Chapter 60: Passerby A in Ancient Marriage Exchange Stories (5)
Jiang Yue carefully put away the cloth and needlework that Chen handed her, and then began to teach her mother, Chen, using the coarse cloth. Two hours passed, and Chen still didn't understand a thing. Jiang Yue's mouth was dry from talking, and Chen was a little embarrassed. This teaching session could be described as the Waterloo of Jiang Yue's teaching career.
"Um... Mother is going to cook. You can teach Mother another day when you have time." Perhaps Chen couldn't stand the silence any longer, so she made an excuse and slipped out.
After leaving the house, Chen breathed a sigh of relief. She had thought of her mother when her daughter was teaching her. But thankfully it was her daughter. If it were her mother, she would have been scolded long ago. She decided to let it go. She was just not cut out for it. She couldn't learn it when she was young, let alone now that she was so old.
Inside the room, Jiang Yue also breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that this industry also required talent. She decided not to make things difficult for the Chen family in the future and would just work hard to do a few more jobs herself.
After a while, Chen prepared the meal. During the meal, the two tacitly avoided mentioning what happened in the morning. After eating, Jiang Yue rested for a while and then resumed her embroidery work. She only stopped after Chen picked up her younger brother in the afternoon.
As soon as Jiang Ze got home, he took out his brush and ink and started practicing calligraphy. At this stage, he mainly studied simple texts such as the "Hundred Family Surnames" and the "Thousand Character Classic." From the age of 6 to 20, this stage is a learning stage, which is basically the same as in modern times. If he can keep up with the progress, he can try his hand at calligraphy at the age of 25.
In the past few days, Jiang Yue has been observing Jiang Ze. Putting aside other aspects, at least his memory ability is good. Just take the Thousand Character Classic that he has been learning recently. A few days ago, Jiang Yue watched Jiang Ze recite it once and he was able to recite it fluently. Memory ability is the most basic thing. If you can't even recite a text properly, then you should think about other options as soon as possible.
Furthermore, her attitude is commendable. Every day when she comes home, she consciously practices calligraphy and copying, and she seems to really enjoy going to school. With these two points, plus the teaching materials in Jiang Yue's space, she doesn't dare to think about anything else but passing the imperial examination should be no problem.
Jiang Yue didn't disturb her younger brother's studies and went to the yard to help Chen Shi cook. She didn't wait for her father today. After the three of them ate, Jiang Ze continued practicing calligraphy, while the mother and daughter were busy embroidering purses to earn money. Around eight o'clock in the evening, Jiang Yue heard the sound of a bell: "Mom, my father is back. I can hear him."
After Jiang Yue finished speaking, she got up, put on her clothes and shoes. Chen Shi, who was next to her, dressed even faster than Jiang Yue. She went outside the courtyard and saw that Jiang's father was driving the oxcart back. When they got to the door, Jiang's father jumped off the oxcart and said, "Why did you come out?"
“Da Ya said she heard the sound of cowbells, so she came out to see.”
After Chen finished speaking, she went over and pulled Jiang's father to take a look. He was not missing any arms or legs and was not injured. Then she opened the door and let Jiang's father drive the car into the yard. After parking the car, she added hay and water to the cow before Jiang's father went inside to eat.
After entering the house, we washed up and changed our clothes. During dinner, we talked about what happened today. Everyone at home was busy with the autumn harvest and didn't have time to come over. They were all happy for Jiang's father when they learned that he had bought a house. Jiang's father had also discussed with Jiang Yue's uncles that after the autumn harvest, he would cut some grass to feed the cattle in the winter, and the cattle would be lent to them for free when it was time to plant crops.
He also mentioned that today's income was roughly equivalent to ten days' income in the past, mainly because everyone was too busy with the autumn harvest to go out and buy things. Fortunately, Mr. Jiang went there in time, saving everyone the trouble of going out: "I can make a quick buck during this period. Tomorrow I'll leave earlier so I can visit one more place."
After saying that, he asked Chen to prepare more dry food and water for him tomorrow morning. Chen also told him about selling purses today. Jiang's father was quite surprised that Jiang Yue was now so much better than Chen.
“Although prices are high now, you still need to rest. Many embroiderers have ruined their eyes from working so hard. You’re still young, so you need to be careful.” After instructing Jiang Yue, Jiang’s father looked at Chen Shi and said, “She’s just a child and doesn’t understand. Remember to keep an eye on her.”
Seeing that Jiang Yue and Chen Shi both understood, he was relieved. After finishing, he carefully poured a glass of the wine he had bought. He had bought the wine during the New Year and had been drinking a small jar of it for more than half a year. He usually couldn't bear to drink it and would only drink a small glass when he was particularly happy.
He took a small sip and suddenly remembered something: "I remember we have extra water buckets at home. It was hot at noon today, and there was no water along that stretch of road. The cows were very thirsty, so we need to bring a wooden bucket. We need to prepare a bucket of water in advance for the cows to drink on the road where there is no water."
Chen thought for a moment and realized there was one, but it had been used to store miscellaneous items for a long time: "There is one. I saw it a few days ago, but it was filled with all sorts of random things. I don't know if it leaks or not."
"You eat first, I'll go look for it." After saying that, Chen went to look for it. After finding it, Chen filled a bucket with water and washed it. Then she poured another bucket of water into it to check if it was leaking.
When Jiang's father finished eating, Jiang Yue was also very sleepy. He quickly told her to go back to her room to sleep. Jiang Yue had only stayed with Chen Shi today; otherwise, she would have gone to sleep long ago. At night, Chen Shi was clearly a little restless, glancing at the door every now and then. With Jiang Yue by her side, she had someone to talk to and wouldn't be alone and afraid.
After that, Jiang Yue's life settled down. Her younger brother went to school every day, and Jiang Yue and Chen Shi embroidered purses and handkerchiefs every day. Jiang's father went out early and returned late every day to earn money to support the family. Time flies, and several years have passed in this way.
Jiang Yue is already a fifteen-year-old young lady. In recent years, the thing that has troubled Jiang Yue the most is finding a husband. In recent years, her skills have become more and more refined, and Jiang Yue has also become famous in this area. She is good-looking and can earn money. Matchmakers come one after another. In the past two years, Jiang Yue could fool them by saying that she was too young and did not want to leave home. This year, Chen Shi did not believe her excuse anymore and was determined to find a suitable match for her.
"Mother, I'm still young! Let's talk about it in a few years!"
After saying that, Jiang Yue ran back into the house and closed the door. Outside, Chen Shi pounded on the door: "How old are you? When I was your age, I was already married to your father. In a few more years, I'll be an old maid. Now people say that I'm keeping you from getting married so you can earn money for the family. In a few more years, your father and I will be talked about behind our backs. Open the door for me right now."
Jiang Yue lay on the bed, covering her head with the blanket, and sighed. A few years ago, Jiang Yue thought the worst thing about ancient times was the poor food, but now she felt that nothing was worse than being pressured to get married. Jiang Yue had no plans to get married during her mission: "8888, do you have any ideas?"
"Host, even 8888 can't help you. I don't care whether you complete the mission or not, let alone whether you get married or not."
"Mom, my sister doesn't want to get married now, so let's wait a few years. It's not like she can't get married!"
The speaker was a young man, dressed in a blue robe with handsome features. Beneath his two curved eyebrows were a pair of bright eyes, and he carried a book box on his back. He was Jiang Ze, who had just returned from school.
She got out of bed, opened the door and said to Chen, "Mother, you see, my brother has also said that this matter is not urgent, let's talk about it in a few years."
Chen looked at Jiang Yue and shook her head helplessly: "You two have very big ideas. Let's wait for your father to come back and talk to you about it."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
