Chapter 75

Most of the family members were busy preparing for the banquet, including Xiuyu. Liu Shi couldn't do much, but she kept a close eye on things, and there were also many relatives who came to help.

Wen Shi and Wen Chuanzong were not allowed to go into the kitchen to do these things. Both of them were scholars and had official titles. It would be undignified for others to see them doing so, and it wouldn't be good if word got out. As for Wen Erge and the others, it didn't matter to them, but they were mostly responsible for purchasing.

At midday, as the sun slowly rose, Old Man Wen entered Wen Chuanzong's room.

Wen Chuanzong was pretending to read a book when he saw his father push the door open and enter. He looked at his father with some confusion.

“Eldest son, I’m not counting on you anymore. You can’t hold your third brother back. Our whole family depends on him. If he says you can’t do something, then you can’t do it. If you dare to do it behind my back, and I find out, then don’t blame your own father for being ruthless.”

“If I kick you out and say you are unfilial, no one will question it.”

Upon hearing this, Wen Chuanzong immediately stood up, his face extremely grim. It seemed that his father was threatening and humiliating him.

"Father, what are you saying?"

He was furious. Why did Old Man Wen have to come all this way to say such a thing?

"It's exactly what you mean. I won't interfere with what you do after that, but if I find out that you've done something that Lao San doesn't agree with, I won't be able to keep you here."

“Your younger brothers are all relying on the third brother now, and you can’t depend on him. Don’t think I’m being harsh, but that’s the truth.”

"Think about it carefully."

After speaking, Old Man Wen left. Wen Chuanzong sat in his chair, feeling extremely indignant.

It's so unfair; everyone in this family is bullying me.

Was he stupid? Of course not. He knew how much benefit it would bring to his own brother, Wen Shi, after passing the imperial examination. His master would treat him even better, and he might even receive more monthly pay.

But he didn't intend to continue doing this job. He also wanted to go to Songshan Prefecture to study under a master. Of course, he would need the help of his third brother. He believed that under the guidance of that master, he would definitely be on the list of successful candidates in three years.

A moment later, Wen Chuanzong came out of the house; this matter could not be delayed any longer.

The small courtyard was bustling with activity. There were many people helping out, and chickens were being slaughtered as people came and went, making the scene look quite bloody.

"Third sister-in-law, I've washed all twenty-odd chickens. What do you think we should do next?"

Brother Wen bought several more bags of rice and flour. Since it's a continuous feast, it can't stop; there must be food on the table for ten days in a row.

As expected, the villagers will definitely come to eat every day, more or less, to save face. It's only once anyway, so although it's a bit troublesome, Yingxiang doesn't feel too tired, and there are quite a few people helping her.

Wen Shi's several aunts, along with his married cousins, all came. The kitchen was now piled high with meat. Wen's second brother had bought most of a fat pig before, and later bought more than 30 jin of meat, all of which was a mix of fat and lean.

"Chop up all the chickens and stew them in a big pot so they're easy to divide when it's served. Make the pork into braised pork and steam the whole fish, making sure to clean the inside thoroughly and add some ginger."

The number of dishes at a village banquet is not fixed and depends on each family's circumstances. For an ordinary family, there might be five or six dishes, with only one meat dish, which is usually a stew.

Yingxiang and Wenshi prepare ten dishes, including both meat and vegetables, which is enough. They also steam a lot of buns, so that people can't just eat vegetables. Nowadays, corn cakes can't be served.

The banquet, including the wine, cost quite a bit, but luckily we still had some surplus grain at home, so it was manageable.

In another room, Wen Shi was reading a book. When he saw Wen Chuanzong suddenly enter, he put down his book.

Wen Chuanzong took a breath, a smile on his face, and walked up to Wen Shi. He then said, "Third brother, your eldest brother has come to ask you for a favor."

"Now that you've figured it out, your elder brother plans to go to Songshan Prefecture to become an apprentice after you finish this matter. Could you help your elder brother write a letter to your teacher?"

Upon hearing this, his face immediately darkened.

"Big brother, I told you this before."

He repeated it again.

“I know, but back then you were insignificant, just a minor scholar. Now you’re different. Do you think your teacher would ever give you any face?”

Why not?

Wen Shi stared straight at Wen Chuanzong.

"Third brother, we're brothers."

Looking at Wen Shi's current state, Wen Chuanzong shouted angrily, "It seems that the third brother is unwilling."

“A few years ago, after you passed the imperial examination, you told me that you would give me all the books you didn’t need, but you sold them all.”

"I remember you said you would tutor me, but in the end you were nowhere to be found."

“I also remember you saying that once you became successful, you would take your whole family to enjoy a life of luxury. But now that you have become a scholar, you look down on us, afraid that we will affect you. When you need us, we are like brothers, but when you don’t, we are just a burden.”

Wen Shi's voice wasn't loud, but his tone was very forceful. After he finished speaking, Wen Chuanzong looked at him in disbelief.

“Brother, when I was a child, I listened to my parents. I always thought that if our whole family supported you, you would be grateful and repay us. But you didn’t.”

"Trust is something that is hard to regain once it is lost."

“There are some things that don’t need to be said between us brothers, but the way you look right now makes it seem like I’m the one who’s wronged and that I’m heartless and unwilling to help you.”

“Brother, I have never looked down on you, nor have I ever had any hope for you. I firmly believe that everyone makes their own way in the world. I will not stop you from becoming my apprentice, but it is impossible for me to write a letter for you.”

Wen Shi refused completely, leaving absolutely no room for negotiation.

His eyes were calm, indifferent to joy or anger. Wen Chuanzong stood not far away, looking at his younger brother, and suddenly felt that he was somewhat unfamiliar.

In my memory, Wen Shi was quiet and reserved when he was a child. He followed behind his father and second brother and worked hard. He was always very respectful and polite to his older brother whenever he saw him, and he always agreed with whatever Wen Shi said.

As he grew older, he suddenly became disobedient, insisting on leaving home to study elsewhere, which his father naturally opposed.

After all, the family wasn't very wealthy, and the smell would also affect them.

But he still insisted on going and reading it aloud. Wen Chuanzong recalled the past and had to admit that he had done some things that were not fair, but those things were in the past.

Why would he hold a grudge, and now he's bringing up old grievances?

“Dad came to me today and said that if I don’t listen to you in the future, he will kick me out. Third brother, you must have persuaded Dad to do this.”

"I thought you were a gentleman. I am your elder brother, after all. If people find out what you did, don't you have any shame?"

Wen Chuanzong suddenly changed the subject. He later realized that it must be Wen Shi, otherwise why would his father have gone to such lengths?

"Think what you want. I understand that your father is worried about you. After all, you can't rely on him. There are so many brothers. Your father was biased towards you before, but what have you given to the family? Now all of this is just what you asked for and got."

Wen Shi stood up straight, his eyes firm, showing no fear, and appeared completely open and honest.

Wen Chuanzong was furious upon hearing this and turned to leave.

Outside, a gust of wind blew by, and the courtyard was quite noisy. Yingxiang came out of the kitchen and saw Wen Chuanzong coming out from inside. She subconsciously frowned.

Not far away, Xiao Leqian was squatting with Wen Erge’s son, Jinyu, watching ants. A ewe was tied up next to them. Ever since the sheep was brought back, it was exactly the same as before. Wen Laosi would take time every day to herd the sheep.

The children were happy to have playmates. Wen Erge was a weak child since childhood, and although he was a boy, he was not naughty. Yingxiang felt at ease letting him play with the children.

Yuqin would also glance over from time to time, worried that the two children might push and shove each other, which was not a good thing.

"This dough has risen really well, everyone should try some first."

In the kitchen, several aunts and uncles looked at the white steamed buns with some excitement. If they weren't wealthy, they wouldn't be able to afford even one all year round.

Later that evening, Yingxiang entered the house. Their belongings were placed in the corner, and her gaze fell on the wooden basin.

Yingxiang subconsciously looked at the person on the kang (a heated brick bed), who seemed to be fast asleep. Thinking of something, she quickly put the wooden basin into her system inventory.

This thing must not be known to these people; after all, it's not an ordinary wooden basin.

Fortunately, there were enough things at home, and no one had used them these days. She almost made a mistake. She can just take them out and use them if needed in the future.

He seemed to be fast asleep, his brows were relaxed, and he didn't seem to have any worries. Yingxiang felt relieved, got off the kang (a heated brick bed), and tiptoed out.

"Welcome Fragrance".

A familiar voice came from behind. Yingxiang turned around and saw that it was her stepmother. Perfect timing, she could help with the chores.

"Mother, you've come. Please sit down."

"No need, no need, Mother is here to help you. Where is the child? Let me see him."

"good."

She may not be sincere, but it's always good to have more people. Yingxiang didn't refuse. Some things can be prepared in advance, but some things can only be done on the same day.

Besides the two large pots in the kitchen, three more were later set up in the yard. Two of the large iron pots were borrowed. A temporary stove was also built there, otherwise there would have been no other way and there wouldn't have been enough.

They had so many things that they couldn't fit them all at home, so they piled up a lot at the door, mostly firewood, which isn't uncommon in the countryside, and nobody took them.

With the day fast approaching, the village head's son suddenly came over in the evening.

“My dad said he’s picked out a few dates. Third brother, you go to my house and choose one. We’ll prepare for the ancestral worship ceremony then.”

Wen had just finished dinner and didn't refuse. They were all from the same village, and the village head's family was nice, so he didn't put on airs. They were practically his ancestors, so he left with them.

Seeing this scene, Wen Chuanzong recalled being rejected by Wen Shi. Although he was furious, he ignored it, as Wen Shi was telling the truth.

He couldn't really break ties with this brother, as that would do him no good.

He made a silent resolution, though he wasn't that confident in himself. He would still go to the county school after the New Year and work hard. Sooner or later he would have Wen Shi under his thumb. If he didn't have enough money, he could copy books to earn more. He could make a living that way.

Then, when he sees the truth, how smug he will be.

Thinking of this, Wen Chuanzong picked up another steamed bun and took a big bite.

"There will be many people coming tomorrow, so you should all get up early, eat well, and then take good care of the guests."

"You don't need to worry about those distinguished guests. Third brother, you are mainly responsible for taking care of the villagers and our relatives. There will be a few tables set up in the yard."

Old Man Wen took a bite of food and began to give instructions, and no one objected.

"Third brother's wife, don't cook tomorrow. Dress yourself up nicely, dress the children properly, and help the third brother entertain the guests."

Yingxiang nodded.