Chapter 13 A weighty responsibility, brother-in-law: you must, in front of your elder brother, speak on my behalf…

With warm sunshine and gentle breezes, and willows green and flowers in full bloom, she used to either go out to dig for wild vegetables or fly kites. She would always go out for a stroll to make the most of the good weather.

Now, she bears a heavy responsibility and has to make sacrifices; this is what she owes Zeng Zhengqing. She cannot take it for granted without giving back. If others are good to her, she should be even better to them.

Although she didn't know how husbands and wives should get along, that's how it is with friends! I suppose that's how all human relationships are.

The bamboo groves stand sparsely around the Bamboo Pavilion, exuding elegance and tranquility. As Qingduo strolled here, she seemed to be drawn by the bamboo, and her heart suddenly calmed down. Before she even entered the courtyard, a gentle breeze carried the scent of ink. She lifted her skirt and stepped into the courtyard, but stopped abruptly upon seeing the messy scene inside.

In the courtyard, wooden frames, square tables, benches, and mats are arranged at varying heights, and various books are laid out flat to dry in the sun. Occasionally, the pages turn, as if a gentle breeze is stirring with refined taste, accompanied by the soft rustling sound of reading aloud.

Zeng Zhengji came out of the house carrying a stack of books. He looked up and saw Qingduo, so he quickly put the books aside, bowed, and said, "Sister-in-law!" He then asked in surprise, "What brings you here?"

“Your business is my business.” Qingduo said, taking a few steps forward and rolling up her sleeves. “Go and move all the books out of the house. I’ll let you hang these out to dry.”

Zeng Zhengji said in surprise, "No need, no need, how can I trouble you, sister-in-law? I can manage on my own. But..." He paused and said, "Sister-in-law, I wonder what brings you here? If you have any difficulties, please don't hesitate to ask. Don't be shy."

“It’s alright, it’s alright, I’m just here to take care of you. You’re my husband’s younger brother, so you’re my younger brother too. He takes care of you, so I have to take care of you too.” Qingduo finished reciting the rhyme smoothly and went forward to flip through the books, spreading them out one by one.

Fang Qing also stepped forward to help spread out the books one by one. Zeng Zhengji was completely confused. His sister-in-law's arrival was strange, and her purpose was also strange. He couldn't sort out his thoughts for a moment and stood there.

Qingduo had been married for a few days, and he hadn't had much contact with his sister-in-law. They had only gone to Jiyue Nunnery together to visit his mother when she unexpectedly tripped and fell. "Everyone makes a mistake," he thought, and it wasn't a big deal. However, he had heard some rumors about last night's farce this morning, and he couldn't help but feel ashamed for his old-fashioned older brother.

Well, thinking about it won't make any sense. If she's willing to help, then let her be. Zeng Zhengji shook his head and went back inside to get his books.

Looking at the Analects in her hands, Qingduo noticed that the binding was loose and worn, the pages were yellowed and curled, and it was covered with dense annotations in small characters. She couldn't help but praise, "With such diligence, won't you become the top scholar in the imperial examination someday?"

"I dare not, I am but a humble scholar, far from being good enough!" Zeng Zhengji said modestly. "Your father is a man of great talent, the top scholar in the imperial examination during the Baode era. If I could receive your guidance, I would..." He suddenly realized that he had brought up something he shouldn't have, and abruptly stopped speaking, glancing at Qingduo with a look of unease.

Qingduo, however, remained calm and continued to spread out the books. She said frankly, "I'll try to talk about it, but don't get your hopes up. He's used to being carefree and doesn't like doing these things."

"Yes, yes, it was my presumption," Zeng Zhengji hurriedly replied. He secretly breathed a sigh of relief and wiped the sweat from his forehead. He secretly blamed himself; this was clearly a sore spot for both families, yet he had blurted it out. Fortunately, his sister-in-law was tolerant and magnanimous and did not make things difficult for him. Zeng Zhengji couldn't help but look at this sister-in-law, who was about the same age as him, with new respect.

"The county exam is over this year. Do you plan to take it again next year?" Qingduo asked.

Zeng Zhengji's expression immediately darkened, and he mumbled, "I'm afraid...it's impossible."

Here they come again. Zeng Zhengqing is like this, Zeng's mother is like this, and her brother-in-law is like this. They are all burdened with worries and have unspeakable secrets. She once thought her brother-in-law was a shallow shoal, but she never expected that he was also a deep pool with no bottom in sight.

The Zeng family has a really tough life.

But she has no responsibility to save anyone; that is the task of Buddha and Bodhisattva. Let their bright and clear mother pray to Buddha to bless these two "weightless" sons!

With the efforts of the three people, all the books were finally laid out to dry. Zeng Zhengji thanked them repeatedly and invited Qingduo to come inside to rest and have some tea. Qingduo waved her hand and said, "No need, I have other things to do. I'll come and take care of you when I have time."

"……yes."

As Zeng Zhengji watched Qingduo walk to the courtyard gate, she paused, then suddenly turned back. For the first time, she said to him shyly, "Um... could you compliment me?"

"Huh?" Zeng Zhengji was startled. What kind of request was this?

"No, no, no, don't misunderstand," Qingduo hurriedly waved her hands to explain, "I don't want you to praise me now, I hope you can say good things about me in front of your brother."

"Huh?" Doesn't adding this sentence make it less surprising?

Qingduo clasped her hands together, her face solemn: "I'm entrusting this to you, little brother. If you need anything next time, just come to me."

Even after Qingduo and Fangqing left, Zeng Zhengji was still in shock. It was said that the Tang family was also a family of scholars, but his sister-in-law was quite different from other ladies from prestigious families!

Thinking of his elder brother, he couldn't help but smile, wondering who was truly subduing whom – the one who adhered to conventions or the one who was unrestrained by imagination.

*

When Zeng Zhengqing returned, he went to see Zhengji first. He planned to take Zhengji out for a business trip in a few days. However, when he told Zhengji about this, Zhengji lowered his head and remained silent, looking depressed.

He could see his younger brother's reluctance and said, "If you are unwilling, then we can talk about it next time. But you are already fifteen this year. Although I am responsible for the family business, it does not mean that you should be a carefree person like Liu Ke. As your father has always taught us brothers, a real man should have his own career."

Zeng Zhengji steeled his resolve, clenched his fist, and said, "Brother, I want to pass the imperial examinations and bring honor to our family!"

“No way!” Zeng Zhengqing refused outright.

Zeng Zhengji hurriedly said, "Brother! Master Fan said my essay is not bad, and I can try it next year. I want to go to the examination hall to give it a shot!"

"No!" Zeng Zhengqing coldly swept his face across him and said, "Have you forgotten what your father said?"

“We, the descendants of the Zeng family, are forbidden from ever taking the imperial examinations! Do you intend to disobey your father’s dying wish?”

“But Father also passed the imperial examination! He went through it all, so why forbid us from trying?” Zeng Zhengji said indignantly.

Zeng Zhengqing's face was cold: "You can go, but the Zeng family members cannot go. If you can bear the consequences, then please do as you wish."

Zeng Zhengji was speechless, his eyes wide open, burning with resentment. Zeng Zhengqing looked at his stubborn younger brother and softened his tone, saying, "Zhengji, I dare not disobey my father's orders. If you do not wish to run the bookstore, and there is anything else you want to do besides taking the exam, your elder brother will certainly find a way to support you. But this is not an option."

Zeng Zhengji was breathing rapidly, his body trembling slightly, and he remained silent. Zeng Zhengqing sensed his silent resistance, sighed, and knowing that he couldn't be persuaded in time, got up to leave.

"etc."

Zeng Zhengqing turned around in surprise to look at his younger brother, Zeng Zhengji, but Zeng Zhengji didn't even look at him. Zhengji said stiffly, "My sister-in-law came to visit me today..."

Zeng Zhengqing was even more surprised: "What is she doing here?"

“I don’t know. She helped me air out my books and then left. She asked me to put in a good word for her with you.” Zeng Zhengji was upset and spoke very quickly. “I’m not in the mood to speak up for her right now, but I’ve already agreed, so I still have to let you know.”

Zeng Zhengqing stood there stunned for a long time before nodding and saying, "I understand."

Filled with questions, he strolled back to his courtyard. Fang Qing was waiting at the gate. When she saw him, her eyes lit up, and she called out, "Young Master is back!"

Tang Qingduo shot out of the house like a cannonball, landing right in front of him, smiling broadly:

"Brother Qing, you're back!"

Zeng Zhengqing's right eyelid twitched suddenly.

A note from the author:

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Could you please give a star to the adorable Qingduo baby? [heart][shy]