Chapter 5
No girl doesn't love beauty.
Lunch was served on a full table, almost like during the Lunar New Year. In Yingxiang's family, there was no such thing as separating men and women. Her stepbrothers were not married, and she was the only woman in the family, so there was no need to deliberately separate them.
Setting up a table for two people would be a waste, but with Wen Shi here today, we can all sit down.
"Come on, son-in-law. You're a scholar, you need to use your brain, so you must eat more."
No matter how greedy or temperamental Yingxiang's younger brothers were, they dared not misbehave in front of their father and watched helplessly as he served Wenshi a large bowl full of meat.
Madam Hu didn't say anything; she knew that Yingxiang's father had taken a liking to Wen Shi, a scholar.
The courtyard, neither too big nor too small, was filled with the aroma of food.
Wen Shi naturally declined, feeling it was inappropriate to let his elders add meat to his plate.
"Dad, you are the elder, and filial piety should come first. Please eat first."
"Dad will eat in a bit, you eat first, don't be shy. Don't you scholars say that you can't disobey your parents' orders? Eat up."
After Yingxiang's father finished speaking, he chuckled, and his sons, regardless of what they thought in their hearts, echoed him on the surface.
Unable to refuse, Wen Shi finally accepted it.
All the meat the two brought today was stewed, filling a large pot. Madam Hu also boiled several eggs and killed a chicken. This was what Yingxiang's father ordered last night, and she didn't dare to disobey him, because he really would hit people.
"Thank you, Dad."
"No need for formalities among family, come and eat."
Yingxiang's father picked up his chopsticks after everyone else. The pork, with its perfect balance of lean and fat, was stewed until very tender, and everyone ate quickly at the table.
Yingxiang ate a lot of meat, her little belly was bulging. She ignored her father's glares at her, whether intentionally or unintentionally, and just ate. Health is important, she wouldn't deliberately eat less, there's no need for that.
The Hu family was similar; it was a rare treat to indulge in such a feast throughout the year. A large pot of chicken soup, a large bowl of meat, two extra dishes of pickled vegetables, plus stir-fried eggplant and bok choy—no matter how it tasted, they ate it all up without leaving a single bite.
After the meal, Madam Hu went to clean up, but Yingxiang didn't touch the food.
"Now that you're married, you're an adult. You must be filial to your parents-in-law and take good care of your son-in-law."
"Don't worry, Father, Xiang'er understands."
“You must take your father’s words to heart. Just hearing them is not enough. Your son-in-law is not an ordinary person. You must serve him well and take care of him. Whatever he says goes.”
Wen Shi went to the outhouse, and Yingxiang's father seized the opportunity to educate Yingxiang.
"If men are reliable, pigs can fly," Yingxiang thought to herself, but kept agreeing with it verbally.
“Your mother passed away early, and now you only have me as your father. If you become successful in the future, you must not be an ungrateful person. Your stepmother has been good to you, and you also need to take care of your younger brothers.”
"Don't worry, Father. If that day ever comes, Xiang'er will definitely give you plenty of money, and you can do whatever you want with it."
"That would be perfect. Your father went through a lot of hardship to raise you."
"Uh-huh."
After Wen Shi came over, Ying Xiang sat down on the other side. The two continued talking. She looked at the sky listlessly, then at the chickens in the coop and the fat pig in the pigpen.
Before long, it was afternoon, and the two of them should have gone back.
Yingxiang's father wanted them to stay for another meal that evening, but Madam Hu was clearly reluctant. Although she verbally agreed, she secretly hoped they would leave quickly.
Wen Shi wasn't a greedy person. Although a meal wasn't much, he could tell that the lunch he had eaten at noon was already quite a lot, so he quickly said goodbye.
"By the way, son-in-law, now that you're going back to study, don't worry about Yingxiang staying with you. She's very capable."
For some reason, Madam Hu suddenly uttered this remark, and Wen Shi glanced at her.
"Mother, Yingxiang will come to school with me."
"What?"
Yingxiang's father was stunned when he heard this, and looked at his daughter in disbelief.
"Father, I want to go with my husband so that I can take care of him, cook for him, and do his laundry."
Yingxiang quickly added, otherwise her father would really think she was going to enjoy a life of luxury. After saying this, Yingxiang's father and Madam Hu looked at each other, nodded, and didn't say anything more. It was a perfectly reasonable thing to do.
The Wen family has already produced a scholar, so they must have a lot of money. Since we're not spending their money, it's good that they can afford to support us.
"It's getting late. Please take care of yourselves, Father-in-law and Mother-in-law. I'll take my leave now."
"Take care, please come back for dinner another time."
"good."
Watching the two leave until they were out of sight, Madam Hu followed Yingxiang's father back home. Seeing Yingxiang's father looking pleased with himself, she didn't dare to dampen his spirits and turned to go to the kitchen.
I felt so sorry for her today, she ate so much, I hope it will pay off in the future.
When they arrived, their hands were full of things, but when they left, they were empty. Yingxiang looked around as she walked.
The village is picturesque with clear waters and lush mountains. They greet passersby from time to time. Some are simple and honest farmers, while others are cunning. However, the two were about to leave, so they didn't mind.
As the sun set and the evening glow painted half the sky red, Yingxiang looked up and thought about her future life, feeling quite happy.
She had been to the town a few times. It was much better and more prosperous than the village, and there were also more opportunities. After going there, she thought about whether she could start a small business and make some money.
This man may not be reliable, but the money in his hands is definitely real.
The two walked back home, and by the time they reached their doorstep, it was already getting dark.
"Boil some water, I want to take a bath."
Yingxiang wanted to make herself look neat and tidy as she was leaving tomorrow. Wenshi glanced at her but didn't say anything.
In the middle of the night, Yingxiang vaguely felt someone wiping her body. She wanted to do it, but she was too weak.
Forget it, we'll settle the score tomorrow. This person went too far.
Wen Shi went to bed very late but got up very early. She didn't even have time to eat. Yingxiang quickly put all her things into her dowry chest.
She didn't actually have much stuff, and as for Wen Shi, she didn't bring much back at all.
"When you go to town, don't embarrass the third brother. Be diligent."
As Liu looked at Yingxiang, who had come out to eat, she suddenly said this.
Yingxiang nodded without saying anything. She was in a good mood and didn't need to argue with this mother-in-law. Trying to control her was just wishful thinking.
Wen Ersao looked at Yingxiang with some envy. She could only go to the town a few times a year, but she didn't expect Yingxiang to live in the town and be able to go to the market every day. It was impossible for her not to feel jealous.
Her eyes darkened, and she glanced at the man beside her. She immediately gave up hope, fearing she would never have a chance in this lifetime.
Seeing that Yingxiang was about to leave with her dowry chest, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law didn't say anything.
"Father, Mother, please take care of yourselves."
"Go."
Although the eldest son is considered successful, he still doesn't hold any official position. It would be impossible for the couple to say that they have no expectations for the third son.
Watching the two leave, Yingxiang walked along the village path, feeling relaxed all over. A gentle breeze blew by, and she couldn't help but show an expression of enjoyment.
Wen Shi helped her carry the dowry chest and walked towards the village entrance without saying a word.
After a while, the oxcart arrived, and the two of them got on and slowly left the village. They would definitely not return until the New Year. Wen Shi, who usually only had two days off a month, would not come back easily.
Yingxiang looked on with anticipation for life in the town.
It was almost noon, and the sun was high in the sky. She was wearing a plain dress today, and she was sweating a little. Her cheeks were flushed. Wen Shi kept glancing at his wife out of the corner of his eye.
At that moment, her cheeks were like those of a ripe fruit on a tree.
He's doing a little better.
"Five coins per person."
Upon reaching the town entrance, everyone on the carriage disembarked. Some were visiting relatives, while others were selling goods. Wen Shi quickly paid the money and led Ying Xiang into the town.
Yingxiang's hair had already grown to her waist. Today she had let half of it down, but she planned to tie it all up when the weather got hotter, otherwise it would be too hot.
Following Wen Shi all the way to his rented house, it took almost half an hour, and Yingxiang felt her legs were about to go numb.
Thankfully, we've finally arrived.
The courtyard gate is always open, and the landlord, who lives in the middle of the courtyard, only closes it at night. Most of the people who rent here are poor students.
Wen Shi was no exception. The small room was cramped. The first thing you could see was a wooden bed, next to which was a small table and chairs with some odds and ends underneath. Behind the bed was a small bath tub, and there was no other furniture.
"Come in."
Looking at the somewhat cramped house and the clothes piled up by the bed, Yingxiang couldn't help but sigh in her heart.
This man was even poorer than she had imagined, but he had it tough too. His family had done everything they could to support his education, but unfortunately, it wasn't him. Oh well, she could always rely on herself in the future.
"The outhouse is to the left, and the kitchen is to the right. I don't usually use the kitchen, but you'll definitely need to cook later, so I'll take you out to have a look first and get some kitchen utensils along the way."
"So what do you usually eat?"
Yingxiang asked instinctively.
“The private school provides one meal every day at noon, that’s enough.”
After hearing this, Wen Shi glanced at Ying Xiang with some surprise. He lifted the quilt, counted out some copper coins, put them on his person, and walked out first. Ying Xiang thought of something, immediately opened the box, put the small purse on her person, and followed behind him. She couldn't be short of money.
At this time of day, the nearby market is no longer bustling, but there are still some vendors.
"It's still quite safe here, but only during the day. Don't go out at night."
Yingxiang nodded and looked around at the shops with curiosity. This amount of money was enough for her to buy quite a few things.
"I should have brought it from home."
When Wen Shi was buying rice at the store, Ying Xiang subconsciously spoke up. Wen Shi glanced at her, his thin lips moved, but he swallowed his words.
Yingxiang probably guessed it too, but she was willing to go all out.
White rice and white flour were out of the question, so I bought two pounds of brown rice and some cornmeal, along with vinegar and salt.
Pots, pans, bowls, tea sets, and other utensils also needed to be purchased. The two of them were carrying a lot of things along the way. After returning home, they went to the outhouse while Wen Shi was waiting. Ying Xiang quickly closed the door and started signing in.
Unexpectedly, the system gave her a big gift this time.
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