Chapter 53

On the way, Wen Lao Er would occasionally exchange a few words with Wen Shi, mostly asking about their affairs in the prefectural city.

He wasn't a talkative person, but he would ask questions whenever he thought of them, and he never showed any impatience, always patiently answering them.

Yingxiang wrapped the child in a large red quilt to ensure it was airtight. As the oxcart drove towards the village, looking at the barren mountains and forests around her, she couldn't help but think of her life in the village a few years ago.

Time really flies, year after year.

"Oh, isn't this the second son of the Wen family? The third son is back too?"

It was cold, and no one was gathered at the village entrance. An auntie who had wrapped herself up tightly in a bag passed by, glanced curiously at the people on the oxcart, and realized that they were from her own village. She immediately exclaimed, "She has a very loud voice!"

Hello, Auntie.

Wen Lao Er is an honest man, and everyone in the village knows what kind of person he is. He is a kind and honest boy with no bad intentions. He is reliable, capable, never cheats or swindles, and is also filial. He is a good boy.

Yingxiang and Wenshi called out in response. The woman ran to Yingxiang's side with a smile and looked at the child in her arms.

"Is this the third son's wife? Oh my, this child is so beautiful. Look how big her ears are. She's sure to have a lucky life."

"Are you all back for the Chinese New Year?"

"yes."

"Okay, okay, it's cold, so I won't bother you any longer. I'll head back now and we can talk again later."

As soon as the three of them arrived at their doorstep, they began unloading their belongings. Yingxiang had intended to put the child down and come along, but the child started crying and wanted her to hold him.

"Third sister-in-law, you can stay inside and rest with the baby. I came with Lao San. The baby is still young and can't catch a cold."

Wen Lao Er was strong, and Wen Shi was no weak scholar either. The oxcart owner was still waiting, and the two of them quickly unloaded the things from the cart. After paying, they began to carry them into the house.

The house had been uninhabited for a long time and remained unchanged. The yard looked a bit messy. Yingxiang went inside to open the windows for ventilation and to dissipate the smell. The neighbors on both sides noticed their return and began to peek out.

An hour later, the village chief and the village head arrived, carrying a lot of things. The house where Wen Shi and Ying Xiang lived was almost ready. Wen Lao Er was burning firewood outside to warm the kang (a heated brick bed) so that the room would be warmer and the children wouldn't get cold.

When guests arrive, we should naturally entertain them first.

"Uncle Village Chief, Uncle Village Head."

A cold wind was blowing, and the village chief and the head of the village were both wearing thick coats. The two of them looked at Wen Shi with smiles on their faces. Wen Shi was still very polite and not arrogant at all. The smiles in their eyes deepened.

"Second brother and third brother are back. Third brother, congratulations! Your father said that you have found a high-ranking official in the prefectural city to be your teacher. You will definitely have a bright future."

The village chief was overjoyed. After all, he was from their village, and they were related by blood. He also had the surname Wen. If Wen Shi became an official in the future, he would have a respectable position in the surrounding area.

When Wen's father came back to sell the land, he told the villagers this news. They were quite envious. The family had produced two scholars, and the younger one was even better at studying than the older one. Who wouldn't envy the Wen family?

Especially Wen Shi, who is so young and has already become a Xiucai (a successful candidate in the imperial examinations), and now he has found a good teacher, so he will definitely become an official in the future.

It was already afternoon, and the sky was overcast. Most of the villagers were at home. Many had heard the news and came out to see what was happening, but very few went to the Wen family's house; most just peered out from the doorway.

The person just got back and will probably need a while to settle in. They won't be leaving anytime soon, so they have plenty of time to inquire.

"Then let's take the village chief's good wishes."

"It's a boy, isn't it? He looks just like you. He looks like a promising kid."

The earthen bed was warm, and the bedding had already been laid out. Xiao Leqian lay on the bed looking at his mother, becoming much quieter. Suddenly, a dark old face appeared in front of him. He didn't cry. He looked at it curiously for a few moments, then turned his head away and started eating his hand.

"She's still young."

"They say a tiger father begets no dog son, and you're bound to be a good kid."

"Second brother, the water in the kitchen has boiled. I'll go make tea for the two uncles first. Uncles, please sit down and rest."

Yingxiang greeted the two politely and then remained silent. Wen Lao Er had always been very respectful to the village chief and village head. She suddenly realized that now that she was back, she would have to visit her parents' home in a few days.

This is essential; we must maintain appearances.

Wen Shi acted quickly, and soon brought over two bowls of hot tea. He placed them in front of the village chief and the village head, and seeing that the two were curiously examining his two boxes, he didn't say anything.

The two thought it was a rare item in the city, and they had never seen it before. But after looking at it from all angles, it was just a wooden box with nothing special about it, so they didn't say anything.

Looking at the steaming tea, the village chief knew it must be good. He blew on it, took a sip, and tasted a refreshing fragrance in his mouth.

"Good tea, good tea."

The village head also took a sip and echoed the sentiment.

Compared to the tea I used to spit out a lot of foam after taking a sip, this tea soup is clear, fragrant, and full of whole tea leaves at the bottom, so it must be good.

The village chief and the village head could only get a sip of this drink when they went to the county government office.

"Third brother, your village chief uncle and I have come here for another important matter, which is the ancestral worship this year. Right now, you are the most promising and honorable young man in our village. When you come back for the New Year this year, you must go to the ancestral hall to worship our ancestors before the New Year. This year, you should lead all the men, women, young and old in our village to worship our ancestors, so that they can bless you from heaven and ensure that you will have a smooth and worry-free future."

After the village head finished speaking, Wen Shi nodded without hesitation. This was also an honor. In previous years, the village chief and the village head would take turns to come. Since the two of them were giving him this honor, he would not refuse.

"I'm fine, Uncle, don't worry, I can do it anytime."

The ancestral worship ceremony takes place a few days before the Lunar New Year. I heard that the matter I need to attend to can be completed in a few days. Judging by the time, there's still plenty of time.

"Then we won't bother you any longer. You've just returned. If you need anything, just come and get it. Don't be a guest; we're all from the same village."

"Thank you, Uncle."

Wen Shi saw the two out, and Wen Lao Er went to the kitchen to fetch water and began tidying up his parents' room.

"Wife, you take the child and rest. The house is almost tidied up. We'll put things away later."

Yingxiang nodded, couldn't help but yawn, but didn't actually fall asleep. After putting the child to sleep, she went to the kitchen to tidy up.

The moment I stepped outside, a gust of cold wind blew, instantly banishing any drowsiness. It was already getting dark outside, and it was getting late.

In the kitchen, Wen Shi was tidying up very carefully, while Wen Erge was cleaning his own room, including Wen Laodi's room. He worked quickly and efficiently.

"Third brother, the village chief and the village head are really good friends. Dad will be happy if he knew."

Wen Shi smiled but did not say anything.

“Last year during the Spring Festival, your second sister-in-law and I helped you deliver gifts to your third brother’s wife’s family. Now that you’re back, we’ll go there in a few days.”

Wen Shi nodded; he hadn't forgotten.

He plans to go to town tomorrow to buy gifts. He has some at home, but it's not enough. He needs to give gifts to the gentlemen and also to Yingxiang's family. This time is different from the past; he needs at least six gifts.

"Second brother, when you and your sister-in-law go to the market later, buy some cow's milk or goat's milk, either one will do. Heat it up and give it to the child in the morning and evening. Leqian is like that now. Look how well he's growing, how healthy he is, and how strong he is."

"I'll buy them when I get back. Is this enough for you?"

Wen Erge looked at Wen Shi, who was preparing to heat up the milk. Wen Shi didn't seem to have bought much, but he poured out a large bowl of it.

"This period of time is enough. After that, there will be people in the village selling them."

There are only a few families that own cattle and sheep, but if you offer money, who wouldn't sell? Nobody would turn down money.

Wen Shi wasn't worried about his son's food supply.

“I originally thought that it was because my sister-in-law had plenty of breast milk and you were eating well that the baby was growing well. Third brother, can you help me give the baby a new name? I don’t think the name my eldest brother gave me is good.”

"It seems I don't like this name either."

Wen Lao Er's son is named Wen Sheng, which is a very ordinary name.

While busy with his work, Wen Shi pondered for a moment, then asked, "Second Brother, what are your expectations for this child?"

Wen Lao Er touched his head and then said, "I hope he grows up healthy. It would be even better if he could grow up to be like you."

Wen Shi nodded.

"Let's name him Jinyu. I hope he will be healthy and have a bright future."

This name was originally prepared by Wen Shi for his son, but Yingxiang chose Leqian, which he also thought was quite good.

“His name was given by his eldest brother. He said the child was in poor health, so he named him Sheng (生) in the hope that God would bless him so that he could live a good life.”

After speaking, Wen Erge lowered his head, a hint of guilt flashing in his eyes.

He had argued with his second sister-in-law a lot in private before, saying that their son's health was not good because she had been mean to them and had supported their eldest son. Fortunately, all of that was in the past, and he was looking forward.

“The family is well-off now, second brother. In a couple of years, when the child is a little older, send him to start his formal education. Don’t let him suffer any setbacks.”

“He’s not even three years old yet. Even in two years, he’ll only be five or six. Isn’t that a bit too early? I’ve heard that eight or nine is just right. My older brother’s two children aren’t in school yet.”

"Don't worry about them, second brother. You and your wife only have this one child. If you want him to have a good future, then help him take care of his health and let him go to school as soon as possible. It won't do any harm. He'll either be playing at home or working."

"I'll listen to you, third brother."

Wen Lao Er smiled憨厚ly, seemingly agreeing with the sentiment. He looked at Wen Shi with admiration and envy, thinking that the third brother was capable and intelligent.

Yingxiang didn't speak. Wen Shi's idea was correct. This big family should be helped as much as possible. If they could become independent, that would be really good.

The family now has a business that can support the whole family in the county and earn some extra money. The eldest son's family doesn't need to be taken care of. The second son is honest and kind, but he has a child who is growing up and is the hope of the couple. The fourth son is smarter than the second son and knows how to plan for himself. The fifth son is also going to school and is also the hope of the family in the future.

The decision to take them out was the right one. They gained valuable experience and knowledge. For example, Old Man Wen is not as rigid as before and will not let Wen Chuanzong take advantage of his brothers.