In the common perception, scholars of the Hanlin Academy were generally white-haired, frail old men, or at least middle-aged men with a sense of vicissitude and experience...
However, the scholar Jiang before them had a face like jade, with clear eyes and well-defined brows, resembling a handsome man from a painted scroll, so handsome it made one dizzy.
To be appointed as a侍讲学士 (Shìjiǎng Xuéshì - Attendant Scholar) of the Hanlin Academy at such a young age clearly indicated that his talent and cultural cultivation were absolutely outstanding...
"Scholar Jiang, this is your first time in a remote place like Dashui Village, isn't it? Let me tell you, don't underestimate this poor mountain village. Despite the poor transportation and being far from the emperor's reach, there are actually many delicious things here..."
Laifu chattered as he introduced the local delicacies, "Scholar Jiang, you've probably been in the capital for too long and haven't tasted suan tangzi, have you? That stuff is made from yellow millet flour, similar to qiaomian helao. It tastes sour, and with a side of pickled vegetables, oh my, look at this thin and frail body of mine, I can still eat four or five bowls, hehe..."
Upon hearing this, Scholar Jiang slowly lowered the curtain. "His Majesty sent me to Dashui Village not for eating and drinking. You should say less of this kind of talk from now on!"
What was merely common farm food was turned into a delicacy in Laifu's mouth...
In any case, Scholar Jiang did not believe in these absurd theories.
"Laifu, when we get back to Heyang County, let's find an inn to stay first. We'll go to Dashui Village tomorrow morning!" Scholar Jiang instructed.
Laifu flicked the whip. "Alright, Lord Jiang, please hold on tight..."
The next morning, Dashui Village, Old Yun's house.
Due to his obsession with mahjong the previous night, the usually diligent Old Yun woke up late.
When Du Tieshan had breakfast ready and sent Jingde to call everyone, she found that only Madam Gu was awake. The others were still fast asleep...
"Let them sleep a bit longer!" Madam Gu said, walking over with a sleepy Little Xi Tian.
It wasn't for any other reason; the family members found mahjong novel and were so curious that they watched it for most of the night without tiring...
Especially those with strong curiosity like Yun Erman and Xiao Xinling, who stayed up almost all night.
Han Chi'er and Si Ya Ke Dun had become loyal fans of mahjong, capable of enduring two days and two nights of play...
Du Tieshan served bowls of coarse grain porridge to Madam Gu and Little Xi Tian, smiling as she asked, "Mother, why aren't you tired?"
She remembered that her mother had also played mahjong with them last night.
Madam Gu wiped the sweat from Little Xi Tian's face and smiled, "I slept early. Later, Miss Xiao played with them..."
Du Tieshan responded with an "Oh," and just as she was about to say something, she heard a knock at the door.
"Is anyone home? Sister-in-law Yun, Brother Yun?"
The voice was clear and pleasant, clearly belonging to a young woman...
Little Xi Tian blinked slightly and turned to look. "Hmm, it seems Sister Niu is here!"
"Xi Tian, go check on the dog and welcome her in!" Madam Gu instructed.
"Understood, Mother!"
Little Xi Tian put down her chopsticks, yawned softly, and then trotted out...
At the entrance stood a pretty and dignified young woman, holding an infant in her arms.
This person was named Niu Caixia. She had moved to Dashui Village before the New Year. Her husband had passed away from a serious illness two years prior, and she lived with her elderly mother. Their days were quite difficult...
Niu Caixia was also a capable and diligent woman. Although she was young and a widow raising a child alone, Niu Caixia's spirit was not diminished by poverty. During her time in Dashui Village, her character and conduct had earned widespread praise from the villagers.
"Sister Niu, please come in. Xue Ling doesn't bite!" Seeing Niu Caixia staring intently at Xue Ling, Little Xi Tian clapped her hands with amusement.
A few days ago, when San Man and Huai Hua got married, the family was too busy to manage, and Niu Caixia had come to help with chores, washing dishes, sweeping the floor, chopping vegetables, and feeding pigs. She always took the lead in the dirty and arduous tasks.
"Sweetie, is your mother home? I... I have something I want to ask her!" Niu Caixia murmured.
Little Xi Tian nodded. "She's home, Sister Niu. Come inside and talk!"
A moment later, Niu Caixia followed Little Xi Tian into the main hall of the Yun family's house.
After understanding the situation, Madam Gu couldn't help but laugh and cry. She reached out and took the child. "Caixia, you don't need to be so polite with us. It's just watching your child for a day, what's the big deal? Besides, Jiu Hong is weaned now and easy to take care of. Go and attend to your matters..."
After speaking, Madam Gu pinched Little Jiu Hong's face. The plump little baby opened her big eyes and giggled, a small dimple appearing on her cheek.
This little girl was fair and cute, very much like Little Xi Tian when she was younger, so Madam Gu liked her very much...
"Then, thank you, Sister Yun. I... I'll get you a piece of cloth when I return from the county town, as... as a..."
"Caixia!" Before Niu Caixia could finish her sentence, Madam Gu's face darkened. "If you're still so polite with me, I won't help you watch the child!"
Sometimes, excessive politeness could be exasperating.
Little Xi Tian smiled slightly and took Niu Caixia's hand. "Sister Niu, what are you going to the county town for? Brother Kong is also going to the county town later. Why don't you let him take you..."
"No, no need!" Niu Caixia lowered her head and fiddled with her fingers, her expression a little nervous. "I'm just going to the county town to find some work to do to supplement our income. My mother has been ill for a long time, and there's no one at home to farm. We can't just borrow money to live..."
It was quite infuriating, really. Niu Caixia's mother-in-law, by today's standards, was a "troublemaker."
Every morning, the first thing she did upon waking was to scold her daughter-in-law. If anything was not to her satisfaction, this mother-in-law could curse from dawn till dusk.
It wasn't just her bad temper; the old lady also suffered from a strange illness and couldn't do housework.
As soon as she touched things like water buckets, slop buckets, or daily necessities, she would complain of back pain and a spike in blood pressure, and couldn't even look after the child...
As a result, Niu Caixia had to take care of Little Jiu Hong, serve the old lady, earn money to support the family, and manage all household affairs. The hardship she endured was indescribable.
Madam Gu had also advised her before to remarry early, which would lighten the family's burden.
But the old lady adamantly refused, claiming that her remarriage would be disloyal and unfilial to her deceased husband, an act of infidelity, and would bring shame to the family and ancestors...
If she insisted on finding another husband, she would smash her head against the water缸 (shuǐgāng - water vat).
Forced into a corner, Niu Caixia had no choice but to ask the Old Yun family for help to look after the child while she went to the county town to find work...
After listening to Niu Caixia's story, Madam Gu sighed deeply and suddenly thought of a solution.