Chapter 126 - 53: Major Events in the Village

Chapter 126: Chapter 53: Major Events in the Village

"I heard from Big Brother that Hua failed the first exam this time. He seemed really disappointed," Mr. Gu also hoped the Gu Clan could produce a Scholar to bring honor to the family.

"Is it so easy to become a Scholar? Take Xiao Bao’s teacher, for example; he was over thirty when he became one. How old is Hua anyway? Big Brother is too anxious," Mrs. Lv said as she placed the silver into the money box, picked up the embroidery hoop from the bed, and continued her work.

"Old man, I’ve embroidered twenty handkerchiefs here. Tomorrow, when you go to town, give them to Lady Hu at the embroidery shop. We’ve agreed on ten coins for each. While you’re at it, bring some more embroidery work back for me," Mrs. Lv had always been doing work for the embroidery shop, and she’d put special care into this batch of silk handkerchiefs. Since Mrs. Lv didn’t do much rough work, her hands weren’t coarse, so she wouldn’t scratch the silk.

"Sure! I’ll take them when I send Xiao Bao to school tomorrow," Mr. Gu quickly agreed.

"Mom! Stop taking in more handkerchiefs. It takes time and strains your eyes. We’re moving soon, and we’ve got soap to make too. There’s no time for embroidery," Gu Chengyu felt sorry for his mother, constantly sitting there embroidering with tired eyes, especially since a handkerchief doesn’t earn much.

"Dear! Xiao Bao is right. I reckon Uncle Sun will be coming to work for us soon. He can’t come alone, and we have to provide a meal. Besides, we’re moving in the next few days, and there’s a lot of work at home. Embroidery doesn’t earn much anyway," Actually, Mr. Gu also felt for Mrs. Lv. Now that they had money, he couldn’t bear to see Mrs. Lv toil.

"Oh! So you think I earn too little? Gu Changqing doesn’t care for small money now, does he?" In fact, Mrs. Lv knew the good intentions of Mr. Gu and the others, but she couldn’t resist making a few sharp remarks.

"Look at you, starting again!" Mr. Gu was helpless. Mrs. Lv was like a firecracker – easily ignited.

Just then, Gu Wan’s voice came in from outside the courtyard gate, "Dad! Mom! The village chief asked you to go to the village entrance. He says there’s something important to discuss!"

With her voice, Gu Wan quickly entered the main house, "Dad! You should go quickly! Everyone has gone. I don’t know what it’s about?"

Gu Chengyu guessed that the important matter the village chief mentioned was possibly about corvée labor. However, there was no need for his family to worry since they had the money ready.

"Second Sister! Do you know what great thing I brought back today?" Gu Chengyu wanted to tease his second sister. The young girl had become much more considerate after the last incident, no longer acting spoiled and demanding things from Mrs. Lv.

"Did you buy me a bracelet again?" Gu Wan perked up immediately at the mention of something good.

Mrs. Lv tapped Gu Wan on the forehead, "Do you think silver bracelets are cabbages? Can you buy them as you wish?"

"Then I’ll head to the village entrance!" Mr. Gu stood up from the bed and walked toward the door.

"You go ahead! I’m not going anyway. Come back and tell us what it’s about," Mrs. Lv rarely went out and generally didn’t participate in village matters.

"Xiao Bao! What is the great thing? Stop keeping me in suspense."

"Why are you so anxious?" Mrs. Lv smiled as she took out a piece of pink fine cotton cloth from the bed chest, "Here? Look, isn’t it pretty?"

Actually, this pink cloth was more expensive than other fine cotton cloths. It wasn’t only because its texture was finer but also because this color was rare and hard to dye, making it fifteen coins more per foot than others!

"Wow! This color is beautiful. Mom! Is this cloth for me to make clothes?" Gu Wan went forward to touch the fine cloth, feeling reluctant to let go.

"Xiao Bao bought it for you. He picked this color, and it’s expensive!" Seeing Gu Wan’s delight made Mrs. Lv happy too.

"Xiao Bao! You’re so kind. It’s worth all the care I gave you growing up!" Gu Wan spread out the fabric, comparing it to her body.

"You silly girl, you never say the right thing! Your brother is good to you not because you took care of him, but because you are his sister," Mrs. Lv felt sorry that Gu Wan was a girl, knowing she’d rely on her brothers in the future. She was clearly conveying to the siblings that blood ties are indelible.

"I’m just saying! Mom, can you embroider some flowers on it? But I don’t know what kind of skirt would go with this color," Gu Wan thought of all her skirts, but couldn’t find one that matched.

"Oh dear! This fieldwork is exhausting! Is this a woman’s work?" With her voice, He was already in the courtyard.

"Mom! We’re back!" He shouted as she walked towards the main house. It was her turn to cook today, so she needed to come to the main house to get the grain from her mother-in-law.

As soon as she stepped into the room, she saw Gu Wan holding a piece of cloth against herself, "Oh! Where’s this cloth from? How is it so pretty? And fine cotton too!"

He said as she moved forward, wanting to touch it. Gu Wan, seeing He’s dirty hands, quickly rolled up the fabric, hiding it behind her.

"Second Sister-in-law! Can’t you wash your hands when you come back? They’re filthy!"

"Oh? Little Aunt? You have no idea how dirty the ones working in the fields get, do you? We’re not like you, living like the daughter of a landlord. Why don’t you try fieldwork with me one day? I bet your hands will be dirtier than mine! Little Aunt, let me touch that cloth!" He was a bit upset at her sister-in-law’s comment, thinking she ate and drank at home yet dared to dislike their dirtiness. However, her temper flared quickly and subsided just as fast. All she could think about now was the cloth that flashed before her; she’d never seen such beautiful fabric!

"Oh, you Second Sister-in-law! Aren’t you supposed to be making dinner today? And you have time to loaf around here?" Mrs. Lv saw He lingering and had to send her off to cook. She regretted not taking the fabric out later; now this lazy woman couldn’t take her eyes off it.

"Second Sister-in-law! Everyone has cloth here; yours is very nice too!" Gu Chengyu planned to give the fabric to them to make clothes. After all, he didn’t play favorites; everyone in the family got some.

"What? I have some too? Mom! Bring it out, let me see!" Hearing that she also had some cloth made He beam with joy. It had been years since she last wore new clothes.

Mrs. Lv couldn’t stop it in time, though she knew they had definitely bought enough for everyone. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have so much; she just felt a twinge of heartache!

"Do you think you’ll run out of cloth? Go make dinner first; I’ll give it to you later!" She wouldn’t just hand it out now. If she gave it to the Second Sister-in-law before dinner, the woman would surely want more when the cloth was distributed after dinner.

Mrs. Lv opened the cupboard beside the bed, where the Gu Family kept their grain, scooped out the usual amount with a bowl, and handed it to He.

He pursed her lips and muttered as she walked away.

When the Gu Family gathered one by one, only then did Mr. Gu return from the village entrance. Upon returning, he sighed and sat on the bed, looking rather downcast.