Regarding the past, Liu Quan was very candid and did not hide anything.
It can be seen that she really has no guilt in her heart, so she has the courage to face her husband.
If you look closely, there is really nothing in between, it is just an empty engagement, and the appointment has not been officially made yet.
After figuring it out, Qi Yu was relieved and smiled brightly.
Fortunately, there was not much suspicion.
My wife is a virtuous woman who knows how to run a household. She has always been very filial to her mother. Even if she has been wronged, she has never complained. Such a good person can hardly be found even under a lantern.
It is precisely because I care that I feel sensitive to this sudden love rival.
What is the purpose of Yin Jun coming here today?
Are you unwilling to give up?
Thinking of this, Qi Yu's smile became cracked again. No matter what his motives were, his wife would never allow others to worry about her!
This is of course selfish.
He made an appointment to meet at the examination hall, didn't he just want to prove that he was better than himself?
Since they are on the same starting line, it is fair, so let’s compare.
However, anyone can lose, but not him, otherwise there will be no face left.
At the very least, he has to prove one thing to his wife, that she is absolutely right to marry him. The prerequisite is to suppress Yin Jun, the pretty boy, in the examination room!
Liu Quan saw him gritting his teeth and laughing at other times, so he already guessed that he was thinking wildly.
"Who did you hear this from?"
"No one said that he came here by himself. I was just talking to him." Qi Yu said seriously.
"Ah... hum! Why did he come to our house?" Liu Quan said angrily.
"I don't know what the purpose of his visit is, it feels a bit baffling." Then Qi Yu gave an overview of what had just happened.
Intentionally or unintentionally, this love rival was vilified, making him short, dark, and ugly!
A bit like Wu Dalang?
…
"He has exceeded the rules, hum! If he comes again, you will let me argue with him in person. I would like to ask what the purpose of his coming here is!" Liu Quan gritted his silver teeth and said angrily.
Although Qi Yu promised, in his heart he hoped that they would never meet.
"Madam, please don't be angry, let's see how I crush him in the scientific examination next year, huh!"
"What are you talking about? You just have to read your own book, why are you trying to compete with him?" Liu Quan hurriedly corrected him.
"Uh... Madam, you're right. You've already married me. It's all in vain for him to think about it?" Qi Yu said proudly again.
"What nonsense! Read your book!"
Qi Yu nodded repeatedly and responded.
Having said that, just after dinner, he plunged into the study and studied the books of sages with all his heart. A hint of careful thoughts appeared on his face, which made Liu Quan both angry and funny.
Studying hard in the cold window, burning the midnight oil and working at night.
The exam will be taking place soon, and I really can’t waste any more time.
I was a science student in later generations, and I had no advantage in facing the current imperial examinations. Apart from working harder, there was really no shortcut.
It can be seen that Yin Jun's family background is relatively superior. Considering his conditions, he will definitely not lack the guidance of old scholars. On this point alone, he has fallen behind. Without hard work, there is no possibility of overtaking.
Yin Jun missed the scientific examination because of his filial piety, not because of his lack of knowledge. However, the original master had suffered a series of defeats before. In comparison, he was completely at a disadvantage.
If you want to win that face, you have to show your true ability.
As for my family's financial situation, it can only be regarded as a temporary relief at present. If we cannot find a stable source of income in the future, we will be left with nothing.
Therefore, we still need to think of a way to make money.
The little remuneration for copying books was only enough to cover food and drink. The cost of the imperial examination was huge, and copying books alone could not support it.
Realistically speaking, there is only one way left: painting.
Oil painting is indeed my first choice because I am good at it, and the only worry is still whether it will be recognized.
Mr. Yu has previously commented that his paintings are unique and he has an optimistic attitude.
His motivation is a reference. Simply put, it works!
Try painting a few pictures first to see if you can open up sales.
This saying can be big or small, and it applies equally to works.
A style that is too advanced is not necessarily a good thing. It may be easier for the world to accept it if it is better to incorporate some traditional elements.
That’s it in terms of style.
After drawing up an idea, the creative journey of color painting began.
Two themes were chosen, one elegant and one vulgar.
The first one is "Picture of Ladies". In terms of painting style, it not only retains the charm and artistic conception of traditional Chinese painting, but also incorporates the unique shape elements of color painting. It looks a bit similar to the elegant ancient style of later generations.
Another painting is called "Unify the Country", which uses its homophonic pronunciation to express its meaning. It shows a large, simple wooden barrel filled with lots of ginger. This painting mainly uses similar shapes, which is unique.
The subject matter is quite conventional and not much new.
Qi Yu really wanted to paint a few colorful works, but after thinking about it, he gave up. Although there is no anti-pornography campaign these days, if it is said to be unsightly, wouldn't it be self-defeating?
To be on the safe side, let’s use a pen name.
Carving twenty cents into a wooden seal turned it into Mr. Xingyan's signature.
If I get scolded, it has nothing to do with my reputation.
It's a good name to split the word "laud" into two parts and improvise.
Early the next morning, Qi Yu came to Luming Bookstore with an anxious mood, and shopkeeper You Xiang also received him warmly.
After explaining the purpose of their visit, the two changed to talking behind closed doors.
The painting slowly opened, and You Xiang's eyes suddenly lit up, and his mouth was so startled that he could put down an egg.
Oh...this is how Western paint is used!
Well, it really doesn’t match blue and white porcelain.
"The painting is really wonderful!"
"Uncle You is so complimentary." Qi Yu smiled modestly and said, "I'm worried that this style is too novel, and I'm afraid that the world won't recognize it."
Shopkeeper You was unsure: "Compared with traditional Chinese paintings, these two paintings are indeed very different in style. Whether they are recognized or not, I can't say."
"Even if you say that, I'm even less confident." Qi Yu said hesitantly.
"Don't worry, dear nephew, I have thought of a feasible solution."
"Uncle You, please tell me!"
…
Shopkeeper You believes that if this kind of painting is on the market, it is unlikely that anyone will buy it, so it is better to try high-end sales.
Only high-end places will have high-end people.
The method is feasible, but it requires connections.
Shopkeeper You smiled and said: "I have a good friend who is a big businessman who runs an auction house. I want to hand over these two paintings to him for operation. Even if they don't sell for a high price, there will be some interest."
"This is really great."
"I don't dare to say it all. Whether it succeeds or not depends on luck."
…
So, the two initialed a sales agency agreement and wrote the entrustment document. After doing this, Qi Yu stood up and left.
The painting seller had decided on it in advance, and we could only wait for the news whether it would work out.
As the Spring Festival approaches, the flavor of the New Year is getting stronger and stronger.
Pranks unique to the countryside began to take place.
Children are the most naughty. They like to stick firecrackers on cow dung and set them off, and then a loud bang will fill the air with a stink, attracting scoldings from the adults who got caught.
This is not even the loudest thing, the sound of popcorn coming out of the oven is shocking.
Only then did Qi Yu remember that this kind of snack existed in the Southern Song Dynasty. According to records, fried glutinous rice was used for divination, and the name of the rice was Bolou, and the northerners called it glutinous rice flower.
The alley is also very lively. There are people selling hairpins and making candy. From time to time, there are shouts: sharpen the scissors...
Rich or not, go home and celebrate the New Year. This is a saying that is common in ancient and modern times.
People who are looking for a living outside, whether they are doing labor or doing business, rush home before the end of the year.
These people were all wearing decent clothes and seemed to be doing well in other places. Especially when going to the New Year's Fair, when two people who hadn't seen each other for a long time met, they would burst into laughter and then talk eagerly.
How much money have you earned this year, etc.
For Qi Yu, it was better to go home and review his lessons than to brag about business at the market, so after buying New Year's goods, he returned home directly.
As soon as I entered the house, I saw my wife busy making noodles.
Today is the 29th of the New Year, and the house needs to be refueled.
The so-called over-frying refers to frying some snacks and foods that can be eaten for a long time after the New Year. For example: dumplings, crispy pork, sugar rings, meatballs, and families with conditions will also cook and fry some hairtail fish.
Mr. Zhou's eyesight was not good, so Liu Quan could only do these tasks. Seeing this, Qi Yu hurriedly put down his things, washed the hands and went into the kitchen.
This year is a fat year, and several big bowls full of crispy pork are fried, which is something I would never have imagined in previous years. Of course, this requires financial support. If you don’t have money, you can only eat cold steamed buns.
After finishing the oiling, Liu Quan was busy cleaning the yard, while Qi Yu posted Spring Festival couplets.
I wrote the couplets myself and did not have to spend money to buy them, which is a rare convenience for scholars.
There are things to do on New Year's Eve, such as filling water tanks, cleaning the house and outside, and putting away needle baskets. On New Year's Day, you are not allowed to fetch water, nor can you use brooms or needlework. It is said that this
It's God who wants people to have a good rest, so they can't do any work.
It is a traditional custom to stay up late on New Year's Eve. Every household is brightly lit on New Year's Eve, waiting for the upcoming farewell to the old year and welcoming the new year.
The table was filled with offerings, some to honor the gods and gods, and some for the ancestors to enjoy. I don’t know whether they ate them or not.
Privately, Liu Quan also secretly added a few more dishes to the Stove Lord, hoping that he would speak kindly to his husband in heaven and not let Lei Gong get angry and take him away...
Mrs. Zhou had changed into new clothes very early and was sitting upright with a smile on her face.
At midnight, there was a burst of firecrackers, signaling the beginning of the new year.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, every household wants to pay New Year greetings to each other.
People who had worked hard for a year finally washed away their dust and put on decent clothes, especially the young women who had been in the fields for a long time. After dressing up, they seemed like a different person.
If the young daughters-in-law have a new look, then the wife Liu Quan's eyes are shining brightly.
The feeling that his wife stood out from the crowd made Qi Yu very happy, and his face looked like there was nothing we could do about our fate.
In the afternoon, the New Year greetings gradually stopped, and Zhou also began to discuss matters regarding hospitality after the new year.
Tomorrow is the second day of the Lunar New Year. According to custom, Qi Yu and Liu Quan are going to visit relatives at his father-in-law's house. His sister Qi Lan has made an appointment to come over on the third day of the Lunar New Year, so it just happens to be staggered.
The gifts prepared are quite generous, but Qi Yu is still a little worried. There was a quarrel with his father-in-law's family before. Will he be embarrassed when they meet tomorrow?
You know, during the homecoming banquet, the original owner went crazy and overturned the big table, causing a huge commotion.