After Qingyun applied the gentian violet, her whole body turned the same color as a mulberry. Before the violet faded, she probably wouldn't be able to show her face when going out.
That's fine, he then studied the books that the dean had given him in his study and copied down the answers to questions from previous years' imperial examinations.
Jiang Yue specifically told her two nephews not to talk about Qingyun to the people at the old house. On the one hand, it was because they were worried unnecessarily, and on the other hand, Qingyun was old enough to care about his reputation.
Big Stone and Little Stone agreed; they wouldn't talk nonsense!
An hour later, Qingshan returned.
"It's so hot!"
After placing the brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone he had bought on the table in the main room, he dashed to the courtyard, went to the well, drew a bucket of water, and poured it over his face.
Whether it was an illusion or not, everyone seemed to see a wisp of white smoke.
Jiang Yue was picking vegetables when she saw this and reminded her:
"The 'autumn tiger' heat wave is over. It's hot now, and it's probably going to rain soon. You should make fewer cold noodles and jelly noodles when you set up your stall."
"Oh, Mom, business has been slow lately. I don't know if it's because our cold noodles and jelly aren't good, or what."
Qingsong muttered to himself, and it wasn't hard to hear the regret in his words.
"It's just lucky that our family was able to run a small business of cold noodles for more than three months."
Jiang Yue beckoned Qingsong over to talk.
"Mom, last time you said there was another business in winter, what was it?"
Qingsong obediently trotted over. Now that it was just the family in the courtyard, there was nothing they couldn't say to each other.
"It's a secret. I won't tell you now, to save you from being so ambitious and always wanting more."
Jiang Yue lightly tapped the second son's head with a long bean, setting off a smokescreen.
Although her son wasn't her biological child, she raised him in place of the original owner of this body.
How could she not know his temperament?
"Mother~"
Qingsong tried to dodge, but was still struck squarely.
It's been a long time since I've played around with my mom like this; it feels really good!
"Go cut the bone, but don't forget to leave a small piece for Little White to chew on!"
Jiang Yue ignored the second son's exaggerated cries of pain. How much pain could a bean really cause?
This guy is just trying to gain her sympathy!
She won't fall for it!
"Hmph, sigh, now Mom's nicer to Little White than to me~"
Qingsong made a face at Xiaobai as he spoke, then got up and went to work in the kitchen.
"Woof woof woof?"
Little White bared its teeth; the expression its master's second son had just made at it was so ugly!
"Qingshan, after you finish delivering the goods to the restaurant tomorrow, hand the cart over to Dashi and his brothers to bring back. Then come to the yamen to find your mother. Your mother will take you and Yaoyao to your maternal grandparents' house."
Jiang Yue quickly calculated that the ducks she had asked her elder brother to raise should be nearly ready if he listened to her advice.
"good."
Upon hearing this, Qingshan paused, then suddenly remembered something, his eyes sparkling.
If his guess was correct, his mother was indeed thinking ahead and had made arrangements long ago!
In the kitchen, the silly second brother was still muttering to himself.
He hesitated, then thought better of it. His mother was right; his second brother was too hasty.
And so, Wu Qingsong was temporarily spared the secret.
In his frustration, he even pulled out a few strands of hair, his mind completely blank, yet he still couldn't come up with a solution.
Dinner was exceptionally lavish, featuring lotus root and pork rib soup, two braised fish, hot and sour shredded potatoes, cold black fungus salad, and braised pork with green beans.
Four dishes and a soup, just the right amount for a family of five.
Everyone served food to Qingyun, who hadn't been home for a long time. Thinking about his experiences, they all guessed that he hadn't been eating well at the academy...
"Third brother, eat more fish; it's good for your brain."
"Third brother, drink more pork rib soup, and more pork ribs, it'll help you grow taller!"
"Third brother, eat more vegetables."
"Qingyun, eat as much as you want, there's plenty of food at home."
"Thank you, eldest brother and second brother, thank you, little sister, thank you, mother."
Wu Qingyun felt the care of his family again and felt much better, but what should he do if his eyes felt like they were drooling?
Then let's bury ourselves in our food!
"By the way, tomorrow I'll take Yao Yao to the government office to handle the land deed transfer procedures. Wu Dama's eight mu of fertile land in the village is selling to us for thirty-five taels. Mother plans to use the public funds to buy it and transfer it to Mother's name, so that there will still be eight taels of silver left in the public funds."
Then there was the three mu of land in the village's clan land. My mother used the money she had saved from selling medicinal herbs, and gave it to Yao Yao as her dowry, with twelve taels of silver.
Before Yao Yao got married, whatever was planted and harvested on this land belonged to the public.
Do you three brothers have any objections?
Jiang Yue brought up the matter appropriately, with the aim of letting her sons know where every penny of the public funds went, and letting them know that she openly "favored" her daughter.
"Yes, Mother, tomorrow after I finish delivering the goods with my cousins, I'll head to the yamen to meet you."
Wu Qingshan had no objection; they had already discussed using public funds to buy land and transfer it to his mother's name.
As for his mother using her savings to save up for his sister's dowry, he had no objection. And after the snowfall, he would discuss with his wife how to save up some dowry for his sister.
Wu Qingsong picked up a piece of fish belly and gave it to the girl, his gaze gentle as he said:
"Mom, I have no objection. You've sacrificed so much for this family and for us brothers. Yaoyao is our little sister. You can save your money, and we, as the older brothers, will show our appreciation later."
"Thank you, Second Brother~"
Qingyao smiled, revealing her teeth. Seeing her elder brothers' attitudes, her unease vanished completely.
“Mother, I am the most useless person in this family right now. Not only can I not earn money, but I also have to rely on you and my brothers to support me. If I have any objections, then I am truly heartless.”
Wu Qingyun shook his head, expressing a clear understanding.
This also made it clear that he had no objection to his mother and brother doing whatever they wanted.
"Qingyun, don't underestimate yourself. If you can make a name for yourself through your studies, your brothers and sisters will all benefit from your success."
Seeing this, Wu Qingshan comforted him, saying that since he had seen the magistrate's courtroom scene last time, he had gained a new understanding of officials.
If his third brother passes the imperial examination and becomes a scholar, and is fortunate enough to become an official, he will surely become a just and upright official who will seek justice for the people and bring them happiness!
"Big brother~"
Wu Qingyun was moved, and then he looked at his other relatives, who were all looking at him with encouraging eyes...
At the Wu family's old house, dinner was just starting, and the whole family was sitting in the main hall eating.
Only Old Zhou was nowhere to be found. Old Master Wu, not being able to see his wife, was somewhat suspicious and asked his eldest daughter-in-law:
"Big Brother's wife, where is your mother?"
"Dad, Mom is boiling water to pluck the chickens later. She said Qingyun has come home, and she's going to make a pot of chicken soup to take over."
While replying respectfully, Madam Zhou smiled and set out the chopsticks. She had taken over her mother-in-law's job of helping everyone distribute the food.
"Qingyun is back? He needs to replenish his energy."
Seeing that his daughters-in-law looked normal and the children didn't react, Grandpa Wu breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, during this time, the whole family worked hard to earn money, so the family lived in harmony and there were few arguments.
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