Chapter 128: Too Expensive—They’re Not Worth It
After leaving the academy, the whole Wen family looked at one another in a daze.
Manager Qiu looked at them and said, “Let’s stop by my place for a bit. I’ve prepared enrollment gifts for the three children.”
Old Madam Luo and Old Man Wen exchanged a glance and quickly declined.
“Manager Qiu, you’ve already helped our family so much—we really can’t accept anything else from you,” Old Madam Luo said sincerely. Ever since they met Manager Qiu and Doctor Jin, the family’s situation had been improving day by day.
Both elders knew clearly in their hearts how much help they’d received from Manager Qiu and Doctor Jin, and it all stemmed from the changes in the eldest son’s family. To Old Madam Luo, seeing her eldest son change for the better was the greatest comfort of all.
Perhaps it really had been the ancestors answering her prayers each night, as she tearfully begged them to guide her son back onto the right path.
Manager Qiu waved a hand with a smile. “Auntie, you’re treating me like an outsider.”
“Of course not!” Old Madam Luo immediately said, “Manager Qiu, it’s just that you and Doctor Jin have already helped us so much, and truly—”
Manager Qiu interrupted her. “Auntie, we’re one family now. I have no parents, no children. Now that I have Da Nong, by his relation, you are my parents too. If you continue to be so formal, it means you still see me as an outsider. The gifts are already bought and paid for—come have a look.”
Hearing of Manager Qiu’s background, Old Madam Luo could no longer bring herself to refuse. Instead, she silently swore that from this day forward, she would treat Manager Qiu the same as her own eldest son’s family—he was just a poor child needing a place to belong.
And so, the group once again set out in grand fashion, traveling by ox cart and carriage to Jishi Hall.
Doctor Jin greeted them at the entrance. “So? Everything went well?”
Manager Qiu nodded. “Mm. All three children were admitted and placed into classes. Lessons start tomorrow.”
Only then did Doctor Jin visibly relax, smiling as he patted Wen Nong on the head. “That’s fine then. Yier will be in your class too—you two can go to and from the academy together. After class, come back here to the clinic so your godfather can go over your lessons again with you, then head home with your brother.”
Wen Nong’s eyes lit up with joy as he happily held onto Wen Jun’s hand, his little face brimming with excitement.
Doctor Jin greeted the rest of the Wen family as well. When a patient arrived, he excused himself to attend to the consultation. Manager Qiu then led the others to the back courtyard, where he presented the meticulously prepared scholar’s kits to the “Three Hopes.”
Even Wen Fa, who had never enjoyed studying, held the exquisite set of inkstone, brush, paper, and ink with great fondness and reluctance to let go.
Wen Xiuzhu and Wen Xiuqing exchanged a look—both their hearts heavy. It was obvious these supplies weren’t cheap. How could they ever repay this favor to Manager Qiu?
“Do you like them? If you do, take good care of them,” Manager Qiu said gently. “An academy, no matter how fair its headmaster is in treating all students equally, still harbors invisible gaps. You three are family—closer than anyone else in this world. Siblings are indispensable. I hope you’ll support and look after one another, keep your hearts steady, and not be swayed by this vast world. Remember what it is you truly want. Do you understand?”
The three lined up neatly by height, respectfully holding their scholar’s kits as they bowed deeply toward Manager Qiu. “We will remember our godfather/teacher’s teachings.”
Behind them, Old Madam Luo silently wiped away tears. Lady Li’s eyes reddened, and Lady Cai leaned into Wen Xiuqing, crying uncontrollably.
Manager Qiu pulled the children up and smiled. “How about we celebrate at Zui Xian Tower today?”
The Wen family, still immersed in their emotional moment, all snapped to attention at once—instantly sobered up.
Old Madam Luo quickly waved her hands. “Please, no! That place is absurdly expensive. Besides, the head chef of Zui Xian Tower is sitting right here—what are we going there for? Let’s go home and cook instead. I’ll go out to buy chicken, duck, and pork, and tonight our Wen family’s top chef will make us a feast. Right, Yao Yao?”
She tugged Wen Yao’s arm, afraid Manager Qiu would insist on taking them to Zui Xian Tower the next moment.
Ever since she learned that the tableful of dishes at the Lantern Festival banquet cost a full one hundred taels of silver, Old Madam Luo had been traumatized. The very name “Zui Xian Tower” made her uneasy.
As if terrified Manager Qiu might insist again, she quickly grabbed Wen Yao and made for the door to shop for ingredients.
Manager Qiu could only smile helplessly. He liked the Wen family exactly because of this—they were honest and simple folk who never schemed for personal gain from him.
Seeing that Old Madam Luo really intended to cook dinner herself, Manager Qiu relented so she wouldn’t exhaust herself.
“Alright, Auntie, no more Zui Xian Tower. It’s spring, but it’s still chilly out. How about this—just make a list of what you need, and I’ll have Hong Hai go buy it,” Manager Qiu offered.
Old Madam Luo waved her hand. “What can that kid buy? He can’t even tell good from bad. It’s better if I go myself. You all stay here, we ladies will go for a walk.”
Lady Li and Lady Cai quickly volunteered, “Mother, we’ll go with you and Yao Yao.”
Old Madam Luo nodded. With the two of them joining, naturally Wen Ying and Wen Di would tag along too. And so, the Wen women set off, leaving a room full of men blinking at each other.
Once they were out the door, Old Madam Luo patted her chest in lingering fear and grumbled to Wen Yao, “Thank goodness we didn’t go. That Zui Xian Tower… a single meal costs a hundred taels of silver! That’s not food—it’s eating money!”
Wen Yao burst into laughter. Even Wen Ying and Wen Di behind her couldn’t help giggling.
“Grandma, Manager Qiu and Doctor Jin meant well, but yes… it really is too expensive. Cooking ourselves at home is best,” Wen Yao said with a smile.
Old Madam Luo nodded in full agreement.
“Right, should we get wine? The ones in the general store probably aren’t good enough… maybe we should buy a jar from Zui Xian Tower?” Old Madam Luo hesitated for a moment and then gritted her teeth. “Just one jar. Manager Qiu helped our family so much—we can’t not treat him to a little good wine.”
Wen Yao raised her brow. “Are you sure, Grandma? One jar of wine from Zui Xian Tower costs ten taels.”
“How much?!” Old Madam Luo nearly thought she heard wrong.
Wen Yao held up both hands. “Ten taels.”
“Good heavens… then your father and grandfather don’t deserve to drink it. How about… we just ask the manager to sell us a small flask? Just enough for Doctor Jin and Manager Qiu—that’ll do,” Old Madam Luo said hesitantly. It wasn’t that she was stingy, but really, that wine was gone in a few sips and cost so much. She knew their family’s means—there was no need to put on airs they couldn’t afford.
Wen Yao took her arm and led her forward. “Alright, alright, don’t worry about it. There will definitely be good wine for them. Let’s check out the market first and see what ingredients we can get. Just relax, Grandma—you’ve got me, your granddaughter, looking after everything.”
