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In the countryside, it’s always been this way: brothers helping each other out. Those who have money contribute money, those with strength contribute strength. Those living better lives can’t be compared to those who are worse off. If you really compare to those who are less fortunate, you could say, in a nice way, that you’re going with the flow to save face for your less fortunate brothers. In a less nice way, it’s just being stingy.
This fact has never changed, no matter the time.
Shen Zi’an and Su Zhi both understood that now their days were better. If they didn’t make an effort for Shen Ziju in this major event of the imperial examination, they would surely be gossiped about. They had already discussed it; they would spend the money on Shen Ziju. After all, having someone with an official title in the family is always a good thing, especially since Shen Ziju still had a decent relationship with them. Helping Shen Ziju would earn them a good reputation and a favor from him. This time, no matter the outcome, Shen Ziju had to be courteous to them.
This kind of matter, which can be accomplished with some silver, naturally should be done.
However, being pressured by Shen Youfu for silver was naturally uncomfortable. They wondered why he couldn’t just speak properly. Shen Zhu’s final words, though, were a bit softer.
“Sister, your fourth brother and I never said we wouldn’t give the silver. It’s just that Father-in-law’s attitude was really disheartening. We were simply asking how much the eldest brother’s family is contributing. It’s not like we were saying we’d only give as much as they do. At the very least, we shouldn’t embarrass them openly, right? Everyone understands this. So why is it a problem when we ask? It’s really baffling.”
Su Zhi glanced at Shen Youfu. She wasn’t afraid of angering the old man. After all, he was just a hot-tempered person. Since they had already had a falling out, it was better to continue and make things clear. Su Zhi felt quite helpless. The old man knew she wasn’t someone to be easily bullied, yet he repeatedly came to her with anger. It seemed he was really just that fiery-tempered, and of course, he was doing it for his precious youngest son.
If it weren’t for Shen Ziju’s matters, she and her husband would have continued to send food and silver to the old couple regularly, and life would have been smooth. But whenever Shen Ziju needed money, the old man would start making a fuss. His favoritism as a father was truly boundless. Even Shen Zhang shi, the stepmother, hadn’t caused a fuss, yet he had started.
Su Zhi decided not to give Shen Youfu any face.
Hearing Su Zhi’s words, Shen Youfu wanted to glare at her again, but considering that she mentioned they would contribute silver, he held back. He only gave her a stern look. In truth, he had no way to deal with this daughter-in-law. From their first encounter, he had never gained the upper hand, and throughout these days, he still hadn’t.
Shen Zhu quickly interjected, “Father is just too anxious; he’s worried about Little Brother’s future. If Fourth Brother and Fourth Sister-in-law can resolve this urgent matter, that would be wonderful.”
Seeing that Shen Youfu had quieted down, Su Zhi turned and went into the house.
Both Shen Youfu and Shen Zhu thought she was going to get the silver and were pleased.
Shen Zi’an watched them and said, “My wife had already prepared the travel expenses for Fifth Brother’s examination. This is just our personal contribution, and it’s not the same as what Second Brother’s family is giving. Father, it really disheartens me to see you come over and talk to my wife like this.”
Shen Youfu glared at Shen Zi’an but ignored him, keeping his eyes fixed on the curtain.
Shen Zhu, on the other hand, was wondering how much silver Fourth Brother and Fourth Sister-in-law would contribute.
Su Zhi came out of the house carrying a finely crafted bamboo box. It was small enough to be carried by hand and beautifully polished, making it look quite elegant.
“This is a box Zi’an made for Fifth Brother. I made him two sets of clothes, and there are ten taels of silver inside. Additionally, there’s a high-quality set of the Four Treasures of the Study.”
Hearing this, Shen Youfu felt that while it wasn’t as much as he had hoped, it was still a substantial amount and very well-prepared. He snorted but said nothing more.
Shen Zhu thanked Shen Zi’an and Su Zhi and hurriedly pulled her father away, not bothering to open the box to check its contents.
On their way back, Sanlang and Silang came running. They had heard that their grandfather and aunt had gone to ask for silver and wanted to see if they had succeeded. Seeing the box in their grandfather’s hand, their eyes were glued to it. However, they didn’t dare ask any questions, fearing Shen Youfu’s temper. They just hoped to get home quickly to find out.
Silang ran back home to inform his mother.
On the way, Shen Youfu kept wanting to open the box, but Shen Zhu persuaded him not to. Given the many people fetching water along the route, he refrained from opening it.
Many people saw Shen Youfu carrying a box back from Fuyuan, and soon, everyone in the village knew that Shen Zi’an had given another benefit to the old Shen family. Although they didn’t know what was inside the box, the rumor spread: if it wasn’t something valuable, would Shen Youfu personally carry it? It didn’t look too heavy for Shen Zhu to carry, and there was also the strong and young Sanlang alongside.
Back home, Shen Youfu glared at Sun Shi, who was peeking curiously, and took the box into the house. Shen Zhang shi received the box and opened it. Seeing its contents, she nodded and instructed Shen Zhu to take the box to Shen Ziju’s room.
Shen Ziju was inside reading a poem he had copied from Su Zhi. The more he read, the more he loved it. Seeing Shen Zhu enter, he set the book aside. His eyes fell on the box, knowing immediately it was brought from Fourth Brother’s house. Such an exquisitely crafted bamboo box could only be his Fourth Brother’s handiwork. While many in the village possessed such skills, the intricate patterns and unique shape of the box suggested it could only be the idea of his Fourth Sister-in-law. Nowadays, he felt that any new, innovative thing that appeared in Riverside Village was likely concocted by her; she was just that kind of remarkable person.
“Fifth Brother, Father and I went to Fourth Brother’s house and got these things. Fourth Brother is really stingy, only giving ten taels of silver. They must have more money than that; they clearly don’t care about your future. Especially Fourth Sister-in-law, she even asked how much the other brothers were giving, obviously wanting to contribute the same amount. The richer people get, the stingier they become. And to think we’ve been visiting them frequently these days.”
Ever since Su Zhi realized that Little Brother had feelings for their Fourth Sister-in-law, she had been trying to tarnish her image in his eyes. Now, she was making every effort.
Shen Ziju said, “Ten taels of silver is a lot. For our farming family, a whole family can’t save ten taels in a year. Fourth Brother’s family just finished renovating their garden, so they must not have much to spare. It’s generous of them to give this much. Is this Fourth Brother’s handiwork? This box is so exquisite. Carrying it will not only avoid looking shabby but will also add a touch of elegance! Let me see what’s inside and if I can fit my books in it.”
Shen Zhu, seeing that Shen Ziju didn’t mind and was actually quite pleased, snorted and said, “This box has many holes; if it rains, your books will get soaked!”
“I’ll wrap my books in oilcloth; then it will be fine.”
Shen Ziju asked for the box, opened it, and his eyes lit up. He saw the clothes inside and immediately thought that Su Zhi must have made them; the stitching was flawless. Then, he noticed the high-quality Four Treasures of the Study. He had seen similar sets in the county town and knew they were not cheap. He realized that although his fourth brother and sister-in-law only gave ten taels of silver, the study set alone must have cost more than that. They weren’t reluctant to spend money on him; they probably just didn’t want to make the other brothers feel uncomfortable.
Next, he saw the silver in a finely crafted purse. There were five one-tael ingots and another five taels in small silver pieces. Shen Ziju thought this must have been arranged for his convenience, knowing it was Su Zhi’s thoughtful planning.
Seeing her little brother smiling at the items in the box, Shen Zhu couldn’t help but wring her handkerchief, wondering if he really had fallen for Su Zhi.
Shen Ziju told Shen Zhu that he needed to study, sending her out. He then closed the door, picked up the two sets of clothes, and examined them. Unable to resist, he brought them to his nose. There was no particular scent, yet he felt there was a faint, pleasant fragrance, reminiscent of the lotus scent he had once smelled on Su Zhi. He thought that if Fourth Sister-in-law had made these clothes for him, it meant she didn’t find him annoying, at least.
Shen Ziju, now sixteen, had been studying since childhood and had read numerous tales of romance and drama. He was familiar with the themes of love and longing, yet he had never felt such emotions for any girl until now. Unbeknownst to him, he found himself developing feelings for someone he shouldn’t. Initially, he felt bewildered and lost, wanting to remain indifferent, but found himself sinking deeper.
Shen Ziju resolved that he must achieve success in the imperial examinations. With such success, he could meet many more wonderful women and perhaps realize that his feelings for his fourth sister-in-law were merely a fleeting infatuation. This way, he wouldn’t stray down the wrong path.
Setting the clothes aside, Shen Ziju sat back at his desk and resumed his studies.
Shen Zhu found Shen Zhang shi and quietly recounted Shen Ziju’s reaction to her. Shen Zhang shi frowned. Taking advantage of the moment, Shen Zhu remarked that it was because Xiao Ping’er was inadequate that Shen Ziju thought highly of Su Zhi. After all, even Shen Zi’an managed to marry someone like Su Zhi. Shen Ziju must be feeling disgruntled.
“Mother, it seems we must reconsider Fifth brother’s marriage! Think about my idea again!”
Shen Zhu had long devised a plan, albeit one that would ruin her own marriage. Although Shen Zhang shi initially disagreed, now that Shen Zhu had brought it up again, wouldn’t her mother start to worry with Shen Ziju having such thoughts?