Chapter 62

The spring chill was still in the air. I got up early and went outside; it was all foggy.

It rained for an hour last night, and a cold wind blew by. It was still a bit chilly outside, but better than when we were in the village.

Wearing a padded coat, and seeing that it was still early, he went to the sheepfold to milk the sheep and add water. After milking for a while, looking at the almost empty sheep milk in the earthenware jar, he decided not to drink it anymore and save it for the child, since there wouldn't be many sips left.

After washing up, Wen Shi went to the kitchen to busy herself for a while, and then went to the study next door.

My son definitely can't fit in the cradle. I need to go to the carpenter's shop to make him a new wooden bed. He's not a little kid anymore, and he should sleep alone. He's almost a year old.

He is still young, but he shouldn't be spoiled too much, otherwise it won't be good for him in the future. After school today, he went to the carpenter's shop. After the food was ready, he ate a few bites and then went out with his schoolbag.

At the academy, everyone hadn't seen each other for a long time, so there was bound to be some small talk and greetings.

Because of their different household registrations, people naturally take the exams in different places. Everyone has signed up to participate, just waiting to take part in this year's autumn imperial examination.

When class started, the teacher, dressed in a black brocade robe with cloud patterns, was in high spirits. Time had left its mark on him, but his sharp eyes remained unchanged. All the students immediately stood up and bowed to him.

He stood at the head of the class, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the classroom, and slowly began to speak: “A new year, a new beginning. From now on, I will select three people each month based on their performance and give them a reward. The first place will receive three taels of silver, the second place two taels, and the third place one tael of silver. The autumn examination is approaching, so you must work hard. Whether you can step into officialdom depends on this exam.”

“Many of you are very young. You may feel that three years will pass in the blink of an eye. If you can enter officialdom earlier and gain three more years of experience, your future will be better.”

Upon hearing this, all the students looked at him. In front of their teacher, no one dared to joke or say anything nonsensical. Everyone was very respectful and eager to be taught.

When I first became his apprentice, my teacher asked me to write ten articles at once, which stumped many students. Now, this requirement has spread, and it has indirectly dissuaded many who wanted to become his apprentices.

He is indeed famous, but there are also many lazy scholars, especially those with official titles; many of them are truly content with the status quo.

Upon hearing this, Wen Shi instinctively sat up straight, determined to give it his all.

At midday, as the sun rose, Yingxiang led Xiao Leqian to practice walking under the eaves.

The child walked unsteadily, and while she held him steady, he would fall within seconds if she let go. He could only take a couple of steps before struggling to stand. Yingxiang was quick, and she wasn't in a rush to teach him, but it wasn't good to let him sit on the bed and play all the time; the child had too much energy.

"Baby, don't cry. When you can walk, Mommy will take you out for a walk."

Yingxiang squatted down, hugged him, and gently coaxed him, kissing his little face to encourage him to continue.

I'll raise him as I see fit, since he's the only one I have. He's gone from a tiny baby who just eats and sleeps all day to now taking his first steps and babbling. Time flies, and he's growing up so fast.

Yingxiang helped him walk around a few more times before coaxing him to sleep.

There wasn't much goat milk, but fortunately he could eat solid food. In the morning, besides a few sips of goat milk, there were also steamed pumpkin buns. His appetite was getting bigger and bigger, and he was growing really strong. He was taller and had more meat on his body than his peers, and he was chubby.

After the child fell asleep, Yingxiang couldn't wait to go to the study to sign in. Since returning home for the Chinese New Year, she hadn't signed in many times.

The child is small, so it's best to avoid him. After careful selection, Yingxiang finally carried five pounds of rice to the kitchen, poured it into the rice container, and mixed it with the previous rice. It was indistinguishable from the previous rice.

The two didn't bring much back with them. They carefully stored away the food they hadn't finished before the New Year, and the cabbage and radishes had been pickled by Wen Shi long ago, so they were ready to eat now.

After school, Wen Shi didn't rush home; he went to the carpenter's shop first.

The carpenter readily agreed. The cradle was useless anyway, so he planned to bring it the next morning to offset some of the money. Afterward, he went to a nearby cloth shop and bought a set of ready-made bedding.

"I'll let him air out in the sun in a few days. I've already ordered a bed for him."

Yingxiang was chopping vegetables in the kitchen. She nodded. As for the child, he was playing in a small bamboo cart. Yingxiang let him sit inside. He was holding a cloth tiger and would laugh out loud every now and then.

Looking at his parents not far away, he kept shaking the rattle drum in his hand, as if he was showing off.

"My lady, there's something else. The master told us today that there will be additional rewards every month. If you perform well that month, you'll get a cash reward: five taels of silver for the first month, three taels for the second, and one tael for the third."

"You are such a kind man."

For students from wealthy families, this amount of money is insignificant, but for students from ordinary families, two or three taels of silver is roughly a year's living expenses.

He also gave them money monthly. You should know that when Wen Shi was studying here, the tuition and filial piety fees were much less than those at the county school, and the majority of their living expenses were rent.

"Husband, you must study hard. We'll focus on you for the next six months. The child is older now, so don't worry, I can take care of him. You don't need to come to the kitchen anymore, go study. I'll call you when dinner is ready."

Yingxiang can distinguish between big and small matters.

Wen Shigang had just rolled up his sleeves when he was taken aback.

"It won't take much time, I'll help you."

"No need, I'll do it. You go to the study and read; that's important."

Yingxiang looked serious, but when she heard this, she didn't insist. She patted her son's head and turned to walk towards the study.

He went inside to grind ink and cut paper. His hands moved quickly as he recalled what he had learned in class that day. He began to write, completely absorbed in his work.

The children outside would occasionally call out, and Yingxiang would laugh every time she looked over, but this disturbance was not enough to affect Wenshi.

"Son, you must listen to me and stop making a fuss."

After the meal was ready, it was still quite early. Yingxiang played with the child in the kitchen. It's unclear whether the child listened or not, but after that, things quieted down considerably.

Yingxiang fed him a bowl of soft, tender egg custard, plus a small half bowl of thick, well-cooked porridge. The little guy ate mouthful after mouthful, very happily. After he was full, Yingxiang fed him water.

When Wen Shi came out, Ying Xiang handed him a large, firm steamed bun. There was no need to go inside to eat right now; staying in the kitchen was fine. The three of them didn't need to be so particular.

Wen ate quickly and then went to the study.

Before we knew it, it was mid-March.

The weather had become completely warm, and Wen Shi was leaving early and returning late. The teacher gave them extra lessons, and no one objected or refused. They lived in the same room, and Ying Xiang couldn't see him if she didn't open her eyes in the morning.

Wen Shi had already changed into spring clothes, and he dressed himself very smartly. He carried his book box every day, and what used to be a day off every ten days had now become a day off every month.

He didn't complain and continued to go to the academy without fail, rain or shine, without missing a single day.

Yingxiang was worried about his health, so she fed him all sorts of good food. The buns were all filled with meat, and the rice was always packed very tightly. You could tell that he was under pressure too, so he had to eat well, because his health was also important.

The vegetables in the garden have sprouted, and there are many chirping chicks in the chicken coop, but these can't be eaten yet.

Early that morning, Yingxiang went to the market with her child to buy groceries. She took a fancy to an old hen and immediately asked the old woman selling chickens to prepare it for her.

"mother."

Seeing the little guy pointing to the pastry shop not far away, Yingxiang nodded.

I'll buy you milk cake later.

The old woman was quick and efficient, killing the chicken very fast. Yingxiang paid her to put the chicken in the basket on her back.

Life at home isn't too hard, so there's no need to raise children in poverty. Food is scarce right now, and these pastries are one of the few treats the children can have.

"Six pieces of milk cake, two pieces of hibiscus cake, and three pieces of rose cake."

Children have mouths, and so do she and Wen Shi. It's not right to spoil children while being stingy with oneself. She often takes her children to this bakery, and the hibiscus cake is more to her and Wen Shi's liking.

That night, Wen Shi returned home looking somewhat worried, and what was even more noticeable was the dark circles under his eyes.

Yingxiang sat on the bed, looking at him with a puzzled expression.

"The teacher required us all to live in the academy and also added more classes."

To be honest, he couldn't leave his wife and children at home like that, but if he used that as an excuse, his husband would definitely scold him severely, and he wouldn't agree to it.

Family is important, but so is studying; I'm a bit conflicted when I hear this.

It's already the end of the month, and he still has two taels of silver as a bonus this month, but even so, he can't be happy.

After handing the money to Yingxiang, he kept sighing. All the way there, he kept thinking about whether there was any other excuse.

His parents would be the best excuse, but they're not here, and his husband knows that too.

“Husband, you can focus on your studies. Your teacher is doing this for your own good. There are only a few months left. Don’t worry about me and the child. We’ll be fine at home.”

“It will be more convenient for you to study if you move in. My child and I will sleep in every day. I will lock the door.”

“I can milk cows now. A few days ago, I took the children out to herd sheep, so you can focus on your studies.”

"My child and I will always believe in you, understand you, and support you."

"You must go, my husband. You can't miss this crucial moment."

Yingxiang looked serious. The couple had been married for several years, and Wen Shi was a loyal and affectionate person at heart, not the kind of person who would be heartless. Otherwise, why would he be so conflicted about this? She had to put his mind at ease.

Wen Shi is fundamentally a very prudent and honest person. She doesn't have any ulterior motives. To put it bluntly, she has all the family's money in her hands, so she has nothing to fear.

Wen Shi looked at his wife with eyes full of apology. He took her hand and sat on the edge of the bed, hesitant to speak.

“Husband, I can take care of Leqian. When I have time, I will bring the children to see you and bring you things.”

Wen Shi was already a very hard-working student, and recently, his teacher has been taking time to provide him with targeted tutoring. Mr. Huang has many students, and Wen Shi's level of dedication is among the best. He is willing to learn, and his teacher is willing to teach, which is also more convenient at the academy.

The daily commute does take time, but the time saved can be used for rest or reading, which is beneficial for him.

Yingxiang, having experienced the great test, naturally understands the importance of time.

She knew Wen Shi was hesitating and struggling with what he was struggling with. She had to make sure he had no worries. How could they not get through these six months?

"My husband, my son and I are counting on you."

Upon hearing this, he held his wife in his arms and immediately made up his mind.

"If I become successful in the future, and I abandon my wife and children, I will be struck by lightning and die a horrible death."

Wen Shi looked determined. Recalling the past few years, the two of them had supported each other, and the past events were vivid in his mind. Yingxiang leaned against him, smiling.

She believed him.