Chapter 76

Village head's family

The village head had been looking at the dates for several days. He finally chose a few auspicious days, the closest of which was half a month from now. Wen Shi chose that day without hesitation.

After that, he still had to go to the capital to take the imperial examination, so he couldn't stay up too late.

“We also held ancestral worship before the New Year. This time, it’s not good to ask every household to contribute. Your family should make good preparations, and I will open an ancestral hall for you.”

Wen Shi had no objection to this.

"Third son, you've really made us proud. Your uncle is so envious of your parents for having such a good son like you."

Wen Shi seemed even more composed and mature than before, and his words and actions were very proper. The village head was more and more satisfied with him. It was a pity that he didn't have a daughter. If he had known this day would come, he would have married his daughter into his family back then.

Now, he is also Wen Shi's father-in-law, and the two families have become relatives.

"After that, did you take your family members with you when you went out?"

"Uncle, it's hard to say. Let's talk about it after I've settled down. It's a bit early now."

Wen Shi didn't know what his future held. If he could eventually become a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), that would be a great achievement. But he wasn't that confident, and he couldn't draw any conclusions too easily at the moment.

"That's true. It's getting late. Let's go back and rest. We'll probably be busy tomorrow."

"Uncle, come early. We've saved seats for you and Auntie."

"Don't worry, I'll go as soon as it's light."

The banquet was supposed to start at noon, by which time the people from the town and county would arrive. Wen Shi smiled upon hearing this, feeling as if he were bathed in a spring breeze. He nodded and turned to leave.

As he left the village head's house, a gust of wind blew by. Wen Shi calculated the days and realized that by the time all this was over, it would be around the middle of October. He would then set off for the prefectural government office in November, and it would be safer to take the government's carriage to the capital for the imperial examinations. The provincial examinations would be held at the end of February, and the palace examinations at the beginning of April. Once everything was settled, it would probably be May.

As he left the village head's house, he looked up at the dark sky. The moonlight was beautiful and bright tonight. He walked home step by step, full of anticipation.

Inside the house, Yingxiang was trying to put her child to sleep. The older the child got, the more energetic he became, and he absolutely refused to sleep.

He rolled around on the kang (a heated brick bed), laughing happily. Seeing that Yingxiang was angry, he crawled back into his own little quilt, occasionally turning his head to glance at Yingxiang.

"You better close your eyes obediently, or don't blame me for punishing you."

Wen Shi pushed open the door and entered, and the mother and son looked at him in unison.

"My wife, I've already chosen a date. We can prepare the things ourselves."

Wen Shi got straight to the point; he never hid anything from his wife, as that's how it should be between husband and wife. Yingxiang nodded, and the child on the bed immediately closed his eyes upon seeing his father.

He had reached the age where he was mischievous, and Wen Shi rarely had to coax him anymore; he only did practical things.

During the exam in the prefectural city, he climbed onto the table to get Wen Shi's calligraphy brush, and Wen Shi hit his palm a few times with the brush. It wasn't too hard, but it was the little guy's first time being punished, so he was naturally very aggrieved.

Yingxiang felt that he was too strict, but the child could be infuriating at times, really.

He still needs to be taught a lesson. Although he is young, he is not stupid. After that, he really didn't dare to climb onto the table anymore. Now, at home, he mostly plays in the yard.

Wen Shi is a strict father, which isn't necessarily a bad thing for the child. He's ultimately going to live here and can't leave.

"Go to sleep."

The child closed his eyes again.

After settling into bed, Wen Shi turned off the light, and the family of three quickly fell asleep. Lately, he hadn't been in the mood for that; he was too busy with many things to do, and Yingxiang was also tired.

Fortunately, the banquet will begin tomorrow.

Early in the morning, before dawn, Second Brother Wen, following Old Man Wen's instructions, set off a few strings of firecrackers at the door, which woke everyone up.

The vegetables in the kitchen are just waiting to be cooked. The meat takes longer to cook, so it's stewed first. The steamed buns are already made, and the rice will be steamed immediately.

There were more than thirty tables set up on both sides of the doorway, and six tables inside. These tables were all borrowed; ordinary households don't even have that many.

Yingxiang put on that red dress that made her look very dignified, washed and dressed the child, and people began to come to the house one after another.

Wen Shi also changed into a silver robe, his face smiling, like a gentle and refined gentleman. Black robes are dirt-resistant, but too solemn, and not suitable for today's occasion.

Sweets and pastries for the children are also prepared. The formal meal will not start until noon, but even if we come early, we will still have something to eat.

"That third son's wife is really lucky."

In the kitchen, Wen Shi's eldest aunt looked at her second aunt and said with some envy.

"Yes, it's common to see wives of scholars, but wives of successful candidates in the imperial examinations are quite rare."

"If the third son is successful, we can benefit from it too. In the future, when we own land, we won't have to pay as much tax, which will save us a lot."

Nowadays, the Wen family no longer has any land. After Wen Shi passed the imperial examination, his landholdings increased from fifty mu to one hundred mu. If the land belongs to relatives or friends from the same village, he will only take a small share.

He doesn't plan to accept relatives who live nearby, such as his maternal uncle's family or Yingxiang's maternal family.

With these heavy taxes removed, the family's life will definitely get better and better, and everyone is very happy.

"Please take your seats, gentlemen."

Inside, several tables were filled with food and drink. Sitting there were Wen Shi's former teachers, the village head and village chief, some elders, as well as some of his former classmates and elders.

All things considered, there were quite a few people who came, and Wen Shi treated them with great hospitality and gave them the respect they deserved.

Yingxiang's father was already used to sitting at the head of the table. He was very happy, accepting the congratulations from those around him. Anyone who didn't know better would think that he had passed the imperial examination.

Yingxiang followed Wenshi to entertain the guests. Fortunately, the child was inside with the second son's family and didn't cause any trouble. He was fed well in the morning and behaved himself.

Yingxiang accepted all the praise without question, and with a beaming smile, everyone who saw her couldn't help but compliment her.

The couple were very peaceful and didn't flatter or belittle anyone. They just kept running back and forth in the yard and at the gate.

At noon, the food was brought out one after another. The children outside had already prepared, each holding a big steamed bun, their cheeks bulging from eating.

The interior was better; meat and vegetables were served one after another, and everyone was all smiles.

The villagers ate the feast and drank unlimited amounts of alcohol, their bellies bulging with food.

Wen Shi served guests back and forth, his expression unchanged, showing no sign of patience.

"Chuanzong, your younger brother is so promising, you should also work hard. Your parents are so lucky to have children who are all good at studying."

Wen Chuanzong sat at the same table as Old Man Wen and the village chief, which was in accordance with etiquette, so he nodded.

"I will work hard. In a few days I will go to the county school to study and try to catch up with the third brother in the future so that my parents can have a better life."

"well."

"And this little fifth one, so clever and smart, I really envy you."

"They can't say for sure."

Old Man Wen picked up his wine glass, chuckled, and was genuinely pleased and happy.

He had five sons, three of whom became scholars. The third son had finally achieved success. He didn't want to say much about the eldest son, but he was also a scholar. As for the youngest son, even if he couldn't match the third son, he wouldn't be worse than the eldest son.

His best days are yet to come.

When people are in a good mood, they often have a good appetite. Old Man Wen is like that, and in the last six months, he has clearly felt that his health is getting better and better.

Perhaps it was because he had been a vegetarian during the time he was praying for his third son to pass the exam that God saw his sincerity.

Or perhaps he was just lucky; although his first half of life wasn't so good, a good life awaited him in his next life.

No matter what you think, Old Man Wen is very happy.

On the very first day, he was already completely drunk.

In fact, the first three days of the banquet are the most important, as distinguished guests usually come during these three days, and afterwards, most of the guests are villagers.

On the fifth day, Yingxiang looked outside and saw that the boiler in the courtyard was still there, but now only three stoves were used for heating.

The happiest people are the village children. They come whenever they are hungry, and they are even happier than during the Spring Festival.

How much wine is left?

Yingxiang went to the kitchen. All the drinks that Wen Erge had bought were finished, but there was still a big jar left of the ones Wen Shi had bought.

Even the best food gets boring if you eat it every day.

“Sister-in-law, don’t worry. If it’s not enough, just pour water in. There’s no need to buy more. They’re just common folk who might not be able to tell the difference anyway. That’s what I did when I held the banquet for Chuanzong.”

Xiuyu said with a hint of pride.

This time, the family spent a lot of money, which was a great joy. Xiuyu didn't dare to have any objections. Remembering what had happened before, she spoke directly to Yingxiang.

Yingxiang glanced at her.

"We'll talk about it when it's not enough."

By the tenth day, the wine jars were still empty. Now there were quite a few empty jars in the house, but they wouldn't go to waste. They could be washed and used to hold water.

As evening fell, family members began to leave. It was the last day, and everyone was visibly relaxed.

After everything was tidied up and put away, we had to start preparing for the ancestral worship ceremony.

This wasn't difficult to arrange. When the time came, the village head opened the ancestral hall, and many villagers went to watch. They were very sincere and prepared good offerings, incense, candles, and firewood.

"May our ancestors bless my child so that he will be successful in the future."

"May our ancestors bless my mother with good health."

Some villagers began to pray and kneel outside, while inside, Old Man Wen and Wen Chuanzong both wore solemn expressions.

The offerings can be taken back after a few days, so nothing is wasted.

Late at night, Wen Shi washed up and went to bed.

Recently, the temperature has been dropping, it's already autumn, there's been a lot of rain, and the roads are muddy and difficult to walk on.

"My dear wife, I'll be setting off soon. It's better to leave early than late. Take good care of yourself at home and don't go to the shop."

Wen Shi always felt sorry for Ying Xiang. After they got married, the couple supported each other, which led to their current happy life.

Yingxiang followed him from beginning to end without ever uttering a single complaint, and he was truly grateful.

There were hardly any disagreements between the couple, which was truly rare. In his eyes, his wife was perfect in every way. As he spoke, he pulled her into his arms.

"Don't worry, I won't go. When you go to take the exam, make sure you bring all your things. It's cold, so bring a few extra coats. Don't skimp on money; I have some."

When it comes to important matters, Yingxiang is not confused.

The two of them made efforts for each other, and their lives got better and better. When they first got married, Wen Shi took her to town. She has seen him quite a few times over the years. Being a wife is not easy.

You must keep your distance from the Wen family; some members are clear-headed, while others are confused.

"By the way, your older brother..."

“He’s not stupid, nor does he have that much ability. If we can use this to motivate him and help him make a name for himself in the future, it might not be a bad thing.”

To put it bluntly, Wen Chuanzong was not a threat to him at all. Wen Chuanzong was all bark and no bite, and he was not afraid of him at all.

There are some things that even if you gave him a lot of courage, he wouldn't dare to do.