“The household funds?”
What did that mean?
Song Shiyu frowned slightly, her thoughts racing as she racked her brain, trying to understand the deeper meaning behind Pei Qinhuai’s actions.
But she simply couldn’t figure it out, and eventually gave up.
Her life was miserable right now, and her status was rather awkward.
The outside world was extremely dangerous. A lone woman with neither natal family nor husband’s family to rely on, surrounded by predators, would likely not survive more than a few days. Everything would have to wait until she had settled things properly.
“Alright. Then I’ll accept it,” Song Shiyu said, taking the silver before seriously asking how it should be used.
She glanced around, noticing that the window was open. She leaned forward slightly, moving closer to Pei Qinhuai’s ear.
Lowering her voice, her breath soft and fragrant, she whispered, “And about our marriage contract… you know, we only signed it privately. It hasn’t been registered with the authorities.”
Pei Qinhuai’s face flushed faintly. His eyelashes trembled almost imperceptibly, yet he didn’t step away from her closeness.
Song Shiyu seemed unaware of his tension and continued, “As for the government registration, I think there’s no need to go through with it. Sooner or later, it won’t be necessary anyway.”
“No need?” Pei Qinhuai repeated.
His deep gaze suddenly fixed on her, studying her expression as if trying to see through her thoughts.
Song Shiyu remained oblivious and spoke naturally, “Yes. We’re people from two different worlds. You have your own path to walk. You’re going to become the top scholar in the imperial exams one day. Naturally, the position of your wife should be reserved for a noble daughter from a powerful minister’s family. Someone like me… isn’t worthy of you.”
Pei Qinhuai: “…”
The man’s throat tightened.
Hearing her words, he didn’t know how to refute her.
Yet he strangely felt as though someone had punched him hard in the face, making him lose face.
“I cannot go tomorrow,” Pei Qinhuai said calmly, directly rejecting her suggestion.
“Huh? Why?” Song Shiyu asked.
“There are matters in the clan. I need to go back,” he replied.
Song Shiyu froze briefly before quickly remembering what he meant.
As a member of the Pei family, Pei Qinhuai’s father had died early, and his mother had remarried into the Liu family in a neighboring village. He alone had been raised by his grandparents. Two years ago, both of them passed away. His three uncles then wanted him to withdraw from school, unwilling to spend money supporting his education.
Pei Qinhuai’s eldest uncle had a single son, Pei Linxian. He had received basic education in the clan school and performed fairly well academically. Now fifteen years old—the same age as Pei Qinhuai—he had used his father’s connections to sit for the county examination every February for five consecutive years, starting from age ten, with the sponsorship of the licentiate Meng Ao.
Of course, he had failed all five times.
This year, however, he was determined to pass. It was said that his father had sent him to a private academy in a neighboring county, spending a large sum of money, and he had made some progress.
Pei Qinhuai’s branch of the family owned good farmland—four mu per household.
After his father’s death, his grandparents used to hire laborers to help farm it. But after they passed away two years ago, Pei Qinhuai had to work the fields himself.
He should have taken the county exam long ago, but circumstances delayed him.
This year, the eldest uncle had summoned the clan members to formally discuss forcing Pei Qinhuai to withdraw from the clan school.
From then on, the Pei family resources would focus entirely on supporting Pei Linxian.
As for Pei Qinhuai… he would only be an ordinary farmer in the future. Aside from keeping enough grain to survive, all his harvest would be handed over to his eldest uncle’s family.
Their goal was to help Pei Linxian become a successful provincial scholar.
When Pei Qinhuai mentioned clan affairs, Song Shiyu immediately understood and could only postpone her own matters for now.
However, there were still things she had to say clearly.
“Third Brother,” Song Shiyu said, “First fate, second luck, third feng shui, fourth accumulated virtue, fifth education. If you don’t want to live such a hard life in the future, you must not give up studying.”
“You must continue attending clan school. After the New Year, you should also take the county examination.”
“In my opinion, you are far more talented than Pei Linxian.”
“Give me two months. You focus on studying, and I’ll earn money to support your education!”
Pei Qinhuai was destined to become a powerful figure.
The future top scholar—the one blessed with a heaven-given mind, photographic memory, and incredible reading speed.
If Song Shiyu didn’t seize this opportunity to build a good relationship with the future champion scholar, who would later become the youngest close minister of the emperor, wouldn’t that be foolish?
Even if she suffered losses now, she had to secure a path to survival for her future self.
“Rest assured, Third Brother. I’ll make good use of these two taels of silver!”
Song Shiyu declared firmly: Not only would she improve their meals and household living conditions, she would also earn more money to support the future top scholar’s education.
Pei Qinhuai studied the confident Second Miss Song, noticing the determination in her eyes, and for a moment didn’t know what to say.
He could have taken the county exam earlier, but he had worried about leaving his elderly grandparents uncared for. Now that they were gone, and after observing the three-year mourning period, it was nearly time for him to rise.
However, he had never displayed his academic abilities before. For Second Miss Song to speak with such confidence—was she being overly optimistic about him?
“Since everything has been made clear, I shall take my leave,” Pei Qinhuai said.
Unable to determine her true intentions, he decided to observe slowly.
Given enough time, whether someone was trustworthy or deceitful would eventually be revealed.
These two taels of silver might serve as a test.
…
After Pei Qinhuai left, Song Shiyu stared at the two taels of silver, her thoughts swirling.
According to the story, during this clan dispute, Pei Qinhuai would finally reveal his true abilities. He would gamble his two mu of family farmland against his eldest uncle, betting his future on the county exam next February under the clan’s witness.
Pei Qinhuai had always been low-key and discreet, believing it better to avoid trouble whenever possible. Most clan members had no idea of his real abilities.
It was only this time that the clan leader realized the Pei family had produced a promising talent.
However, no matter how talented he was, if he failed the county exam and couldn’t obtain the scholar title, it would all be meaningless.
Even the clan leader would have to wait until Pei Qinhuai passed the exam before supporting him.
After thinking for a long time, Song Shiyu slowly lowered her gaze to the silver in her hand.
Two taels of silver meant nothing to the original wealthy Song Shiyu. But to Pei Qinhuai, it was probably everything he could spare at the moment.
Sigh…
For a farmer, as long as taxes weren’t too heavy, self-sufficiency was possible. But if he wanted to take the imperial exams…
His future days would likely become even harder.
And yet, he was still willing to give her two taels for living expenses. Clearly, just as the book described, the current Pei Qinhuai was completely devoted to her—almost pathetically so.