Her dream shattered, Old Mrs. Chen was so angry she felt her lungs were about to explode. Her rage surged, and she jumped up and down, cursing loudly.
"You worthless brat, what nonsense are you spouting? If I don't let your father enter the palace, you'd better get married obediently and stop causing trouble."
Having convinced her simple-minded father, Chen Qingqing had no more reservations. Her eyes gleamed coldly as she said in a chilling tone,
“My father won’t go to the palace, and I won’t get married. As for your third son not having enough money for his studies, that’s your problem.”
My father works hard to support his three wives, which is already more than enough. If he wants to sell, he should sell his own daughter, not me.
"If you accept the betrothal gifts and don't want to return them, then marry your precious granddaughter Chen Ruolan off to him. It has absolutely nothing to do with our eldest branch of the family."
Old Chen was so angry that his hands trembled, and he glared and puffed out his beard.
"This is outrageous! What do you mean it has nothing to do with you? We're family! If your third uncle becomes the top scholar in the imperial examination, won't you be able to enjoy the good fortune too?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Zhanshan's eyes darkened slightly. He had heard these words for nearly twenty years.
In order to support his third brother Chen Zhancai's education, the family not only spent all their savings, but also ran out of food.
The family's only cow was sold five years ago, and since then he has become that hardworking and resilient ox.
If anyone showed any dissatisfaction or said anything more, their parents would tell them to shut up, citing their younger brother's future as the reason.
After being promised so many promises, he began to believe them and looked forward to his third brother passing the exam.
Year after year, he not only failed the exam, but also set his sights on his daughter. When he said he wanted to become a eunuch in the palace, not only did no one stop him, but everyone agreed.
Looking at his wife and daughter, their faces were sallow, they were skin and bones, and they were wearing clothes patched upon patched.
Looking at Liu Shi, dressed in silk clothes, with a rosy and fair complexion, one can see that she has lived a life of luxury for many years, enjoying the fruits of her family's labor.
They worked themselves to the bone to support their third son's family; it's so ironic when you think about it now.
His heart sank little by little, chilling him to the bone.
"Father, over the years I've done all sorts of hard and tiring work to support my third brother's education. I've already done more than enough to support him."
He's thirty-four now, and if he wants to continue his studies, he should find a way to raise the money himself, not try to get it from my daughter."
"Nonsense! What do you mean by doing everything you can? The third son is busy with his studies. Where are you going to get him money?"
You are my son, Zhancai's older brother. If there are difficulties in the family, you have a responsibility to find a solution. What's wrong with marrying your daughter off?
"In the future, the third son will bring glory to the family, and you will all enjoy wealth and honor."
"Yeah, bro, I think you're going a bit too far!"
Chen Zhancai gave a disgruntled smirk.
"Doing some work will kill you, right? It's no fun saying that between brothers."
If you were taking the imperial examination to become a scholar, as your brother, I would never say such hurtful things. I would go through fire and water for you without even blinking.
I'd die for you, brother, but you've broken my heart!
Old Chen was very excited as he listened. "Look, all of you, look how high Lao San's awareness is. Eldest brother, you should learn from him. As the eldest brother, you have to act like an eldest brother."
Old Mrs. Chen looked at Chen Qingqing, a flash of disgust in her eyes.
This good-for-nothing is full of nonsense. Otherwise, given the boss's personality, no matter what he's asked to do, he wouldn't utter a single word of dissent.
Now things are really messed up; not only does he refuse to go to the palace himself, but he even knows how to protect this money-losing son.
She grew angrier the more she thought about it, and gritted her teeth as she spoke.
"Boss, don't listen to Qing's nonsense. No matter how close she is to you, she'll be an outsider sooner or later. It's no use if you treat her sincerely."
Your younger sister is a perfect example. When she was at home, everyone in the family doted on her, but now that she's married, she naturally sides with outsiders.
You three brothers are the closest of blood relatives. When your third brother becomes the top scholar in the imperial examination, you'll be the official's elder brother. At that time, you'll have whatever you want.
"Just listen to your mother's advice and marry Qing'er off."
Chen Zhanshan's face was ashen. "What are you asking me and the third brother to learn? To be selfish and self-serving? You can't even ask him to give up this year's imperial examinations and take a year off before continuing?"
"Learn from him, oblivious to everything else, focusing solely on your studies? I regret not seeing through the third son's true colors sooner. He's been bullying me for so many years; now he wants me to sell my daughter? Don't even think about it!"
Chen Qingqing's face was filled with anger. "My father is right. My third uncle is all talk and no action."
If he really cared about his family, what would it matter if he didn't participate in scientific expeditions for a year? Compared to human life, would he die if he didn't take the exams?
Chen Zhanliang couldn't hold back any longer and said loudly, "Qingya is right. What's wrong with not participating in the imperial examination for a year? In my opinion, let my third brother go up the mountain to chop firewood and weed the fields, so that he can know how hard it is for our family to support his studies."
Chen Qingqing glanced at Chen Zhanliang gratefully. This second uncle wasn't a bad person; at least he was reasonable and knew right from wrong.
She didn't want to trouble her parents, so she gave them time, believing she could definitely earn money.
If Chen Zhancai were still a human being with even a shred of compassion, he would certainly not mistreat them in the future.
She was going to take a gamble, to see if Chen Zhancai's character was truly completely corrupt. If he disagreed, then there was nothing she could do.
“I agree with my second uncle’s words. If my third uncle agrees to let me take the imperial examination again next year, even if next year is not a good year, I will marry either Zhang the butcher or Li the butcher and accept the dowry to support his studies.”
Chen Zhanliang looked at everyone and said, "I agree with Qingya. If my third brother takes a year off to take the imperial examination, I would be willing to become a eunuch in the palace next year."
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