Chapter 479: The Delicate and Soft Sister-in-law VS the Black-hearted Brother-in-law Who Was Borrowed for Seed 29
The sudden quarrel made the atmosphere at the dinner table awkward and everyone looked at each other in confusion.
Old Man Chen sighed, "I can't even eat in peace."
Then, he looked at Chen Mufeng and suddenly said, "Liu Lang, when are you going to leave for Fengqi County to participate in the Autumn Examination?"
Chen Mufeng swallowed the food in his mouth, thought for a while, and said, "Just for these two days. I have made an appointment with my classmates in town. Let's go together, and we can take care of each other on the way."
When everyone saw the father and son talking about the imperial examination, they all pricked up their ears to listen.
Obviously, everyone is concerned about this issue.
Old Man Chen nodded slightly, "It's better for everyone to go together. It's safer with more people. But, let your eldest brother go with you. I'm worried about not having someone of your own around you."
When Chen Xiutian heard his father mention him, he quickly said, "Dad, don't worry. I will accompany my sixth brother to Fengqi County when the time comes. Even if I leave, you and my second brother will still have to trouble you with the work in the fields."
Old Man Chen waved his hand and said, "We will take care of the farm work. You can just accompany Liu Lang to participate in the Autumn Examination. This Autumn Examination is a big event for Liu Lang, so you have to take good care of him.
Chen Xiutian nodded and said, "Dad, I know. I will definitely take good care of my sixth brother and will never let him get into any trouble."
Wang also became nervous at this time. Although she was a village woman, she also knew the importance of the imperial examination to scholars.
She looked at Chen Mufeng and said nervously, "Sixth Brother, you have to bring more silver when you go to Fengqi County to participate in the Autumn Examination. You need to take care of food and drink on the way, and you also need to take care of things when you get there. Tell me, how much silver do you need?"
Chen Mufeng felt warm at heart when he heard this. Although his family had enough food and clothing, life was actually not easy.
His parents have spent all they have to support his studies.
He smiled slightly, trying to appease Wang, and said, "Mother, no need. I earned some money copying books in town, which is enough."
When these words were spoken, everyone present was stunned.
How come they didn't know when Chen Mufeng was copying books in town? They hadn't heard him say that either.
In fact, Chen Mufeng did copy books in Mobaozhai in the town.
However, as the autumn examination was approaching, he stopped copying books and instead concentrated on reviewing his lessons.
All the money he earned from copying books was used to buy pens, ink, paper and inkstone, leaving almost nothing.
But he never told these to his family.
Old Man Chen frowned and couldn't help scolding, "You are about to take the imperial examination, why are you still copying books? Isn't this a waste of energy?"
Chen Mufeng looked a little embarrassed: "Dad, I was inconsiderate and haven't copied recently."
Old Man Chen nodded slightly. "I don't know how much you earned from copying books, but you never asked us for money for your pens, ink, paper and inkstone. These things are very precious, and I don't think you have much left. I'll give you some more at home. The imperial examination is a big deal, and you can't lose the big picture for the sake of a small one."
Chen Mufeng was touched, "Dad, Mom, you have already given so much for me, I can't let you worry about me anymore. I really..."
Before he could finish his words, Yu Yao secretly kicked him.
This fool, why doesn’t he want the money?
She was eager to deduct more of Wang's money, even though it was not for herself.
But when she saw Wang's painful expression when she took out the silver, she felt relieved.
Chen Mufeng's eyes drifted towards her, not understanding why she kicked him?
Yu Yao ignored him and looked at Old Man Chen and Madam Wang, "Dad, Mom, Sixth Brother loves you and doesn't want the family to spend money on him anymore. But Dad is right, the imperial examination is a big deal and we can't afford to make mistakes. And I heard that every autumn when the imperial examination is held, the inns in Fengqi County are extremely popular, and those innkeepers will take the opportunity to raise the room prices, causing many poor students to be unable to afford to stay and have to live in remote places, thus missing the time to enter the examination hall and delaying their future."
She wasn't just saying this; it was real.
When Wang heard this, her face changed slightly and she said hurriedly, "That won't do. Liu Lang, you should listen to your mother and bring more money with you. It will be enough to have food at home. Your imperial examination is the most important thing."
Old Man Chen nodded slightly. "Liu Lang, your mother is right. We don't have much to spend at home. I will discuss with your mother tonight to see how much is appropriate for you."
Chen Mufeng couldn't refuse, so he nodded and agreed, "Okay."
Zhao glanced at Yu Yao, feeling somewhat unhappy, not understanding why her third brother's wife said those things.
Doesn't she know that this is public money?
All this silver has been given to my sixth brother, Shen. Will there be any silver left after the family division?
Although he was unhappy, he didn't say anything. The imperial examination was indeed a big deal and could not be delayed.
As night falls, the moonlight shines like water, gently falling on the Chen family's courtyard, covering this quaint courtyard with a layer of silver gauze.
Inside the main room, a dim oil lamp flickered, illuminating the wrinkled faces of Old Man Chen and Mrs. Wang.
"Old woman, count the money in the house and see how much is appropriate to give to Liu Lang."
Old Man Chen held the pipe in his hand, put it in his mouth and took a few puffs, then spoke in a low voice.
"good."
Wang responded, stood up and walked to the bedside, bent down and squatted, and pulled out a blue brick from under the bed. She rummaged around in it for a few times and took out a box.
The objects in the box collided with each other, making crisp sounds.
It sounds like copper and silver.
Wang put the box on the table and opened it. There were some small silver coins and copper coins, as well as a few small cloth bags inside.
She picked up a small cloth bag, opened it, counted the silver inside, and put it back.
Then he counted the small change and copper coins in the box.
After counting, she said to Old Man Chen, "Old man, the total is forty-five taels. This is all the savings of the family."
Old Man Chen's eyes lingered on the silver coins and copper coins, his brows furrowed, as if he was thinking about how much to give Liu Lang.
"Old man, how much do you think we should give Liu Lang?"
Wang couldn't help but ask.
Old Man Chen pondered for a moment and said, "Sixth Brother is going to Fengqi County this time. The journey is long and he needs to make connections. And as Third Brother's wife said, the inn's price has increased, so silver is naturally needed."
Wang sighed, "I know, but this is all the money we saved with great difficulty. If we give it all to Liu Lang, what will we do if there is an emergency at home?"
Old Man Chen frowned, "What's the urgent matter? The most important thing now is Liu Lang's imperial examination. If he can pass this time, our family won't have to worry about the future."
After some discussion, they decided to give Chen Mufeng thirty taels of silver, which was already a considerable sum for the Chen family.
The next morning, Wang called Chen Mufeng over and handed him thirty taels of silver wrapped in cloth.
"Liu Lang, this is what mom and dad prepared for you. Take it and do well in the exam in Fengqi County. Don't be stingy, spend it when necessary."
Chen Mufeng took the silver and said, "Mom, this is too much. I can't take so much."
Although he didn't know how much money the family had, he estimated that it would not exceed 50 taels.
He opened the cloth bag, thinking of taking ten taels symbolically and then handing the rest to Wang.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her third sister-in-law passing by the door. Her eyes drifted into the house and she secretly glared at him several times. Her eyes seemed to say, "You fool, you don't even want the money. Take it all from me."
Chen Mufeng understood what he meant, looked a little embarrassed, and clenched the cloth bag in his hand.
Then he said to Wang: "Mom, I will listen to you. I will do well in the exam and live up to your and Dad's expectations."
Wang smiled with relief, but her heart was bleeding. How long would it take to save up thirty taels of silver?
My heart aches, but I can't show it. It's so painful.
Yu Yao passed by the main house door and saw Wang, who was obviously uncomfortable but forced to smile, and left with satisfaction.
He was humming a little tune.
The corner of Chen Mufeng's mouth twitched, and he finally understood why his third sister-in-law insisted on accepting his mother's money herself.
In the evening, Yu Yao and Zhao made some dry food in the kitchen and asked Chen Mufeng to take it with him to eat on the road.
Before dawn the next day, Chen Mufeng and Chen Xiutian left on a ox cart, saying that they wanted to get to the town as soon as possible.
Yu Yao didn't rush to see him off, mainly because she didn't get up, which was quite a pity.
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