Chapter 45.4

Translated by Aviana

Yang laoyezi even took a jug of wine that he was formerly reluctant to take out. After drinking two big cups of wine, he patted Yang Xuezhang’s shoulder with a flushed face and fell asleep.

It’s been a long while since he had a good night’s sleep. Yang Tiezhu’s matter, Yang Xuezhang’s matter of buying questions….all these matters have occupied all of these thoughts, stressing him to the point of breathlessness.

His only wish now was for laosi to qualify this exam so that everything could pass…

Yang Xuezhang was also very happy. From a young age, he had always regarded himself as different from his elder brothers. While his brothers had to help the family in the fields, he could go to school and study, from the private school in the village to the academy in the town. Although his aptitude wasn’t that of top genius, he was still favorite student of his teachers. As such, he had always been enormously proud and extremely complacent…..

Until he took the county-level exam the first time and failed to qualify….he retook the exam again, still failed…..third time again….. Gradually he found everyone around looking at him peculiarly, including the members of his family. The former revere and pride they had on him gradually transformed to doubts and even started looking sown upon him….

It’s been a long since Yang laoyezi gave him such an encouraging pat like this…And also eldest brother’s and eldest sao’s such a revere and flattering….

Yang Xuezhang’s face became flushed with excitement, and even without drinking alcohol, he became intoxicated. He could also imagine the scene of him becoming a xucai, and the contempt in everyone’s eyes again change to revere as they look at him….

秀才 (xiùcai): a person who has passed the county level imperial exam

Husband and wife in the second branch weren’t aware of the happenings in the main room. Lin Qingwan simply closed the door and lived their own simple life

Nevertheless, when Yao-shi would still chit-chat with her when she was free and feed her with gossip. Only then did Yao-shi came to know that Yang Xuezhang had obtained the exam questions and was in the process of expending great effort to prepare for the exam. Because the county-level exam was just a few days away.

These days, Lin Qingwan has absolutely contended. Every day, she would make some nourishing meals for Yang Tiezhu and then carry on with her double-sided embroidery. After days of simply eating and sitting like this, she had considerably gained weight.

With Lin Qingwan’s changing Yang Tiezhu’s everyday diet, his complexion also improved a lot. Now he could sit by himself without help and even walk two steps. In the past, such a feat was only possible for him with other’s aid.

However, it was only a few steps, and even while doing so, he must be extremely careful, as he still can’t move or exert pressure on his left shoulder.

Lin Qingwan, heeding to the old doctor’s suggestion of giving him ample bed rest, only seldomly allowed him to get out of bed.

In the midst of all these, the remodeling of the second branch was also finished, and mason came to settle the bill. On this side, Lin Qingwan’s remodeling was fairly simple and only had to pay a little over 300 wen for bricks and other costs. But the remodeling plan in the third room was quite big and costed them around a silver tael.

Lin Qingwan later went to a market that opens 5th of every month. She wanted to buy some chicken, duck meat, and the likes for Yang Tiezhu. With this small market opening, they don’t have to go all the way to the town.

Yao-shi again went along with her to accompany her. Both of them chose the time when Yao-shi didn’t have to cook to set off to the market.

Lin Qingwan got some pig bones for Yang Tiezhu as calcium supplements to nourish his bones and muscles. In passing, she also bought twenty catties of pork meat, and had the pork seller chop them into pieces and wrap them up. Along with it, she also bought a basket of eggs.

Seeing Lin Qingwan buy so many things, Lin Qingwan was also quite dumbstruck. Although the weather was currently chilly, this much quantity would still be a lot for both of them in the second branch to finish.

Lin Qingwan then told her that she had bought these things to return the favor. Certainly, it wasn’t only for paying back the favor. But she doesn’t have to elaborate it to Yao-shi.

She had been thinking for a long while to go to the houses of those young men, who went to look for Yang Tiezhu that day into the mountains and express her gratitude to them. But these days, she was unable to find free time to go. Furthermore, there is also Lizheng’s family. Not only had they lent their mule cart, but their son also accompanied them to the town and waited for a long while. If she didn’t go to their home to express her gratitude now and in the future, she still needed some help from them, who would come forward to lend a hand.

里正/里長 ( lǐ zhèng/lǐzhǎng): A village chief – main duties include managing household registrations and taxes

After thinking so, Yao-shi also helped Lin Qingwan carry things back. Although there were too many things, with two women carrying them, they easily bought these things back.

Back at Yang jia, Wang-shi swiftly ran to them, staring at the pile of bags in their hands, before making sarcastic remarks. At that time, Yang laoyezi was also present at that scene and was repairing farm implements in the yard.

Lin Qingwan retorted back at Wang-shi in front of Yang laoyezi – saying the other party had gone to the mountain to search for her husband without any regard to the danger. Irrespective of whether the second branch is rich or not, she has to pay this favor back. Even if she had to borrow silver to repay this favor, this can’t be ignored by any means.

Upon listening to Lin Qingwan’s words, Wang-shi became embarrassed. Yang laoyezi was also extremely awkward. However, he still remarked that laoer’s wife is right. Only when you know how to return the favor would next time people give you aid again.

老二 (lǎo’èr): second-eldest child in a family

Once Yang laoyezi’s words were done, Lin Qingwan, without replying, directly and walked to her room.

Saying anything now was too late. A person is characterized as good or bad not by his speech but by his deeds. Long after breaking other’s hearts, what use is there to now try to redeem it by using pleasant words?

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