Chapter Fifty-Two: Carrying Young Master Yu Away

Perhaps it was because she had grown accustomed to Lin Sangqian’s cooking that even Liao Shuxia herself found her own food hard to swallow. Watching her husband and children try their best to finish the meal, she was deeply moved.

After dinner, Lin Wenyen took his two younger brothers to clear the table and wash the dishes, while Lin Sangqian reported to her parents about her trip to town that day.

She had earned another five taels, spent one tael on thread, some meat and vegetables, and now, with the previous twenty-nine taels, they still had thirty-three taels left. Tomorrow, sending her three brothers to school would cost four taels and five hundred wen at once.

Lin Sangqian also told Lin Hongda about Young Master Yu’s proposal, and upon hearing it, Lin Hongda slapped his thigh and agreed without hesitation.

“Fifteen taels! Of course I’ll go earn it! Haha, I’ll finally stop sitting idle at home, living off free meals.”

He was a man, the head of the family! How could he feel at ease relying on his wife and daughter to support the household day after day? Though Liao Shuxia had tried to reason with him before, he had always felt stifled inside. Now that opportunity had come knocking, how could he not seize it?

“Who says you’re living off free meals?” Liao Shuxia pinched him, “Why are you so stubborn?”

“Hehe, even if it weren’t for that, fifteen taels of silver—who wouldn’t want to earn it?”

“But there might be danger,” Lin Sangqian said with a frown.

Liao Shuxia let out a dramatic wail and threw herself into Lin Hongda’s arms, “Husband, I can’t live without you! Boo hoo, if you’re gone, how will we five helpless women survive?”

Lin Hongda: “…”

Lin Sangqian’s lips twitched, “Mom, you’re overdoing it.”

“Am I?” Liao Shuxia dabbed at imaginary tears at the corners of her eyes. “I think it’s just right.”

“Dad, I think you really need to think it through. If Young Master Yu travels out of town, you’ll have to accompany him. What if you run into bandits or robbers on the road? If it’s just petty thieves, that’s one thing, but if it’s real highwaymen…”

Lin Sangqian didn’t know if this world they’d come to had martial arts masters of legend.

If there were, could Lin Hongda handle them?

“Daughter, you’re overthinking it. I know my own strength—there’s practically no one I can’t handle,” Lin Hongda said with great confidence. “Besides, why would real highwaymen ignore all the treasures out there just to rob Young Master Yu? Even if I do run into trouble and can’t win, I’ll grab Young Master Yu and run. I’m no fool.”

An odd image of Lin Hongda carrying Yu Jingxiao on his back popped into Lin Sangqian’s mind, and she couldn’t help but laugh.

“So, is it decided? If you really want to go, we can visit the Yu family tomorrow.”

“Yes, it’s decided!” Lin Hongda, usually so carefree, never changed his mind once he made a decision. So neither Liao Shuxia nor Lin Sangqian said any more.

Lin Wenyen and his two younger brothers finished washing the dishes and came out of the kitchen. But instead of going inside, they stood chatting in the courtyard.

“You’re both planning to go to school?” Lin Wenyen asked.

“Mm.” Lin Yanbei nodded.

“I’ll go too,” Lin Beitao said. Though he planned to go into business someday, he knew that being illiterate would only hold him back.

So, at the very least, he should study for a while.

“But if the three of us go, that’s a lot of money,” Lin Wenyen frowned. “I won’t go. I’d better just follow Dad and learn martial arts.”

Lin Yanbei was taken aback. “But Dad might go to the Yu family as a guard.”

They had already told Lin Wenyen what happened today while washing dishes.

“I know, but isn’t he just supposed to accompany Young Master Yu when he goes out? Dad should still have plenty of time. Besides, if I stay home, I can protect Mom and Little Sister.”

After a moment’s thought, he added, “When you come back from school each day, just teach me a few characters.”

The two younger brothers glanced at each other, unsure what to do, and could only go inside to discuss it with their parents and sister.

All six family members sat in Lin Sangqian’s room and talked it over thoroughly.

...

“What did you say? You saw Lin Sangqian and her two brothers?”

Lin Shuimei, picking at her pickled vegetables, said, “Would I lie to you? I saw the three of them come out of the restaurant, looking all pleased. Must’ve eaten something good in there.”

“Those little wretches, how dare they stuff themselves at a restaurant!” Lai Ruyu was green with envy. “Who do they think they are? Disgusting!”

Lin Shuimei glared at her own meager pickles, put down her bowl, and said, “Mom, isn’t there anything else to eat? I want eggs!”

“Eggs? You want eggs?” Lai Ruyu shot her a glare. “We’ve only got a few old hens, and they haven’t laid much lately. If you eat them, what’s your brother supposed to have when he gets home?”

“All you think about is my brother!” Lin Shuimei complained, “Everything good goes to him, and you’re spending so much money sending him to school! Do you really think he’ll study hard?”

Three taels a month! Not counting Lin Xiong’s pocket money. The thought made Lin Shuimei’s heart ache.

Why should she scrimp and save at home while everyone else enjoyed good days?

“You ungrateful girl!” Lai Ruyu pinched her in anger. “Why wouldn’t your brother study hard? He’s going to be a scholar one day! As his sister, can’t you think about his future?”

“And who’s thinking about me? Besides, Lin Xiong’s barely studying there. Scholar? Hah!”

“What’s wrong with that place?” Lai Ruyu was confused. “Isn’t that academy supposed to be good? They say the teacher there is brilliant!”

“Brilliant! Hah! Today he even tried to flirt with me!”

“What? Flirted with you?” Lai Ruyu’s eyes went wide. “How did he do that?”

Blushing, Lin Shuimei recounted what had happened.

“You silly girl!” Lai Ruyu tapped her forehead in exasperation. “He invited you in, why didn’t you go? Are you stupid?”

“Why should I? I don’t like him! He’s just a schoolmaster—not some rich man.”

“He’s got over ten students at his academy, each paying three taels a month. Do the math! And some families give him gifts all the time! Do you really think he’s poor?”

Now that her mother put it that way, Lin Shuimei felt a twinge of regret.

“And he’s a top scholar, too!”

“What does that even mean?”

“I… I’m not sure, but it’s very impressive! Honestly, you have no ambition at all!”

Lin Shuimei pouted. “Fine, I’ll cozy up to him next time. But does he really earn more than the restaurant owner?”

“What do you mean? Is the restaurant owner interested in you too?” Lai Ruyu asked, surprised and pleased.

“Not yet. But I plan to look for an opportunity next time I go.”

After thinking it over, Lai Ruyu said, “Why not keep both options open? In the end, just choose whoever has more money.”

“Alright, I got it.”