Xia Jinxiu walked into the house with excitement that could not be suppressed, but Xia Jinjun seemed much more normal.
"What's wrong?" Xia Jinjun looked at her sister. She didn't expect her family to know so soon.
Xia Jinxiu didn't want to directly mention his decision to give up the imperial examination. After all, she heard what the little girl said in her heart, and this matter couldn't be known to others.
"Brother, did you have a quarrel with your sister-in-law just now? She seems unhappy. What happened during the New Year?"
Xia Jinjun smiled and said, "Nothing, I just told her a decision."
"What decision?" Xia Jinxiu asked in a trembling voice.
"Let's talk about it after the New Year."
"Come on, why are you so long-winded? No matter what, the decision you made is definitely right. I support you." Xia Jinxiu said.
This time it was Xia Jinjun's turn to be confused. It was the whole family's wish that he achieve success in his studies. His sister said it so easily at the moment. If she knew that he was the one who gave up the imperial examination, would she still be happy?
"What's wrong? Don't you believe me?" Xia Jinxiu patted her chest, "Our family is different now than before. You can do whatever you want. If my second sister-in-law is unhappy, she must be worried about you."
Xia Jinjun felt warm in his heart, and decided not to hide it from her anymore. Of course, he also wanted to see the family's reaction from his sister, "What if I say I don't plan to take the imperial examination?"
The surprise, jump and anger he expected did not happen.
Xia Jinxiu's calmness was hard for him to imagine. "If you don't want to take the imperial examination, then don't take it. Our family is making so much money now, which is already pretty good."
"You don't object?" Xia Jinjun asked.
"Why should I object?" Xia Jinxiu wanted to say, if you knew what happened in our family after you graduated from high school, you would be scared to death.
"Even if you can really pass the high school entrance exam, when we all arrive in the capital, our lives won't necessarily be better than they are now. Being an official is not easy, and your head is tied to your belt. What if, I mean what if, we don't enjoy the blessing, and our whole family's lives are at stake, that would be a huge loss."
Xia Jinjun didn't know what would happen to the rest of the family when they went to Beijing, but he really didn't expect his sister to support him like this. "If you don't have any unnecessary thoughts and behave yourself, you won't lose your life. It's not as serious as you say. But... I don't plan to take the exam anymore."
Xia Jinxiu didn't argue with him. Since he wasn't going to take the exam, what happened afterwards wouldn't happen either. What was there to argue about?
"This is a good thing. Second sister-in-law feels sorry for you for studying so hard for so many years. She will figure it out after a while."
Xia Jinjun nodded, "I'm worried about my mother!"
"Mom, don't worry. Just coax my second sister-in-law. I'll go talk to her." Xia Jinxiu patted her chest and took the responsibility.
"Forget it. Today is New Year's Day. Let's talk about it another day."
Xia Jinxiu glanced at him and said, "Do you need me to tell you this? I'm not stupid, second brother. I think nothing is better than a family living together in a down-to-earth way. What do you think?"
Xia Jinjun nodded, "You are right."
Xia Jinxiu smiled.
At lunch, Xia Jinxiu also cooked a few dishes. She added two more dishes because she felt that she had saved an entire family from a tragic death.
The most important thing during the Chinese New Year is naturally the New Year’s Eve dinner. Other families’ lunches are just a makeshift one, but the Xia family’s this year’s is even more grand than the New Year’s Eve dinner.
Life was good now, and no one cared. They just made a few jokes, but Xia Jinxiu was a person with a sharp tongue, so her brothers just laughed it off when she told them off.
"Zhi Liao, why aren't you eating? Is it because the food doesn't suit your appetite?" Old Mrs. Xia watched her three grandsons eating heartily, but her little granddaughter looked like she was worried. She was very concerned.
Xia Zhiliao shook her head and said, "Grandma, how can what my aunt made be unpalatable? I'm saving it for dinner."
Old Lady Xia was amused by her reason, "You are the smartest kid."
However, Xia Zhiliao found this incident very strange.
[Oh, grandma, I can eat, but if you knew that daddy doesn't plan to take the imperial examination, I'm afraid you won't be able to eat! ]
The chopsticks in Old Mrs. Xia's hand fell to the ground with a clatter.
"Mom, what's wrong?" Xia Chen hurriedly picked it up and changed into a new pair.
Old Madam Xia forced herself to remain calm. "Nothing...nothing. I'm old and useless. My hands don't work well anymore. Eat more vegetables. It's still early for dinner."
"Why are you all looking at me? I'm fine, I'm doing fine!" Seeing that everyone looked unhappy, Old Mrs. Xia thought that the children were just worried about her.
She was wondering in her heart what was wrong with her second son. Why didn't he go for the imperial examination for no reason?
Short of money?
No way!
That's the job? Who said anything?
Old Mrs. Xia was just about to turn around and ask in private whether the younger ones had said something to make her second son suspicious.
[Alas, if Daddy didn’t take the imperial examination, the Prime Minister’s daughter wouldn’t have taken a fancy to him, my mother wouldn’t have gone crazy, my grandmother wouldn’t have gotten into trouble, and my aunts and uncles wouldn’t have died tragically, but… why didn’t my dad take the imperial examination?]
"Cough cough..." Old Mrs. Xia originally wanted to drink a sip of sorghum wine to calm her nerves, but the spiciness of the wine choked her as soon as it reached her lips.
Xia Jinjun was also struck by lightning.
It turns out that my decision was so correct.
He couldn't help but think of the time when his little daughter had just woken up and he first heard her true feelings. She said something about the family being in trouble.
Could this be what you are referring to?
Old Mrs. Xia is a little concerned about her reputation, but compared to her reputation, the lives of her family are much more important.
Even if her second son wanted to take the imperial examination now, she would have to find a way to stop him, let alone if he didn't want to go, she would have to support him with both hands.
"Grandma!" Xia Zhiliao gently patted the old lady's back with her warm little hands, "Please drink slowly."
Old Mrs. Xia's heart was in a state of ups and downs, and she didn't know where it was at the moment, but when she heard the little girl's voice, she fell back to the distance, "Hey, grandma is so happy, isn't it New Year's Day today?"
"You too are all grown up. Mom is indeed old. From now on, you can do whatever you want. Mom won't stop you. No matter what decision you make, Mom will follow you. As long as our family is well, that's all that's fine."
Xia Jinjun was overjoyed. Of course his mother also heard her daughter's thoughts, but he had a clue in his mind after hearing his mother's words.
"Yes, yes, mother, I plan to open a tavern after the New Year. I have to save up some dowry for myself." Xia Jinxiu said. Now that she is no longer a concubine, doesn't she have to make money?
Old Mrs. Xia nodded without objection.
Xia Jinxiu gave Xia Jinjun another look, meaning for him to speak out as well.
Xia Jinjun was encouraged and was about to speak, but was interrupted by Xia Jinheng, "Mom, I plan to marry that Lei Jiuniang!"
"Ah?" Old Mrs. Xia looked at him blankly, "Who? Who to marry?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
