Chapter 121
In the evening, Yingxiang returned home. After cooking rice, she immediately boiled water to take a bath and change her clothes.
Today, she brought back some unsold roast pork and some specially reserved cold dishes to save on cooking dinner. Her hair was still half-dry when she came back with her child.
At that moment, she was tidying up Wen Leqian's old clothes in his room.
His room's closet wasn't very big to begin with, and Yingxiang tidied up all the clothes he couldn't wear anymore, leaving his closet half empty.
"Mom, are all my clothes going to be thrown away?"
"No, I'll have your dad take it to your brother later."
Naturally, it's for Ma's son. Yingxiang had given quite a few before, but these clothes are too old to wear now. Sending them over will allow her little nephew to wear them too. They don't have much contact with Wen Chuanzong's family. Ma was genuinely happy when she gave them to her before. They're useless at home for a while and take up space. It's more spacious over there.
"Put it anywhere, it's perfect, I'll be going there in a few days."
For Wen Shi, this was just a small favor.
Should I go too?
"If you and Mother aren't going, I'll go."
Yingxiang didn't intend to go either. She couldn't leave her own side; the child needed to go to school. She had already met with him before, and Wen Shi wouldn't let him delay things. This time, he was probably going there mainly to persuade Old Man Wen to buy the land as soon as possible.
Wen Shi knew perfectly well that during the years he was away from home, his father had been receiving the benefits he received from the land sales, so there was no way he couldn't come up with the money.
Compared to other families, he didn't receive many benefits. Yingxiang's family's land was rented for free, and he also received benefits from some relatives and friends, but apart from his uncle's family, they would all give him some benefits.
Over the years, little by little, there must have been some accumulated.
The father and son had eaten this cold dish before and found it refreshing and spicy, and it went well with rice. Neither of them were picky eaters, and they were both full after eating two bowls of rice.
As night fell, a light drizzle suddenly began to fall outside.
But in spring, the people also need rain. The rain drizzled down. Inside the house, Wen Shi held Ying Xiang in his arms. Neither of them had gone to sleep yet.
The candle by the bedside was almost burned out. Looking at his wife's fair shoulders, Wen Shi hugged her tightly.
“My wife, I will definitely buy you a house that is even bigger than that mansion in the future, and it must be in the city.”
Yingxiang smiled and clung to his chest; she trusted him.
Money needs to be saved, but as long as his career goes smoothly, there will eventually come a day when his salary will gradually increase, and at the same time, his rewards will certainly increase as well.
"Oh, right, husband, take those bolts of satin to the shop and have them made into clothes. One for you, one for me, and two for the children."
"Go to sleep."
Sleepiness came over her, and Yingxiang quickly fell asleep.
Half a month had passed since the day Wen Shi took leave, and it was almost April. On this day, after dropping off the children, he went to the village again with two large bundles in his arms.
The once spacious and quiet courtyard changed drastically after people moved in. When Wen Shi arrived, he found his fourth brother digging something in the front hall.
"Fourth brother, these are clothes for the child."
Wen Laosi stepped forward in one swift motion. In the past few years, he and his wife had not bought any clothes for their child.
"Thank you, Third Brother."
Where is Dad?
"I went out to see a play with my mother. I'll be back for lunch at noon."
Wen Shi nodded and slowly walked to the backyard. He wasn't too surprised to see the few people working in the field.
Amian let the child sit under the eaves. Wen Chuanzong's youngest son seemed very well-behaved. When he saw him, he called him "Third Uncle." Wen Shi glanced at him and nodded.
The weather was getting hotter and hotter, but it wouldn't be right not to do it. Xiuyu was sitting inside when she heard the commotion outside, so she immediately ran out.
"Third brother is back. Are you hungry? How about your sister-in-law makes you something to eat? We have everything we need in this house."
She had a fawning expression, but the three people working in the field—Yuqin, Madam Ma, and Amian—all felt a certain degree of contempt for her.
"Thank you, sister-in-law, but no need. We'll have lunch together when my parents come back."
Where are the children?
"They've all gone out to play."
"Never go near the water."
"That's definitely not the case; they wouldn't dare."
“Your eldest brother is with you, don’t worry. He said he wanted to go out for a spring outing and to study. The children couldn’t stay at home, so they went out with him. Only the two younger ones are at home, one sleeping inside and the other sitting.”
Xiuyu really dislikes her son A-mian. She always looks at him fiercely, but she can't bring herself to hit him or insult him. She usually just ignores him.
Children aren't stupid; after a few times, they'll keep their distance from her.
Springtime is here, the scenery is beautiful, and there are mountains and forests nearby.
Wen Shi stood under the eaves. The half-acre plot that had been reserved for him had now been divided up. Chickens and pigs were raised on both sides, and some vegetables were even planted, some of which had even sprouted.
The middle section is simple; it's divided into a chicken coop and a vegetable garden.
"By the way, third brother, don't forget about the children's schooling."
"Have you bought the car yet?"
“I bought it. I bought a black mule and harnessed it to a mule cart that can seat several people. It’s being kept in the back. Your second brother built a straw shed for it, but that’s not appropriate.”
Upon hearing this, Yuqin glanced at Xiuyu, who turned her head away, feeling somewhat embarrassed.
The most convenient option was supposed to be an oxcart, since oxen could also plow the fields. However, oxen were hard to find and extremely expensive. When we went out together, Old Man Wen absolutely refused, saying that spending tens of taels of silver was like asking for trouble. In the end, we had to settle for second best.
When Wen Chuanzong saw the mule cart after it was bought, he felt extremely uncomfortable. Liu Shi also looked unhappy, and they inevitably had a few more arguments, but they all passed by. At present, the second son is the one who mainly feeds and takes care of the black mule.
A black donkey would have been fine, but Old Man Wen insisted on buying a mule, and he paid for it, so the others couldn't say anything.
Anyway, in this family, apart from Wen Chuanzong and Liu Shi, no one dislikes Black Mule.
"Alright, later, let my second brother come with me to the city to take the children to see the city first, get the money, and if possible, they can start school tomorrow. They've had quite a few days of rest."
"Okay, okay, sister-in-law will come too."
Wen Shi did not object and turned to head towards the front hall.
When Old Man Wen returned, it was already noon. He also brought Wen Xiaowu with him; he had gone out to inquire about the academy.
"Third Brother, I've looked at a few, but none of them are particularly suitable."
There are hundreds of academies of all sizes in the capital, some famous and some not. I have never studied here, so I can't offer any advice.
I comforted my younger brother and told him to take his time searching.
At noon, it was the eldest family's turn to cook. Xiuyu pretended to cook in the kitchen and managed to get the food ready with A-Mian.
After finishing their meal, Wen Shi pulled Wen's father into the house.
When the topic of buying land came up, Old Man Wen started to dodge the question again. Liu Shi sat to the side, not paying much attention; she was unlikely to get involved in the land purchase.
“Your wife’s shop must also have times when she needs to work.”
Old Man Wen still preferred this one, and Wen Shi's lips moved slightly.
“Yingxiang is just a shop that barely makes ends meet, Dad. Do you really want the brothers to stay at home and do nothing for the next few years?”
“Buy five or six acres first. You don’t have to pay taxes. After you keep enough grain for the family to eat, divide it into three portions. Dad, you don’t have to work in the fields. You can split the money from the grain sale with your second and fourth sons.”
Old Man Wen seemed somewhat receptive, but he remained seated, saying nothing.
Wen Shi added one last thing: "Father, I also have a son. He will also take the imperial examination and get married in the future. We are not a rural family. If someone prepares a grand dowry for their daughter, can we refuse to give a betrothal gift? We can only give more, not less, otherwise we will lose face. Yingxiang and I have been renting a house until now."
Old Man Wen looked up and glanced at Wen Shi.
"That's not what I meant, Dad. I know how much money the second and fourth sons have made over the years. You can't expect me to pay for it all."
I was speechless when I heard this; it turns out it was because of this.
"They also have children to raise."
"How much will that cost?"
"Let them pay for it, then we'll buy more."
"Buy ten acres of land first, and prepare five hundred taels of silver. If you're going to buy land, buy good land, so you can harvest more grain."
Wen Shi immediately quoted the highest price. He also needed to resolve this matter quickly. If he really bought it and couldn't handle it, then Old Man Wen certainly wouldn't be able to keep it, and he would also get a share of the profits.
"I'll talk to my second brother and fourth brother."
"Father will only take two hundred taels."
Old Man Wen gritted his teeth.
Wen Shi went straight out and called over his two other brothers.
He couldn't possibly make decisions for them directly. After explaining things clearly, the two looked at him and said they wanted to call him "wife," so he said, "then call her that."
Yuqin and Madam Ma were quick-witted. In order to avoid taxation, they wanted to register the property under Wenshi's name. He said no, so they definitely wouldn't accept it, since everyone trusted his character.
If they don't sell the land, they won't be able to find work, and they probably won't make any money from it.
The thought of spending eighty percent of her money at once made Yuqin feel a pang of heartache. But she couldn't let Wen Lao Er sit idle. She had raised pigs and chickens, but they couldn't be sold for money right now, and the money would only be enough to cover expenses.
Now that my son is older and has gone to school, there will definitely be more and more expenses.
Wen Shi explained it very clearly, and a written agreement can be drawn up in advance.
"Dad, we'll pay for it, let's buy it."
Ma echoed this sentiment. Old Man Wen looked at his two sons. Everyone knew that, in general, it was their two families who would benefit. Wen Shi had said that as long as they paid the money, the property would be transferred to their two families afterward.
It's worth the work, even if it's tiring, but making money is always a good thing.
"Take the money, Third Brother, you wait here."
Wen Shi breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this situation; at least he had managed to persuade them. Wen Lao Er and Lao Si were clearly more clear-headed than their father.
Having your own land is the best thing, as it can be left to your children in the future.
To be frank, the place they're living in right now belongs to the third son. The family is living in harmony now, but if things change in the future, they won't be able to sleep outside.
Everyone knows that the third son isn't that kind of person, but since both of them have children, they naturally think about their children's future.
If a child's education is not a viable path, they still need to make a living, and in that case, farming becomes the best option.
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