Chapter 94: Daughter, Good People Live Peaceful Lives
“Aiya, what are you doing?” Wen Xiuyi felt utterly mortified. There weren’t many people on the road, but a few passersby were still nearby, and they had actually knelt to him in public.
This wouldn’t do, absolutely wouldn’t do.
“Get up, child, what are you doing?” Unfortunately, Wen Xiuyi couldn’t pull Liuzi up in time. The boy stubbornly knocked his head on the ground three times before he could stop him.
Only after Liuzi finished did Wen Xiuyi finally help him up. What else could he say? He could only offer encouragement.
“As long as you like studying, keep at it. I’ll come teach you from time to time. When you finish your homework, let Wen Nong bring it to me to check. We don’t need you to pass the imperial exams or become famous—just learn to read and write so you won’t be taken advantage of,” Wen Xiuyi said earnestly.
“Thank you, sir.” Liuzi nodded with red eyes. He never expected to have such an opportunity at his age. Being literate meant he could find better work in the future instead of spending his life as a street vendor. That alone was enough for him.
“Come on, load everything onto the cart. Let’s head home. Yaoyao? Yaoyao…” Wen Xiuyi called out loudly until Wen Yao poked her head out from the side.
“I’m here.”
Only after seeing her did Wen Xiuyi relax. The dock was crowded, and he was afraid she might get lost.
They loaded everything onto the ox cart. Wen Xiuyi climbed to the front, happily holding the whip and bidding farewell to Carpenter Zhang’s family.
“Alright, we’re off.” With a crack of the whip, Da Huang slowly started walking.
Wen Nong sat on the cart, touching everything excitedly. As for getting scolded by Grandma later—so long as it wasn’t directed at him, he didn’t care.
Halfway home, they ran into Wen Jun and Wen Xiuzhu, who had come out to look for them.
“Jun! Jun! Dad’s over here!” Seeing the two walk past without noticing, Wen Xiuyi shouted loudly.
Wen Yao leaned over the cart and called, “Big Brother! Second Uncle!”
They stopped. Wen Jun, who already knew, wasn’t too surprised, but Wen Xiuzhu stared blankly at the cart. “Big Brother, where did you get an ox cart?”
“Bought it, bought it. Get on.” Wen Xiuyi waved them over.
Wen Xiuzhu thought he’d misheard and turned to Wen Jun. “What did your father just say?”
Wen Jun held back laughter as he pulled him onto the cart. Once seated, he said, “Mm. My father said he bought this ox cart.”
Oh heavens… Wen Xiuzhu stared at his brother in disbelief. If the cart hadn’t already been moving, he would’ve climbed over to pinch him to check if he was dreaming.
Soon his attention shifted when Wen Jun examined the curved plow on the cart. “It’s finished? That fast?”
Wen Yao nodded. “Uncle Zhang worked on this all day.”
Wen Xiuzhu’s curiosity was instantly diverted. He stared at the strange tool. “What is this?”
“A plow—for plowing the fields,” Wen Yao explained.
He moved closer to inspect it. No matter how he looked, it was different from the ones they used.
“Why is it curved?” he asked.
“This is Father’s improved version—the curved-beam plow. It’s several times more efficient than the straight-beam plow. With this, our fields will be much easier to handle,” Wen Yao said.
She never wanted to dig the land by hand again.
Ever since his brother had been buried once, Wen Xiuzhu felt he could no longer understand him. It was as if overnight his brother had become incredibly capable.
“Big Brother, you can even improve farm tools? But didn’t you never work the fields before?” Wen Xiuzhu asked blankly.
Wen Xiuyi twitched his lips. “That was before. Just because I’ve never eaten pork doesn’t mean I haven’t seen pigs run. I’ve read plenty of books—aren’t these things written there? What does this have to do with working the fields?”
“Oh.” Wen Xiuzhu nodded slowly. “Books even teach farming?”
“…This brother is so annoying.” Wen Xiuyi sighed deeply. “What isn’t in books? Everything is in books. You and Third Brother should read more too.”
At the mention of studying, Wen Xiuzhu instantly fell silent.
Wen Nong, however, looked at his father with sparkling eyes full of hope. Let’s study together. Let’s suffer together. Let’s recite classical texts together.
He received a punch on the head in return.
Everyone burst into laughter as they drove the ox cart home.
By the time they reached the old house, it was already dark. Every household had closed their doors, so no one noticed their arrival.
Wen Xiuzhu jumped down first and opened the gate wide, glancing around nervously like a thief before closing it again.
In the courtyard, the sudden appearance of an ox cart stunned the Wen family—everyone except Da Tou.
Da Tou ran over, craning his neck happily at Da Huang. “Dad, is this our cow?” He liked it more the longer he looked. It wasn’t for nothing that he’d distracted Grandpa and Grandma all day by reading and writing until he nearly went silly.
His words struck like thunder. Then came Luo Shi’s roar.
“Wen Xiuyi! Do you want to die?! Get over here!”
Now she understood why Da Tou had been so obedient today—dragging them to read and watch him write. They’d thought he was finally becoming diligent. Turns out he’d been covering for them.
That brat had even learned to help them keep secrets.
Luo Shi’s face turned red with anger.
Wen Xiuyi shrank behind the cart. “Mother, this is Da Huang—our cow. It’s already bought. Beating me won’t help. The broker said no returns after purchase. Either we raise it or slaughter it. Your choice.”
Luo Shi nearly fainted from anger. “Slaughter it? I’ll slaughter you first!” She started searching for something to hit him with.
Wen Xiuyi immediately hid behind Wen Yao. He knew the old lady loved Wen Yao and Da Tou most. With these two shields, he’d be safe.
“Mother, Yaoyao paid for it. I was just the errand boy.” He decided to “sell out” his daughter to save himself.
Wen Yao forced a stiff smile through gritted teeth. “Dad, you really would sacrifice a friend to save yourself.”
“Daughter, good people live peaceful lives,” Wen Xiuyi whispered pleadingly.
