273 No More Scolding
Xue Dagui chuckled and continued, “Hehe, I heard that this classmate of yours will be staying for a night before going back. He’s going back tomorrow, right? I heard that he came by carriage, so he should be going back by carriage tomorrow. I wanted to ask him when he’s leaving tomorrow and see if he could take Gouzi and me along. After breakfast tomorrow, I’ll be sending Gouzi to town to study. Didn’t I tell you guys before?”
Without waiting for Xue Yan to speak, Shen Yuxuan laughed, “What a coincidence. I’m also preparing to return to town after breakfast tomorrow. You can come over when the time comes. I’m taking a carriage back to town, so I can take you guys with me.”
“Alright, alright. Thank you, thank you!” Xue Dagui was especially happy. “You’re also from Shengming Academy, right? You must be very smart to be able to get in.
Shen Yuxuan smiled and said, “I’m not smart. I just entered early. If I enter now, Shengming Academy won’t want me. Shengming Academy has high requirements for its students now.”
“I’ve heard all about it.” Xue Dagui was even more obsequious.
Jiang Yue and Xue Yan looked at each other and felt a little awkward.
At night, Shen Yuxuan, Xue Yan, Xue Sifu, and Xue Wufu squeezed into the same brick bed. Fortunately, they were all thin, so it did not feel cramped.
When he heard that Xue Sifu wanted to go to town to see if there were any small businesses to do, Shen Yuxuan warmly invited Xue Sifu to go to town the next day together. He could take his carriage there and chat with people on the way. When he came by carriage, he was alone and no one spoke with him. Xue Sifu thought that it wasn’t impossible, so he agreed.
Xue Yan saw that Xue Sifu was also going to town tomorrow, so he asked Xue Sifu to bring him some paper and ink when he came back.
He had to prepare a booklet for Xue Yifu. There was not enough paper and ink at home. He didn’t need it to be good paper and ink either. Good paper and ink were expensive, he told him that ordinary paper and ink would do.
Ordinary paper and ink were actually expensive, but they were still much cheaper than the best paper and ink.
Studying not only required money for books, but also food, clothing, and transportation. Buying brushes, ink, paper, inkstone, and so on also required a lot of money. So it was very impressive for a farmer to be able to provide so much when Xue Yan was a scholar.
Xue Sifu naturally agreed.
The next day, before Jiang Yue and the rest finished their breakfast, Xue Dagui had already arrived with Xue Gouzi. Xue Gouzi was actually wearing a new set of clothes, a long robe. He looked exactly like a student.
“Gouzi is wearing new clothes.” Liu Guixia and the others immediately giggled in delight.
Xue Dagui said shamelessly, “Isn’t he going to study in town? No matter what, he has to look decent. So, I bought two sets for him in town. The material isn’t very good, but at least he looks like a student.”
“Haha, I won’t scold you since you’re being nice to your own son.”
“Thanks? I guess?” Xue Dagui laughed and scolded, not taking it to heart.
“You guys wait a little longer. Yuxuan hasn’t finished eating yet.” Liu Guixia said with a smile.
“There’s no hurry, we can wait.” Xue Dagui chuckled. “By the way, Xue Dafu, since you have cows at home, when are you going to get an ox cart? That way, I can take your ox cart to town in the future.”
“We haven’t finished the ox cart yet,” Xue Dafu replied. “You’ll have to wait a while longer.”
“Where is Yifu? I haven’t seen him in a long time. What’s he been planning?”