Chapter 594 - 366: What Do You Think

Chapter 594: Chapter 366: What Do You Think

Until the dishes were served, Jiang Hu and Er Niang still felt a bit unreal.

On the contrary, the children, including Jiang Wei, weren’t surprised at all.

Xiaomi did ask, and got an answer similar to Wei Ziang’s; she had overheard other classmates mentioning the County Magistrate’s name.

Fortunately, whether his status was the County Magistrate or Liu Bo’s son, the Liu couple treated Jiang Hu and Er Niang the same as before.

After a short while, the couple also stopped feeling uneasy and returned to their usual selves.

Though they were old acquaintances, today the County Magistrate was hosting a banquet for outstanding scholars, and after the meal, Liu Hongcai sent someone to deliver their rewards — twenty silver.

Two ingots of ten taels each!

Definitely weighed just right!

No teeth marks on them!

The shiny silver was truly beautiful!

This was the county’s reward; almost every scholar who passed received this reward from the County Magistrate.

However, on the day the results were released, the other scholars set off home, so the County Magistrate had long hosted a banquet for them.

This twenty silver represented the first achievement for both of them, and even Liu Ze happily accepted it and thanked Lord County Magistrate, much to Liu Madam’s playful chiding.

When the time was almost right, Liu Yajing gently nudged her mother’s arm: "Mother, didn’t you say you had something to discuss with Aunt Jiang?"

Er Niang didn’t have a maiden name; perhaps because her family didn’t care, even when she was married to Jiang Hu, she didn’t get a formal name.

It happened that Jiang Hu was also the second in his family, so Er Mei became Er Niang, and it’s been that way ever since.

Of course, in the eyes of others, she was not just Er Niang; she was Madame Jiang, the mother of a scholar.

Liu Yajing called her Aunt Jiang for this reason.

Er Niang was puzzled, but Liu Madam was already pulling her up: "Right, right, I almost forgot. Er Niang, come with me to sit in the courtyard next door."

Then she instructed Liu Yajing: "Jing’er, take your two sisters for a walk; the weather is fine today, aren’t the plum blossoms in your courtyard blooming?"

Liu Yajing replied with a smile: "Don’t worry, mother, I’ll take good care of the sisters."

On the other side, Liu Yajing’s fiancé also invited Jiang Yu, Wei Ziang, and Jiang Wei for a walk elsewhere, with Liu Ze tagging along with his younger brothers.

Soon, only Liu Hongcai and Jiang Hu were left in the courtyard, as Liu Bo had gone for a nap after eating.

Liu Hongcai hadn’t even had the chance to speak when Jiang Hu interrupted him.

"Oh, Liu Brother, last afternoon I discussed with Er Niang about hosting a flowing banquet with a hundred tables in the village tomorrow, inviting all the nearby villagers. Ze’er should come back with us then."

It sounded as if Liu Ze’s last name wasn’t Liu, but Jiang.

From holding a banquet for his son to even organizing one for someone else’s son.

Yet Liu Hongcai, the child’s actual father, didn’t see anything wrong with it; he was rather delighted: "A hundred tables for a flowing banquet, Jiang Brother, you’re thoughtful. Tomorrow, our whole family will come with Ze’er."

Jiang Hu: "That would be wonderful, but Brother Liu, your status..."

Liu Hongcai laughed heartily and stroked his beard: "Don’t worry, I’ll only attend in the capacity of Ze’er’s parents, nothing will be overly publicized."

Although Liu Hongcai wasn’t old, about forty or so, he looked at most thirty years old due to consuming food rich in Spiritual Energy over the years.

Still, like most, he enjoyed keeping a beard.

Jiang Hu was also around thirty, but farming made it annoying to handle a beard, so he didn’t keep one.

Furthermore, Jiang Hu appeared even younger because he regularly drank water from the Spiritual Spring.

His frequent labor made him look strong and sturdy, appearing like a young man in his twenties—a claim no one would doubt.

Originally, Liu Hongcai intended to discuss serious matters, but the flowing banquet had distracted him from his original topic.

He quickly asked about the arrangement of the flowing banquet, whether silver coins were needed, as it included his son as well.

Jiang Hu certainly wouldn’t request that because, although Liu Ze had lived in the Jiang household for years, the monthly ten-tael food allowance was consistently provided.

In Jiang Hu’s heart, Liu Ze was treated like his own son, much like Wei Ziang.

Since Jiang Hu insisted, Liu Hongcai didn’t persist in providing support, considering their families’ relationship wasn’t that distant.

"Speaking of Ze’er, Jiang Brother, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you."

Jiang Hu immediately sat up straighter: "Please do, Brother Liu."

Liu Hongcai pondered for a moment: "Jiang Brother, you know that Ze’er’s health isn’t good. Frankly, if it weren’t for you, Ze’er might not have survived until now."

Jiang Hu quickly responded: "Why say such things, Brother Liu? Even without us, Ze’er would certainly encounter other benefactors, and everything would be fine."

Jiang Hu, a straightforward person, couldn’t stand hearing anything negative about the children, especially such ominous remarks.

Liu Hongcai wasn’t bothered, smiled and waved it off, telling him not to be upset.

"No need to rush, let’s not talk with embellishments. Even now, without your family, Ze’er’s survival would be uncertain, something we all should understand."

Jiang Hu’s expression turned slightly somber, and he said nothing further, aware that although unpleasant, the statement was factual.

On two occasions to Nanyang Prefecture, Liu Ze clearly seemed more fatigued than the others.

Upon reflection, this may have been the reason, since leaving Xiangmu Village meant no constant supply of home-grown meals, only limited provisions.

Nevertheless, Liu Hongcai was content with the current situation, considering that Ze’er had once been in grave danger, and sending him to recuperate at home was to spare his mother daily tears.

Now, not only was Ze’er healthy, but he also passed as a scholar, with prospects of marriage and children, greatly satisfying Liu Hongcai.

However...

Liu Hongcai looked at Jiang Hu, who cared more than himself, nearly thinking Liu Ze wasn’t his son, but one he lent Jiang Hu and his wife to raise.

"Ahem," gathering his thoughts, "Jiang Brother, let’s discuss other matters."

"I’ll be straightforward, given Ze’er’s condition, he’ll likely stay with your family for life; pursuing officialdom could be fatal."

"But still, the child has aspirations and certainly doesn’t want to do nothing throughout life."

"Therefore, he has suggested before that after becoming a scholar, he’ll establish a modest academy in Xiangmu Village."

"Today, my main point is to share this with you. Do you think this idea is viable? Would the notion of establishing an academy make him seem unproductive?"

This slew of words nearly overwhelmed Jiang Hu, yet he understood the last sentence.

"How could it be useless? That’s becoming a teacher; only capable people can be teachers! How could it be worthless?"

But why should Ze’er first discuss establishing an academy with him? Why seek his opinion?

Especially noting Liu Hongcai’s relieved expression, Jiang Hu was even more puzzled.