After Transmigration, I Picked Up A Husband and Daughter
Chapter 166: Living Up to Expectations

Chapter 166: Chapter 166: Living Up to Expectations

Facing her son’s sudden resolve, Wu Lan’s heart softened with unwillingness to be harsh. She gently wiped the tears from Qi Mountain’s face with her sleeve, her eyes full of motherly love, "Child, it’s good that you have such aspiration, but we also have to consider the harsh reality..."

Before she could finish her sentence, Jiang Youwei abruptly interrupted her.

Jiang Youwei’s expression was grave as he heavily tapped his fingers on the wooden table, each knock seeming to speak of life’s difficulties, "Study? Pass exams and achieve official status? Do you think that’s an easy task? Look at our family situation, look at the state of health of your mother and me, then look at the heavy farm work. You need to shoulder the responsibilities of a man! Stop talking about those impractical dreams. Can those books feed you, can they lighten our burden?"

His words were filled with the helplessness of life and the uncertainty of the future, his eyes shimmering with the bitterness and weariness accumulated over the years.

An imperceptible gloom flashed across Jiang Qishan’s face. He had already grown used to silently bearing his father’s incomprehension and reproach.

From the first day he entered the private school, his dreams and studies seemed to only garner consolation from his mother and encouragement from his teacher.

He was well aware of the family’s straits, the sweat behind every copper coin, so at school, he scrimped on food, always only half full, often filling his hunger with water, all to save every penny to buy ink, brush, paper, and inkstone, sustaining that faint yet fervent desire to learn.

At night, when other children had entered their dreams, he sat alone by the window, poring over yellowed tomes in the dim candlelight, until dawn broke in the east.

Countless days and nights of toil earned him the honor of "Child Scholar," the teacher’s praise, and classmates’ admiration, but what he most longed for was a simple recognition and approval from his father.

However, it seemed that his father could never understand the significance of a Child Scholar, only seeing his head buried in books while never having contributed physically to the family’s needs, full of displeasure and disappointment.

Just as the atmosphere was tense, nearing freezing point, Su Yu, the always gentle and intelligent girl next door, quietly appeared at the kitchen door. She coughed lightly twice, trying to ease the awkwardness, "Uncle, let Qi Mountain continue his studies. Today, as I was in the city, I heard the County Magistrate Master himself praising Qi Mountain for his solid learning and saying that he has a promising future in the imperial examinations."

Upon hearing these words, Jiang Youwei first looked stunned, then his cheeks flushed with excitement, and hope flickered in his eyes like never before, "Is this really true?"

Su Yu smiled slightly and nodded to confirm, "Indeed, it is true. The County Magistrate Master’s words hinted at his quiet praise for Qi Mountain. He even left behind a piece of silver, saying it was to support Qi Mountain’s education."

Her explanation shone like a ray of light, clearing away the darkness in the hearts of the Jiang family.

Jiang Youwei pondered for a moment, recalling the County Magistrate’s words, which indeed included segments about studying and encouragement. At the time, he was too shocked to delve into them.

He was inwardly amazed, Could this boy truly have such talent? To win the County Magistrate Master’s favor and even secure silver support?

Jiang Qishan looked at Su Yu, his eyes filled with confusion and incomprehension.

The County Magistrate Master praised his learning? The vague words he remembered seemed like a different story compared to what Su Yu described.

Was there a misunderstanding hidden within, or perhaps a deeper meaning? It all awaited revelation.

Su Yu playfully winked at him, her long eyelashes fluttering lightly like a summer breeze across a lake’s surface, creating layers of delicate ripples.

That smart twinkle in her lively eyes seemed to silently tell a secret only the two of them could understand.

This child, how can his mind be so straightforward! Jiang Youwei quietly marveled to himself, yet his lips involuntarily curved upward.

Seeing Jiang Qishan’s obsession with his books was like witnessing a seedling in drought-stricken land yearning for rain, evoking a feeling of sympathy mixed with a touch of helplessness.

His parents didn’t understand the meaning of those words anyway, and since he was so eager to study, why not make good use of this opportunity? Jiang Youwei’s frown gradually eased, and a glint of astuteness flashed in his eyes.

He pondered for a while, weighing the pros and cons in his mind, and ultimately concluded that following the County Magistrate Master’s advice was the wiser decision.

After all, the County Magistrate had seen much and knew a great deal; while he himself was simply an honest and blunt man, naive to the ways of the world.

Once the official master had spoken, declaring that his child had potential, there might indeed be some truth to it.

With this thought, Jiang Youwei’s tone became much gentler as he relented and said, "All right! Since even the County Magistrate Master has praised your potential, it seems that you really do have a good deal of knowledge inside you. I won’t stop you anymore. Continue with your reading then. I only hope that in the future, you can earn some scholarly honors to brighten the name of our Jiang Family."

Upon hearing these words, Jiang Qishan’s heart fills with an indescribable joy.

He gratefully turned his head towards Su Yu, his eyes brimming with warmth and trust as if to silently say, "Thanks to you, I have this opportunity."

Inside the carriage, Song Junde swayed slightly with the gentle bumps of the carriage, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

He had come with good intentions, hoping to secure a chance for Jiang Qishan to study, but once he stepped into that extremely humble home and saw the parents’ hard lives, he suddenly understood—every person’s life has its own difficulties, and only the one wearing the shoes knows whether they fit or not.

As the County Magistrate, although he wanted to help, he could not intervene forcefully in other people’s choices.

Hence, he chose the most practical way to help—providing financial support. As for the path in life one ought to take, ultimately, it was up to Jiang Qishan himself.

Before leaving, his heartfelt encouragement was filled with expectations for the young man’s future, in the hope that Jiang Qishan would live up to them and carve out a bright path for himself.

Even though Jiang Qishan was overjoyed at the prospect of continuing his studies, he wasn’t in a hurry to return to the academy.

Home, for him, was a warm haven; each time he returned, he always hoped to stay a few more days.

This time was no exception; he planned to help solve the pest problem in the fields before leaving, easing the burden on his parents’ shoulders and giving them a chance to breathe a little easier.

Lady Zhao, holding a sleeping child in her arms, occasionally peered through the cracks in the window, looking outside.

For her, having not set foot outside her house today, the world outside was full of the unknown.

The sporadic noise from the neighbor Wu Lan’s place, like waves hitting the shore, stirred her curiosity.

What surprised her even more was that within the unclear conversations, she seemed to hear Su Yu’s voice.

Weren’t Su Yu supposed to have been taken away by the government? Lady Zhao’s confusion spread quickly like vines, yet there was no one to resolve it.

Just as she was puzzled, the familiar yet unexpected figure of Su Yu quietly appeared outside the courtyard door, like a ghost in the morning mist, almost unbelievable.

Meanwhile, Fang Qin, dragging her tired and slightly unsteady steps, slowly moved along the dusty road.