Chapter Four Selection

  It was originally windy and sunny, but in a blink of an eye, it started drizzling with misty fine rain. In such weather, outdoor travel makes people hesitant to venture out.

  Hao Fenglou's enthusiasm was forced out, the weather was getting colder day by day, and the silver in his hand was not enough to spend. If he didn't think of a way, he would have to starve and freeze. Wu Er had signed him up, and today was the day for recruitment. Although there was no warm sun or gentle spring breeze, Hao Fenglou was well-prepared.

  The raincoat on his body was borrowed from the inn, but the raincoat blocked the rainwater and couldn't block the cold wind, so that his body trembled with fear. He didn't have any complaints in his heart, turned several corners in the rain, and suddenly saw a vast expanse before him. A white wall blocked many houses, occasionally with a few tree branches stretching out of the wall, through the high wall, you can see the scales of the attic exposed on the roof ridge.

  It is said that today is the last day for recruitment, and after this deadline, there will be no more opportunities. Therefore, there are not many people crowded here, many people come in the rain, and some people leave with chest and foot pain.

  Hao Fenglou's heart skipped a beat as he saw many people leaving in disappointment, and he hastily grabbed hold of a dignified-looking young master, saying: "Brother..."

  This man sneered at him and said, "You're also here to sign up? I advise you to give up. Do you really think it's that easy? Let me tell you, someone like you can't even pass the test of the old nun. In the past few days, hundreds of people have signed up in Zhenjiang Prefecture, but only one person has passed the test of the old nun. I was glared at by that old nun and my heart went cold. She even asked me to recite the Four Books for Women. How can I recite them? This is not a recruitment exam, it's an imperial examination."

  It seems that this young master has also just been driven out of the house, with a belly full of grievances, and before Hao Feng Lou could ask, he suddenly poured it all out.

  Hao Feng Lou first heard it vaguely, something about a nun and something about a champion scholar, but later on, after some thought, he understood.

  The nun must be a woman, and mostly an old-fashioned person. Her fighting power is absolutely beyond the auntie at the entrance of the girls' dormitory, she can see through you with one glance.

  As for the exam questions, it's just the Four Books for Women. The so-called Four Books for Women are four books specifically written for women to read, namely "Admonitions for Women", "Nei Xun", "Analects for Women" and "Women's Exemplary Sayings". These four books contain tens of thousands of words. For respectable ladies who have a basic understanding of literature, these Four Books for Women are essential reading.

  Hao Fenglou suddenly felt embarrassed, memorizing the Four Books for Women is really crazy, no wonder so many people gave up, many people just came to fool around, they didn't even know what the Four Books looked like, it was purely a rogue's job, how could they possibly pass? Even if someone really had talent, you ask him about Analects or Book of Rites and he might be able to answer fluently, but the Four Books for Women...

  Hesitating for a moment, Hao Feng Lou gritted his teeth: "If I can't even get through this difficult pass, how can I talk about chasing after Miss Lu? Humph, Master taught me so many techniques, could it be that just because I came to this era, I'll retreat in fear? What's there to be afraid of?"

  He quickened his pace and arrived at the stone steps of the Lu family's main gate, where many people had already gathered. However, more people were coming out than going in, and the doorman at the entrance was vigilantly watching everyone, occasionally calling someone inside.

  There were simple scholars and also young masters who still waved fans in the cold winter, but everyone's expression seemed very solemn.

  Because every person who comes out is either in a state of lingering fear, and when others ask him how he is, he shakes his head gloomily; or someone comes out and waves their fist, loudly shouting that it's unfair.

  "Unfair, unfair, how can this be? Is this what it means to be a teacher who has been recruited through an open call for applications? Why is it even harder than passing the imperial examination?"

  Sure, here is the translation:

  As expected, another discontented loser came out of the government office, shouting loudly.

  Several sturdy gatekeepers glared at each other, taking a step forward, one of them growling in a low voice: "This is the residence of the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, how dare you come here to make trouble..." and rolled up their sleeves ready to take action.

  He took one look and a good fellow wouldn't take advantage of the situation, let alone he wasn't a good fellow, just a weak and timid scholar, so he shrank his neck and slipped away.

  The people outside laughed and said, "This man really doesn't know what's going on. He dares to cause trouble here? The doormen here are all former trusted followers of the governor, who followed him through mountains of corpses and seas of blood. How dare he cause trouble here? Isn't that just asking for death?"

  The atmosphere has finally eased a bit, but with one loser after another emerging, it has sunk many people's hearts to the bottom of the valley.

  Hao Fenglou was relaxed, not because he wasn't afraid of this difficulty, but as the 18th generation single-transmitted disciple of the Love Saint, he had a good mental quality. His master had warned him that if he encountered difficulties and his heart trembled, how could he face them? As the Love Saint's name should be promoted, he didn't know how many difficulties he would encounter, and only by being prepared for everything could he achieve success in all endeavors.

  "Whose is the Feng Lou?" A gatekeeper came out from inside.

  His surname is Wind and his name is Building, this name is indeed strange, but the gatekeeper still has no expression on his face, as if it's nothing out of the ordinary.

  "It's me, it's me... student Feng Lou..."

  He made a bow and scraped with his foot, but the doorkeeper said impatiently: "Please, sir, follow me in."

  Hao Feng Lou gave him a cold glance, and even a small servant dared to be so arrogant. He let it go for now and followed the doorman through the gate. He felt many people behind him watching with schadenfreude, as if they could already foresee that he would return empty-handed.

  Hao Fenglou didn't rush, and followed him step by step. They turned to a small hall, and entered the hall. The decoration of this small hall was very elegant, although simple, it had a kind of extraordinary atmosphere, not only did it not make people feel plain, but also had a kind of effect that made people concentrate and calm down.

  Just having a woman sitting in the small hall is enough to make one restless.

  This woman is not actually old, at most in her thirties, with an ordinary appearance, but her face seems to be owed money by others, or she has lost her chastity from you. Especially those eyes, sharp and piercing, with a strong deterrent power, making people feel a sudden chill when they meet her gaze.

  This woman seemed to be unaware that others disliked her gaze, and after Hao Feng Lou entered, her eyes lingered on him, as if her gaze could pierce through his body and see into the depths of his heart.

  "No wonder many people scold her as an old nun." Hao Feng Lou thought to himself, then smiled slightly and bowed to the woman: "Student Feng Lou, greetings Miss."

  When she heard the word "young lady", the woman was taken aback for a moment.

  Because of her age, many people call her "Auntie" or "Granny".

  However, she is indeed a miss because she has not married yet.

  It's just...

  Hao Feng Lou's words did not make the woman's face look any better, her face was still stern, only those sharp eyes flashed a hint of confusion.

  She unconsciously touched her wrist, on which was a very beautiful carnelian bangle.

  "You're Feng Lou, a Shangjiang native? How is it that you don't even have a single honor or title?" The woman's voice was hoarse, and this questioning sentence obviously showed some dissatisfaction with Hao Feng Lou. Even if one came here without any great ambitions, they should at least be a Tongsheng, although being a Juren was not possible, but there were quite a few Xiucai, in comparison, Hao Feng Lou's disadvantage was very obvious.

  If it were someone else, they would have been tongue-tied by the woman's questioning, but Hao Feng Lou replied calmly: "Miss, you don't know that I came from a wealthy family, so although I studied, I never had any intention of taking the imperial exams. But now..." He forced a bitter smile, leaving it to the woman to make her own guesses about what followed.

  The woman's face was expressionless, seemingly neither satisfied nor dissatisfied with the answer. She stood between two young ladies on either side of Hao Feng Lou, and at first, it didn't seem like anything out of the ordinary. However, after hearing it a few more times, she found it quite pleasant to the ear, and her complexion slightly improved as she prepared to ask another question.

  Hao Feng Lou suddenly said, "Miss, this bangle is obviously very valuable and looks great. When my family was still doing well, I accompanied my father to visit the Magistrate of Songjiang, and his wife also wore a similar bangle."

  Hao Fenglou had long discovered that this woman would always unconsciously caress the jade bangle on her wrist, and he had already guessed that this bangle must be one of the few treasured objects she possessed.

  The so-called master of emotions, the most formidable place is to move a woman's heart. To move a woman's heart, like those doctors, it's called looking, listening, asking, and cutting. Looking means observing, based on your eyes, observe a woman's expression and movements. For example, this woman, when Hao Feng Lou saw her come in, although she didn't move on the surface, but her body naturally reacted by shrinking back a bit. It can be seen that this woman has an innate dislike for men, but deep down, there is still some kind of longing. This is a common reaction among young women who have not yet married.

  As she saw Hao Feng Lou calling her "Miss" again, although her eyes were still sharp, but deep in her eyes, there seemed to be a faint flash of anger. Hao Feng Lou was certain that this woman, although still a "miss", did not want people to see through her identity, after all, she was not young and had not yet married, which was a very embarrassing thing to mention.

  But the young lady called out several times, and she slowly adapted, reflecting a complex mentality. She was a proud woman who disliked being seen through, yet deep down, she was still proud of her independence.

  It seems that there is a contradiction between these two, but this kind of thing is very common. Just like some men have many women around them, they will feel proud in front of their peers, but at home or in front of certain people, they will feel ashamed.

  Of course, more importantly, this woman, every time she feels uncomfortable, as long as there is an emotional fluctuation, she can't help but touch the jade bangle. Haofeng Building can be certain that the jade bangle has a special meaning to the woman.

  So, contrary to Hao Feng Lou's expectations, a warm smile did flash across the woman's eyes.

  It's human nature that when someone discovers and shows interest in something you treasure, whoever it is, their mood will be greatly improved.

  "The woman proudly said: 'This was given to me by the lady.'"

  Every object that is cherished by people often gains its value from the emotions attached to it, even a worthless pendant can become precious if it holds special meaning.

  Hao Feng Lou soon realized that this woman must have a deep affection for the lady she mentioned, and that this woman's selection of tutors was also someone whom Lady Lu relied on most heavily.

  Hao Feng Lou immediately showed a hint of envy and said: "Such a precious jade bangle, the madam is willing to give it to the young lady. It seems that the madam not only trusts the young lady deeply but also has very deep feelings for her. The madam is really kind, if it were another madam, she definitely wouldn't be so generous."

  The woman's eyes lit up, especially when Hao Feng Lou sincerely praised Lu Furen. She hurriedly said: "Yes, my wife is not only gentle, but also extremely kind-hearted."

  The relationship between the two people seemed to become intimate all of a sudden, and that woman who was stingy with her words and had a harsh face seemed to have come up with a topic of conversation, and she went on and on talking about how Mrs. treated her subordinates, and Hao Feng Lou could only patiently listen.

  Having heard enough, Hao Feng Lou couldn't help but ask: "May I know your name, miss?"

  The woman said: "My name is Yingchun, you can call me Sister Chun."

  "Spring sister..." Hao Feng Lou smiled and quickly hit the snake with his stick, then shook his head in disappointment.

  Hao Feng Lou sighed and regretted it. Ying Chun asked him, "Young master, why are you sighing?"

  Just now when Hao Fenglou came in, Ying Chun was not so polite to him. But now, her tone has softened a lot, and the coldness on her face has also disappeared.

  Hao Feng Lou sighed: "I now understand why Chun Jie is not yet married, it seems that Chun Jie cannot bear to part with her mistress. If I were in her shoes and met such a good mistress, I wouldn't want to get married either."

  Originally, Yīng Chūn, being an old maid, felt some resentment in her heart for not having married yet. Now, after Hǎo Fēng Lóu's words, it turned out that it wasn't that no one wanted to marry her, but rather because she couldn't bear to part with the lady of the house, she refused to get married. A faint smile flashed across Yīng Chūn's face, seemingly very pleased with Hǎo Fēng Lóu's guess.

  Hao Feng Lou said, "However, even if that's the case, Spring Sister should also consider herself sometimes. In fact, I can see it, the doorman who led me in just now has a crush on Spring Sister."

  Just now, Hao Feng Lou was led in by a powerful door guard named Kong Wu.

  Ying Chun's heart suddenly filled with joy, but she scolded in anger: "That Lu Wu? This person has always been unruly, such a person is really annoying."

  Hao Feng Lou smiled and said: "Yes, yes, how could Chun Jie look up to him? He's just a toad thinking of eating swan meat."

  At this point, the relationship between the two had become close. Ying Chun couldn't help but ask: "I don't think you're a down-on-your-luck person, why do you want to come and apply for the position of tutor at the Lu family?"

  Hao Fenglou pulled himself together and thought to himself: "Just now was just a glance, but now it's a real inquiry. Whether I can pass the test depends on how I answer."

  He hastily said with a bitter face: "Spring sister doesn't know, my family was originally well-off, but recently our family's fortunes have declined. To be honest, although I have a few decent clothes now, I'm actually penniless. At present, I can neither lift nor carry anything, fortunately, I read some books when I was young, so today I saw the Lu family recruiting a teacher and thought of giving it a try." After finishing speaking, he seemed to recall some sad memories and let out a deep sigh.

  He was born with jade, but unfortunately encountered a change in his family and couldn't help but evoke sympathy. Ying Chun is still a woman after all, although she looks unfeeling, but at this time, she and Xu Qian have poured out their hearts to each other, and she has already regarded him as her own relatives and friends. She said unintentionally: "So that's how it is, I didn't expect your life experience to be like this."

  She hesitated for a moment, then said: "Alright, after saying so much, you're here to take the test anyway. Now I'm going to ask questions, listen carefully."

  Hao Feng Lou sat up straight and said, "Please, Miss, give us a topic."

  Ying Chun smiled and said: "Recite the Three Character Classic for me to hear."

  "Haha... Others recite the Four Books for Women, but I only need to recite the Three Character Classic. Indeed, a romantic hero's move is different from ordinary people." He immediately thought of those losers who were dejected outside the mansion, and wondered if they knew that his topic was the Three Character Classic, would they have the urge to strangle him to death.

  Alas... Although it's a three-character scripture, Hao Fenglou couldn't help but let out an embarrassed laugh and said: "This... is a bit difficult... Spring Sister, I'm afraid I'll recite it incorrectly..."

  Spring sister encouraged him: "You try it, it's okay, don't be nervous."

  Hao Feng Lou had some impression of the Three Character Classic and said: "Man's nature at birth is good, similar in kind... The three powers are heaven, earth, and man; the three luminaries are the sun, moon, and stars; the three bonds..."

  By this point, Hao Feng Lou had run out of words and his tone became hesitant.

  Spring Sister smiled slightly and said, "Alright, it seems you've also read it thoroughly. However, since this Three Character Classic is a primer, it's understandable if you occasionally forget some parts. Consider this first test passed. You go wait in the side hall for now, Spring Sister still needs to conduct a few more tests. After the test, at noon today, the mistress will personally come to examine you, and that's where Spring Sister's help ends. But once you're in front of the mistress, trying to bluff your way through won't work, so be careful, got it?"

  Hao Fenglou was overjoyed, at least he had passed this level, and it was said that so far, only one person had passed, adding himself made only two people. Next is a 50% chance of passing the second level.

  He hastily stood up and bowed, gratefully saying: "Thank you, Spring Sister, I will remember this in my heart."

  Hao Fenglou bid farewell and left, hearing behind him Ying Chun's cold voice ringing out: "Call the next one, Wu Tianze."

  Hao Fenglou walked slowly, and a bookworm brushed past him. This person must be Wu Tianze. Then, Wu Tianze entered the hall, and soon heard his faintly audible voice with great pressure: "Student Wu..."

  Immediately then was Spring welcoming without ceremony saying: "Recite 'Admonitions for Women'..."

  "Ah...... I...... I......"

  "Come on! Get out of here!"