Chapter 51
In the latter half of the night, the Wen family members were all preoccupied with different thoughts, and most of them tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Wen Chuanzong's return was too sudden, and his current disheveled appearance surprised and angered everyone.
He doesn't care about his family at all.
Old Man Wen once had the highest hopes for him, but now, his disappointment is even greater.
In the lobby on the first floor, Xiuyu glared fiercely at the two of them. Wen Chuanzong pulled up two stools and sat down with A Mian, but the two of them ignored her.
Old Man Wen's plight pained Wen Chuanzong, but in his current state, penniless, how would he survive if he went out?
Xiuyu thought of something, pulled up a stool and sat down, then said, "Now that you're back, a lot has happened at home recently, so I'll tell you everything."
Wen Chuanzong was taken aback, but did not refuse. Xiuyu then poured out her heart like beans from a bamboo tube. When Wen Chuanzong heard that his father had sold all the land in the family and sent all the money to Wen Shi, he immediately stood up, his eyes filled with disbelief.
"That's impossible."
He retorted instinctively.
"Why would I lie to you? Even if you want to go back to the village in the future, you probably won't have much of a way to make a living. By the way, the third brother has now found a new teacher. That teacher used to be a high-ranking official in the capital. He has connections and knowledge. If the third brother studies with him, he will become an official sooner or later, and maybe even a high-ranking one."
Wen Chuanzong subconsciously clenched his hands. A Mian, who was sitting next to him, was also somewhat dazed. Her face was pale, her eyes were lifeless, and she looked a little dazed.
This was actually the first time she had met the Wen family. She knew that there were two scholars in the Wen family.
The Wen family is currently pinning all their hopes on this person, so Wen Chuanzong will most likely be abandoned, and the Wen family is not a wealthy or powerful family.
"This is all what Father said. This year, he has given the third son a lot of money, both openly and secretly. Now he has a famous teacher in the prefectural city and lives a life of luxury. By the way, the third son's wife also gave birth to a son. Your parents were overjoyed when they saw the letter."
Wen Chuanzong's face immediately turned very ugly. Everything else was a small matter, but now the family was doing everything to support the third son. What would he do in the future?
Xiuyu was wide awake. She sat there, her tone icy. If you were to ask her what hatred was, she certainly did at first, but so much time had passed, and she was ultimately just someone else's wife.
"Oh, right, and the benefits you received from the land deal before, Dad collected them all for you. Of course, you shouldn't expect any more. He said that my husband and I still have to pay back the money we owe the family."
Wen Chuanzong's breathing suddenly became rapid. His family had sold him land for only a few taels of silver. He glanced at the second floor and for a moment, he wanted to rush up, but in the end, he gave up.
He could only sit down and think carefully about what to do in the future.
Prefectural City
Wen Shi was unaware of what had happened at home. The next morning, the weather outside was gloomy. He and Yingxiang packed up one last time, and the two of them, carrying two suitcases and holding the child, prepared to go home.
He still used a security escort agency; safety was the priority.
After careful consideration, Wen Shi sold the chickens. Yingxiang ate several during her postpartum period, and there weren't many left. He harvested the cabbages and radishes from the vegetable garden in advance and made them into pickled vegetables to keep for later consumption after the New Year. The eggs also wouldn't spoil.
The ewe cannot be sold, as goat milk is a valuable commodity. Over the past year, he has clearly felt much better than before. Moreover, his son will also need to drink milk next year, and he plans to let his child drink it every day from now on. He is still young and needs to eat well so that he can grow strong in the future.
This plump ewe is gentle and good in every way. If you sell her and then buy another one, you'll probably never find one as good as her.
The yard wasn't big, and after some thought, Wen Shi decided to ask his neighbor to take care of the ewe for now, and then bring her back when he came over next year.
He was a scholar who had lived here for a long time. He had met all the neighbors and they all respected him. He was usually very kind and friendly. He had even written couplets for them for free during the Chinese New Year.
Since his neighbor was willing to help him raise the sheep, he couldn't just take advantage of them for nothing. Wen Shi had promised his neighbor that during his absence, he would give them the sheep milk every day, or they could sell it for money and do whatever they wanted with it. In addition, he gave them some money as a reward for their hard work.
We can't take the sheep back with us; they have to stay here. Judging by the time it takes, it will take about three months to go back and forth. Even letting them roam freely in the yard isn't practical, since there's no one to watch them.
On the day of their return home, Wen Shi closed the doors to the two rooms and the kitchen. Ying Xiang, holding the child, stood at the door with two boxes beside her. Looking at the somewhat desolate courtyard inside, she couldn't help but sigh.
"Be good."
It was cold, and the family of three were all wearing thick coats. Looking at the little guy wearing a tiger-head hat, she kissed him. Now they were just waiting for Wen Shi to come out.
Let's go.
Wen locked the door and the two set off on their way home.
It seems like we came around this time last year, and we're going back this year, but the difference is that there are now three of us instead of two.
After getting into the carriage, the cold wind blew open the curtains, and Yingxiang couldn't help but look out the window. Before she knew it, they had left the city. This time, she was mentally prepared, so she didn't feel as bad as before.
"Once we get there, let's go to the shop to see our parents. I doubt they'll have enough room, so we'll have to go home tonight."
The house was still there, and Yingxiang didn't want to squeeze into the shop; it really couldn't accommodate many people. She took out a piece of cake from a box next to her and ate it.
The two prepared a lot of dry food, which they would need to eat on the road, especially since they were also traveling with a child.
The journey was filled with wind and snow, but fortunately the child was quite well-behaved. Xiao Leqian was over six months old, and Wen Shi and Ying Xiang took turns holding him. If he was hungry, they would feed him milk cake that Wen Shi had specially bought. Milk cake is a pastry made from milk, sugar and flour. It is steamed and the pastry had been crushed by Wen Shi in advance into crumbs, so it almost melts in your mouth.
He ate very well when fed slowly with a wooden spoon.
The journey was relatively smooth.
Four days later, when they arrived in the county, Wen Shi got off the carriage, took his son, helped his wife, and carried his suitcase, preparing to go home.
After a year away, Yingxiang looked around and saw that nothing had changed in the county.
It was still morning, and the sky was bright. Knowing the road was uneven, she walked with extra care while carrying the child. Wen Shi followed behind, carrying two suitcases.
He came back this time to celebrate the New Year and register for next year's autumn imperial examination. He needs to go to the government office as soon as possible to get things done; he can't delay, as this is no small matter.
At the Wen family shop, the Wen family members were still busy at work. Liu, who was sitting at the counter collecting payments, looked at her eldest son not far away and sighed helplessly.
Old Man Wen acted as if he didn't see him at all. Fortunately, A-Mian was a diligent person and kept helping out in the kitchen.
The sun came out, but the weather was still freezing. Yingxiang and Wenshi arrived at the door. Wenshi called out "Dad," and Old Man Wen immediately turned around.
Wen Chuanzong stood up instinctively.
Wen Shi and Ying Xiang were dressed very well, even wearing cloaks to keep warm. Ying Xiang was holding an infant in her arms, and the child was wearing a thick tiger-head hat to protect against the wind.
"Father, Mother, we're back."
"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back. Let's go upstairs, let's go upstairs."
"The child is so big now."
Yingxiang called out to the people, and Old Man Wen nodded with a smile.
Wen Chuanzong subconsciously followed behind his father. At first, Wen Shi didn't even realize that this was his older brother. It wasn't until he glanced at him unintentionally that he was somewhat shocked, but he didn't show it.
On the second floor, Wen Chuanzong's two children were playing. Old Man Wen took them directly to where the fourth son and his wife lived.
Hearing the commotion, Yuqin also led her son out. Her son was small and weak, and had often been bullied by the two older children, so she was keeping a close eye on him now.
"Third brother, sister-in-law is back. This child is so handsome. Haven't eaten yet? I'll go to the kitchen and get you some food and drinks."
Yuqin was very enthusiastic. After speaking, she took her son's hand and went downstairs.
Yingxiang sat down in the chair and breathed a sigh of relief; at least she had returned safely.
"Third brother, how are you doing studying in the prefectural city? You've been writing to say that everything is fine, is that true? Although the family can't help you much, we will do our best."
"I'm fine, Dad, don't worry."
Liu wouldn't be up for a while; she needed to collect the debts, so Wen Chuanzong followed behind Old Man Wen.
"Big brother."
Wen Shi remained polite on the surface. Wen Chuanzong nodded and looked at the child in Yingxiang's arms. He saw the little guy clearly; he was fair-skinned and tender, and his features were quite similar to those of the third brother.
This family of three looks like they're doing quite well.
"That's good. You must study hard. Take a few days off after you come back. Your health is important."
Old Man Wen was in a good mood and had a smile on his face the whole time.
Wen Chuanzong stood to the side, but there was nowhere to sit. He was too embarrassed to sit on the bed of the fourth brother and his wife.
"Third brother, I heard that you went to study in the prefectural city and even studied under a famous teacher. I'd like to go with you after the New Year. Could you introduce me to him?"
Wen Chuanzong's words were not untrue. Without money and capital, it is very difficult to do business, and he really suffered a great loss.
He's been shamelessly staying home these past few days, not leaving, but after thinking it over, he's decided to continue his studies.
The county school wasn't bad either, but having heard that Wen Shi had such a good teacher, he didn't think about going back to study. Being with Wen Shi would be the best option.
"Brother, it's not that I don't want to help you, but teachers have to investigate students themselves before accepting them. I can only tell you the specific location."
"Sir, you are not young. There are two classrooms, and both are already full. Nowadays, people are still lining up outside every day to become your disciples. Brother, if you are interested, you must set off now and cannot delay."
Seeing Wen Chuanzong in this state, Wen Shi would not bully or make things difficult for him.
The old gentleman was no ordinary teacher. It wasn't like his classmates hadn't spoken up for their families before, wanting to meet him directly, but in the end, they were all rejected.
The master values a person's talent, learning, and character. He will not meet with those who come to him seeking apprenticeship in private, as such connections are not feasible.
Wen Shi looked serious, and Wen Chuanzong's mood became complicated. His cloudy eyes revealed nothing of his thoughts.
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