Chapter 11 Settling In
Lin Changning didn't care much about what happened to Lin Erniu's family. As long as she didn't die, it wouldn't affect Lin Erniu's family. It was just a deterrent.
Most importantly, this is just a book; the dynasty doesn't exist. Although she knows the general plot, she hasn't read it carefully and doesn't know if the female protagonist, Fu Bao, has any special advantages.
Therefore, the best course of action is to avoid the plot and stay far away from the female lead's family.
Lin Erniu is a very cunning person. The fact that Lin Changqing was able to become the top scholar in the imperial examination and Lin Changxiao was extremely wealthy shows that his family members are all quite intelligent.
The female protagonist in the original story is still young and does not pose a threat yet. The most important thing is to climb higher than their family before the plot unfolds.
Lin Changshi had already entrusted her family's land to her third uncle, Lin San, who was also the doctor's family.
Each year, 30% of the grain is given to the family as rent.
As for Lin Changshi and her two widowed sisters-in-law and nieces, they moved to Lin Changshi's maternal home, which is the home of Lin Changning and Lin Changping's uncle.
Lin Changning's maternal uncle and maternal grandmother live in Pingwan County, which is adjacent to Qingshui County. They own three shops, and business is doing quite well.
Upon learning of their daughter's loss of her husband and son, the two elderly people, both over fifty and her uncle in his forties, sent her a letter.
They had already rented a courtyard in a location adjacent to their home, just waiting for Madam Lin Chang to bring her daughters-in-law over so that the two families could look after each other.
Lin Changning came up with an idea; she took on the identity of Liu Lang.
Then Liu Lang would have to be an unregistered resident. We need to find a way to transfer Liu Lang's household registration to his uncle's family.
As the son of an uncle, he can study at a famous academy in recent years, and his future examinations will be assured.
The pension issued by the imperial court arrived at the family home. To prevent any unforeseen complications, the family set off for the neighboring county after Lin Changning left.
With the pension and the money left over from the funeral, even if they were a little tight on money, and after deducting the silver set aside for Liu Lang's imperial examination, it would be enough for the family to live on for many years.
"Fifth Aunt, Grandma is calling you for dinner. It's going to be a feast today."
After Lin Changning finished organizing his things and made sure nothing was missing, he nodded, turned around and saw the little girl with big, blinking eyes whose hands were itching to touch him. He pinched Er Ya's slightly thin cheeks and said, "Let's go, we'll go now."
Not quite satisfied with just pinching her a couple of times, Lin Changning casually picked up the little girl, held her in his arms, and weighed her in his arms.
"It's still too light, Er Ya, eat more."
The little girl glanced at Lin Changning, who was dressed as a man, and said, "Mother said that Aunt and Uncle are both sick, so you should eat more. Er Ya isn't hungry."
Lin Changning's two widowed sisters-in-law were both kind and honest people, and the children they raised were exceptionally considerate.
"Auntie's illness has long been cured. Er Ya and San Ya should eat more meat later. Eating more will help them grow taller."
The little girl nestled obediently in Lin Changning's arms and whispered her thanks, "Thank you, Auntie~"
In spring, the days always seem to end a little earlier; the sky darkens quickly, not long after the sun has set.
Madam Niu and Madam Wang were still busy in the kitchen, while Madam Lin went out, seemingly to borrow some eggs.
This is Lin Changning's last day at home. Her household registration documents have been completed, and tomorrow she will go to the border with the people who are serving in the military.
The oil lamp in Lin Changping's room burned continuously as he spent the last two days copying military strategy books day and night.
Lin Changping's cough could often be heard in the middle of the night. No matter how Lin Changning tried to persuade him, he wouldn't listen. If he talked to his younger brother too much, his brother would get jealous.
The twilight, like the remaining ink in an inkstone, seeped into the main room through the cracks in the window frame.
The door was unusually tight today, and no one spoke at the dinner table. The atmosphere was so heavy that it was hard to breathe.
Lin Changning looked at the chipped edge of the ceramic bowl, and picked up one piece of cured meat and egg after another and put them into Er Ya and San Ya's bowls. Niu Shi and Wang Shi turned away and wiped away their tears.
"Fifth Sister, you should eat more. You've just recovered from your illness. It would be a waste to give it to them."
Lin Changning shook his head: "Sister-in-law, why waste anything? Er Ya and San Ya should eat more so they can grow up."
Wang hurriedly scooped half a bowl of meat and eggs into Lin Changning's bowl, and then gave half of the remaining half bowl to Lin Changping: "You two are both sick, eat something good to nourish yourselves. The two little girls are still young, why should they eat so well when they are not sick or injured?"
Lin Changping sighed: "Sister-in-law, you've given us all the food, what are you going to eat?"
As she spoke, she and Lin Changning shared some of the meat and vegetables in their bowls: "Eat up, eat up, don't refuse."
Lin Changshi covered her face with the cloths and waited until she was in a better mood before speaking: "There's still plenty on the stove, enough for everyone to eat."
The two little girls lowered their heads and silently picked at their bowls and chopsticks.
Lin Changning ate a few bites and then gave the thin slices of meat from the bowl to Lin Changping and Lin Changshi.
Before they could even speak, their eyes reddened again, and tears streamed down their faces into the bowl.
"Mother, you're making it sound like I'm being sent to my death..."
Madam Lin, no longer caring about crying, quickly spat a few times to cover Lin Changning's mouth.
"Don't say anything unlucky, don't talk about death or anything like that!!!"
Lin Changning smiled and said, "Okay, I won't mention it, Mother."
Niu suddenly stood up, her rough earthenware bowl rattling on the table, then took Lin Changning's bowl and chopsticks and said:
"I'll go get some more porridge for Fifth Sister."
Wang also picked up the bowl of vegetables: "I'll go add some more vegetables."
Lin Changning smiled casually, "Thank you, sister-in-law."
Wang sighed, turned around, and went out the door with Niu to the stove.
Lin Changping suddenly started coughing, and Er Ya, being sensible, got off the table and brought him a cup of tea.
"Uncle, have some water."
Lin Changping took the cup and rubbed Er Ya's head: "Thank you, Er Ya. Go and get the book I've copied down and the bronze mirror from under my pillow in my room."
"Okay, I'll go right away."
Er Ya responded with a "deba deba" and ran out. A short while later, she returned carrying a stack of newly copied books and a bronze mirror.
After praising Er Ya, Lin Changping took the things and handed them to Lin Changning: "These books were found by my classmates overnight. They are all copied. Sister, you should be able to use them in the future."
And this, I've never seen a breastplate before, so I polished a bronze mirror from home. You can hang it on your chest; it'll be some protection. Take it with you when you leave tomorrow.”
Lin Changning took the book. The brand-new pages still had the lingering scent of ink, indicating that it had just been copied. No wonder Changping had several cuts on her hands recently; she must have been injured while polishing the breastplate.
"Thank you, little brother..."
Early the next morning.
Lin Changning, wearing a red padded jacket and a newly made waist tag, stood at the entrance of Linjia Village.
Behind her were Madam Lin and her two widowed sisters-in-law. Madam Lin held her hand and gave her earnest advice, as if she had endless things to say. Madam Niu and Madam Wang also had red eyes.
The two little girls clung to her legs and wailed.
Shilang, who is fourteen years old this year, also bid a reluctant farewell to Uncle Lin's family at the village entrance.
The remaining two families were crying and wailing incessantly, as if this meeting was a matter of life and death.
That's not wrong. Whether you can return from military service is a matter of probability. Some are lucky and come back after a year. Most of them come back with injuries, and a small number don't even return as corpses.
Last year, Linjia Village was one of those small groups.
Therefore, this year's farewell was especially sorrowful and heartbreaking.
The clothes and provisions prepared by the clansmen were all placed on the donkey cart. There were six people on this trip. Apart from Lin Changning, who had been converted to a military household, the rest were all soldiers. Shilang paid money. With Lin Changning's status as a servant, it was not too dangerous.
Aside from the families seeing them off, Lin Erniu also suddenly appeared at the village entrance, looking at Lin Changning with eyes that seemed to want to devour him alive.
Lin Changning smiled and bowed deeply: "Second Uncle, are you here to see your nephew off as well?"
Lin Erniu's resentful gaze almost lingered: "Of course, I hope Liulang has a smooth journey."
Lin Changning continued to smile, as if a tail was wagging behind him: "Then thank you, Second Uncle. One man joining the army brings honor to the whole family. I wonder what Second Uncle would like to buy for Liulang?"
Lin Erniu's face turned even paler; he hadn't prepared anything.
Lin Changning feigned difficulty: "Oh dear, Second Uncle, you didn't prepare anything, did you? It's my fault, I thought you were proud of your nephew joining the army and came to see him off."
Indeed, if Liu Lang were to die, it would likely implicate his third and fourth cousins. His third cousin had a promising future in the imperial examinations, and his second uncle could understand his reluctance…
Lin Erniu practically ground his teeth to powder. He hadn't come here to see this little beast off!
But seeing the changed looks in the eyes of those seeing him off, he hurriedly tried to cover it up: "How could that be, Liu Lang? Your second uncle prepared money for your farewell."
After saying that, he tossed over a string of copper coins.
Lin Changning smiled and accepted the gift, bowing again: "Then I thank you, Second Uncle. I will remember your kindness on this journey."
Lin Erniu looked at Lin Changning with a forced smile, his heart seething with hatred.
This little brat has become not only more eloquent after his illness, but also seems to have become more cunning.
It's one thing to bring up a sore subject, but the magistrate praised him as honest, upright, filial, and friendly. If he's unhappy about him joining the army, wouldn't that be a sign of dissatisfaction with the magistrate's words?
If this gets out, it will probably be bad for his son's career. That damned little beast, he's even learned to set traps in conversations!
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