Chapter 25 Getting Beaten Up
"Brother..." Meng's father caught up with Master Konghui and said with a forced smile, "Since you're already here, why don't you stay and have a meal with us?"
The senior monk stopped and smiled kindly: "Speak, what brings you here this time?"
"Hey... Can't I invite you to my house for a meal? Do you think I'm only here to ask you for a favor?" Father Meng's face burned with embarrassment.
“The temple offers vegetarian meals, so I’ll eat there. I won’t go to your house. Now that I’ve entered the monastic life, frequent contact with my lay family and relatives will not help me sever my worldly desires,” the abbot said frankly.
Meng's father wasn't sure if his words were a warning to him to contact him less, so he explained awkwardly, "I know what you mean, so even though I'm right at the foot of Ruiguang Temple, I have no intention of going to the temple to bother you. Well, then you go back to the temple, and I'll go back too."
"Speak, what is it?" the senior monk asked.
Meng's father glanced at him twice before saying, "The paper horse shop is doing very well, and we're short-handed. I'm planning to take on a few apprentices, but once we do, we won't have enough space. Qingniang suggested I rent another house for the apprentices to live in and use as a warehouse. But these funerary objects are for the dead, and the neighbors find them unlucky and are very superstitious about them. It's easy for conflicts to arise over time. What if someone sets fire to the house while we're not around at night and someone dies? We'd be bankrupt and unable to afford to pay for it. I'm thinking that this area down the mountain is the private property of Ruiguang Temple, and no scoundrels would dare to cause trouble on Buddha's territory. So I'm thinking of demolishing the attic in the backyard, moving it back a few feet, and building two rows of large houses."
The head monk understood: they wanted to expand their shop and take over another piece of land from Ruiguang Temple.
"Take the measurements first, and decide on the exact size of the land you want. I'll send someone down to make arrangements in a couple of days." The head monk readily agreed. In his view, it was a small matter. Even if the Meng family didn't consult him and started construction and occupied the land directly, the monks in the temple wouldn't stop them. In fact, to curry favor with him, they would even allocate more land to the Meng family.
However, he was quite satisfied with the Meng family's behavior. The whole family were honest people, not the type to bully others by taking advantage of their power, and they wouldn't use his name to extort money or bully others. Only in this way could he feel at ease letting the family live under his protection.
Meng's father was both surprised and delighted. He said gratefully, "Brother, I've troubled you again. This whole thing has caused you so much worry. I don't know what I can do for you. I feel so indebted to you."
The senior monk smiled and said, "It's nothing, not worth your concern. We were born as brothers in this life because of our unfinished karmic bond from a previous life. What I can do for you is the debt I owe you in this life."
Upon hearing this, the smile on Meng's father's face faded.
The senior monk bowed, then calmly turned and left.
After standing there for a while, Meng's father returned to the paper horse shop.
Seeing that his expression was not good, Meng's mother asked nervously, "Didn't your elder brother agree?"
"I agreed."
Why are you looking so down after promising me?
Meng Qing and Meng Chun came over when they heard the noise. She asked in confusion, "Dad, did my uncle scold you?"
“No, he said that we were born as brothers in this life because of our unfinished karmic bond from the previous life, and what he did for me in this life was to repay the debt he owed.” Meng’s father sighed. “He has already helped us enough. Don’t bother him anymore. We can’t repay him for anything.”
"Did you say that he only said those things because you said you could do something for him?" Meng Qing asked. Seeing her father nod, she explained, "Don't feel embarrassed. Monks don't care about worldly relationships and face-saving. You can't interpret it with your own mindset; you have to consider his status. Master Konghui is a high-ranking monk who severed worldly ties upon entering the monastic life. The Buddhist teachings he upholds don't support his continued association with his lay brothers. But he has maintained contact with you all these years and even helped you with things, which goes against Buddhist teachings. So he has to find a reason for his behavior, which is to convince himself that his karmic connection with you from a previous life is not yet severed, that he still owes you, and that he must repay it in this life, clearing all grudges and debts, so that he can finally enter the Great Path."
"Is that so?" Meng's father perked up.
“You can’t go wrong by listening to my sister. She’s studied Buddhist scriptures and even debated them with the monks in the temple.” Meng Chun sincerely believed in his sister.
“What Qingniang said makes sense.” Meng’s mother nodded, nudged Meng’s father, and said, “Your eldest brother is suffering quite a bit. It’s very torturous to be separated from the mortal world. I can’t live like this if I don’t have any contact with my parents, brothers, and children.”
"Qingniang, do you think I should go up the mountain to visit your uncle more often?" Meng's father asked his daughter.
"Go if you want. If my uncle doesn't want to see you, you won't be able to see him either."
“You’re right.” Meng’s father suddenly became clear-headed and said happily, “My daughter is so smart. No wonder your uncle likes you the most. You also have a connection with Buddhism. In the future, you should come with me to the temple to see your uncle more often and talk to him.”
Meng Qing hesitated. Despite her confident demeanor in front of her family, she became timid in front of Master Konghui. When she was young, she had visited Ruiguang Temple with her father. Master Konghui immediately sensed something was wrong with her upon seeing her and even arranged for someone to take away her father, leaving her alone in the meditation room to ask her who she was. She was almost scared to death.
Master Konghui even sent people to inquire about her birth chart several times. Fortunately, she was a child of the Meng family from birth, not a child of the soul. Therefore, there was no problem with her birth chart.
"What Buddhist affinity? Don't cause any trouble for me. You'll be happy if you have another nun daughter. Then you can go to Ruiguang Temple to see your elder brother in the morning and to Cian Temple to see your daughter in the afternoon." Meng's mother was unhappy.
Meng Qing laughed heartily, then pretended to chant Amitabha Buddha, "Greetings, Elder Meng."
Mencius' mother couldn't help but laugh.
"Go back, go back, stop your nonsense here." Meng's father was both angry and amused. He instructed, "The work at Master Chen's place can't be delayed, and you can't delay the new business you've taken on either. Hurry up and make the other paper ox."
Meng Chun handed the child in her arms to Meng Qing, saying, "Sister, I'll go get the donkey cart. You can ride it back."
Meng Qing looked at Zhou, who was covered in sweat from the heat, and said with heartache, "You silly uncle, he's thick-skinned and doesn't mind the sun, but he still lets you stand in the sun. Are you silly because he's silly? Don't you know how to cry?"
Wang Zhou grinned.
“Still laughing.” Meng Qing walked to the big locust tree and said, “Dad, if you have enough money at home, build a few more houses this time, so that in a few years the place will be too small and you won’t have to tear down the houses and rebuild them.”
"I know."
Meng Qing and Meng Chun rode a donkey cart back. As they approached Jiayufang, Meng Chun saw a familiar figure peeking out from the entrance of the neighborhood. It was the peephole-headed neighbor across the street from his house.
"Sister, let's scare her a little later," Meng Chun thought mischievously.
“Forget it, it’s only natural for the living to be superstitious about things used by the dead. There are definitely more people in Jiayufang who have objections to us making funerary objects at home than just her; many are on her side. If we want to stay in Jiayufang, we can’t be too unreasonable. Let’s just bear with it,” Meng Qing advised him. “Let’s be patient for a while longer. Once the row of houses behind the paper horse shop is built, we’ll move there to make paper offerings. We’ll only use this house for living. If she still causes trouble then, we’ll have the right to give her a good beating.”
"Alright then," Meng Chun agreed.
Back home, Meng Qing and Meng Chun each went to different places: one split bamboo strips, and the other prepared ink to dye the paper. The front door remained open for ventilation. Meng Chun paid closer attention and noticed that most people passing by avoided their house, walking instead to the door of the house with the narrowest corner.
“Little brother, let’s stay up a little longer tonight. The four of us will try to split enough bamboo strips today and finish the paper ox as soon as possible. When Master Chen’s men come to pick me up in the future, you and your parents can come with me to see it and broaden your horizons. That way, you can have your own ideas when making paper houses in the future,” Meng Qing said as he stepped forward.
“Okay.” Meng Chun nodded. “Sister, I’ll go close the gate. Every person who passes by is terrified of us, yet they still crane their necks to look into our yard.”
"It's alright, the sun is shining brightly in the yard, there's nothing to be afraid of, and I'm not afraid of people looking at me." Meng Qing waved his hand and left.
When Meng's parents returned home in the evening, Meng Chun told them what had happened during the day. His parents didn't say anything, but only told him to do his job well and hone his skills.
*
Two days later, the Yu family picked up the custom-made funerary object. Meng's father gave Meng Qing the eight strings of cash from the sale of the paper ox. After deducting the cost of two strings and seven hundred coins, Meng Qing received two strings and six hundred and fifty coins. She took one string and sixty coins and put it away separately. This was what Du Min deserved.
"Excuse me, is this the Meng family's residence? The Meng family's paper horse shop, the home of the Meng family's owner?" That afternoon, a man who looked like a butler came to Jiayufang.
Under the large elm tree outside the neighborhood, more than ten porters were sleeping, taking a midday rest. Several women were also doing needlework under the tree with their daughters, enjoying the cool shade. Diaoxiaoyan was also there. Upon hearing this, she interrupted, "You've come to the wrong place. There's no Meng family here."
"The first one at the entrance, the one with the door facing south," someone else said.
Butler Chen thanked him and walked over.
"You think you're a good person?" he said, his slanted eyes and raised eyebrows giving off a sarcastic tone.
“This man’s clothes are made of fine material, like hemp cloth, and his Mandarin is even more authentic than that of Supervisor Wang at the ferry crossing. He’s clearly not from a humble family. Be careful not to offend him,” the woman who was giving directions explained.
The porters who had been dozing off woke up, and one of them said, "I've seen this man before. He's the steward of the Chen family. When the old master of the Chen family was buried, this man hired people to pave the road at the Wumen Ferry."
As soon as she finished speaking, she saw Meng Chun running out and asked, "Meng Chun, who's here at your house?"
"The steward of Master Chen's household is here to arrest you," Meng Chun threatened her.
The man with the slanted eyes scoffed, "I haven't done anything wrong."
That's what she said, but she also felt a little panicked. Did the Meng family really have a connection with Master Chen?
Half an incense stick later, Meng's parents returned, and the entire Meng family, including the nursing baby, went with the steward of the Chen household.
The slanted eyes have finally quieted down completely.
The Meng family was heading to the Chen residence, but the Chen family was in mourning and the main gate was closed, meaning they were not receiving guests. Butler Chen led them in through a side door near the kitchen.
They had barely gone inside when there was another knock on the side door.
“Auntie, my name is Du Min. I helped out at the old man’s funeral before…”
“The master does not receive guests,” the gatekeeper interrupted him.
"Yes, I understand. Please pass on a message to the magistrate: Du Min has entered the prefectural school and has come specifically to thank you." Du Min said amiably.
Upon hearing that it was the prefectural school, the servant woman perked up, assuming he was the son of some official. But upon closer inspection, she noticed that his clothes were made of hemp, just like hers.
"Get out, get out! What kind of pheasant came here pretending to be a phoenix? And you call yourself a prefectural school? You must be dreaming!" The servant woman cursed and slammed the door shut.
Du Min was so angry that his face turned purple. He stood outside the door staring at the closed wooden door for a long time before turning around and leaving.
After leaving Renfengfang, Du Min walked to the riverbank and sat down. Once his anger subsided and his mind calmed down, he splashed water to wash the sweat off his face and then got up to head to Rujiaofang.
The prefectural school only gave him one day off, so he wanted to make the most of the time to say goodbye to his teachers and friends.
*
"Why are you running?" In the sweltering heat, Madam Xie was irritable and annoyed. Hearing the servant's footsteps running, she angrily scolded him.
"Madam, we have a guest. I'll go ask the master if he'll see him."
Who's here?
"Du Xuezi".
"Just invite him in. It's not like this is his first time here," Madam Xie said, puzzled.
"But Master instructed me that if Scholar Du comes, I should say he's not home." The servant was in a dilemma. He pointed to the door and said in a low voice, "Scholar Du said he went to the academy to find the teacher, but the people at the academy said the teacher has returned. What am I supposed to say?"
Madam Xie was completely bewildered. Weren't the teacher and student on good terms? What happened?
"Please invite them in and serve them a bowl of cold tea. I'll go fetch the master." Madam Xie headed towards the backyard.
Master Xie was in his study when Madam Xie knocked on the door. Before anyone could respond, she pushed the door open and entered. "What argument did you have with your good student? Why won't you let him in?"
"Du Min has arrived?" Master Xie sat up from his couch.
"He's here. I'll have someone take him to the hall for tea. You should quickly tidy up and change your clothes before going over too." Madam Xie said this, but she walked unhurriedly to the folding chair and sat down. She picked up a large palm-leaf fan, fanning herself with one hand, and tugged at his wide sleeve with the other, asking, "What happened?"
"He climbed up to Master Chen and dropped out of Chongwen Academy to study in the prefectural capital," Master Xie sighed.
"This is great news! Du Min is so capable!" Madam Xie exclaimed with delight. She joked, "Don't be jealous of him. You didn't have this kind of luck when you were young."
Master Xie was forty-two years old this year. He had taught at Chongwen Academy for ten years. Before the age of twenty-nine, he devoted himself to the imperial examinations, taking the prefectural examinations five times and the provincial examinations twice, going to Chang'an to take the provincial examinations, but failing both times. His ambition gradually faded. In addition, his father passed away when he was twenty-nine years old. He suddenly realized that he had been so engrossed in his studies that he had neglected his parents, and that he was almost depleting his family's wealth. If he continued to take the exams, his family would have to sell land, which would be tantamount to squandering the family fortune. After the mourning period, he returned to Chongwen Academy to teach, instead supporting his son's pursuit of the imperial examinations.
"What am I jealous of him for? I've found Du Min to be too impatient, too ambitious, and too calculating. He's not someone to be trusted. I don't even know when he developed the idea of currying favor with Master Chen. The policy essay I revised for him all night became a stepping stone for him to recommend himself. Even the funerary objects that Master Bai, Master Yu, and Master Chen used to pay respects to Dr. Chen were part of his scheme. The one who suffered the most was Gu Wuxia. The Gu family was also eyeing that spot in the prefectural academy, and in the end, it all benefited Du Min." Master Xie shook his head. "This man is too calculating. It's better for me not to associate with him, lest I be used by him again."
"Isn't Scholar Gu a bit too old?" Madam Xie asked hesitantly.
“Yes, he is already twenty years old, but the newly appointed Dr. Xu is a student of Mr. Chen. As long as he and Mr. Chen agree, Gu Wuxia can change his age to enroll in school,” said Master Xie.
"The places at the prefectural academy are highly coveted. Since Master Chen chose Scholar Du, it means he's unwilling to risk the Gu family's future. Don't feel sorry for him; Scholar Du is simply more capable." Madam Xie went to fetch him some clothes, urging, "With your temperament, you're only fit to teach at the academy. Our son might still have a chance in the imperial examinations, but don't be a stumbling block for him. Du Min is from a poor family; it's his skill that he managed to get into the prefectural academy through Master Chen. You two have a teacher-student relationship, so as long as he's willing, you should protect him. If Du Min really succeeds, you might even need his help someday."
After being reminded by Madam Xie, Master Xie tidied his clothes, opened the study door, and went out.
Du Min had already drunk two bowls of cold tea, and the servant wanted to refill it, but he waved his hand and said, "Thank you, I'm full."
"I'll go to the backyard to urge him... Master is here."
Du Min stood up, relieved. He thought he was going to be turned away again.
"Sit, sit." Master Xie pressed down with one hand, indicating that he did not need to be polite. He pretended to be unwell and said, "I have a bit of heatstroke and am resting in the study. Your teacher's wife went to call me, but I couldn't get up for a long time. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."
"Master, you're too kind. It's so hot today. I've been feeling terrible all the way here. I had to drink two bowls of cool tea to feel better, and I'm feeling a little better now." Du Min noticed the politeness in Master Xie's words, and he felt a little sad. He said dejectedly, "I've come to say goodbye to you. I've been a student at Chongwen Academy for two years, and it's my greatest fortune to have you take a liking to me. I've received a lot of care and guidance from you these past two years. I will never forget your kindness."
Master Xie listened to him, but he never mentioned the policy discussion, and there was no apology in his words for taking advantage of him. He smiled and said, "It's because you are capable."
Du Min didn't know how to respond, so he glanced at him and said, "Master, you are not feeling well, so I won't bother you any longer."
"Wait a minute." When Madam Xie arrived and heard this, she smiled and said, "I heard you've entered the prefectural school? That's quite an achievement. I've lived in Wu County for thirty or forty years and I've never seen a commoner enter the prefectural school. You've really made your teacher proud."
"You flatter me, Madam. It was all by chance. I should thank you, Master, for revising my essay. It was this essay that caught the eye of the wealthy man, which is why he gave me this opportunity." Du Min bowed deeply to Master Xie.
Master Xie's expression softened. "This is your good fortune."
Madam Xie took a heavy wooden box from the maid behind her and handed it to Du Min, saying, "This is a small token of our appreciation from your husband and me. Use it to make some nice clothes. It is said that one should respect the clothes before respecting the person. The students of the prefectural school are all from official families. They have good backgrounds and high standards. Although you are not as good as them, you cannot let them look down on you."
Du Min's eyes welled up with tears. "Thank you for thinking of me, Madam. But I can't accept this money. I've saved up some money and can buy my own clothes."
“How much money can you save by copying books? Just take what your teacher’s wife gives you.” Master Xie softened. He got up, took the money box, and stuffed it into Du Min’s hand. He sighed and said, “The prefectural school is not a good place to stay. It’s an unreasonable place. Remember to be tolerant when you encounter problems.”
Du Min remembered that the money in his hands was ill-gotten and could not be brought to light, so he had no choice but to accept the gift.
Master Xie saw him off at the door. At the moment of parting, he felt a pang of regret for his talent and said with emotion, "I have been teaching for ten years, and of all my students, you are the most promising. I will not be able to protect you on your future path. Take good care of yourself."
Du Min bowed again, saying, "If I am fortunate enough to pass the imperial examination in the future, I will definitely come to pay my respects to you, Master."
Upon hearing this, Master Xie escorted him for a while longer, seeing Du Min off outside the alley.
Du Min left the Confucian Academy at dusk, but in the sweltering summer, it got dark late, and the riverbank was filled with people playing in the water or rowing boats, making a lot of noise. He turned into a narrow alley, intending to take a shortcut back to the prefectural school.
Suddenly, he heard hurried, chaotic footsteps behind him. Thinking it was someone passing by, Du Min stepped aside. The next instant, he saw a long shadow on the road ahead, a sack-like shadow looming over him from behind. His heart skipped a beat, and before he could cry out, everything went black. Then he was kicked to the ground, and a flurry of sticks pounded on his body.
"Help! Help me—" Du Min covered his head, curled up in a ball, screaming and calling for help.
"Someone's coming, let's get out of here," someone whispered.
"Damn it, he got off easy."
A group of people came and went in a hurry. Du Min listened to the footsteps fading away, and he hurriedly got up and broke free of the sack. He only had time to see a blurry figure disappear at the end of the alley.
As Meng Qing and her family came out of Renfengfang, they bumped into five men rushing towards them. Just as they were about to collide, Meng Chun and her father quickly turned around to protect Meng's mother and Meng Qing.
Meng Chun bumped into a man with a large mole on his face and fell.
"Can't you watch where you're going?" The man with the big mole spat at him.
"Who's blind? We were walking along just fine, and you barged in like you were announcing a bad day," Meng Chun yelled as she got up.
"If you bastard utter another word of nonsense, I'll beat you to death." The man with the big mole rolled up his sleeves, pretending to hit him.
"You son of a bitch, you son of a bitch, you have no mother!" Meng Chun cursed back angrily.
"Alright, alright, let's go." Meng's mother pulled Meng Chun back. "Let's go, let's not cause trouble."
"Let's go, let's go." The people living in Renfengfang are all rich and powerful, not people like them who are just merchants. Meng Qing handed the child to Meng Chun and dragged him away.
"Who is this person?" Meng's father was furious.
"Shut up and get out of here," Mencius' mother scolded him.
The turmoil in Renfengfang ended with the Meng family backing down.
In the alley between Renfengfang and Rulinfang, Du Min was helped up by kind onlookers, who even helped him pick up the copper coins scattered on the ground.
"These people are too audacious, daring to commit violence in broad daylight. This student, you're from Chongwen Academy, right? Go find your teacher and have him take you to report to the authorities. There were five people who beat you up. I saw them; one of them was a big guy with a mole on his face." The kind-hearted old man who first heard the commotion advised Du Min.
Du Min had a guess about the perpetrator's identity. He agreed verbally, and after the onlookers left, he dragged his wounds back to the prefectural school without saying a word.
From then on, Du Min never left the prefectural school again.
...
On May 15th, Sister-in-law Yun's brother and sister-in-law came to pick up the custom-made funerary objects with the final payment. Meng Qing received 7.300 guan from her father. After deducting the cost, she received 2.550 guan and put 1.20 guan into Du Min's money box.
On May 18th, it rained, and the summer harvest was suspended. Du Li went to the city and brought Meng Qing a bundle of chives, a bundle of garlic scapes, three lotus roots, and half a basket of taro.
Du Li spent half a month harvesting rice in the paddy field, and he was so dark he looked like a piece of charcoal. He was already thin, and now he was even thinner and darker, like a burnt ghost. Wang Zhou wasn't even afraid of paper figures, but when he saw him, he was so scared that he cried loudly.
Meng Qing felt sorry for him, but she was busy making paper houses and couldn't go back to take care of him. After thinking it over, she followed him to the ferry when he left, and sure enough, she met the boatman she had taken when she returned to the city after her baby's full moon celebration.
"Boatman, I remember you enter the city in the morning and leave in the afternoon on even-numbered days, right?" Meng Qing asked.
"Yes, as long as there is no strong wind or heavy rain, I go into the city every other day."
Upon hearing this, Meng Qing said to Du Li, "On even-numbered days, you should arrange for Jinshu or Qiaomei to wait at the ferry. I will ask the boatman to bring you food. Biluo, sesame cakes, and rice cakes won't spoil even after half a day, and they're filling. You can eat them when you're hungry while working, and you can also eat them at night. Gain some weight; you can't stay thin any longer."
"I'm full from eating." Du Li didn't want her to spend money; the things she bought would feed the whole family, which was a waste.
Meng Qing ignored him and told him to get on the boat, saying, "Remember what I said."
The boatman was all smiles, and the passengers on the boat were watching the spectacle.
Du Li felt embarrassed to say anything more, so he walked to the bow of the boat, sat down, and said, "Boatman, let's go."
As the ship set sail, Du Li suddenly stood up and said loudly, "After harvesting the early rice, we need to plant the late rice. Even if it rains again, I won't be able to come. I'll come to see you after the late rice is planted."
Meng Qing waved to him.
"Hey kid, is this your wife? How come you two live in the city and the other in the countryside?" a passenger on the boat asked.
“My third brother is studying at Chongwen Academy. He can’t take good care of himself. Fortunately, my wife’s family is in the city, so my parents let her stay at her family’s house to take care of my third brother.” Du Li could no longer see the ferry crossing, so he sat down at the bow of the boat.
“Your third brother is enjoying a good life, but you two are suffering.” Someone spoke up for him, feeling indignant.
“It will be fine in a few years. If my third brother can pass the imperial examination, all these sins will be worth it.” Du Li smiled.
The people on the boat chuckled. Passing the imperial examination was no easy feat, but since they were complete strangers with no grudges or enemies, no one tried to discourage him.
*
In the Du family home, the sound of looms echoed one after another in the east wing. Du's mother and Li Hongguo sat in front of the loom, weaving cloth. The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law sat facing each other expressionlessly, passing the shuttle back and forth. If Li Hongguo was even a little slow, Du's mother would seize the opportunity to glare at her.
Du Li returned with light steps and saw Jinshu and Qiaomei sitting under the eaves wiping water off mulberry leaves with bitter faces. He smiled and said, "Go play, I'll wipe them."
"Oh! I can finally go out!" Jinshu jumped up.
"Second Uncle, do you have any candy in your pocket?" Qiaomei didn't leave; she leaned close to Du Li and asked in a low voice.
"There's no candy today, but on even-numbered days, go to the ferry crossing in the afternoon, and the passing boatmen will bring you food," Du Li teased her.
"I don't believe it," Qiaomei pouted.
"Have you seen your third brother?" Madam Du asked, her face dark as she emerged from the east wing.
"I didn't see him. He told me not to bother him and specifically instructed me to." Du Li was so excited that she forgot and complained.
"Your wife brings him food every day, didn't you go with her?" Du's mother sensed something was wrong.
Du Li's heart tightened, and he quickly added, "It's not Qingniang who delivers the food on rainy days, it's my brother-in-law. My third brother doesn't want to see me either, so I didn't go with him."
Du's mother stared at him for a while, feeling that something was off, but she couldn't find anything wrong with it.
“When the early rice is harvested and you go to the city to sell the grain, I want to go with you. I need to see him. I’m always worried; I feel like something has happened to your third brother.” She patted her chest and let out a long sigh.
“What could possibly happen to him at the academy? I think you’re just feeling anxious because of the heat; I’ve been feeling anxious because of the heat these days too,” Du Li said.
"You don't know anything," Du's mother said, too lazy to pay him any attention.
"By the way, Qingniang said she buys some food on even-numbered days and asks the boatman to bring it back. From now on, Qiaomei will wait for her at the ferry." Du Li took credit for Meng Qing.
"Oh? The miser is finally willing to pluck his feathers?" Du's mother curled her lip. After saying that, she understood and said sarcastically, "Does she think I've mistreated you? Or did you play the victim at your in-laws' house? Aren't you ashamed to do this?"
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