The Little First Grand Secretary in My House

This article can be read normally if the subscription ratio is ≥50%, otherwise it needs to be delayed for three days, and you can read it immediately after replenishing it==Chapter 21==

What good can come from going at this time?

Zhao'er's eyes were wary.

Xue Taoer ran over, got closer and whispered: My father is not yet the eldest aunt. He said he wanted to find a dog to talk to.

Xue Tingyan also heard the noise outside in the room and came out.

Don't go, I'll push him away. Zhao'er knew that Yang Zhong, a seasoned killer, would do no good if he found a young man. He liked to point fingers at others because of his status as an elder. Xue Jun was his grandson. What good things could he say if he went, especially Is there another incident from before?

It doesn't matter.

Zhao'er was stunned for a moment when he said these words, and then Xue Tingyan remembered that she would never speak like this.

He smiled: It's okay, you are still worried that he will eat me.

Can……

At this time, Xue Tingyan had already passed her to the main room, so she could only follow him quickly.

*

Here in the main room, people are drinking heavily.

Yang Zhong's chubby face was red from drinking, as if he was tipsy. Mr. Xue's dark and red face shone red under the light. Xue Qingshan also sat beside him, along with Xue Juncai, Xue Qingbai and Xue Qinghuai.

Women are not served at the table.

As soon as he saw Xue Tingyan walking in, Yang Zhong said: Our little talent is here, come and let me take a look.

He waved his hands, not taking himself as an outsider. When Xue Tingyan came closer, he looked up and down with a pair of drunken eyes: I don't see any change, how come you have become so promising?

This was a sarcastic remark, and the place immediately fell silent.

Xue Qingshan concentrated on eating vegetables and seemed not to hear. Xue Juncai seemed to be sitting upright, but in fact his eyes were looking here intentionally or unintentionally.

The rest of the Xue family were a little embarrassed, especially Mr. Xue, whose face was a little stiff but he hesitated to speak.

Just as Zhao'er was about to have an attack, Xue Qinghuai suddenly stood up and picked up the wine bowl with a smile: My father-in-law, I offer you a bowl of wine. This wine was brewed by my father himself. Most people can't drink it. I'm not looking at you. When I came, I quickly dug out a jar and said I would drink a few more bowls with you.

Yang Zhong looked at Xue Qinghuai with a smile, without hesitation, he picked up the wine bowl and drank it all in one gulp, and ate a few more bites of vegetables. Taking advantage of the situation, Xue Qinghuai hurriedly winked at Zhao'er and Xue Tingxiang and told them to leave quickly.

Xue Tingyan sighed slightly and planned to leave with Zhao'er. Before he could take a step, he heard Yang Zhong speak.

What's going on? Why are you leaving before the elders finish speaking? Although I'm not your biological grandfather, I'm still your biological grandfather. Do you think you don't take this old man seriously, or what?

The hat was a little too big. Just as Zhao'er was about to say something, Xue Tingyan pulled her.

He took two steps forward and pretended to listen respectfully: Since my grandpa has taught me something, I just listen to it. After a pause, he added: It's just that my grandpa is also a scholar, so he must know not to speak inappropriately. principle

According to your little kid's opinion, as an elder, I can't talk about you, a junior?

The smell of alcohol in his mouth rushed straight towards Xue Tingyan's face, which was also mixed with a strange smell of various vegetables mixed together.

Xue Tingyan did not shy away, and nodded calmly: Of course.

Hey! Look! This is really different.

Yang Zhong tapped Xue Tingxiang a few times with his finger, and looked at the rest of the Xue family with a smile, and the evil one complained first: My dear, is this your tutor?

It was obvious that Yang Zhong was here to cause trouble, and of course it was for Xue Juncai. When he came back from Li Zheng's house, Mr. Xue guessed that there would be a commotion in the big room, but he didn't expect that the commotion would happen here.

In fact, how could the eldest couple, as their son and daughter-in-law, openly argue with Mr. Xue? After all, they had sworn before that whoever won would go and whoever lost would not complain. Going back on their word now would not be a slap in the face. As Xue Juncai's maternal ancestor, Yang Zhong was the perfect person to step in for him. If it works out, that's great. If it doesn't work out, it won't damage the relationship between father and son.

relatives by marriage……

Mr. Xue was about to speak, but was interrupted by Xue Tingyan's voice.

Although my parents are dead, I still have my grandfather, uncles, and other elders of the Xue family. Even if there is something wrong, it is not the turn of people with other surnames to point fingers here. Although my in-laws and grandfather are related to my family, We are going to get married, but we must never go to the Xue family's table, eat the Xue family's food, and then scold the Xue family.

Because there were guests, candles were rarely lit in the room, illuminating the whole room.

The young man standing in the middle is thin but tall and tall. He was wearing shabby clothes, the cuffs and skirt of his clothes were worn a little white, but he felt an inviolable aura.

Is this how my in-laws behave as guests? One day, I, the Xue family, went to your house as guests, and I also pointed out and made weird comments to the Yang family. I think my in-laws will not be angry. After all, it is rude to come and not go back. Thank you I always think that the younger generation in the family is talking about my grandpa, but I only think that my grandpa is a scholar, a person who understands etiquette and observes etiquette and is respected by the younger generation. Now it seems that it is nothing more than that!

you--

There was silence in the room, and no one expected that Xue Tingyan would have a fit on the spot regardless of her elders and inferiors.

Xue Qingshan stopped eating and suddenly felt restless.

But he did not stand up to speak for his father-in-law. Xue Tingyan's hat was too big, which affected the reputation of the Xue family and even the Xue clan. If he spoke for it, he would agree with the fact that the Xue family's face could be trampled to the ground by the Yang family.

In particular, this is not in line with what he planned.

Yang Zhong's face turned red and his lips trembled with anger: You kid, you dare to teach an elder a lesson at such a young age.

Don't dare! A gentleman is harmonious but different, a villain is homogeneous but not harmonious. I'm just telling the truth. I hope my grandpa will be careful in his words and deeds, so that he can be a gentleman.

This is teaching yourself through the words of the sage!

Yang Zhong laughed angrily and nodded at him: Okay, okay, it's really amazing. After studying for a few days, people are different. Do you really think it's amazing that you won Juncai today? furious.

A gentleman has nothing to fight for, so he will definitely shoot! He bows and gives in, rises up, and drinks from the bottom. This is how a gentleman fights.

This sentence comes from Chapter 80 of The Analects of Confucius. Its general meaning is that a gentleman will not argue about anything. If he does argue, it must be upholding the way of a gentleman. Neither humble nor arrogant, neither angry nor resentful, only having a drink and talking happily after the competition is a gentleman's fight. It doesn't mean that you must be red-faced and red-eyed, like a black-eyed chicken, which would be disgraceful.

It talks about being a good person and dealing with things. At the same time, it also uses the words of a sage to ridicule Yang Zhong for not having the etiquette and tolerance of his elders. In order to protect his grandson, he actually made things difficult for his juniors.

There were only four scholars present, and the others were all confused. They could only see that Xue Tingyan was not at a disadvantage, but Yang Zhong was so angry that his orifices seemed to be filled with smoke.

Yang Zhong gave it up. While he was angry, Xue Qingshan and his son couldn't help but feel a little surprised.

You must know that although Xue Tingyan has studied the Four Books, he only understands the superficial knowledge and does not understand the meaning of the classics. But just now he said two sentences in a row, both of which were from the Four Books. If he didn't understand the meaning of the scriptures, how could he use them to hurt others.

Could it be that someone taught him behind his back? No wonder his performance today was so unexpected.

But at this moment, other changes occurred in the scene.

It was Yang Zhong who stood up in anger and wanted to teach Xue Tingyan a lesson, but was stopped by Mr. Xue and Xue Qinghuai and Xue Qingbai.

You're such a little brat, your hair hasn't even grown yet, and you've learned to curse.

A gentleman does not mirror water, but mirrors people. When a mirror is in water, you can see your face when you see it. If you look in a mirror, you will know good or bad luck. But I think my grandpa doesn't understand this sentence.

Xue Tingyan had a smile on her face, and there was nothing wrong with that smile. It was even a bit shy. She was polite and polite when she spoke, but it gave off a bit of sarcasm in her character.

Do you understand, I also know that you are scolding, I must teach you a lesson today! Yang Zhong struggled to raise his hands, and at this moment, a loud shout came out in vain.

Father-in-law!

But it was Mr. Xue who spoke.

My father-in-law, I respect your family, but this is my Xue family!

Mr. Xue's face was very ugly. He had been tolerating the other party just now because of his identity, but Xue Tingyan was right. There were a large family sitting in the room, all of them surnamed Xue. There was absolutely no reason for someone surnamed Yang to teach others. .

No matter how much trouble a family has, it's okay for outsiders to interfere.

There was silence in the room, except for the sound of Yang Zhong breathing heavily.

There was a sound of a stool falling to the ground, and it was Xue Qingshan who stood up.

At this time, Ms. Yang, who had been hiding in the house, also ran out and said angrily and anxiously: Dad, what are you doing! Why did you start making trouble after drinking some wine?

She explained to the dark-faced Mr. Juncai's father, you too, why didn't you stop it and make it such a mess?

Yang Zhong said: I'm making trouble, what's wrong with me?! Xue Lianxing, don't forget what you promised me back then. Juncai is your eldest grandson, and you're just going to let it go?

Dad, stop talking. I'll help you go down and have a rest.

The couple from the big house, one on the left and one on the right, helped Yang Zhong out. Yang Zhong seemed to be really drunk. He shouted, Just let me go. He stumbled and was helped out by the couple.

*

Because of this commotion, the Xue family became extremely quiet.

Zhou originally asked Zhao'er and the two of them to go have dinner, but they said they had finished eating and went back to the house.

Only half of the food and wine on the table were eaten. Mr. Xue was sitting there eating food and drinking wine alone, and no one dared to disturb him.

Ms. Zhao was hiding in the back room. Even though she usually yelled at Mr. Xue, she didn't dare to cause trouble when Mr. Xue got really angry.

Xue Qinghuai walked to the table and sat down, saying, Dad, it's getting late, so you'd better rest early.

Mr. Xue nodded, but when he put down his chopsticks, he sighed again.

Xue Qinghuai couldn't help but persuade: Dad, don't think too much.

Look at the eldest and his wife, why don't they remember their gratitude? The second eldest child only died a few years ago. Even if the child is ignorant, there is no need for this.

Xue Qinghuai understood what his father meant, but it was not easy for him to answer these words, so he could only say awkwardly: Maybe the eldest brother and sister-in-law don't know that the in-laws will make such a fuss.

Mr. Xue snorted and said nothing.

But Gouzi didn't suffer. Look, he made my sister-in-law angry.

Hearing this, Mr. Xue couldn't help but frown: I just followed my second brother.

Xue Qingsong has this kind of temperament. He is usually taciturn, but don't push him into a hurry. If you push him into a hurry, he can surprise everyone.

This whole family has been living in harmony and beauty, but it's getting harder and harder. Mr. Xue sighed sadly. He might have drank some wine, and his emotions were particularly leaking.

Xue Qinghuai didn't answer.

After a long time, Mr. Xue sighed: Let your wife clean up the table, and you should go and rest early.

Hey, I'll let her take care of it now.

Boss Chen stroked his beard: It's a shame to say that I was a classmate with him when I was young, but I wasn't good at school and only passed the examination as a boy student, while he became a scholar in one fell swoop and was still a junior student. Unfortunately, due to bad luck, he never He was able to pass the exam, but he wasted many years because he had no intention of starting a career, so he returned to his hometown to inherit his father's business of teaching and educating people.

You won't always have bad luck. Xue Tingyan said.

If he remembered correctly, when Lin, the director of the Qingyuan Academy, finally passed the exam three years later, the whole village was in a sensation. Gao Youzhi, the director of the Qinghe Academy, was so angry that he almost vomited blood. At that time, he was planning to leave Qinghe Academy and go to the Shen family to study, but he happened to hear something about it.

Boss Chen thought the young man was just comforting him, so he smiled and said, I accept your good advice.

Xue Tingyan did not hesitate. He bowed his hands and said, Thank you, Uncle Chen, for the advice. It's just that there are some trivial matters at home that have not been dealt with. When everything is in order, I will go to the Qingyuan Academy to study.

Why don't you just go ahead and worry about being implicated and hindering your reputation? Boss Chen asked curiously.

You haven't entered school yet, how can you talk about fame? Besides, the imperial court has always attached great importance to recruiting talents. If he is really talented, Magistrate Hu will not dare to stop him too much.

I can't tell you have high ambitions. Well, since you dare to go, I will definitely recommend you something. Although my classmate is stiff and dull and not good at speaking, his knowledge is first-rate. I don't dare. It’s okay to preach and promote people, but it’s not a problem for a scholar.”

Then thank you Uncle Chen first.

*

For several days, Xue Tingyan and Zhao'er both left early and returned late.

Someone from the Xue family asked twice, and Zhao'er said that he should take Xue Tingyan out to get some fresh air so as not to get suffocated. The people in the big room showed contempt, and Mr. Xue couldn't help but shake his head. After that, no one asked any more questions, and most of them knew in their hearts that Xue Tingyan was destined to lose. Maybe the two children in the second room are smart, so they run around and play instead of reading.

You must know that even if you are as qualified as Xue Juncai, you have to read books at home for many days to prepare.

In a blink of an eye, the five-day period has arrived.

This day was no different from any other day.

Farmers are always busy in the morning. After a night, they have to take care of all the livestock and eat for the whole family. After breakfast, the men have to go to the fields, while the women do housework at home.

If there was any difference, it was that Xue Juncai had two more poached eggs in his bowl than the others at breakfast.

Due to Mr. Xue's beating some time ago, Mrs. Zhao no longer dared to open a fire and open a small stove for the people in the big house these days. Today, she saw that the days were unusual, so she couldn't help it.

Originally, Xue Tingyan didn't have any, but Yang saw that her father-in-law looked bad, so she took the initiative to ask Zhao for two eggs and put them into his bowl.

Xue Tingyan wanted to recruit one of them, but he didn't want Zhao'er, but it was a pity that he couldn't defeat him.

Two people were fighting for an egg, and you were talking to me in a low voice below. Mr. Xue above had a particularly heavy look on his face.

But that’s how life is for country people. No matter how heavy your heart is, your livelihood cannot be left behind. Especially when it was time for spring plowing, Mr. Xue took his two sons to work in the fields for a while and did not come back until three o'clock in the morning.

The news about the competition between the two children of the Xue family has long spread throughout Yuqing Village.

There are people who say weird things, but most people can still understand Mr. Xue's approach. It's not easy for country people to make a little money. No one's money comes from the river. If there was a way, no one would do this.

Knowing that today is the official day, they all let the children at home watch in the village. Seeing someone coming to Zheng Lizheng's house, these stupid kids ran into the fields, shouting from a distance, Someone is coming to Zheng Lizheng's house. The adults stopped planting, so they picked up their hoes and hurried back.

Soon, the large courtyard of Zheng Lizheng's house was filled with people, and more villagers were pouring in.

There was a lot of noise in the yard, and everyone was chatting and talking about today's incident.

In the room, Zheng Lizheng was talking to a middle-aged man wearing a scholar's shirt and a scarf on his head.

This person was born with a long and thin face, his complexion was a little pale, and his eyes were slightly swollen. His appearance is not that good, but his status seems to be extraordinary, and he is actually sitting in the main seat.

Zheng Lizheng could only sit aside.

There was something unusual about his gaze. This person was none other than Qiao Xiucai, a well-known scholar in the surrounding villages.

Zheng Lizheng had thought about it long ago. For the Xue family, Xue Qingshan came forward to invite someone. If it was not what he expected, the person who invited him should be his father-in-law Yang Zhong. Yang Zhong was just a boy, so he would invite a scholar.

Firstly, it seems that he is selfless, and secondly, it is a good time to show his prestige.

Mr. Qiao, you have tea, I will order someone to hurry you up.

Qiao Xiucai waved his hand nonchalantly: No need to worry.

Just as he was talking, there was a noise outside, but it was Patriarch Xue who came with his people.

However, it was not Chief Xue who was leading the group, but an old man who was over fifty years old. This old man was of medium height and dressed the same as Qiao Xiucai. He was also wearing a scholar's shirt and a plain scarf on his head. It was obvious that even if he was not a scholar, he was still a boy.

Sure enough, when Qiao Xiucai saw the old man, he stood up from his chair and bowed in salute.

I never thought it would be Senior He. It's so polite to be born late.

No need to be polite, sit down quickly.

This He Xiucai was the person invited by Patriarch Xue to host this competition.

Zheng Lizheng was right. Xue Qingshan did plan to invite his father-in-law at first, but unfortunately this matter was rejected by the Xue clan leader.

Patriarch Xue also just realized that Xue Qingshan was so stupid. They said that people should not avoid relatives when promoting talents, but this was not the way to do it. Since he felt that he was sure to win, there was no need to let others take advantage of the situation, so he took over the matter.

He knew in his heart that the person named Zheng would not miss the opportunity to show off, and if he came forward to invite someone, he would definitely be a scholar. He originally planned to invite Xiucai Qiao, but he arrived a step too late, so he had to delay the invitation and invite Xiucai He.

After some courtesy to each other, the two scholars sat down on the main seat.

Zheng Lizheng and Patriarch Xue sat beside him.

Let brother Li Zheng worry about it.

Don't worry, don't worry. I'm the leader here. I can't help but come forward if something happens in the village.

A lot of back and forth between you and me, seemingly friendly, but there is a hidden edge in the words. During this period, several old men walked in from the outside, but they were several village elders from Yuqing Village. Mr. Xue, Xue Qingshan and others also came.

There is another uninvited guest, Xue Qingshan's father-in-law Yang Zhong.

Yang Zhong is in his fifties and has a chubby body. He does not look like a scholar, but like a fat landowner. As soon as he came in, he came close to Qiao Xiucai and He Xiucai. Unfortunately, these two scholars were reluctant to pay attention to him. They chatted with him for a few words before going to sit down aside.

Xue Qingshan sat at the end with him.

These father-in-law and son-in-law are considered to be quite famous. The people who can sit here are all highly respected people in the village, but because of their status as a child, they can sit in the hall. You must know that even Mr. Xue does not have a seat and can only stand aside.

I wonder if the real master is here? He Xiucai asked when he saw that almost everyone had arrived.

Patriarch Xue looked at Mr. Xue, and Xue Qinghuai on the side said hurriedly: Come on, come on.

Just as he was talking, the villagers blocking the door made way for two teenagers to walk out of the crowd.

These two young men were both dressed in short brown clothes, and it was obvious at first glance that they came from poor families.

The leader was handsome and handsome, with a slender figure. Although his clothes were simple, he had a graceful demeanor. The one at the back is half a head shorter than the one in front. His body seems a little weak and he seems to be a little introverted. His eyes are always half lowered, as if he is afraid of strangers.

But when the two came to the hall and were scrutinized by everyone, they got some clues.

The older man's posture is not bad, but he always pulls his sleeves intentionally or unintentionally, as if his clothes don't fit. But the younger one has been standing in a neither humble nor arrogant manner. The half-cast eyes not only do not make people feel contempt, but also feel that the younger generation should respect their elders.

Therefore, it seemed that the older one was looking directly into everyone's eyes, which was a bit too abrupt. It is good to be confident, but when younger people face their elders, a humble and respectful attitude is indispensable.

All this happened in an instant. Qiao Xiucai and He Xiucai, who were sitting in the main seats, made their initial judgments about these two young people.

Student Xue Juncai, student Xue Tingyan, have met all the elders.

He Xiucai nodded. While Qiao Xiucai nodded, he asked curiously: Ting Yan? Does this name have a meaning?

Xue Tingyan was stunned for a moment, then Fang Zuo bowed and said: Huang, it means following the tradition. The student's great-great-grandfather was also a student member, and the biggest regret in his life was that he failed to pass the examination. Although my Xue family comes from a poor family, we have not been able to succeed for generations. Forgetting the last wishes of the ancestors, while settling down and settling down, he has been striving to make the children of the clan read, read and understand the principles of life.