Chapter 24: Reaching a Consensus on Learning, Then Looking Forward to Going to Town
“Sister-in-law said she’d teach me to write numbers!” Leng Chen excitedly explained to the two of them.
Upon hearing his younger brother’s explanation, Leng Yun already had a rough idea of what it meant. His eyes immediately sparkled as he looked at Wen Nuan Nuan, pleading, “Sister-in-law, teach me too, okay? I promise I’ll study hard!”
The younger brothers were willing to take the initiative to learn, and Wen Nuan Nuan not only had no objections but was also very pleased. She praised them, “It’s great that you’re willing to learn! Sister-in-law will teach you all together. What about Eldest Brother?”
Only Eldest Brother hadn’t expressed his stance yet.
Leng Tian stammered in reply, “I… I learn to write very slowly. When Eldest Brother taught the three of us, Second Brother and Little Brother picked it up right away, but I needed to be taught over and over again. I’m afraid… afraid I’ll cause trouble for Sister-in-law.”
When he passed by the martial arts school on his way into town, he could remember their fist techniques after watching them once, but the strokes of tiny characters were incredibly difficult for him—no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t remember them.
“I’m several years older than Third Brother and Little Brother, but I only know as many characters as they do, and that’s only because Eldest Brother patiently taught me again and again without getting tired of it. I… I’m very stupid.”
The more Leng Tian spoke, the lower his head hung.
Among his academically gifted older and younger brothers, he felt useless, with only his strength and ability to work hard being of any value.
“It’s okay. Everyone has different talents. You might achieve something in martial arts in the future.” After all, Eldest Brother would later join the army and gradually become a great general, so martial arts should be his strong suit.
Wen Nuan Nuan spoke casually, but Leng Tian was deeply moved!
“Martial arts?”
“That’s right. Not everyone can be good at the same things, right? Your Eldest Brother excels in academics, but you might be strong in martial arts. There’s no need to put yourself down for what you’re not good at—just focus on developing your strengths, right?” Just as some people are better at liberal arts than science and choose to study liberal arts, or those who aren’t good at studying learn a trade instead—everyone has their own strengths. There’s no need to put too much pressure on yourself or belittle your own abilities.
Wen Nuan Nuan didn’t hold the belief that “all occupations are inferior, only studying is supreme.” She believed everyone had their own shining qualities.
What she valued more was character and a positive attitude toward life.
“You don’t need to take the imperial examinations. It’s enough to know enough characters to understand things and reason clearly. I think arithmetic is often useful in daily life and will be very helpful for your future. Do you want to learn it?”
“Yes!” Leng Tian nodded with determined eyes.
The gentle smile in Wen Nuan Nuan’s clear eyes grew even warmer as she lowered her head and added three sets of paper and brushes to the list.
After dinner, which consisted of reheating two dishes and stir-frying a vegetable, the four of them hurriedly packed the things they needed to bring the next day.
They didn’t realize how much they had until they started packing—it was truly a lot.
Wen Nuan Nuan felt as if they were going on a trip.
Having been here for three days without even stepping out of the courtyard gate, Wen Nuan Nuan was going into town the next day to see different sights and experiences. Naturally, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation.
At first, she was only mildly looking forward to it, but she couldn’t resist the excitement and enthusiasm of the three children around her, who were each more thrilled than the last. Even she began to feel nervous and excited.
Actually, it was understandable. Thinking back to her childhood, when she lived in the countryside with her grandparents, going into town to shop was as joyful as celebrating the New Year.
She might as well treat this trip to town as an outing.
And since it was an outing, they couldn’t forget to bring fruits and snacks.
Preserved Plum Candy, Dried Tangerine Peel Candy, marshmallows, and White Rabbit Creamy Candy were removed from their wrappers and placed in wooden bowls; biscuits, candied fruits, Peach Crisps, and Seaweed and Pork Floss Rolls were gathered and put into a wooden basin; apples, pears, and peaches were washed clean and placed in a small bamboo basket…
The Red-Braised Pork Trotters, Stir-Fried Young Chicken, Braised Pork, three types of fried meatballs, beef bean paste, and beef chili sauce prepared for Leng Xiao were sorted, packed, and covered with wooden lids. In a woven bamboo basket were neatly arranged white flour Steamed Buns, pumpkin-flower Steamed Buns, and spicy twisted rolls. Additionally, half a basin of pickled vegetables, boiled tea eggs, and salted duck eggs were added.
With over a dozen basins of various sizes, Wen Nuan Nuan was troubled. The weight wasn’t the main issue—it was the sheer variety. How could they bring all of it?
“This is too much. Which ones should we leave behind?” Wen Nuan Nuan asked the three little ones for their opinions.
And this didn’t even include what they would eat for lunch tomorrow.
She planned to heat up some food for lunch while cooking breakfast tomorrow morning, storing it in the expanded section of the refrigerator to keep it warm so they could enjoy hot meals at noon.
“Sister-in-law, there’s no need to leave anything behind. We can manage. We’ll pull the flatbed cart tomorrow,” Leng Tian said, looking at the food prepared for Eldest Brother. He couldn’t bear to part with any of it.
The snacks and fruits Sister-in-law had prepared weren’t heavy anyway, so there was no need to remove them.
“Won’t it be too tiring to pull the flatbed cart over such a long distance?” Wen Nuan Nuan asked worriedly.
“It’s not tiring. It’s easier than carrying everything on our backs. Second Brother and Little Brother can help push. Besides, we wouldn’t be able to bring back the goods we buy otherwise,” Leng Tian reassured her.
Leng Yun also chimed in, “When we used to go selling things, we also pulled a flatbed cart. In the village, only the village chief’s family has an ox cart. Everyone else uses either flatbed carts or wheelbarrows. It’s easier than carrying goods on our backs, and we can bring more that way.”
Hearing both of them say this, Wen Nuan Nuan felt somewhat relieved.
“Sister-in-law, stacking them like this probably won’t work. We should wrap something between the basins to fill the gaps. Otherwise, they might bump and tip over on the road,” Leng Chen suggested.
Wen Nuan Nuan had no idea about such things. She immediately thought Second Brother’s suggestion made sense and asked him, “What would be good to wrap them with?”
She felt that when it came to life skills, the three little ones were all more capable than her.
So capable that it made her feel a bit embarrassed.
Indeed, no matter where you go, talented people remain talented.
“How about using clean thatch grass or straw? We can also use it as padding on the way back,” Leng Chen replied.
“Alright, that works.” Wen Nuan Nuan had no objections. Suddenly remembering something, she took out the broken silver from the morning, poured it onto the table, and divided it into four uneven portions. She waved the three little ones over and said, “When you’re away from home, you must have money on you. It’s convenient in case of emergencies or if you need to buy small items or food. Besides, spreading out the money is safer. Even if one person’s money is stolen or lost, the others will still have enough.”
She had always believed in not putting all your eggs in one basket and had always acted accordingly.
“Eldest Brother, this portion is about twenty taels. Take it with you and give half to your elder brother when you see him. Second Brother and Little Brother, since you’re younger, each of you take five taels.” She kept ten taels for herself in her purse.
As she spoke, Wen Nuan Nuan placed the silver into the palms of the three little ones.
The three little ones held the huge sum of money, their hands trembling.
They could hardly speak clearly.
“Sister-in-law, th-this is too much, isn’t it?”
“Don’t you have hidden pockets in your clothes? Just separate the money and put it in different places. Don’t be afraid. Even if it really gets lost, it’s fine. You’ll have to learn how to use money eventually. When we buy needles and thread, sister-in-law will make each of you a pouch, and you can start your own little savings.”
“Does using money really need to be learned?” Leng Tian asked cautiously.
The other two little ones were equally puzzled.
Wen Nuan Nuan proudly lifted her chin, imparting her life experience to her three younger brothers: “Of course! Earning money is an art, and so is spending it. How to buy the best and most suitable items with the least amount of money, and even though we don’t have much silver now, we should still try to live comfortably within our limited means.”