My Husband is a Drama King [Book Transmigration] 57

Chapter 57: Winter Daily Life

Feng Xin’ou and Jiang Zhuo returned to Shuibo Town. They did not stop and went straight back to Linglai Village.

Feng’s parents were pleasantly surprised to see them return. Feng’s mother said, “Why are you back? Weren’t you supposed to be studying in the county?”

Feng Xin’ou said in a deep voice, “I’m not studying for now. Jiang Zhuo and I plan to rent a house in town first, open a private school, and earn some money.”

Feng’s father: “It’s a good thing to come back. You can earn a lot of silver a year by taking on a few students in town, and your in-laws can also help you.”

The Feng family had three children. Feng Xin’ou was the eldest. The other two were younger sisters who were already married. Only the four of them were living in Linglai Village.

When the villagers learned that Feng Xin’ou had returned, some of them came to ask him, “Is the county good? What’s it like? I’ve never been there in my life.”

Feng Xin’ou relaxed when he returned to a familiar place. He smiled and told the villagers about the prosperity of Jinhe County.

At the county school, he was an ordinary student. In Linglai Village, he was the pride of his parents, the only xiucai in the village. This contrast made him a little wistful.

Jiang Zhuo was unpacking their bundles. Feng’s mother came over and asked, “Now that you’re in town, you’ll have to rely on your in-laws a lot. It must have been hard for you to go to the county with Ou’er.”

“It wasn’t hard, Mother. My husband has never made me worry. He’s always been very good to me. As for my parents, now that my husband has become a xiucai, they’ll have to help him, even if it’s just for the sake of face,” Jiang Zhuo said. He still understood his own parents.

“That’s good. You two should have a big, healthy son, and then you won’t have to worry about anything in the future,” Feng’s mother said with satisfaction.

Hearing this, Jiang Zhuo’s earlobes turned red. He said in a low voice, “Children are a matter of fate.”

Seeing him lower his head in shyness, Feng’s mother did not say anything else. Feng Xin’ou and Jiang Zhuo were both still young. They had a long life ahead of them, so there was no need to rush.

The family had made a good meal. Feng Xin’ou and Jiang Zhuo rested in Linglai Village for a few days and then went to town to rent a house.

The houses in Shuibo Town were much cheaper than in Jinhe County. They first rented for three years. A broker introduced them to a house.

“This is a small courtyard with three rooms for sleeping. You can also use one as a guest room when you have visitors. There’s a small room by the kitchen that can be used as a storage room. There’s a well in the courtyard, and two plum trees. You can even have plums in the summer. The courtyard faces inward, so it’s not noisy when you sleep. As soon as you go out and turn a corner, there are snacks and shops. It’s a great location.”

Feng Xin’ou and Jiang Zhuo were satisfied. This courtyard was much larger than the one they had lived in in Jinhe County, and the well was in the courtyard, so they didn’t have to go elsewhere to fetch water.

Jiang Zhuo bargained with the broker. “Look at this place, it’s so old. The furniture and the bed frame here…”

In the end, they settled on a price of six taels a year. The broker took out a contract and had both parties sign it.

The broker was much more relaxed with the contract in hand. “I see that you’ve traveled a long way. This place is good for living, but it’s a bit difficult to do business. You all look like respectable people. You probably don’t rely on physical labor.”

Feng Xin’ou’s heart stirred. He said, “I’m planning to open a private school and take on a few students.”

The broker sized up Feng Xin’ou. Seeing that he did indeed have a scholarly air, he asked, “Do you have a title?”

Feng Xin’ou nodded. “I am a xiucai.”

“Such a young xiucai. It’s much easier with a title. There are many country gentlemen in town. Since you’re going to take on students and establish yourselves in town, you’ll have to interact with them a lot in the future,” the broker’s expression changed, and his face became a little respectful.

The next morning, Feng Xin’ou went to visit Teacher Li. When Scholar Li learned of his plan, he said thoughtfully, “It’s not bad to be a private school teacher. How is Changxu?”

Feng Xin’ou smiled. “He has become a Juren.”

Scholar Li’s face was wreathed in smiles. “It seems he still wants to go further. It would be great if he could become a Gongshi.”

“Tomorrow is Sir Tan’s birthday banquet. Many people have been invited. Come and find me tonight, and I’ll take you to meet some people. If you want to do business in town and take on students, you’ll have to interact with these people.”

A trace of pleasant surprise flashed in Feng Xin’ou’s eyes. He quickly said, “Thank you, teacher.”

“Since you call me teacher, how can I not help you?” Scholar Li said with a smile.

When it was time for Sir Tan’s birthday banquet, Scholar Li introduced Feng Xin’ou to the country gentlemen in town.

It was rare to have a new young face in Shuibo Town. The country gentlemen were all curious and asked about Feng Xin’ou.

Feng Xin’ou held his wine cup and drank and talked with them.

In town, he had to interact with these people. Even if he didn’t like some of them, he still had to put on a smile.

“Brother Feng, have a drink.”

Feng Xin’ou said alright and drank it down.

“I heard that Scholar Li has two disciples who have become xiucai. Young Master Feng has come back. Where did the other Young Master Song go?” Sir Tan asked, drunk.

Feng Xin’ou said, “He is third in the provincial examination. He will be going to the capital for the metropolitan examination next year.”

“So amazing,” Sir Tan murmured.

After Feng Xin’ou had become familiar with them, he had taken on twenty students. The tuition was five taels of silver a year, which was a hundred taels a year.

The tuition Scholar Li charged in town was also this price. Now he remembered that when the teacher was a private school teacher in Lingshui Village, he had only charged them three taels a year, which was too little.

Feng Xin’ou had settled down in Shuibo Town. He had also run into Lin Pu at the temple in his spare time.

Lin Pu was surprised to see him. “Brother Feng, why are you back?”

Feng Xin’ou was a little happy to see him. He explained the reason.

“I’m an accountant at the Lin residence, earning three taels of silver a month. Life is not bad. Where do you live? We can sit together often when we have time, or are you free now?”

Feng Xin’ou agreed. The two of them left the temple and went to find a tavern together.

Lin Pu skillfully called out, “Two jars of sorghum wine, and two plates of pig ears. More chili in the dipping sauce.”

“Alright.”

Lin Pu said that after Scholar Li had left, they had all gone their separate ways to make a living. He had been lucky and had found a job as an accountant at the Lin family’s. It was usually very leisurely, only busy at the beginning and end of the month.

“The Lin family also gave us a place to live. I brought Yunniang to live with me at the Lin family’s. The master is not bad, and our life is also alright,” Lin Pu said with a smile. “This is already the best life I think I can have.”

“Your wine and pig ears are here, sirs.”

The assistant put down the plates, as well as two dipping sauce plates. Lin Pu took out a pair of chopsticks and handed them to Feng Xin’ou. “Have a try. Their pig ears with the dipping sauce are a must-try. The sorghum wine here is also not bad.”

Lin Pu poured them a bowl, and then a cup for Feng Xin’ou. He ate the pig ears and drank the wine, looking very happy.

Feng Xin’ou was stunned for a moment when he saw the cup. He took a sip of the wine and said, “Brother Lin, I’m also a person who drinks from a wine bowl now.”

Lin Pu: “When we were studying, you were so gentle and reserved. You should still drink less wine.”

A trace of a smile flashed in Feng Xin’ou’s eyes. “It’s a wonder you still remember.”

“As if I’m already old. I have a good memory. This round of drinks is on me. Don’t forget to treat me,” Lin Pu said.

Feng Xin’ou had once again found warmth in the people and things of the past in Shuibo Town. He nodded. “I definitely will.”

.

Jinhe County

Song Changxu got up early to read. Xu Zhizhou pushed the pushcart to set up his stall. He remembered that another major event was going to happen this year.

The barbarians had been driven back by the Xiao family’s army. General Xiao had returned to the court in triumph, his merits shaking the throne. As someone who was close to the young master of the Xiao family, Xie Huaichuan had also been successfully promoted to a junior sixth-rank Zhaoxin Xiaowei.

After the hustle and bustle of the autumn harvest in Jinhe County, winter was approaching. Xu Zhizhou was lazy and didn’t like to set up his stall anymore.

When Xu Zhizhou came back from outside, he shook the snow off his body. “The snow is even heavier this year. I wore a cotton-padded coat today, and it wasn’t enough.”

He warmed his fingers by the fire and finally recovered. Song Changxu poured him a cup of hot tea and then held his hands in his own to rub them.

Xu Zhizhou took a sip of tea. “So many people came out today. I almost couldn’t buy meat at the market. I heard that General Xiao has driven back the barbarians this time. His Majesty is very pleased and has granted a general amnesty, and has also exempted the borderlands from taxes for three years. He has also granted General Xiao the title of marquis. What a great honor.”

Xu Zhizhou had heard this from others. Now he was telling it to Song Changxu with great relish.

They, the common people, loved to hear these hero stories. After his hands and feet had warmed up, Xu Zhizhou first went to the kitchen to steam the rice.

Song Changxu was wearing a cotton-padded coat, holding a book.

They would be going back to Qishan Village in a few days. It was only a few days, so Xu Zhizhou did not set up his stall.

Dinner was simple, with a dish of bamboo shoots and duck shreds, pickled sour radish, a stir-fried potato with meat slices, and a pumpkin soup.

They could also warm themselves by putting the charcoal brazier under the dining table.

Song Changxu served two bowls of rice. The two of them ate at an old table. There was a flickering candle on the table. The room was a little warm, and the snowflakes fell silently on the window outside.

The furniture was a bit old, but the two of them were diligent and had tidied up the house very cleanly. Song Changxu took a bite of the meat slices, ate two bowls of rice in a row, and then drank a bowl of soup. He felt that his body was already warm.

One bowl was enough for Xu Zhizhou. He had cooked, so Song Changxu went to wash the dishes. After eating, Xu Zhizhou moved the charcoal brazier out, added some charcoal in the kitchen, and it had to burn for a whole night. This little charcoal was not enough.

He sprinkled some more ash on top to retain the heat for a while longer.

“Husband, there’s no more water in the teapot. Boil some more hot water,” Xu Zhizhou called out.

Song Changxu agreed. The two of them quickly finished washing the dishes, and he started to boil hot water.

The two of them had to soak their feet at night. When their feet were hot, their whole bodies were hot.

He filled the teapot and left the remaining hot water in the pot to keep warm. After dinner, he would soak his feet and go to bed.

Song Changxu went to get the clothes that were hanging in the storage room. He pinched them. They were already hard from the cold. He would just have to warm them by the fire in the room.

Washing clothes in the winter was hard on the hands, especially cotton-padded coats, which were big and heavy. Thin clothes would become a hard strip after they were dried.

He hung the clothes in the main hall. Xu Zhizhou was lazy in the winter. He embroidered a few stitches on a purse and then stopped. He took the storybook from Cao Fu to read.

After he had a storybook to read, he was more diligent in learning to read with Song Changxu. Now he could recognize most of the characters. Some of them were too obscure, so it didn’t matter if he didn’t know them.

He had already exchanged storybooks with Cao Fu three times. He wanted to finish all of his cousin’s. Cao Fu had now given up on his thoughts and was a yamen runner with Cao Chang. He was quite happy all day.

Xu Zhizhou read for a while. After they had soaked their feet, they went to bed. Song Changxu read, and Xu Zhizhou nestled in the quilt, his body arched, and read the storybook on his pillow.

Song Changxu: “…”

He glanced at him, tucked in the corner of the quilt, and then continued to read. The two of them were silent. Song Changxu gradually got into it. Xu Zhizhou wanted to make a sound, but he covered his mouth, his eyes sparkling.

His cousin’s family only had martial arts storybooks. He liked to read about the grudges and revenge in the jianghu, but he was a bit tired of all the fighting. Usually, there were also several ge’ers and jianghu women who all liked the male protagonist.

Another day, when his husband went to buy paper and ink, he would go with him to see if there were any other storybooks in the bookstore.

Xu Zhizhou was tired of reading. He rolled up the storybook, turned over, and hid his hands in the quilt, closing his eyes.

When Song Changxu had almost finished reading, he closed the book and looked down. Xu Zhizhou was sleeping soundly. He tiptoed to blow out the candle and got into bed to hold Xu Zhizhou.

In the summer, it would be hot when the two of them were close. In the winter, they would be affectionate and close.

The next day, Xu Zhizhou went to buy New Year’s goods. He bought a few things and then went back, also buying a few bundles of firewood.

They were running out of firewood at home.

Now that he had been living in Jinhe County for a long time, he finally understood that everything in the city cost money. Food, clothing, housing, and transportation, all of it cost money. Just these four things would burn a lot of money. At the end of the year, he found that he hadn’t saved much.

Fortunately, they didn’t have to pay rent for their stall. Although it was a bit hard, it saved them the rent.

The most important thing was to make a name for themselves, to have more people know about them, and to keep the returning customers. Otherwise, it would be difficult.

“Song Furen, you’re out so early?” Fei-shi said, coming out to sweep the snow and greeting Xu Zhizhou.

“I’m rushing to buy New Year’s goods. I should have come out in the afternoon. There are so many people,” Xu Zhizhou replied with a smile.

“There are a lot of people at this time. Are you still going back to your hometown this year?”

“From what my husband says, we are. After we go back, I’ll stay at home for a while and think of my family.”

Fei-shi said, “That’s right. Juren Song is so promising. He must be a person of some standing in the local area. He has a title, and you have a skill for Bobo Chicken. Your life will get better and better in the future.”

Speaking of this, Fei-shi couldn’t help but say that she wanted to send her son to a private school to study in the future. “It costs money to support him, but after he learns to read and write, it will be easy for him to find a job. I told my husband this, but he said it was a waste of money, a waste, and that he should just work with him after he turns fifteen.”

Xu Zhizhou didn’t know what to say. “It’s always good to learn to read and write. There will be more choices in the future.”

After a few words of idle talk, he went into the house to warm himself by the fire. He couldn’t stand the cold if he stayed outside talking.

He had a new green cape that he loved very much. He was wearing it out today to show off.

He went back to his room, drank a cup of hot tea, and took out a basket to embroider a handkerchief. This time, he would embroider it well and have Song Changxu take it to the capital.

Song Changxu was studying at home. Xie Feng and the others were also at home preparing for the exam. There were several charcoal braziers in their study, and the room was warm. There was no shortage of fruits and hot tea, and in the evening, the kitchen would send over a late-night snack to nourish their bodies.

They didn’t suffer at all the whole winter.

During the New Year, they would just show their faces and then come back. Their elders valued them and would naturally not let anyone disturb their peace.

Madam Xie had declined all the banquets she could. “What’s the point of going to these? They’re of no help to Feng’er. It’s better to review at home. Banquets can be attended anytime. The metropolitan examination is only once every three years.”

Hearing this, Xie Cang smiled. “You’re right, Mother. My elder brother has studied for so many years and values the imperial examination and his official career the most.”

The Xie family was considered to be in seclusion here. His father had once been a director of the Ministry of Personnel and had had a great future, but he had gotten involved in a factional struggle and had been abandoned by the family, and had been disliked by His Majesty. Or rather, by the then-powerful Empress Dowager Xiao.

This time, his eldest son had this opportunity. Who in the family did not attach importance to it? Although they were the Xie clan of Chen Commandery, they were only a collateral branch and received little help from the family.

Xie Feng had to show his worth for the family to possibly pave the way for him.

The world is bustling, all for profit. The world is bustling, all for profit. Madam Xie had followed her husband from the capital to Jinhe County. She was very clear in her heart.

Xie Cang sighed in his heart. The family had too high expectations for his elder brother. This was also a kind of pressure.

When the wind and snow had subsided a little, Xie Cang got up and went to the small kitchen, ordering them to make a rock sugar and pear stew. He had his attendant carry it to the study and took it himself.

“Elder brother, can I come in?”

“Come in,” Xie Feng’s desk was covered with books. Xie Cang placed the rock sugar and pear stew from the tray on his desk.

“Have some. I saw that you were a bit haggard during breakfast this morning,” Xie Cang said.

Xie Feng smiled. “I’m lucky to have a younger brother like you to care for me.”

Xie Cang was three years younger than Xie Feng. The aristocratic families did not say that women and ge’ers should not study. On the contrary, the daughters and ge’ers of large families were all well-read.

If they didn’t study, how could they handle the family’s affairs, how could they teach their children and manage the household? They were not fools, to let their own daughters and ge’ers be illiterate. If they got into trouble in the future, it would still be the family who had to clean up the mess.

Xie Cang said, “I’ll read in your study, elder brother. I won’t make a sound.”

Xie Feng drank a few mouthfuls. “You can take whatever you want to read.”

The two brothers had a good relationship. While Xie Feng was reviewing, Xie Cang took a copy of the Wen Xuan to read. They did not disturb each other, with only the rustling of pages turning.

Madam Xie sent a maid to find Xie Cang to go to a banquet. Xie Feng had to study and could not go, but he and she had to.

The maid came back and said with difficulty, “Madam, the young master has gone to the young master’s study. You’ve said that we can’t disturb the young master, so…”

Madam Xie quickly realized that Xie Cang was trying to avoid the banquet. “That little rascal. Alright, we won’t take him this time. I’ll go with the master.”

***

Author’s Note:

Little Song: Study, study, study, sleep. [Pity]

Little Xu: Set up a stall, play, play, play, read a storybook, play, sleep. [Laughs]