Struggle in Ancient Times

Liao Tingyu said to her, “It’s a success, although it wasn’t worth ten years of hardship.”

Wen Xiuer didn’t understand polite words but she knew that good days were coming for their family. She suddenly cried with excitement, “My God, it’s great. You passed, I should tell father and mother, they must be very happy.”

Wen Xiuer supported her belly and tried to walk quickly, she wanted to spread the news in the whole village. Liao Tingyu looked at her struggling and helped her, “Sister-in-law, don’t worry, you walk carefully. Let’s wait for them to come back, don’t be in hurry.”

“It’s okay, I will pay attention. Father and mother couldn’t eat and sleep well these days, they have been worrying about you. I should tell them immediately, so they don’t worry anymore. Besides, having a scholar is changing our family status; this is important that bring honour for our clan and ancestors. Our family has to plan a celebration and invite everyone for a good meal.” Wen Xiuer pushed Liao Tingyu’s hand away and stubbornly walked out.

Liao Tingyu didn’t dare to let a pregnant woman walked like this, Wen Xiuer was thin with a big belly like that, it was really scary. He held her hand and said, “Sister-in-law, I will go. Your belly is so big, you should rest at home.”

Wen Xiuer was grateful but Liao Tingyu was a scholar now. A man with a great fame was about to walk around the fields and shouting; it was a little shameful. Liao Tingyu noticed her little thought easily. They walked together but before they reached the fields, the ran into villagers. Those people were very surprised when they saw Liao Tingyu who just came back.

“Hey, Liao-er-lang (second child of Liao) is back. Have you got the result? How was it, did you pass the exam?”

Wen Xiuer smiled and replied with excitement, “Uncle, my brother-in-law passed it. Thanks to the teachers in the town who taught him well. My brother-in-law is a scholar now.” Her smile was brighter than the sun.

“You passed the exam. That’s good, you only tried it once and got it. He is indeed the most learned people in our village.” A sturdy old man praised Liao Tingyu’s success.

“Village chief’s son seemed to fail the exam several times. I heard it was really difficult, I didn’t expect Liao Tingyu oh it should be called Liao-xiucai now.”

“Okay, where are you two going? It doesn’t seem to be the village chief house; you should go there and tell them this important news.” A villager reminded them.

“Well, I will tell the village chief. Such a big matter, let them go I will handle the village chief.” A villager slapped his hands excitedly.

“Uncle Daniu, thank you. We plan to tell father and mother first. They have been worrying for so long, this will make them happy.” Wen Xiuer said happily.

“That’s for sure, I think your parents’ prepared firecrackers for you.”

“It doesn’t have to be exaggerated.” Liao Tingyu said with a smile, he thought there would be no money for them to buy firecracker.

“Tingyu, I think your complexion isn’t good. You must be exhausted, go tell your parents the news then goes back to rest.”

“Thank you, uncle Tang, I know.” Liao Tingyu replied.

“Alright, let’s go, we will tell the village chief and the elders. It will save you from running around.” Uncle Daniu thought it was better for him to talk slowly on the road, he could tell other villagers the good news while he went to the village chief.

After all, there would be yamen who came to announce the good news. Even though, they didn’t know when but it was better for the Liao family to prepare. This Liao Tingyu looked so tired; it was better for him to rest after staying away for so long.

Their village had been peaceful and there was no big event like this for many years. When they were young, a distant cousin got admitted as scholar but he moved to the town. Even so, other villages respected them and never make trouble. A scholar also had tax exemption 20 mu; which was quite a lot and could distribute to other villagers.

Actually, many villagers didn’t believe Liao Tingyu could be admitted as a scholar. In Liao Ming and his wife’s eyes, their son must be very good with gentle appearance. But in their eyes, he was a young man who only knew to read and never do farm works. They didn’t like it, but this young man actually passed the exam. Their hearts were a little unsettled but this was a good thing.

Some people talked along the way, “Liao Ming could breathe, this was his reward from all suffering. I don’t know how high his wife’s tail in the future.”

“Well, what can we do? She actually gave birth to a scholar son.”

“Really, I didn’t expect it. That kid is so capable, he is a scholar now.”

“Yes, a scholar, those people are well-dressed with good manners. I think that kid is really smart, he passed the exam once and still polite to us.”

“Yes, yes. He also helped his sister-in-law. Those two brothers have good relationship. Unlike the one in my family, always making trouble with each other.”

“The one in family is the same. I let him learn a craft to a teacher but he still doesn’t get it after so long.”

.

Liao Daniu and others talked about their family while walking fast to the village chief’s house.

Note

New update hereee.. thanks for reading and the comments.

Oh right, the Chinese firecracker everyone. Just like fireworks but with little effect.