Chapter 126: Tch, Three Kids in the Family Are Going to School
Manager Qiu truly did keep the Wen family’s matters close to heart. In just two days, the academy had already sent word for Wen Xiuyi to bring the children who were to be enrolled to take an entrance assessment.
Calling it an “assessment” was a bit much—it was more for gauging their levels so they could be placed in the appropriate classes.
Da Tou would be going too. Though Manager Qiu was far more capable than the academy’s teachers, Da Tou needed that kind of scholarly atmosphere. So, for this enrollment, he would go along with his two older brothers.
As the three hopes of the Wen family’s future, Lady Cai and Lady Li dressed Wen Fa and Wen Jin in brand-new clothes early in the morning. The fabric had been gifted by Physician Jin, no less. And as for Da Tou—he was dressed from head to toe in new attire, looking every bit like a young master from a wealthy family.
Manager Qiu personally came in a horse-drawn carriage to fetch them. Today, he wasn’t just bringing the three children to the academy, but also planned to catch up with an old classmate.
“All ready yet? Stop dawdling—we’ll keep the teachers waiting.” Old Madam Luo herself was dressed in a new outfit today. Her hair was neatly combed, not a single strand out of place.
The entire Wen household had a refreshed air about them. Everyone looked more spirited than before.
Even the usually quiet Lady Cai kept pulling Wen Jin aside to repeatedly remind him to study hard at the academy and not to disappoint the family or Old Madam Luo’s expectations.
Lady Li, meanwhile, was holding a stick in her hand, glaring hard at Wen Fa, who had no choice but to sheepishly get onto the carriage.
Manager Qiu drove the carriage carrying Wen Xiuyi’s family and the “Three Hopes,” while the rest of the Wen family followed in the ox cart. And so, they set off in grand procession.
As they passed through the village entrance, many people saw them and stopped to chat with Old Man Wen and Old Madam Luo.
“Uncle Wen, Auntie Wen, where are y’all headed? The whole family’s dressed up all fancy—people weren’t lying when they said the Wen family struck it rich!”
Old Man Wen sat upright in the ox cart, straightening his clothes and holding the whip in one hand while guiding Da Huang with the other. His back was ramrod straight, and he put on what he believed to be a kind, approachable smile as he replied, “Tch, just taking Da Tou, Wen Jin, and Wen Fa to the academy to report in.”
Everyone was stunned.
“What? Da Tou, Wen Fa, and Wen Jin are going to study in town?”
Old Man Wen was quite satisfied with their reaction. He laughed humbly, “Aiya, it’s all thanks to Da Tou’s godfather. He knows the headmaster of the academy in town, so he said he’d take the three boys over to check it out. Shame Wen Jun and Wen Nong are too old, or else they’d be going too.”
He waved his whip. “Anyway, can’t chat too long. We’ve got to hurry—we can’t keep the teachers waiting. Make way, make way now.”
After that, he raised the whip but thought better of it and gave Da Huang just a light tap.
The ox cart creaked forward again and continued on its way.
Once they’d left the village entrance, Old Madam Luo couldn’t hold back anymore. She smacked Old Man Wen’s back hard enough to almost knock him off the cart.
“Oi, you old crone, are you trying to kill me?” Old Man Wen steadied himself and yelled.
Old Madam Luo gave a cold snort, her lips curling into a sneer. “If you don’t hurry up, you won’t catch up to the others. Then you can forget showing off when you’re not even allowed through the academy gates.”
Everyone on the ox cart tried to stifle their laughter. They quickly lowered their heads, afraid of getting caught in the crossfire of the old couple’s bickering.
Only Wen Yao, who hadn’t gone ahead in the carriage, gave Old Man Wen no face whatsoever—she was laughing so hard she nearly fell over.
Old Madam Luo gave her a light smack and quickly pulled her back into place, straightening her clothes and fixing the accessories in her hair. Frowning, she said, “Told you to ride in the carriage, but you insisted on taking the ox cart. Now your hair’s going to be all blown out of place.”
Wen Yao stopped laughing and snuggled up to her. “Hehe, I just wanted to stay with you, Grandma.”
Old Madam Luo’s face flushed red, and though she gave her a mock glare, the smile on her face refused to go away.
Old Man Wen, afraid they’d really arrive too late and miss their chance at the academy, mumbled an apology to Da Huang and cracked the whip again.
Da Huang, apparently feeling the sting, picked up speed, almost throwing everyone on the cart. That earned Old Man Wen another round of scolding from Old Madam Luo.
Grumbling, he muttered, “You’re the one who said to go faster. Now we’re fast, and you’re scolding again.”
Old Madam Luo rolled her eyes so hard they might’ve popped out. If Wen Yao hadn’t stopped her, Old Man Wen definitely would’ve gotten smacked again.
But neither of them let up, continuing to bicker all the way. Everyone else had to suppress their laughter until their faces turned red.
By the time they finally arrived at the academy gates, Manager Qiu and the others had already been waiting.
Manager Qiu stood with the three children and Wen Xiuyi. Next to them stood a middle-aged man in a long robe, smiling and chatting with them.
Old Man Wen brought the ox cart to a halt and suddenly didn’t dare go forward.
“What are you dawdling for?” Old Madam Luo gave him a shove.
Old Man Wen glanced over and waved his hand. “What are you doing? This is the academy gate. Mind your manners—we don’t want to get scolded in front of others.”
Old Madam Luo rolled her eyes in contempt. She grabbed Wen Yao, tucked her under her arm, and marched forward.
Old Man Wen hurriedly straightened his clothes and followed.
“Father, Uncle Qiu.” Wen Yao called out, drawing the group’s attention.
Manager Qiu and the middle-aged man beside him paused their conversation and looked over.
“Mother, you’re here,” Wen Xiuyi greeted them, then introduced the man next to him. “Headmaster Wu, this is my mother and my daughter, Wen Yao. Yao’er, Mother, this is Headmaster Wu of Qingfeng Academy.”
Wen Yao gave a graceful curtsy. Old Madam Luo gave a slight bow and said, “Headmaster Wu, we’ll be relying on you to guide the three children.”
Seeing that Old Madam Luo had already engaged in conversation, Old Man Wen couldn’t hold back anymore and rushed over.
“Father, this is Headmaster Wu,” Wen Xiuyi introduced again.
Headmaster Wu nodded politely at Old Man Wen. As soon as Old Man Wen heard the title “Headmaster,” he knew who this man was. He opened his mouth but was so nervous, not a word came out.
Old Madam Luo gave him a look, lifted her chin proudly, and calmly asked Headmaster Wu, “So when can the three children begin their lessons?”
Headmaster Wu smiled. “They can start anytime. Shall we head in now and evaluate the children’s current levels?”
Old Madam Luo nodded. “Alright, we’ll trouble you then.”
“No trouble at all. Please,” Headmaster Wu said, stepping aside and gesturing them in.
Wen Xiuyi quickly bowed. “After you, Headmaster.”
Headmaster Wu didn’t stand on ceremony and walked in shoulder to shoulder with Manager Qiu. Wen Xiuyi followed with the three children, and Wen Yao and Old Madam Luo led the two younger girls in as well.
Old Man Wen, who had prepared a grand speech, was left standing in place, watching them all walk away.
“…”
“Father? What about us?” The remaining two sons and daughters-in-law turned to him for guidance.
Unable to get a word in with the headmaster, Old Man Wen could only glare at them. “What do you mean ‘us’? Hurry up and get in there.” Then he stormed through the academy gate with hands behind his back, every step exuding frustration. If the ground hadn’t been stone-paved, he’d probably have stomped a few dents in it.
The four people trailing behind shrank their necks and scurried after him.
