Chapter 87
Mid-June
Wen Li, also known as Wen Xiaowu, suddenly received a letter from his third brother. He returned to his dormitory, read it word by word, and then excitedly went to ask his teacher for leave.
After explaining the reason, the man immediately smiled and congratulated him, readily granting him leave.
He wanted to ask for a long leave, but Wen Shi couldn't come back right now. He wasn't comfortable leaving his other brothers behind, except for this younger brother.
"Go home quickly, your family will be very happy."
Thank you, sir.
Wen Xiaowu quickly packed his things, said goodbye to his classmates with a smile, and went to his family's shop first.
It was very hot in the county. After selling everything in the morning, everyone was resting in the afternoon. Old Man Wen was surprised to see his youngest son. Why was he here at this time of year?
"Father, Father, good news, good news! My third brother, my third brother passed the imperial examination! He became a second-class Jinshi and is staying in the Hanlin Academy in the capital."
Wen Xiaowu was sweating profusely from the heat. He didn't care about anything else and put down his book box. Now fifteen or sixteen years old, he was much more mature than before, taller and stronger. This was a great joy.
Every scholar in the land knows about the Hanlin Academy; once you enter, you have a chance to meet the emperor.
Old Man Wen subconsciously stood up, his eyes wide open. After a long while, he was so excited that he almost fainted.
The third son is so promising, he really makes her proud. The shop doors were already closed, and Liu was overjoyed.
"Fifth Brother, when are we going over there?"
"father."
Wen Xiaowu realized what was happening, glanced at his father, and his father, having caught his breath, glared at Liu Shi.
"Didn't I tell you before that we should make money for a few more years before going to find Lao San?"
"What did the third brother say?"
“My third brother told me to take my sister-in-law and the child there first. I will stop studying for the next six months. He also said he would give me something when I arrive.”
“You won’t be short of another six months. Your third brother is out now, and he’ll definitely help you out in the future.”
Wen Xiaowu nodded. He was a good child who knew how to be grateful. He had already become a student of the Imperial Academy. Wen Shi had single-handedly raised the status of his entire family. In the private school, his teacher also cared about him very much.
He had more important things to do right now, and he couldn't put it off.
“I know my third brother is good. Father, Mother, I will go back and tell my third sister-in-law to send her and the child to the capital.”
Old Man Wen nodded, went upstairs again, and when he came down, he handed Wen Xiaowu a heavy money bag.
"Keep it. Take it to your third brother. I'll get you the travel expenses from the counter."
"good."
Wen Xiaowu did not refuse. His third brother valued him so much and treated him well, so he wanted to repay him. The others had no objections either.
Especially Yuqin, she knew that Wen Shi would not abandon his family, not to mention the fourth son and his wife.
That afternoon, Wen Xiaowu returned to the village. He packed a lot of clothes, as he was traveling from there to the capital. He needed to prepare both thick and thin clothes. His sudden return, coupled with his joyful expression, told Yingxiang that it was good news.
There must be good news from Wen Shi's side; she has already packed up everything that needed to be packed.
She poured Wen Xiaowu a glass of water and told him to speak slowly.
"Third sister-in-law, third brother passed the imperial examination and became a second-class Jinshi. He has now stayed in the capital."
Yingxiang smiled and nodded. This was wonderful.
The next morning, the two set off in an oxcart. Yingxiang held her sleeping child in her arms, feeling extremely happy. Her husband was so admirable.
He's currently staying in the capital. Upon reflection, he's never faltered in important matters, which is certainly related to his usual diligence and hard work.
"Third Sister-in-law, let's follow the caravan, but when we get to the county, we need to go to the county government office."
Ordinary people were not qualified to enter the capital. Merchants had to go through a lot of trouble to do so. Local officials were also afraid of getting into trouble and suddenly being implicated.
But when Wen Xiaowu heard that this was a good thing and made sense, there was no risk involved. Wen Xiaowu took the mother and son to the county government office, explained the situation, and the county magistrate came over in person.
He remembered Wen Shi, but he never expected Wen Shi to be so promising, becoming a second-class Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations). He was certain that Wen Shi would have a bright future.
The procedures were all easy to handle. After reviewing the household registration documents of the three people, he personally issued travel permits and stamped them.
"Thank you, magistrate."
These words were spoken by Wen Xiaowu.
"You're a clever child, and you'll amount to something someday."
Yingxiang carefully put the things away and solemnly thanked the county magistrate.
"Madam Wen, you're too kind. Have a safe journey."
They never received this treatment before, but to find a caravan, they had to go to the prefectural city first. The nearest caravan was departing tomorrow afternoon.
Wen Xiaowu made the decision immediately. He was responsible for escorting Yingxiang and her child, and he was also going to the capital.
Yingxiang wouldn't refuse. She knew what things were like in ancient times; these merchants were all men, so she had to be careful.
Afterwards, the three went to the shop. Yingxiang, holding the child, said goodbye to everyone. Everyone was happy for her. Liu was reluctant, but she couldn't say anything. In just a few years, she would be able to leave sooner or later. Thinking of this, she felt a little better.
"Third sister-in-law, take good care of yourself and your third brother after you go."
In the following years, it was highly unlikely that she would be able to return home for the Lunar New Year, nor would she be able to travel. Yingxiang nodded.
"In a few years, we'll still be living together."
Hearing her words made everyone feel even better.
By the time Wen Chuanzong found out, the news had already spread throughout the county. He hadn't expected his third brother to be so successful. He rushed to the shop after school, only to find that Yingxiang had already left with Xiao Wu.
"Father, Mother."
“Your third brother has made something of himself. Don’t make me angry with your mother. Study hard, calm down, and with his help, you might be able to get a government job in the future.”
Old Man Wen was in a very good mood, so he didn't say anything to Wen Chuanzong. Wen Chuanzong nodded and sat down to the side. He had come back to confirm, and now it seemed to be true.
He felt that Wen Shi was too lucky; even God was on his side, granting him the title of a second-class Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations). Why didn't he have such a destiny?
Xiuyu stood in front of Wen Chuanzong, also filled with envy. She had to hold on to her two sons, because she knew she would have a glorious future.
The journey from the county to the capital was long, and it was the height of summer. At first, Yingxiang was worried that her child would suffer from heatstroke, so she dressed him in very little clothing. Fortunately, the child was over two years old and quite robust.
We followed the convoy all the way to the prefectural city, then detoured through several other counties. Sometimes we had to travel day and night, and sometimes we traveled during the day.
All three were somewhat tired, but they persevered.
Overjoyed, she felt more tired than happy. The couple had been separated for more than half a year, and Yingxiang longed to smell the fragrance. After arriving in the capital, she felt that she could finally make a name for herself.
From the scorching summer to the bleak autumn, the journey is finally more than halfway complete.
Yingxiang always felt that everything was guided by fate, and things went very smoothly.
A cold wind was blowing outside, and the fallen leaves were rustling in the wind. Inside the inn, Wen Xiaowu poured a cup of hot water for the two of them.
"Xiao Wu, you sit down too."
"Sister-in-law, I heard them say that we're almost in the capital, in five days at most."
"That's good."
It's really nothing serious for him; a man can't be inconvenienced.
Yingxiang's journey was not so convenient. She had to endure it all the way, eating and drinking very little, which was truly agonizing. She had been looking forward to this day for a long time.
They set off in mid-June, and now it's almost December. They've spent a lot of money along the way, and Yingxiang has already put the valuables into her system inventory.
"Go and rest. It's your first time in the capital. We'll have your third brother show us around."
"good."
Five days later
That afternoon, the weather was gloomy, as if it was going to rain. Wen Shi was off work today, and he was copying books in his room. He was somewhat restless, with his brows furrowed.
City gate
Yingxiang, carrying a child and a box, had already gotten off the carriage. Wen Xiaowu was carrying a large bundle filled with his clothes, and he was also carrying a box that Yingxiang had packed earlier.
The three of them had already started queuing up for inspection. Wen Xiaowu looked at the ancient and imposing city wall and thought of the one in the county, sighing at the huge difference.
However, this was the imperial city, so it was normal. They had household registration documents and travel permits. The soldiers glanced at the three of them and let them in. After Yingxiang put these away and entered the city, she looked at Wen Xiaowu.
He said he knew the address. She had been to the prefectural city and seen its prosperity, but of course the capital was better. She looked at the shops and bustling crowds in the capital and remained calm.
Wen Xiaowu took out the letter last night and immediately started asking passersby for directions to the place. Yingxiang followed behind him, and the two walked for more than an hour, passing through one alley after another, until they were finally almost there.
The child was resting on Yingxiang's shoulder, looking somewhat drowsy. Yingxiang was worried about rain, but fortunately, although the weather was bad, it didn't rain.
Finally, they found it.
"Young master, do you see this alley? Go in, the third house is it."
A woman in a white dress pointed in that direction, and Wen Xiaowu breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.
"Thank you, thank you."
"Third Sister-in-law, let's go this way."
Yingxiang sighed, picked up her child and walked over. The alley looked a bit old, but it was very clean. Her feet hurt a little, but she could only endure it.
The bumpy road is over, and now she's just one step away from success. What can't she persevere through?
When someone knocked on the door, he quickly went over. A few days ago, when there was a noise at the door next door, he was even more eager to open it than the homeowner.
"Third Brother, I've safely delivered Third Sister-in-law and the child."
As soon as the door opened, Wen Xiaowu looked at Wen Shi and said with a smile, while Yingxiang, holding the child, was too tired to talk much.
Wen Shi quickly took the boxes from the two of them and let them in. He closed the door, breathed a sigh of relief, and finally there was nothing to worry about.
"father."
The child suddenly opened his eyes wide. Wen Shi took him and held him in his arms. Looking at his wife, he felt that she had lost some weight and felt a pang of heartache.
"Was the journey alright?"
"all the best."
After Yingxiang finished speaking, she sat down directly under the eaves. Wen Xiaowu did the same; the capital city was too big.
Wen Shi immediately brought over a teapot and poured a cup of tea for each of them. Yingxiang drank three cups in a row before feeling much better.
She looked around. It was an ordinary little courtyard, but in the capital, it was not bad to be able to live here. She had previously been worried that Wen Shi would have to share a room with someone.
"Dad, I'm hungry."
The little guy rubbed his belly. There was no food ready at home, so Wen Shi put the child down and went to the kitchen to start a fire and cook for them.
It was already evening, and not only the children, but Yingxiang was also hungry.
Wen Shi was very skilled at cooking, and in a short while, the aroma of food wafted from the kitchen. Ying Xiang, having rested enough, took the child inside for a look.
There weren't many things in the house, but it had all the necessary furniture, and it was very clean.
"Third brother, don't worry, everything is fine at home. Dad said you should do a good job."
After resting enough, Wen Xiaowu went to the kitchen. Wen Shi nodded; he had already told Old Man Wen everything he needed to say.
"You must be tired from the journey."
"It's alright, the journey was relatively smooth."
"By the way, Third Brother, you said you had something for me? What is it?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
