Chapter 130: Let Everyone Commute

Wen Yao prepared two large tables of food and secretly purchased two bottles of fine wine from her space. The entire family, along with the village chief, sat down to eat.

As the fine wine touched their lips, Dr. Jin and Shopkeeper Qiu’s eyes lit up. Even after knowing the Wen family for so long, they still couldn't fathom what kind of extraordinary background this family truly had. However, they had long since decided to stop overthinking it—if there was good food, they would eat, and if there was good wine or tea, they would drink. Who cared about their origins?

"Uncle, our village is so miserable," the village chief lamented after a few cups, his voice noticeably slurred as he grabbed Old Man Wen’s arm, tears and snot streaming down his face. "Why is it that even though our village has the most people, we are always looked down upon by everyone else?"

Old Man Wen was in high spirits today, and in his excitement, he had lost his restraint; he was just as dazed as the rest. "What? What are you saying?" he asked, scratching his ear as if he hadn't heard clearly.

Madam Luo shot the village chief a sharp glare and stood up abruptly. "Jun, Nong, take the village chief home." She then turned to apologize to Dr. Jin and Shopkeeper Qiu, who were slowly sipping their drinks. "Dr. Jin, Shopkeeper Qiu, please excuse this unsightly scene."

The two men, eyes misty and cheeks flushed, waved their hands dismissively. "It’s no matter, no matter. Heh heh, we’re happy today. Drink, let’s have a few more cups."

Madam Luo rolled her eyes—not one of them was any better.

Wen Jun and Wen Nong helped the village chief toward the door. The chief refused to leave, clinging to Old Man Wen’s pant leg with no regard for his dignity, shouting, "Uncle, your family is the only one with real capability!"

Madam Luo frowned and, before Old Man Wen could respond, urged her two grandsons, "Hurry, take him away!"

And so, the village chief was hauled home. The moment he reached his bed, he began to snore, leaving one to wonder if he had been truly drunk or merely pretending while at the Wen house. Old Man Wen was also shooed off to bed by Madam Luo, leaving only the three brothers—Wen Xiuyi and his siblings—to keep drinking with Dr. Jin and Shopkeeper Qiu until they, too, eventually passed out.

Dr. Jin and Shopkeeper Qiu were taken away by Hong Hai, while Jin Xiuyi, playing the rascal, stayed behind and tumbled into bed with Datou. Wen Yao didn't interfere; after all, both would have to head to the academy early the next morning.

Once the mess was cleared, Madam Luo sat down with weary shoulders and called her two daughters-in-law over. Wen Yao, as usual, shamelessly huddled next to the old woman.

"Second daughter-in-law, Third daughter-in-law, I know that in years past, you both felt I was biased toward the eldest son's family," Madam Luo said after a brief cough.

Li and Cai exchanged a quick glance, unsure of the old woman’s intentions. Cai, not being one for words, nudged Li.

Li hesitated, unable to lie to her own conscience and claim she had never minded, so she said, "Mother, that’s all in the past. Why bring it up now? We are all one family."

Madam Luo looked at them both and nodded. "Yes, the past is the past. I called you here to tell you something. This time, Wen Fa and Wen Jin were able to go to school thanks to Shopkeeper Qiu. Furthermore, the tuition money came from the eldest son—you know he put up thirty taels."

Li and Cai nodded. They were well aware of this; it was precisely because of that money that they could afford to send all the children to school.

Madam Luo continued, "The schooling is settled, but I need to know your thoughts on whether they should board at the academy or commute."

Thinking of the two hundred wen per month for room and board, both women wore troubled expressions.

Seeing this, Madam Luo knew their stance and continued directly, "Here is what I am thinking: Xiao Jun goes to Dr. Jin’s place every day, and Wen Nong has to go to the market stall. From now on, the ox cart can take them, along with the three boys to the academy. In the morning, the second or third son can take turns driving them. If we save that two hundred wen a month, we can use it to buy them more ink and paper. What do you think? Of course, if you have other arrangements or can afford the boarding fees, you are free to let your children stay at the academy."

As the two women hesitated, Wen Yao raised her hand first. "Grandma, Datou should stay at home. My brother can take him every day. He’s still so young; what if he gets bullied at the boarding school? It’s already hard enough for farming families like us to get an education there. Besides, look at the other students—they all come from well-off families. What if living there causes them to pick up some bad habits?"

As she spoke, Wen Yao winked at Madam Luo and glanced secretly at her two aunts. It wasn't that Wen Yao was stingy; it was simply that it is easy to go from frugality to luxury, but difficult to go from luxury back to frugality. Her own father, Wen Xiuyi, was a perfect example of that.

Originally, Li and Cai had been thinking that they would grit their teeth and earn that two hundred wen per month. After all, staying at the academy meant being closest to the teachers, making it easier to ask questions. It would also help them bond better with their peers.

However, Wen Yao’s words struck like a thunderbolt, suddenly waking them up. That was true—what if they picked up bad habits? That was exactly how Wen Xiuyi had ended up with those unsavory friends and turned into the man he once was.

The two women were instantly clear-headed. What boarding school? They should stay home! They absolutely had to stay home!

"Mother, you are right. They should stay home. During the busy farming season, they can even help out around the house after school," Li said, nodding repeatedly, with Cai echoing her agreement.

Madam Luo saw through their thoughts and understood the intent behind Wen Yao’s words.

"Then it’s settled," Madam Luo said. "School starts tomorrow. Go and talk to them properly. Tell them to study hard. If I find out any of them are getting into any nonsense at the academy, don’t blame me if I take a stick to them, break their legs, and drag them back home."

The lessons of the past were far too painful to forget.

Li and Cai nodded and retreated.

Only the grandmother and granddaughter were left in the room. Madam Luo took Wen Yao’s hand and sighed deeply. "I know that living at the academy would be more convenient than living at home, sigh."

Wen Yao comforted her, "Grandma, it’s fine. Once they’ve been there for a while and their characters have stabilized, if the commute becomes too much, we can let them stay at the academy then."

Madam Luo nodded. "I suppose that’s the only way. By the way, how is your business with Lady Xie going? Don’t worry, Grandma isn't eyeing your money; I’m just worried. The Xie family is influential, and I don't want you to be taken advantage of."

Wen Yao leaned against the old woman’s shoulder and nuzzled her. "Don’t worry, Grandma. Sister Qiu is a very kind person. On top of the two recipes I gave her the first month, I gave her two more dishes and a dessert recipe a few days ago. The dishes are a partnership, and the dessert was a gift. I heard the Zui Xian Lou restaurant is doing very well now, all because of these new dishes. Don't worry, just wait for your granddaughter to make big money and spend it on you."

Madam Luo’s eyes turned slightly red, and she gave Wen Yao a playful, reproachful glare. "I don't need big money. I just want our family to stop having any more trouble."