“Go get some rest, Xiaoyu,” Zhou Rong urged her daughter as soon as dinner was finished. “You cooked the entire meal, so let Mother wash the dishes.”
“Mother, let your son do it!” Song Wen immediately rolled up his sleeves and tried to take the job from her.
Zhou Rong shooed both her daughter and eldest son away from the makeshift kitchen area.
“You boys carried heavy loads all day. Your shoulders and backs must be aching. Listen to your mother and go rest. This little bit of work is nothing for me.”
Meanwhile, Song Beichen was diligently practicing the rehabilitation exercises his daughter had taught him. He never missed a day, determined to regain the ability to walk normally as soon as possible.
With no choice but to obey, Song Xiaoyu returned to the main room with her two brothers and helped spread out the new bedding and quilts they had purchased.
“Tonight, we finally don’t have to sleep on those rock-hard wooden boards anymore!” Song Wu exclaimed happily. “You have no idea, Brother Wen, Little Sister, when I woke up this morning, my back was covered in scratches from the planks!”
The moment he finished speaking, Song Wen smacked him lightly on the forehead.
“Second Brother, you should learn to be content,” Song Wen said seriously. “Times are difficult right now. The fact that our parents can provide us with a roof over our heads, a bed to sleep on, and three meals a day is already a blessing. Stop complaining.”
“Ouch!” Song Wu rubbed his forehead. “You hit hard! Brother Wen, every time you open your mouth, you sound exactly like some old schoolmaster. All you do is lecture me. You’re really annoying!”
Yet anyone who looked closely would admit that Song Wen genuinely carried the air of a scholar.
In wealthier households within the city, boys his age spent their days studying for the imperial examinations in hopes of earning official rank and honor. By comparison, he and Song Wu could only remain village farmers, climbing mountains and working muddy fields from dawn until dusk.
Before the family split from the main household, Old Master Song and Old Madam Wu had never allowed Song Wen or Song Wu to attend school. They always claimed the two brothers lacked scholarly talent. The only person they were willing to support was Song Beishan, along with his two sons.
Ever since Song Beishan had passed the county examination and earned the title of xiucai, Old Master Song and Old Madam Wu had placed all their hopes on the third branch. As for the second branch’s sons, they disliked studying themselves and had never shown much interest in attending school.
Even though all of them were biological grandsons, the elderly couple’s favoritism was so blatant it was impossible to miss.
“Brother Wen, Brother Wu, have either of you ever wanted to attend an academy in the city?” Song Xiaoyu asked.
A faint glimmer flashed through Song Wen’s eyes before he quickly hid it behind a gentle smile.
“Attend school?” he repeated softly. “Brother Daquan mentioned that the Village Chief and the clan elders discussed our situation and kindly allocated a few mu of farmland to our family. Once spring arrives next year, we’ll need to clear the land and plant crops. Where would we find the time to study?”
At the mention of school, Song Wu immediately frowned.
“What’s so great about reading books all day?” he scoffed. “A real man should learn martial arts! When the time comes, he should join the army and serve the country. That’s the proper path.”
Only then did Song Xiaoyu fully understand.
Her two brothers truly lived up to their names. Song Wen was suited for the literary path, while Song Wu was born for martial pursuits. Their parents had shown remarkable foresight when naming them.
“Brother Wu, there are academies that teach literature, but there are also martial academies,” Song Xiaoyu explained. “Students there learn horsemanship, archery, and military skills. If you pass the martial examinations, you can enter the army directly as an officer.”
“Little Sister, how do you know that?” Song Wu blurted out, grabbing her arm in surprise.
“I overheard some scholars talking while we were in the city,” Song Xiaoyu replied smoothly.
The moment he learned there were schools specifically for martial training, Song Wu’s dislike of education instantly faded. A look of unmistakable longing appeared in his eyes.
“Xiaoyu, those matters can wait,” Song Wen interrupted gently. “Our family has only recently separated from the main household. Mother and Father are already carrying enough burdens. Don’t bring this up to them for now.”
“Alright, Brother Wen,” Song Xiaoyu agreed. “When the time is right, I’ll discuss it with Father and Mother.”
As the night deepened, the family boiled hot water and soaked their hands and feet.
The newly purchased bedding was soft, thick, and wonderfully warm. Wrapped beneath the fresh cotton quilts, they could smell the clean scent of newly harvested cotton.
The little thatched cottage had virtually no soundproofing at all.
From the side of the room where Song Xiaoyu slept beside her mother, they could clearly hear Song Wu’s thunderous snoring rumbling through the wall, loud enough to shake the entire house.