Chapter 111 - 111: A Family Should Be Honest
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
After sending the maid away, Qiao Mai didn’t stop her actions. She had nothing to do with this, pushing the responsibility to Old Mister Wang. If he were willing to accept one more student, he would teach; it would simply mean having one more student. If he wasn’t, with his status, who would dare to be angry with him?
At that moment, Old Mistress Wang was in the backyard feeding small animals, while Old Mister Wang was inside the house, sipping tea and reading a book.
The maid at the door said, “Master, Miss Xin’er and her husband have returned and come to see you.”
Old Mister Wang responded with an “Okay” and instructed them to come in.
Xinér and her husband entered the room and quickly paid their respects to Old Mister Wang.
“Xin’er and Feng Yinshi pays respects to Old Mister Wang.”
“Okay, please have a seat.”
Following them were two maids who placed a gift box on the table and then discreetly left.
“Where is Old Mistress Wang?”
“She’s in the backyard, spending all day with those little ones; she’s fonder of them than our own grandson.”
Feng Yinshi looked at Xin’er with an expectant gaze. She had spent a considerable amount of time in the house and had some understanding of Old Mister Wang’s preferences.
“Mister, are you still accepting students?”
“I’m not accepting any more students. The few I have are keeping me busy. At my age, I should be enjoying retirement. If it weren’t for your Master’s excellent culinary skills, which keep me coming back for more, I wouldn’t even consider teaching these few.”
“Mister, Xin’er’s husband is eighteen this year. He passed the scholar’s exam at sixteen and wants to advance further. What do you think?”
“He should go to the Windforest Academy in the Capital. They produce many scholars and graduates.”
“But it’s difficult to get in there without connections, and the tuition is quite high. My family can’t afford it.”
Upon hearing this, Old Mister Wang narrowed his eyes, and his expression darkened slightly. He looked deeply at Xin’er.
Once a woman became someone else’s daughter-in-law, her thoughts revolved entirely around her in-laws, without considering Madam Qiao and Shopkeeper Lu.
“You don’t want to spend money but still want your husband to learn from a renowned teacher. Is there such a good deal in this world? Take your Master, for example. Despite not paying me for tuition, do you know how much she spends on me every year? It’s three times more than the tuition fee.”
Xin’er and Feng Yinshi blushed. “You’re right, Mister.”
“You call me ‘Mister.’ Then I will be straightforward. Your Master has been exceptionally good to you. You won’t be able to repay her in this lifetime. What have you done for her?”
“I’m ashamed.”
“Do you see how hard she works day in and day out for this household, earning money to support it? Your family lives here, eats and drinks here, and all the money comes from her. Even the money for your wedding was provided by her. Have you ever thought about sharing her burdens?”
“To be honest, I haven’t.”
“My tuition fees are much higher than those in the Capital, and you still want to benefit from your master’s reputation by enrolling your husband here, right?”
“This aside, will you and your husband move back here if I agree, continuing to live and eat for free? Your Master won’t take money from you.”
“If you don’t, you’ll be here to bask in her glory. Have you thought about your
Master? Is she tired? Does she have enough money to support this big family?”
“I care about your Master. She’s exhausted and overworked. I don’t want to bring more people into this household and burden her.”
Xin’er and Feng Yinshi were embarrassed and blushing. “Mister, you’re right. Xin’er never thought that way. I only thought teaching one or two more students wouldn’t be a big deal.”
“If it were that easy, anyone who enters a school could become an official. Do you realize a teacher does not take their role lightly? He needs to mentor and identify a student’s shortcomings one by one. It’s not just physically exhausting but also mentally draining.”
“Mister, I’m truly sorry. Xin’er didn’t mean to do that.”
“That’s because you’re used to it. You’re used to your Master’s efforts. If you’re coming here to ask me to help your husband enroll in the Windforest Academy, I wouldn’t be upset. But you’re thinking of pushing your husband to me, aren’t you?”
The two hung their heads, rendered speechless by Old Mister Wang’s words.
“Out of respect for your Master, I won’t say harsher words. If it were someone else, I’d definitely scold them.”
“Sorry, Mister. Xin’er was thoughtless today.”
“Do you want to go to the Windforest Academy?” “Yes. Even if it means spending all my dowry, I want my husband to go.” “You won’t run out of dowry. Don’t think I’m a fool.”
Old Mister Wang got up, went to the desk, and picked up a pen. He wrote a recommendation letter and sealed it in an envelope addressed to the dean of Windforest Academy.
After sealing the letter, he handed it to Xin’er.
“Girl, you should still consider your family even after you’re married. Your mother and master have had a hard time. Your mother emptied her savings to ensure you had a good wedding, and Madam Qiao just built a new house but didn’t have much money left. Look at that vegetable pickling pot by the courtyard wall; she and her staff pickle vegetables every day to make extra money, hoping to get a good price in the winter.” Tears welled up in Xin’er’s eyes. “Mister, I was wrong!”
“Think before you act.”
“Yes, Mister!”
With the letter in hand, the young couple bid farewell to Old Mister Wang and left the main hall. Shopkeeper Lu saw their expressions and knew things hadn’t gone as planned. Xin’er told Shopkeeper Lu about her visit to Old Mister Wang.
Madam Lu also felt embarrassed; she knew she shouldn’t have let her daughter approach Old Mister Wang so casually. She shared the responsibility of not stopping her.
“It’s Mother’s fault; I didn’t consider things thoroughly.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful. When our in-laws first mentioned it, I was against the idea. After all, Mister Wang is getting old and only teaches in the morning.” “Mother-in-law, I’m already grateful. I’ve caused trouble for Xin’er and you.”
“When you get to the Windforest Academy, study diligently and strive to become a successful scholar.’
“Yes, Mother-in-law.”
At noon, they prepared a table full of dishes in the kitchen. Qiao Mai and Yuan Jiaqi came to accompany them while Old Mister Wang and his wife dined in their courtyard.
Yuan Jiayi wasn’t even an exam candidate, and he didn’t hide this fact from Feng Yinshi, but Qiao Mai could see from the way Feng Yinshi looked at him that he didn’t think highly of Yuan Jiaqi. Perhaps he felt that at his age, Yuan Jiaqi should have achieved some status.
Although he concealed his feelings well, Qiao Mai’s perception was sharp.
Nevertheless, it didn’t matter whether an outsider respected or looked down upon them. As long as her sister and her family were doing well, that was enough.
As long as she respected herself, that was what mattered.
After the meal, Yuan Jiaqi returned to their courtyard. Qiao Mai and Shopkeeper Lu prepared many gifts for them.
Shopkeeper Lu held Qiao Mai’s hand. “Sister, you’ve worked hard.” “Don’t be polite. We’re good sisters, so there’s no need for formalities.”
“Today, Ruxin made a mistake.”
“What mistake?”
“She went to ask Old Mister Wang to accept Yinshi as his student, but he refused and scolded her.”
“Well, you should have come to me first. You couldn’t bear to refuse Yinshi, but I could. Old Mister Wang never wanted to teach my husband and the others. His granddaughter forced him. He definitely won’t accept more students. He doesn’t care about favors or obligations; if he doesn’t want to teach, he won’t.”
“I knew that too. When they visited us in September, I hinted at them, but they insisted on going against the old master’s wishes. There was nothing I could do.”
“Ruxin may be married now, but she’s still simple-minded. You should teach her a few things so she won’t be taken advantage of in her in-laws’ home.”
“I’ll take Ruyi to the county town every month to visit her.”
“You should rest now. I need to pickle vegetables and have a lot of work.”
“Can I help you?”
“No need. You’re not used to this work. I’ll handle it..’
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