.

Xue Biao stood up halfway and suddenly turned to his classmates and said in a deep voice: I'm going to learn painting.

Two friends who were both in the chess class immediately jumped out of bed. Qian Dayou said in panic: Why is this? Could it be that you have lost your mind and gone crazy? When you see Brother Jiang painting on weekdays, you always make fun of him.

Chen Heng was also confused. He had no intention of dissuading him, but was just curious about why Xue Biao changed his mind.

It's not like this all of a sudden. I used to get along with you all the time, watching you fight with each other, and supervise each other's studies. At that time, I wanted to pick up a paintbrush and draw all of you.

Xue Biao lay back on the bed, folding his hands behind the pillow, I went to see my sister today, and I happened to meet Hengdi's sister coming with her.

Jiang Yuanbai was the closest and couldn't help but said with a bad smile: But Brother Heng's sister is so beautiful that you have moved your mind.

It's not beyond criticism. Xue Biao glared at him and explained to Chen Heng, Brother Heng, don't blame me. If you really want to talk about good looks. It's not my elder brother's partiality. In ten or twenty years, you can do it. Go and see if there is any girl in the world who is more beautiful than my sister.

Why is that? someone asked.

Hengdi's sister has an extraordinary temperament. If you compare my sister to the bright moon, then Hengdi's sister is like a mist on the mountain lake, misty and misty, like a fairy playing the flute sideways and leaping into the forest following the white deer.

Xue Biao shook his head, as if the praise was not enough, and said: Master Xu often said before that people who practice painting are thinking about the same word. I didn't understand it before, but now that I think about it, I suddenly understand what Master Xu meant.

Only when you encounter a scenery that makes you want to splash ink, that's when a person starts to learn painting. At other times, don’t think too much, just enjoy the paintings quietly.

Jiang Yuanbai smiled and clapped his hands, quickly trying to find an excuse for the slip of the tongue just now, After saying so much, I actually thought of a word: Close the moon and shy the flowers, do you think it is right?

Xue Biao smiled and shook his head. He didn't know whether it was because of Jiang Yuanbai's quick wit or because of his own lack of words.

After hearing so much, Chen Heng also understood Xue Biao's feelings and supported it: If you really want to learn, you have to work hard.

I know, I will work hard. Xue Biao said very seriously for the first time, I thought I could draw the scenery I have seen on paper. In ten or a hundred years, if future generations see it, they will also If you can understand my feelings at that time, I will...

After everyone waited for a long time, they realized that Xue Biao was at a loss for words, and they all laughed and encouraged him.

Brother Heng, don't go learn painting. Qian Dayou suddenly turned his head and warned Chen Heng.

Chen Heng rolled his eyes. Even if he wanted to learn, he didn't have the strength. If you were to find a job that was more labor-intensive and expensive than studying, painting would definitely be one of them.

That is to say, Jiang Yuanbai was so stupid that he dared to dive into the painting path without any scruples. Chen Heng felt that he would never have this opportunity in this life.

If you don't want to go, don't go. Chen Heng waved his hand and reminded: Don't forget, the exam will be in three days.

It has been exactly three months since they entered school in May, and it is now close to the end of July. That is to say, people like Xue Biao, who don't worry about studies or money, still have this leisurely and elegant attitude that is transformed into painting.

Everyone screamed and quickly turned over to sleep without hesitation, so as not to delay getting up to review tomorrow.

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On July 25th, the academy examinations officially began.

The first day focused on the Four Books and Five Classics, which was much more difficult than the government examination. The second day was the test of Nine Chapters of Arithmetic, and both Chen Heng were very good at it. His shortcoming lies in the later Dayong Law.

Fortunately, the test questions this time were not too difficult, probably because some students entered the school later. The topic is just based on the shortcomings of the parents. It talks about: a couple has children, the wife passed away, the children are still young, how much do they need to do in marriage.

Marriage is dowry, and Chen Heng suffered a loss on this issue. At that time, he took it for granted that it was arranged by his husband, but later he was scolded by Mei Xuezheng.

After going back and reading books for several days, I realized that if the lady passed away unexpectedly in the Yong Dynasty, there would be no clear arrangements. If there are children, the children will inherit. If not, leave it to your mother's family to take it back.

There is another possible mistake here. In the previous dynasty, the daughters of ordinary families did not have the right to inherit. After the establishment of the Yong Dynasty, officials thought it was against human ethics and dismissed it by saying: After a daughter gets married, shouldn't she have to support her parents?

Chen Heng would naturally not make the same mistake again. It was written down in a formal manner: The family members will come forward to manage it, and when the children come of age, it will be handed over to them and shared equally.

After answering this question, Chen Heng let out a sigh of relief. I can't help but think of an example in a book: like Xue Pan marrying Xia Jingui, Aunt Xue held the thought of being destitute. You must know that the Xia family only has an old mother, his father is dead, he has no brothers and sisters, and his family is wealthy.

To put it bluntly, as long as the old lady of the Xia family is killed, not all the Xia family's wealth will be in Xue Pan's hands.

As for Lin Daiyu's situation in the book, it is completely different. There are still two maternal uncles in the Jia family. Even if they die, there will still be Baoyu and other maternal uncles to supervise them on their behalf. (Note 1)

After finishing the Dayong Law exam, the five-day exam is coming to an end. After taking the history test of each dynasty on the last day, everyone felt relaxed.

When Chen Heng walked out of the examination room, many classmates were already standing in the courtyard to exchange questions. The exam is over, why should I worry about this? Chen Heng did not join them, but just passed by them with his hands behind his back.

In just three months, the trees in the courtyard have grown up a bit, and the fine afternoon sunlight shines through the dense branches and leaves. As usual, Chen Heng, dressed in a green shirt, walks through the light spots, listening to all the trivial sounds. Leave it behind.

When I returned to the dormitory, there were not many people inside. Chen Heng simply packed up his salutes and waited until the exam results were announced tomorrow, and they would have a fifteen-day holiday.

Because in August, there is the most important festival besides New Year.

Mid-Autumn Festival.

After three months away from home, Chen Heng finally had the opportunity to return home. He doesn't have much luggage to take back, but he has to think carefully about how to buy gifts for his family.

Grandpa and dad’s things can be put away first. Grandma and mother can choose something practical. The two sisters have grown up, so it is best to buy some rouge and gouache. For double happiness, just reward him with a set of handwritten books.

The more Chen Heng thought about it, the happier he became and couldn't help but rub his hands.

Oh, by the way, there is also his useless second uncle. I have to ask if they have a Mid-Autumn Festival holiday. If not, he would have a headache on how to get back.

Note 1: A passing book friend asked me before, why would I marry Daiyu? Is she going to die? What I wanted to answer at the time, I thought I might as well leave it in the book. In ancient times, after a woman died, the dowry had to be taken back to her natal family, unless there was no one left in her natal family.

If nothing else, there are quite a lot of people in the Jia family. Otherwise, why would there be rumors that the Lin family paid most of the money for the Grand View Garden.

Aunt Xue's calculation is really ugly.