Chapter 6

In the west room of the main house of the Shen family.

Fourth Uncle Shen Mingxin stepped forward and pulled Feng Shi, his tone slightly reproachful: "With the two elder sisters-in-law present, as the younger ones, how can you be so unreasonable? Stop crying, and let's not discuss the matter of school anymore. If Sixth Brother has the fate, he will naturally have it. If not, even if you cry, what good will it do?"

"Destiny is something to strive for, but you just know to do nothing."

Before Feng Shi could finish her words, Shen Liulang, who was sitting opposite Shen Xi, had tears welling up in his eyes. He gently tugged at Feng Shi's sleeve and softly said, "Mother, don't cry. I won't go to school."

Feng Shi quickly wiped away her tears, gently stroked her son's little head, and said, "Since Second Sister-in-law and Third Sister-in-law have spoken, I won't say anything more. But no one can make me give up."

Second Aunt Qian Shi smiled triumphantly and said, "Sister, we didn't say you can't strive for it. We are all one family, and such a big matter, supporting the children's education, will require all of us to contribute money and effort. We can't just decide it so casually. Let's discuss it further."

After she finished speaking, First Aunt Wang Shi, who had been sitting leisurely on the side, smiled and said, "Everyone, don't hurt the harmony. For the children's schooling, I've always thought that Second House's Fifth Brother Yongqi is more suitable. But since you all have spoken, I won't say more..."

Before Wang Shi could finish her words, Shen Xi's mother erupted, standing up abruptly and angrily questioning Wang Shi, pointing at her nose: "Elder Sister, do you think my Little Brother has no chance of going to school?"

Wang Shi hurriedly smiled bitterly and shook her head, saying, "Sister, isn't Little Brother still young? If my words made you uncomfortable, just pretend I didn't say them."

Zhou Shi glanced at Second Aunt and coldly snorted, sitting back down in a huff.

Another half an hour passed, and it was already completely dark. The oil lamps were lit, and it was clear that this family was planning a prolonged battle. However, the old lady finally opened her eyes, looked at the family members who were arguing and unwilling to give in, and yawned, saying, "How long has it been, and you still haven't decided? My old bones are about to rust."

Third Aunt Sun Shi walked up to the old lady and forced a smile, saying, "If Mother is uncomfortable, you can get up and stretch your legs. If you are tired, go back to your room and rest."

The old lady patted Sun Shi's hand and said with a smile, "You, why do you meddle? Your Fourth Brother is already ten years old and hasn't started his education. Can he keep up with his studies? Besides, he has been mischievous since he was young. Last time, he took the family classics to fold paper cranes, which made me so angry... Even if he goes to the county school, the teacher won't accept such a lazy student."

With just a few simple words, Sun Shi was sentenced to life.

Shen Xi suddenly admired the old lady. She sighed, her wrinkled hand tightly gripping Sun Shi's hand, and said, "This time, don't meddle. Hurry up and give me another grandson."

Hearing this, Sun Shi lowered her head and said sadly, "Mother, I don't want to have more children. If the children can't read books, they will work like oxen and horses all their lives, which is better than coming to this world to suffer."

The old lady's face immediately turned stern, and she scolded, "You young people, how can you be more foolish than my old bones? No matter which house's child becomes an official, they won't forget their roots!"

"When the family revives, are you afraid your children will suffer? At that time, it will be easy to arrange a leisurely job for your Fourth Brother."

Seeing that Sun Shi was still unhappy, the old lady's face turned serious. She released her hand and said sternly, "Don't think that studying is a good thing. How many scholars in the world have studied hard for decades, but in the end, what? Those who fail to pass the exams waste their lives, and many end up poor and miserable."

"Take a clear example right in front of you. Eldest Brother passed the scholar examination at over twenty and received a government stipend, but what's the point? Once he fails to pass the imperial examination, he can't sleep soundly or eat well."

"Once you enter the school, whether it's ten years or fifty years, you have to persevere. Unless you pass the imperial examination and wait for an opportunity to become an official, there's no turning back until you become a Jinshi and bring glory to the family."

Sun Shi's body trembled slightly. The scene of Eldest Brother Shen Mingwen being forcibly sent to the attic still lingered in her mind, followed by the occasional depressed and almost疯狂的喊叫声...

"Mother, I won't strive anymore," Sun Shi said, lowering her head.

"Alright, if you all keep talking like this, we won't decide anything by tomorrow... Among these children, Fourth House's Sixth Brother has talent, Second House's Fifth Brother usually follows Yongzhuo around and should be able to read, and there's also Eldest House's Little Brother. Choose one from these three."

The old lady finished speaking, sat back down, and looked at everyone with a sharp gaze.

After a long silence, Fourth Aunt Feng Shi looked at Shen Xi's mother and bit her lip, saying, "Sister, I think Little Brother is still young. Can we give this opportunity to..."

Before she could finish, Zhou Shi shook her head and refused, "Fourth Sister, Little Brother is almost seven years old, which is not young."

Everyone turned their gaze to the old lady, clearly waiting for her to speak.

Shen Xi looked at his grandmother, feeling anxious but not daring to speak. He could only look at Li Shi with hopeful eyes. In the afternoon, he had specially gone to the main house to listen to Li Shi's chatter and expressed his willingness to support his brother. He always wanted to see some results.

It was also Shen Xi's good luck. Just as he was being cute, the old lady happened to look at him. She smiled, paused for a moment, glanced at the nervous Feng Shi, and then said, "I think... Little Brother has a lively look in his eyes."

Hearing this, Shen Xi was overjoyed.

However, the old lady's words didn't seem to have the final say. As soon as she finished speaking, Second Aunt Qian Shi hurriedly interjected, "Mother, Little Brother is so young. I think my Fifth Brother is more suitable."

"Ha, I was just giving my opinion. The final decision is up to you. Cultivating a scholar is a long-term and costly endeavor, so... choose one, and don't regret it!"

Hearing this, Shen Xi's heart sank. He glanced at his mother, who was frowning, and felt a bitter smile.

"I think my Sixth Brother is suitable for studying," Feng Shi said firmly. Third Aunt Sun Shi, seeing that her son had no hope, also nodded, clearly siding with Fourth House.

The old lady smiled and said, "Alright, Third House and Fourth House choose Sixth Brother. You, Eldest House, Second House, and Youngest House, each choose one."

Shen Xi lowered his head and sighed inwardly.

Shen Xi understood that this time, the odds were not in his favor. Sixth Brother already had two votes, and unless Second Aunt Qian Shi and First Aunt Wang Shi chose him... Wang Shi might still have a chance, but Second Aunt would definitely choose Fifth Brother Yongqi.

Sure enough, Qian Shi undoubtedly chose her own child. Everyone then turned their gaze to First Aunt Wang Shi, whose vote was crucial.

Shen Xi looked at her with innocent and hopeful eyes, but Wang Shi paid no attention to his pitiful gaze and decisively voted for Fifth Brother.

Shen Xi smiled bitterly, thinking that people really don't remember old kindness. They borrowed so much money from him, yet she didn't vote for him but for Fifth Brother.

Just as Shen Xi was feeling depressed and had nowhere to vent, his fiery-tempered mother, without hesitation, decided to do a favor that would offend others. She glared at Wang Shi and said coldly, "I vote for Sixth Brother."

A simple sentence brought a grateful look from Fourth Aunt Feng Shi and a protest from Second Aunt Qian Shi: "Mother, look at her, her vote doesn't count."

The old lady smiled and shook her head, saying, "Alright, stop arguing. The youngest is working in the Wang family in the county. I've already written to him, and he should have received it. Once he replies, the county matters will be handled by the youngest."

With that, the old lady got up, leaned on her cane, and muttered, "What a pity," before leaving with Feng Shi's support.

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