Chapter 109
The two of them usually discuss and decide on everyday matters at home.
However, Yingxiang was very strict about two things: money and marital relations.
The former, when he heard of it, was able to abide by it. He also felt that it was the man's duty to earn money outside the home and the woman to manage the finances at home. He basically didn't interfere. He gave the money to Yingxiang and let her do as she pleased. If she needed anything, he would tell her, and Yingxiang would give it to him.
The two never argued or quarreled about this.
Another matter is marital relations.
It's unclear when it started, but things aren't something he can just do whenever he wants.
After a long while, in the darkness, Wen Shi asked with a hint of resentment, "Is it really not going to work?"
Yingxiang remained silent, knowing it was definitely impossible. In ancient times, there was no way to prevent pregnancy, and she didn't want to have another child. She could only rely on her safe period and wouldn't let him do what he did before.
"Let's wait a few days. I'm doing this for your own good."
Wen Shi turned his head, somewhat puzzled. For his own good? For what good? He thought for a long time but still couldn't figure it out. He wasn't that old, after all.
He suddenly heard his wife's soft breathing. He sighed and then closed his eyes. He used to be casual about it, but now, apart from the few days when she had her period, there were several days when it was impossible.
She must be tired. There are no major issues to attend to at the shop, but there must be plenty of minor ones. Thinking of this, Wen Shi slowly drifted off to sleep.
So many years have passed, and their relationship is still very good. It's not like she really won't let him touch her anymore, so why think so much?
The following morning, he took two packets of white tea and led his son to the school.
Thank you.
Master Xu glanced at Wen Shi. He had received quite a few gifts this year, but the Wen family had always sent tea, which was quite practical.
Compared to other parents, he had a very good impression of Wen Shi. Most of the children were brought to school by their mothers or grandparents, but he was the father. He would ask Wen Shi how his studies were going from time to time, and he would also quiz Wen Shi on his own.
Compared to those elderly men who come with only a few things, grab their hands and ask all sorts of questions, ultimately asking them to take good care of and teach their grandchildren, Wen Shi's father was much more appealing.
Compared to other students, Wen Leqian was considered well-behaved.
After watching Wen Shi leave, he told Wen Leqian to sit down and then carefully put away the tea leaves.
Inside the Hanlin Academy, around noon, everyone took a break and started chatting. Since they were all fathers, the conversation naturally turned to their children.
During this period, two people stood out.
One of them is Wang, a scholar who has no son. He was in the same class as Wen Shi. After his first wife passed away, he remarried. However, his second wife has not yet had any children, but she treats his two daughters well and is very gentle and virtuous. He is not in a hurry.
Secondly, there was Wen Shi, who had only one son.
“Brother Wen, I think your son is getting on in years. You should have another one.”
Wen Shi had always laughed it off before. He and his wife had limited energy. They had taken care of the child together before, and he knew that children don't grow up on their own after birth. They need to eat, drink, be coaxed, and be held, which is very tiring.
But today, he felt a strange sense of unease.
Wen Leqian is indeed getting older, and Yingxiang's business seems to be doing well, so the family's income is stable. When family members come to visit in the future, they can also help take care of the children.
"Having a child is something that depends on fate. If it's meant to be, it will come eventually."
These words were spoken by Wang Tanhua, and he agreed with them upon hearing them.
The couple had always been sexually active, but they didn't have children for the first two years after they got married. They only had Leqian later.
"I have a secret recipe. If you want it, I can share it with you. It will definitely work."
"I believe in God. If God blesses me, I will surely have many children and grandchildren in the future."
Upon hearing Wang Tanhua's words, Wen Shi chuckled lightly and then echoed his sentiment.
Every medicine has its side effects, and he didn't think that taking medicine would necessarily cure him. The two of them had separated in the past few years, and Wen Shi thought that he should work harder in the future and also tell Ying Xiang that they should have another child.
In recent years, he has been staying at the Hanlin Academy, and the busiest time of the year is at the end of the year. After that, things will get much better.
Wen Shi thought about it seriously. If they were to have another child, it would be best if it were a daughter, so they could have both a son and a daughter. How wonderful that would be!
In the teahouse, Yingxiang got up early to withdraw money and gave it directly to Granny Yang. Granny Yang was overjoyed and happily accepted the money.
"Thank you, shopkeeper."
Grandma Yang was all smiles all morning.
In the afternoon, Yingxiang suddenly saw a familiar-looking woman with a little maid. After recognizing her, Yingxiang remembered her.
She is Yang Xun's wife; she had visited the Yang family before.
Seeing that the mother and daughter were in much better spirits, especially Yang Xun's wife, who looked radiant and full of vitality compared to when they first met.
Her hair was combed meticulously, and she had gained some weight.
"Long time no see, Madam Wen."
"Yes, please sit down."
"Give me two packs of fried meat, my son likes it."
"good."
The waiter immediately went to the kitchen to pack the food. Yingxiang took the opportunity to look at the little girl next to her. She still looked very thin, but the little girl had a sweet smile on her face, so she must be doing better than before.
Remembering what Wen Shi had told her before, that the Yang family had all gone back, she wasn't too surprised.
Previously, Old Lady Yang had wanted Yang Xun's wife to come and work for her. She didn't explicitly refuse because she knew that the woman wouldn't come.
Scholars care about their reputation, and it probably caused quite a stir later on, which was a twist of fate.
Yingxiang picked up a piece of pastry and handed it to the little girl.
"Thank you, Auntie."
"Eat."
Then she handed a piece of milk cake to Yang Xun's wife.
Yingxiang smiled as the fried meat came out. Yang Xun's wife thanked her and led her daughter out.
"Shopkeeper, that little girl is quite thin, is she someone we know?"
"I guess so."
"But I noticed that girl's hands are a bit rough. She's so young, she must do a lot of housework at home."
Suddenly, Granny Yang said something. Outside, the cold wind howled and snowflakes fluttered. Yingxiang looked towards the door, but could no longer see the backs of the mother and daughter.
She didn't say anything more. Granny Yang's main business was buying and selling slaves, and she was very good at judging people.
"She also has a son."
Yingxiang added a sentence.
The Yang family has always favored sons over daughters. Even though there are four of them now, as long as Yang Xun's wife doesn't mistreat their daughter, they certainly won't raise her the same way as their son.
In a village, children this young would all be doing chores. There would always be something for you to do. If you couldn't work in the fields, you could wash dishes or tend the fire. There would always be something you could do.
"No wonder, but there's nothing we can do about it. They don't seem to be very well-off. Their son will need money to get married and have children, and their daughter will need a decent dowry."
Such is the way of the world, and Yingxiang will not say much more.
Anyway, she definitely won't have any more children. She has one son; any money she can't spend in the future will be his anyway.
She doesn't discriminate against girls, but in this era, even royalty and the wealthy have the same preference for sons; that's just the way things are.
In the evening, after arriving home, Yingxiang washed her hands and prepared dinner.
Midway through, the father and son returned. Wen Shi came to help, carrying half a pound of fatty meat, which was to be rendered into lard.
When the lard in the bowl was almost gone, Yingxiang told him to go to the other stove and get the leaner pieces, which would be perfect for stir-frying.
As Wen Shi was cutting meat, he thought about what had happened during the day, and his lips moved: "Wife, now that Leqian is all grown up, we can start preparing to have another one."
"Wouldn't it be even better if we could have both a son and a daughter?"
In the end, he expressed great anticipation.
"My husband, let's discuss this matter properly tonight."
He was taken aback for a moment, but did not refuse.
In the past, he worried about the future and whether his family would have enough to eat, but that problem would not exist in the future. Even if Yingxiang did not go out to do business, his salary of two hundred taels of silver per year would be enough to support them.
He can't live off that two hundred taels of salary his whole life; he'll eventually have to move.
At least he was a second-class Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations). Even if he failed to live up to expectations and spent several decades in officialdom, he would still retire at the fourth or fifth rank.
During the meal, Wen Leqian keenly sensed that something seemed amiss at the dinner table. Although his family rarely spoke while eating, something was clearly off today.
His mother ate with her head down, and upon closer inspection, there was nothing wrong with her.
His father, however, remained silent as always.
"Why are you looking at your mother? Is there something on your face?"
Upon hearing Yingxiang's words, the child suddenly smiled.
"Mother, eat meat."
Wen Shi glanced at his wife out of the corner of his eye, and frowned almost imperceptibly as he recalled what had happened in the kitchen.
Was she angry with him because of the child? Did she not want it?
Upon hearing this, my feelings became very complicated.
If that's really the reason, he can't understand it.
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