Upon hearing this, Zhu Shi smiled. “Let’s go to the main courtyard.”

“Alright.”

Today was Zilu’s one-month celebration, and guests had already begun to arrive.

Yang Xi was in confinement and hadn’t seen outsiders, so the village women dared not enter the Zhou family’s house. Today, many villagers had come, all waiting to see Zilu.

Upon arriving at the main courtyard, the child was placed in Ye Shi’s arms. Zilu was a sensible and brave child; even seeing so many people, he didn’t cry or fuss, only searching for familiar voices.

The village head’s wife said, “I haven’t seen such a chubby baby in many years. This child is truly blessed.”

Ye Shi loved to hear this; at this time, she couldn’t resist the custom of hearing auspicious words.

Today, Zilu was the star. After staying in the main courtyard for a short while, Zhou Yu took his son to the front courtyard.

Zhou Yu personally cared for the child; Zilu was familiar with him, and with him by his side, Zilu wouldn’t look for his mother.

Zhong Yan reached out to take the child. He couldn’t go to the east courtyard; he didn’t see his child often. As people get older, they like children who are blessed, and Zilu’s chubby figure clearly indicated great fortune.

Zhong Jin was too busy to come during the baby’s third-day celebration, so this was the first time he had seen the child. “He looks like his sister-in-law.”

Zhou Yu said with a smile. “This child will grow up well.”

Zhong Jin took out the prepared gift. “I hope this child will have a peaceful and prosperous future.”

Zhou Yu personally put the heavy gold lock on his son’s wrist. Little Zi Lu noticed it and even made a couple of “ah ah” sounds.

Zhong Yan smiled. “This is because he likes it.”

The guests who came today were stunned by the gold lock. The silver lock that Liu Li had prepared was also quite heavy.

Zhou Yu thanked them one by one. The child had been away from his mother for a while and was hungry. He whimpered and looked like he was about to cry at any moment. Zhou Yu picked up her son. “I’ll take the child back first.”

In the main courtyard, Yang Xi took her son and noticed the gold lock. Zhou Yu said it was a gift from Brother Zhong. Yang Xi tapped her son’s nose. “You little rascal, you’ve got some money now.”

There were guests in the front courtyard, so Zhou Yu returned there. Half an hour later, the full moon celebration started on time.

After the full moon banquet, Zhong Jin didn’t rush to leave. He drank tea to sober up and then spoke of the situation in the prefectural city. Now that there were no outsiders, there was no need to hold back.

Zhong Jin said, “The Xu family’s crimes are confirmed. All male members of the Xu family over ten years old have been beheaded, those under ten have been sold into slavery, and all the female members of the family have been sold off.”

Zhou Yu paused in his actions. “Gu Zhifu’s actions have had a deterrent effect.”

Zhong Jin drank another cup of tea. “Gu Zhifu is more ruthless than I expected.”

Zhou Yu said, “Merchants? Gu Zhifu has never cared about them.”

Born into a family of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, Gu Zhifu considered the Xu family beneath his notice.

Zhong Jin sighed, “What a pity for the Xu family. They were rare, reputable salt merchants. They wouldn’t smuggle salt.”

Zhou Yu scoffed, “It’s true that good people don’t live long.”

Upon hearing this, Zhong Jin thought of his uncle and quickly changed the subject, “Recently, not much news has come from the north. I wonder how things are in the capital.”

Zhou Yu looked north. In his previous life in ancient times, he had died too young. Calculating the days, it was almost time for his death in his previous life.

The two chatted for a while longer. It was getting late, and Zhong Jin had to return to the county town; the county couldn’t do without him.

Days passed, and the day of the provincial examination arrived. Third Yang accompanied Zhou Bing to the exam.

The prefectural examination ended, but Zhou Bing and Third Yang did not return. The results of the examination arrived first. Zhou Bing had passed and become a xiucai, placing tenth.

With a Xiucai in the Zhou family and Zhou Bing teaching at the school, even more people wanted to send their children there.

People from the county and town also sent gifts; the close relationship between the Zhou family and the county magistrate’s family was no secret.

Before Zhou Bing returned, matchmakers from the county came to their door.

The matchmaker whom Yang Xi met smiled. “Young Master has passed the xiucai examination, and he is no longer young. Although he is still in mourning, it is still possible to arrange a betrothal. The Qi juren family in the county has two daughters. The elder daughter is already married, and the younger daughter has reached marriageable age. I’m not exaggerating when I say that Miss Qi is well-read and sensible. She and the Second Young Master would make a rare and excellent match.”

Yang Xi couldn’t make decisions for Zhou Bing; Zhou Bing had someone in his heart, and he wouldn’t let go without a future. “Thank you for coming,” she said, “but Zhou Bing is already engaged.”

The matchmaker was taken aback, then realized the second young master was indeed quite old. She had come rashly; she should inquire first. “What a pity.”

Not wanting to come for nothing, the matchmaker continued, “Young master Yang is also quite old; is he engaged too?”

Yang Xi smiled. “My younger brother is still young. I want to temper his temperament further; I’m not in a hurry to get engaged.”

The matchmaker understood; none of the Zhou family’s sons intended to marry. She didn’t need to ask Young Master Zhou anymore; she knew the Zhou family had a young lady, but she rarely went out. Thinking for a moment, she stood up. “I’m sorry to bother you today, madam.”

Yang Xi didn’t let the matchmaker’s trip be in vain, handing her a piece of cloth. “Thank you for your trouble today.”

The matchmaker beamed at the cloth. “Not at all, not at all.”

Zhou Yu waited until the matchmaker left before approaching. “Who’s here to arrange a marriage?”

Yang Xi replied, “Qi Juren is arranging a marriage for his youngest daughter; he’s taken a liking to Zhou Bing.”

Zhou Yu thought of her younger sister and brother. “Didn’t she ask about my siblings?”

Yang Xi smiled. “Matchmakers are very perceptive. She asked about Third Yang, and I said he is going to wait a few years, and the matchmaker understood.”

Zhou Yu was relieved. “A few years later is fine.”

Yang Xi thought of Shanghe Village; many villagers were sensible. Knowing the Zhou family had unmarried sons and daughters, the villagers knew the difference in social standing and never visited. Their family had settled in Shanghe Village, and nothing outrageous had ever happened there.

A few days later, Third Yang and Zhou Bing returned. However, Zhou Bing was wearing a woman’s cap. Many villagers saw him entering the village and wondered why he was wearing a hat.

Third Yang’s sorrowful expression only fueled the crowd’s curiosity.

The two returned to their residence just as the school day ended. Zhong Yan noticed Third Yang and Zhou Bing, initially pleased at their return, then stared at their caps. “Why are you wearing a veil in this heat?”

Zhou Bing stopped, pursing his lips in silence.

Third Yang looked distressed. “Second brother’s face is injured.”

Zhong Yan knew Zhou Bing had passed the county-level exam and wouldn’t continue, but he was unaware of the disfigurement. The old man was alarmed. “How could his face be injured?”

Third Yang blinked. Hadn’t his brother-in-law told Uncle Zhong?

Zhou Bing quickly helped the old man up. “Don’t worry.”

How could Zhong Yan not be worried? He wasn’t continuing because of the chaos in the world. The world would eventually be at peace, and with the establishment of the new dynasty, the exams would still be held. With a disfigured face, what future was there?

Zhou Bing confirmed that the old man truly didn’t know about the disfigurement.

Third Yang looked toward his jiěfu, who had come out after hearing the commotion. Seeing his jiěfu made him feel guilty—he had forgotten to tell him!

The children in the classroom had also heard the news, and none of them dared to say a word. Just a few days ago, they had still been happily celebrating xiānsheng Zhou Bing passing the xiucai examination!

Zhou Yu helped Uncle Zhong. “Let’s talk in the backyard.”

Zhong Yan nodded, “Okay.”

The group went to the backyard, leaving Zhou Xiaodi behind so the children could return to the classroom.

Back in the backyard, where no one else was around, Zhou Bing took off his hat, unwrapped the gauze, and said, “Look, my face is perfectly fine!”

Zhong Yan was stunned, then realized, “You deliberately faked disfigurement?”

(End of Chapter)

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