Chapter 6

Mr. and Mrs. Zhu were very willing to spend money on their eldest son's education, especially after he obtained the title of a child scholar. Although he didn't pass the county examination to become a scholar, they were still overjoyed. Since then, they have been even more dedicated to supporting his studies. However, the family's finances have been strained over the past few years, and they truly cannot afford to support another student.

Mrs. Zhu paused for a moment before slowly speaking, "The family really doesn't have the means to send Jun'er to school right now."

Aunt Wu, the eldest son's wife, wanted to argue but was pulled under the table by her husband, who gave her a meaningful look. Reluctantly, she nodded in agreement.

Because Zhu Ping'an was young and short, he happened to see his uncle's subtle gesture under the table, which gave him a deeper understanding of his uncle. His uncle, it seemed, was quite calculating.

That's right, Uncle! Since the path to the neighboring village's private school is blocked, isn't there still Uncle at home? Although Uncle didn't pass the scholar examination, he is well-versed in literature. If I follow him to learn traditional characters, can't I find a way to achieve my goals indirectly?

"Can I study with Uncle?" Zhu Ping'an raised his little face and asked, extending his small hand.

Before Uncle could speak, Aunt Wu began to lecture and criticize Zhu Ping'an, "Little Zhu, your Uncle is still preparing for his exams. He spends every day studying as if it were two days. How could he have time to teach you to read and write? If you delay his chances of becoming a scholar and winning the imperial examination, you will be in big trouble!"

In short, Aunt Wu's face was full of disdain, much like the mother-in-law of Wang Dahu.

"Wait until I pass the scholar examination, and then I will teach you." Uncle Zhu's words were much more pleasant to hear, but the meaning was the same—rejection. One was blunt, the other was more tactful, but there was no difference.

Although I am young, I don't need to rely on you to learn. I just need a reason to gradually show my knowledge.

If I wait for you to pass the scholar examination, it will be too late. When I entered, if what I saw was qi, then it's likely that Uncle won't pass the scholar examination anytime soon. The white qi pillar above his head, though more concentrated than others in the family, is still white. White represents commoners, while green represents officials.

Zhu Ping'an silently criticized.

Although the food wasn't tasty, Zhu Ping'an, adhering to the principle of thrift and avoiding waste, ate the pancake in his hand and the porridge in his bowl clean, even licking the bowl a few times. After all, he was a bit chubby.

Zhu Ping'an's good appetite formed a stark contrast with his cousin Zhu Pingjun, who was picky.

"Second wife, go and get Little Zhu another half bowl of porridge." The old man, though favoring the eldest and youngest sons, was still very protective of his own children. Seeing Zhu Ping'an eat properly, he was satisfied and worried that the child might go hungry.

At such times, Mother Chen always looked proud.

As dinner was about to end, someone called from outside the gate, delivering a message from the town. It said that Grandfather's family was going to visit their son who was doing business in the south and wouldn't be able to come for the ancestral worship during the New Year. Therefore, they would come to worship the ancestors and say goodbye three days later before leaving.

The Zhu family had three siblings, with the old man being the youngest. The middle one was a sister who married into the town, and Grandfather had gone to the town as an apprentice since childhood and moved there after getting married.

Although they lived in different places, they would still meet during holidays or market days.

Now, upon hearing that his elder brother was moving to the south, the old man sighed and left the table, returning to his room.

After the old man left, Mrs. Zhu, worried, followed to persuade him, and everyone gradually dispersed, returning to their respective homes.

The news of Grandfather's family moving to the south didn't have much impact on the family except for the old man. After all, since Grandfather's family moved to the town, their relationship, though good, wasn't very close. At most, they lost a place to stay in the town.

The Zhu family compound was similar to a modern Beijing quadrangle, but slightly larger and more complex. It was divided into the main house and two side houses. There was a well in the courtyard. The main house had three large rooms: one for the living room, one for the old couple's bedroom, and one for the eldest son's family. The two side houses were for the second and third sons' families. Near the main gate, there was a kitchen and a woodshed.

Under the bright moon, the oil lamp in the left side house flickered with a dim yellow light, but it was not as bright as the moonlight shining through the window. Although the room wasn't empty, there were few valuable items. However, the room was very clean and tidy, with things neatly arranged.

Mother Chen was sitting at the table, mending Zhu Ping'an's pants under the lamp, while Father was doing some simple carpentry work nearby.

She bit off the thread, placed the clothes next to Zhu Ping'an, and said, "Try them on, see if they fit!"

"They fit, they definitely fit. Mother, you're the best." Zhu Ping'an smiled, his words as sweet as honey. His protest had finally worked, and he wouldn't have to wear open-crotch pants anymore.

"You little rascal, always so sweet. I must have owed you three in my past life!" Mother Chen complained, but her affection was evident.

"Use the daylight during the day, and waste oil at night." Grandmother, passing by the window, couldn't help but complain. These daughters-in-law were truly wasteful, using so much oil. If they saved it, they could afford to send her grandson to school.

"Oh, I know, Mother. I'll put out the oil lamp right away." Father Zhu Shouyi immediately responded.

I still have other clothes to mend, Mother Chen glared at her husband, who just smiled foolishly, making her even angrier.

"Smile, smile, all you know is to smile. Your wife and children are being bullied by your mother, and you just smile!" Mother Chen, unable to stand her husband's softness, pinched his arm hard.

Zhu Shouyi, a sturdy farmer, felt nothing from her pinch and continued to smile, like a punch to a pillow, which made Chen even angrier.

"Marrying you was the worst mistake of my life!" Chen poked Zhu Shouyi's forehead hard.

"I must have accumulated good karma for eight generations to marry such a good wife."

Zhu Shouyi, usually a taciturn farmer, spoke with such eloquence that it refreshed Zhu Ping'an's view of his father. It turned out that his father, who was even more taciturn than Guo Jing, had a sweet side. After all, how else could he have married such a good woman?

Chen's face turned red, "Old man, you're shameless, don't you worry about corrupting the children!"

Under the lamp, Chen, usually fierce, looked unusually shy, and Zhu Shouyi was immediately captivated.

"Brother, I'm sleepy." Zhu Ping'an laughed, pulling his eldest brother, who was meticulously weaving a bamboo basket, to the small bedroom separated by a wooden board in the side house to rest.

Well, the next part isn't suitable for children.

The warm bed and the smooth skin, the soft whispers like heavenly music.