Chapter 175: Let’s Do Business
Hong Zhenye’s ability to find excuses to get away from his mother was honed since childhood; he managed to shake off Li Yin Zhu in a few words.
Entering his own courtyard, Hong Zhenye slammed the courtyard gate shut and shouted at Li Yin Zhu, “I failed the examination!”
“What are you shouting about! Doesn’t everyone know you failed? Do you need to shout it out like this?” Li Yin Zhu tugged at his sleeve repeatedly.
Hong Zhenye wrinkled her sleeve; this silk clothing was just too delicate!
“I was first in the county examination, first in the prefectural examination, and then in Hangcheng, I failed!” Hong Zhenye’s voice was tinged with grievance.
“Look at the way you talk, it’s just like Mother.
“Ever since I got the news of your failure yesterday, Mother started telling me over and over: you were first in the county examination, first in the prefectural examination, how could you fail in Hangcheng? She said it again and again. When you went just now, she was saying the same thing,” Li Yin Zhu pouted.
Hong Zhenye glanced sideways at Li Yin Zhu.
“I know what Mother means when she says that to me, and I know what you mean when you say that to me!”
Li Yin Zhu pointed her finger at Hong Zhenye.
“When you were first in the prefectural examination, you told Weng Weng that being first in the county examination was your skill, but being first in the prefectural examination was thanks to the Young Lord’s blessing, and A Nan’s blessing. You said you weren’t as good as so-and-so, and not as good as so-and-so, didn’t you?”
Li Yin Zhu’s pointing made Hong Zhenye lean back, and he had to nod. He had indeed said those things.
“You already got blessings for being first in the prefectural examination. Now you failed in Hangcheng, and you don’t blame yourself for lacking knowledge or skill. You keep shouting about being first and first, what do you mean? What, are you biting the hand that feeds you?”
“I didn’t! That’s not what I meant!” Hong Zhenye took small steps, circled past Li Yin Zhu, and bolted towards the main house.
“Where are you running to! Stop right there!” Li Yin Zhu, holding up her skirt, chased after him. “Stop, I’m not finished yet!”
“Your mother says I don’t help you, that affinity by marriage means supporting each other, that it’s just a matter of saying a word, and that I won’t even say a word for you. Sit down!”
Li Yin Zhu grabbed Hong Zhenye, pulled him back, and pushed him into the armchair. She stood in front of Hong Zhenye, one hand on her hip, the other pointing at him.
“I didn’t pay attention to her. Those were Weng Weng’s words, telling me not to argue with her. Fine, I won’t argue with her, but you’re talking nonsense about being first and first, and I can’t not argue with you about that!
“Explain yourself clearly! What do you mean by that?”
“I don’t mean anything. I just feel like I’ve taken the examination six times already. My scholarship isn’t worse than our younger brother’s, right? Our younger brother passed on his first try and was ranked high. My scholarship is about the same as his…” Hong Zhenye’s back was pressed tightly against the chair back, not daring to move.
“If your scholarship is only about the same as Xuedong’s, how could you pass?” Li Yin Zhu retorted.
“Xuedong passed,” Hong Zhenye said, looking extremely wronged.
That statement was utterly unreasonable.
Li Yin Zhu glanced sideways at Hong Zhenye, then after a moment, snorted, “Xuedong knows his scholarship isn’t good enough, so he didn’t even dare to enter this examination.”
“You shrew! Xuedong is taking the imperial examination, and I’m taking the Xiucai examination. Are they the same thing!” Hong Zhenye raised his hand and slapped his own face.
“Xuedong didn’t enter the examination because he didn’t want to rely on anyone’s favor to pass. I’ve told you this. If you want to take the examination, do it with your own ability. Don’t think about useless things. A Nan and Eldest Sister, and I, will not let you take advantage of any favor!
“You’ve taken the examination six times? Are you planning to take it a seventh time?” Li Yin Zhu abruptly changed the subject.
“What’s wrong?” Hong Zhenye immediately became alert.
“How many times are you planning to take it? You’ve already taken it six times!” Li Yin Zhu’s palm was almost in Hong Zhenye’s face.
“I’m only twenty-two this year. Father didn’t pass until he was twenty-six, and Second Weng Weng only passed when he was twenty-nine!” Hong Zhenye dodged backward forcefully.
“You want to keep taking it until you’re twenty-nine? You’re neglecting your proper occupation!” Li Yin Zhu exclaimed.
“I go to school every day, and I rack my brains writing essays every day. Don’t believe me, ask Xuedong. How can my diligent studying every day be called neglecting my proper occupation!” Hong Zhenye felt wronged again.
He studied and studied diligently every day, and everyone praised him, but with Yin Zhu, it became neglecting his proper occupation.
“The day before yesterday, Eldest Sister returned to Li Family Market and went with Xuedong to Gao Village Market. They were discussing with Mr. Gao that Xuedong couldn’t just study; after he got married, he would need to support himself and not rely on Eldest Sister, nor on Zhi Jie’er’s dowry.
“Mr. Gao said that Gao Family School is now much more crowded, and they can’t fit even one more person. Even so, people are constantly finding him through various relatives and friends to send their children to Gao Family School.
“Mr. Gao wants Xuedong to help him run the school, and they are currently discussing it,” Li Yin Zhu said, glancing at Hong Zhenye.
“Then Xuedong won’t go to school anymore?” Hong Zhenye’s eyes widened.
“A Nan said Xuedong’s scholarship isn’t good enough yet, and he needs to study for another two years before he can teach others, otherwise, he’ll be misleading his students. However!” Li Yin Zhu suddenly turned, “Eldest Sister asked Xuedong to help out at Gao Family School during holidays. Anyway, your prefectural school has this and that going on, so there are holidays every day.”
“Xuedong will definitely pass the Autumn Imperial Examination and have a bright future…”
“A Nan said his talent is limited, so there’s not much hope,” Li Yin Zhu interrupted Hong Zhenye.
“A Nan…” Hong Zhenye swallowed the next two words, “talking nonsense,” forcefully.
A Nan could be a teacher to the Young Lord.
“I asked A Nan to take a look at you. A Nan said since you want to study, and your family can afford it, you can study if you want to,” Li Yin Zhu said with a troubled expression.
Hong Zhenye forcefully suppressed the urge to ask what A Nan had said about him. It was better not to ask. What if she also said his talent was limited and there wasn’t much hope?
“What do you mean ‘your family’? It’s ‘our family’!” Hong Zhenye finally found an outlet for his pent-up frustration after a long while.
Li Yin Zhu shot him a sideways glance, slapped the table, and stood up. “We’ll return to Pingjiang City tomorrow. Eldest Sister sent word asking us to return as soon as possible, saying it’s about business matters, and there’s a lot of work to do.”
………………………………
When Li Xiaonan returned home, Eldest Sister Li Jinzhu had already returned from Li Family Market. She was with Mei Jie, sorting the new rice piled in the middle of the courtyard, freshly pickled salted fish, a large basket of salted duck eggs, sesame oil, various bean cakes, and so on.
Seeing Li Xiaonan, Li Jinzhu took out a cloth bag and handed it to her. “This is the orchid beans Cui Ye brought for you; she made them herself.”
Li Xiaonan took it, touched one, ate it, and offered it to Li Jinzhu, then to Mei Jie to taste. Holding the bag, she stood by and watched them sort the items.
“Tang Weng Weng has arrived. He went to Ai Ye’s house first and will come over with Eldest Uncle shortly. He wants to discuss the fine cloth business with you. Tang Weng Weng and the others also want to do the fine cloth business. I’ve already agreed, but we need to discuss how to proceed,” Li Jinzhu said to Li Xiaonan while sorting the items.
Li Xiaonan nodded as she listened. The fine cloth business wasn’t hers, but she hoped for more families to engage in the fine cloth business. Only when the scale increased could she make a good profit.
