Chapter 182
"After the New Year, Leqian and the others will also be preparing to go back. We will give them three hundred taels of silver from this year's rewards. One hundred taels will be donated to the village ancestral hall, which can be used for its reconstruction. The remaining two hundred taels will be used to renovate the original courtyard of their home."
Wen Shi roughly calculated the days; the exam was in August, and Le Qian would arrive in mid-July. The family had a carriage, but they still had to set off early.
This is a big deal and cannot be delayed.
“If he passes the exam this time and becomes an official, we won’t have to give him money every year.”
Wen Shi did not spoil his child. Yingxiang thought about it and realized that if he were to be raised like his father was back then, that would be quite good. Two hundred taels of silver a year, with food and lodging at home, would be enough for him.
As for Chen Chu, we can continue to give her money. Women's expenses are higher, while men aren't as particular.
"It would be great if he could stay at the Hanlin Academy, but if he has to leave in the future, let his wife go with him."
Yingxiang was quite in favor of Wen Shi's arrangements.
They don't need their daughter-in-law to clean and serve them, nor is it necessary.
Wen Shi knew that Le Qian was well-versed in scholarship and that passing the provincial examination was a certainty. The real challenge lay in the subsequent metropolitan and palace examinations. He wondered if Le Qian's final ranking would be as high as his own had been, and whether he could pass the imperial examinations and become a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations). The latter was very important.
Only those who passed the imperial examination could be promoted to official positions. Although his family was very different from before, they could only offer limited help. He himself did not hold a position in the Ministry of Personnel, and he had no connections there.
The exam questions and examiners are different each year, and the results are not yet available, so no one knows.
"Entering officialdom is just the beginning. Cultivating oneself, rectifying one's conduct, being honest and upright—everyone knows these things, but few can uphold them for a lifetime."
Wen Shi suddenly said this, and Yingxiang thought he was expressing his feelings, so she echoed him with a few words.
As winter set in, the weather grew increasingly cold, and the continuous heavy snow caused the temperature to plummet. Yingxiang had already put on a thick cotton coat. With the end of the year approaching, she planned to visit her family's shops and estates.
At this time of year, farms typically focus on animal husbandry, and there's not much output from the fields.
The amusement park is similar; when the weather gets cold, fewer people are willing to go out, let alone children. Yingxiang made a lot of money when the weather was warmer, and after doing the math, she realized that it was still profitable.
After deducting all costs, there is still an income of several hundred taels of silver per year.
After this year's income was tallied, Wen Shi's reward was also announced.
"Go and call the young mistress over to pick something out and see if there's anything she likes."
Shen Chu arrived shortly afterward and was in a good mood when she saw Ying Xiang wearing the dress she had made.
Several bolts of silk were laid out on the table, along with some exquisite jewelry.
The calligraphy and paintings were also among them, but Shen Chu didn't lack these either.
She picked out a piece of silver silk and a pair of pearl earrings.
After watching her daughter-in-law leave, Yingxiang looked at the remaining items and had them packed up and put in the storeroom. Her old clothes were to be placed on the dressing table, while the rest of the new ones could be kept.
After sending the people away, Yingxiang took out her money box, opened the account book, and checked all the expenses and income for the year. She heard that there were 500 taels of reward and 800 taels of salary this year, which were the income in silver.
Her income this year wasn't much, totaling two thousand three hundred taels of silver, with the majority coming from the farm's production.
Wen Shi had received a reward of three thousand taels of silver, most of which was spent on her son's wedding. Later, she bought several acres of land to grow mulberry trees and raise silkworms. In addition, she rented a courtyard and opened an amusement park. With this year's income, she has recovered her initial investment.
Yingxiang sat on the couch, counting on her fingers. She knew exactly what she was doing; she had kept a record of every single expense in the account book.
Remembering what Wen Shi had told her, she took out several hundred taels of silver. Three hundred taels of this were earmarked for specific purposes, as things in the county were not expensive. Another one hundred taels was for her son's schooling next year, plus travel expenses to return home, which would definitely be enough. There was also one hundred and fifty taels for her daughter-in-law, which she would give after the New Year.
The rest is for household use.
Unexpected expenses kept coming, and they couldn't be reduced. Yingxiang sighed helplessly, tidied up her things, and put them back. Compared to before, things were much better now.
The family's annual income is now over three thousand taels. If nothing unexpected happens, the annual expenses are a stable seven or eight hundred taels. There won't be any large expenses in the next few years. The biggest expenses in the past few years, besides buying this house, will be for Leqian's wedding.
Fortunately, Xinxin is still young, and it will be at least ten years from now. During this time, barring any unforeseen circumstances, they can still save a considerable amount. If they want to buy a new mansion in the future, selling this will at least offset half of the cost.
If Leqian passes the exam smoothly, it won't be long before he and his wife won't need any money from home. Although Shen Chu brought her dowry into the family, Yingxiang isn't stingy and wouldn't refuse to give her a single penny.
With her dowry, Shen Chu was certainly able to live a good life.
She was also taking stock, and the combined income from the shops and fields this year had brought in some revenue.
“Granny, I don’t want to just sit around and do nothing. The dowry my mother gave me is, in the end, limited.”
The ten-mile-long red bridal procession and one hundred and twenty-eight loads of dowry were all put together for her. Chen Chu took out her money box and counted the savings inside.
When she left, her stepmother gave her some money to keep her company. Although it wasn't much, it included her previous savings, as well as the money her grandmother had left her before she passed away.
After getting married, she didn't use much of her dowry money in the Wen family. Her mother-in-law would provide for her living expenses, and she didn't buy many clothes or jewelry. With elders around, their lives seemed very simple. If she had been particular about extravagance, her life might not have been peaceful.
Shen Chu was also a cautious person.
"What does the young lady want to do?"
The wet nurse looked at her daughter.
"With this money, buying a small estate shouldn't be a problem."
"With your fiancé about to retire next year and his future uncertain, are you sure you want to spend all this money, young lady?"
Chen Chu sat in front of the charcoal fire, her fair face looking exceptionally beautiful in the firelight. After speaking, she took out the shop's contract, thought for a moment, and then put it back in.
Although the location isn't great, it still generates income.
"Three thousand taels, let's buy a smaller one. We should keep some money; it's just sitting there anyway."
“I still have some dowry items that look nice but are useless, and there’s no point in leaving them here.”
"You mean those fabrics and jewelry, young lady?"
"yes."
"Selling it directly as collateral might not be a good idea."
"Some of the gold and silver is really ugly, and I don't like the style either. There's no need to pawn it. Just find a craftsman to melt it down. As for the fabric, it can be used as a favor later."
"That works too."
"But in the end, none of these things are as important as your belly. I think the madam is a good person and never urges you, but you still have to take it to heart. Having offspring is important."
“My husband is busy right now, and I can’t manage on my own. He hasn’t been back for a long time.”
When Shen Chu said this, he was also a little troubled, but to be honest, his future was still more important.
“This old servant knows, but young lady, you are not only a celestial being descended to earth, but also quite beautiful. Could it be that your husband is having an affair?”
The wet nurse asked with some concern.
These days, there are quite a few men who keep mistresses. Many sons of wealthy families and officials do this. If word gets out, at most it will ruin their reputation, but it won't affect their careers too much.
The wet nurse had lived in the Wen family for a while before leaving. She had a place to live in the capital. Although she was not a legitimate dowry member, it would not be appropriate for her to continue living there, especially since she had already redeemed herself and had her own family.
With the Lunar New Year approaching, she took the opportunity to visit Chen Chu.
"No, that won't happen."
“My husband also has servants by his side. My mother-in-law knows everything he does. My father-in-law has no concubines, let alone mistresses. He wouldn’t do anything reckless outside.”
Shen Chu was very certain about this. She didn't even need to observe carefully. Wen Shi often scolded Wen Yixin for studying. Once, she was in the garden and even heard crying coming from the front yard.
My father-in-law is very strict. Xinxin is a bit mischievous and doesn't focus entirely on her studies; she prefers to play more.
Wen Shi, however, valued this highly. As he grew older, Wen Shi often scolded him for it, and each time he was very strict.
In addition, he also valued the children's character; Xinxin never dared to waste food.
Shen Chu trusted the Wen family's upbringing. She couldn't say for sure about other things, but her husband and brother-in-law had both been strictly disciplined by their father-in-law, so they certainly wouldn't misbehave.
“My husband isn’t a playboy; he’s definitely busy with important matters. Next year will probably be even more difficult. Let’s wait until he finishes his exams.”
Shen Chu and Le Qian had a harmonious marriage. He never brought up the topic of concubines. He seemed to be a gentleman with a good character.
"It's good that the girl knows what's going on."
"The old lady was worried about you. Fortunately, you're married now, and things will be a completely different world from now on."
Being unloved by her father and mother meant that life was destined to be tough, but Shen Chu had long since accepted this and would simply live her life well; she had already made it through.
We're not rich or famous these days, but we're free and comfortable. We have enough money, a peaceful life, and my husband is ambitious.
With the year-end approaching, Wen Shi took a break at home after finishing her last few busy days.
Family members also came over one after another to prepare for the Chinese New Year.
"Third Uncle, the New Year is just around the corner. This year, I've prepared some gifts for all the elders. The Huizhou ink is for you, as I've heard you enjoy practicing calligraphy."
Wen Shi looked at his nephew, Wen Chuanzong's eldest son, with some surprise; this thing wasn't cheap.
Inside the hall, Wen Chuanzong suddenly looked at his eldest son, and his expression changed instantly.
Good lad, the filial piety money given to him is only twenty taels of silver, yet he actually bought such a fine ink block for Wen Shi. Does he not deserve to be a father?
Xu Yi, who was sitting to the side with her large pregnant belly, accepted the gift and immediately felt relieved.
"Second Uncle, this is a gift I prepared for you. You work hard all year round, and your body must be quite worn out. This is a health-preserving pill from Jinghetang, made with some good medicinal materials, which can help nourish your body."
"Fourth Uncle, this is for you, it's also a health-preserving pill."
Even if the pills developed by the clinic aren't as miraculous as advertised, they're certainly much better than the elixirs in the hands of Taoist priests, and at least they won't have any adverse effects.
Wen Chuanzong's eldest son gave his parents and grandparents money as a filial gift, and the amounts varied. He had also earned some money this year. The others gave him gifts.
The remaining children are all in school and none of them earn money, so there's no need to send them gifts; they'll all be supported by the family anyway.
"Third brother, sister-in-law, look at our second son, he still doesn't have a wife."
Xiuyu was still thinking the same way. As soon as she said this, Wen Chuanzong's second son couldn't help but look at Wen Shi with a hint of expectation in his eyes.
Wen Shi didn't overlook this either; "Sister-in-law, there's no use rushing things like marriage. In the end, it's up to the children to live their own lives. As for what you said about marrying a daughter of an official, the children will go back to take the exam next year. If he can pass, then there's a good chance he'll be fine."
Upon hearing this, Wen Chuanzong's second son also wilted.
He had already taken the test once, and he knew perfectly well that it wouldn't be so easy. The hall immediately fell silent.
Overall, the New Year was quite enjoyable. Once the New Year was over, everyone went back to their own lives.
At the end of March, Yingxiang and Chenchu went to the Shen family again.
This time, she was attending Miss Shen's wedding banquet. Looking at her younger sister, who was sitting proudly in front of the dressing table, Shen Chu sat silently to the side.
"This eldest son of the Chen family is the second son of a marquis. I heard that he is handsome and elegant, and the Chen family is wealthy. After my sister marries into the family, her life will be wonderful."
These words were spoken by Miss Shen. The two were sisters born of the same mother, so their relationship was naturally closer, and the age difference between them was not significant.
This marriage can be considered a high-status marriage for the Shen family. Although the second son will not inherit the title, he will not be bad off in the future. The Marquis's mansion will not lack wealth and honor, and the second young master Chen has always been known for his virtue.
"Didn't my brother-in-law come today?"
Chen Chu shook her head. Yingxiang was sitting outside, and there were quite a few guests. If she didn't come in, it would only cause gossip.
The sisters aren't that close in private, but sometimes they have to pretend.
"Dad said that my eldest sister's husband will be participating in the competition this year. Didn't my sister go to the temple to pray for him?"
"It's not time yet."
We definitely have to go. Yingxiang said the whole family will go. Spring is here and flowers are in bloom. Going out to worship Buddha and enjoy the spring scenery will be a great way to relax.
The time was approaching, and the aunt came in to help her daughter put on the veil. Holding the handkerchief, she looked more delighted than anything else.
After attending so many wedding banquets, they all become the same.
Yingxiang sat idly, drinking tea, waiting to see the bride off so she could pick up her chopsticks and eat at the banquet.
Compared to Shen Chu's wedding banquet, this one was significantly more grand. Many people could understand this, as one was marrying down and the other was marrying up, so naturally they were different.
The aunt had worked hard for a long time to arrange this marriage, and she had also given her daughter a generous dowry in private.
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