Chapter 24: Book Boy
Zhong Lanhua stood at the Su family courtyard entrance watching the drama, then went back and said to Jiang Yihuan, sarcastically: “This Su Yaoguang’s luck is really good.”
Jiang Yihuan picked vegetables while saying: “Perhaps it’s not luck.”
“What do you mean?” Zhong Lanhua asked. “Daughter, do you mean Mutou didn’t fall into the manure pit himself, but Su Yaoguang deliberately threw him in? Impossible! How could she have that much strength?”
Xiao Yanci, who had been silent, said: “From the situation of her killing the wild boar that day, this woman’s strength is greater than that of an ordinary adult man.”
“How could an unmarried young lady have that much strength? Zhang Zhaodi, that barbarian woman, gave birth to a daughter who’s just as crude.” Zhong Lanhua said, looking at Jiang Yihuan with a pleased gaze. “Unlike our Yihuan, who’s gentle and kind, unwilling even to step on an ant.”
“Mom, how can you praise your own daughter like this?” Jiang Yihuan said shyly. “Xiao Gege will laugh at me if he hears it.”
Zhong Lanhua looked at Xiao Yanci: “Do you dare say my daughter isn’t gentle?”
Xiao Yanci looked into Jiang Yihuan’s eyes and said earnestly: “Miss Jiang is the gentlest and kindest young lady Xiao has ever seen.”
“Listen, it’s not just Mom saying that.”
A person walked in from the courtyard entrance.
That person had just entered the courtyard gate and saw the happy family scene in the courtyard, then said sourly: “With me gone, you all seem even more like a family.”
“Hui’er, why are you back? Didn’t you just return to the private school?” Zhong Lanhua was surprised and went up to him. “Did something happen?”
Jiang Yihui looked at Xiao Yanci with a complicated expression and said: “Come in with me.”
Xiao Yanci agreed.
“Did you upset Hui’er again?” Zhong Lanhua glared at him. “I tell you, Hui’er is the head of our family. If he can’t tolerate you, I’ll sell you off immediately. My son is going to take the official position exam and absolutely cannot be distracted by other matters.”
“Mom, it’s too early to say these things. Maybe Elder Brother has something important for him?” Jiang Yihuan soothed.
“What important matter could he have with a servant?” Zhong Lanhua said dismissively.
Xiao Yanci lowered his eyes and walked into Jiang Yihui’s study room.
Zhong Lanhua pressed against the door listening to the commotion inside.
The door opened, and Jiang Yihui stood in the doorway, his eyes full of displeasure as he looked at Zhong Lanhua.
Zhong Lanhua felt guilty and was intimidated by Jiang Yihui’s gaze.
“I wanted to ask if you’re thirsty and if you want some sugar water?”
“No need, I’m heading back to the private school right away.” Jiang Yihui said flatly. “Mom, take Younger Sister out for a walk.”
“Got it, we’ll go right now.” Zhong Lanhua looked at Jiang Yihuan not far away.
Jiang Yihuan understood the meaning and followed Zhong Lanhua out of the courtyard.
A while later, Zhong Lanhua and Jiang Yihuan were gossiping with a woman from the village, chatting about daily life, when they saw Jiang Yihui taking Xiao Yanci out.
The mother and daughter went up to them.
“Mom, Little Sister, I’m taking Xiao Yanci to the private school.”
“Why are you taking him to the private school?” Zhong Lanhua asked.
“I’m short a bookboy by my side, and Xiao Yanci knows a few characters, so he’s very suitable to be my bookboy.” Jiang Yihui said. “I’m in a hurry, so I’m leaving first.”
Jiang Yihuan grabbed Xiao Yanci’s arm and looked at him plaintively: “Are you really going to the private school with my brother? Then what about me…?”
Xiao Yanci’s heart softened, and he looked at her gently: “When I have free time, I’ll come back. Your body is weak, so hire someone for the heavy chores and hard work.”
Jiang Yihuan: “…”
Sick.
Does she only want to do things herself?
The others aren’t her servants, so why should they help her for free?
As her family’s servant, he should work himself to death for their family. Now he’s gone, following her brother to the private school, so does that mean she’ll have to support him from now on?
Before, she worked herself to death supporting her brother this little ancestor just to fund his studies. She didn’t spend much of the money she earned herself and contributed it all to him. Now does she also have to support this little ancestor’s bookboy?
Jiang Yihuan looked at Zhong Lanhua: “Mom, with our family’s situation, is it really appropriate for my brother to have a bookboy?”
“Oh, Yihuan, I think little Xiao is even more suitable to be Hui Ge’er’s bookboy. Think about it, isn’t it hard for Hui Ge’er to study at the private school? If he has a bookboy to serve tea, pour water, wash clothes, and clean for him, he can spend more time studying, increasing his chances of passing the exam. You two have managed this way for so many years, and even without servants, you mother and daughter live better than others in the village.”
Ever since Zhong Lanhua bought the servant, she always had him doing chores like fetching water, chopping wood, and weeding in the fields. She truly carried herself like a madam from a wealthy family. All women from the village were about the same age, so why could Zhong Lanhua live such a carefree life while she had endless work every day?
Holding this thought, the woman who had been talking to her earlier kept speaking up for Jiang Yihui and Xiao Yanci, making Zhong Lanhua feel more and more that Jiang Yihui needed such a bookboy. In her view, since Xiao Yanci was literate and could help Jiang Yihui, it was more useful than leaving him at home to do odd jobs.
She was still counting on this son to win her an official title and completely surpass Zhang Zhaodi, that crude and useless woman.
“Xiao Yanci, you must serve Hui’er well.” Zhong Lanhua instructed. “If you dare upset Hui’er, I’ll sell you off.”
Xiao Yanci said: “Madam, rest assured, I will serve Young Master well.”
Jiang Yihuan watched Xiao Yanci’s figure leave reluctantly.
Xiao Yanci turned back and saw Jiang Yihuan looking in his direction with red-rimmed eyes, as if she would cry the next moment.
At that moment, he felt very heartbroken and wished he could run back immediately to tell her he wasn’t leaving. But no, this was the opportunity he had fought hard for.
He didn’t want to stay in this barren village, waking up every day to endless chores, his hands that once played the qin and wielded the brush growing coarser and coarser. He wanted to leave this village and reappear in the sunlight.
Only if he became strong enough could he care for and protect the people he wanted to protect.
Jiang Yihui and Xiao Yanci’s figures completely disappeared.
Jiang Yihuan said: “Mom, from now on we’ll have to fetch water, chop wood, and go up the mountain to pick wild vegetables ourselves.”
Zhong Lanhua: “…”
These chores used to be done by her, and she didn’t think there was anything wrong with it. But during this time, Xiao Yanci had taken over all the housework, and she hadn’t done heavy work for a long time. Now asking her to do those things again, she was utterly unwilling.
But with only two women left in the family, if she didn’t do it, Jiang Yihuan would have to. She still hoped Jiang Yihuan would marry into a good family, so she couldn’t let her become rough. Therefore, these chores ultimately fell to her.
Zhong Lanhua suddenly regretted it.
But now, regretting it was useless.
