Chapter 338: Greenhouse (6)_1
The Ma Family did not benefit from the Lin Family’s feast, and Ma Zhicai, fearing that Si Jinhan would cause him trouble, simply hid at home and wholeheartedly immersed himself in his studies, hoping to pass the scholar’s examination in the coming spring, and then clinch the position of a successful candidate in the imperial examination.
Seeing his son studying so hard, Ma Dalang was very pleased and went to work in the city with a jovial mood.
Outside it was freezing, and Mrs Yan was even less willing to go out. Most of the villagers were earning money by working at the Lin Family’s workshop. Seeing that the family of Ma Xincai was all huddled up in the house, Mrs Yan’s voice suddenly rose, "A bunch of wastrels, all they know is being lazy, can’t they go to the mountain to fetch some firewood?"
Mrs Huang did not dare to respond, but Ma Xincai stiffened his neck and roared, "It’s freezing outside, and we’re lightly dressed. If we go out, we could freeze to death. Mother, do you not want your son and daughter-in-law to live?"
After the feast at the Lin Family’s yesterday, Ma Xincai and his wife couldn’t help but sigh. If their family hadn’t fallen out with the Lin Family, they could have been working there. In that case, their life at home would be much better. At the very least, the young couple could save some private money, and their children could go to the private school. It is said that the Lin Family’s private school is heated by charcoal all day long, so the children in the village are not afraid of being cold when they study there.
Ma Xincai looked at his two children, wearing thin, ragged cotton-padded jackets, and thin cotton trousers, their noses were running due to the cold. Mrs Huang was busy covering the children with quilts to keep them warm.
The couple lived in the west room, which saw virtually no sunlight throughout the day. Even if the whole family sat under the quilt, it was not too warm.
"Dear, should we beg the Lin Family to let us work in the workshop, too? Even if it’s just working in the hot house, it’s better than sitting idle at home. If we can find work, we can send the children to the private school so they won’t be afraid of the cold." Mrs Huang pondered.