Chapter 17

Ning Wuxie held an old sandalwood box in one hand and carried two cloth bags in the other as he walked home. The sandalwood box was intricately carved with dense demonic script, square and tightly sealed. It was heavy, weighing about ten pounds, and it was unknown what was inside.

Sandalwood is extremely precious. From ancient times to the present, it has been highly sought after by officials and nobles due to its high price. Sandalwood has the effect of soothing the nerves, aiding meditation, and refreshing the mind. In medicine, it is widely used for its cooling, astringent, strengthening, nourishing, and skin-smoothing properties.

The sandalwood box in Ning Wuxie's hands was clearly an old piece of sandalwood, a rare purple sandalwood with a rich fragrance. If sold, it would be worth a fortune.

Holding such a valuable item, Ning Wuxie was somewhat absent-minded. He didn't even hear the villagers greeting him on the way. It wasn't until he reached the door that he came to his senses and silently mocked himself.

Pushing open the bamboo fence gate, Ning Wuxie saw his mother and Uncle Ning Bo Wu already sitting by the stove. Beside Uncle Ning Bo Wu sat a tall, dark-skinned, and honest-looking young man.

Seeing Ning Wuxie return, his mother quickly called out, "The village chief sent a few pounds of white flour for you to strengthen your body. He's staying for dinner."

"Big Brother!" The young man called out to Ning Wuxie indifferently.

Ning Wuxie didn't mind, smiled, and said, "It's only right for Wushuang to stay for dinner."

The young man was the village chief's son, fifteen years old, tall and strong, and already an important laborer in the family. He had attended school as a child and had once argued with Ning Wuxie. However, since Ning Wuxie had a foolish older brother, Wushuang couldn't compete with him, and thus a grudge was formed.

Considering they were both from the Ning family, Wushuang still had to call Ning Wuxie "Big Brother." These were old grievances, and while Ning Wuxie might have cared about them in the past, he no longer did.

"Mother, the teacher gave us two pounds of rice."

As he spoke, Ning Wuxie entered the house, found an inconspicuous spot to place the sandalwood box, and put down the rice and white flour given by Ning Feng. Then he came out.

"Ning Feng is really something. He doesn't have enough for himself, yet he still sends things to us. We owe him a lot."

Ning's mother chattered on, taking a set of bowls and chopsticks from the stove. Ning Wuxie sat down and said, "We'll repay him in the future. Wushuang, eat more meat. The rabbit meat is very fatty in winter."

Ning Wuxie didn't want to continue the conversation with his mother, so he shifted the topic to Wushuang, picking a piece of rabbit meat from the pot and giving it to him, then adding two more pieces to his mother's and Uncle Ning Bo Wu's bowls.

Wushuang looked at Ning Wuxie in surprise, not understanding why he was so热情 today. He felt that the Ning Wuxie before him was somewhat unfamiliar, as if he was no longer the bookish fool who only knew how to study.

The conflict between Ning Wuxie and Wushuang wasn't a deep-seated grudge but rather a child's jealousy. Wushuang was not a bad person; he was kind-hearted and helpful.

Feeling Ning Wuxie's kindness, Wushuang was silent for a moment, then took a bite of rabbit meat and looked at Ning Wuxie with a hopeful expression. "Big Brother, I want to go to the county town with you."

Ning Wuxie sipped some soup and glanced at his mother, who nodded, indicating that she had already agreed.

As for why Wushuang wanted to go to the county town, Ning Wuxie could guess. Young people are always curious about the outside world, and Wushuang, who could read and write, did not want to spend his life in a small village, living a mediocre life.

Ning Wuxie was no different.

"Father said that if Big Brother passes the imperial exams, he will need someone to attend to him," Wushuang added hesitantly, looking at Ning Wuxie.

Ning Wuxie smiled, knowing that these words were certainly not from the old village chief, who couldn't read or write and wouldn't think of such things.

After finishing his soup, Ning Wuxie looked at Wushuang and said calmly, "Do you want to make a name for yourself?"

Ning Wuxie's gaze was pure, but Wushuang felt as if it was like two sharp knives, piercing him and making him unable to avoid it. Wushuang had to lower his head and nod.

"Wuxie, help Wushuang. It will be good to have a companion on the journey!" Ning's mother couldn't help but speak up.

Ning Wuxie put down his bowl, nodded, and said, "I plan to leave the day after tomorrow. If you want to go, meet me at the village entrance early in the morning."

"Really?" Wushuang looked up, his eyes filled with joy.

Ning Wuxie smiled and said, "I'm afraid you won't be able to get up on time!"

"Hehe, I can, I can, definitely can." Wushuang smiled, his face showing uncontrollable excitement.

Ning Bo Wu, who was busy eating rabbit meat, also looked up, chuckled, and then lowered his head to continue his battle with the rabbit meat.

Ning Wuxie was just joking. How could Wushuang not be able to get up?

After the meal, the excited Wushuang ran back home as if he had won a big prize.

Ning Wuxie cleaned the bowls and chopsticks by the stream. When he returned, he saw his mother at the door, while Uncle Ning Bo Wu had gone somewhere again.

"Mother, what are you doing here?"

Ning's mother looked at Ning Wuxie, sighed lightly, and said, "Ning Feng has already told you, right?"

"En!" Ning Wuxie nodded, lowered his head, and entered the house, putting down the bowls and chopsticks.

Ning's mother followed him in, determined, and suddenly said, "Let Wuhua go with you. He can learn martial arts from his father, but it's a waste here. It might be better for him to follow you. If you succeed in the future, you can help him."

Ning Wuxie looked up, his eyes full of doubt, and said, "Mother, what about you?"

Leaving his mother alone was absolutely impossible. She was not young, and the years of hard work had made her look even older. If Ning Wuxie left, and Uncle Ning Bo Wu also went away, his mother would be alone and miserable.

Ning Wuxie cherished his mother's love and didn't want her to suffer. He couldn't help but say, "Mother, why don't you come with me?"

Ning's mother's wrinkled face showed a smile, and she shook her head. "Silly child, this is my home. Even if I die, I want to die here. Moreover, Wuhua is foolish and can't help much. I've discussed it with your uncle. After you leave, I will move in with him for mutual support. Many people in the village have been helped by your father, so we won't worry about living. What I worry about is Wuhua. Who will take care of him after I die? If you take him away, it will be a relief for me. In the afterlife, I can face your father with peace."

Ning Wuxie felt a lump in his throat. He knew that his mother didn't want to leave Uncle Ning Bo Wu, but for his future, she had to do this. This was motherly love, silent yet great, making one sigh and shed tears.

"I will take my brother with me." Ning Wuxie nodded silently.