The Bookish Scholar of the Red Mansion

It was getting late. Chen Gaishan and Chen Qigang, who had been busy in the fields all day, just returned home and felt that today was a little strange. At this time in the past, Chen Heng would be waiting for them in his yard. The little man was busy running errands, pouring water, and asking for help. It was very interesting for them to watch, and even the fatigue of the day would be relieved. many.

But what about others today?

The two father and son looked at each other, looked at tacit understanding at Mr. Zhou and Mr. Gu who were having sex in the yard, and asked in unison: Where are the two dogs?

Dad, the two dogs are resting in the house. Gu put down what she was doing and got up to get tea for the two of them. Mrs. Zhou continued to explain on the side, After delivering food to you this morning, I was wilted when I came back. I have been lying in the room.

An idea flashed in Chen Qi's mind, and he asked half worriedly: Could it be heatstroke?

As the end of May approaches, farmers like them know how hot and dry the weather is.

No way. Mrs. Zhou hesitated and looked at Mrs. Gu who came out with tea.

Mrs. Gu put down the tea and comforted everyone: I just went to check on the two dogs earlier. The two dogs are fine. Parents, don't worry. The child is probably just tired from playing. He likes to be quiet and doesn't like to move. This period of time is very exciting. I went out to play, but I thought I would take my time at home today.

That's good. Chen Gaishan nodded. He glanced at Mr. Zhou and said, Tell him to come out for dinner.

Mrs. Zhou understood, got up and walked to the side room. This old lady, since her eldest grandson passed away a few years ago, she has regarded Chen Heng as a piece of cake.

But what's wrong with Chen Heng? He's just in a low mood and doesn't understand why Master Wang doesn't allow him to go to the school and eavesdrop. When I saw grandma coming in, I quickly showed a smile to make the old man happy. Seeing this, Mrs. Zhou felt much more at ease.

The farmers' dinners are not particular, but in order to save money on lamp oil, they will move the dining table to the yard and enjoy the cool evening breeze.

Two eggs were added to dinner, one for the second aunt Li and one for Chen Heng. The second aunt has been ill for six months, and the whole family is a little nervous about her, and are afraid that she will bump into her, except her daughter Chen Xian.

This girl is still immersed in the situation that her mother will no longer love her after giving birth to a younger brother. Adults find it interesting and often joke about it.

The most positive person here is Chen Huaijin himself. Although Chen Xian is his biological daughter, he loves to make Chen Xian cry the most, and then laugh when he looks at his daughter's angry face.

It's no wonder that his grandfather kept scolding him for being out of tune and being out of shape all day long.

After the family has dinner, they will continue to sit in the yard and chat. At this time, it was Chen Huaijin’s home court. He was restless at first. Before getting married, he often went to the county secretly to play behind Chen Gaishan's back and made some random friends.

Over time, he developed first-class eloquence, and even ordinary things in the county sounded particularly interesting after his polishing. While the family was listening to what he said, a sudden knock on the door attracted everyone's attention.

Who?

The second uncle, Chen Huaijin, stepped forward to open the door proactively. He didn't know who he saw, but he shouted to Chen Gaishan, Dad, dad.

What are you doing? Chen Gaishan cursed as he sat in his seat. When he saw the person clearly under the moonlight, he quickly got up from the bamboo chair, Wang... Wang...

But the visitor smiled and said hello first, raised his hand and bowed: Second brother, have you forgotten my nickname?

Chen Gaishan smiled coquettishly, In just a few decades, we are already grandfathers.

Although the two were young, there is a huge gap between them in terms of status and social status. How dare Chen Gaishan call him by his nickname in public. He simply smiled and ignored the issue of the title.

Yes. Wang Xianming, wearing a clean and tidy robe, sighed as he stood under the moonlight, Think about it, we were only as old as him.

Wang Xianming pointed his finger at Chen Heng who was listening. Chen Heng felt his heart skip a beat and his blood couldn't control the speed. He vaguely felt that Mrs. Wang was here for him.

Chen Gaishan, who had the same feeling, first invited Wang Xianming to take a seat, and then said to Gu and others: Take the children down.

Alas, Chen Heng sighed in his heart. He was still too young. Even though he was well-behaved in the past, he was just a sensible and obedient child in the eyes of his elders.

Although he still wanted to stay and listen, Chen Heng had no choice but to follow Gu back to the house. Only Chen Gaishan, Chen Qi, Chen Huaijin and Zhou family were left in the courtyard.

The people mainly responsible for the conversation were Chen Gaishan and Wang Xianming, and the others could only be regarded as accompanying guests. After the two briefly reminisced about old times, the conversation returned to the purpose of Wang Xianming's trip.

You said...you want Ergou to study with you?

Chen Gaishan exclaimed and put his hands on his hakama unconsciously. People doing farm work would wear something like robes. If he really went to the field wearing it, he would make the villagers laugh the next day.

Um.

Wang Xianming nodded seriously. He took the tea handed over by Chen Qi and took a sip. He said: I think this kid is smart, and he might be good at studying. Second brother, don't be impatient. Let him study with me for a few days. If he is really suitable, we can discuss what to do next?

Wang Xianming, who didn't dare to say anything to death, naturally had his own considerations. He had previously dismissed students one after another, and some rumors had spread in the village.

After Wang Xianming finished speaking, everyone sitting here had different reactions. Chen Gaishan held his seat and remained silent. Zhou's expression was uncertain, and she didn't know what to think.

The most interesting ones were the two brothers Chen Qi. Chen Qi looked into his room with a guilty conscience as if he had thought of something. Chen Huaijin was so happy that he patted his thigh continuously and said, Dad, what are you thinking about? Master can come to the door in person and think of a way for us...

What are you talking about?

Chen Gaishan shouted softly at his son, screaming in his heart that it was terrible, how could he let this talkative guy stay? He really should have let his wife take him away.

What do you mean by talking too much? You are old and don't understand... I agreed to this for my eldest brother. Chen Huaijin, who had been spoiled since childhood, was afraid of this, so he stood up and saluted Wang Xianming, saying emotionally.

Sir, don't worry. I will take Ergou to school tomorrow morning, and I promise not to delay your class. My eldest brother has been sensible and smart since he was a child. I have always thought that he is something, but I didn't expect that he should be studying. Come on. Hahahahaha.”

Chen Huaijin laughed uncontrollably. His mind was much more active than the average person. Wang Xianming spoke in a reserved manner and even talked about trial reading. Then he came to the door in person, could he have identified Ergou?

Wang Xianming put down his tea cup and touched his goat's beard, controlling the slight smile on his lips: Second brother, if you are worried about Xiu, there is no need. We agreed today, Er... Heng'er, you are here just for a trial reading, nothing else There’s no rush. Whether it’s suitable or not, let him read it for a few days so that he can learn more words.”

That's great. Chen Huaijin raised his hands and bowed repeatedly, looking at my good nephew. He wants to teach you for free, Thank you, sir, thank you, sir.

This family is yours. Chen Gaishan, who was so angry that he puffed his beard and glared, had no choice but to stand up, Okay, let's do it as you wish.

Wang Xianming breathed a sigh of relief after getting what he wanted. Knowing that he had to leave time for the family to discuss, he simply stood up and left.

When he was sent out by Chen Qi, Chen Gaishan signaled Chen Qi to call both Gu and Li over.

Several adults in the family sat together, and the two daughters-in-law were still confused, so they first listened to Mr. Zhou's lecture on Chen Huaijin. Fortunately, this kind of situation is not uncommon on weekdays, so Gu will naturally not care.

The thick-skinned Chen Huaijin went in and out of one ear and finally waited until my mother finished teaching her a lesson, then hurriedly conveyed Wang Xianming's intention to the two of them. What he said was very exciting, and Mrs. Gu was stunned for a while.

Thinking about it, she didn't know how her second dog fell into Mrs. Wang's eyes.

When Chen Huaijin finished speaking, Chen Gaishan coughed and took up the topic, Second bitch, what do you think?

You must read it then. Isn't it a good thing that Ergou is destined to be favored by Wang Xianming? Gu was just about to say this, but then she thought about it and realized that this was not what Chen Gaishan asked. If he didn't agree, why would he call him over? He refused on the spot, so what’s the problem?

After thinking for a moment, Mrs. Gu said, Mom and dad, I will do more checks on weekdays. The expenses for Ergou's study will never be allowed to the family...

This daughter-in-law is still ignorant and doesn't know how much effort it takes from the whole family to raise a scholar. Zhou sighed and interrupted her, This is far from enough.

Seeing that it was Mr. Zhou who was speaking, Chen Gaishan swallowed the words that came to his mouth. Mrs. Zhou continued to say to the younger generation: Don't look at how glamorous Wang Xianming is now. Of the twelve acres of land our family has now, three acres were sold to our family by his father in order to support his education.

Originally, their family was one of the best in the village, and their ancestors had worked hard to save the family fortune for several generations. Just because Wang Xianming wanted to study, his family's land was sold one acre at a time. Your father and I felt heartbroken when we saw it. It was also his good luck that he later passed the Tongsheng examination and bought back some of the fields he had sold before.

Zhou picked up the tea and took a sip to moisten her throat. In front of Mrs. Gu, there was something she didn't say in her heart: If Wang Xianming fails the exam, then you will know what it means to be a scholar without any use.

It's not that I don't want Ergou to study... Mrs. Zhou put down her tea cup, paused for a moment, and then said quietly, Just taking this road is a waste of money. You always say in private that your mother is a slut, but you don't The boss doesn’t know the situation.

In today's world, when a child reaches three years old, he has to pay one thousand taels of silver every year. Our family's annual harvest is only 20 to 30 taels of silver. This alone costs the whole family seven taels of silver a year.

The harvests in the fields have been good in the past few years, and our family has saved some money. But I reserved these for Daya, Erya, and the two dogs to get married. Don't think it's too early to think about it now. Children don't just let us count the days to grow up. If we want them to grow up slowly, they can wait a little longer. Think back to yourselves, don’t you think the day when Ergou was born is not too far away?

Chen Qi listened silently and then said in a low voice: Both my wife and I know my mother's difficulties. I went out to work part-time and saved three taels of silver. Since the master said it was a trial study, let's take the money first. Bar.

Gu, who was originally said to be worried by Mrs. Zhou, raised her eyebrows upon hearing this and stared at Chen Qi, who did not dare to look at her. Okay, you dare to hide your private money behind my back.

It's yours to take. Mrs. Zhou nodded without surprise and added, But what I'm going to say next is for you. Mrs. Zhou looked at Chen Huaijin and Mrs. Li on her right, I'm still here. I have saved thirty taels of silver. This is the money that everyone has saved over the years. You are now married and your wife is pregnant. Even though we are brothers, we should settle this account clearly. I will take it out in a moment and you two brothers will split it in half. Alright.

Mother, what are you talking about? Chen Huaijin's face turned red and he waved his hands directly, You give all of it to eldest brother, just treat me as your uncle's helper.

How can a man who is the head of the family and a father not discuss things with his wife? Chen Gaishan, who had been holding back his anger, finally burst out and cursed at Chen Huaijin, Do you think the wife you want is a Bodhisattva? I usually provide support and coax her, but if something really happens, I will just forget about her as soon as I think about it.

Seeing that his father was really angry, Chen Huaijin quickly bowed his head and admitted his mistake to Mr. Li. In front of the family, Mrs. Li couldn't say much, so she had to stand up and save some face for Chen Huaijin.

Mom and dad, they all say that everything goes well with the family. Ergou is also the daughter-in-law who has watched this child grow up. He is usually well-behaved and sensible, but whenever I feel a little uncomfortable, he is more anxious than Erya's father. He will have this opportunity this time. , as elders, how can we delay him. Just do what our husband wants.

You were unhappy that time and I wasn't in a hurry? Chen Huaijin didn't dare to speak, so he could only criticize a few words in his heart.

If you think about it this way, I can rest assured that Huaijin will be left to you. Mrs. Zhou agreed with Li's wisdom, But if you want to have peace with your family, you have to have a bowl of water. These thirty taels are still Each brother has half. I made the decision for Huaijin and lent his eldest brother ten taels of silver. The remaining five taels are left for you to use for your own use. You are now heavy and cannot be ignored.

Yes, yes. Mrs. Gu rubbed her hands anxiously. She really wanted to thank Mrs. Li, but she ran out of words as she started to speak. Finally, she choked out: If anything happens to my brother and sister in the future, just tell my sister-in-law.

Seeing that the two daughters-in-law had reached a tacit understanding, Ms. Zhou finally let go of her worries. She looked at Chen Gaishan and said, Don't worry, your father is the one who makes the decision in the family. Just listen to your father's wishes.

Chen Gaishan, however, was looking at the place where Wang Xianming had just sat in trance. He didn't know what to think about. Chen Huaijin scratched his head and head anxiously, not understanding the medicine in his father's gourd.

Your mother has a saying that is right. Once you start studying, it will be expensive. When you fail the imperial examination in the future, don't forget how you worked together today.

Chen Gaishan lowered his head and pondered. As his mind wandered, his eyes fell on his hakama inadvertently. A few mud marks stained during the day had not yet been wiped off. He immediately thought of Wang Xianming's robe that was so bright that it was dazzling in the moonlight.

He couldn't help clenching his fists. Chen Gaishan gritted his teeth and said viciously: Send Ergou to study. How can I give away my eldest grandson while my body is strong and I can farm for a few more years.

Thank you all for voting, thank you. The code words are all motivated. I originally thought that no one would read this small article. Hahahaha, after all, the red building is not the red building, and it is not empty or empty. I wrote it purely because of the heroine...