The three of them were talking here early in the morning, and the others who lived not too far away could vaguely hear what they were saying, so they stretched out their heads to take a look.
Yesterday's wedding banquet was held in a grand manner, and everyone's face was shiny after eating. At this time, when they saw the young couple coming out, they all came up to chat for a few words.
This one said congratulations on the new marriage and the birth of a son soon, and the other one praised Shen Ling for his talent and Zhuang Keqing for being smart and capable and a good match made in heaven. They all chose happy and auspicious words.
Everyone had a great time eating and drinking, and the congratulations were naturally a bit sincere.
But there are always some uncles and aunts who obviously eat people's food and receive people's gifts, but still take advantage of their age to say things that are overtly complimentary and secretly flattering.
"I think the girl is lucky. She said she was looking for a son-in-law, but the Shen family paid fifty taels. This is a person who makes money at the same time. The business is not a loss."
"Either you say he's doing business, or he's better at settling accounts than I am."
"You idiot, you deserve to be bent over in the fields for the rest of your life. How can anyone do this?"
"That's right, I'm afraid we won't encounter such luck in this life."
The two people who spoke lived next door to Li Guihua. They had always looked down on Widow Qin's family. One of them sometimes saw Li Guihua helping the orphan and widowed mother, and even tried to persuade them.
"Don't borrow a bushel of rice and return half a bushel of chaff, for the rest of the grain will be wasted."
At that time, she was scolded by Li Guihua, but she still didn't have a long memory. She just said whatever came to her mind without any control over her words.
She is the kind of person who looks down on you when you are poor, and is upset when you have her.
"Mrs. Shen is so generous. She promised fifty taels of silver, which is a lot of money, and she gave it to her as promised. She also put together such a good box. I think this one can be worth two taels of silver."
The two of them were still talking, and they were not afraid of embarrassment if they squinted and curled their lips in front of everyone.
They knew very well. As long as those who saw that scene yesterday, there were not a few who had the same idea as them. Didn't you know it just by looking around? Weren't everyone keeping their mouths shut and watching the fun, and no one helped to say a word.
But Zhuang Keqing is not someone who can swallow his anger.
It’s just a matter of making up her own arrangements. Anyway, ever since her family started living, she has been talked about a lot. It’s a habit, just treat it like someone farts.
But it was not enough to praise Zhou in front of her. Not to mention how harshly Zhou treated Shen Ling before, just from the beating that day, she knew that this woman could not be a loving mother at all.
The money sent is just a tool to insult Shen Ling. Do you think she doesn't understand?
Putting down the bucket in his hand first, Zhuang Keqing smiled at the two men and cupped his hands, "Auntie, thank you for your trouble. This money is indeed a lot. Our family is very worried now and doesn't know how to spend it."
"But I think my aunt doesn't have such troubles. I'm so envious of her."
I thought that the girl was going to get angry and scold her, but no one expected that she would say such a sentence. Everyone was stunned at first, and then they covered their mouths and laughed, which made the two people who said the slanderous words extremely embarrassed.
This is how you should deal with people like this.
And that’s the truth.
If Zhuang Keqing silently acquiesces today, she may be stabbed at some point in the future, and it will always be endless. But now that she is so generous, it will make people look down on her.
The two troublemakers hid their faces and ran away. I'm afraid they haven't been able to see anyone lately.
Due to this interruption, the originally warm atmosphere was gone, and everyone was a little embarrassed. But the two young couples in front of them acted as if nothing had happened, and the husband even helped his wife carry the bucket.
"Uncles and aunts, you are busy first. My husband and I are going to fetch water first."
Zhuang Keqing finished speaking with a smile and left with Shen Ling.
There was no excitement left for everyone to watch, and they dispersed after a while. As soon as this news came out this morning, the whole village knew about it. After that, no one mentioned Zhou's fifty taels in front of the banker.
Afraid of meeting someone again, Zhuang Keqing led Shen Ling on a small road. Although it took some detours, it didn't matter. Anyway, they had a lot of leisure today.
Shen Ling carried two buckets and followed her, with an unmistakable expression on his face.
"You don't need to take their words to heart." The girl walking in front said. She didn't look back, but she knew that Shen Ling must be listening. "It's just jealous of our good life."
"We will do better in the future."
"Um."
After a long time, Shen Ling responded.
He didn't care what others thought of him, but he didn't know that Zhuang Keqing felt a fire in his heart from that moment on.
In the evening, the family gathered around the table to eat.
"Mom, Shen Ling and I will go to town tomorrow."
"Why do you have to go now?" Qin Manzhi hugged Aman and fed the baby a sip of cool rice soup.
"When I go to the village chief's grandpa's house the day after tomorrow, I have to prepare some decent gifts." Zhuang Keqing took the steamed bun, tore it into half, stuffed scrambled eggs into it, and put it in Shen Ling's hand, "I also have to buy some pen and ink. book."
Shen Ling paused while taking the buns, and then Qin Manzhi spoke again.
"It's time to buy some. I saw that Brother Ling's handwriting is beautiful. He is supposed to be a student in the Shen family." She smiled and wiped Aman's mouth, "Why don't you continue studying, don't waste time? The family should now be able to afford it.”
Zhuang Keqing knew that her mother would agree.
Shen Ling never expected that Zhuang Keqing would make this decision.
The cost of the imperial examination was very high. A book or ink would cost an ordinary farmer more than half a year. How could he live up to such expectations now that he was the wife of a married woman?
And, his hands.
Shen Ling's right hand holding the bun tightened slightly.
Just now, his mother-in-law said that his handwriting was good, but he knew very well that his hands were useless and the things he wrote were not decent. If the paper had such handwriting, the examiner would not even take a look at it.
Qin Manzhi looked at Shen Ling's expression and knew he was hesitating.
This kid is really thoughtful.
She felt a little regretful in her heart, and she didn't know what kind of family the Shen family was, and how they could bring such a good child to such a good level.
"Since you can read and write, you should study. There is no need to hesitate."
She finished her words and did not wait for Shen Ling's reply. She turned to Zhuang Keqing and said, "I remember there was an old scholar in Daxing Village next door. Why don't you go to town this time and buy some meat, sugar and other things to visit? one time."
Qin Manzhi thought carefully, and the mother and daughter later discussed some details. After dinner, the whole family decided to support Shen Ling in continuing to study and take exams.
So is Shen Ling willing to continue studying?
He is actually willing, after all, he is young and energetic.
Even after these years of training and blows, he never gave up on himself. From the time he was enlightened, until he left the Shen family in the county town, he had secretly read almost all the books in Shen Wei's study.
Zhuang Keqing knew that it was a bit excessive for her and her mother to help others make decisions like this, but she never wanted to see Shen Ling, who obviously had such talent and temperament, being buried in such a countryside.
After finally getting rid of the shackles of the Shen family, shouldn't we work harder and fly further?
She cautiously glanced at Shen Ling, who was silent, "How about setting a small goal first, and becoming a scholar?"
The young man lowered his head, holding a bun in his hand, and his drooping eyelashes blocked his eyes, making it difficult to see his expression clearly.
"I will try my best." Zhuang Keqing only heard him say this.
The moon rises above the branches, it's late at night and everyone is still.
Shen Ling lay on the bed unable to sleep.
How long has it been?
When was the last time someone had such plans for themselves?
No calculations, no interests, no hypocritical family affection, just sincerely for yourself.
Thinking of Zhuang Keqing's protection when fetching water during the day and his mother-in-law's decision at the dinner table, he couldn't help but ask himself.
Do I deserve to be treated like this?
He has never understood the meaning of family, and has never been treated so kindly. He doesn't know if he is really worth it.
"Aren't you asleep yet?"
Shen Ling felt his sleeve being caught, and a warm but not smooth hand grabbed his right hand.
"My mother-in-law is willing to support you in your studies. You don't have to think too much." The girl next to you turned around and said, "If you want to live a good life in this world, then don't leave any regrets to yourself, just work hard. .”
In the darkness, Shen Ling couldn't see the other person's appearance clearly, but he could vaguely feel a soft gaze resting on him.
He nodded lightly, closed his eyes, and clenched his hand as if he was afraid of losing his only treasure.
