Chapter 170
He was mostly filled with emotion.
When they arrived home, Xinxin was playing by the pond in the garden. The water in the pond was very shallow, only enough to submerge about half of his body. A maid was watching over him, so Wen Shi wasn't worried about his safety.
He strode inside.
In the main room of the backyard, two maids stood at the door. Yingxiang sat on the daybed, dressed appropriately, pruning a bunch of flowers. She cut away the messy branches and leaves, leaving the delicate and beautiful flowers.
"You're back?"
It wasn't even noon yet, and Wen Shi returned much earlier than she had expected.
Wen Shi nodded and then sat down to the side.
"Xinxin's schooling cannot be delayed. Once I'm familiar with my work in a few days, I'll send him to school immediately."
Yingxiang nodded.
“I ran into Brother Hu at the Ministry of Rites, the same Hu Yong’an from before.”
Yingxiang still vaguely remembered this person.
"It's better to be able to work with people you used to know."
Wen Shi wasn't too surprised that Hu Yong'an had gotten to where he was today. He had climbed up step by step on his own, and besides, he already had family connections and resources.
Those who failed to stay in the Hanlin Academy back then were mostly sent out to other places.
He went to the Ministry of Rites and rose through the ranks from the lowest-ranking official to where he is today; he's quite capable.
Wen Shi never looked down on anyone.
"My lady, I will be attending court starting tomorrow."
When Wen Shi said this, he was surprisingly calm. Before, he had been looking forward to it with great anticipation, but when the day actually came, he was not as excited as before.
"Go on, my husband. You've just gone to court. There's a saying that goes, 'Too much talk leads to mistakes.'"
Wen Shi smiled, picked up the teapot beside him, poured himself a cup of water, took a sip, and looked at Yingxiang.
"Is this honey water?"
"Yes, I bought acacia honey before."
"It's sweet."
After hearing this, he drank it all in one gulp.
"I remember we used to own a farm outside the city?"
I don't care as much about other things, but this one is different.
"Yes, business is alright."
Yingxiang sat to the side, with nothing to worry about.
The sun is shining brightly outside. It rained this morning, so it's not as hot as before.
“I’ll start saving up for Leqian’s betrothal gifts next year; they’ll definitely be substantial.”
Yingxiang knew what her husband meant; he valued this very much, but wasn't he being a little too hasty?
“I told Leqian that if there are any gatherings or parties and he is invited by others, he should go and take a look. If he meets a woman he likes, we can go and propose marriage.”
Yingxiang had said this to her son several times, especially after they returned to the capital. But she noticed that her son was always out early and back late, studying. On his days off, he would sometimes go out, but when she asked, he would say he was out drinking tea and wine with his classmates and friends. He hardly ever saw any young girls.
“He’s not interested in these things.”
"His marriage is no small matter."
Wen Shi is currently a Beijing official, a fourth-rank official, which is not high but not low either.
If he were to attend court, he would be able to stand in a position slightly towards the back of the middle, certainly not at the very end.
Wen Shi is a good man, and Ying Xiang knows that. The couple cannot reach a consensus on this point, even though they both want what's best for the child, their ideas are indeed different.
She had initially thought that the child was also very important, but now the child seemed to have lost interest in it and looked indifferent.
I had some expectations a few years ago, but in the last two years, they've faded.
At dinner, the family sat together, and Yingxiang immediately asked him, since there was no one else around, and as for Old Man Wen and Liu Shi, they weren't that important.
“Mother, many of my classmates have already gotten married, but married life is not necessarily happy, there are always arguments.”
"It would be best if I could be like you and Father, but if not, it's alright. A real man shouldn't be bound by love and career. If you and Father feel that your son is of age, you can make the decision for him. Your son will listen to you."
Wen Leqian looked completely indifferent, as if he didn't care at all.
Old Man Wen was getting a little anxious.
"Leqian, your career is important, but having children is also important. You're not young anymore, so think it over. If you ask me, Third Brother, you should settle down with him first, and then get married in a few years. Good girls don't wait for anyone. Now that you've been promoted, you must know a lot of people, so there's bound to be someone suitable. Ask around more about her later."
Remembering what had happened before, Liu remained silent and focused on eating the chicken leg in her hand.
Wen Shi glanced at her son.
“You’re not young anymore. There’s something I need to tell you: marriage is a big deal. Once you’re engaged and married, whether you like it or not, you have to settle down and live your life properly. You can’t neglect your wife, and you absolutely cannot be immoral.”
“It’s good that you’re focusing on your studies right now. In that case, I’ll help you with this. Your mother can prepare the betrothal gifts for you.”
When Wen Shi was promoted and returned to the capital, his salary was now eight hundred taels a year, plus rewards. His family spent a lot of money to buy a house, but if they saved for two years, they could prepare a decent dowry for him. The family didn't rely entirely on him for a living; Yingxiang also had shops under her management.
"Third brother, you mustn't delay the child's development."
"Father, this can't be decided in a short time. Afterwards, I need to go to Ping'an Village to transfer the land and house ownership. Have you thought about who you want the house for?"
Old Man Wen was taken aback.
"We'll proceed with the land as agreed beforehand. You can transfer the land to the children of the second and fourth sons."
"As for that mansion, the front will go to the fourth son, and the back to the second son."
"But we can't just give it away for free. The two families have to contribute some money. In the end, the house is still paid for by you."
It did cost several hundred taels of silver at the time; it was the first time Wen Shi had received an award, and he hadn't forgotten it.
“I’ve thought about it. Let each of the two families contribute seventy-five taels, for a total of one hundred and fifty taels. You take one hundred, and don’t give your elder brother a house. Give him the remaining fifty taels so he can open a school or something, so he can earn a living in the future.”
Wen Chuanzong's life wasn't that hard. It was just that his life wasn't as good as his brothers', but everyone had worked hard to make it. No matter how cold or hot the weather, the second and fourth brothers never stopped working in the fields. During the off-season, they would go to nearby towns to work and earn money.
Wen Shi and Xiao Wu achieved their current success through diligent study.
As the children grew up, Old Man Wen thought for a long time about Wen Chuanzong, who was also his son.
Even if you don't give him any land or houses, you can give him some money.
"If neither the second nor the fourth son is willing to pay, then give him a room in the front and a room in the back."
“I know your older brother is no good, but I can’t just abandon him. Over the years, the family has relied on you. Your mother and I are where we are today because of you. I hope you won’t have any objections to this. You are brothers, blood is thicker than water.”
Yingxiang didn't say anything. The old man was still biased, but fortunately, she didn't have any expectations of him.
It's unclear whether Xiuyu and Ma are willing to contribute money.
Wen Shi didn't think much about it. The house was originally intended as a place for his family to stay, and he hadn't wanted it. Besides, he was doing quite well now.
They're all brothers; if they can't make it, they won't have an easy time either, and they'll definitely cling to him.
"My second and fourth brothers both need to support their children's education, so I don't need the hundred taels."
"Let's go back and take care of this when I'm resting. You can make the decision, Dad."
As Old Man Wen spoke, he felt a mix of emotions, and the dining room fell silent.
Yingxiang didn't say anything either. In the end, it was Wenshi who paid for it, so there was no need to be so calculating. It was better this way; they had all been brought out, and they couldn't just ignore their lives.
It's not easy for a family to settle down in Beijing.
Although the money her father gave her for buying this house was a drop in the ocean, it was better than nothing.
It's all just adding to the existing structure; this house can't be divided.
at night
In Ping'an Village, Wen Chuanzong lay angrily on the bed, while Xiuyu kept saying that she wanted to go see Wen Shi. The couple already knew that Wen Shi had returned after being promoted.
“I’m his older brother, he should come to see me.”
"You call yourself the elder brother? If you were successful and acted arrogantly, the third brother would accept it. But look at you now, how pathetic you are."
Wen Chuanzong was a little angry. Upon closer inspection, he noticed that some gray hairs had grown on his head.
Although Xiuyu's words were harsh, they were true; he couldn't stand up for himself in front of Lao San.
He sighed deeply and then closed his eyes.
The next day at four o'clock
Wen Shi immediately got up and began to put on his official robes; today was his first day attending court.
"You go to sleep, I'll go do my work first, we'll have dinner together when I get back tonight."
Yingxiang mumbled a sleepy "Mmm".
It was already daylight outside. I didn't dare to eat much, so I ate a bowl of steamed egg custard to fill my stomach, and then got into the carriage.
When he arrived at the palace gate, there were already many ministers standing there. As soon as he got out of the carriage, someone came over.
"Brother Wen."
"Just stand next to me."
The appointed time had not yet arrived, and the palace gates remained closed.
Wen Shi nodded. Zhu Shangshu, as his superior, also gave Wen Shi a few words of advice after he came over.
He was very respectful when he heard this, which made him feel even better.
Before long, a luxurious carriage arrived, surrounded by many guards and servants, with ministers lined up on both sides, who also moved quickly upon hearing the news.
"Your Highness, we have come to pay our respects."
The young and capable Crown Prince stepped down from the carriage in a black python robe and immediately called out to the crowd. Several of his close brothers came forward to talk to him.
The once bustling palace gate suddenly became quiet.
"That is His Highness the Crown Prince, the Empress's legitimate son."
Wen Shi had heard of the Crown Prince before. Although he was quite far away, his eyesight was good. The Crown Prince looked dashing and very strong. Upon closer inspection, he looked quite similar to the previous Emperor Jingyuan.
Even after being away from the capital for many years, he still has a deep memory of Emperor Jingyuan and is grateful to him, otherwise he wouldn't be who he is today.
As soon as the palace gates opened, everyone went inside, remaining vigilant and focused.
"The Eastern Palace has not yet been repaired, so Your Highness will be residing outside for the time being."
Now Wen Shi understood.
On the first day of court, as expected, he was placed in his position. After everyone paid their respects, they all stood up.
Emperor Jingyuan sat high above, his hair completely white, but his spirits were still good. He would report if there was anything to report, and otherwise leave the court, as he always had.
Fortunately, nothing happened today.
Emperor Jingyuan sat at the head of the table and could clearly see every minister below. His gaze lingered on Wen Shi for a long time.
After the court session, he immediately sent someone to summon Wen Shi.
Upon arriving at the Imperial Study, Wen Shi bowed and greeted the Emperor. After he stood up, he was very close to Emperor Jingyuan.
"I have heard that you have been away for many years, yet you have always been as diligent in your work as ever. I have read all your memorials."
"If the national treasury is full, do you think it would be good if I allocated some funds to allow local officials to purchase some land from merchants and distribute it to some poor people?"
After pondering for a moment, he said, "The Emperor's grace will surely make the people grateful."
Buying with money won't offend anyone. Although merchants have a low social status, their businesses are still hard-earned. It wouldn't be appropriate to take a penny from them or drive the price down too low.
If the national treasury has money, it's best to be able to spend it; the importance of land to the people is self-evident.
“In recent years, the weather has been favorable and there have been no major disasters. My Great Qi has more than 30 prefectures. I have been thinking about this matter. Now, we can distribute the money to each prefecture. On average, each prefecture will receive 100,000 taels of silver. There is no problem.”
The total came to over three million taels of silver, but there was no war on the frontier and no pressure on supplies, so the money could be spent. Although half of it would have to go out at once, Emperor Jingyuan didn't mind.
It's all for the good of the people and for a more stable national government.
Having worked on it for a while, the most important thing is to ensure that this land is allocated to those who need it.
He immediately told Emperor Jingyuan.
"I know, I will entrust this matter to the Crown Prince."
Wen Shi was not surprised. This was to help the Crown Prince win over the people and ensure the stability of the country. There was nothing wrong with that, and the Crown Prince seemed quite capable.
"I remember you said before that my will is the most important factor in choosing a crown prince. But what if I were to choose a prince who is not very wise as the heir apparent? What would you do then?"
"Your subject will certainly submit a memorial to the emperor, urging him to think thrice before acting."
"At this point, my feelings are no longer important?"
Emperor Jingyuan appeared calm, but Wen Shi couldn't guess what he was thinking. He wore a faint smile, exuding an air of authority without anger.
Wen Shi wasn't afraid at all. He said what he had to say. Different situations require different solutions. The person in front of him wasn't a really incompetent ruler who acted recklessly and arbitrarily executed ministers.
"Your Majesty's wishes are important, but the fact that our Great Qi can last for ten thousand years is even more important. Your Majesty is a wise ruler, and I believe you will listen to my advice."
Emperor Jingyuan's laughter suddenly became more hearty.
"Alright, you can go ahead and get busy. Zhou Ping, go and get three thousand taels of silver to reward Wen Qing."
"yes."
"Your Majesty, I thank you."
Wen Shi was somewhat nervous when he came out of the Imperial Study.
He naturally carried some loose silver with him, and when Zhou Ping handed him the reward, he immediately handed him the bag of loose silver.
"Thank you, Eunuch Zhou."
"Sir, you don't need to be so polite."
Zhou Ping smiled broadly as he watched Wen Shi leave. He subtly weighed the money in his hand; it wasn't a small amount.
Wen Shi carefully put away the money, intending to give it to Yingxiang when he got home. This was an unexpected surprise, but everything was still regulated. In the past, when one held a lower official position, the reward was only a few hundred taels of silver, but now it was much more.
It's impossible to have that much every day. The money isn't much, but it's not a small amount either. It could be good if my wife wanted to open a shop or something after we got back.
The family still needs to increase its income. With two sons, it's impossible for him not to feel some pressure.
After arriving at the Ministry of Rites, Wen Shi was in a good mood and began to work.
He has served as a high-ranking official and worked under others, so there's nothing to be afraid of. If he's careful, he won't make any mistakes.
The busiest time is expected to be next year when students travel to Beijing for the imperial examinations; there aren't that many things to do right now.
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