0p0 Chapter 38 Autumn Examination
Chapter 38 Autumn Examination
August has arrived in the blink of an eye. The autumn imperial examinations will be held in about ten days.
That evening, in the main room of the Xiao family...
"It's already August, shouldn't it be time for Qinian to set off for the prefectural city to prepare for the autumn imperial examination?" Old Master Xiao asked.
"Yes, Father, I plan to set off the day after tomorrow, to get familiar with the place." The family didn't have much money before, so he originally planned to go a few days later to save some money on lodging and meals.
However, now that things are better at home and I have some money, I've decided not to force myself anymore. I'll set off as soon as possible to familiarize myself with the area and get myself in good shape so I can perform better on the exam.
After all, it takes them three days to travel from the prefectural city. If they don't leave in advance, the long journey may hinder their performance.
"That's good. You should go ahead in advance, just in case anything unexpected happens." Old Master Xiao agreed wholeheartedly. This was the most important event for the Xiao family; whether they could pass the imperial examination depended on this.
“Father, I plan to take Xiaoqin and Yue’er with me to the prefectural city this time,” Xiao Qinian said abruptly.
Xiao Siyue was a little puzzled when she heard this. Why would her father take them with him when he was going to take the exam? To accompany him? That would be fine, she could also go and see the prosperity of an ancient metropolis.
"Why?" Old Master Xiao was somewhat displeased. His son was going to take an exam, not to go on a trip. Besides, Yue'er wasn't in good health. What if something happened to her?
"Yes, Qinian, you should take the exam yourself. I'm worried about you taking Yue'er with you." Old Mrs. Xiao disagreed. Her Yue'er was still young, and the long journey would be too much for her.
"Father, it's like this, I want to take this opportunity to take Yue'er to the prefectural city to see if her health can be cured." Xiao Qinian thought that although she knew her daughter had a system and wouldn't die young, and that her health would gradually improve, there still needed to be a reason. It couldn't just suddenly get better, or people would always be suspicious.
This is a perfect opportunity. When we return, we can say that we met a miracle doctor in the prefectural city who cured Yue'er's illness. It will make perfect sense.
Upon hearing Xiao Qinian's words, Lin Qin instantly understood her husband's plan and chimed in, "Yes, Father and Mother, the prefectural city is large and prosperous; perhaps it can cure Yue'er."
Grandpa Xiao softened upon hearing this. She also loved her granddaughter and naturally wanted her to get better.
The others also tried to persuade Old Master Xiao.
"What are you hesitating for? Just let Yue'er go! You old man, don't you want Yue'er to get better?" Old Mrs. Xiao was furious at Old Mr. Xiao's appearance. Yue'er was her lifeblood.
"Hey, old woman, don't worry, I didn't say you can't go." Old Master Xiao said helplessly, this old woman was always in a hurry.
"Hmph!" Old Mrs. Xiao turned her head away and ignored Old Master Xiao.
She said to Xiao Qinian, "Is Xiaoqin alright by herself? Or should I go too?" Old Mrs. Xiao was a little worried that her son and daughter-in-law wouldn't be able to take good care of Xiao Siyue, so she thought she would go with them.
"No need, Mother, Xiaoqin can go by herself. It's not good if too many people go." Xiao Qinian didn't want his mother to go. Wouldn't it give them away if she went? Besides, his mother was getting old, and the journey would be too tiring for her.
"Alright then, you must take good care of Yue'er." Old Mrs. Xiao was a little disappointed, but still gave her instructions.
"Don't worry, Mother, we will take good care of Yue'er," Xiao Qinian assured Lin Qin.
Seeing her parents' seamless teamwork, Xiao Siyue couldn't help but give them a thumbs up. They truly were a perfect couple. But this was good too; she didn't have to worry about how to explain things later. Having her father as a safety net made things much easier.
She was deeply moved by Old Lady Xiao's protection and thought to herself that she must work hard to earn money so that they could live a more comfortable life.
"Alright, it's decided then. The three of you can go," Grandpa Xiao said hastily. If he didn't say so, his wife would have gone with him.
Old Mrs. Xiao glanced at Old Master Xiao and said, "There's one more thing. Our shop has been open for over a month now, and Siqi has already handed over the profits to me. After deducting the wages for the workers, the shop rent, and some miscellaneous expenses, there are still 920 taels left."
Xiao Siyue recalled that, according to her previous plan, when distributing wages, she gave each worker a bonus, not only increasing their wages by 100 coins, but also giving them 5 catties each of rice, flour, and meat.
Recalling the gratitude the workers showed when they received these things, she felt very happy. Although it couldn't completely change life in the village, a small improvement in their treatment was good.
She also kept her promise and gave Xiao Siqi the bonus she was due, as well as her grandfather, second uncle, and sister-in-law, all according to the agreed standards.
When it was given to Old Master Xiao, Old Lady Xiao was unwilling.
"Following the previous rules, we'll give each of you one-tenth, which is ninety-two taels," Old Lady Xiao continued.
It was unbelievable that a shop could earn so much money in just over a month; the money was coming in too fast! The Xiao family was overjoyed, and they were incredibly excited every time they waited to divide the profits.
Qu Yin, having only recently married into the family, was also learning for the first time that the Xiao family had such a history. She was somewhat stunned and tugged at Xiao Siqi's sleeve, quietly asking, "Husband, is this true?"
“It’s true. It’s a rule that Grandma set before: the money that the family earns together, each household can keep 10% as private savings, and the rest will be put into the public fund,” Xiao Siqi explained to his wife.
Good heavens! Her family used to only keep some of their own earnings as private savings, and would hand over the rest to the public. She already thought her family was generous, let alone other families, who wouldn't allow anyone to have private savings. She never expected the Xiao family to be so generous, and she couldn't help but admire the Xiao couple even more.
However, the person she admired most was her sister-in-law, Xiao Siyue.
"Also, we've sold 400 taels of scented soap in the past month or so, 40 taels per room." Before everyone could recover from the silver they had just received, they received another sum.
Qu Yin: "Anything else?" She was already somewhat numb. Although the money was in her mother-in-law's hands, she was still very happy. In just a short while, each of their households had more than a hundred taels of private savings.
Of course, Xiao Siyue was not left out this time either; she also received 10% of the silver.
"Also, I plan to take three hundred taels of silver from the public funds for Qinian to take with him, just in case," Old Lady Xiao said, glancing at her sons and daughters-in-law.
“Mother, that’s only right. We’ll need to pay for Yue’er’s medical treatment later, so it’s good to bring more money.” Xiao Qiren agreed. Of course, he had no objections. He was speechless at his mother’s look.
Old Mrs. Xiao glanced at Xiao Qiren, then turned her gaze to the others. Seeing that they had no objections, she nodded in satisfaction.
“Mother, no need, we have enough money,” Xiao Qinian refused.
"Take it. It's good to have some savings when you're on the road, in case you need it," Old Mrs. Xiao said, not allowing Xiao Qinian to refuse.
"Thank you, Mother. I will pay you back later." Xiao Qinian thought about it and agreed, so he accepted the money without further refusal.