Chapter 14

"Are you drunk?"

The inner room was pitch black. After Yingxiang and Wenshi got into bed, they blew out the candles. Wenshi opened his eyes and said, "No."

"It's good that he's not drunk. How long until the notice is posted? Should we go to the county to check the list?"

Remembering a period drama she had watched before, Yingxiang asked excitedly, "Although I've been to the county before, I didn't really enjoy it. It would be great to go again, and I can even see the rankings."

"No need for that. If you win, the county will send officials and soldiers to inform you. They'll be making a big fuss with gongs and drums, and everyone will know."

Yingxiang nodded.

"Maybe we'll be able to live in the county someday, why wait a few days?"

“That’s true, my husband. Today, my fourth brother and second sister-in-law told me that my eldest brother doesn’t want to bring this family along after he becomes successful.”

Wen Shi wasn't too surprised. His older brother wasn't a magnanimous person to begin with, and he had long since given up on him.

"You don't need to rely on him. I'm here, and I'll make sure you live a good life."

When Wen Shi said this, his tone was very gentle.

“I know that, but I also gave my second sister-in-law and fourth brother some advice today, suggesting that they go out and do some work and think more about themselves.”

"As long as they can listen to what I say."

In the pitch-black night, a cold wind blew in gusts. The paper windows barely kept out the wind. Yingxiang was huddled in Wenshi's arms. If they were wealthy, they would have heated a kang (a traditional heated bed) or used charcoal fires, but right now, they didn't have that luxury.

As the weather gets colder, fewer people will come into the mountains. Although they have stored up a lot of firewood in the autumn to prepare for the winter, it is not enough. They can only use it for cooking and heating, and it is difficult to even take a bath.

Without enough firewood to heat the kang (a traditional heated bed), people had to wear extra clothes to sleep, and in previous years, some people had frozen to death.

The next morning, Wen Laosi suddenly said that he wanted to go out to work. Wen Laodie glanced at him, and Liu Shi didn't say anything. At noon, when the sun was a little higher, he carried his bundle and went to town.

He had no money for an oxcart, so he walked. Before he left, Liu prepared some food for him to take with him.

Be careful when you're out there, don't get scammed, and if things get tough, come home.

Don't worry.

Wen Ersao could only worry anxiously. She glanced at Yingxiang intentionally or unintentionally. Yingxiang had endless housework to do and children to take care of, and had no idea what to do.

"Second sister-in-law, don't worry. Second brother didn't go out. You still have income."

"Sigh, how much can he earn by himself? I'm afraid it's not enough."

"Every little bit helps, let's take it slow."

"You're much better than my sister-in-law."

Yingxiang remained silent upon hearing this. Yuqin's words were naturally heartfelt. Xiuyu, like the eldest, could only say that two kinds of people could not sleep in the same bed.

When she came back, she was dressed so well and even showed off in front of her. In contrast, Yingxiang was much better. It turns out that she was petty.

Yingxiang and Wenshi had only been back in the village for a few days when she visited her parents' home. Now she didn't need to go anymore, as she didn't feel any attachment to that home.

However, Wen Ersao wanted to go back to her parents' home and take her child with her, which Liu Shi was somewhat reluctant to do.

“Mother, my parents haven’t seen their child in a long time. It’s cold today, but the distance isn’t too far. I think I’ll take him back to see him tomorrow.”

"Go on, go on, greet your in-laws."

After Yuqin finished speaking, she lowered her head. Liu was a little unhappy, but she did not refute. She glanced at Old Man Wen with dissatisfaction, but Old Man Wen did not look at her.

That night, the couple had an argument, and Liu was so angry that she cried.

"The third son's wife can't do much work. If she leaves, who will do the work of chopping wood and carrying water?"

“The third son is back. I think you’re so biased you’re blind. Let me tell you, the eldest son’s wife and the third son’s wife may not be filial, but the second son’s wife will definitely be. Although she made a scene before, I’ve thought about it since then. She’s had a hard time too.”

"You're too harsh on your wife."

"Am I being harsh?"

Liu was stunned. There was so much work to do at home, and she had been running around taking care of everything. It was so hard work, and there weren't many people in the family, so they had to do even more. How did it become her being harsh?

“It’s so cold today, and your second son isn’t here right now. Let her go back to her parents’ house and stay with her mother for a few days. At least it’s warmer there, and they can even light a fire in the stove. It’s better for the child, isn’t he your grandson?”

"Let me tell you, things are different now than before. The boss is not an ordinary person, and what he said before didn't sound like something a human would say."

"If he really dares to do that, I'll beat him to death."

“We don’t only have one son. We can’t ignore the rest. I think it would be even better if the third son could pass the exam this year.”

Liu Shi was so annoyed by what Old Man Wen said that she didn't want to talk anymore. He was the one who played the good guy, and she was the one who played the bad guy.

Yingxiang, from the house across the street, naturally thought of the same problem.

"Husband, if you pass the exam, will you take this family with you or not?"

This is also an issue that cannot be ignored. Wen Shi suddenly looked serious. He hadn't thought about it much before, but now that the results announcement day is getting closer, he should consider it.

Logically speaking, the whole family had wholeheartedly supported his eldest son, yet he didn't take care of him. He could easily find an excuse to refuse, but they are still family, and they haven't separated their households.

"Take them with you. If I really go to the county, I might want to open a shop there, and I'll need their help then."

She took Wen Shi's hand and said, "But we have to wait until we've established ourselves in the county. We can't bring him along at the beginning. I'll handle this later. You just focus on your studies."

She had a feeling that Wen Shi would definitely pass the exam this time. Wen Shi glanced at his wife and nodded.

He didn't want to be branded as ungrateful. Thinking of his older brother, his expression changed. Perhaps there would be a big fight, but he didn't care that much.

He should just take care of himself from now on. In the end, it's his own character that's the problem. He really doesn't believe that a scholar's annual income wouldn't be enough to support so many people.

But he still thought about his family, asking his parents to sell land to raise money for him to buy a house, leaving no way out for his other brothers. He was too selfish.