Chapter 52 Bonus Chapter: Requesting Nutrient Solution and to Watch the Juggling Show

I didn't cook any dishes with Qingjiu today; it's because I added too little water when steaming the sausages.

Neither master nor servant paid any attention. Lu Zhao went to read a book, while Qingjiu chopped firewood by the door. By the time they smelled the burning smell, the bottom of the pot was completely blackened.

"My lord, no... we can't eat anymore." Qingjiu also noticed a hole in the bottom of the pot. He was so hungry, he wanted to cry.

With the Lunar New Year approaching, we still need to buy a pot. It's fine when the two of us go out, but when we come back, Qingjiu is carrying a pot on his head, so it's not too conspicuous.

People in the alley saw it and all asked what happened.

"The pot is burnt out," Lu Zhao said with a stern face.

"Oh dear, I knew that was the smell of burning food coming from there." Zeng Hongzhi sat on the stone stool by the door. "Lord Lu, this can't go on forever. How about I introduce you to a virtuous wife who will take care of your laundry and cooking, so you'll never have to eat burnt food again? How about that?"

He has a niece who is of marriageable age. If she could marry a talented young man like Lord Lu, it would be an auspicious occasion for the Zeng family.

Upon hearing this, Jin, who lived across the street, came out and said, "Uncle Zeng, you should forget about the matchmaking you mentioned. Lord Lu, my family has nieces and nephews. Why don't you introduce them to us while you're not on duty?"

"Come on," Zeng Hongzhi retorted. "Your family members are all like winter melons, none of them even come close to Lord Lu's armpits, are they?"

"What's the point of a woman being so tall? Isn't being diligent and capable enough?" Jin's voice was loud, and when she made a fuss, everyone in the house could hear her.

Madam Xu, from the Xu family, hasn't been feeling well lately, and she coughed a few times.

Hearing the noise outside, Xu Kuan clicked his tongue in disdain. "People from the marketplace are not as refined as those from scholarly families. Mingxuan, I've already made arrangements for you. After the New Year, you'll be studying at Songshan Academy, where there are some good teachers."

Songshan Academy is a hundred li away from Lin'an City. It is the best academy near Lin'an. It is not easy to get into Songshan Academy. Xu Kuan went to great lengths to get in.

Xu Mingxuan was quite happy to be able to study at Songshan Academy. "After I leave, I'll leave the family in your care, Father. Mother is prone to illness during seasonal changes, so you and Yunzhu must take good care of her."

"You don't need to worry about things at home, just focus on your studies." Xu Kuan tried to find his son several marriage partners, but none of them responded.

Their family had fallen on hard times; no one in the Xu family held official positions in the court, and they had even offended some people, forcing them to move to Lin'an. Those prominent families, upon learning that Xu Mingxuan had only passed the lowest level of the imperial examinations (xiucai), ultimately lost interest. Some merchants did try to curry favor, but Xu Kuan felt his son was excellent in every way and should marry a girl from a respectable family.

After much deliberation, Xu Kuan and his wife decided it would be better to wait until after the trial. If Xu Mingxuan could pass the provincial examination and become a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial examination), his social status would be significantly different, making it much easier to arrange a marriage later. As for the possibility of him passing the imperial examination and becoming a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest level of the imperial examination), they dared not even consider it.

Xu Kuan only had one son, Xu Mingxuan, so he was bound to plan meticulously for his son's future, as the entire family's future depended on him.

At this moment, Madam Xu interjected, "Going to Songshan Academy is a good thing. Your father spent a lot of money on this. Once you get to the academy, study hard. As for expenses, don't compare yourself to others."

Their family is not as well off as before, and they have no income. Every penny they spend is less than what they earn, and her health is also poor. As she spoke, Madam Xu couldn't help but cough again, "Cough cough, by the way, a few days ago, your second uncle sent some tea. You took it and distributed it to the neighbors. Since we live here, we inevitably have to look after each other. They sent New Year's gifts before, so we should return the favor."

The reason for the late delivery was that Madam Xu had been struggling with what to give as a gift. With limited funds, she worried about being criticized for giving something too cheap, while she couldn't afford anything expensive. Fortunately, her brother-in-law had given her some tea among the New Year's gifts a few days prior, which she could share with other families.

Xu Kuan: "Isn't it unnecessary to do all this?"

“I understand what you mean, sir. You're thinking that after Mingxuan passes the imperial examination, we'll move as well,” Madam Xu said, coughing again. “But sir, the future is uncertain. We don't know how many days it will be before we move. Since we're already here, it's better to focus on the present. Nobody knows if we'll need their help in the future.”

Having experienced it once, Mrs. Xu understood a little better. She usually didn't go out, and her neighbors would come to visit her. Although they didn't really have anything in common to talk about and each had their own thoughts, everyone has their own little thoughts, and she was no exception.

Xu Kuan stopped talking, waved his hand, and told Xu Mingxuan to deliver the tea.

Xu Mingxuan started delivering the gifts from the alley entrance, and finally went to the Lu family and the Qiao family. He went to the Lu family first, but he couldn't get a word in with Lu Zhao and came out quickly.

As soon as I left the Lu family's house, I heard the lively noise from the Qiao family's house. I knocked on the door and went in, and saw a large family sitting around the fire in the yard, chatting and laughing as they all looked over.

“Uncle and Aunt, my parents sent me to deliver tea,” Xu Mingxuan said.

"Why be so polite with such precious things?" Madam Lin said with a smile as she stood up, but still accepted the tea leaves from Xu Mingxuan. She had given the Xu family cured meat, so accepting the tea leaves wasn't a bargain for her. "You've come at the right time. Mianmian and the others buried some sweet potatoes in the ashes. They'll be ready to eat in a little while."

The roasted sweet potatoes are sweet, soft, and glutinous. Qiaojia sweet potatoes are all of the sandy and sweet variety, and you can already smell their sweet aroma.

Qiao Mianmian was busy poking at the sweet potatoes in the ashes. She wasn't hungry, but roasting sweet potatoes was interesting, and the process of roasting them was something to look forward to.

She didn't look up until her mother called her. "What did you say, Mother?"

"I'm asking you, are there any ripe sweet potatoes?" Lin asked.

"It'll take a while, they just put it in not long ago." Qiao Mianmian, unaware that there was dust on her nose, was still smiling. "Xu Xiucai, sit for a while, or is something wrong at your home?"

Seeing so many people from the Qiao family, Xu Mingxuan quickly nodded, "My parents are waiting for me to go back. Thank you, Auntie. I'll head back now."

However, he still glanced at Qiao Mianmian a few more times. The little girl was still innocent and carefree, not bound by rules. Even with dust on her face, she was still chatting and laughing.

"Alright, please thank your parents for me." Lin looked at the oil paper package in her hand. Since there were many people in the family, she said, "I'll go make you some tea and see how the Xu family's tea is."

While Lin was boiling water to make tea, Qiao Manyu inquired about Xu Mingxuan.

Qiao Mancang said, "His family is newly moved here, living at the entrance of the alley. They just passed the imperial examination this year. I heard that their ancestors also had a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) who served as officials in Bianjing (Kaifeng)."

"That's a big shot, how come he's ended up living in a back alley?" Qiao Manyu asked.

Qiao Mancang said he didn't know, "His family doesn't go out much. They usually exchange gifts, but they don't chat much. The Xu family members aren't good at chatting."

"We should find out more. Isn't Mianmian about to come of age?" Qiao Manyu said with a meaningful smile.

Qiao Mianmian thought to herself that during the New Year, these relatives were indeed going to talk about these things, especially in ancient times when there was no other entertainment, so when they gathered together, they could only chat.

However, she had no feelings for Xu Mingxuan, and because of the original owner of the body, she was deliberately avoiding him.

Upon hearing this, Qiao Mancang's eyes widened immediately, and he quickly gave his younger brother a look, signaling that he shouldn't say anything.

Qiao Manyu looked at her elder brother with a puzzled expression. The two brothers' expressions were quite obvious, but Qiao Mianmian pretended not to notice.

Fortunately, Mrs. Lin brought out a teapot and offered everyone tea.

Speaking of marriage, the wedding of Qiao Jiawang and Lin Xiahe will be held after the New Year. Qiao Manhua immediately said, "Brother, if there is anything I can help with when Jiawang gets married, just let me know."

He Shi chimed in, "It'll be the same when Xia He gets married, just give the instructions, elder brother. We didn't know you were short of money before, and when Mother brought it up later, Manhua felt really guilty. This time, we'll definitely help if we can!"

Qiao Manhua and his wife did not live in Lin'an City, and they generally knew nothing about their two older brothers' families. They would only find out something if someone specifically asked them to.

Qiao Mancang naturally agreed, but he knew in his heart that the garden would be busiest after the start of spring, and it would be impossible to ask his third brother's family to come and help.

However, there are indeed many things to do after the New Year. My son and daughter are getting married, and the dates are so close together. Just thinking about it gives me a headache, which leads to some topics of conversation.

The elders were chatting about their wedding banquet after the New Year. Some of the younger generation were afraid to talk about themselves, some were shy, and others just wanted to have fun.

Seeing that the roasted sweet potatoes were cooked, Qiao Mianmian shared some with her brothers, and she and her fourth sister also shared one. They were fragrant, sweet, and delicious.

"Second brother, where are you going?" Qiao Mianmian asked as her second brother got up.

"Shh." Qiao Jiaxing made a shushing gesture and whispered, "There's a street performance, I want to go see it."

When it came to juggling, Qiao Mianmian wanted to go too, and her eyes lit up instantly.

The siblings went out together, leaving only the youngest, Qiao Huanhuan, busy eating roasted sweet potatoes, unaware that her older brothers and sisters had all left.

However, Qiao Manhua soon discovered that all her children were missing, and she asked in a panic, "Jiasheng? Qiao Jiasheng, where did you go?"

"They went to see the acrobatics." Qiao Manyu had just heard this and saw his third brother stand up to leave, so he stood up and pulled him to sit down. "Manhua, don't be in such a hurry."

He sighed and said earnestly, "We know Jiasheng is very important to you, but the child is grown up, really grown up, old enough to be married. He's not a daughter of a wealthy family, can he live under your noses forever? You'll get old eventually, won't you?"

Qiao Manhua pursed her lips and remained silent.

Qiao Manyu continued, "When you get old and can't work anymore, who will look after Jiasheng? Won't he have to support the family himself?"

Qiao Mancang nodded in agreement, "Yes, Third Brother, it's time to let go appropriately. Jiasheng is quite obedient. If you keep restraining him, he won't amount to anything in the future. Don't think your older brothers are being harsh; we're family, that's why we're saying these things. Besides, Third Brother, have you even asked if the child is happy?"

"I...I..." Qiao Manhua took a deep breath, her heart still pounding, "I'm just afraid that something else might happen..."

"Pah, pah, pah, nothing will happen," Qiao Manyu interrupted. "If he's going to join the army or become a镖师 (bodyguard/escort), then you can stop him without saying anything. He's seventeen already. If he's just going to watch a street performance, he has so many brothers and sisters around. What kidnapper would kidnap such a big kid?"

"But……"

"No buts, let the brothers and sisters play. It's the New Year, have fun." Qiao Manyu patted her younger brother's arm, but her daughter objected.

When Qiao Huanhuan learned that her older siblings had all gone to see the variety show but she hadn't, she cried and said that she wanted to go too.

Qiao Manyu's youngest daughter was the apple of her eye. Hearing her cry, Qiao Manyu couldn't sit still.

However, when Qiao Youfu heard his granddaughter crying, he came out from the backyard and said, "Huanhuan, come with your grandfather. I'll buy you a sugar figurine. I'll only buy one for you. It's their fault for not taking you with them."

"Okay, Grandfather is the best!" Qiao Huanhuan immediately wiped away her tears.

Others also came out from the backyard. When Mrs. He learned that her son had gone to see the vaudeville show, she assumed that her husband had agreed, so she didn't say much, but just kept looking towards the door.

The juggling performances weren't held every day; sometimes they wouldn't happen for three months. Qiao Mianmian and the others didn't return until evening.

Along the way, the siblings were still talking about how amazing the jugglers were. When they got home, Mrs. Lin had already cooked noodles and called them to wash their hands and eat.

When Qiao Jiasheng saw his father, he instinctively felt guilty and wanted to explain, "Dad, I..."

"Let's eat first." Qiao Manhua took a deep breath and forced a smile. "Was the juggling entertaining?"

"It's amazing! You didn't see it? They can stack three people on top of each other, and one of them can breathe fire!" Qiao Jiasheng was stunned. After starting to talk, he found that his father wasn't angry, and he couldn't suppress his smile. "They can even jump through fire hoops! They're so amazing!"

Qiao Manhua looked at her son and suddenly asked, "Jiasheng, are you so happy?"

"Happy, very happy!" Qiao Jiasheng hadn't seen a variety show in several years. There were no such variety show troupes in the village, and they rarely went to the city, so they might not be able to catch one.

Qiao Manhua didn't say anything more. She watched as her sister-in-law and the others brought over noodles and told her son to eat first.

After dinner, the Qiao brothers were still talking about acrobatics.

If the second wife's family hadn't had to go back, they could have continued talking.

When He entered the room, her brows were furrowed. "I saw that Jiasheng burned his hand. I should have told him not to go to the acrobatics; he would have gotten hurt there."

Qiao Manhua looked at his wife for a while before asking, "Xiaocao, do you think burning your hand a little will have any impact on Jiasheng?"

“It’s not a problem now, but if we hadn’t been careful back then, we could have burned more places, and it would have been too late for regrets.” He’s maiden name was Xiaocao (Little Grass). Because her older brothers and sisters had all died, the village elders said that giving her a humble name with a sense of resilience might help her grow up safely. So, her family named her He Xiaocao (Little Grass), and she really did grow up safely. “When I heard Jiasheng talking about breathing fire and jumping through fire hoops, just hearing about it made me feel dangerous.”

Is it really necessary?

Qiao Manhua looked at the sky outside the house. A cold wind blew in, and He Shi told him to quickly close the wooden window.

"It's freezing! What's the point of looking at the moon? There's no moon to see today." Mrs. He took off her coat and crawled into the quilt. "I have to say, my elder brother's family is doing much better now. They bought a new house, and even their quilts are newly sewn. When do you think we'll be able to build a few more brick houses?"

“Xiaocao, I think Jiasheng is very happy.” Qiao Manhua didn’t hear what his wife said after that. He sat on the edge of the bed. “Today, my two older brothers told me that Jiasheng is not young anymore. I thought to myself, how could he not be young? He’s not even married yet.”

He lowered his head and gave a bitter smile. "But when he came back, I realized he was taller than me and his arms were stronger. Xiao Cao, do you think he's happy with us taking care of Jiasheng like this all these years?"

He fell silent for a long time, then said with a sore nose, "What am I supposed to do? He's my lifeblood."

"Go to sleep, go to sleep first." Qiao Manhua blew out the candlestick and patted He Shi's back. The couple were both thinking of their two children who had died young. This night was destined to be sleepless.

Qiao Jiasheng was also awake; he tossed and turned, waking Qiao Jiaxing.

"Jiasheng, if you don't go to sleep, you won't be able to get up tomorrow." Qiao Jiaxing was so sleepy that he could barely keep his eyes open.

“Brother Jiaxing, I can’t sleep.” Qiao Jiasheng felt guilty. “Actually, I know why my parents kept such a close eye on me. The year my younger brother and sister passed away, my mother didn’t eat or drink for two days and almost didn’t make it through.”

Qiao Jiasheng was very young then, only three years old, so he couldn't remember much.

"Don't overthink it," Qiao Jiaxing said.

"Brother Jiaxing, is there someone you miss very much?" Qiao Jiasheng clutched the blankets tightly, his eyes wide open in the darkness. "When my younger brother and sister died, my mother was bedridden and couldn't get up, and my father still had to work. I smashed my forehead in the yard. Just then, my maternal grandfather came over, carried me into the house, and threw me into my mother's arms. He scolded my mother, asking if she wanted to kill another child. I cried, and my mother cried too, but from that day on, she was the same as before, working, cleaning the house, and taking care of me."

“In our village, we don’t hold memorial services for babies who die young, but my parents do. A few months ago, my parents went to the grave to pull weeds and brought some freshly made osmanthus cakes. They miss their younger siblings, but they will never see them again.”

After a pause, Qiao Jiasheng said regretfully, "I should have told them before I left today."

Someone you really want?

Qiao Jiaxing slowly opened his eyes. In the darkness, no one could see anyone else, so no one knew who was crying. "Jiasheng, your third uncle and aunt are not blaming you."

“I thought my dad would scold me, but he didn’t today.” Qiao Jiasheng turned over to face Qiao Jiaxing. “I thought I would feel relieved, but it’s not as satisfying as him scolding me. Oh well, let’s not think about it anymore. Let’s go to sleep quickly. We have to go to Uncle’s house tomorrow.”

It was Qiao Jiaxing's turn to be unable to sleep. He could hear Qiao Jiasheng's even breathing coming from the side, but he was still not sleepy.

His mother passed away before he could remember anything. He only knew from snippets of conversation with family and relatives that his mother was a very gentle person, and he was very curious about just how gentle she was.

Qiao Jiaxing loves his current mother very much. She treats all five of them, her children, very well and never favors one over the other. He is very grateful that his father married his mother.

But he often wondered if his mother would blame him or regret giving birth to him, because she had suffered severe bleeding during childbirth and died.

Qiao Jiaxing usually seems carefree and always smiling, but there is often a blurry figure in his dreams. He wants to apologize to her, but every time, he can't say it.

The more unfamiliar someone is with her, the more obsessed they become with her.

That night, Qiao Jiaxing lay awake for a long time before finally falling asleep. The next day, Qiao Jiasheng called him repeatedly before he woke up, rubbing his eyes. "Jiasheng, what time is it?"

"It's broad daylight, and the whole family is getting ready for dinner." Qiao Jiasheng had already washed up and came to wake Qiao Jiaxing up.

Qiao Jiaxing yawned and said, "You go eat first, I'll be right there."

Every year, the Qiao family celebrates the New Year the same way: the third branch of the family comes to the city, then has dinner with the first and second branches of the family, and then spends New Year's Eve together.

It wasn't until the second day of the Lunar New Year that the third family returned home.

Previously, Qiao Mancang's house was too small, so Qiao Manhua and his wife had to stay at Qiao Manyu's house, while Qiao Jiasheng and his brother Qiao Jiawang would squeeze in together.

With three more rooms this year, they are much more comfortable living here. Logically, they should be getting plenty of rest, but Qiao Mianmian noticed that her third uncle and aunt both had dark circles under their eyes.

However, Qiao Mianmian didn't dare to ask if they weren't sleeping well, just in case the couple was very loving.

The whole family went to Qiao Manyu's house for a meal and then came back together.

On New Year's Eve, people started putting up Spring Festival couplets in the morning. After getting up, Qiao Mianmian kneaded the dough and prepared to make dumplings.

Thinking of Lu Zhao and Qingjiu, who lived just a wall away, Qiao Mianmian called over her second brother, "Go over and tell them not to make dumplings. We'll make some and send them two plates later."

"How about we just invite them over to eat?" Qiao Jiaxing suggested.

“Lord Lu won’t come. He has a strong sense of boundaries. On a holiday like the New Year, if you call him, do you believe he’ll say he suddenly has official business?” Qiao Mianmian once saw Lu Zhao and Qingjiu sitting by the river. The two of them clearly said they had made an appointment with their colleagues and couldn’t come to her house for dinner, but it turned out to be just an excuse they made up. “On a holiday like the New Year, if I smell the burning smell coming from next door, I can’t bear it.”

Qiao Jiaxing agreed and jogged to the Lu family's house. The door was open, and he stepped over the threshold and went in. He saw Lu Zhao and Qing Jiu kneading dough, both looking utterly hopeless.

He felt that Lu Zhao might take out his sword and chop the mushy dough in the wooden basin at any moment.