371 Immediate departure
The next day, the family finished breakfast early and waited for the eldest son to come as a guest.
Wan Changsheng even specially killed a few chickens, and went to the market early in the morning to buy a lot of braised dishes and snacks. Today he and Uncle Sun will both rest at home for a day, and they can just go to the clinic to ask for leave during the day.
At one o'clock in the morning, Sun Sicheng came to the village.
This made Ping An feel a little strange, as he shouldn't have come so early.
After Sun Sicheng greeted his uncle and Wan Changsheng and his wife, he smiled bitterly and said, "I'm really sorry, I have to take Ping An away today. I received a letter from Wu Jun's father yesterday evening, saying that the old abbot's health has deteriorated again. I dare not delay. It will take four or five days from here to Yangzhou."
Ping An was startled: "Master, did Uncle Wu say anything?"
Sun Sicheng shook his head: "How much can a pigeon letter tell us? It only says that he is in pain all over his body, and Master can't figure out what disease he has."
"Okay, I'll go to the main house now to inform Er Qiang and the others."
Wan Changsheng and his wife exchanged a glance and said, "Uncle, please stay with the eldest master. My wife and I will go pack some clothes and food for Ping An. It will be ready soon."
Sun Sicheng said, "I'm really sorry that I can't let Ping An stay with you longer."
Mei Niang said, "It's nothing. He stayed at home last night and chatted with us. That's all. Besides, he will be back at the end of June and can stay for a few months at least. It's okay. It's just that the child has been bothering you."
Sun Sicheng smiled and said, "It's not a big deal. Ping An and A Wu are engaged. You are both my apprentice and my son-in-law. You are my in-laws, Sun Sicheng. We are all relatives now."
Sun Hongyu nodded: "That's right, that's right, the children's in-laws are really close. Sicheng, Ping'an and Awu are a good match. You have found the right in-laws."
We arrived safely at the main house.
"The master is here, everyone hurry up and pack up, we are leaving today."
Without asking anyone, the master said let's go, so let's go. We were supposed to leave tomorrow anyway.
"Tong Lin, if you have anything to say to Leng Shui, go quickly. We won't meet until the end of June."
Everyone laughed. Tong Lin blushed, but he still walked out quickly.
The young master said that when he returns to Beijing this time, he will hold a wedding for him and Erqiang together.
Half an hour later, Wan Changsheng packed a basket of snacks, many of which were made by the couple themselves in Layue, and they were waiting for their son, nephew and others to come back and eat them.
Xi'er tugged at Ping'an's clothes reluctantly. She was very puzzled: "Brother, didn't you just come home? Why are you leaving again?"
Ping An squatted down and said, "Xi'er, there is an old man who is very kind to big brother and is sick. He is in pain all over his body. Do you think we should go and treat him right away?"
The little girl nodded with tears in her eyes.
Ping An said softly, "When big brother comes back in June, he will stay at home for several months. How about taking Xi'er with you to the capital next time?"
Xier laughed: "Then I don't have to be separated from my brother anymore?"
"Of course not, Xi'er. This time when Big Brother comes back, he will bring you some nice things. Do you like the pearl flowers and beads that Big Brother gave you yesterday?"
The little girl was quickly coaxed and nodded with a smile. The things her elder brother bought for her were all good things that were not available in the capital.
Mei Niang suppressed her sadness and gave instructions to her son and nephew again and again.
Er Qiang smiled and said, "Aunt, I will bring Leng Yue back next time, but we should get married in the capital. Did I tell you safely?"
"Okay, after the Heian Academy exam, we'll go back to your hometown with you, and you can talk to your parents yourself."
Erqiang frowned and looked at Ping'an: "Ping'an, if I had known this would happen, I should have brought Lengyue back with me this time and got married directly at home."
Ping An was annoyed: "Why are you in such a hurry? The master stipulated that you must get married after you are twenty years old. You are only nineteen this year, and Leng Yue is one year younger than you."
Erqiang was shocked: "Ping An, just wait until I'm twenty, right? Can Leng Yue not wait until she's twenty?"
If Leng Yue has to be twenty years old to get married, then it will be the year after next.
Ping An's lips curled up slightly. He loved teasing Er Qiang the most: "It depends on your performance this year. If you perform well, it's not impossible to consider it."
Er Qiang nodded quickly: "I have been very obedient over the years, aunt, let me talk to San Qiang."
Ping An gave Sanqiang a set of writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstone last night and asked him if he was willing to go to Yingtian with him. Sanqiang still refused, saying that he got carsick after long journeys. Besides, it would take two months to go back and forth. Although a famous teacher is good, his ability to learn is just so-so. It would be better for him to study hard with the teacher in the provincial school.
Ping An thought about it and realized that it was true. Not everyone is willing to travel long distances.
Sanqiang is a typical gentle young scholar, completely different from Erqiang.
Er Qiang pulled San Qiang aside and took out a five-liang silver ingot from his pocket: "This is for you to buy some paper and ink."
San Qiang refused: "My aunt provides me with food and lodging here, and my family also provides me with money."
"You take it. Second brother can make money now. Ping An is very generous to us."
San Qiang nodded and said, "Ping An gave me a set of good pens and ink last night. I'm keeping it for trial use in the hospital. I'm afraid a set of such pens, ink, paper and inkstone would cost more than ten taels."
"Just take it if you give it to me, Sanqiang. Wait for my second brother to come back and take you to the examination room. My uncle said that we will go home together after the college entrance examination."
Sanqiang encouraged himself in his heart that he must study hard in the next few months and strive to pass the examination to become a scholar. After passing the examination, he would not have to do the annual labor service at home and could also save the tax on twenty acres of land.
Er Qiang saw that San Qiang didn't say anything and said, "Don't worry, you are studying in the capital city. People who study in the county school can get into the exam. After you go home, you will follow your aunt to study here. You won't suffer any loss if you are thick-skinned."
Ping An listened with a smile, this Er Qiang is really something.
Wanli said, "Erqiang, hurry up and take your worries to the car. We are ready to leave. Otherwise, it will be troublesome if we can't catch up with the inn at night."
Mei Niang was anxious when she heard this: "Young Master, you guys should leave quickly. Manager Ming is right. It will be troublesome if we can't stay at the inn tonight."
He Jin brought Xiao Wu over from the alcohol workshop. The eldest master didn't have time to check it out this time. They just took a quick look and found that the workshop was well managed.
Having said that, among all the people under the eldest son's name, basically, if not 100%, they are all good students.
When the carriage left the farm, Mei Niang watched her son's carriage going further and further away, and she burst into tears.
Since he was seven or eight years old, his son had basically never stayed at home properly. He gave her more than 700 taels of money he earned with great difficulty every year, and bought all kinds of things for them, including very expensive jewelry.
But her son only turned fifteen in August this year, and he has always been a child.
"My dear, please stop crying. If you cry, the baby in your belly will be sad too. When Ping An comes back at the end of June, the baby will be almost a month old."
Mei Niang wiped away her tears and said, "My husband, I haven't done anything for my son these years. I didn't even have time to make him a good meal. He only came home in the afternoon yesterday and now he's gone. Even if he doesn't say it, I know it's been hard for him."
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