Chapter 63

Chapter 63

Liang Boqing was even more anxious about this matter than Wang Ying. He had personally delivered the seeds to the capital, and if their growth failed to match the description in the letter, it would have needlessly delayed the two young men.

He called Wang Ying to his side, inquired in detail about various measures against a late spring cold spell, and then spent the night writing two letters—one to be sent to the capital and another to his son in Changting County.

As a local county official, grain tax and poll tax were among his major responsibilities. He hoped that Wang Ying’s method would protect the people of Changting County from disaster and ensure a smooth path for his son’s official career.

During this time, Wang Ying went to the fields every day to inspect them. In just a few more days, it would be the twelfth lunar month.

An old saying goes: "During the third and fourth nine-day periods of winter, one walks on ice," referring to the coldest time of the year. Yet this year, rivers hadn’t even frozen over—only a thin layer of ice formed along the banks. The warmth was truly abnormal.

Wang Ying was nearly certain that a late spring cold spell was inevitable and quickly urged the villagers to begin irrigating their fields.

The principle behind irrigation is that water has a higher heat capacity than air or soil. After irrigation, the soil stores more thermal energy, its temperature rises, and the damage caused by low temperatures to wheat is reduced.

The villagers didn’t understand this scientific reasoning, but they trusted that if the young master said to irrigate, there must be a reason. Following his advice had always been the right choice!

Those living near the river began diverting water into their fields, while those farther away carried water in buckets. They worked tirelessly until the end of the year, successfully irrigating all over 300 *mu* of land in the village.

People from neighboring villages followed suit and irrigated their own fields, only to be mocked by others.

“Watering fields in the dead of winter? Won’t the wheat seedlings freeze into solid blocks of ice? There’s no way the wheat will green up next year. Whoever came up with this foolish idea must be wicked.”

Those who were ridiculed felt uneasy too, but Chen Village had enjoyed a bountiful autumn harvest, and their millet disease had been cured thanks to the young master’s help. So, despite doubts, they decided to take the risk.

Little did they know, this gamble would pay off! Most of the wheat in other villages ended up frozen to death or severely damaged, while only the few households that had irrigated their fields escaped the disaster.

But these events lay in the future. For now, the Spring Festival was only ten days away. Liang Shuo had already sent someone ahead to pick up his father and bring him to Changting County for a family reunion.

Everyone felt reluctant to see him go. They had originally planned to take Old Liang into town to celebrate the Spring Festival together and enjoy the festivities.

Chen Qinghuai tugged at Liang Boqing’s sleeve and said, “Teacher, please come back early…”

“Don’t worry, I will. You have the county exam in February next year. I’ll return in time to accompany you.”

Chen Qingyan added, “Please take care on your journey, sir.”

“Rest assured. And you three—don’t spend all your time playing during this period. When I return, I’ll test you on your studies. If anyone can’t answer properly, don’t think I won’t use the ruler on you!”

The three nodded repeatedly, promising not to neglect their studies.

Wang Ying had the servants load the prepared New Year goods onto the carriage—baskets of fresh vegetables and fruits, local mountain products, wild pheasants, and rabbits collected from the village, filling half the carriage.

“Why are you giving me so much? It’ll all spoil before we can eat it!”

“Take it for Brother Liang to try. Once you’re over there, it won’t be easy to get such things.”

Liang Boqing smiled, got into the carriage, waved to the children, and drove off cheerfully.

*

Old Liang wouldn’t return until after the Lantern Festival. Chen Qingyan also locked up the country residence and returned to town with everyone else.

The family had already prepared all the New Year supplies. This year, with Chen Rong’s help, Li Shi had far less to worry about. Food and essentials were all ready, and each child had two new outfits made.

Just like last year, everyone tried on their new clothes in Li Shi’s room. Because Wang Ying was pregnant, his clothes were made extra loose and looked somewhat baggy on him.

Chen Rong pinched the fabric and said, “Take it off later, and I’ll adjust it for you. You’re about seven months along now, right?”

“Exactly seven months.”

Wang Ying’s belly was already noticeably round, bulging like an upturned gourd, and he was beginning to feel clumsy.

Li Shi remarked, “It’s actually good that it hasn’t snowed this year. Otherwise, the roads would be slippery, making it easy to fall.”

Mentioning falls reminded Chen Rong of an old incident. “Sister-in-law, do you remember when you were pregnant with Qingyan? It was winter, and you had a big belly. Second Sister-in-law deliberately poured water on the steps leading to your courtyard, causing you to slip and fall.”

Li Shi recalled the event and spat angrily, “That whole family is heartless. At the time, the old master was planning to divide the family property. The second branch had just given birth to her eldest son six months earlier, and she wanted me to miscarry so that only her branch would have a grandson. That way, Father-in-law would give them a larger share.”

“Fortunately, that winter was extremely cold, and you were bundled up thickly. You fell but weren’t hurt at all, and gave birth to Qingyan safely the following March.”

Li Shi held Wang Ying’s hand and said, “By calculation, this child is also due around the second or third month. I hope he’s born safely and healthily.”

Wang Ying gently rubbed his belly. As the pregnancy progressed, his anxiety grew. He worried, “What if the child isn’t healthy when born?”

“What do you mean?” Li Shi and Chen Rong asked simultaneously.

“What if he’s missing an arm or a leg, or is deaf or blind… What would we do then?”

In his previous life, Wang Ying had seen many posts on his phone about children born with congenital conditions—even celebrities’ children were no exception. Cleft lip, deafness, Down syndrome, and others seemed terrifying just to imagine.

Moreover, in ancient times, there were no prenatal checkups. Giving birth was entirely a matter of luck. If he really gave birth to a disabled child, how would the family cope?

Chen Rong patted his hand and said, “That won’t happen. Both of you are so healthy—the child will be fine.”

Li Shi added, “Your worries remind me of Qingyan’s father back then. When Qingyan was about to be born, he was so anxious he couldn’t sleep night after night, afraid the child would be born with some defect.”

Perhaps this is what it means to be a parent—worry begins even before the child is born. In infancy, you fear illness; in childhood, you fear exploitation; in middle age, you fear failure to settle down; in old age, you fear suffering. It seems a parent’s heart is never truly at peace.

Wang Ying said, “After the New Year, I’d like to visit a Buddhist temple to pray.” Though he had never been religious, with this little one on the way, he suddenly understood his mother-in-law’s devotion. Praying to gods and Buddhas was ultimately about seeking inner peace.

“That’s a good idea. When the weather warms up, I’ll take you to the temple.”

“Has Brother Qiu sent any news lately?”

“Yes, he did. Originally, he planned to return on the second day of the new year, but—” Chen Rong covered her mouth and laughed. “She’s pregnant too. It’s still early in the pregnancy, so we didn’t dare let him travel back and forth.”

Wang Ying exclaimed in surprise, “Those two didn’t waste any time!”

Sitting nearby, Chen Qingyan glanced at him, thinking to himself, *If we had started sharing a bed earlier, our child would already be born by now.*

“I’m thinking of taking Lin Sui to the county town for a short stay after the New Year to care for her until after she gives birth.”

“Perfect. We can go together with Younger Brother then.”

After the New Year, Chen Qinghuai needed to go to the county town early to prepare for the county exam. The exam was held on the twelfth of February every year. The long journey would surely leave him exhausted, so he needed a few days to rest upon arrival.

Speaking of the county exam, Li Shi cautiously glanced at her eldest son. Seeing that Chen Qingyan appeared calm and composed, she felt relieved.

It seemed the trials and hardships of the past year hadn’t been in vain—at least her son had grown much more mature.

*

*Amid the sound of firecrackers, another year passes;*

*The spring breeze brings warmth, ushering in the Tusu wine.*

In the blink of an eye, it was New Year’s Eve. Early in the morning, the sky was overcast, and by afternoon, light snow began to fall. This was the first snowfall of the year—and also the last.

Chen Qingyan stomped the snow off his feet as he entered the room. “We thought it wouldn’t snow this year, but it just had to happen today. I wonder how things are at the country residence. Before we left, I told Da Shun to go back and feed the cats and dogs.”

Wang Ying frowned, worried about the wheat fields back at the estate. “Let’s just hope it snows a few more times now and stops after spring begins.” “Don’t worry about that now. Mother is calling us to the front yard for the New Year’s Eve celebration.”

"Ah."

The two of them arrived at the front courtyard together. When they entered the room, Chen Rong was playing Leaf Cards with three children. Seeing Wang Ying come in, she quickly stood up and said, "You're just in time! Keep them company for a while. I'm going to have a chat with your mother for a bit."

Wang Ying took off his coat and handed it to Chen Qingsong. "Why isn't Qing Huai playing?"

"Our cousin is preparing for the county exam and isn't in the mood to play."

Wang Ying sat down and played with the three children. The Leaf Cards were similar to mahjong, with suits like strips, characters (*wan*), and circles, and players could "eat" or "pung" tiles.

The children got more and more excited as they played, even taking out their lucky money to bet with real money. Wang Ying thought to himself, "I'm going to win until these little rascals cry."

The stakes in Leaf Cards weren't high, but each round could involve three to five *wen* changing hands. Soon, Chen Qingsong, who had been the first to suggest playing for real money, lost quite a bit.

He had received a total of 130 *wen* in lucky money this year and had originally planned to buy two new writing brushes after the New Year. But after just a couple of hours of playing, he was down to only 40 *wen*.

With a pained expression, he said, "I quit, I quit."

Wang Ying held him back and refused to let him leave the table. "No, you can't quit now. At least finish this round."

Reluctantly, Chen Qingsong continued playing. By the end, he had only 20 *wen* left, Lin Sui had lost 60 *wen*, Qing Yun had lost 30 *wen*, and Wang Ying was the only winner.

Looking at the children's gloomy faces, Wang Ying tossed his coin pouch and said, "Let this be a lesson for all of you. Nine times out of ten, gambling leaves you poorer. Never get involved with it in the future."

"Understood..." Seeing that Chen Qingsong was on the verge of tears, Wang Ying stopped teasing him and returned all the money he had won, even giving each child an extra 50 *wen* as lucky money.

The three children instantly cheered up. However, from that day on, Chen Qingsong never touched Leaf Cards again.

*

Perhaps Fourth Uncle felt that leaving his son here had caused his sister-in-law a lot of trouble, as he sent the New Year's gifts much earlier than usual, arriving on the first day of the New Year.

The gifts were plentiful, filling an entire cart. In addition to Shanzhou's specialty baked sheep’s milk curd, there were several bolts of finely woven woolen cloth, tanned sheepskin and cowhide, as well as utensils and spices exchanged with the Hu people.

The woolen cloth was undyed, in a natural cream color. They could take it to a dye workshop to color it as they pleased.

The only downside was a faint mutton smell, but there was no helping it. In this era, the herdsmen hadn't yet mastered methods to remove the odor, so they could only air it outdoors when the weather warmed up.

Chen Rong stroked the woolen cloth and praised it repeatedly, "This is truly good stuff! It feels soft and warm. It would be perfect for making clothes for the child!"

Li Shi said, "Take two bolts later and make some clothes for Xiao Qiu's child as well. These two babies, one born at the beginning of the year and the other at the end, will both arrive in the cold season, so it’ll come in handy."

Chen Rong grinned from ear to ear, "Then I’ll take advantage of your kindness." She wouldn’t take it for herself, but for her grandson, she was willing to set aside her pride and ask for a piece.

From a previous letter, Chen Jing had learned that his nephew was expecting a child and and had sent a silver lock.

The lock was only the size of a child’s palm, exquisitely crafted. The front was engraved with auspicious cloud patterns, and the back bore the characters for "a long life of a hundred years." Below it hung a row of bean-sized Chinese zodiac animals, each vividly rendered, clearly indicating its high value.

Li Shi wrapped it in a handkerchief and handed it to Wang Ying, saying, "Keep it safe. Put it on the child once they’re born."

Along with the New Year’s gifts came a long family letter.

The letter mainly discussed matters after Chen Jing’s appointment. In August, Chen Jing had ordered the eradication of the largest bandit stronghold in Shanzhou, reopening a section of the Longxi official road. As a result, merchants in Shanzhou City increased significantly.

Herdsmen from the pastoral areas brought their goods to trade, and trade tax revenue rose considerably compared to the previous year.

He also urged his son to study hard and not embarrass him in the county exam. He inquired about Li Shi and Chen Rong’s health and expressed hope that he might have time to return next year to attend the ancestral rites.

Of course, this was merely a wish. Shanzhou was over two thousand *li* (about 600 miles) away from Jizhou, and a round trip would take more than two months. As the Prefect, he couldn’t easily travel.

Just after reading the letter, the gatekeeper came to report that a guest had arrived at the door.

Chen Rong stood up and asked, "Who could it be on the first day of the New Year?"

Everyone went out to greet the visitor. The man was a stranger, who clasped his hands and said, "I am Li Cai, sent by Master Li to deliver a message. Your father, Old Master Li, has taken ill and wishes to see you."

Upon hearing this, Li Shi’s face instantly turned pale. "Father... has taken ill?"