Chapter 80 The Scholars’ Banquet

Grandfather Feng couldn’t help but chuckle, “You’re so thoughtful, but don’t do this next time. You have your own family to support, and Su still needs to focus on his studies.”

“We have a steady income now, Father-in-law, you don’t need to worry,” Li Daping replied, and told Grandfather Feng about the shop their family had opened in the county town.

“That’s good. I’ve heard that schooling costs a lot of money. Su has the talent for it and should continue to take the exams. As his parents, you must make sure to plan ahead financially for him.”

Li Daping thought to himself: They did want to help Xiao Si plan for his future, but these days, Xiao Si and his master seemed to be working on something together and didn’t need any money from them. In fact, it was Xiao Si who was subsidizing the family.

Second Aunt’s eyes widened at the sight of so many goods. With Feng Cuicui bringing home such nice things, surely it wouldn’t hurt to take some to her own parents?

Grandmother Feng was in charge of cooking that midday, and Li Su discovered that her cooking was quite delicious.

After tidying up the dishes, Second Aunt spoke up, “Big Sister brought so much rice and meat today. I’d like to take some to my parents.”

Li Su was baffled. Was Second Aunt out of her mind? She wanted to take what his mother had given to Grandfather and Grandmother Feng and send it to her own parents?

Feng Cuicui’s face darkened instantly, “Just try touching any of it!”

Grandmother Feng frowned, “If you want to give something, buy it with your own money. This is from Cuicui to me and her father, stop coveting it.”

Grandmother Feng’s patience with her second daughter-in-law was wearing thin. It was not wrong to be filial to one’s parents, but constantly taking things from her husband’s family to support her own was unacceptable.

“Second Son, do you agree with your wife?” Grandmother Feng turned to Second Uncle.

Second Uncle shook his head immediately, looking troubled, “That’s not what I meant… What Big Sister gave to Father and Mother is theirs.”

“Second Daughter-in-law, if you ever again take things from the Feng family to supplement your own parents, don’t blame me for being harsh with you. If you’re so attached to your family, you can go back to them,” Grandmother Feng’s long-held dissatisfaction finally erupted.

“Every time, you leave with bags and packages and return empty-handed.”

“The children are grown now. If you want to return to your parents, go ahead,” she said coldly.

Second Aunt was stunned, not understanding how things had escalated so quickly. “I… Say something!” she turned to Second Uncle.

Second Uncle looked helpless, “I think Mother is right…”

Second Aunt exploded, “Fine, fine, I’ll leave!” She had done this before, and Second Uncle always coaxed her back after a few days.

Mother was angry this time, but she believed her husband would come for her.

Second Aunt stormed out, slamming the door. Second Uncle was about to chase after her, but Grandmother Feng ordered, “Second Son, stop! Let her go.”

Grandmother Feng was done tolerating her, “If you dare bring her back this time, don’t bother coming home yourself.” She had given her more than enough face.

Second Uncle saw that Grandmother Feng was truly angry and stopped in his tracks.

Li Su chatted with Grandmother Feng, telling her amusing stories until she finally smiled again.

That afternoon, Li Su and the others returned home. All the way back, Feng Cuicui complained about Second Aunt’s actions.

Li Su sighed, realizing Second Aunt had been spoiled into thinking she could do as she pleased without consequence.

But it seemed Grandmother Feng was genuinely angry this time, and likely wouldn’t let Second Uncle fetch her home.

Upon returning, Li Daping took Li Su to the new house to let him choose his room.

Li Su picked one at random, “This one will do.” All the rooms were more or less the same.

Once Li Su had chosen, by that evening, everyone in the Li family had picked their rooms.

The younger children, thrilled with their own spaces, ran around, jumping and laughing gleefully.

The next day, the Li family moved their belongings over. Most items had already been moved previously, so with this final move, the old house was nearly empty.

Everyone settled into the new house, so excited they could barely sleep that night.

No one had dared to dream that their family could live in such a home.

During the move, the Li family wouldn’t let Li Su do any heavy lifting, so he went to the county town to deliver invitations to his master, teacher, three close friends, and other classmates.

Time flew by, and before they knew it, the fifth day of July arrived.

Brother Jiang had come to the Li family the day before to help with buying and preparing food.

Stepping into the new Li house for the first time, he was stunned—this house was even better than those in town!

Brother Jiang was enchanted. If he had the money, anyone would want a house like this.

The Li family’s shop closed for the day. Money could always be earned, but for such an important occasion, no one in the family wanted to miss it.

Li Su saw his whole family bustling about for his scholar’s banquet.

On the fifth day of July, the Li household was lively. Every family in the village sent someone, some bringing their entire families.

The gifts were mostly eggs and vegetables from their fields, and after arriving, everyone lent a hand washing dishes and preparing food, chatting and laughing together.

The villagers all knew the Li family’s new house was finished. They’d only seen it from the outside before, but it was their first time inside.

Seeing it from within was even more impressive than from outside, making it all the more desirable. They could hardly imagine building such a house, even in several generations.

The Li family’s new home had become the dream of everyone in the village.

“From outside, it already looked great, but inside, it’s even better. I can only imagine how comfortable it must be to live here.”

“Looking at the Li family’s new house, I suddenly feel mine isn’t so special after all.”

“Yours is already one of the best in the village,” someone replied. “But compared to the Li family’s… Let’s not even try.”

More and more people arrived. The Li family took care of the villagers, while Li Su himself hosted his classmates and teachers.

Lin Ze and his two companions arrived together. Lin Ze curiously eyed the boxes in Ren Shuhua and Qin Ming’s hands, “What gifts did you bring?”

Qin Ming guarded his box, “I’m not telling you.”

Ren Shuhua answered, “Mine is a calligraphy scroll from a renowned master.” It was chosen with his grandfather, who handed it over with a pained expression.

In truth, Grandfather Ren worried his grandson’s gift would be too modest and brought out his most treasured calligraphy piece, collected over many years.

Lin Ze nodded, “Mine is a shop.”

Since Jiang Yan’s divorce, Lin Ze had come into possession of several shops. After choosing with his mother, he selected one with a good location and size as a gift for Li Su.

Seeing both had revealed their gifts, Qin Ming gave in, “Mine is a country estate. Su asked my father about estates before, and my father said Su would definitely like this one.”

Lin Ze and Ren Shuhua exchanged glances. “Are our gifts inferior?” That damned sense of competition!

Had they known Su preferred estates, they would have gifted one too!

Qin Ming was smug—Su would surely be pleased with his present.

Li Su, upon receiving their gifts, was a bit stunned. He hadn’t expected his friends to be so generous.

When Lin Ze and the others held their own scholar’s banquet, he’d ask his master for a rare manuscript to give to Shuhua.

He’d write out a complete cookbook for Ze, whose family owned the most successful restaurant in the county town. Now that Lin Ze’s parents were divorced, his father would likely target the restaurant if he harbored ill intentions.

For Ming, he’d gift shares in a distillery, and bring Ming’s father in as a partner—after all, Ming’s father owned several estates.

The classmates arrived together, offering congratulations to Li Su, but when they saw Lin Ze, Ren Shuhua, and Qin Ming had also passed the scholar’s exam, they felt both regret and envy.