Chapter 150: Ancient Farmer's Son (7)
Throughout the day, Mother Lin had something on her mind, mainly her youngest son’s plan to sell the copied books in the county town. She worried that something might go wrong.
Previously, when Father Lin wasn’t bedridden, Mother Lin never allowed her son to earn money using his scholarly identity. On one hand, she felt that as an educated person, he shouldn’t profit from trivial things. On the other hand, she was concerned that he would focus too much on making money and neglect his studies.
This morning, she discovered that her son had secretly copied books to earn money for the household expenses. Her heart felt warm and yet bitter at the same time.
If it weren’t for them giving away most of the family’s possessions to their unfilial eldest and second sons, the youngest son wouldn’t have to endure such hardships.
From childhood to adulthood, he had only immersed himself in studying. Now, for the first time, he was copying books to earn money. Would he be deceived by others?
Eager to see her youngest son as soon as possible, Mother Lin didn’t work in the fields today. Instead, she sat at the entrance of the courtyard, occasionally standing up anxiously to look outside. Her hands absentmindedly sewed shoe insoles.
In comparison, although Li Lanlan also worried about her husband, her absolute confidence in him brought a sense of calmness to her heart. She sat next to her mother-in-law, diligently sewing a long green robe.
The triennial provincial examination was approaching, and Lin Shiheng would have to go to the capital to participate in the exam. Mother Lin worried that her son would be looked down upon if he didn’t dress well outside. Even in their difficult situation, she mustered up the courage to go to the county and bought some good fabric, which she handed over to Li Lanlan to make a garment.
Li Lanlan was skilled in needlework, and now that she was sewing her own husband’s clothes, she put even more care into it than when sewing her own. Every stitch was meticulously and tightly done.