Aunt Fu lost face and didn't want to stay at home any longer, so she made an excuse and left in a huff. Xi Chun and the others pretended not to know anything and happily saw her off.
"Third sister-in-law, I heard from the old lady that you're going back in a few days?" The eldest aunt walked over, a faint ingratiating smile on her face.
“Yes, sister-in-law, the three of us have come. There’s no one to look after the family. The children still need to go to school. I’m worried that Changjin’s father can’t manage on his own. I’ve noticed that Mother’s spirits have improved a lot these days, so I thought I’d go home to visit her. Besides, Changfeng’s wife is going back to the capital in a few days, and we need to tidy up the house.”
"I see, Changfeng's wife. You've only been here a short time and you're already going back to the capital. Luckily, your sister-in-law is at home taking care of the elderly. Otherwise, if you all left, your parents would be worried sick."
As soon as her aunt finished speaking, she felt her daughter-in-law quietly tugging at her clothes from behind.
"Hehe, look at what I'm saying, Changfeng's wife. I'm not good at speaking as her aunt, but I don't mean any harm, so don't take it to heart." The aunt explained dryly.
"Aunt, don't worry, I know," Xichun replied dryly.
"Sister-in-law, you don't know this. These children are very filial. They said they wanted our whole family to go to the capital so we could see each other every day. But we're both old, and we don't have any relatives or friends in the capital. It's not as comfortable as being at home."
"Back then, they sent my wife and me to Shaoming County. Oh, I really couldn't get used to it. I missed home as soon as we arrived. It's so much more comfortable at home. These kids are suffering out there. We had no choice in the matter."
Madam Fu wouldn't stand by and watch her belittle her daughter-in-law like that, so she retorted.
"Yes, sister-in-law, I think my two nephews, Changjin and Changfeng, are very filial and promising. By the way, third aunt, look how promising your two sons are. They are either successful candidates in the imperial examinations or the metropolitan examinations. I heard that Changjin went to the capital to study. I'm afraid he will come back as the top scholar next year. Oh my, then your family has two officials."
"Look at you, all your nephews are still staying at home. Why don't you ask Changjin and Changfeng to help out their cousins?"
The second aunt came over and said flatteringly, pointing to her own son beside her. "My son is still studying at home. He's been studying for so many years and hasn't even passed the imperial examination. Sigh, now he's asking his third sister-in-law for help."
"Second sister-in-law, you flatter me. I think all my nephews are handsome and talented. They don't need any help. I heard Changfeng say that some people are just a little slow to realize things, but once they do, they will pass the exams one after another. Your good days are yet to come."
Madam Fu refused to take the bait, pretending to be deaf and dumb, and preventing them from succeeding.
“Hey, Third Sister-in-law, you put it nicely. But if they were really capable, they would have made it big by now. We’re all family, so I’ll be frank. Think about it, if Changfeng and Changjin help their cousins, they’ll have someone to rely on in the future. Yesterday, Grandma was telling me and my sister-in-law that if her grandsons were successful, she would burn incense and chant sutras every day. She said she’d treated you badly before, but she’d treat you well from now on.”
It seems that this was something they had planned together. Perhaps seeing how Xichun treated Aunt Fu, they didn't dare to threaten her as before and instead spoke more gently.
"Aunt, Second Aunt, look at what you're saying. Everyone says that you can't write two 'Fu' characters with the same stroke. When I came back, my husband said that if there were any capable brothers in the family, we must make sure to settle them properly. Although we have separated now and are no longer one branch of the family, there is still some kinship between us."
As long as everyone protects the Fu family's reputation and doesn't let outsiders laugh at them, it's just a matter of a few words. Although they can't become officials without the status of a Juren (a successful candidate in the imperial examinations), becoming a clerk or teaching at an academy is a good way out. It is said that students are all over the world, and teaching and educating people is a good thing.
If a cousin in the family had obtained the title of Xiucai (a scholar who had passed the lowest level of the imperial examinations) and was willing to follow his husband's arrangements, he would shamelessly ask someone to intervene and help him with this favor.
Xi Chun then spoke up, telling Fu Changfeng about the plan she and Fu Changfeng had made when they returned. If the Fu family members weren't properly settled, they might cause some more trouble. Fortunately, he still had some power, so he gave them some small benefits, while also asking them to keep their families in check.
“Oh my, I didn’t expect my nephew Changfeng to be so thoughtful. They didn’t pass the imperial examination and can’t become officials, but if there’s a way, I’ll make sure they do it. Changfeng’s wife, don’t worry, we will definitely not let that happen again. When you go back, tell Changfeng to make sure he thinks things through for his cousins.”
Uncle Fu and the others were also there, but since it was the women who were talking, he had been standing quietly to the side. When he heard what Changfeng's wife said, a smile immediately appeared on his face. They knew all too well what it felt like to be suppressed back then. Now that their nephew Changfeng was willing to give them this opportunity, there was no reason not to seize it.
"Uncle, you're too kind. I'll definitely tell my husband about it when I get back, so don't worry."
"Okay, okay."
Because of Xichun's agreement, in the following days, Aunt and the others became more attentive, and even the old lady's smile became more genuine.
"Xichun, isn't it too difficult for Changfeng to agree to this? If he is, have your father come here next time to explain it to them clearly, so as not to delay Changfeng's future." Madam Fu had already heard Xichun talk about this matter before she came, but seeing the Fu family happy, she was a little worried, afraid that they might do something after gaining power.
“Mother, don’t worry. Father has said before that my eldest cousin and his family are quite well-mannered. As long as their reputation is involved, they won’t dare to do anything too outrageous in the future. Changfeng will write a letter to advise them. If there are any signs of trouble, we will suppress their arrogance ourselves first.”
If we continue to suppress the Fu family, they might actually do something. If we relax a bit and give them some benefits, they'll realize how important reputation is and will think twice before acting in the future. Besides, their titles won't get them any important positions anyway, so if anything happens, we can nip it in the bud long ago.
"That's good. You still have to worry about these things in the capital. Sigh, it's really not easy to be an official. I'll have your father keep a close eye on them from now on, so they don't do anything reckless."
“Yes, Xichun is right. If we keep suppressing them, they might rebel. Once they’ve gained something, they won’t dare to give up the position they’ve worked so hard to get.” Lu Qiuqin nodded. Fortunately, her younger brother and sister-in-law were clear-headed and made arrangements for the Fu family. If her husband really had the opportunity to become an official in the future, he would still have to rely on her second brother and the others. Lu Qiuqin naturally had no objections.
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