Chapter 17

After Xiuyu returned to the county, she sent her two sons to play in the next room while she stood solemnly in front of Wen Chuanzong.

“Husband, now that the third son has also passed the exam, Dad insists on coming over next year. He also wants you to take all the money back with you for the New Year, saying that in the future the whole family will live together and the elders will be in charge.”

Upon hearing this, Wen Chuanzong immediately stood up, his brows furrowed deeply.

"Mother can't say anything useful in front of Father."

Wen Chuanzong glanced at his wife and couldn't help but sigh.

"I never expected my third son to be so promising, but don't worry, I'll find a way."

Wen Chuanzong felt that his worries were not unfounded. He thought of his father, and a vague plan slowly formed in his mind.

He knew his parents well. If he couldn't persuade them on this front, he would try to convince them on another front. He could only compromise on one point: he would bring his parents with him. To be honest, his brothers were also really disgusted by him. He could tolerate the third brother and his wife, but at least they didn't want him to lift them up.

"Alright, you must talk to your parents first. The third son and his wife really haven't said a word."

Wen Chuanzong remained silent. He needed to think things over carefully and persuade his parents, otherwise, there would be endless trouble.

After Yingxiang followed Wenshi to the county, the two first went to an inn and booked a room.

The next morning, when it was bright, Wen Shi got up early to attend a banquet, while Ying Xiang was going to buy things and also to fulfill a vow at the temple.

"Just wait for me at the city gate in the evening, and we'll go back together then."

Wen Shi looked at his wife and instructed her, "Ying Xiang is different from other women. She is very independent." After watching Wen Shi leave, Ying Xiang began to wash up and sign in at the same time.

When she silently opened her backpack, she was shocked to see a heavy purse in her hand.

Money is essential in any era. Now that she's in the county, it's easier to buy food and other necessities. Looking at the bulging purse in her hand, Yingxiang was overjoyed. She didn't know how much money she had this time. She carefully untied the purse strap and poured out all the money inside.

Good heavens, there were a full twenty small silver ingots, twenty taels of silver. Yingxiang counted them several times to make sure she hadn't miscounted, and then happily put the money back in her bundle. She was a little afraid to put it in her bundle; if she lost it, she would cry for two years.

Having followed her for so long, she has probably figured out the system; at most, she can only add icing on the cake.

It's impossible to wake up one day and find yourself with tens of thousands of taels of silver, then simply relax and do nothing.

During the time she was married to Wen Shi, apart from the few taels of silver she received on the wedding day, the rest of the time she received either some pretty but not very valuable jewelry, or cakes, food, and seasonings. Occasionally, she would also receive some writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, but she always gave them to her husband under various pretexts, as he really didn't need them.

Do you think it's useful? It certainly is, but its effect isn't that significant.

Yingxiang kept the money on her person. Just in case, she never let her money out of her sight during this trip to the city. She wouldn't feel at ease leaving it at home when she wasn't there.

She couldn't trust her mother-in-law, Liu.

She managed both of their money. After packing her bundle and going outside, a cold wind blew in. Thinking of the heavy purse inside, she couldn't be happier.

She first went to the temple to fulfill her vow and offer incense, and then went to the street to buy things.

The cloth shops in the county even have silk, which looks very smooth and feels very soft, but she can't afford to wear it right now.

Yingxiang bought several bolts of cotton fabric in various colors to share with her family so they could make new clothes for the New Year. She bought two nice outfits for Wenshi and originally wanted to buy two for herself, but then she thought it was better to wait until spring.

Thinking of Liu and her stepmother, she bought them both a cheap and simple bracelet, which was still a piece of jewelry. Her father loved tea, and she couldn't be stingy when she gave him New Year's gifts, so she also bought some tea.

All things considered, she had completely spent the money Wen Shi had given her, but she didn't feel bad about it, knowing she would definitely have more in the future.

She saves her money and spends it when she needs it.

County Magistrate's House

It was already afternoon, but the students were still in high spirits, just as they had been when they arrived. They exchanged pleasantries and chatted with each other, looking like close friends.

He felt a little annoyed when he heard this, but he didn't show any displeasure.

The county magistrate was even more generous this time, gifting each of the students eight taels of silver, plus a set of fine writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.

Wen Shi didn't refuse and accepted them all. If he hadn't, he would have lost face, and no one knew what would happen in the future. Right now, he could only seek stability.

"It was really cold that day, but after drinking the county magistrate's wine, I felt warm all over."

A richly dressed student couldn't help but burp after speaking, his face flushed, clearly indicating he had drunk quite a bit.

Servants came and went, serving dishes and wine. There were also singers and dancers performing in the garden. The garden was not much to see in winter; it was bare and looked very desolate.

Wen Shi would occasionally chat with people, but he didn't drink much and wasn't one to flatter. Because of his family background, he wasn't seated at the head of the table; he was always seated on the outer side, quite a distance from the county magistrate.

"Brother, you are dignified and composed; you will surely have a bright future."

When a student nearby suddenly raised a glass to toast him, he couldn't refuse, so he picked up the glass and took a few sips.

An hour later, the county magistrate was completely drunk, and the banquet was about to end.

Yingxiang stood at the entrance of the county. Fortunately, she was dressed warmly, but even so, she was carrying large bags and small packages, and the basket on her back was also full. Her hands were red from the cold.

Fortunately, the banquet finally ended half an hour later.

He rushed to the city gate and saw Yingxiang, so he immediately went over to her.

"You bought so much?"

“There are many people in your family, so I bought clothes for them all. I also bought you two sets of ready-made clothes. When you come to study in the county next year, dress more presentably. You can leave your old clothes to your family.”

Wen Shi didn't speak. Although he hadn't drunk too much, he had still had some, and he looked slightly tipsy.

As the two sat in the carriage on their way home, Wen kept glancing at his wife, feeling a warmth spreading through his heart and body.

Upon reaching the village entrance, the two paid their bill. Wen Shi took quite a few things, while Ying Xiang only carried a bundle. They walked back like this, occasionally encountering a few villagers along the way. If they were on good terms with them, they would stop and chat for a few minutes.

The Wen family was already waiting in the kitchen. Wen Shi had arrived early, but he said he would be back that day.

"Father, Mother, let's go inside first."

Seeing the large and small bags in the hands of the two, Liu's expression changed slightly, but she didn't say anything in the end.

"With the New Year approaching, my husband and I bought cloth for our family, one bolt for each of us, to make new clothes."

"And this bracelet, it's for Mother."

After Yingxiang finished speaking, she immediately gave it to Liu. Liu looked at the delicate silver bracelet and, to put it another way, suddenly felt a little uneasy.

This is the first piece of jewelry she has received in so many years, and to her surprise, it was given to her by her least favorite daughter-in-law.

"Why waste this money? Your mother is so old."

Old Man Wen suddenly spoke up.

“Father, my mother was a scholar’s ​​mother after all. Look around the county, which woman doesn’t wear jewelry?”

Wen Ersao stood to the side holding her child, looking at the new cotton cloth that Yingxiang handed her, filled with gratitude.

Liu put on the bracelet and liked it very much.

The rest of the items were easier to divide. Each person also received a bag of pastries. Yingxiang finished distributing them, and Old Man Wen looked around and saw that there was nothing expensive, so he didn't say anything more.

This year, everyone in the family was able to make new clothes from new cotton fabric for the Lunar New Year, and everyone was very happy.

Didn't you buy one for yourself?

Back inside, Wen Shi walked up to his wife, somewhat puzzled.

"I didn't see anything suitable, but these pastries are quite nice. Husband, please try some."

She bought these from the pastry shop next door after dinner, one pack for each member of her family. They're called Hibiscus Pastries, and they taste sweet.

Wen Shi looked at his wife and felt a pang of sadness.

"I really didn't see it. You know I never shortchange myself."

"Then we'll go to the county to buy them next spring. We'll go after the New Year. We'll need to rent a place in advance. You can buy a few more sets of clothes, and then we'll have the money."

"good."

After Yingxiang finished speaking, she lay down on the kang (a heated brick bed), and felt that the kang was warm, but something was wrong.

"They probably burned firewood. It's getting late, go to sleep."

When Wen started taking off his clothes, he wasn't too surprised. Even if his parents were biased, they wouldn't do anything foolish right now, especially since Old Man Wen was determined to go to the county.

I wonder what his older brother will say when he comes back for the Lunar New Year.

The kang (heated brick bed) was warm and cozy, and Yingxiang slept soundly and comfortably that night. She locked the money in her chest. In her dream, she even saw herself standing in a grand mansion many years later, surrounded by her children, dressed in luxurious clothes. This made her so happy that she almost laughed out loud.

In this life, we don't ask for much. When the sky brightened and Yingxiang regained her senses, she savored the beautiful dream and felt extremely happy.