Chapter 2

Zhou's words were incredibly stern, but for her, it was already a sign of softening.

Aunt Wang gave Zhou a cold glance and said indifferently, "Sister, you're really going too far. We're one family, why speak like strangers? It's just that my eldest son studies hard, but we can't even afford walnuts to nourish his brain or tofu pudding... Sigh, when will these hard times end?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou wanted to lash out, but Shen Xi tugged at her sleeve, and she merely coldly snorted, ignoring Wang as she began to tidy up the room.

Wang was the wife of Shen Mingwen, the eldest son of the Shen family. Since her husband was a scholar, he had one foot in the gentry class, and the matriarch, who held the family's power, favored the eldest son's branch.

The Shen family had five sons, all born to the matriarch, so there shouldn't have been any favoritism. However, she was particularly attentive to her eldest son and grandson. The whole family lived on wild vegetables and coarse grains all year, but Uncle Shen Mingwen enjoyed meat and fish, and the family's small kitchen never ran out of food. Even Wang and her three children benefited.

Moreover, the Shen family had seven direct grandsons, a thriving lineage, and Shen Xi was the youngest. Not only was he the youngest, but his father, Shen Mingjun, was also the youngest, so in this environment, few paid attention to his behavior. Fortunately, this allowed him to occasionally vent his frustrations.

Among the five sons of the Shen family, the second, third, and fourth sons worked in the village, while the fifth, Shen Xi's father, Shen Mingjun, worked as a long-term laborer for the wealthy Wang family in the county.

Before the eldest son, Shen Mingwen, passed the scholar examination, the brothers had supported him. The cost of education was enormous and had to start from a young age, so the family lived frugally. Only after Shen Mingwen passed the examination and became a scholar, receiving six dou of grain and four taels of silver annually, did their life improve slightly.

Since the matriarch managed the household and was relatively fair, the Shen family, despite their frugal lifestyle, maintained a harmonious atmosphere among the branches.

Among the Shen family's grandsons, perhaps due to the tradition of passing down the family business, only the eldest son, Shen Yongzhuo, could attend the private school in the county, a decision made personally by the matriarch. Although there were occasional conflicts among the branches, they were still one family, all hoping for a successful scholar to bring honor to the family. Once Shen Mingwen secured a position, the family's fortunes would surely improve, so there were few complaints about the matriarch.

Living in the same large house, Shen Xi didn't interact much with his siblings, especially after taking over this body last year. Worried about revealing his identity, he avoided playing games like mud fights, cricket catching, and beetle hunting, and over time, his cousins stopped inviting him to play.

Wang glanced at Shen Xi's eager expression, shook her head with a smile, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Sister, I didn't come to talk about the eggs. I have a favor to ask."

Shen Xi immediately smiled bitterly but didn't dare to speak.

Zhou snorted, "Sister, are you here to borrow money again? Sister, please spare me. This big family, so many people, and you only borrow from us, and you never pay back... Last time, I lent you fifty coins, and my son hasn't had meat for two months."

Although the Shen family hadn't divided, each branch had its own small kitchen, which the matriarch tacitly approved. Shen Xi thought Aunt Wang was a bit overbearing, always looking down on his parents because her husband was a scholar.

Since Shen Mingwen passed the examination, Wang no longer did household chores, spending her days in the room, relying on part of her husband's stipend and salary. When the money ran out, she would borrow from Zhou, whose husband worked outside and had some savings.

Despite Zhou's tough exterior, she had a soft heart. Each time Wang flattered her a bit, she would lend the money, so the eldest branch owed the most. Over time, it amounted to at least two or three taels of silver.

If the eldest branch was struggling, Shen Xi wouldn't have minded, but they lived much better than his family. He had to sneak eggs, and they only had a small feast once or twice a month, while the eldest branch lived comfortably. Last time, Shen Xi saw Shen Yongzhuo gnawing on a chicken leg, making his mouth water!

The Shen family had a tradition of scholarly pursuits, but the previous generations were not ambitious, leading to a decline. The brothers also had conflicts, so they divided the family property. Shen Xi's grandfather was one of them.

Of course, this three-courtyard house was also part of the Shen family's ancestral property, and they still had dozens of acres of land in the village. However, compared to the Shen family's former glory, it was just a fraction, showing how little they were favored.

After his grandfather's death, the Shen family's fortunes declined further. The family used to have several laborers, but due to delayed payments, they all left.

Now, although the Shen family had once been prominent, Shen Xi's great-grandfather had been a fifth-rank official, but their current situation was far worse than that of an ordinary gentry family, making one realize how unpredictable life can be.

The patriarch's last wish was not to divide the family, so the five couples still lived together.

The only exception was that ten years ago, the eldest son passed the scholar examination, and the matriarch was overjoyed, placing all her hopes for the family's revival on him. Her favoritism reached the point of indulging him in every way.

This is why Zhou felt guilty when Wang saw her secretly giving Shen Xi special treatment. After all, the eldest son was a scholar, and only he could pass the imperial examination and bring honor to the family.

As for Shen Xi, he was skeptical that if his uncle ever became an official, he would bring any real benefits to his branch.

Under Wang's persistent pleading, Zhou soon surrendered, handing over the remaining private money.

Watching Wang leave, Shen Xi grumbled, "Mother, why do you always lend money to Aunt Wang? You don't know how well they live, while we eat wild vegetables and roots every day, with no oil or meat. I'm almost starving to death..."

Halfway through, Shen Xi realized a six- or seven-year-old shouldn't be concerned with these matters, but the words were already out, and it was too late.

Zhou wasn't surprised. Over the past year, her son had become more outspoken, and she took his words as jealousy because the eldest grandson had the opportunity to study and enjoy good food.

"Brat, do you think your mother wants to? Your eldest uncle is now a scholar, and the next step is to become a juren... Although he failed twice, he's still young and has a good chance. If he passes, he can become an official. Do you know what an official is? Once he becomes an official, he can help our family. Then, with just a word from him, our life will improve."

Shen Xi sighed inwardly, thinking, "Indeed, it's a time when all professions are inferior, and only scholars are esteemed. Perhaps it's more accurate to say that all professions are inferior, and only officials are esteemed. The gap between commoners and officials is vast."

Zhou saw Shen Xi's daze and suddenly asked, "Boy, do you want to study too?"

Shen Xi knew that expressing a desire to study would put a lot of pressure on his parents, but he gritted his teeth and nodded.

Zhou squatted down, looking at Shen Xi carefully, confirming the intelligence in his eyes. After a long time, she decided:

"Son, it's not that your mother is heartless, but we... we can't afford the tuition. But don't worry, the next time Aunt Wang borrows money, I'll ask her to have your uncle teach you..."

"Son, if that doesn't work, forget about studying. Your uncles and aunts won't agree. It's good to be a farmer too."

Seeing the concern in his mother's eyes, Shen Xi felt guilty and put on an indifferent face, "Mother, it's fine. Even if I don't become successful, I'll take good care of you and Father."

Seeing Shen Xi's obedient and understanding demeanor, Zhou smiled and resumed her tough personality, "Go away, little brat, always making your mother angry."

Shen Xi laughed happily and ran out of the room, shouting, "Mother, I'm going to play."

...

...

Just as he stepped out of the courtyard gate, Shen Xi heard a terrified scream from the east wing of the second courtyard, where his eldest uncle's family lived.

The Shen family lived in a traditional three-courtyard house. In front of the house was a stone-paved courtyard, and the entrance led to a stone courtyard. North of the stone courtyard was a screen wall, and to the east was the southeast corner courtyard. North of the southeast corner courtyard was a connecting room and toilet, and to the south were two rooms that now served as guest rooms.

To the west of the stone courtyard was an arched gate leading to the front courtyard. To the south of the front courtyard were four rooms that used to house the laborers and their families, now converted into pigsties and chicken coops. To the west of the front courtyard was a moon gate leading to the southwest corner courtyard.

North of the southwest corner courtyard was another connecting room and toilet, and to the south were three rooms that used to be the south study for receiving guests, now occupied by Shen Xi's family.

To the north of the front courtyard was a hanging flower gate connecting to the main courtyard. The main courtyard had six rooms on the east side, all given to the eldest son, Shen Mingwen. Shen Mingwen and his wife, Wang, had one son and two daughters: Shen Yongzhuo, fifteen, currently studying in the county school; Shen Qian, thirteen; and Shen Man, seven. The five of them had six rooms, with one extra room serving as Shen Mingwen's reception room.

The six rooms on the west side were divided between the second and third sons, three rooms each.

The second son, Shen Mingyou, and his wife, Qian, had four children: Shen Yongfu, fourteen; Shen Yongrui, twelve; Shen Tingting, ten; and Shen Yongqi, eight.

The third son, Shen Mingtang, and his wife, Sun, had two children: Shen Xiuxiu, eleven, and Shen Qian, ten.

The three rooms in the north were the main hall, where guests were received and ancestors were worshipped. The matriarch lived in the room to the east, and the room to the west was where the family ate.

On either side of the main hall were the east and west connecting rooms. The east connecting room was a unique three-story cylindrical tower, whose purpose Shen Xi never understood. The west connecting room used to be the family head's study, now mostly used for storing miscellaneous items.

Outside the east and west connecting rooms were moon gates leading to the back courtyard.

The back courtyard had eight rooms, with the kitchen in the northwest corner. The other seven rooms, originally for the servants, now housed Shen Xi's fourth uncle and were filled with firewood.

The fourth son, Shen Mingxin, and his wife, Feng, had two children: Shen Yuan, seven, and Shen Mei, five. Shen Yuan was particularly intelligent and was favored by the matriarch.

Behind the back courtyard was a garden, now converted into a vegetable patch, where seasonal vegetables were grown, mostly sold in town for money and food.

Hearing the increasing noise from the east wing of the main courtyard, Shen Xi was very surprised. He ran to his uncle's house and saw his uncle being held by his third and fourth uncles, struggling.

Shen Xi was momentarily stunned, looking at the matriarch with a cold gaze. He bowed and greeted her, "Grandmother, good day."

The matriarch, with white hair and a cane, nodded slightly at Shen Xi but then turned her attention to her eldest son, saying earnestly:

"Son, it's not that your mother is heartless, but... sigh, this time, you will have to endure some hardship. You must focus and pass the juren examination to comfort your father's spirit."

Shen Xi stood obediently, tilting his head to observe the scene.

His uncle, only thirty-four, still had hope of reviving the family. He struggled, his voice filled with fear, "Mother, it's my fault. I will not slack off again. Mother, please, I don't want to go to the tower, I don't want to go to the tower..."

The matriarch sighed deeply, her voice filled with reluctance, "Son, your mother has no choice. Just endure for two and a half years. After two and a half years, you will surely pass the juren examination! Son, I feel your pain, but please stop crying. Last time, you studied in the tower for a year and passed the scholar examination."

"Next time, you will surely pass the juren examination, bring honor to the family, and become an official." Her voice suddenly became passionate.

Shen Mingwen let out a long cry, tears in his eyes, and said fearfully, "Mother, don't forget, last time I almost died in the tower. I don't want to go to the tower, I don't want to..."

The matriarch looked at Shen Mingwen, sighed deeply, and said sternly, "Son, youth is fleeting. The juren examination is held every three years, and you are already thirty-four. How many more three-year periods do you have? Endure for two and a half years. Once you're in the tower, I will have food and drink sent to you on time. If you feel frustrated, shout out the window."

In the end, Shen Mingwen, looking defeated, was led to the tower by his third and fourth uncles.

Shen Xi followed closely.

Shen Mingwen was taken into the tower, and the matriarch stood there, sighing deeply, looking much older. Supported by her second son, she turned and left.

Shen Xi looked at the cylindrical tower, feeling a chill.

The tower, second only to the ancestral hall in the Shen family, was more like a cylindrical flashlight, fully enclosed with only a small iron window on the east side. Shen Xi believed that even in broad daylight, one would need a lamp to see inside.

As Shen Xi was lost in thought, a "snap" came from the small iron window, a clear and rhythmic sound, followed by Shen Mingwen's cry of pain and a menacing voice.

"Snap."

"For being fickle."

"Snap."

"For being indecisive."

"Snap."

"For not striving."

"Snap."

"For being lazy."

"Snap."

"For forgetting your father's teachings."

"Snap."

"For being restless."

"Snap."

"For being slack."

After seven snaps, the tower fell silent.

Shen Xi stared at the closed cylindrical door, feeling uncomfortable. Clearly, only his uncle was inside!

It wasn't until much later that Shen Xi learned that the tower was a family tradition. If a descendant failed the examination repeatedly, they would be forcibly taken to the tower for self-reflection. Once inside, they had to hit themselves with a ruler seven times, each time drawing blood. If not, they had to reflect again.

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