A Good Country Wife
Chapter 527 - 521_1

Chapter 527: Chapter 521_1

"I’m wondering what my cousin has planned for the future?" Zhao Erhu exchanged pleasantries with Zhao Anyu for a while before getting to the main topic. He wasn’t as soft-hearted as Lin Yue had imagined. His past leniency towards Zhao Dahuo and Zhao Yunxiang was because they were his direct older brother and sister, who had protected him when he was younger, deserving his affection. As for Zhao Anyu, although he was his cousin, they had only met a few times in the past. Far from affection, they were hardly even familiar with each other. If Zhao Anyu hadn’t been upright and driven to such desperation, Zhao Erhu might not have bothered to help at all. After all, when he himself had been kicked out without a penny to his name, no one had offered him help. It was only through his own abilities and perseverance that he had fought to build a family business.

Even now, having taken Zhao Anyu in, he did not plan to just support his cousin’s family indefinitely. It wasn’t his duty, nor was he obligated to provide for his cousin’s family. At most, he would support them until after the New Year. Once the holiday passed, Zhao Anyu would need to come up with a plan, whether it was working on the estate or something else. He might provide a temporary residence, but supporting a family was up to Zhao Anyu himself.

Zhao Anyu hadn’t expected his cousin to support his family at all and had already made plans. Upon being asked by Zhao Erhu, he replied candidly, "Speaking of which, I’d like to ask for my cousin’s help in finding a job on the estate. Whether it’s keeping accounts or working the fields, it’s all fine. I may not have many skills, but I will work hard."

Zhao Anyu had no other choice. With his qualifications, he could only look for work involving bookkeeping or writing. However, in the current unrest of Xin’an City, even such jobs were hard to come by. If it were manual labor, no one would hire him based on his scholarly appearance. There was no choice but to seek help again from Zhao Erhu. To make ends meet for his family, he had to set aside his pride.

Zhao Erhu was quite satisfied with Zhao Anyu’s response; he was down-to-earth, not one of those scholars who shunned worldly affairs and knew only their books. Even with limited abilities, Zhao Anyu understood the need to work hard to earn money and support his family. When Zhao Erhu asked the question, he had half-expected that Zhao Anyu would ask to borrow money to continue his studies and pursue official examinations. If that were the case, the most Zhao Erhu would have done was give him a few coins to send him on his way, resolving never to concern himself with their affairs again.

"Getting a job on the estate is possible, but since you have already earned the Scholar title, I fear you might not be able to continue your studies peacefully," said Zhao Erhu with a hint of probing in his voice.

"I’ll be frank with you, cousin. When my family was relatively wealthy, I was ignorant and focused only on my studies, never worrying about household affairs, which were managed by my mother and wife. Life was passable. But since the bully usurped our property and we ended up on the streets, I had no choice but to take on the family burdens. It was then I realized how useless a scholar can be. Trying to find work to support my family has been impossible. How shameful it is for a man of my stature to watch helplessly as my elderly mother and children suffer hunger alongside me. Now, I’ve put the thoughts of studying aside. If I can just provide for my mother and wife, I would be content," he lamented.

Although Zhao Anyu said this, there was still a trace of unwillingness and reluctance in his words. After all, he had studied for over a decade, and suddenly letting go was somewhat disheartening.

"You needn’t belittle yourself. Pursuing studies and earning titles is an honorable thing, and you’ve even earned the Scholar title. Even though you face setbacks now, consider it a trial. Once you get through this, it’ll be fine. I went through the same when the Zhao Family drove me out with nothing and no place to go, and I got through it. Our estate isn’t short on labor, but your nephews are all currently studying in the academy, and the school is closed for the winter. If you’re willing, I can hire you as a temporary teacher. You can teach my brothers during this period. It won’t disrupt your studies, and it’ll also benefit the children. It’s the best of both worlds," Zhao Erhu proposed.

Such an arrangement was perfectly appropriate, and Zhao Anyu was naturally overjoyed to accept, "Of course, I am willing. Thank you for your thoughtful arrangement, cousin. I will certainly do my best to instruct my nephews."

Zhao Erhu went back and informed Lin Yue about hiring Zhao Anyu as a temporary teacher for Dalang and the others. Lin Yue also thought it was a good arrangement. She appreciated that Zhao Anyu took the initiative to find work rather than leeching off them. She felt assured entrusting the children to Zhao Anyu’s tutelage. The teaching would take place in the outer courtyard’s large study, and upon hearing that Zhao Anyu’s young son had started his education with his father, she decided to let him join Dalang and the others in the study as well.

"Wife, where are you going? It’s freezing outside; better stay in unless necessary," Zhao Erhu said. Last time Lin Yue left the room, he had seen that her injury was almost healed. He couldn’t keep her confined forever, so he no longer insisted on her staying inside.

"I’m going to the storeroom to select a few sets of brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones for your cousin and the nephews. These are not cheap, and they were driven out with nothing. They won’t have the money to buy these things, so naturally, we need to prepare them. Besides, your cousin is now the temporary teacher for the boys. Shouldn’t we prepare a proper allowance and gifts? Would you like to accompany me?" In fact, she could have asked Nanny Xu to handle this. But since Lin Yue wasn’t busy, she thought it was a good opportunity to take care of it herself.

"You’re right, let’s go together," Zhao Erhu readily agreed to accompany his wife, having been invited by her.

New Year’s Eve came and went in a flash, and this year it was exceptionally lively. Not only did Lin Yue and her family celebrate, but the entire household, including the servants, gathered together to ring in the new year. The cook, Wang Dachuan, was busy preparing the feast for everyone but was very happy to do so. For many years, it was the first time he was celebrating such a spirited New Year’s Eve. He felt less like a servant and more like part of a joyful family.

The embroidery room had already prepared the red lucky pouches Lin Yue requested. A few days earlier, she had instructed to fill each pouch with silver coins, amounting to several baskets in total. After the New Year’s Eve dinner, she had the red envelopes distributed to everyone, ensuring each person received one. The estate’s manager and servants received special red envelopes, and as they collected their gifts and watched the fireworks outside, everyone beamed with joy.

Because they stayed up late for the New Year, Lin Yue found it hard to rise early the next morning. She lingered in bed, refusing to get up. In a daze, it was Zhao Erhu who helped her wash and get dressed. Once she was fully awake and finished her breakfast, there were already visitors arriving to extend New Year’s greetings.