Officials in the Dali period can be roughly divided into: one cabinet, six ministries, four courts, three supervisory offices, one bureau, and one temple. Let’s not talk about the military department for now, let’s just talk about Zheng, Yan, and Gu. Zheng Hui entered the Ministry of Rites among the six ministries, and served as a deputy minister of the Ministry of Guests and Guests, a sixth-rank official.

　　The Ministry of Rites is divided into four major departments: the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Shrines, the Ministry of Food, and the Ministry of Guests. Unlike the famous Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Rites is a relatively undemanding government office, and the Ministry of Guests is a relatively undemanding position among the well-known ones.

　　Main responsibilities: receiving foreign guests and granting titles and official titles to foreign countries.

　　The last time this department was mobilized was three years ago, when Emperor Kang Jing was 59 years old. At that time, several foreign countries travelled thousands of miles for more than half a year to the capital to congratulate Emperor Kang Jing on his 60th birthday.

　　Nowadays, the world is peaceful and prosperous. Emperor Kang Jing is kind and allows small foreign countries like this to pay tribute every two to three years. If they come every year, the farthest foreign countries will take nearly half a year to walk. It is really a hassle to go back and forth like this. Of course, the amount of tribute is still calculated on an annual basis.

　　Emperor Kang Jing was so benevolent, so the small foreign countries that were dependent on Dali naturally followed suit. On Emperor Kang Jing’s birthday, some kings, both large and small, would come in person with their princes and daughters to kneel and congratulate him, in order to show their respect for Emperor Kang Jing of Dali.

　　So Zheng Hui was appointed as the Deputy Director of this department, which sounded like a high rank of sixth grade, but if he wanted to make the next move, it would probably be around the 65th birthday of Emperor Kang Jing, which was not far away, only three years away.

　　It’s a place where even idle birds don’t go to poop.

　　The Hanlin Academy, where Gu Zhao and Yan Jinxin belonged, was also quite idle, but it was different from Zheng Hui’s position, which was thrown into a corner and could not be seen if it did not move. Moreover, when receiving foreign guests, each foreign country had different customs and habits, and their tempers were also bad. Why was there a shortage of people in the Ministry of Rites? It was because during the last Wanshou Festival of the Emperor’s 60th birthday, two people did not take good care of the foreign guests, and later asked to be transferred to other places.

　　Zheng Hui heard this and thought: ???

　　I also think these two people are stupid. They give up their leisurely official positions in Beijing and choose to go to a small place.

　　Gu Zhao listened and said “Emmmm”. He could probably guess that since he could resign on his own initiative, it was obvious that he must have suffered a lot when receiving foreign guests. Then he patted his elder brother on the shoulder. It was actually quite appropriate to be generous.

　　Ordinary people didn’t know the inside story, so when they heard that Zheng Hui was a sixth-rank official and a Beijing official, they were of course happy. The Zheng family celebrated for more than ten days, and even the eldest brother Zheng Yao, who was in Quliang Prefecture, rushed back with his wife and children, and brought gifts and letters from the superior, that is, Tang Rou’s father.

　　The letter called Zheng Hui a beloved son-in-law.

　　Zheng Hui read the beginning and shuddered for no apparent reason. Zheng Yao asked what was wrong when he saw it. But what was wrong with the letter?

　　”No, I just think it’s a bit corny.”

　　”What’s so corny? It’s been a few years since we last met, and I, as the eldest brother, can hardly understand what the little brother is saying now.”

　　Zheng Hui learned this speaking habit from Gu Zhao, and he couldn’t explain it. Fortunately, his eldest brother didn’t ask any further questions and changed the subject to talk about something else.

　　”There’s not much to do in our post recently. My superiors are generous and told me not to rush back and to move slowly. That being said, I still want to finish packing and go to the capital as soon as possible. I also want to buy a house and settle down.”

　　Now, if you have a position, especially a Beijing official, unless you request a transfer yourself or are appointed by your superiors, you will have been working as a Beijing official for more than ten years or even a lifetime. It is almost settled and you can buy a yard.

　　”Yan Jinxin and Zhaodi are similar, both work in leisurely offices.”

　　Zheng Yao said, “That’s great. We can celebrate properly and even open the ancestral temple to worship our ancestors. You have made a name for ourselves in our Zheng family. If our great-grandfather knew about this, he would definitely be pleased.”

　　The whole family said this, and Zheng Hui smiled and asked about his eldest brother.

　　What else can Zheng Yao do? He is used to doing the job and it is just like that. There is not much hope for promotion. Ever since he passed the imperial examination last year, the higher-ups have been enthusiastic about winning him over and promoting him. This year is even more so. If he can find a way out, his position can be promoted.

　　Fortunately, I passed the imperial examination and became an official.

　　Yanjia Village.

　　Since Yan Jinxin passed the imperial examination last autumn, the messengers from the prefecture and county came all the way to Yanjia Village to announce the good news. At that time, Liu Shu had not returned yet, because he had to rush back with the unsuccessful candidates after the results were announced. Otherwise, he would be alone with hid husband, and women like Tang Rou and Zhang Ma would not be safe along the way.

　　When the results were announced and they all passed, Liu Shu was naturally happy. After being happy, he started to worry about his family. “If you tell me the good news, don’t scare grandma and the others. Without me, who knows what a mess the family will be in.”

　　”No, I won’t go to the capital with you. I have to go back and wait. If you don’t win, I won’t bother you anymore.” Liu Shu said, and then he made three “pooh” sounds. “You will definitely win. I was wrong just now. God, don’t hear me, don’t hear me.”

　　When the messenger came to the Yan family to announce the good news, the Yan family was indeed frightened. They were shocked and happy, and didn’t know how to deal with it. It was the village chief who came and was afraid of the messenger, but he remained calm and said he would give a red envelope to the messenger.

　　The Yan family suddenly realized what had happened and hurried into the house to pack red envelopes and invite the messenger to have some tea and rest.

　　The father, who had been honest all his life, finally stood up for once and gritted his teeth to give a gift of one tael of silver. The wedding messenger saw that the Yan family had a bare yard without walls, and saw that the family was poor. The parents of Mr. Yan were timid and didn’t know the rules, so they didn’t know how to give the lucky money.

　　I thought I was in trouble this time, and I estimated that I wouldn’t get much as a gift, a hundred coins would be considered good. However, I didn’t expect that the red envelope paper was wrinkled and not red, but it was solid and heavy, and it was still not a copper coin.

　　When the messenger opened the letter, his face looked even happier. He had received one or two taels of silver. The two of them chatted with each other, saying a bunch of auspicious words, bent their waists and clenched their fists, calling him “Junren Dad” repeatedly.

　　Under the envious gazes of the villagers, the Yan family members, who were used to hunching their backs, gradually straightened up.

　　Fortunately, Liu Shu came back to take care of the rest.

　　Before Liu Shu came back, he got what his husband said, just like he got the imperial sword in the opera, saying that his husband said he couldn’t accept any gifts, and he couldn’t take any money.

　　The Yan family were honest people, and they were very obedient to their son who was an official, so they really didn’t dare to get involved.

　　Naturally, there were also beautiful maids and servants sent as gifts. Yan Jinxin had not expected this so he did not mention it. But when Liu Shu saw it, he did not care about anything else and was so angry that he scolded him back. Facing the gazes of outsiders, Liu Shu straightened his back and said, “My husband said that even if he wants to take a concubine, he must get the nod from me, the first wife. I don’t want it now. Get out of here. What are you looking at!”

　　Was it that the willow tree had been busy from the beginning of winter throughout the whole year, or was it that when the weather got warmer in spring, around April, and it was time to change out of its jackets and put on light clothes, that the willow tree realized something was wrong? Why did its belly become so big?

　　Even if you eat more at your own banquet, it won’t be this big.

　　Grandma Yan took a look and wondered if Xiaoshu was pregnant.

　　This is a great joyous event.

　　Later, she asked a doctor to check and found out that she was already four months pregnant and almost five months pregnant. Liu Shu calculated the date and it was exactly the mid-December when he would be waiting for the results of the exam. He was nervous and scared that his husband would fail, so he couldn’t sleep at night and went to harass the man, and that’s how he got pregnant.

　　On the first day of June, Yan Jinxin rushed back exhausted.

　　When I came back, I almost couldn’t find my way home because the wall had been built and the roof had been repaired. I couldn’t help but frown and raised my hand to knock on the door. Before I could knock twice, the door opened.

　　”Who is it?”

　　”Grandma, it’s me.”

　　When Grandma Yan saw her grandson coming back, she burst into tears first and rushed over crying with joy. She was short and thin, and her wrinkled hands trembled as she touched her grandson, muttering, “It’s good that he’s back. He’s finally back.”

　　Yan Jinxin lowered his body and bent over so that grandma could touch his face.

　　The strict mother who was cooking in the kitchen and the strict father who came back from outside were both happy. They wanted to say something when they saw their son, but they were not good at speaking and didn’t know what to say. They just asked dryly whether he had eaten, whether he was tired, and whether he wanted to take a rest, etc.

　　”Where is Xiaoshu?” Yan Jinxin talked for a while in the yard. The whole family came to see him, but why was Xiaoshu not there?

　　Grandma Yan paused for a moment and then she remembered that she had forgotten to tell Jinxin about the happy event.

　　”The little tree is still sleeping——”

　　Before he finished speaking, Yan Jinxin noticed that Grandma’s face was not right. He paused, the wrinkles between his brows deepened, and asked, “What happened to Xiaoshu?”

　　”I’ll go and take a look.”

　　Yan Jinxin took big steps and entered the main hall in two or three steps. The Yan family followed behind him. Grandma Yan said, “Speak softly, don’t wake up Xiaoshu. He is not the same as before…”

　　Did something happen to Xiaoshu when he came back?

　　Or are you feeling sick and uncomfortable?

　　Yan Jinxin was just a few steps away from him, his expression became more and more solemn, his face darkened, he had thought of many possibilities, the hesitation of his family just now must be too serious, he couldn’t help but regret that he shouldn’t have let Xiaoshu come back first that day, he should have gone to the capital together, but he was afraid of being tired and exhausted –

　　Entered the inner room.

　　Willow was sleeping on the kang with his legs spread out, his belly covered with a thin quilt, which had now been kicked aside, leaving only a corner of the quilt hanging from his body. He was wearing a loose undershirt, so his bulging belly was clearly visible.

　　Yan Jinxin stopped walking and his brows deepened.

　　For the first time since he could remember, he felt helpless and panicked. He turned around and saw his grandmother and mother rushing over. He opened his mouth but didn’t know what to say.

　　”Did you not wake up Xiaoshu? He is heavier now and likes to sleep. We must wake him up.”

　　”Jinxin, let’s talk outside. Mother has prepared hot water and food for you. Wash your face and eat first, and let Xiaoshu sleep well. Otherwise, Xiaoshu will not feel comfortable if he doesn’t get enough sleep.”

　　The women of the Yan family gently persuaded their son to come out, but Yan’s father did not come forward and avoided the sight of the inner door. The family persuaded Yan Jinxin to go to the yard to talk, so as not to disturb Xiaoshu’s sleep. Yan Jinxin seemed to have found his tongue at this time, frowning, “Xiaoshu is not sick, but pregnant?”

　　”Puh, puh, puh, how can you talk like that, kid? Xiaoshu is pregnant.”

　　In the yard outside, Yan Jinxin – the newly crowned top three ranks of Jieyuan, Huiyuan and Zhuangyuan – could only sit under the stone mill in the yard to eat and listen to his family talk about what happened during the time he was away.

　　”The messenger came and gave them some silver. Your father gave them one or two taels of silver. They were all brought back by Xiaoshu before.”

　　”I hope you don’t lose face with one tael of silver.” The strict father felt that one tael of silver was a lot, but he was still nervous when asking his son about it.

　　Yan Jinxin said that it was not the case. Only then did Yan’s father feel relieved.

　　Mother Yan said that Xiaoshu was in charge of setting up the banquet for the guests, and that someone had sent a maid over.