"I'll introduce you to a gentleman in a moment, surnamed Sun. He is the most learned gentleman in our Hanbo Academy, and also the dean's brother-in-law."
The dean isn't often at the academy, and this Mr. Sun also manages general affairs. His Xiujin class has the best students in the entire academy; you can't go wrong studying with him.”
Li Jiaren nodded repeatedly and thanked him.
Mr. Sun was drinking tea at the moment, and when he heard that a new student wanted to study with him, he did not refuse.
Li Jiaren was literate and arithmetic-skilled, dressed neatly, and spoke gently and politely.
Mr. Sun was very satisfied after testing him for a few words, so he accepted the gift from Li Lao Er and then instructed Jia Ren to formally enter the academy to become a disciple three days later.
Li Lao Er and his son quickly expressed their gratitude, and were overjoyed as they left the academy.
At this moment, Li Laosi also sold his deer hides and antlers and came to join them.
The deer antlers were delivered to Baicaotang, and the shop immediately paid five taels of silver. The deer hides were cheaper, and the leather shop gave them one and a half taels.
The deer brought in more than six taels of silver, almost enough for Jiaren to study for half a year, and his guilt finally lessened a bit.
When the three returned home, they learned that Jiaren had been accepted by the most learned teacher at the academy, and the Li family was very happy.
That evening, they steamed two kinds of rice and stewed a pheasant to celebrate.
It's a good thing that the Li family wants to send their child to school, and they haven't hidden it from the public.
Soon everyone in the village knew about it, and they all admired the Li family's courage.
These past few days, villagers have been coming to the Li family every few days to talk, all wanting to see Jiaren and get acquainted with the future scholar in advance.
"Jiaren, you must study hard at the academy. You were born into a good family. If you become successful, you must repay your grandmother!"
Jiaren agreed to everything, but when Old Lady Li saw that he was blushing, she sent him to the backyard to chop firewood.
"This child is so filial and sensible; he's sure to have a bright future!"
"The Li family's children are all quite accomplished; even the youngest, Jia'an, is bright and clever! My Erdan is older than Jia'an, and all he does is play mischievous and naughty..."
Grandma Li listened to their praise with a smile, then gave each of them a few roasted chestnuts and said a few polite words from time to time.
At this moment, the village chief also arrived.
"Sister-in-law, my wife heard that Jiaren is going to study in the county, so she specially sewed him a sachet with the inscription 'May you pass the imperial examination with flying colors.' It contains medicinal herbs to refresh the mind, and he can smell it while studying at night to stay awake."
As he said this, he handed over a box containing two exquisitely crafted sachets made of dark blue fine cloth, embroidered with the words "successful candidate in the imperial examination."
Old Lady Li quickly thanked him and invited the village chief to sit down and have some tea. Jia Ren, hearing the commotion, also threw down his axe and came to pay his respects.
“Our village will have a scholar in the future. Jiaren is a good kid, he will definitely bring honor to our Qingshui Village!”
The village chief patted Jiaren on the shoulder, liking his steady and polite demeanor.
"Then I'll take your kind words." Old Mrs. Li gestured for everyone to sit down again, and then spoke up, remembering something.
"By the way, brother, while Jiaren is still at home these days, I would like to trouble you to take my family to pay respects to the original owner of this courtyard."
When Li Laosi went to the county town to sell deer antlers, he bought half a basket of yellow paper incense and candles. It's not good to keep these things at home; they need to be burned quickly.
The village chief hesitated for a moment, then readily agreed.
"Okay, we can go tomorrow."
“Then I’ll have Hongying prepare the things tonight.” Old Mrs. Li was straightforward, and the matter was settled.
That evening, Tao Hongying made several snow-white steamed buns with fine flour, steamed rabbit meat and arranged it in a bowl, and served two plates of fruit.
The next morning, the family packed their things and waited at the village chief's door.
The village chief also brought some food and wine, and then led the Li family on a grand procession.
The original homeowner had no children, and after his death, the village chief helped bury him deep in the mountains.
The solitary grave mound saddened the Li family.
Tao Hongying and Zhao Yuru quickly arranged the offerings and incense, and then helped the village chief pour the wine.
Wu Cuihua probably thought this place was unlucky, so she refused to help at all and wished she could stay as far away as possible.
Now that he's hiding behind the crowd, Li Lao Er can't pull him away.
The village chief sat in front of the tombstone, his expression sorrowful.
Back then, we fought fiercely against the enemy on the battlefield, shedding blood and sweat, and narrowly escaping death.
None of this could make this tough man shed a single tear, but now his eyes easily welled up with tears.
"My old brother died a very unjust death."
The village chief knew that some people in the village were gossiping about the Li family's current courtyard, and he was afraid that the Li family would misunderstand, so he planned to take this opportunity to explain.
“Back when we were fighting, the enemy launched a night attack, and many brothers had their throats slit in their tents. My brother had an upset stomach and went to relieve himself, which saved his life, but he was left with a mental illness and could never sleep soundly at night.”
Later, we came to Qingshui Village. He had married and was living a good life. But one night he had a nightmare. His wife, not understanding, called his name several times. He mistook her for an enemy soldier and accidentally killed her.
The Li family gasped in shock, and the village chief looked even more grief-stricken.
"When I got there, my brother was just sitting there dumbfounded, apologizing to his wife, and then he slit his throat right in front of me..."
The Li family felt heavy-hearted and filled with immense pity. Their once happy family had been torn apart, with members of the family gone and their loved ones killed.
Old Mrs. Li sighed, "He's a pitiful person too. Don't worry, Village Chief, our Li family has also benefited."
She bowed to the group that had parted ways and whispered her promise.
“As long as our Li family lives in Qingshui Village, I will have my children and grandchildren come to pay their respects every year, so that this brother in the underworld will not be without incense offerings.”
That's exactly what the village chief wanted to hear, so quickly thank him.
"I thank your family on behalf of my brother."
After burning paper money, everyone kowtowed together and cleaned up the weeds on the grave.
As usual, the village chief stayed to talk for a while longer, so the Li family went down the mountain together.
With the Li family making such a big fuss, the villagers naturally found out.
Some say the Li family is benevolent, others say they are bold, but when it comes to the Liu family, of course there are no good things to say.
"They're just throwing money away! They have such good stuff, yet they rush to send it to a dead person! The whole family is a bunch of clueless bastards!"
Guo was so angry that she sat at the gate of the courtyard and cursed loudly. The Li family was willing to support a dead person, but they wouldn't give her family a single penny.
Liu Laifu returned from the city a couple of days ago and saw that his wife had beaten his sister-in-law so badly that her face was bruised and swollen, without her uttering a sound.
Hearing Guo's cursing and swearing, he became increasingly irritated and decided to go directly into the city to the casino to find Wu Ergou.
"Wu Er, what are you doing here? Your sister's in-laws are so rich, why don't you just let your sister support you?"
Liu Laifu's words were sarcastic, leaving Wu Ergou confused.
He gambled away all the little money he earned as a shop assistant, and now he's lost every last penny and is really worried.
Upon hearing this, he hurriedly ran back to the Li family.
When Wu Cuihua saw her younger brother return, she busied herself preparing food for him and even planned to take out the venison and smoked rabbit she had saved.
"Second sister-in-law! Mother said we're saving the venison and rabbit for the New Year. If your brother wants some, he can go hunt some himself!"
Tao Hongying didn't stand on ceremony at all and closed the warehouse door directly.
Jiayin, perched on her mother's back, was watching the commotion. She stretched out her little hands and babbled a couple of times, cheering her mother on!
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