Chapter 146

In the backyard, Yuqin and Madam Ma exchanged a glance but said nothing.

At night, the second son and his wife sat on the bed and began counting the days.

"I wonder when our son will be back?"

Yuqin's biggest worry was her child. After the child left, they would think about him whenever they had nothing to do at night.

She was overthinking things. Wen Jinyu wasn't a child anymore, and the two older ones had grown up. Naturally, they wouldn't bully him like they did when they were little, and there was no need for it. They were all grown up now and could be considered cousins. On the way back, Wen Jinyu buried himself in his books, while the other two looked at the mountains and the scenery.

They barely exchanged a few words, and nothing happened.

Yuqin sewed the money pouch inside her clothes. Jinyu was a good boy and didn't spend money recklessly. That's how they arrived in the county and town.

They didn't go home to live either, but went to their uncles' houses to stay, which was more convenient. The kids, who were not yet grown up, couldn't cook. As for their uncles' families, they were very hospitable and would be of some help in the future.

Yuqin's family is doing better than Xiuyu's family right now. They gave the child a room of his own and made him study hard before the exam. His aunt would deliver his meals directly to his room every day, and he would eat meat every three to five days. The food was very good.

On the day of the children's examination, all three brothers went to participate. After the examination, they were all very confident. The three of them sat in a steamed bun shop outside the examination hall and ate steamed buns together.

“This year, my dad and fifth uncle also took the exam. My mom said that my fifth uncle should have no problem, but it’s hard to say about my dad. But having another successful elder in the family is a good thing for us.”

The group ate the plump, fluffy steamed buns quickly; at their age, they were at the peak of their appetite, and one basket wasn't enough, so they ordered another.

"It's a pity our father didn't have much money. It was our grandparents who gave us some money privately. Otherwise, we wouldn't have been able to make ends meet on the road. We hope the results will be released soon so we can get back to the capital. It's better there."

“That bitch’s son is getting old, brother, we must pass the exam as soon as possible so that mother can live a good life.”

"Yes, Mother said that if we become scholars, Father will have to be mindful of our behavior from now on."

"Yes, we can't let Mother down, we have to make her proud."

After Wen Chuanzong's youngest son finished speaking, he ate another steamed bun. The two were brothers, so they were naturally more familiar with each other.

Upon hearing this, Wen Jinyu glanced at his second brother and silently kept his words in mind. Of course, he didn't receive such treatment. All his money came from Yuqin, who only had one son and naturally doted on him, giving him plenty of money and telling him not to be frugal on the journey and to eat whatever he wanted.

But when he thought about how his parents worked all year round without rest, with his father farming and his mother raising pigs, and sometimes even working for other families to earn more money, he felt sorry for them.

The three of them sat together eating steamed buns, each paying their own way. The two older brothers ate meat, while he ate vegetarian. Even though his parents treated him well, he couldn't squander their hard-earned money; he absolutely wouldn't waste it on things he shouldn't.

After returning home, he listened to Yuqin's advice and bought a few gifts when he went to his uncle's house. He didn't spend much else; he was very frugal.

The other two were completely different. He knew in his heart that although they were all grandsons, his grandparents currently liked his third and fifth uncles the most, followed by his father and fourth and eldest uncles. Among the grandsons, he was not ranked first. His two older brothers were born earlier and had an advantage.

His parents are counting on him, so he has to live up to their expectations. Jinyu doesn't spend much money, and the two eldest sons think he doesn't have much money. Come to think of it, their father is a scholar, a learned man.

His father was a farmer who worked himself to the bone every day and probably didn't earn much, yet he still had to support his son's education. But there were some things he couldn't say, because saying them would hurt people. They weren't stupid; it was best if they could get along well.

Xiuyu had told her two children in private that they should never look down on others. When she first married into the Wen family, she looked down on the other Wen brothers.

In the end, her husband completely disappointed her. The third son, who had kept quiet, actually passed the exam, and the whole family benefited from his success.

Later, she tried to repair the relationship and made sure things were on the surface. Sometimes, Xiuyu would think that if she hadn't acted that way before, perhaps the relationship would be better now.

After the three of them had eaten and drunk their fill, they each returned to their respective uncles' homes.

Thinking of his third and fifth uncles, Jin Yu was in a good mood. When Wen Shi was around, he would always encourage him and tell him to work hard.

Later, his fifth uncle checked his homework and helped him with the explanations. He knew that his parents were honest people, and he was no longer a child, only thirteen or fourteen years old. He wasn't a child who knew nothing.

He couldn't let them down, so he had to work even harder.

The gentleman once said that he was not particularly intelligent, but as long as he worked hard, he could eventually pass the imperial examination and become a scholar, which would be quite good.

The three brothers waited in the village for the results to be announced. Not long after, they heard good news: their fifth uncle had passed the exam and become a scholar.

Now, the Wen family is even more prestigious.

In Daliu Village, the Wen family is currently alone, but many villagers stop and look at them with envy when they pass by.

One such success is already enviable, but now another promising one has emerged. Several of the Wen family's children have returned to take the exam, and many villagers have heard about it.

"I wonder if we'll be able to have a feast this time. The whole family has moved away to enjoy life. I wonder when they'll be back?"

The villagers were buzzing with discussion. They didn't have to wait long before Xiao Wu returned. He was wearing a silver robe and looked very respectable, a far cry from the child who used to run around the village in coarse cloth and short trousers.

Some of his neighbors who watched him grow up are still around, and when they see him now, they all praise him.

He first went to the county to thank the previous gentlemen, gave them gifts, and then had a meal with the county magistrate, which took two days. When he returned to the village, he was seen by some villagers as soon as he arrived at the village entrance, and the news immediately spread throughout the village. After that, the village head directly invited him to his home.

Several years have passed, and most of the people who remained in his memory from the past have turned white-haired and look very old. Old Man Wen and Mrs. Liu, on the other hand, look younger because they live a good life and have no worries.

Liu's hair had turned white, but she still applied makeup to her face. If anyone said anything to her, she would get angry and give them a hard time. Eventually, no one said anything to her anymore.

"Open the ancestral hall and hold a banquet."

As soon as the village headman spoke, Wen Xiaowu agreed without hesitation. He had thought the same thing when he came back. Before he could speak, the village headman spoke up. Although he was old, his mind was still very clear. Wen Xiaowu smiled and nodded.

"Let's have a ten-day banquet."

"Of course."

Before long, everyone arrived at the village head's house, and the not-so-small courtyard instantly became very crowded. Many people were carrying things in their hands, and none of their families were home. Wen Xiaowu planned to go directly to town to invite people to host the banquet, so as not to trouble his relatives.

After finishing all these tasks, he can return to the capital to participate in next year's provincial and imperial examinations.

"How is your third brother doing now?"

Everyone was curious and started talking about Wen Shi again. Among them, Yingxiang's father was the most concerned. Everyone in the surrounding villages already knew that as soon as he heard that Wen Xiaowu had returned, he rushed over in an oxcart.

"My third brother is now a sixth-rank county magistrate."

"Your Excellency, my goodness, this Wen Laosan is truly remarkable. He's not that old, yet he's already a county magistrate."

Upon hearing this, everyone gasped.

“My third brother went to the capital and settled down. Once he had some money, he couldn’t wait to buy a house for the family. My parents came later than us, but they also got to live in a spacious house.”

Wen Xiaowu immediately spoke up, saying that these were all things Wen Shi had done, and there was no need to hide them.

"Good boy, you are a good boy."

"Back then, this third Wen was quiet and good-looking, but I never expected him to be so promising and filial. He's truly blessed."

"Yes, their children are really capable and good at studying."

Praise poured in from everyone. When Yingxiang's father heard this, he proudly puffed out his chest. After all, that was his son-in-law.

By the time the children arrived, it was already evening.

"Congratulations, Fifth Uncle."

“We’re all family. You’ve all finished your exams. I estimate the results will be released in a few days. We’ll go back to the capital together then.”

"good."

Taking the children back was just a side thing, and Wen Xiaowu didn't object to it, especially since he had passed the exam and was in a good mood.

From now on, just proceed step by step.

After finishing all that, the results of the preliminary examination were released. This was the most basic exam, and fortunately, all three children passed.

There will be a provincial examination next year, but the county is not as good as the capital. To be on the safe side, let them study for another two years. Wen Xiaowu stayed in the village for a month, and then he took the children back to the capital.

On the way, with him around, the two eldest sons from the eldest son's family stopped looking at the mountains and rivers and started reading. The eldest son, who wasn't much younger than him, was smart but couldn't sit still. He had studied for a few more years over there and was now a proper scholar.

As long as he can obtain the title of Xiucai (a scholar who passed the lowest level of the imperial examinations) before the age of thirty, he will not go hungry even if he does not become an official.

Ping County

With her due date fast approaching, Yingxiang appeared calm, but she also wanted to give birth as soon as possible.

Wen Shi had already chosen a name for the child and let her choose.

“Husband, you choose this time. I chose last time.”

Wen Shi is a cultured person, and needless to say, the names he chooses have very good meanings. He really liked the names Yueqian and Yingxiang.

"If we hold a full moon celebration for the baby this time, I imagine we'll have to invite quite a few people."

After Yingxiang finished speaking, she touched her abdomen, which was something she couldn't ignore. She couldn't just not hold the event. Should she go to a restaurant or stay at home?

Wen Shi glanced at his wife and then said, "Let's hold it at home. We'll start preparing the invitations after you give birth, which will be around the time you finish your postpartum confinement."

"It's definitely more convenient at home."

"But let's order more food and drinks from the restaurant."

"Can."

How many tables do we need to prepare?

There are only two people in the county now, and Wen Shi is not usually that free, so Ying Xiang has to make preparations early.

"To be on the safe side, we've prepared thirty tables in both the front and back yards. Fortunately, the front and back yards are separate."

Yingxiang recalled the banquets she had attended before, and an idea suddenly came to her mind. The courtyard where they were staying had a sizable banquet hall, and the furnishings were already in place.

It only requires cleaning to use.

These all belong to the county government. If Wen Shi is transferred in the future, he can only take his own belongings with him. He can't take these furniture and chairs with him. They all have to be left behind. To some extent, they belong to the public.

Before giving birth, she had already started planning. She remembered that when she went to the prefectural city, she thought of doing it that way, as it seemed more convenient.

At that time, men will be on the left and women on the right, each with their own table and chair, and meals will be served separately. This will be more in line with proper etiquette.

Ping County is not large, but it has its share of worldly people. With this in mind, Yingxiang decided to do just that.

Before we knew it, autumn had arrived. The autumn wind was bleak, and there weren't many flowers in bloom, so there was no need for decoration. But the opera troupe still had to perform songs and dances.

These expenses can be covered by hiring people, plus the food and drinks ordered from the tavern, and the servants at home; it's enough to make it a grand and respectable affair.

Times have changed; we must now be both particular and adaptable.

A few days later, Wen Shi received a letter from his eldest son. After reading it, he handed it to Ying Xiang.

Naturally, Yingxiang was concerned about the couple. She prepared to reply and asked Wenshi to write it for her. Unexpectedly, after Wenshi finished writing, he added a few more sentences at the end.

Make sure your son studies hard, and while he's at it, buy him some calligraphy practice books; his handwriting isn't very good.

"I think Le Qian wrote it quite well."

Wen Shi placed his letter next to Wen Leqian's, and upon closer inspection, the differences were quite obvious.

Wen Shi's handwriting was exactly the same as the ones in the book, with each stroke neat and beautiful, and the same size. It was truly pleasing to the eye. Wen Leqian's handwriting was not quite as good.

"Wife, which one do you think is better?"

"That must be yours, but he's still young."

The son's handwriting was neat and there were no mistakes. The sentences were fluent, and Yingxiang thought there was nothing wrong with it.

"He's not young anymore. As the saying goes, one's handwriting reflects one's character. He still hasn't settled down. Look at how casually he wrote these characters."

"The requirements are really strict."

Yingxiang muttered a few words.

"It's for his own good."

Yingxiang did not deny this.

Wen Shi really hoped that his son would be more successful than him in the future. He had put a lot of effort into Wen Leqian's upbringing, taking care of him from a young age and checking his homework every day. He didn't have that opportunity now, but that didn't mean he wouldn't ask about it.

Once the ink had dried, Yingxiang packed the letter away. Remembering the gold lock from before, she glanced at her dressing table. She had another one there for now, which she would give to the little one when the baby turned one month old.

Wen Shi looked at his wife and gestured for her to sit on his lap. The two were currently in a small study, and there were no servants around. Yingxiang shook her head.

Unexpectedly, the next second, Wen Shi pulled her over directly.

Even though she was pregnant, she wasn't heavy, and she felt perfectly fine. Looking at his wife's fair and flawless face, Wen Shi kissed her and then touched her belly with his hand.

He felt a surge of joy upon sensing the baby's movements inside him.

Over this period of time, he has been growing a beard, and he looks more dignified than before.

"Do you really want to keep it?"

"Keep it."

Wen Shi was very firm in his stance. Ying Xiang smiled and reached out to touch him again, but not too hard, afraid of hurting him.

A gust of wind blew in, bringing a slight chill, but the two had already changed into their autumn clothes, so they weren't cold.

Right now, both of them are looking forward to the baby in her belly.

In his heart, Wen Shi thought it would be better if it were a daughter, then he would have both a son and a daughter. Of course, he always thought this to himself and never said it to his wife.

After all, whether one is male or female is predetermined by fate, and cannot be changed.

Knowing the baby's gender, Yingxiang remained calm and didn't think too much about it; the baby's arrival was just in time.

Half a month later, on a bright moonlit night, Yingxiang suddenly started acting up in the middle of the night, which was quite unexpected.

Fortunately, everything was prepared, and she gave birth in less than half an hour. The midwife was initially a little worried, but seeing the baby already out, she immediately started to clean up.

Over the years, she has delivered many babies, but this is the first time she has seen one so smoothly. Even if it wasn't the first child, it's still very rare.

Before going to bed, Yingxiang drank some warm water and then fell into a deep sleep.

Wen Shi stood at the door, waiting patiently. Before long, the sound of a baby crying surprised him. When the midwife brought the baby out, she was beaming with joy.

"Congratulations, sir, congratulations, madam, it's a young master."

Upon hearing this, Wen Shi took the swaddling clothes. The expectant smile on her face faded a little, but she wasn't too disappointed. After checking, she found that the child was fine.

He thought, "It looks chubby and cries loudly, as long as it's healthy."

"You've all worked hard; you'll receive your reward tomorrow."

"Thank you, sir."

Wen Shi carried the child inside. The room had already been cleaned. Yingxiang was sleeping; she always felt that sleeping was the fastest way to recover her body.

The child was quiet and seemed easy to take care of. Wen Shi held him for a while and then put him in the cradle, asking the maid to look after him first.

He sat by the bedside and kept watch over her all night, during which time Yingxiang slept soundly.

The next morning, the sky gradually brightened.

He gave a few instructions to the maid before washing up, changing into his official robes, and heading to the front hall to attend to his duties.

"Congratulations, sir."

The news had already spread, and I accepted it with a smile; the addition of a child is indeed a joyous occasion.

Although he had stayed up all night, he was still in good spirits. The baby was born safely, and both mother and child were doing well. He was relieved and would just need to take good care of himself in the future.

There's nothing to worry about. Wen Shi thought that as long as the two children are raised well, they'll be like brothers.

After finishing his work during the day, he took some time to go and check on the baby. Yingxiang had just woken up and was feeding the baby. The baby seemed very well-behaved, even better than his brother. He didn't cry much. His eyes weren't fully open yet, but he was eating very hard, so he must have been hungry.

Last night, Yingxiang was fast asleep, and I didn't disturb her when I heard the baby cry. He picked her up, took off her clothes, and breastfed her.

Because of her good health, Yingxiang's milk came in very quickly.

After eating and drinking his fill, he would go to sleep.

The couple had previously taken care of a child themselves, so they were now quite adept at it, especially with the help of many others.

Looking at her hungry baby, Yingxiang smiled even more broadly as she thought about the future.

For the first half of the month, she focused on recuperating. For the second half of the month, she started having people book banquets and prepare for singing and dancing. Invitations had to be sent out a few days in advance to give people enough time.

After the final calculation, it will be a few days late, but that's okay.

The couple weren't too particular, and insisted on giving her half a bottle that day. After giving birth, she basically returned to her previous weight. Although she's currently taking supplements, she hasn't gained weight because of breastfeeding.

With the help of maids to take care of her, Yingxiang had a very comfortable postpartum period and had nothing to worry about.

The letter announcing the good news had already been written and sent to my parents, family, and son.

“Look at Yixin, his little nose really looks just like his brother’s back then.”

Guda has no cameras, so children can't leave any portraits, unless they are from wealthy families. Now, as the couple looks at their youngest son growing up, they can't help but think of their eldest son.

Wen Yixin was the last name Wen Shi chose for his son. Yingxiang thought it sounded quite nice. Yixin is a homophone for "one heart," so she mentioned it but didn't say much about it.

"His older brother will be very happy to see him when he comes to visit in the future."

Wen Shi looked at her youngest son in the cradle with a smile on her face.

"Husband, I used to think you were a strict father, but now you seem to be acting like a loving father?"

Wen Shi smiled but didn't say anything. The child is still young. When he grows up and goes to school, he will definitely not be like this. Yingxiang was just teasing him, and he was not oblivious to that.

When the child turned one month old, he deliberately chose his day off, not wanting to take up his weekdays, even though he was the highest-ranking official in the county government.

Dozens of tables were set up, and in addition to the colleagues from the county government, many merchants were also invited to the feast. It was a joyous occasion, and Yingxiang was not a stingy person.

She had previously dined at other restaurants and attended some banquets.

It cost a lot of money, but the whole banquet was really enjoyable. It was the first time Yingxiang had sat at the head of the table, with Wen Shishi sitting behind her and in front of her.

Most of her family members are women.

The child was still small at the time, so she brought him out to show everyone, and then asked the maid to take him back. There were many people here, and the weather was getting colder, so she still had to be careful.

Nothing else was wrong; she sat at the head of the table, smiling and chatting amiably.

Everyone fawned over her, and Yingxiang had no worries. She received mostly auspicious blessings, which put her in a good mood. The banquet went smoothly, and she wasn't too tired; she was mostly happy.

She worked hard and made a lot of money on her own, and now she throws banquets without any scruples.

The year isn't over yet, but the estimated income shouldn't fluctuate too much. After saving up for several years, plus Wen Shi's salary, he might get promoted in the future, and the family's assets will gradually increase.

He was both happy and worried. Back in the capital, after Wen Chuanzong returned, his father didn't give him a kind look at all.

However, it was still a joyous occasion that Xiao Wu passed the exam. Liu's feelings were somewhat complicated, but she didn't say anything.

That night, the couple started talking about it again.

"Xiao Wu is now a scholar who has passed the imperial examination. I really hope he can stay in the capital. I want to live in the city."

Old Man Wen didn't speak. In his heart, he also had this expectation, but whether it would come true was uncertain. Wen Shi had entered the Hanlin Academy and stayed on, but was later transferred to another region.

He wasn't that optimistic either.

He knew his family was lacking, with no connections, and could only rely on his children. But the children's abilities were ultimately limited. As the saying goes, it's good to have a big tree to lean on for shade.

If we could rise up generation after generation like this, and our family could become like those prominent families in the capital in the future, that would be wonderful.

He might not see it for a day, but just thinking about it is exciting; in that case, his family would be completely prosperous.

"See what I told you? Little Wu is promising. Look at him now, he's already a scholar at such a young age. He won't be any less successful than Third Brother in the future."

Remembering the matter of the grain, a few days later at mealtime, Old Man Wen was still angry and said a few words to his second and fourth sons.

The two men lowered their heads and ate their rice without saying a word. Actually, they had a good relationship with Xiao Wu. They could just explain when they got back. It wasn't that they didn't want to help him, but they were afraid that in the end, it would fall into the hands of Wen Chuanzong's family.