112 Looking for Medicinal Herbs
The eagle looked big, but not much meat was left after removing its feathers.
Old Madam Wang did not like the eagle no matter how she looked at it. She ate it with a cold gaze and even got someone to turn its feathers into an eagle feather duster.
Old Wang specially made a shuttlecock for Little Ah Yu. Little Ah Yu decisively gave up on the kite and began to kick the shuttlecock in the courtyard.
After the busy farming season passed, Wang Chuanfu wanted to go to town to work again. It was mainly because after Madam Feng returned from her maiden home, she learned that there was a blacksmith shop in town that was currently recruiting apprentices. She wanted to send Wang Dalang there.
However, Wang Chuanfu was a little worried and wanted to accompany him in town. When Wang Dalang learned the craft, he could continue to work elsewhere.
Old Madam Wang had never cared about her sons and daughter-in-laws’ arrangements before. In any case, since the farming work was done, it was up to them whether they wanted to stay at home and relax or go out to work.
But now, Old Madam Wang did not agree.
“What are you going to do? What can you do with your skinny arms and legs? You still want to be an apprentice? Apprentices don’t have any salary. If you work for them for three to five years for nothing and then get kicked out, I’ll see if you can cry!”
Old Madam Wang did not even look at her eldest grandson’s expression. She sat in the courtyard and pointed at the mountain where their family lived. “If you’re really bored, go to the wasteland and search for medicinal herbs on the mountain. As long as you can find a slightly more expensive medicinal herb, our family won’t be so poor!”
Everyone was puzzled when they heard this. They still remembered that in the past, some of them even wanted to be Doctor Hu’s apprentice. When Old Madam Wang heard this, she sneered and said that none of them were qualified to study medicine.
Why did she want them to look for herbs now? How could herbs be so easy to find? They were not like Little Ah Yu who was so lucky.
Thinking of this, Wang Wulang’s eyes suddenly lit up.
“Grandma, can we bring Sister Ah Yu up the mountain to explore the wasteland together?” Wang Wulang asked expectantly.
“Don’t think that I don’t know what you’re all thinking! Ah Yu is so young, but you only want her to work all day. Do all of you still look like elder brothers!”
When Little Ah Yu heard that they wanted her to go up the mountain, she hurriedly said, “Grandma, I, Ah Yu, can do it. I can go up the mountain!”
She was tired of playing at home. The mountains were still more fun. There were many delicious fruits and butterflies in the mountains. Sometimes, she could see other small animals. The birds sang very well as well.
She liked going to the mountains.
“Eldest and Second Eldest, you guys should follow too. You might as well all go! I won’t be annoyed if you’re all out of sight.” Old Madam Wang immediately changed her words.
The grandchildren in the family had long known that their suggestion might not be adopted usually. However, as long as it was Little Sister Ah Yu who said it, Grandma would definitely agree.
After they left, Old Madam Wang called Madam Ma over. “Is the bag I asked you to sew ready?”
Madam Ma hurriedly said, “Mother, it’s about to be completed. I made it according to the style you mentioned.”
That bag was specially for Ah Yu. It was divided into three layers and had a secret compartment. It looked very big from the outside. There were even a few flowers embroidered on it and the words “Ah Yu”.
Old Madam Wang had specially asked Old Master Hu to help write the words “Ah Yu”. The family had even lost two dishes of food for it.
The main thing was that the handwriting of her second son was really too unsightly.
“Finish that bag and make a few plain handkerchiefs. Let the fourth grandson bring it to the kid next door.”
Madam Ma was a little puzzled. “Why are we giving him a handkerchief? Didn’t we just cut two catties of pork yesterday and send it over?”
She felt that it was a little strange to give a handkerchief to a little boy. The girls in the village might not even have a handkerchief. Would a boy want one?
“I told you to send it over, so just do it. Why are you talking so much nonsense! After two days, I’ll tell you what to do next. Don’t ask so many questions. I’m not in the mood to answer you!” Old Madam Wang chased her second daughter-in-law away like a fly.
“When you’re free, go and see Old Second more often. When his legs recover, quickly make him study. This boy better not acknowledge me as his mother if he doesn’t come back with a scholar certificate!”
Madam Ma originally wanted to ask about the previous matters, but when she heard that her husband was to take the Imperial Examination, she was stunned and went back to discuss it with Wang Chuangui in a daze.
When Wang Chuangui heard this, he felt as if the sky had collapsed.
He remembered that when he was young, he did not seem to be tired from studying. But now that he was more than 30 years old, his body could not take it anymore!
Wang Chenggui had no choice but to invite Old Madam Wang in.
“Mother, why don’t we let the children go and study instead!”
Old Madam Wang’s tone was unquestionable. “You have a foundation with education. You can learn from Old Master Hu directly. Learn as much as you can. You don’t have to worry about the tuition fees. You just need to do well. If you don’t, I’ll break your legs again.”
Wang Chuangui: “I think Third Brother and Fourth Brother are quite smart. Why don’t we let them study together with me? I’ll teach them. There’s no need to hire tuition teachers for them yet.”
Old Madam Wang smiled faintly. “Sure, ask them if they’re willing. If they’re willing, I’ll let all of you go to school without a word.”
Wang Chuangui: “…”
His two younger brothers probably hated studying even more than him. Why was his mother so strict with him?
When Old Madam Wang saw Wang Chuangui’s depressed expression, she suddenly changed her tone. “Old Second, our family is relying on you now. Look, there are so many people in the family and we’re poor. I don’t know how long we’ll take to crawl out of poverty. So what if we’re landlords? We can only barely survive. Look at those people a few days ago. They directly stabbed at your mother’s neck. If I was a Madam from a rich family, would they still dare to treat me like this?”
“Old Second, if you’re really unwilling, I won’t force you. This is mother’s fate. I’ll accept it…”
“Mother, you’re digging out my heart!” Wang Chuangui’s eyes turned red. “I’ll study and take the Imperial Examination. No one will dare to bully you in the future!”
Old Madam Wang’s worried expression faded. “Alright, hurry up and study then. I’ll go to Old Master Hu to borrow a few books from him. I still have to take a look and see if the family next door is accepting martial arts disciples. We’ll let the children in the family learn martial arts.”
As she spoke, Old Madam Wang walked out extremely naturally, as if the resentful old lady just now was not her.
Wang Chuangui: “…”
If not for Qin Huai, the matter with the Blood Rain Pavilion would probably not have been resolved peacefully.
Old Madam Wang was already making plans in her heart. Those people were obviously from the martial arts sects. Perhaps they were people who killed without batting an eyelid. If she offended them, there would be another layer of hidden danger for the family.
Old Madam Wang thought that the person called Chi Jia was extraordinary. He must have been properly trained. If she could let him be the master of her grandkids and teach them, the Wang family would have an additional layer of protection in the future.
While Old Madam Wang was busy planning, Little Ah Yu was already happily accompanying her brothers to the mountains.
This was the first time that all seven brothers were by her side. Little Ah Yu sat on Wang Dalang’s neck and smiled especially brightly.
[Walk forward. There’s a special energy. It should be a relatively expensive herb!]
[It’s beside the ditch below. Call them over.]
Meatball suddenly spoke.
Little Ah Yu made a prompt decision and grabbed Wang Dalang’s ear. “Big Brother, quick, quick, let’s go over there to play. I saw so many flowers there. They’re so beautiful!”
Now, Little Ah Yu already knew how to naturally divert everyone’s attention.