Walking down the street, Chen Han felt dazed, as if he were dreaming. Could he really go back to school? It all felt so unreal!
I remember that every time my third uncle left home, the Chen family would be in chaos. They would take all the good food and useful things with him, leaving the rest of them at home to eat meager meals.
Will his family end up like the Chen family before, struggling to make ends meet by squeezing every last penny out of their home in order to support him?
Chen Han asked with a bitter face, "Sister, we have to pay two taels of silver for tuition every month. The academy will be open for ten months a year, plus five taels of silver for room and board. That adds up to twenty-five taels of silver. Isn't our family's burden too heavy? Won't Father and Mother be too tired?"
Chen Qingqing patted his little head with a smile, "Xiao Han, don't worry about these things. Just focus on your studies. I'll figure out how to get the money. Let me tell you again, all you have to do is study hard and strive to make something of yourself in the future, to become a useful person to the court, and not be trapped in these mountains and fields."
Chen Han bit his lip and made up his mind, "Sister, I know you mean well. I will study hard and strive to pass the imperial examination as soon as possible so that you can be the happiest sister in the world and our parents can live a good life."
Chen Qingqing was deeply moved. It's said that children from poor families mature early, and it seems this saying applies to all times.
Chen Han is so young yet he already knows how to think about his family. His character is far superior to Chen Zhancai's. I hope this kid will never forget his original intention and become a grateful person.
The two arrived at the ink shop, where Chen Qingqing learned for the first time that ink had so many names: Yuan Guang, Xuan Gui, Wu Jin, Hei Song Shi Zhe, Song Yan Du Hu, Xuan Xiang Tai Shou, Qing Song Zi, Song Zi Hou, Zu Gui, Long Bin, Long Xiang Ji, etc.
The name itself sounds elegant; no wonder the ancients were so skilled in calligraphy and painting!
I bought an inkstone, a writing brush, Xuan paper, and ink sticks, which cost two taels of silver. It was really expensive. No wonder it takes the whole family's strength to support a scholar.
Chen Han felt extremely distressed when he saw that so much money had been spent. His sister valued him so much, and he vowed that he would never let her down.
After buying everything she needed for her studies, Chen Qingqing went to the pastry shop.
She planned to buy a box of pastries and send it to Chen Zhanliang and his wife. No matter how bad the old lady and her husband were, the second wife's family had indeed secretly lent a helping hand during their most difficult time.
This sentiment is priceless, and now that she has money, she should express her gratitude in any way she can.
Chen Qingqing went to the grain shop again and bought 100 catties of fine rice, which cost two taels of silver, and 50 catties of wheat flour, which cost seven hundred and fifty copper coins.
I went to the butcher shop and bought two catties of pork, which cost fifty coins. Pork fat was more expensive, costing forty coins per catty. I bought five catties, which cost two hundred coins.
Brown sugar is even more shockingly expensive, costing 100 coins per pound.
In order to have a meal of braised pork, Chen Qingqing bought two jin (1 kg) without hesitation.
They also bought salt and other seasonings, and spent a total of twelve taels of silver today, leaving them with eighty-eight taels of silver.
She sighed inwardly, realizing that money is always hard to spend, but she wasn't worried. Even though Master Fan hadn't let her in today, she was sure that within a day or two, the Fan family would send someone to beg her.
When that time comes, I don't believe he won't agree to whatever conditions I set.
She scoffed inwardly. How could she be merciful to someone who tried to renege on the twenty taels of silver for a consultation?
Chen Qingqing then asked the butcher to exchange the three taels of silver for three strings of cash, as it would be more convenient to have change for transportation fees.
After buying everything, Chen Qingqing led Chen Han toward the city gate, with the shop assistant pushing a cart close behind.
Chen Han suddenly stopped, as if remembering something. "Sister, I haven't seen my brother in a long time. Why don't we go see him?"
Chen Qingqing glanced at the sky and shook her head. "Xiao Han, we've been away for long enough. We can't let our parents worry at home. You'll be going to school in town in a few days. There will be plenty of opportunities to see your older brother later. Let's go next time."
"Okay, sis, I'll do as you say."
Upon arriving at the city gate, everything was loaded onto the oxcart, which slowly headed towards Nanshan Village.
The siblings sat on the oxcart, looking at the scenery on both sides of the road, feeling exceptionally happy.
It was nearly noon when they reached the halfway point.
The sun was blazing hot, and two figures were slowly moving forward in the scorching heat.
Chen Han, with his sharp eyes, pointed and said, "Sis, look! Aren't those Grandpa and Grandma?"
Chen Qingqing looked up and saw that it was indeed Old Man Chen and his wife. Even a fool could guess what the two old men had been up to – they must have gone to return the money to Butcher Li.
As the saying goes, there's always a reason why someone is pitiful. Some people can't be woken up; they only realize their mistakes after experiencing pain.
They were all hoping that Chen Zhancai would make something of himself, but they didn't know what the old man and his wife's sincere efforts would ultimately bring them.
Looking at their hunched figures, Chen Qingqing felt sorry for them, but she wasn't a saint and couldn't be overly kind.
Chen Qingqing looked away. "Xiao Han, it's none of our business what other people do. Stop looking."
Chen Han nodded.
Early in the morning, Old Man Chen and his wife took the fifty taels of silver from the land sale to the neighboring Willow Village to find Matchmaker Zhao.
But Zhao, the matchmaker, made excuses and refused to go to Li the butcher's house.
It took a lot of persuasion from Old Mrs. Chen to finally get Zhao, the matchmaker, to move her buttocks.
The two men were both insulted and intimidated by Butcher Li, and it wasn't until almost noon that he finally accepted the silver and let them leave.
Although Nanshan Village is not far from Liutiao Village, only half an hour's walk away, the sweltering heat made them sweat profusely even without moving, and the two of them were exhausted and parched after walking for so long.
Hearing the sound of a whip cracking, Old Mrs. Chen stopped and turned around to look. She saw that it was Liu Laohan from the village returning with his oxcart, and she was so happy that she trembled.
"Old man, don't go any further. Stop Liu Laohan and ask him to give us a ride."
Old Man Chen had been so frightened by Butcher Li that he was practically trembling with fear, and his legs felt as weak as cotton. He nodded in agreement after hearing Old Woman Chen's suggestion.
The two stood by the roadside, waiting for the oxcart to approach. Old Mrs. Chen hurriedly waved her hand and shouted, "Brother Liu, your elder brother and I are visiting relatives, and it's so hot that we can't walk anymore. Could you please be kind enough to let us take the cart back?"
Old Liu was an easygoing person, and besides, he hadn't given many passengers today. It wasn't too far from Nanshan Village, so he didn't refuse. "Alright, honest brother, sister-in-law, get in the car quickly."
Old Mrs. Chen was overjoyed. She pulled Old Mr. Chen up to the carriage, and once they were seated, she suddenly realized that Chen Qingqing and Chen Han were also sitting inside...
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