Family rules established
That day in the embroidery workshop, Da Niu watched intently as Su Wan's nimble hands danced across the plain silk, embroidering a lifelike butterfly and flower pattern.
Her eyes were full of envy and longing.
Finally mustering his courage, he walked up to Su Wan, who was checking the accounts.
"Aunt Su...I want to learn embroidery from you! I want to learn the most authentic Suzhou embroidery!"
Since Su Wan became a widow, the children have all started calling her aunt.
Su Wan raised her head, looked at the young girl in front of her who had grown into a graceful and determined young woman, and smiled gently.
“Learning Suzhou embroidery is very hard work. You have to sit for several hours at a time, and your fingers will be pricked countless times.”
"I'm not afraid of hardship!"
Da Niu immediately said, extending her hands, which were slightly rough from years of hard work but very nimble, "My hands are steady, I'm not afraid of getting pricked!"
A hint of admiration flashed in Su Wan's eyes.
"Okay. If you want to learn embroidery, you must first protect your hands. You can't do rough work anymore, and you must moisturize your hands with oil cream every day."
The girl immediately perked up: "That's what Dad said too. I have enough savings."
"Ask your dad?" Su Wan asked with a smile.
"Yeah, my dad even said that daughters are more considerate than sons!" Da Niu giggled.
However, Su Wan changed the subject and picked up the abacus beside her.
"Just knowing how to embroider isn't enough. You need to be familiar with the embroidery workshop's material intake and output, wage settlements, and the accounts with various cloth shops. Would you be willing to... learn accounting and management from Accountant Wang?"
The young woman paused for a moment, then nodded vigorously: "I'm willing! I'm in charge of this business now, so I need to learn it all!"
She understood that Su Wan was going to teach her even more important skills, and she felt even more grateful. "My father said that he would hold the most solemn apprenticeship ceremony for us, together with Douya and the others."
Now, the children were all eager to become apprentices, and the enthusiasm for becoming apprentices grew stronger and stronger in the Shen family mansion.
On this day, the back warehouse of "Shan Hai Su" was filled with the unique aroma of dried grains and herbs.
Daya was carefully turning over a basket of freshly harvested "insect-repelling neem seeds" to dry, her little face full of seriousness.
She watched as Ling Zhan deftly sorted and processed various herbs, her eyes shining.
“Mother,” Daya put down the winnowing basket and walked to Ling Zhan’s side, her voice not loud but clear, “I don’t want to learn embroidery, nor do I want to learn accounting... I want to learn farming! To learn to plant these different seeds of yours! To learn to identify herbs and to learn how to process them!”
Ling stopped what she was doing and looked at the girl who had grown up in "Shan Hai Su" and had a natural affinity for the land and plants.
"Farming is the hardest job, as it depends on the weather."
"I'm not afraid!"
Daya puffed out her chest, "Watching the seeds sprout, grow, and bear fruit gives me peace of mind! It's much more reassuring than embroidery or abacus calculation!"
A barely perceptible warmth flashed in Ling Zhan's eyes.
“Being in the fields every day means I can’t wear nice clothes like Da Niu does every day.”
Daya: "I think Mom's clothes are the most beautiful. They are simple and durable. When Mom wears them, it's like...like bamboo joints wrapped in water ripples, flexible yet strong. I don't know how to describe it, I just really like them."
Ling Zhan nodded: "Okay. Starting tomorrow, hand over the chores in the shop to others and come with me to the fields. Learn about herbs, soil properties, and the seasons."
Daya: "I...I also want to become an apprentice."
Ling Zhan rarely laughed out loud: "I am your mother, I will definitely teach you everything I know."
Daya immediately perked up: "That means the daughter follows in her mother's footsteps!"
Ling Zhan smiled faintly and remained silent.
It's dinnertime again.
Shen Yan carried a bowl of freshly stewed, fragrant cordyceps and fish maw chicken soup and rang the copper bell in Ling Zhan's courtyard once again.
"Wife...the children are all here, this...reunion dinner..."
He spoke through the door, his voice carrying a hint of caution and barely perceptible pleading.
"During this special time, eating dinner together can put the children's minds at ease!"
There was a moment of silence inside the door, then it opened.
Ling Zhan led Xiao Shitou out, ignoring the soup in Shen Yan's hand, and headed straight for the dining room.
Shen Yan was overjoyed and quickly followed.
In the dining room, Douya, Da Niu, and Daya were already seated, and Xuan Chenzi, Su Wan, and Accountant Wang were also invited to eat together.
The table was laden with food, and though the usual hustle and bustle was gone, the atmosphere was no longer dull.
Shen Yan personally served Ling Zhan a bowl of soup and placed it in front of her, then called to the children.
"Eat up, eat up! Tiger's gone to join the army, but you all still have a place at home! You all need to make good plans!"
He cleared his throat, looked at Ling Zhan, and spoke in a consultative tone.
“Wife, look, the children have all grown up and each has their own ideas. Bean Sprout has become an apprentice of the old Taoist priest to take the imperial examination, Eldest Daughter is learning skills from Su Wan, and Daya wants to learn farming... These are all good things! As their father... well, as the head of the family, I have to give them something to look forward to!”
He paused, observing Ling Zhan's expression. Seeing that she didn't object, he grew bolder and his voice became louder: "I propose! All our children, regardless of gender, as long as they follow their chosen path well and are obedient, when they reach the age—eighteen for girls and twenty for boys—and get married, I, as their father, will give each of them ten acres of prime irrigated land as a settling-in allowance! I mean what I say!"
Upon hearing this, everyone at the table was stunned.
Ten acres of land! In Linshan County, Qingzhou, that's enough for a small family to live comfortably!
This is an unprecedented level of protection, especially for girls!
Daya clapped her hands excitedly, "Really? Dad! I want land! I want to learn how to farm right now, and farm my own land!"
Her eyes shone with the purest longing for the land.
Shen Yan was overjoyed when Da Ya called him "Dad" in such a clear and sweet voice!
With a flourish, he waved his hand: "Of course it's true! Father keeps his word! Da Ya has ambition! Tomorrow, Father will pick out ten acres of good land for you in the suburbs and register it with the government as your dowry! Let your mother teach you how to do it!"
He addressed himself as "father" so fluently and naturally, and even looked at Ling Zhan with a flattering gaze.
Ling Zhan put down his chopsticks and asked, "Can't we just give it to the child directly? Does it have to be a dowry?"
Shen Yan: "My lady should know that according to the laws of this dynasty, women cannot own property unless they are widows..."
His voice softened slightly, then quickly returned to a cheerful tone, "However, dowries registered with the government are protected."
"This law should be changed," Ling Zhan muttered under his breath.
His gaze swept over the expectant faces of the children, finally settling on Shen Yan's face, which was filled with the message "Praise me!"
She spoke slowly, her voice clear:
"They may arrange marriages or get engaged, as they please. Women may marry at eighteen and men at twenty. This is a family rule, and those who violate it will not be allowed to own land."
Shen Yan immediately chimed in, feeling that his wife was becoming more and more to his liking.
He said firmly, "Yes! It's the family rule! That's how it has to be! Getting married too early is bad for your health! Our children are precious! They all need to grow up properly and learn skills! If they're not old enough, no one can arrange a marriage for them!"
His attitude was even more resolute than Ling Zhan's, as if he had set the rules himself.
Xuan Chenzi stroked his beard and smiled: "Good. One's foundation should not be taken lightly. If you want to register with the government, you should apply for an official title as soon as possible."
Su Wan and Accountant Wang nodded in agreement.
Bean Sprout, Big Girl, and Big Girl felt an unprecedented sense of security and peace of mind.
Mother set the rules, and Father fully supported them and even gave a generous reward!
Although the road ahead may be different, home will always be a solid support.
Looking at Shen Yan's enthusiastic and even somewhat "ingratiating" demeanor, and then at the light shining in the children's eyes, Ling Zhan finally picked up a spoon, scooped up a spoonful of the chicken soup that Shen Yan had eagerly brought, and put it in his mouth.
Seeing this, Shen Yan felt a great weight lifted from his heart, and his smile became even brighter.
He quickly put another chopstick of stir-fried vegetables on Ling Zhan's plate, the kind she usually served him the most.
"Wife, try this! It's freshly picked from the garden today, so tender and delicious!"
On the second day, Ling Zhan showed up with Xiao Shitou at dinner time, which made Shen Yan very happy.
He served the last dish, saying cheerfully, "I was just about to invite my wife over. Please, have a seat."
Ling Zhan took the chopsticks, his gaze sweeping over the children, his voice clear.
"Now that we've established family rules, we should have official names. Bean Sprout, Big Girl, Daya, do you have any names you'd like?"
The dinner table fell silent instantly. The children were all stunned.
They grew up being called "Bean Sprout," "Big Girl," and "Big Girl," almost forgetting that they should have a proper name.
Shen Yan was also taken aback. In his early years, he had been a street urchin, and he used to just call his children by their names whenever it was convenient.
Now that we're successful, we haven't had time to change.
Now that Ling Zhan brought it up, I realize it really should have an official name.
Bean Sprout was the first to react. He looked at Xuan Chenzi with a questioning gaze.
Xuan Chenzi stroked his beard and smiled: "Now that you have entered my school, you should have a formal name. I observe that you are calm and thoughtful, like ink solidified on an inkstone. How about the name 'Chen Yan' and the courtesy name 'Mo Cun'?"
"Chen Yan... Chen Yan..."
The bean sprout's eyes had just lit up, and it was about to speak.
"no."
Ling Zhan's cold voice rang out decisively, interrupting Xuan Chenzi's words and Douya's joy.
Everyone looked at Ling Zhan.
Xuan Chenzi was somewhat taken aback, while Shen Yan was even more bewildered: "Wife? This...isn't this name good? Inkstone, how elegant!"
Ling Zhan's gaze calmly fell on Douya, but he spoke to Xuan Chenzi: "It sounds like the taboo of 'father,' which is disrespectful. It should be avoided."
"Father's taboo? Same pronunciation?"
Shen Yan repeated it subconsciously, then suddenly realized—Shen Yan! Shen Yan! Isn't that a homophone?!
His face flushed red; his earlier smugness instantly turned into embarrassment.
He slapped his forehead: "Oh dear! Look at my brain! Right, right, right! It can't be a homonym! It can't be a homonym! Daoist Master, this name can't be used!"
Ling Zhan was so meticulous that he even considered the phonetic taboos in his name.
It seems she values herself quite a bit!
Xuan Chenzi was also taken aback, but then he understood and stroked his beard with a wry smile.
"It was my oversight! I forgot to avoid using the master's name! My apologies!"
The atmosphere at the dinner table became somewhat awkward for a moment.
The light in Bean Sprout's eyes dimmed, and she seemed somewhat at a loss.
Ling Zhan looked at Xuan Chenzi, his tone still calm: "Start anew."
Xuan Chenzi composed himself, re-examined Douya, pondered for a moment, and then his eyes flashed with a sharp light again: "Hmm... calm and thoughtful... like still waters running deep, containing without being released. How about the character 'Hong'? Hong means deep and wide waters. Name 'Chen Hong', style name 'Yuan Mo', I hope your learning is like a deep pool of still water, broad and profound, holding fast to your original heart, silently seeking knowledge."
"Chen Hong... Chen Hong..."
Douya murmured the name, feeling that it was more profound and steady than "Yan," as if a deep pool of still water had truly flowed into his heart, resonating with him. The light in his eyes shone again, and he stood up and bowed deeply to Xuan Chenzi.
"Thank you, Master, for bestowing this name upon me! I like it!"
Ling Zhan nodded slightly, which was considered as approval.
Later, the eldest daughter was named "Chen Wansu," a name given to her by Su Wan.
Da Ya was named "Chen Suihe," a name given to her by Shen Yan at Ling Zhan's request.
After the official name was chosen, Shen Yan became even happier.
The family rules were reiterated once again, making his commitment to the land seem even more solemn.
This time, Shen Yan's attitude was extremely upright: "My wife is wise! The rules are well set! Now that the children have proper names, they are truly adults! They can choose their own paths and their own marriages! If they are not of marriageable age, even if the King of Heaven himself comes to propose, it won't work! They can only get married when they reach the right age. If anyone dares to make a move on Shen Hong, Shen Wansu, or Shen Suihe, I, Shen Yan, will be the first to object!"
He patted his chest, then turned to the excited Suihe and said, "Suihe, you're ambitious! You want to farm? Good! I mean what I say! I'll go to the yamen this afternoon to get the deed for those ten acres of prime irrigated land by the river in the east of the city! I'll put your name on it! Consider it your dowry. Tomorrow, your mother will take you to identify the land! Try planting whatever you want! If you do well, it will be your livelihood!"
On another evening at dinner time, Ling Zhan arrived uninvited with Xiao Shitou, making Shen Yan smug.
Suihe jumped up with a cry of "Ah!" and grabbed the hard cover that Shen Yan handed her, her hands trembling.
She couldn't wait to open it and saw her brand new name, "Chen Suihe's Dowry List," neatly written on the land deed, next to a bright red official seal. Her face flushed with excitement, and her eyes shone like stars!
"My land! It really is my land! Father! Mother! Look! Shen Suihe! That's my name!"
Holding up the land deed, she happily spun around in place, eager to rush to the field to take a look.
Da Niu looked at the land deed in her younger sister's hand, and then at Sui He's excited, shining face.
His eyes revealed undisguised envy and longing.
She couldn't help but gently tug at Su Wan's sleeve, asking softly but clearly, "Auntie... if I... if I study embroidery and accounting diligently, will I be able to have my own shop in the future? Like you?"
Her voice was filled with longing, as if she could see her own future independently run embroidery workshop.
Su Wan gently patted the back of her hand and nodded affirmatively: "As long as you are willing to learn and do, you will naturally succeed."
Bean Sprout didn't jump up like her sister.
But when he looked at the land deed with his sister's name on it, a wave of emotion stirred in his usually calm eyes.
He subconsciously clenched his fists and looked at his master, Xuan Chenzi.
The old Taoist priest gave him an encouraging look, stroked his beard, and smiled.
Shen Hong took a deep breath, his determination to achieve fame and success growing even stronger.
Now that his sister has a place to settle down, he also wants to fight for his own future!
For the first time, he felt so clearly the weight and responsibility that the name "Chen Hong" carried.
Little Stone finished the last bite of rice, put down his bowl, and looked at his excited second sister, then at his envious eldest sister and his thoughtful second brother with his big eyes. Finally, his eyes landed on Ling Zhan's face, and he said in a childish but serious voice, "Mommy, when I grow up, I want to be like Sister Suihe and have my own land! To plant... to plant lots and lots of books!"
The child's innocent words drew smiles from everyone, and even Ling Zhan's eyes flashed with a faint smile.
Looking at the children's excited and joyful expressions, especially Suihe holding the land deed like a precious treasure, Shen Yan felt an overwhelming sense of satisfaction, more exhilarating than closing any big deal!
He waved his hand.
He said generously, "I have everything! I have everything! As long as you follow the path you've chosen, when you reach a certain age, your father will provide you with the means to settle down and build a career!"
Hong'er, study hard! Your father will prepare the best writing materials and travel expenses for your exams!
Wansu, study hard and learn some skills, and your father will prepare a decent dowry for you... uh, the capital to settle down!
"Little Stone..." He looked at Ling Zhan, his voice automatically dropping an octave, with a hint of flattery, "...naturally, it's your mother who decides..."
The atmosphere at the dinner table reached an unprecedented level of enthusiasm because of this small land deed and the children's hopes for the future.
After finishing the meal.
Douya was busy asking Xuan Chenzi for advice on strategy, and her voice became more determined.
When Da Niu and Su Wan discussed needlework techniques and accounts, their eyes shone even brighter, as if they could already see their own shop.
Da Ya and Ling Zhan were having a heated discussion about what to plant in rotation on her land, and they couldn't wait to get to the soil the next day.
Little Stone sat quietly beside Ling Zhan, his little head seemingly lost in thought.
Shen Yan watched with a smile, the taste of the reunion dinner was simply wonderful!
He made the decision quietly.
In the future, I need to find more excuses like "the whole family needs to get together" to invite my wife back to the dinner table.
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