Chapter 131: Moving House

When Wen Nongwenfa and Da Tou entered the academy, the household suddenly felt much quieter. Fortunately, spring plowing arrived, and with the busy work, they hardly noticed anything missing.

Previously, Wen Jin and Wen Fa, though still boys, were at least two sources of labor. They couldn’t handle heavy or strenuous tasks, but lighter chores they could manage. Moreover, this year Wen Jun was studying medicine under Doctor Jin, and Wen Nong’s stall business was improving steadily. With so much land newly acquired, there simply weren’t enough hands to manage everything at home.

There was no choice but to hire help from the village, which frustrated the old Wen patriarch when it came time to pay wages. Yet, with so much land, even with Da Huang’s assistance, the family alone couldn’t keep up.

More than a month later, tender green shoots appeared in the fields, and Wen Yao’s family celebrated the completion of their new house.

The entire family stood before the brand-new home, their hearts a tumult of emotions.

Old Wen stepped forward, touching the gate and then looking up, as if in a dream.

Though the house was not his, the long-held hope that his eldest son would succeed and bring honor to the family had never faded. Now, seeing the house before him, it was as if he had returned to that time when he held such high hopes for his eldest son—as if his long-cherished dream had finally come true.

It all felt so surreal.

“Father, shall we go inside?” Wen Xiuyi gently asked, standing beside the old man. Behind them, the Wen family gathered, while a large circle of curious villagers looked on.

Old Wen raised his hand, wiping his eyes with the back of it, and nodded: “Yes, let’s go in.”

“Wait, the firecrackers haven’t been set off yet,” Wen Xiuzhu and Wen Xiuqing, brothers, cheerfully held the firecrackers they had specially bought. They arranged themselves in two rows at the gate, lit the fuse, and ran.

The crackling explosions instantly filled the air. With a strong push, Wen Xiuyi opened the door.

Applause and cheers immediately erupted from behind.

Supporting Old Wen and Da Tou, Wen Xiuyi and Wen Jun stepped through the gate. Wen Yao linked arms with Mrs. Luo, happily following along, trailed by the rest of the Wen family.

The villagers, having been invited by the Wen family, were allowed to tour the new home today—and were also welcome to the celebratory feast in the afternoon. Who wouldn’t be delighted by such an honor?

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Once inside, Da Tou’s group of playmates quickly found him and Wen Ying, scattering with joyful shouts. Laughter and children’s playful cries filled the courtyard.

“What’s with the empty space left along the wall? What are they planning to plant there?”

Mrs. Luo, leading a group of villagers on the tour, glanced over. Three feet of space had been deliberately left along the base of the wall, neatly bordered. It didn’t quite look like a vegetable patch.

Before she could reply, another auntie chuckled and patted the questioner on the shoulder. “You don’t understand. I heard that wealthy families like this often build flowerbeds in their yards to grow flowers and cultivate greenery.”

The auntie’s eyes widened. “Really, Mrs. Wen? So that’s for flowers and plants? What a shame—it’d be better for vegetables.”

Mrs. Luo brushed the dust off her new clothes and replied coolly, “My granddaughter likes refined things. So what? It’s not your yard; why do you care what she plants?”

Mrs. Luo had never been fond of that particular auntie, who constantly poked around other people's homes, trying to pry into their affairs and then gossiping loudly. Now that she was nosing around the Wen family, Mrs. Luo was determined not to indulge her.

The auntie frowned, somewhat displeased by the rebuke, but said no more and continued watching.

Truly, the Wen family’s house was quite splendid. Seeing it, it was easy to feel a twinge of envy.

After the group finished touring the courtyard, they wanted to see the interior. Learning that new rooms had been built for Old Wen and Mrs. Luo, some of the envious began to mutter sarcastically—especially the woman who had been publicly rebuffed by Mrs. Luo earlier.

“Oh my, they’ve separated households, yet they’re still thinking about Uncle Wen and Aunt Wen. This Scholar Wen is really something.”

At these words, the expressions of those present shifted, each in their own way.

Who didn’t know? Once a family divided, they were two separate households. Old Wen and Mrs. Luo had never intended to live with the eldest son’s family. And everyone in the village knew why the Wen family had split—that was because Wen Xiuyi was a scoundrel, and Old Wen and Mrs. Luo didn’t want to be dragged down, so they separated.

Now, seeing the eldest son doing well and making money, some were eager to come back and share in the prosperity.

Many truly thought this way.

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Mrs. Luo’s face flushed with a mix of emotions. Though she knew she never meant to take advantage of the eldest son’s family, hearing such words openly spoken brought her shame. Thinking of her children’s schooling being supported by the eldest son, she found herself unable to respond.

Wen Yao and Wen Di had just finished showing the village girls their rooms when they overheard the remark. Raising an eyebrow, Wen Yao slowly approached.

She slipped a gold hairpin, originally meant as a gift for Mrs. Luo, discreetly into her sleeve.

“Grandma, here you are! Wen Di and I have been looking everywhere for you. Look, I told you this morning to wear the hairpin. On such a joyous day, you need some jewelry in your hair.” As she spoke, she gracefully raised her hand and slowly, in a sweeping arc, displayed the gleaming gold pin to the crowd before tucking it into Mrs. Luo’s hair.

Mrs. Luo looked bewildered, but seeing the admiring gazes of those around her, her confidence surged.

Feigning a cough, she lifted her hand to touch the hairpin. “I just forgot this morning, and besides, it’s a bit heavy and uncomfortable to wear.”

Wen Yao and Wen Di nearly burst into laughter.

“Oh, that’s gold, isn’t it? Such a large gold hairpin must be worth quite a bit.”

Soon, Mrs. Luo found herself surrounded by a crowd. The women who had been making snide remarks were pushed to the outer circle, their eyes red with envy.

Mrs. Luo gave them a proud glance and lifted her head. “Hmph, it’s not about money—it’s the love of our children and grandchildren. Just like this house, just because we separated doesn’t mean he’s not my son. My son is filial; he built two rooms for me and the old man so we can visit and stay in the new house from time to time. Isn’t that comforting?”

“Yes, yes, Mrs. Wen and Mr. Wen are truly blessed.”

“Exactly. Look at Yao Yao now—she’s accomplished and renowned as a skilled cook. Wen Jun is even more impressive, studying medicine under Doctor Jin—only a select few can become his apprentices. And I hear Da Tou is doing well in the academy too?” As one of Mrs. Luo’s staunchest supporters, Iron Ox Lady made sure to remind everyone.

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