Chapter 109 [VIP]

People outside rushed in upon hearing the commotion and separated the two who were tearing at each other.

Liang Bozhan's clothes were loose, and Liang Botao's hair was disheveled. Both of them were panting and their faces were full of anger.

Liang Bozhan pointed at his nose and angrily said, "You are supposed to be an elder brother, yet you say such shameless things! You framed your elder brother so that he couldn't take the imperial examination, and now you want to harm his students. Your heart is extremely vicious!"

Liang Botao stood up, dusted off his clothes, and still acted like a dead pig that wasn't afraid of boiling water. "Since Third Brother thinks I did it, then I did it. I have nothing to say. If you want to beat or kill me, just report it to the authorities."

"you!"

Family scandals should not be aired in public, especially since this matter involves Qinghuai's reputation. He was certain that his elder brother would not dare to alarm the authorities.

“I spared you from going too far back then because of our brotherly bond, but now that you’ve harmed my apprentice, I can’t let it go so easily. I’m not going to give you the 20% of the profits from our family shop every year that I promised you. Our brotherly relationship ends here, and we will never see each other again, whether we are sick or alive.”

Liang Botao never expected his elder brother to be so heartless. "No, no, no, elder brother, you can't do this! That interest was promised to me by Father, why are you refusing to give it to me!"

"Now that Father is gone, the entire Liang family belongs to me. I can give it to you whenever I want, or I can leave you with nothing if I don't want to."

Although Liang Botao held a sinecure, his salary was meager, only six guan per month, which was far from enough to cover the family's food and drink expenses.

Over the years, they have relied entirely on dividends from their ancestral property, receiving more than two thousand strings of cash annually. The family had long been accustomed to a life of luxury, and suddenly losing their money was more painful than death.

Liang Boqing was too lazy to look at his face anymore, and waved his hand to have him carried out.

After everyone left, Old Liang held his forehead, his vision blurred, and he almost fainted.

Chen Qingyan, who was standing next to him, quickly helped him up, "Master..."

"It's alright, help me inside to rest for a while."

This matter had been weighing on his mind for so many years, and now that it was finally out in the open, he felt no joy, but rather an unusually heavy and depressed mood.

The second brother only remembers his father's favoritism, but forgets that he himself took him under his wing when he first started learning, holding his hand and teaching him to read and write. All this brotherly affection is no match for a few words from outsiders.

That's enough, that's enough.

In the end, it was brothers fighting amongst themselves, and flesh and blood separated. From now on, I will pretend that I have no brother.

The maid who climbed into the bed was eventually punished. After Liang Botao was expelled, Liang Bozhan gave an order to the Liang family's shops in the city, forbidding the second branch of the family from taking money without permission.

The money exchange had also been informed that the second branch's nameplate would no longer be valid, and they would not be able to deposit or withdraw money from the money exchange.

As the saying goes, good news doesn't travel far, but bad news travels a thousand miles. This matter concerning the Liang family quickly spread throughout Yangzhou City, and everyone knew that Liang Botao had been completely separated from his family.

People tend to be opportunistic and bully those in power. He used to hold a minor official position and had money, so naturally he was able to make many friends.

After his master cut off his money, his friends gradually distanced themselves from him. A few months later, he didn't even have money for wine. He wanted to borrow some money, but after going around, he couldn't borrow a single coin.

Liang Botao then began to regret his actions. He didn't regret doing the thing itself, but rather regretted being too hasty and making it too obvious, giving the other party a handle to use against him. He felt no remorse for his wrongdoing.

*

That said, because of this incident, Old Liang remained silent for several days. In the blink of an eye, it was already mid-November, and it was time for them to embark on their return journey.

Before leaving, Liang Bozhan and Liang Bojin brought their children to see them off.

“Brother…why don’t you stay until after the New Year? It’s been so many years since you’ve spent the New Year at home.” Liang Bojin hesitated for a long time before speaking.

“These children have to go back to take the county and children’s examinations in February. They can’t be delayed. If they pass the exams next year, I will come back to retire.”

Liang Bojin was taken aback, but the joy on his face was indescribable.

"Come here." Liang Boqing beckoned to him. In fact, Old Master Liang felt somewhat guilty towards his fourth brother.

Because of the large age difference, he had never spent time with him since childhood. In addition, what happened later made him extremely disgusted with his several half-brothers, to the point that he never spoke to him kindly.

"I heard that your second son is also taking the imperial examination next year?"

Liang Bojin quickly pulled his son out from behind, "Yes, yes, Shuo'er will take the imperial examination next year."

Liang Boqing patted the boy on the shoulder, "That's good. The sons of our Liang family should study hard, learn both literature and martial arts, and sell themselves to the imperial family. Let him prepare well and come to the capital to meet us when the time comes."

"Ah!" Just like his father, Liang Shuo greatly admired this uncle, and his eyes welled up with tears of excitement after receiving his encouragement.

As for the third son, there's nothing to tell him. He's managed the family very well over the years, so I'm at ease with him.

Liang Li helped him into the carriage.

On November 16th, an auspicious day for travel, the group set off for Jizhou, enduring a bumpy journey.

They arrived lightly equipped, but returned fully loaded, with three truckloads of goods on the back.

With mountains high and rivers far away, it was uncertain when they would meet again. Liang Bozhan was worried about their return, so he specially found four martial arts masters to escort them.

Sitting in the carriage, Chen Qingyan and the other two were eager to return home, wishing they could sprout wings and fly straight back.

Chen Qingsong said, "I don't know what's going on at home. My sister-in-law wrote that she moved to the prefectural city with my mother and elder sister, but we still don't know where they're staying."

"It's okay, we can find it by asking around when we get back."

Chen Qinghuai said, "Living in the prefectural city is much more convenient. After the county exam, I can go directly to the prefectural school and participate in the autumn imperial examination in August."

"I still don't know if I'll be able to pass the imperial examination and become a scholar..."

Liang Boqing reached out and tapped Chen Qingyan on the head, "If you can't even pass the county-level exam, you might as well give up studying and go back to farming!"

"Oh, Master, I was just saying it casually."

Chen Qinghuai and Chen Qingsong covered their mouths and chuckled, but each of them got a slap from their older brother. The two rubbed their foreheads in grievance, while Chen Qingyan burst into laughter.

Looking at the three of them, Liang Boqing smiled with relief, hoping that they could help each other and not end up like himself.

*

A heavy snow fell last night, and when I woke up this morning, the entire city of Jizhou was covered in white.

In the courtyard, Tianju and Chen Fang were shoveling snow. Tianju was the name Wang Ying gave him. Tian Daniu always felt that it sounded like a nickname and didn't sound good when he was called out when he went out to do errands, so she simply changed it to a name that was easier to pronounce.

Tian Daniu quite likes his new name. He gets upset when people call him by his old name and insists on being called by his new name.

"The boss has risen."

"Where's Little Ma?"

"He went out early this morning, saying he was going to deliver vegetables to Lord Wang's residence."

Wang Ying then remembered that today was Madam Wang's birthday. A few days ago, she had told Ma Qianzi not to forget to send some vegetables to the mansion, but she had been too busy to remember. Luckily, he remembered.

"You guys sweep, then go eat."

Wang Ying went to the east room and saw Mu Tou and Chun Sheng coaxing Yuan Bao to get dressed. The little guy buried his head in the quilt and refused to come out.

That's how it is in winter; it's cold everywhere once you leave the covers, making him miss the heated kang (traditional Chinese bed) in the village even more. It's a pity that the rented house can't be altered without permission, otherwise he could have built kangs in all the bedrooms.

"Isn't Yuanbao going to get up? Then I'll take Mutou and Chunsheng outside to build a snowman."

Yuanbao emerged from the quilt like a cicada pupa, revealing her rosy little face, and exclaimed, "I want to go too!"

"Then hurry up and get dressed."

Yuanbao put on thick cotton-padded coats, one on the left and one on the right, and wore a little tiger-head hat on his head. He looked like a doll in a New Year's painting, and was extremely cute.

Wang Ying couldn't resist and picked up her son, kissing him on both cheeks.

"Quickly ask Brother Tian to leave you a piece of snow, or it will all be swept away."

Several children ran over, left a small patch of snow on the west side of the yard, and started building a snowman with small shovels.

After playing for a quarter of an hour, the food in the kitchen was ready. Li called Yuanbao to come in for dinner, but Yuanbao dawdled and didn't want to go.

Wang Ying said, "Go inside and eat first. After you finish eating, your father will finish building the snowman."

"Okay, then Father will definitely build me the most beautiful snowman!"

"Go."

Yuanbao obediently followed his two older brothers into the house for dinner. Wang Ying, in a playful mood, picked up a shovel and built a square SpongeBob SquarePants. A little while later, she built a Patrick Star next to it.

I've almost completely forgotten all the cartoons I watched in my past life, except for these two characters who still leave a deep impression. During my senior year of college, I was under a lot of pressure, and I used this cartoon to relieve stress every day. Listening to SpongeBob's infectious laughter instantly reduced my pressure.

Just as he was about to build another Squidward, Yuanbao finished his meal. Looking at the "strangely shaped" snowman in the yard, he pouted and burst into tears, "Father's snowman is not pretty at all!"

"Hahahaha..." Wang Ying laughed so hard she almost fell over. Teasing children was so much fun.

After finishing my meal, I went to open the shop as usual; the colder the weather, the better the business.

By mid-morning, the vegetables in the shop were almost sold out. Before noon, the shop was empty, and Wang Ying closed the door and went home.

As they approached home, Wang Ying saw a carriage parked outside. Puzzled, she walked over. Qingyan had said a few days ago that he was coming back; it was impossible for him to be home so soon.

Once inside the courtyard, Wang Ying asked the gatekeeper, Chen Fang, "Who's here?"

"I don't know, but I heard the old lady call her 'sister'."

Could it be that Auntie San has arrived? Wang Ying hurriedly walked towards the east room, and just as she reached the door, she heard laughter coming from inside.

She knocked twice and went inside. There sat a middle-aged woman with a round face on the couch in the east room. Just by looking at her appearance, Wang Ying could guess her identity. Qing Huai looked seven or eight parts like her.

"This must be Fourth Aunt. Wang Ying greets Aunt."

Fang Ling nodded. "Aying, I've heard Jing-ge mention you before. You're a smart and capable girl."

"Fourth Uncle is too kind."

"Sit down. I just heard from your sister-in-law that you opened a shop in this city. How's business?"

"Business is alright, enough to cover the family's expenses."

"That's good."

Li sighed, "Thanks to Ah Ying, otherwise, with such a huge flood, we would probably be..."

Fang Ling patted her hand, "Sister-in-law is a blessed person to have married such a good son-in-law."

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Wang Ying learned that her fourth aunt had come all the way from Shanzhou. Next year, the Qinghuai Imperial Examination would be held, and her fourth uncle was unable to leave his post, so he could only send his wife back to accompany him.

The other two children in my fourth uncle's family were too young, and the cold weather and long journey might not be enough for them, so they were left in Shanzhou to be looked after by Fang Ling's mother.

Fang Ling and Li Shi hadn't seen each other for over ten years. Upon meeting again, they were both filled with emotion, especially Li Shi, who looked noticeably older due to her busy schedule, with several gray hairs at her temples.

"In the blink of an eye, we've all grown old, and our children have all grown up."

"Who can argue with that? I wonder what those three children are like now."

Fang Ling's eyes reddened when she mentioned her son. She hadn't seen Qing Huai for more than two years. What mother wouldn't miss her child? She insisted on coming to stay with him until the end of the imperial examination.

A note from the author: