Chen Family Old Courtyard.
As she packed her things, Old Mrs. Chen secretly wiped away tears. Her most beloved son was leaving, and she felt a pang of reluctance, but even more so, a deep sense of uncertainty about the future...
Back then, Chen Zhancai passed the imperial examination at the age of ten, becoming a prodigy envied by everyone in the village. She would tell everyone she met that her third son would one day become a scholar.
But so many years have passed, and he is still a novice.
Gradually, the villagers began to look at her with pity, and some even made sarcastic remarks.
If her youngest son fails the imperial examination next spring, she will have nowhere to hide her face in Nanshan Village.
She's put in so many years of effort; even if her son agreed, she wouldn't allow her to give it up now.
No matter what, even if it kills her, she absolutely has to study this book...
Having made up her mind, Old Mrs. Chen packed up all the food and drinks she had saved up at the bottom of her trunk, her eyes filled with tears.
"Zhancai, you must work even harder this time in town. Don't be lazy. Whether your mother can hold her head high in the village depends entirely on you. Don't let your mother down!"
A hint of guilt appeared in Chen Zhancai's eyes. Twenty-four years had passed since he was ten years old. Originally, the Chen family was considered a well-off household in Nanshan Village.
But after so many years of supporting his education, the family's savings were long gone, and they had sold almost everything they could.
If he fails the exam again, he will have no face to face his parents in the future.
At this moment, he felt extremely heavy-hearted, and he made up his mind that he would study hard when he returned to town this time.
He nodded solemnly, “Mother, don’t worry, your son will definitely make something of himself. If I don’t pass the imperial examination and become a scholar, I will have no face to see you.”
"Good, good son." Old Mrs. Chen wiped away her tears. "Zhancai, I've brought you everything you need. If you need anything, just buy it in town. Don't be stingy with money. Remember to take good care of yourself since I'm not here with you."
Chen Zhancai grew a little impatient with her rambling on and on. "Mother, with Fengjiao here, you don't need to worry about these things."
"Yes, Fengjiao is a good woman at managing a household. With her around, I don't have to worry about anything else. But don't think I'm being nagging. Ruolan and Jiye are still young and growing. Remember to cook them a couple of eggs every now and then."
Chen Zhancai almost vomited at the mention of eggs. In town, they ate plenty of meat and fish; who would eat eggs then?
I'm such a country bumpkin, I've never seen anything like this before. My mind is full of petty concerns.
“Mom, don’t talk to me about these things. I’m going to study, not to stay at home and live a normal life. I don’t have time to take care of the children. This is Fengjiao’s business. You can talk to her about it.”
Grandma Chen's expression froze for a moment. "Yes, yes, look at my memory! Why am I telling you all this? Fengjiao, did you hear what your mother said? You'd better pay more attention in the future."
Standing to the side, Liu Fengjiao chuckled, "Mother, I heard you. Don't worry, as long as I'm here, I will never let your precious grandson and granddaughter suffer any grievances."
"Good, I'm relieved to hear you say that," said Old Mrs. Chen, pulling a cloth bag from her inner garment and taking out her only fifty taels of silver. She spoke earnestly.
“Fengjiao, this is all the money our family has. You all know how we got it. To be honest, I really don’t want to spend it. But Zhancai is our family’s hope. In the future, we can rely on him to bring honor to our ancestors and live a life of luxury.”
So, no matter how hard things are at home, for the sake of our third son, even if I go without food or drink, I will still support Zhancai's education. It's not easy for Zhancai to study in town, so we can't skimp on the necessary expenses. We can't let him suffer, understand?
Liu Fengjiao was overjoyed at the sight of the large bag of silver; she couldn't wait to hug it to her chest.
She suppressed her excitement and nodded solemnly, "Mother, your daughter-in-law understands."
"Okay, good to know."
"Are you ever going to stop? Hurry up and leave!" Chen Ruolan had been waiting impatiently for a long time. Seeing them dawdling on and on, she couldn't stand it anymore. She grabbed Chen Jiye's hand and said, "Little brother, let's go. We're not waiting for them."
"You child, you're getting more and more immature as you grow up. What's the rush? Can't you see I'm still talking to your grandma?"
Hearing Liu Fengjiao scold the child, Old Mrs. Chen quickly said, "Alright, don't scold the child. Ruolan is still young. She'll be more sensible when she's older."
"She's still young, almost married, and she still acts like a child. It's all because you spoiled her."
"That's my own granddaughter, it's only right to spoil her," Old Mrs. Chen said, feigning anger as she casually stuffed the silver into Liu Fengjiao's arms. "Alright, stop scolding the child all the time, let's hurry on our way!"
Liu Fengjiao smiled so hard her mouth was practically agape, "Thank you, Mother. Zhancai and I will be leaving now."
The group walked out of the courtyard.
Old Chen placed the sack of millet he was carrying on the oxcart, turned his head, and said with a solemn expression,
"Zhancai, your mother has already said everything that should and shouldn't be said, so your father doesn't want to waste any more words. But you must remember one thing: only if you pass the imperial examination and become a scholar can our Chen family hold our heads high in Nanshan Village. Everything depends on you."
Chen Zhancai nodded vigorously, "Dad, I understand."
Sun disapproved of the biased Old Man Chen and his wife, but if Chen Zhancai really passed the imperial examination and became a scholar, it would be a good thing for her, and would be entirely beneficial to her.
Thinking of this, he forced a smile that looked more like a grimace. "Zhancai, study hard. Don't worry your parents."
Chen Zhanliang, with drooping eyelids, replied perfunctorily, "Third brother, take care of yourself while you're away from home, and come back to visit often when you have free time."
Chen Zhancai clasped his hands in a fist salute, his eyes brimming with confidence. "Second brother and sister-in-law, rest assured, your third brother will certainly live up to everyone's expectations. Just wait for my good news!"
After giving them a long list of instructions, the elderly couple waved goodbye with reluctance...
Watching her third son's family gradually disappear into the distance, Old Mrs. Chen couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
My good son, your mother has gone to great lengths to support your education. You must live up to her expectations and not let her down!
My mother is counting on you for the rest of her life!
Just as she turned to go back to the courtyard, she heard someone call out behind her, "Sister-in-law, wait a minute, look who I brought you?"
Old Mrs. Chen turned her head and saw that it was Zhao, the matchmaker from the neighboring village, walking over, waving a handkerchief and swaying her waist.
She looked surprised. "Matchmaker Zhao, what breeze blew you here?"
"A fragrant breeze brought me to your house," Zhao the matchmaker said with a smile that made her face wrinkle, and the thick makeup on her face kept falling off.
Only then did Old Lady Chen notice that a man with upturned eyebrows and a face full of fierce features was following behind him.
My heart skipped a beat. Oh my goodness, how did this gossipy person attract this living ancestor? This is disgusting!
......
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