Chapter 271

"Tingxiang? This is your own name? Gou'er, why did you give yourself such a name?" Immediately she understood, thinking of Dafang's talented boy, because of his young age, he always carried People laugh at the same name as Gou'er and Heizi.

A look of distress flashed in her eyes, and she nodded repeatedly: "Gou'er, no, Ting'er scholars are different, and the name is so nice. From now on, my sister won't call you Gou'er, and I won't let outsiders call you that. It's called Tingxiang." Anyway, in her heart, whatever the dog says is good,

Xue Gouzi, no, he should be called Xue Tingxiang now, and he feels a little depressed. He is only less than two years younger than Zhao'er, but he is a deep ravine that he will not be able to cross in his entire life. Having said that, he said again: "Also, can you stop calling yourself sister to me in the future?"

This time Zhao'er was even more surprised, and even stretched out his hand to touch his forehead: "Ting'er, what's wrong with you? Did you have some evil? You didn't call me sister since you were a child."

Xue Tingxiang took a deep breath and smiled: "But you are not my sister, you will be my wife in the future, no man calls his wife a sister."

He was originally pale, half leaning on the quilt at the top of the kang, suddenly smiled like this, with clear eyebrows and eyes, which gave people a feeling that they dare not look directly at him.

Zhao'er's face turned red all of a sudden, and he couldn't make sense of what he said: "Dog, you, what are you talking about, I, I..."

"Don't you want to be my daughter-in-law and have a baby for me?" He moved closer.

She stood up abruptly, and reprimanded: "You little kid, why are you talking about this? Your hair hasn't grown fully yet!" She said a foul language that Xue Tingxiang didn't like to hear the most, and she didn't realize it: "You want to The thing to do is to take care of your body, as for these things, we will talk about them later!"

Her eyes were fierce, and her tone was also fierce. After she finished speaking, she lowered her head and scooped rice from the bowl to Xue Tingshan's mouth. He glanced at her, ate honestly, and suddenly became in a good mood.

Maybe the two of them can change the way they get along in the future, and change it if they don't like it, there is no need to wait for her to understand.

*

Zhao'er threw away the mess, turned around and went back to the house, leaving the whole family to finish their lunch in a depressing atmosphere.

During this period, Sun had nothing to say to her, but no one paid any attention to her.

Yang couldn't eat, if it wasn't for her parents-in-law, if she didn't want to embarrass herself in front of the two younger siblings, she would have thrown her chopsticks and left. But now he can only suppress the aggrieved stomach, and eat the food in front of him like chewing wax.

After dinner, Mrs. Sun took Mao Dan away, knowing that her son got into trouble today, and she was afraid that she would be angered later. Mrs. Zhou took Xue Taoer to clean up the table, and took the dishes and chopsticks to the kitchen to wash. Xue Qingbai helped her, Zhou could not carry such a pot of dishes by himself, usually when Xue Qingbai was not at home, she and her daughter could only carry them.

Only Dafang, mother and son were left in the room, along with Mr. Xue and Mrs. Zhao.

Yang stood up and wanted to go back to the East Chamber, but was stopped by Mr. Xue.

Mr. Xue took out his dry pipe, took out some shredded tobacco grown by himself from the dark blue tobacco pouch, rolled it into a ball, pressed it into the tobacco pot, and then lit it with a torch.

His movements are very slow, neither fast nor slow. Anyone who is familiar with Mr. Xue's character knows that he has something on his mind.

It's true that there is something wrong, and if it's not something, he won't call his daughter-in-law to stop.

"The handsome boy and the talented boy go back to the house first. Grandpa has something to say to your mother."

Xue Youcai glanced at his mother and wanted to say something, but was dragged away by his elder brother Xue Juncai.

"Father, just tell me if you have anything to say."

Mrs. Yang is thirty-four this year. In the countryside, a woman in her thirties is no longer considered young. Here, the wind blows and the sun shines and eats, so the women look old.

But Yang's maintenance is very good, her face is like a disc, her skin is fair, and there are a few fine lines at the corners of her eyes. She was wearing a worn-out stone blue satin gown with make-up, her shiny black hair was pulled into a bun behind her head, a gilt hairpin was inserted into it, and a pair of old silver earrings were on her ears. It can't be called onion tip, but it is also white and soft, wearing a gold ring.

It is not an exaggeration to say that she is the grandma of the landlord's family in this dress and bearing, even the Zhao family is not as good as her.

With his old eyes, Mr. Xue moved Yang back and forth a few times, making her stand uneasy.

Just as I was about to say something, my father-in-law said suddenly: "Boss daughter-in-law, how long have you been married to our family?"

Yang was startled, and replied: "Seventeen years, my daughter-in-law married into the Xue family in the seventeenth year."

"Then how will your mother and I treat you?"

Yang's heart skipped a beat: "Father and mother treat their daughter-in-law like their own daughters."

Mr. Xue nodded, took a puff of the dry cigarette, and the light blue smoke began to linger on his old face again, making it difficult to see the expression on his face clearly.

"You are the eldest daughter-in-law of our family, and your mother has always loved you. You and the boss have the same heart as your mother and I. I only wish that you can become a talent."

Yang's heart relaxed, and she couldn't help laughing: "Juncai is serious about his studies, even my father said that he is a rare and good seedling, and it is no problem to be a scholar."

Speaking of Xue Juncai who is the most proud, even Mr. Xue couldn't help showing a smile.

Seeing that the father-in-law's face softened, Yang took advantage of the situation and said: "It's just that you know, father, that when it's time to end, you don't have to just sit at home and study. Thinking back then, Juncai's father also listened to my father's words, I went to Qinghe Academy to study for two years, met some classmates, and registered in front of my husband. I took the opportunity to impress the county magistrate, and I passed the county exam. The ranking of the county exam As long as it is not bad, the government examination is not to say that it is sure, but it is half sure. It's just that you have to rely on luck when you get to the hospital examination, and Juncai's father is unlucky, so he will fail repeatedly."

This is the real reason why Yang Shi is valued by the old couple in the Xue family, not only because her father is a child, but also because her father was kind to Xue Qingshan in the past.

And Yang's statement seems absurd, but it is true. The two county examinations are not as strictly controlled as the hospital examination, especially the county examination, which is presided over by the magistrate of the county.

There are five county exams in total, and the results of the first exam are mainly to be judged. And this time, there are two stereotyped essays and one poem. As long as there are no typos and fluent essays, you can pass them all.

Compared with people he doesn't know well at all, the magistrate is still willing to pick people who are somewhat familiar.

And going to a good school to study is to provide an opportunity to stand out in front of the county magistrate. Dachang has always attached great importance to the selection of talents. How many scholars can be produced in this county, and even a son can be a Jinshi, which is considered a political achievement. No matter how fatuous and incompetent the county magistrate, this kind of cutscene must go.

And being able to enter a good school will not only increase your contacts, but also your vision.

For example, the county examinations are nothing more than the Four Books and Five Classics and the sacred edicts. How to write and what taboos should not be violated all need guidance. No matter how wonderful your article is, if you violate taboos such as temple taboos, royal names, and holy taboos, you will not take it.

And in places like the countryside, many private schools are opened by old children for the sake of making a living, and I still want to be a scholar to change my fortune, so how can I teach middle school children in every detail.

Xue Qingshan himself was like this, that's why he put all his energy into sending Xue Juncai to Qinghe Academy.

Yang thought that her father-in-law wanted to tell her about sending Xue Juncai to the school, so she said this. Little did they know that her words really touched Mr. Xue's mind, but Mr. Xue didn't intend to tell her these things.

Mr. Xue took a deep breath of dry cigarettes, and said: "The boss you said has been told to me, and we will talk about this matter later. You are Juncai's mother, and there is nothing wrong with planning for your son, but you have to know that our family It’s not just Dafang’s family.”

The father-in-law's tone was a bit meaningful, Yang was startled for a moment, and forced a smile: "Father, of course my daughter-in-law knows that the Xue family is not just ours, but don't worry, if Juncai's father and Juncai are promising, they will never forget to be filial to you My mother." Seeing her father-in-law's complexion was gloomy, she hurriedly added: "There are other people in the family, Juncai always remembers that he can study, thanks to a few uncles and aunts."

Mr. Xue nodded: "If you understand, you should know that the other three families have been sacrificing for the eldest house. I won't mention the far ones, just talk about the third and fourth children. The land in the house refers to the third and fourth children Kindly, your father is getting old, and his hands and feet are not as sharp as before. The fourth child has to pick up goods and sell them when he is busy with the house. I don’t know how many pairs of shoes he has to wear out in a year, but all the money he earns is handed over to the public. , I haven’t paid a penny. What is everyone working so hard for? It’s not for our family, but for Dafang.”

Yang's complexion became forced: "Father, why is this all for our eldest family? Juncai's father is promising, isn't it because the Xue family has a good face? Because Juncai's father was born in Tongsheng, no one in the village would look at us highly, even that The Zheng family, don’t you also give us three points of courtesy to the Xue family. This is for the overall situation, for the future generations of our Xue family..."

Old Master Xue sighed and interrupted: "Father understands what you said, and so does your mother. But as the saying goes, if the board is not on your body, of course you don't feel pain. You put yourself in the position of the third and fourth child , What do you think? I have done the most work, and I can’t even put my good words into my mouth, and it’s all in other people’s mouths.”

These words were in line with what Zhao'er said just now, Yang's face turned red immediately, her round face flushed red.

"Father, why did you call this into my mouth, I..."

Mr. Xue ignored her, and went to scold Mrs. Zhao again: "There is also you, who is biased in front of people. You just continue to do it, so that the third and fourth are chilled, and they make a fuss about separating from the family. You go there Planted for the boss and talented people to take the imperial examination!"

At the end, his tone was full of sighs of hatred for iron.

Mrs. Zhao didn't want to listen to this anymore, and muttered: "What do you mean I am biased? Why am I biased? Didn't I think that the boss and Juncai want to study, and studying is a waste of brain, so I should give them more supplements. Don't those who are good? It fell into my mouth."

The more she spoke, the angrier she became, and she couldn't help cursing: "Separate the family, don't they want to turn the world upside down, if the parents don't separate, even if I can spare them, the ancestors' family law can't forgive them."

Old Master Xue smiled wryly. If it wasn't for these two old things and the family law of the ancestors, the family would not be like this a long time ago.

He shifted his gaze to Mrs. Yang: "You also understand the situation at home. Can your mother and I manage it for a while, or for a lifetime? Since you want to send Juncai to study in the school in the town, you should win over the third and fourth bedroom. "

"Father, I..."

"In the past, your mother doted on you. I never said it. You can tell which is right and which is wrong. But from tomorrow onwards, you and the third and fourth families will share the work at home. "

After Mr. Xue finished speaking, he stopped talking and just smoked his own cigarette with a sullen head. Yang couldn't stand here either, and hurried out of the main room with her head down.

*

As soon as Mrs. Zhou cleaned up the kitchen and came out, she saw her sister-in-law returning to the east chamber with her head down, her expression was not very good.

Her eyes flickered, and she glanced towards the south end of the west wing, which was a four-bedroom house.

There was a faint person behind the window facing the courtyard in the fourth room, and Mrs. Zhou knew that Mrs. Sun had been watching the movement. She pretended not to notice, wiped her hands on the apron, and went back to the house.

When it was time to cook in the evening, Mrs. Yang was wearing coarse clothes, which was rare, and came to the kitchen to compete with Mrs. Zhou for work.

Mrs. Zhou couldn't even refuse, so Mrs. Yang smiled and said that Mrs. Zhou had worked hard, so she just let her rest.

Mrs. Zhou was pushed out of the kitchen by her, and she happened to meet Mrs. Sun who was standing at the door of the west chamber. There was also surprise in their eyes.

But what surprised them was yet to come, because from this day on, Mrs. Yang changed her previous attitude and started doing all kinds of work. Although it was many years of not touching her hands, she was clumsy in doing things now, but she did it.

Not only cooking, but also being very generous, often actively persuade Mrs. Zhao to take some money, or buy some meat or bring out some eggs, and cook dishes for the family to eat.

The sparks that had been stirred up by Zhao'er's words in the Xue family were suppressed just like that. During this period, Xue Tingxiang's body finally recovered, and he had the strength to walk around.

This day, after getting up early in the morning and having breakfast, Zhao'er planned to go to town.

The rags she brought back from the embroidery workshop have all been made into things like purses and embroidered shoes. After saving for many days, it should be sold in the embroidery workshop.

She put everything into the back basket, and before leaving, she told Xue Tingxiang that the weather was fine today and asked him to go out to bask in the sun more often.

Xue Tingxiang nodded and agreed honestly, and then she went out with peace of mind.

Not long after she left, Xue Tingxiang walked out of the house.

The yard is very quiet, the curtains of the doors of each room are all lowered, and it is hard to see if anyone is there.

He stood in front of the door for a while, then walked out of the gate, and Hei Zi, who was lazily basking in the sun, immediately stood up and went out together at his feet.

Xue Qingshan's face was a little ugly, and at the same time he was a little surprised.

His nephew has always been reticent, and he can't make a fart with three sticks. He only acted out this way because he counted on Erfang's two petty tempers.

But after all, he lived older than Xue Tingxiang, so naturally he would not forget to do superficial work.

He sighed: "The boy was spoiled by his mother, and it's also my uncle who can't discipline well. Uncle is here to accompany you."

Xue Tingxiang hurriedly backed away and said: "Uncle, don't say that, Ting'er is a junior, he can't bear it."

"Ting'er? I didn't expect you to give yourself a name." Xue Qingshan laughed, and also wanted to point out that Xue Tingxiang's name was not correct, and he was not as sensible and polite as he appeared on the surface.

Usually names are bestowed by the elders, not just chosen by the younger generation. It’s okay for ordinary villagers, but Xue Tingxiang is a scholar, and a scholar should know how to be polite. Read.

Xue Tingxiang was very clear in his heart, and understood what uncle meant. He smiled and said: "When my father was still alive, I asked my grandfather and uncle to help me choose one. Uncle refused because of his humble name. Now the court My son is also fourteen, so I can’t keep using her baby name, so I randomly picked one.”

As soon as this remark came out, Xue Qingshan's face turned ugly again. Xue Tingxiang was obviously saying that he, as an uncle, did not want to name him, and deliberately belittled him. After all, since I have been educated, I should definitely not have a name,

He forced a smile, and explained: "It's not that Uncle sees that you are not in good health, and wants to name you after you are an adult. You can't understand this painstaking effort, if Uncle doesn't choose one for you now?"

As he said that, without waiting for Xue Tingxiang to agree, he sighed and made a melancholy look, and said: "You have been weak since you were born, and your father wished you a long life when he was alive, so my uncle named you Fushou, what do you think? ?”

This name is really random, and I am not at all sorry for the name of Xue Qingshan, the only child born in Yuqing Village.

Xue Tingxiang hesitated for a moment before refusing: "It's still not uncle, Ting'er's name has been decided, and I went to the grave to inform my parents before, there is absolutely no chance to change it."

These words also made it clear why he went to the cemetery every year. Since Xue Tingxiang saw that Xue Qingshan had invited so many people and made such a fuss, he knew that the other party must have plans.

Regardless of what he plans, he just blocks the way that the other party may use to make a fuss, and the rest is to wait and see what happens.

Sure enough, Patriarch Xue's face softened a little.

Before that, he always thought that this matter was done on purpose by Erfang, just to compete with Juncai for the opportunity to study in Qinghe Academy. This time I came to see this young man is gentle and polite, neither humble nor overbearing, patriarch Xue has no fame, but he can know a few words, and he has been the patriarch for many years, so he has a good eye for people.

He was very surprised, because he had seen Gouzi before, but he didn't have a deep impression of him. The only impression he had was that he was an inconspicuous boy. Looking at it now, this son has grown up somewhat unexpectedly.

But no matter how unexpected he was, patriarch Xue did not forget what he was doing here.

Just a good impression on one side is not enough to make him shake the decision he has made. He had asked someone to test Juncai's child, and he was much more knowledgeable than his two grandchildren. If it was said who the next child in Yuqing Village would be, Patriarch Xue felt that Xue Juncai was the most likely.

Maybe not just a child, but a scholar.

With two future talent seedlings and a young man who doesn't know his depth, Patriarch Xue naturally knows how to do this multiple-choice question.

However, the idea of ​​helping Xue Qingshan before was dispelled. If Xue Qingshan couldn't even handle a child, he didn't deserve his attention.

How could Xue Qingshan fail to see Patriarch Xue's thoughts. In his eyes, this old man is a master who does not see rabbits and does not scatter eagles. He accepts the benefits he brings to the clan, but never knows how to give him something.

If any clan has ethnology, the clan will not subsidize one or two. On the contrary, he worked for nothing all day long, and every time a certain family in the clan brought some random food, the patriarch called him over and asked him to accept it.

To be generous with the generosity of others, to spend other people's wealth, is merciless to others, and it is meaningless to oneself!

Xue Qingshan sneered in his heart, but pretended to be a respectful petition, and invited Xue patriarch Zheng Lizheng and others into the house.

Patriarch Xue and Zheng Li were sitting cross-legged on the kang, one on the left and one on the right, while the others were sitting on the stools below. Mrs. Yang and Mrs. Zhou were busy pouring tea, and even Xue Tao'er was sent to ask Mr. Xue to come home quickly.

Patriarch Xue and Zheng Lizheng both had the habit of smoking dry pipes, and they took out the pipes as soon as they sat down.

Xue Qingshan hurriedly took a bag of tobacco leaves from his mother Zhao, and while serving them, he said: "This is grown by my father himself. It is usually a treasure. Uncle and Uncle Li should try it."

"Your father's shredded tobacco is good, but it's too little." After lighting it, Zheng Lizheng took a deep breath and said with a smile.

Xue Qingshan replied: "If Uncle Lizheng likes it, I'll pretend to be with you when I leave later, so don't dislike it."

These are all polite words, everyone knows each other well, Zheng Lizheng nodded with a smile, and went straight to the point: "What is Shan Zi planning to invite some of us old guys over here this time?"

Looking at Zheng Lizheng's smiling face, Xue Qingshan scolded the old fox in his heart.

Things would turn out like this, and he absolutely wouldn't believe that this guy surnamed Zheng didn't do anything inside. But that's exactly how he invited Zheng Lizheng here today. After all, he is the Lizheng of Yuqing Village and his surname is Zheng, so he won't be said to be covering up.

Including the few villagers present today, Xue Qingshan was thinking about inviting them. There was one with the surname Zheng, one with the surname Xue, and two families with mixed surnames in the village, but they were all well-known in the village.

"Is there a matter that requires a few elders to decide, or wait for my father, he is in the field and will be back soon."

Just as he was talking about Mr. Xue, he came back. After coming in, he exchanged greetings for a while before sitting down and getting to the point.

"It's ashamed to say this. Some things in my family have made everyone laugh."

Hearing this was the beginning of the words, except for Patriarch Xue and Zheng Lizheng, everyone present felt a little embarrassed. After all, this is someone else's family matter. It's two different things.

"Actually, to put it bluntly, it's all caused by poverty. In the previous situation of our family, it wouldn't be like this. One baby was given away, but the other was not."

One was also surnamed Xue, and was of the same generation as Mr. Xue. An old man named Xue Lianhe sighed: "Lian Xing, don't say that, your family is also in trouble."

Old Master Xue sighed with a wry smile: "It's difficult, it's not difficult for anyone, this light is all on the surface. But no matter how difficult it is, if you want your baby to have a future, you have to pay for it. If you don't give it to someone, you will be successful." There's a problem."

With trembling hands, he took out the dry pipe from his waist, lit it and took a puff, before he said, "The palms and backs of the hands are full of meat, and it hurts me to give up any one. In fact, this matter was discussed last year, and I have been procrastinating on it." I did it because I was afraid that the baby would feel uncomfortable. It is not easy for a peasant family like us to provide for a scholar. The family finally gave up Shanzi. Although he failed to pass the exam several times, he still did it for the village and for us. Guys did something.

"For so many years, our family has been doing things in the village. Everyone has seen it. If it is far away, it will not be mentioned. Let's talk about the private school in Shanzi. As long as you are from the village and your family is not rich, Shu Xiu will be later or even less. , our family never mentioned it. Why? It’s because it’s not easy for us country people to make a living, with our faces turned to the loess and our backs turned to the sky. If God doesn’t show mercy, the whole family suffers from famine.

"Actually, I'm not afraid of the laughter of my brothers and sisters. Back then, I worked hard to support Shanzi's education, just thinking that if I really passed the exam, I would give my family some tax exemption."

These words were to the point, and it seemed that they were just a few words lightly, but they didn't go deeper, but they said that everyone had mixed feelings in their hearts.

What Mr. Xue said is the truth, or the truth that is in line with people's reality, that's what makes it so complicated.

Finally someone stood up and spoke out for the previous incident, "Brother Lianxing, stop talking about it, we can't trust you? When people spread rumors in the village, we told the children at home, Brother Lianxing Not that kind of person. There are those who are grandpas, and those who don’t love their grandchildren.”

"Yes, yes, everyone can understand, who is not difficult."