Chapter 13: Stopping His Self-Destructive Acts
Pei Wu suddenly fell silent. Jiang Ru gave him a strange look, reached out and pressed the bamboo that was about to fall from his arms back, and muttered, "What are you spacing out about?"
Pei Wu shook his head, then carried the bamboo and went home with Jiang Ru.
The vegetable garden is small and located in the yard, so it doesn't need much construction; you just need to fence it off.
There were still a few bamboo stalks left after they were cut down, which were casually thrown in the yard. Jiang Ru had a flash of inspiration: "I think we can raise a few chickens in the yard."
Pei Wu frowned slightly. The yard wasn't very big. After planting some vegetables, it took up a lot of space. If he also raised chickens, not only would the space be too small, but the yard would also smell bad.
However, Jiang Ru began to plan with great enthusiasm and tried to persuade Pei Wu: "Let's raise two chickens. After they lay eggs, we won't have to buy eggs anymore."
Pei Wu resisted, but couldn't find any words to refuse, so he could only remain silent to show his unwillingness.
Unfortunately, it was no use. Jiang Ru had only been in the house for a few days, but she had already become the de facto mistress of the house, and Pei Wu's resistance was completely ineffective.
He didn't speak, but Jiang Ru, still not understanding his meaning, leaned closer and pressed him, "Is it okay?"
Pei Wu turned his head away. He didn't say he disliked chickens and ducks, but occasionally his house would get messy. A long time ago, one of his chickens even jumped onto his books, and the mud on its feet stained them.
Since then, Pei Wu has kept his distance from this creature.
Pei Wu was very resistant to having to repeat this nightmare again.
"Please say something, okay?" Jiang Ru couldn't understand why he was even hesitating about this, so she pressed him for an answer.
“No good.” Pei Wu raised his head, his eyes were pure black, and he looked at Jiang Ru stubbornly, as if this was a matter of utmost importance that could not be compromised.
In the past, when he discussed things with Jiang Ru, she would never take his advice. But this time, Jiang Ru hesitated for a moment and asked, "You really don't like it? Are you very afraid?"
Pei Wu nodded, then asked Jiang Ru with little hope, "Is it okay?"
"Since you don't like it, then we won't buy it." Actually, Jiang Ru didn't really want to buy it. If she could raise it, she could get eggs to eat, but it would take a lot of effort.
She shrugged: "Then forget it."
Perhaps surprised that Jiang Ru would agree so readily, Pei Wu was taken aback for a moment. He looked at Jiang Ru and noticed a hint of regret on her face, but she seemed indifferent and didn't take it seriously.
The matter was thus resolved, and Jiang Ru went to check on her small vegetable garden, turning back to comfort Pei Wu: "It's better not to raise them, otherwise they would steal my vegetables."
Pei Wu was relieved. He had been worried that Jiang Ru would be unhappy because he had rejected her.
After reaching a settlement on this issue, Pei Wu went to start a fire and cook. Before Jiang Ru came, he ate porridge and steamed buns every day. Now that Jiang Ru has come, he has broken his diet several times in just a few days.
At first, he felt very guilty, but then he thought that he was not alone now and could not cause trouble for Jiang Ru because of him, so he persuaded himself to accept it calmly.
The firewood was burning, and dinner would take a while to prepare, so Pei Wu took out a book to read during this free time.
But just as he took a liking to her, he sensed a shadow behind him; Jiang Ru had unknowingly walked up behind him.
She stared at Pei Wu from behind, muttered something to herself, and asked Pei Wu, "Why are you looking at me again?"
She realized that Pei Wu was just like the Prince of Scrolls, always finding a moment to study. With his diligent approach, who else but him would pass the imperial examination?
Jiang Ru couldn't help but say, "Stop looking, dinner's almost ready."
Pei Wu explained, "I know, I'll finish reading this..."
Before he could finish speaking, a hand covered his book. Jiang Ru's hands were small, and the little girl's hands were slender and long. Because of the work, her hands were not as tender as before, but they were still very beautiful.
She covered Pei Wu's book and gave him a defiant smirk. Seeing this, Pei Wu had no choice but to put the book away and stop reading.
He noticed that Jiang Ru didn't seem to like him reading, and he didn't understand why, so he could only go along with Jiang Ru's wishes.
After closing the book, Pei Wu paid special attention to Jiang Ru's expression and found that the corners of her lips were uncontrollably raised, and her eyes were squinting with laughter, as if she had done something naughty. Her eyebrows and eyes were full of uncontrollable joy.
Pei Wu was puzzled. He had never met anyone like this before. He couldn't understand why Jiang Ru didn't like him reading. Was it because she also wanted to learn but Pei Wu hadn't noticed?
Pei Wu hesitated for a moment, then asked, "You took a nap this afternoon, do you want me to explain what I taught you this afternoon again?"
As long as she could interrupt Pei Wu, Jiang Ru was naturally more than happy to do so, and immediately nodded repeatedly: "Okay."
Pei Wu taught them a poem in the afternoon. Unlike Jiang Ru, the other children had learned it earlier and had fewer unfamiliar characters, while Jiang Ru had to learn more because she didn't recognize many of the characters.
Even this poem was one that Jiang Ru had never learned before.
Memorizing poems is not difficult; writing them is. Jiang Ru copied them word by word, her only thought being that when she had money in the future, she would make all her books into Chinese-Chinese translations.
She always remembers one thing and forgets another; sometimes she learns something just a few days ago, but forgets it again in a few days.
Jiang Ru propped her chin up with her hand, drawing lines on the ground with a twig in her hand. The two of them were so engrossed in learning that by the time they had memorized the general idea, their stomachs were already rumbling with hunger.
The firewood had been out for a long time, but the porridge in the pot was still warm. The two of them each held a bowl and ate it in big mouthfuls.
They cooked extra porridge because they were going to plant millet the next day and didn't have time to cook rice in the morning, so they had to cook more in advance so they could fill their stomachs before going.
To be honest, she came to see Pei Wu for two reasons: first, to persuade him not to do anything reckless, and second, to enjoy the good life with him. But everything turned out to be the opposite of what Jiang Ru had planned.
Pei Wu continued down the path of courting death, and she didn't get to enjoy any happiness either, ending up living the same life she had in her previous life as Pei Wu.
Oh, except for one thing, the land in the previous life wasn't that little.
Judging from the current trend, perhaps when Pei Wu takes the imperial examination, she will be able to live a good life with him, but at the same time, she will be getting closer and closer to her death.
If Pei Wu doesn't take the imperial examination, she and Pei Wu will have to guard this less than one acre of land. If they encounter a year of famine, they will still face the same fate: death.
It seems that no matter what, it's a dead end.
When Jiang Ru first came here, she had high hopes, but after only a few days, all her fantasies were shattered.
Jiang Ru stamped her foot anxiously, causing the table to shake twice. Pei Wu looked up at her blankly, trying to hold back, but when the table shook again, he couldn't take it anymore: "You're a young lady, you should be more proper. Don't fidget while eating."
Jiang Ru stomped her feet even harder. She thought to herself that Pei Wu was indeed hardworking, but it seemed that he hadn't left himself any way out. After all, if he failed the imperial examination, he would have no other options.
Jiang Ru couldn't help but ask, "Haven't you thought about what you would do if you failed the imperial examination?"
The question was so direct that Pei Wu paused for a moment. He thought Jiang Ru was worried, so he said, "No."
Logically speaking, the top scholars in ancient times were all virtuous and talented. However, according to the history that Jiang Ru had studied, there were also underhanded dealings in ancient times. If Pei Wu was secretly sabotaged, there would be no way to complain. What would happen if he failed the exam?
Although she knew Pei Wu could pass the exam, Jiang Ru had no idea of the exact time he passed it in her previous life.
Jiang Ru was at a loss for what to do. Taking a step forward meant certain death, and taking a step back also carried the risk of death. She hesitated and said, "Pei Wu, why don't you give up on the imperial examination? Let's think of another way. Let's find some other work in the city. Once I can read, I can also help out in the shops."
Farming is tiring, and you have to rely on the weather. Besides, what they're growing now isn't even enough for the two of them to eat, so they might as well find some other work to do.
Pei Wu stiffened upon hearing her words, then said, "Let's wait until the autumn imperial examination in a few months, okay?"
He spoke earnestly, and Jiang Ru's anxious heart was temporarily calmed by him. Indeed, this matter could not be rushed. She didn't know many characters yet, so she wouldn't be of much use in doing chores. It would be better to take advantage of these three months to learn more.
As for Pei Wu...
He was going to take the autumn imperial examination, and Jiang Ru couldn't think of a reason to stop him for the time being. Perhaps she could only take advantage of this time to let Pei Wu continue to neglect his studies, so that if Pei Wu failed the exam, she could take the opportunity to make him give up on that idea.
Moreover, knowledge is always an asset, and even if Pei Wu fails the exam, he still has the status of a scholar and was ranked first in the list, so he won't lack work.
But if he really gets accepted, Jiang Ru will have to make other plans.
She couldn't openly stop Pei Wu from going to the autumn examination. After all, given Pei Wu's obsession, if she really ruined his plan, they would definitely become enemies, and if Pei Wu became successful in the future, the first thing he would do was to eliminate her.
Jiang Ru lowered her head and sighed.
Pei Wu hesitated for a moment: "Don't worry, I told you I wouldn't let you go hungry."
He had told Jiang Ru this on her very first day here, but Jiang Ru was used to hardship and didn't really trust men's words. She was afraid of going hungry, so she didn't take it to heart at all.
When Pei Wu said the same thing again, she just gave a curt reply and then slumped onto the table.
Pei Wu hesitated, wanting to say something but not saying anything. After a long while, he got up and went back to his room.
A short while later, Pei Wu came out from inside.
He held something in his hand and placed it in front of Jiang Ru, who was sighing.
Jiang Ru glanced at it casually, then froze in shock. What Pei Wu had placed in front of her was a mountain of money.
Back then, Jiang Ru sold all her belongings and only had a few strings of cash left, while Pei Wu had much more on the table.
Jiang Ru's eyes widened. She reached out and touched it, then leaned closer to confirm. Yes, it was money, all real money.
Pei Wu stood to the side, saying with a hint of helplessness, "I told you, I wouldn't let you go hungry, you don't need to worry so much."
He's a scholar, and only this young, studying diligently at home every day. Where did he get the money?
Jiang Ru looked around and lowered her voice: "Cousin, are you doing something shady?"
A note from the author:
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