Chapter 1062 - 1064 Qingtong Returns_1
"Mother, we should speak to Dad about this matter."
Old Yang had left instructions regarding this issue before he passed away; now that Yang Qingtong had been accepted as Cultivated Talent, he naturally had to go.
"We’ll tell your father about it, and go with him tomorrow."
"Sister-in-law, you really lead an enviable life these days," Ms. Luo and Ms. Liu entered the room as mother and son were talking.
After all, wasn’t Ms. Wang blessed? Both her sons had now achieved scholarly titles, and her son-in-law not only had a title but also an official position. How wonderful.
Moreover, as a Cultivated Talent, there would be a monthly allowance of silver and food; eventually, they wouldn’t have to work at all to support their family.
It’s just not good to compare oneself to others, Ms. Luo sighed in her heart. The richer people become, the easier it is for them to make money. For those without money, the more they think about making money, the harder it seems to earn it.
Ms. Wang just smiled. In the past, she had been envious of these two women herself.
When Old Lady Hua was still alive, she was constantly being ordered around, washing clothes then sweeping floors, and after sweeping floors, she had to feed the chickens and ducks. Busy from dawn to dusk, she was even in charge of heating the bath and washing water for these people. However, when it came to her own turn to bathe or wash her hair, Old Lady Hua would criticize her for wasting firewood, to the point that she often went ten days to half a month without washing her hair.
"Will Qingtong hold a banquet this time?" Ms. Liu asked.
Upon reflection, the third branch of the family had been hosting banquets year after year for several years, and even if they didn’t invite guests, they would always do something special.
Ms. Wang shook her head, "No, we won’t hold one. The Old Master has just passed away; it’s not appropriate. Besides, Qingrui didn’t hold one last year, and Qingtong isn’t keen on the idea either."
Her youngest son had talked to her about it just now. By rights, the death of his grandfather should have called him back, but the Old Master had left instructions, which outsiders were not privy to.
As a result, he appeared especially unfilial in the eyes of others. Hosting a large banquet now would simply give people more to gossip about.
So, not having anyone knocking gongs this time was a good thing, keeping the matter from becoming common knowledge.
However, this was just their ostrich-like wishful thinking. Once the county government posted a notice declaring who had become Cultivated Talent, it would be glaringly obvious.
Therefore, within a couple of days, people began to trickle in with congratulatory gifts.
~~~~
"Lele, you should learn from your little uncle, look how great he is, he’s become a Cultivated Talent."
Yang Chuxia felt not only joy but also some relief upon learning that her younger brother had passed the Cultivated Talent exam.
She was also happy for her parents; now that both her brothers had achieved scholarly titles, they could live decently even if the family business did poorly.
"My little nephew, Lele, come let me hold you," Yang Qingtong had not returned to the academy yet, as he had just gone to deliver a message for Old Yang the day before.
Having no particular business today, he had come to play with his two little nephews.
"When are you going back to the academy?"
"After the fifth seven-day period after Grandpa’s death, I’ll go back with my brother," said Yang Qingtong as he saw Lele clutching his book tightly. He attempted to take the book away, but Lele slapped his hand.
"You little rascal, getting brave, are you? Daring to slap your uncle," Yang Chuxia scolded him, only to see him open his eyes wide, looking at Yang Chuxia and pointing at Yang Qingtong, "Snatch, snatch."
He meant that Yang Qingtong was trying to snatch his book.
"Pfft..." Yang Qingtong laughed, "Alright, alright, I won’t snatch your book. But you have to call me ’uncle.’ If you don’t call me ’uncle,’ I will still snatch it."
He reached out his hand, pretending to take the book again.
Upon seeing this, Lele hurriedly hid the book behind his back, still extending one hand out to show Yang Qingtong.
His big eyes shone, conveying a message; the book was gone, and you can’t snatch it.