Chapter 42

Yan Qiu and Xing Hui shook their heads quickly this time!

They did not want to live the kind of life that Granny had!

Not only Granny’s life, but they also didn’t want to live like their Aunt.

They didn’t want to fight over food or exchange harsh words every day in a small space.

Not only did Yan Qiu and Xing Hui shake their heads resolutely, but Jiang, He, and Hu also followed suit.

They didn’t want their eldest and second sisters to live that kind of life either.

They hoped their sisters would have a good life!

Shuiqing was very satisfied, as a mother, seeing her children united was the best thing.

After speaking straightforwardly, she began to express her deeper feelings: “Also, whether male or female, there’s no such thing as being worse off for not studying.

If it were bad, why would men be sent to study? It’s not like they’d be harmed by it.

If it were bad, why would princesses and noble ladies have female teachers?

They aren’t fools, studying must be beneficial.”

The five children heard this argument for the first time and were stunned.

“Also, what’s this talk about ‘spending money on education only for the daughter to marry off and become someone else’s family’? That’s completely wrong!

Getting married isn’t the same as dying, it’s just moving from the natal home to the in-laws’ house, she’s still herself;

The knowledge she has is in her mind, she can read and write, no one can take that away from her, isn’t that what matters? How can that be a loss?” Shuiqing said, getting increasingly angry.

But she couldn’t control others’ thoughts, nor did she want to. However, she definitely had to guide her own children.

Who wouldn’t want their own children to have a good life?

As her father said, once a daughter marries, she won’t have her parents’ protection anymore, so she should be treated well;

Even a butcher knows this, how can others not understand? They just don’t want to.

Fan Jin was deeply moved and fell into contemplation.

Yan Qiu and Xing Hui were stunned.

They had always heard that they were ‘outsiders,’ destined to be married off.

Once married, apart from helping their brothers, they would have nothing to do with their natal family.

Now, their mother was telling them they were still themselves…

Shuiqing calmed down and seriously told her five children, “In the future, you will grow up, start your own families, and have children, but no matter what, you must teach them well!

Only if your children succeed, from the individual to you as parents, to the entire family, will everyone benefit!

A large family can then thrive and prosper, with better days ahead, understand?”

Jiang, He, and Hu were the first to react, feeling a surge of enthusiasm.

Fan Hu, the youngest, with a soft yet firm voice, told Yan Qiu and Xing Hui, “Big sister, second sister, I will study hard and become a great official, so I can support you and make your lives better.”

Hearing their youngest brother’s declaration, Fan Jiang and Fan He weren’t to be outdone, competing to say, “Big sister, second sister, I will also become very capable. I won’t need to use your dowry money to marry a wife.”

“Doing business earns money quickly, I’ll make sure to give you lots of dowry!” Fan He said boldly, then turned to his quiet father and asked, “Dowry belongs to the sisters, right?”

Fan Jin replied gently, “Yes, by law, dowry is a woman’s private property, managed by her, and can be given to her children as she sees fit.”

Fan He was relieved and continued, “Then I’ll earn more money, so big sister and second sister will have a generous dowry and live well.”

Shuiqing wanted to say that having more money does make life easier, but what’s essential is to stand on your own.

Then Xing Hui’s clear voice said, “I don’t need your money, second sister can manage on her own!”

Yan Qiu, usually gentle, spoke with added determination, “Mother, I want to learn to read.”

Shuiqing was extremely gratified, they were finally changing.

She looked at Fan Jin, who gave her a look that said ‘I’ll support you fully.’

During the meal, they settled the daily routines for the five children, which would change their future lives.

Fate was silently shifting at this moment.

·

After lunch, people started coming to deliver gorgon fruit.

The first to arrive was Zhang Muniu, wiping sweat from his forehead, he handed over the clean, peeled gorgon fruit, stumbling over his words, “Second Uncle Fan, Aunt, you weigh it.”

Then, remembering what his mother had told him, he took out a cloth bag from his basket and handed it over respectfully, smiling brightly and thanking them, “Returning your cloth bag, thank you.”

Shuiqing was amused, seeing him carrying a basket, she asked with a smile, “Where are you going?”

Fan Jin was weighing the fruit on the scale he had bought in town that morning. They would need it often now, and couldn’t keep borrowing from the village head.

It was part of their household equipment, gradually getting everything they needed so they wouldn’t have to ask others.

Zhang Muniu replied naively, “My big brothers don’t let me go into the water, my mom and sister peel quickly, so I transport the gorgon fruit from the ponds and lakes to home.”

“Have you eaten?” Shuiqing asked casually.

Zhang Muniu suddenly replied seriously, “Yes, it was delicious!”

Even if it was just fried cabbage, the rice was fragrant and plump, delicious even without side dishes!

His sister said it was secretly given by Aunt Shuiqing, and they couldn’t let others know, he remembered this well.

Shuiqing remembered giving the rice to Zhang’s family, glad to see they had cooked it.

“Good, don’t tire yourself out.”

Zhang Muniu shook his head, “Not tired! Now everyone in the village is more active than during the harvest.”

He wasn’t afraid of hard work, just of being hungry, and even more of working hard and being hungry.

“Seventeen catties, forty-two and a half catties of rice, Muniu, come check the scale.” Fan Jin called.

“No need, we trust you, Second Uncle Fan.” Muniu said with a naive smile.

He took the rice, put it in his basket, and ran off quickly.

Several more families came to deliver gorgon fruit.

Others regretted watching the excitement in the morning, wasting a lot of time.

There would be a market in Niutou Town in three days, and they were eager to trade the rice for coarse salt and black flour, wishing for longer days.

Before dinner, even more people came.

Shuiqing watched the balance steadily rise, unable to suppress her smile.

Good earnings.

At this rate, opening the smallest storage box wasn’t impossible… but she had to stop that thought, it wasn’t a small amount of money!

They hadn’t even learned to walk yet, how could they think of running?

“Shuiqing, I want to ask for some money.” Fan Jin entered the room, speaking softly.

Shuiqing raised an eyebrow in doubt.

She didn’t restrict Fan Jin from taking money, but he was always very frugal with himself, so what did he need money for now?

Fan Jin didn’t leave her guessing long, quickly explaining, “I found a few flat stones on the back mountain, the children can practice writing with water, we don’t need to buy paper and ink for now, but brushes are necessary.”

Shuiqing was always willing to invest in education.

She moved a wooden board bed, removed a stone from the corner of the wall, took out a small wooden box, brushed off the dirt, and took out a small piece of silver from a small cloth bag.

Phew, getting money was really difficult!