Chapter 31: The Son’s Gift—She Accepted It

Five days later.

Old Magistrate Huang could already speak a few simple words, and the condition around his nose and mouth had greatly improved.

“Master Huang, Madam Huang, there’s no further need for acupuncture. Physician Sun can now visit once daily. His life has been saved this time.

This is the dietary regimen I’ve prepared for your Father. Important notes are also annotated. For now, he must follow this plan strictly—no negligence allowed.”

After some thought, Sun Sichen added, “The Old Master isn’t young anymore, and this was a severe illness. It’s best to send certain people away as soon as possible—lest joy turns to sorrow.”

Master Huang’s face turned red—Young Master was clearly referring to his Father’s concubines.

His Mother had passed early, and before his Father fell ill, he had no right to interfere in such matters. It was common enough for men to keep concubines, and the family could well afford it.

Now, his Father had nearly lost his life because of those women, and even his own future was hanging by a thread like an illusion—indeed, best to send them off quickly to feel at ease.

“Many thanks for the reminder, Young Master. I’ll see to it.”

With that, he nodded at the steward.

The steward promptly offered a red envelope with both hands. Sun Sichen initially declined but accepted after a brief refusal.

Although the Huang family had paid generously throughout, he had still sacrificed five or six days of travel—receiving some compensation was only fair. Otherwise, what was the point of all the work?

Ping’an, of course, received another red envelope, and Jixiang and the other two each got one as well.

Erqiang’s heart thumped wildly. These past couple of days, he had formally joined Jixiang and the others in training and had learned about his future duties.

Now, he trained before dawn, followed his cousin during the day, and squeezed in time to learn carriage-driving and reading from Jixiang.

Busy and exhausted—but joyfully so. Today, he received another red envelope. Inside was a small silver ingot, probably worth two taels. He felt rich.

This was better money than his uncle made from running a shop.

This time, when uncle and the others returned home, they brought back the seventeen taels of silver he had earned. It was said the whole family was stunned. After the shock wore off, they were all overjoyed. His Grandfather set aside seven taels to build a house, leaving the remaining ten taels to his Mother as the main household’s private savings.

He had truly brought honor to his family.

Ping’an glanced at his little cousin and, seeing the upward curl of his lips, couldn’t help but smile—this kid really loved silver. Just the sight of it made him grin from ear to ear.

Sun Sichen declined Master Huang’s offer to stay for a meal. The hour was still early, and he needed to arrange some matters at Baicaotang before setting out at dawn the next day.

It was now the seventh day of the fifth month. The journey would take five to six days. He would stay in the prefecture city for half a month, during which he’d host a formal apprentice ceremony—it wouldn’t do to take on a disciple quietly. At the earliest, he could depart for Jiangnan in early June.

The matter in Jiangnan was rather troublesome, and he hadn’t figured out a solution yet. Once this was resolved, he would need to devote more attention to Jiangnan, or the industries there would soon be pushed into obscurity.

In the end, it all came down to not having a powerful enough backer.

Wan Changsheng knew this would be the final treatment session for Old Magistrate Huang. He rose early and went to the market to buy various things—some to bring back to the estate.

Many estates were remote, but this one, owned by the Young Master, was said to be close to the city, so purchasing supplies wouldn’t be difficult.

Besides, when the children weren’t at home, they could grow their own vegetables. There wouldn’t be much need to buy anything.

Meiniang had also bought a good amount of cheap leftover fabric—perfect for making clothes and bedding. Though slightly faded, it cost half as much.

“Auntie, Auntie.”

Erqiang knocked on the door. The Young Master had asked him and Ping’an to head home first. Jixiang was instructed to buy them two roast chickens—it all felt like a dream.

Wan Changsheng opened the door. “Just you two? Where’s the Young Master?”

“Uncle, the Young Master asked Ping’an and me to return first. He stayed at the medical hall to handle some things. He said we should eat lunch ourselves, and he’ll join us for dinner. Look, the Young Master had Brother Jixiang buy us two roast chickens. Aren’t they big?”

Wan Changsheng grinned as he took the chickens. “Big and fat indeed. Let’s eat them in half an hour.”

“Father, Mother, I’m going to my room to change clothes.”

Meiniang smiled. “Go ahead. How come you’re so clean? Bring your dirty clothes over later so we can wash and dry them this afternoon.”

Every time the boy returned from attending patients, he insisted on changing clothes. In the village, it wasn’t unusual for children to go half a month without changing in winter.

But not Erqiang—he insisted on being clean. Why bother changing? That meant more laundry.

Soon they would be eating roast chicken. Just thinking about the smell made his mouth water.

He had only tasted a roast chicken once in his life. His uncle had bought it, and over a dozen people had shared two small pieces each. Before he even tasted it, the meat was gone.

This time was different—four people, two chickens. Even though it came to half a chicken each, Ping’an and Auntie wouldn’t eat much. Most of it would be his and Uncle’s.

The thought made him grin foolishly.

“Erqiang, do you like living like this?”

“Of course I do. It’s just a pity that Dalinzi and the others couldn’t come—and neither could Big Brother.”

Dahe, Erhe, and Sanhe were Grand uncle’s grandsons. Dalinzi was Great-Uncle’s grandson.

Wan Changsheng said, “I bought plenty of meat for both their families this time—enough for all three households.

For now, I could only bring you along. Once Ping’an proves himself, he’ll find an opportunity to bring the others too.

Erqiang, when you’re outside, speak only what you must. Watch more, listen more. Avoid discussing the Master’s matters outside. Understand?”

Erqiang nodded. “Uncle, I know. Before leaving, my parents and grandparents reminded me over and over.”

He then took out the two taels of silver from his red envelope. “Auntie, please keep this for me.”

Meiniang beamed. “We just brought back seventeen taels, which made your Grandmother giddy with joy. Now you have another two—Erqiang, you’re really making a fortune.”

Erqiang grinned. “Brother Jixiang said these generous red envelopes are rare. Only those who serve the Master closely get them. We’re just lucky to be following the Young Master.”

Ping’an returned to his room, changed clothes, and opened his red envelope. Inside was a pure gold hairpin—simple and not heavy, with two plum blossoms delicately carved at one end.

There was also a five-tael silver ingot.

He kept the silver and tucked the gold hairpin into his chest.

When Meiniang took the hairpin, she was momentarily stunned. It gleamed so brightly it nearly hurt the eyes.

“Mother, this is from the Huang family. You wear it. Father, I will make it up to you later.”

Wan Changsheng laughed. “All right—when our son has more in the future, he can give it to Father.”

His wife had said, when the son gives something, accept it. If he doesn’t give, don’t ask. Otherwise, he might think you dislike his gifts, and that would take away much of the joy.

Erqiang exclaimed in amazement, “Auntie, wear it quickly! Only the rich ladies wear gold like this—ah! It’s blinding!”

Meiniang was quite pleased. This was her first time holding gold jewelry.

Her son had given it—of course, she accepted it.

This time, when she returned to her maternal home, they traveled by mule cart and brought back bundles of goods—not like in previous years when she barely wanted to bring her son along, afraid that her parents would look at her with aching hearts.

This time, her parents had decided to help her Eldest Uncle and Uncle’s families. The three households would gather herbs together—not just from their village mountain, but also nearby ones. More people meant more courage.

She and her husband had no objections. Their families had always been close. Helping each other was only right.

At lunch, Meiniang originally intended to eat only one chicken, but Erqiang looked so eager, and her husband hadn’t had enough either. With the weather warming, they might as well eat together.

Ping’an, too, ate quite a lot this time.