stingy landlady

Chapter 144 Uncle 5 becomes a scholar

Dazhu smiled and said:

"What? Guizhi! It's not good to be too cunning. I heard that the ones that are supposed to fall off won't grow tall! What will happen if Guizhi doesn't grow tall in the future!"

You went to your father's place to borrow wheat, asking for two thousand catties right off the bat. Now you're eyeing his corn and soybeans!

Oh! And also, don't just spout nonsense about selling straw! Keep the corn stalks and corn leaves for feeding the cows!

Guizhi! You'll make money raising pigs and cattle! Then you'll come home and tell your dad I'll try to get something for nothing?

"You're so lucky! I'll have to keep this banknote in my pocket for a few days! It has to bring me some good fortune!"

Guizhi reluctantly lowered her hand, nodded several times, and said:

"Alright! Alright! Dad's the boss! Dad can have it for as many days as he wants!"

Then Guizhi added:

"Dad! Our sow is due to give birth around the Lunar New Year! Quickly build a fire wall to keep her warm, and prepare several bundles of straw for her kennel! If I'm not home on the day she gives birth, make sure someone takes good care of her!"

Da Zhu snorted coldly:

"Hmph! Not home? Where did you go during the New Year? You think you can just give up now? You have to stay home and guard the house, you're not allowed to go anywhere!"

When Dad got back, he started thinking about how to solve the problem of keeping warm!

Guizhi! You bought so many piglets; they're also afraid of the cold, so you need to find a way to keep them warm! Hmm! Have the farmhands weave more straw mats to block the wind!

Lin Qian left in the morning! Da Zhu took Gui Zhi with him, and Xu Hong sent several oxcarts to follow closely behind. Nothing much, just helping to husk corn and collect the corn stalks to haul back! And of course, the straw! Gui Zhi took everything except what was left for Da Zhu's livestock!

Xu Hong arranged the chores at home: the rice was threshed, bagged, and stored in the warehouse. The corn was picked, dried, and the corn stalks were bundled and stored properly.

A firewall was built in the pigsty passageway, and straw curtains were used to cover any drafts! Only then did I feel safe enough to go out and buy piglets and calves! I also planned to collect my share of the profits from the Prince's mansion!

Whether they give it or not, I don't know, but it won't hurt to ask! If they give it, I'll profit; if they don't, then so be it!

When the good news of Wang Yiyun passing the imperial examination and becoming a scholar reached the old house, the old lady wept with joy! All her years of hard work had finally paid off! Wang Yiyun was already discussing with Guizhi the arrangements for studying in the prefectural city!

“Ping An is very clever! Gui Zhi! My mentor has recommended me to study at Baishan Academy in the prefectural city! Could Ping An come with me? The two of you can keep each other company, and if anything happens, you can entrust it to Ping An; he does a good job! He's one of your people, so your fifth uncle can rest assured!”

Although my fifth uncle now receives some grain and two taels of silver, he's still a poor scholar! He has no choice but to swallow his pride and ask you for more people!

Guizhi was also considering whether to buy a servant for Wang Yiyun. Hearing that Ping'an was involved, she was still somewhat reluctant! After thinking for a while, she said:

"Fifth Uncle! It's Ping An's good fortune to have him by your side! Tell him he must never be lazy and his skills must not slack off! Fifth Uncle! Shall I give you his indenture?"

"Not for now! Guizhi, keep it with you for now! What if you lose it if I give it to you now? It's safer to keep it with you! Your fifth uncle is grateful for your kindness, and when your fifth uncle is able to, I will make it up to you double!"

Wang Yiyun, a scholar, is entitled to 100 mu of tax-exempt land! Besides the old man's 13 mu and Dazhu's 62 mu, all of which are now under Wang Yiyun's name, the remaining 25 mu are allocated to the village. The village head will make the arrangements, but a portion of the saved funds each year will still be given to Wang Yiyun to support his continued education.

Zhao started to act arrogantly again, strutting around the village like a peacock every day! But she didn't dare to cause trouble for Dazhu's family at the east end anymore.

Guizhi overheard several women who frequently chatted with Li Shi saying:

"Sister-in-law Wang! You have no idea how arrogant your brother's wife is now! All she talks about is how her brother-in-law passed the imperial examination and became a scholar, so she doesn't have to kneel before officials anymore! She's destined to be an official herself!"

"Yes! That's right! I'm telling you, Dazhu's wife! The old folks all say that the first rafter to stick out will rot! Have your father talk to her, and stop her from bringing up your scholar brother all the time!"

I heard someone even asked her about the scholar's son's marriage prospects!

"Sister-in-law! It wasn't easy for the young scholar to pass the imperial examination, was it? This marriage must be carefully chosen! Do you have anyone suitable? Don't let your brother's wife get there first, or they'll end up on your side! Don't take your sister-in-law for granted!"

After thinking for a moment, Li said indifferently:

"My mother is here! Zhao Shi can't get past my mother!"

When Guizhi and Wang Yiyun were talking about the Zhao family, the old man was listening nearby. Guizhi asked:

"Fifth Uncle, what are you thinking?"

Without the slightest hesitation, Wang Yiyun looked at the old man and said:

"Father! Our teachers have repeatedly warned us to be careful with our words and actions! Father! Let my mother and second sister-in-law talk to them! Don't be too ostentatious. You've only passed the imperial examination; there's still a long road ahead!"

My son wants to try harder! He plans to take the imperial examination in three years, and my older brother said he will fully support him! That way, Dad can have some peace of mind! Over the years, my son has been a burden on the family!

"Father! Tell my mother not to arrange a marriage yet! My son is still young; it's not too late to consider it after the imperial examinations in a few years!"

Guizhi chuckled:

"Grandpa! Fifth Uncle doesn't want to be a treacherous person! We can't get engaged now! We'll find a son-in-law later when the results are announced! Hehehe!"

Wang Yiyun blushed with embarrassment.

"You silly girl, you always know how to make fun of your fifth uncle!"

The old man also laughed heartily:

"Alright, alright! We'll do whatever you say! I'll talk to your mother when we get back, so she doesn't need to worry about it! It just so happens that the third brother and the others are coming back tomorrow, so let's all sit down and have a good celebration for you!"

You always say we shouldn't be too flashy, but this time it's just our family, it should be fine!

Wang Yiyun nodded:

"Father! We must act within our means! The family has been struggling to make ends meet for so many years in order to support my studies! It's really not worthwhile to spend more money to celebrate me passing the imperial examination!"

"Once our son passes the imperial examination and becomes a scholar, we'll host a banquet for the whole village! Everyone can have a good time then!"

"My son has ambition! Very good!"

The old man naturally granted Wang Yiyun's every wish!

Dazhu's family also took two chickens and two ducks back to their old house to celebrate Wang Yiyun's birthday! Li also picked out a piece of fabric suitable for the old lady to make clothes.

To avoid standing out from the crowd, Li didn't allow any maids to come. The killing of chickens and ducks, however, made quite a scene for the sisters-in-law!

The fourth son's wife gave birth to a big, healthy boy and is currently in her postpartum confinement period. Gui Xiang and Gui Hong are also helping out with the cooking. The old lady, displaying the demeanor of a matriarch, doesn't have to do anything! With her grandchildren around her, laughing and talking, she laughs until her face aches from exhaustion!

A few days ago, Dazhu brought over a bag of rice, which came in handy today! I cooked the rice, soaked the dried mushrooms and glass noodles. Chicken stew with mushrooms and glass noodles!

The duck was chopped into pieces to make a duck stew with sauerkraut! Two chickens and two ducks were all cooked, quite a feast! Everything was stewed in a big pot!