Jinshi's confusion
My name is Li Cheng, I have read poetry and books since I was a child, and after ten years of hard study, I finally took the Jinshi exam this year. This is not only a personal honor for me, but also a kind of glory for my family. However, at this time, there was a trace of worry in my heart, that is, my fiancée in my hometown, Xiaofang.
Xiaofang is the girl next door when I was a child, and we are childhood sweethearts, and we have already made a private decision for life. However, since I went to Beijing to catch the exam, I have lost contact with her. Now that I am famous, I naturally want to go back to my hometown to marry her and spend the rest of my life with her.
So, after learning the news of Zhongjinshi, I rushed back non-stop, and my heart was full of longing for the future. But halfway through, it occurred to me that I should visit Xiaofang's parents first to show respect and courtesy. So, I changed direction and ran in the direction of Xiaofang's house.
On that day, the sun was shining, and I rode a horse and came to Xiaofang's house with a rich gift. I straightened my robe and knocked softly on the door.
The door opened, and Fang's father appeared in front of me. I saluted respectfully and said, "Uncle, I am Li Cheng, and I am here to visit today. ”
My father-in-law looked me up and down, frowned, and said in a deep voice, "What are you looking for me?"
My heart tightened, but I still tried to keep my composure, and said with a smile: "Uncle, I am your daughter's fiancé, and I have come to visit today, hoping to discuss my marriage with Xiaofang with you and my aunt. ”
The father-in-law's face suddenly became ugly, and he said coldly: "What nonsense are you talking about! My daughter has never been married, and she has no fiancé!"
I was stunned, completely unexpected. I hurriedly explained: "Uncle, are you mistaken? Xiaofang and I grew up together, and we have already made a private agreement for life, how could she not be married?"
My father-in-law stared at me with wide eyes, as if he were looking at a monster. He said angrily: "I repeat, my daughter is not married! If you talk nonsense, I will be really angry!"
I felt an inexplicable fear, but I still didn't give up and said, "Uncle, please let me meet Xiaofang, she must still remember me." ”
The father-in-law slammed the door shut, leaving only one sentence: "Go away! I never want to see you again!"
I stood outside the door blankly, my heart full of doubts and fear. How could Xiao Fang not be married? Are the vows between us all fake?
Just then, I suddenly heard a slight cry coming from inside the door. It's Xiao Fang! I'm sure it's Xiao Fang's voice! I was overjoyed, and hurriedly banged on the door and shouted, "Xiao Fang! Xiao Fang! It's me! Li Cheng! You come out to meet me!"
But there was no response from inside the door, only the faint cry, like a call from hell, that broke my heart.
I don't know how I left Xiaofang's house, I just remember that the sun was dazzling that day, but my heart was extremely cold.
After returning to the inn, I pondered my father-in-law's words and Xiaofang's cry. I decided to investigate this matter secretly and make sure it got to the bottom of it.
So, I began a long journey of exploration. I pretended to be a merchant, walked the streets, and secretly inquired about Xiaofang's news. Some say she's sick, others say she's locked up, and others say she's no longer alive...... There are various theories, but there is no one definitive answer.
Until one day, I met a mysterious old woman. She told me an astonishing secret: it turned out that Xiaofang's father betrothed her to the son of a high-ranking official without Xiaofang's knowledge, in order to cling to the powerful. Xiaofang was grief-stricken when she learned the news, but she had no choice but to disobey her fate. She tried to run away to meet me, but was found by her father and kept under strict scrutiny.
After listening to the old woman's words, I was filled with grief and indignation, and my heart was full of longing for Xiaofang and resentment towards her father. I decided to rescue Fang and reunite with her no matter what.
So I set out to plan a thrilling rescue operation. I contacted some friends and loyal people in the rivers and lakes to discuss countermeasures. We are going to take the opportunity to rescue Xiaofang on the day she gets married and get away from this place of right and wrong.
Finally, in the early morning of that day, I led the people to ambush on the road that the family greeting procession must pass. When the sedan chair passed, we rushed up, subdued the sedan chair drivers, and rescued Xiaofang.
"Li Cheng!" Xiao Fang opened the sedan curtain and saw that it was me, and immediately burst into tears, "You are really here!"
"Yes, I'm coming, I promised you that you would marry you, and I would never break my word!" I said, hugging her tightly.
We escaped from the town and settled in seclusion in the middle of nowhere. The beautiful mountains and rivers and the simple folk customs make us feel the tranquility and happiness that we have not seen for a long time.
Later, I heard that Xiaofang's father got into trouble because of his clinging to the powerful, and the family eventually died. I couldn't help but feel a lot of emotion in my heart: if he hadn't coveted power and chose to marry me, maybe everything would have been different...... But all this is a thing of the past, and now I just hope that it is enough to live the rest of my life with Xiaofang in peace.
However, fate does not seem to intend to spare us. Just when we thought we could live the rest of our lives in peace, a sudden disaster shattered the peace.
On that day, we were working in the fields, when suddenly the sky changed dramatically, dark clouds were thick, and a strong wind suddenly rose. Immediately afterward, a torrential downpour fell. We hurriedly packed up our farm tools and rushed back, but it was too late. Flash floods and mudslides tumbled down, instantly submerging our homes.
I hugged Xiaofang tightly and ran to the top with all my might. But the mudslide was so fast that we were quickly caught up in it. At the moment of life and death, I used my last strength to push Xiaofang to a big tree on the shore.
"Li Cheng! Li Cheng!" Xiao Fang cried out my name, but I was completely submerged by the mudslide.
When I woke up again, I found myself in an unfamiliar bed. It turned out that the villagers arrived in time to save my life. However, Xiaofang's whereabouts are unknown.
"Where is Xiaofang?" I asked eagerly, grabbing the sleeve of the villager next to me.
The villager shook his head and sighed, "Alas, it was too late for us to find you...... The mudslide is too ferocious...... We only found one of your wife's embroidered shoes......"
I was devastated when I heard the news, and it felt like the whole world had collapsed. I struggled to get up and tried to find Xiaofang's body, but was stopped by the villagers.
"Li Cheng, you are seriously injured and can't move!" said the village chief with concern, "We have already organized people to go downstream to find your wife...... We'll let you know as soon as we have news......"
I lay in bed weakly and burst into tears, my heart filled with endless grief and remorse. Why? Why do we have to suffer like this? If I hadn't been admitted to the Jinshi and hadn't come back to find Xiaofang, maybe she would still be alive and well......
I don't know how long later, I suddenly heard a commotion outside the door. Then the door was pushed open, and a familiar figure appeared in front of me—it was Xiaofang!
"Li Cheng!" Xiao Fang cried and threw herself into my arms, "I thought I would never see you again!"
It turned out that when the mudslide occurred, she was pushed up by me and climbed up and hugged the trunk tightly to survive, and was later found and rescued by the villagers downstream.
We hugged each other tightly and wept with joy, thanking God for giving us a second chance and a chance to meet again. This experience made us cherish each other more and made us understand the fragility and preciousness of life.
Later, we rebuilt our homes and lived here in peace, having children and living happily ever after until our hair turned grey...... And that thrilling past has also become an eternal memory and precious wealth in our hearts, always reminding us to cherish the present and live up to this life.
However, life is never a simple fairy tale, it is full of unknowns and variables. Just when we thought that everything would go smoothly and happiness would last for a long time, new troubles crept in.
It was autumn evening, and I was sitting on a wooden chair in front of the house, sipping freshly brewed rice wine, watching the children chase and play in the yard. Xiao Fang was busy preparing dinner in the kitchen, and the smoke was rising, bringing with it the warmth and tranquility of home.
Suddenly, a sharp knock on the door broke the harmony. I put down my glass and walked to the door, confused. Opening the door, a dusty stranger stood in the doorway, he looked anxious, obviously there was something important.
"May I ask if you are Mr. Li Cheng?" asked the stranger.
"Yes, I am Li Cheng. Is there anything wrong?" I replied.
"Mr. Li, I am a messenger from the capital. This is an urgent letter to you, please take your looks. As he spoke, he took out a sealed letter from his bosom and handed it to me.
I took the letter suspiciously, opened it, and my face suddenly became solemn. The letter was a conscription order from the imperial court, and because of my outstanding performance in the jinshi examination, the imperial court decided to recruit me to serve in Beijing.
Xiao Fang walked over and asked worriedly, "What's wrong?"
I handed her the letter, and she read it with a worried look on her face. "What can we do about this? We have finally lived a stable life, do we have to return to that complicated land of right and wrong?"
I was silent for a moment, then took a deep breath and said, "Although I don't want to leave here, the court has an order, and I have to obey." And maybe it's an opportunity for us to do something tangible for the people. ”
Xiao Fang was silent after hearing this, I knew the worry and reluctance in her heart. It is a difficult decision for us to choose to live in seclusion in the countryside to escape the strife of power, but now we want to get involved.
However, the wheels of fate do not stop turning because of our hesitation. A few days later, we set out on our way to the capital with simple luggage and mixed emotions. The children were curious and looking forward to the trip, unaware of the challenges and dilemmas we were going to face.
The capital, the place that once made us feel oppressed and constrained, is now unfolding in front of us again. Towering walls, bustling streets, and a constant stream of pedestrians...... Everything seemed so familiar and yet unfamiliar.
We were placed in a residence for a while. Life here is very different from the countryside, and there are countless social and official tasks to attend to every day. I began to work in the court, dealing with various officials, while Xiaofang took care of the household chores and the children.
Over time, I gradually adapted to this fast-paced lifestyle and achieved some success in the court. However, at the same time, I also deeply felt the struggle for power and the sinister nature of officialdom. Everyone is fighting openly and secretly for their own interests, and the slightest carelessness can lead to a situation from which they will never recover.
Xiaofang also felt this change, and she often reminded me to keep a clear head and firm beliefs, and not to be confused by power and interests. We often hugged each other and cried in the dead of night, nostalgic for the village life that once made us feel peaceful and happy.
However, we knew there was no going back. We have chosen this path, so we can only move forward. For the sake of the family, for the people, and for the belief and ideal in the heart.
In the court, I encountered various challenges and difficulties. Sometimes they have heated debates with other officials to get a policy passed, sometimes they stay up all night trying to solve a difficult problem, and sometimes they are called upon to respond to a sudden crisis...... Each experience has made me more mature and stronger.
At the same time, I also met many like-minded friends and colleagues. Together, we work for the prosperity of our country and the well-being of our people. While everyone's personality and experiences are different, we all share the same dream and pursuit – to create a better world.
In the days of struggle in the officialdom, I often think of the wife who once spent hardships with me - Xiaofang. She is the most solid backing and the warmest harbor in my life. Whenever I encountered difficulties and setbacks, she always silently supported me and encouraged me, and whenever I achieved achievements and honors, she always shared joy and pride with me. Her presence has strengthened my beliefs and pursuits.
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, we have spent several springs and autumns in the capital. The children are also growing up and have their own lives and dreams. We are extremely pleased and proud to see their growth and progress.
Although we can no longer return to the country life that once made us feel peaceful and happy, we have also found our own happiness and satisfaction in this bustling city. We know that no matter where we are, no matter what kind of ups and downs we go through, as long as we rely on each other, we can overcome any difficulties and challenges.
Today, I am no longer the young and vigorous teenager who just wants to escape from the power strife. I have learned how to stand and develop myself in a complex society, how to remain calm and optimistic in the face of difficulties and setbacks, and how to cherish the people and things around me while pursuing my dreams...... All this is inseparable from Xiaofang's companionship and support. She is one of the most important people in my life and the love of my eternity.
Looking back on the journey I have traveled in the past, I am filled with emotion. From the countryside to the city, from the teenager to the whitehead, from the dream to the reality...... Every step is full of challenges and changes, but also full of hope and warmth, because there is love, there is home, and there are dreams.