Chapter 128: Too Expensive, They Are Not Worth It

Emerging from the academy, the family members looked at one another in silence.

Shopkeeper Qiu looked at them and suggested, "Let's go to my place for a while. I have prepared enrollment gifts for the three children."

Old Madam Luo and Old Man Wen exchanged a glance and hurriedly declined.

"Shopkeeper Qiu, you have already done so much for our family. We really cannot accept anything more from you." Old Madam Luo was filled with gratitude. Ever since they had become acquainted with Shopkeeper Qiu and Dr. Jin, their family’s circumstances had improved with each passing day. The elderly couple was well aware of the care provided by Shopkeeper Qiu and Dr. Jin, and they knew it was all because of their eldest son’s family. The changes in their eldest son were the greatest comfort to Old Madam Luo’s heart. Perhaps, she thought, it was truly because she had prayed to their ancestors in her midnight dreams, hoping for her son to change for the better.

Shopkeeper Qiu waved his hand with a smile and said, "Auntie, are you treating me like an outsider?"

"This... how could we?" Old Madam Luo quickly explained, "Shopkeeper Qiu, it’s just that you and Dr. Jin have already helped us so much, it really is..."

Shopkeeper Qiu interrupted her, "Auntie, there is no need for such formalities between family. I have no parents, no wife, and no children. Now that I have Datou, and following his lead, you are also my elders. If you continue to be so polite, you are simply treating me like an outsider. Besides, the gifts are already bought and the money spent; let’s go and take a look."

Thinking of Shopkeeper Qiu’s background, Old Madam Luo could no longer find the words to refuse. In her heart, she silently vowed to treat Shopkeeper Qiu just as she treated her own eldest son’s family—he, too, was a pitiful soul.

And so, the group set off again, traveling in their ox cart and carriage toward the Jisheng Hall. Dr. Jin was waiting at the entrance to greet them.

"How did it go? Is it settled?"

Shopkeeper Qiu nodded. "Yes, all three children are enrolled. They have been assigned their classes, and school starts tomorrow."

Dr. Jin finally let out a sigh of relief with a smile. He patted Datou on the head and said, "Don't worry, Yi’er is in the same class as you. You two will go to school together from now on. After returning to the medical hall every day, your godfather can provide some further guidance on your studies before you go home with your brother."

A flash of joy crossed Datou’s eyes. He happily took Wen Jun’s hand, his small face beaming with delight.

Dr. Jin exchanged greetings with the rest of the Wen family. Just then, a patient arrived, so Dr. Jin went off to attend to his duties. Shopkeeper Qiu led the others to the backyard and distributed the Four Treasures of the Study he had prepared to the three boys. Even Wen Fa, who was not fond of studying, held the exquisite set with great fondness.

Wen Xiuzhu and Wen Xiuqing looked at each other, their hearts heavy with concern. The stationery set clearly wasn't cheap, and they wondered how they could ever repay this debt of kindness to Shopkeeper Qiu.

"Do you like them? If so, take good care of them. In a place like the academy, even if Master Wu is excellent and treats all students equally, subtle differences will inevitably exist. You three are blood relatives, the closest people in this world. As siblings, you are indispensable to one another. I hope that after you enter the academy, you will support and look after each other. Hold fast to your principles and do not be dazzled by this vast, complex world. You must understand what it is you truly seek for your future. Do you understand?"

The three boys stood in a line, from tallest to shortest. They respectfully held their stationery sets, bowed to Shopkeeper Qiu, and said in unison, "We will strictly follow your teachings, Godfather/Master."

Behind them, Old Madam Luo wiped away tears, Lady Li’s eyes reddened, and Lady Cai leaned against Wen Xiuqing’s shoulder, sobbing uncontrollably.

Shopkeeper Qiu pulled the three boys up and laughed, "How about we go to the Zuixian Tower to celebrate today?"

The Wen family members, still caught in the emotional atmosphere, were instantly jolted awake.

Old Madam Luo hurriedly waved her hands. "Please, don't go to such trouble! A meal there costs a fortune. Besides, their head chef is right here, so why go to the Zuixian Tower? Let’s just eat at home. I’ll go buy some chicken, duck, and meat shortly, and let our own Wen family chef cook a wonderful feast for you all tonight. Isn't that right, Yaoyao?"

Old Madam Luo quickly tugged at Wen Yao, fearing that Shopkeeper Qiu would insist on heading to the Zuixian Tower immediately. Ever since she learned that Dr. Jin and Shopkeeper Qiu had spent a full one hundred taels of silver on a single table of food just to secure a private room at the Zuixian Tower during the Lantern Festival, Old Madam Luo had felt unwell; the mere mention of the place made her anxious.

Seeing that she was truly determined to go buy groceries, and not wanting to cause the old woman any more worry, Shopkeeper Qiu finally relented.

"Alright, Auntie, we won't go to the Zuixian Tower. Although it is spring, it is still quite cold outside. How about this: make a list of the ingredients you need, and I will have Hong Hai go buy them."

Old Madam Luo waved him off. "That boy wouldn't know what to buy; he can't distinguish the good from the bad. I’ll go myself, old woman that I am. You all stay here; the girls and I will go out for a stroll."

Lady Li and Lady Cai stepped forward, saying, "Mother, we will accompany you and Yaoyao."

Old Madam Luo nodded. With Lady Li and Lady Cai following, and Wen Ying and Wen Di naturally joining as well, the women of the Wen family set off in a grand group, leaving the men behind to stare at each other.

Once outside the Jisheng Hall, Old Madam Luo patted her chest in relief and whispered to Wen Yao, "Thank goodness! We are never going to the Zuixian Tower again. One hundred taels of silver for a meal—that isn't eating; that's eating gold!"

Wen Yao burst into laughter, and Wen Ying and Wen Di couldn't help but giggle behind them.

"Grandma, Shopkeeper Qiu and Dr. Jin meant well, but it was indeed a bit expensive. It’s better to cook at home," Wen Yao said with a smile.

Old Madam Luo nodded in firm agreement.

"By the way, should we buy some wine? The wine at the general store probably isn't very good. Should I go to the Zuixian Tower and buy some for them?" Old Madam Luo thought for a moment and gritted her teeth. "Just buy one jar. Shopkeeper Qiu has helped us so much; it wouldn't do to not offer him a jar of good wine."

Wen Yao raised an eyebrow. "Grandma, are you sure? A jar of wine at the Zuixian Tower costs ten taels of silver."

"How much?" Old Madam Luo almost thought she had misheard.

Wen Yao held up her two hands. "Ten taels."

"Good heavens! Then... your father and grandfather aren't fit to drink that. How about we just ask the shopkeeper for a small flask? Just enough for Dr. Jin and Shopkeeper Qiu to drink," Old Madam Luo said hesitantly. It wasn't that she was stingy, but wine was gone in a few sips, and at such a price, she knew their family's circumstances well enough not to put on airs they couldn't afford.

Wen Yao tucked her arm into the old lady’s and pulled her along. "Alright, Grandma, don't you worry about it. There will definitely be good wine for them to drink. Let’s head to the market and see what we can find. Just put your heart at ease—you have your granddaughter here to look after things."