“That Xu Xiucai truly has no shame. He probably found out our family got a full-grown wild boar this time, but you didn’t send any over to him, so he couldn’t resist coming over.”
Wu Zhuxiang said disdainfully, then, as if remembering something, hurriedly glanced at her sister-in-law’s expression.
Seeing her look as calm as ever, it would be a lie to say she wasn’t shocked. Who would have thought that her sister-in-law, who used to be so infatuated with Xu Xiucai, had truly changed and given up on him.
Wu Zhuxiang felt increasingly happy inside. As long as her sister-in-law had come to her senses and wouldn’t be foolish anymore, it was the greatest blessing for the family.
Only then could life have hope. Perhaps she really could send her own son to study at the school and later earn an official rank through the imperial examinations.
Fusheng said discontentedly, “Mother, you’re absolutely right. That Xu Xiucai is shameless, and he calls himself a scholar!”
“Seeing that Auntie no longer pays him any attention, he even insulted Grandfather, saying he’d only ever be an old tong sheng for the rest of his life. Hmph, if I could go study, I’d definitely make him eat his words someday.”
“He didn’t earn his xiucai rank until he was sixteen—what’s so impressive about that? In the future, I’ll pass the exam at twelve and show him what’s what.”
Fusheng clenched his fists and spoke resentfully, then, remembering something, hurriedly looked at Yu Banxia.
Yu Banxia smiled helplessly. Why did this mother and son always check her expression after speaking? She wasn’t going to eat them, for goodness’ sake.
Seeing his aunt smiling at him, Fusheng scratched the back of his head and chuckled sheepishly.
“Auntie believes our Fusheng can definitely do it. Auntie is counting on you to make her proud and put that Xu Xiucai in his place.” Yu Banxia pinched Fusheng’s cheek.
Hearing this, Fusheng grinned happily.
“He hasn’t even started school yet. Where’s he going to take the imperial exams?” Wu Zhuxiang’s words carried a hint of resentment.
Yu Banxia didn’t mind. It was originally because of her that her nephew hadn’t been able to attend school.
She never blamed her sister-in-law for the occasional sarcastic remarks. Her sister-in-law was only thinking of her son’s future, which was understandable.
Besides, in her past life, she had indeed been somewhat foolish and irresponsible, so she couldn’t blame her sister-in-law for acting this way.
“Sister-in-law, I’ve said it before—I will definitely make sure my nephew goes to school as soon as possible. Please believe me.”
Yu Banxia looked earnestly at Wu Zhuxiang, who, seeing her sincerity, nodded instinctively. Yu Banxia smiled happily.
Wu Zhuxiang smiled too. “Alright, your sister-in-law believes our Xiaxia will make it happen.”
After all, it had only been a few days, and she’d already brought home such a huge wild boar. Her sister-in-law really might be a lucky star.
Even after such a major incident, the King of Hell hadn’t taken her. Instead, he’d given her such a special ability—if that wasn’t heaven’s favor, what was?
Wu Zhuxiang also believed that as long as her sister-in-law stopped being foolish and the whole family worked together with one heart, things would surely get better and better.
“Speaking of which, the method you taught earlier really seems to work. This meat smells amazing.” Wu Zhuxiang gestured for Yu Banxia to look at the meat simmering in her pot.
Yu Banxia smiled. “This soy sauce isn’t good enough. Once I learn how to brew soy sauce and make a batch, we’ll cook it again. Then, Sister-in-law, you’ll realize this isn’t the best it can be.”
And rock sugar—this era didn’t have it, but her Space did. With a sample to plant, she could produce more rock sugar.
There were so many things she could do.Yu Banxia was already rolling up her sleeves, ready to make a big splash in the world of her previous life.
In her past life, she was an orphan. Her parents died in an accident when she was three, and her grandfather passed away from illness when she was fourteen.
After that, she single-handedly supported the vast family, leading the clan step by step forward.
Later, she obtained the Space, acquired many alchemical formulas and medicinal prescriptions, and even learned ancient medical techniques. Combined with the efforts of other traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, she eventually elevated traditional Chinese medicine to a new peak in her era.
Yu Banxia firmly believed that as long as she worked hard and her family supported her, the Yu family would no longer have to endure hardship.
As night fell and bonfires were lit, the scent of meat wafted through Anping Village.
Those villagers from other villages who had lingered, seeing that the people of Anping Village truly had no intention of inviting them to share the meat, felt too embarrassed to stay any longer.
Some left with flushed faces, while others snorted with displeasure: “Anping Village has really become something, huh? They got such a huge wild boar, and the whole village is feasting on meat, yet they didn’t even think of sharing a bit with everyone, letting us all share in the joy.”
“Hey, you’re the one shamelessly sticking around instead of going home to cook, and you still want to share in the joy by eating meat? Who do you think you are!”
“With a village that could raise someone like Xu Xiucai with such character, what good can come from it? You from Xiaoxu Village, you better scram quickly, or I’ll greet you with a broom in a moment.”
The woman speaking was also an aunt from the Yu family, not more than five generations removed.
Seeing that the aunt was serious, the man muttered and cursed as he left.
“Come, come, come, time to eat meat!” Wu Zhuxiang shouted loudly as the meat dishes were served, creating a lively atmosphere.
…
Xiaoxu Village.
Xu Xiucai returned home in a sorry state, his face ashen.
Madam Ji had also just returned from outside. She made a living by washing clothes for others to support Xu Xiucai.
Later, with Yu Banxia, that easy mark, the lives of this mother and son improved somewhat. Seeing her son’s ashen face and disheveled appearance, she hurriedly went up to him and asked, “Son, what happened to you?”
“Didn’t they say the Yu family hunted a big wild boar? Why didn’t I see any meat in the kitchen, and why have you come back looking so lost?”
Hearing this, Xu Xiucai’s face turned even more ashen.
“Mother, never mention Yu Banxia again from now on.” Hearing her son’s resentful words, Madam Ji quickly pressed for the reason.
After hearing it, she too grew angry.
“What a little hussy! She was the one throwing herself at you, yet she dared to insult you?”
“Hmph, as if anyone cares about her family’s wild boar meat.”
“But, son, you’ve reminded me. This little hussy’s sudden change in attitude is likely because she went back this time demanding money for your examination journey.”
“Then, after she woke up, you didn’t go to see her, which made her angry.”
“A little hussy like her—I have plenty of ways to handle her.”
Xu Xiucai looked at Madam Ji and asked, “Mother, do you have a plan to help me vent this anger?”
“Hmph, she probably just feels that she’s been throwing herself at you for two years, and you still haven’t agreed to marry her. But, son, she was even willing to threaten suicide to force her fourth sister to become Master Qian’s concubine, just to get money for your examination journey.”
“We can’t keep stringing her along forever. Why not find a matchmaker to propose marriage?”
“But we won’t exchange betrothal documents. Once we get the money for your journey, and you pass the provincial examination to become a scholar, won’t your teacher be eager to marry his daughter to you?”Xu Xiucai’s eyes lit up: “Mother, are you saying we should first use the marriage contract to hook Yu Banxia, then after I pass the imperial exams with honors, we can either break off the engagement or tarnish Yu Banxia’s reputation, and this marriage can be conveniently canceled, right?”
“Exactly. What she wants is just this verbal marriage contract, right? We’ll give it to her, and first get the money by deception.”
“With this marriage contract in place, let’s see how I’ll deal with her.”
“At worst, even if we do marry her, what does it matter? There are plenty of stories and plays about top scholars being chosen as sons-in-law by high-ranking officials in the capital.”
“Her Yu family is just a lowly peasant household—how would they dare oppose an official?”
Madam Ji’s eyes were filled with calculation, and Xu Xiucai grew more and more excited as he listened.