Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside-Chapter 1154: Unexpectedly Becoming an Uncle

"Ten years? That’s so long. By then, my child will be ready for the examination." Liu Wenqing felt quite defeated, having hoped to begin his studies now and return home as a scholar after the next exam.

Liu Wenqing saw through his intentions and bluntly said, "Don’t dream. With your limited knowledge, you can write a few sentimental essays, but to write something beneficial to the state, you’d need at least another five years of honing your skills."

Liu Wenqing’s words were blunt but honest. After speaking, he didn’t bother with the troubled Liu Wenqing and got into the Yan Family’s carriage, quietly asking Yan Xiaowu, "Brother Yan, how much longer until the Tong Family matter is resolved? When will the officials from the Capital arrive?"

Liu Wenqing knew that many families were eyeing the Tong Family’s assets. As his family was declining, if he didn’t act swiftly, even with Yan Xiaowu’s help, he wouldn’t be able to reclaim much.

Liu Wenqing openly shared his worries and the difficulties of the Liu Family.

Yan Xiaowu wasn’t naive like the Tong San, so Liu Wenqing spoke frankly to him, avoiding any convoluted schemes. Old Master Yan San wouldn’t allow him to deceive or manipulate Yan Xiaowu, or else the Liu Family would suffer greatly.

Liu Wenqing quickly boarded the carriage. Once he was seated, Yan Xiaowu said, "Soon. The Tong Family case is a major one. The Capital will send two officials, one from the Da Li Temple and one from the Ministry of Revenue. The pressure from above is urgent, so the Ministry of Revenue official will first handle a batch of the Tong Family’s industries, and that’s when your Liu Family can act."

However...

"The Capital lacks Silver, and the Ministry of Revenue official coming himself means the Tong Family’s assets won’t be sold cheap—they’ll be auctioned. The highest bidder wins." Yan Xiaowu looked at Liu Wenqing with some sympathy.

He knew the Liu Family was poor, having borrowed over ten thousand taels from Qiu Hao. However, with just over ten thousand taels to compete with noble families for the Tong Family’s heritage was almost impossible. Now, with the Ministry raising the prices, that amount wouldn’t buy much.

Hearing this, Liu Wenqing frowned, his expression turning grim. The lack of funds to buy assets was secondary; his main concern was provoking the noble families and official families by competing for the Tong Family’s assets.

The Liu Family couldn’t afford to offend such characters, so they needed to rethink their plans regarding the Tong Family’s assets.

Liu Wenqing saw his sour expression and wanted to say a few comforting words, but Liu Wenqing gave him a glare: "Don’t bother me."

Liu Wenqing, startled, didn’t dare to speak further.

After a little more than a quarter of an hour, Liu Wenqing suddenly asked Yan Xiaowu, "Brother Yan, could you do me a favor?"

Yan Xiaowu frowned, appearing a bit troubled, but he still said, "Tell me first what the favor is, and I’ll consider helping."

Yan Xiaowu, although kind-hearted, wasn’t truly foolish and knew there were favors he shouldn’t grant.

Liu Wenqing smiled, "I’ve heard that some wealthy families in the city want to buy the Tong Family’s assets but are short on funds, so they’re looking to sell off some shops and farmland to gather Silver. Although those shops and farmland aren’t as good as the Tong Family’s, they’re out of my reach. I’d like to invite the young masters of those families for a meal someday, with Brother Yan accompanying me, to help bolster my presence and successfully acquire the land and shops they plan to sell."

Although it was regrettable that his family couldn’t repurchase the assets the Tong Family had taken by guile, Liu Wenqing was adept at adaptation. Since he couldn’t outcompete others, he would buy indirectly, seizing this opportunity to secure some assets for his family to conduct business with.

Yan Xiaowu, upon hearing this, his eyes lit up and he began to admire Liu Wenqing.

This man was truly quick-witted, instantly finding a new path when the way ahead was blocked: "Alright, I agree. Just let me know a day in advance when the banquet will be."

With this, Liu Wenqing was overjoyed and respectfully bowed to Yan Xiaowu: "Thank you, Brother Yan."

Yan Xiaowu shook his head with a smile, "Brother Liu, no need to be so formal. Since we’re friends, such small matters needn’t be mentioned."

His grandfather had instructed him to interact with people from various industries, as it would be beneficial for his future as an official, so he maintained good relations with Liu Wenqing. Otherwise, he could have had the Shadow Guards chase Liu Wenqing away.

Liu Wenqing was efficient and started arranging the banquet that very day. After three days of effort, he finally got everything in order.

Utilizing Yan Xiaowu’s connections, he purchased three Manors and four shops at relatively low prices.

One small Manor and one shop were bought for Liu Wenqing, ensuring his family’s food and clothing needs were met with the Manor. The shop, selling brush, ink, paper, and enlightenment books, was suitable for Liu Wenqing, the scholarly and frail bookworm, to manage.

The rest belonged to Liu Wenqing’s family, including a wine shop. Grand Old Master Liu, upon learning that Liu Wenqing had bought a wine shop, was moved to tears, knowing their family could finally restart their wine-selling business.

The Liu Family possessed a wine-making technique passed down through generations, but due to the Tong Family’s inner hostility, their wine shop was suppressed, and they even sought to seize the Liu Family’s wine recipe. Grand Old Master Liu steadfastly denied having the recipe, and didn’t use the inherited recipe to brew wine for decades, thus preserving it.

Now that the Tong Family had fallen, their family wine recipe could be brought to light again, allowing the Liu Family to resume their wine brewing.

Everyone in the Liu Family was elated, although Old Master Liu Er was dissatisfied, scolding Grand Old Master Liu at home. However, he only dared to scold him at home and didn’t dare to confront him further.

...

As the Liu Family purchased the shops and farmland, Gu Jin’an and his mule cart reached the He’an Prefecture. Their arrival caused a sensation throughout the city.

Their mule cart team hadn’t even entered the city when they saw a large crowd of onlookers blocking the city gate, along with a band of celebratory musicians dressed in red waiting. Upon spotting their mule cart, they immediately started playing their instruments, creating a lively, festival atmosphere.

Gu Jin’an and his companions, upon hearing this celebratory music, turned pale. Hearing Mrs. Chen’s high-pitched and excited voice, they were rendered speechless.

It was indeed Mrs. Chen who arranged this. Other than her, no one else would do something like this.

Mrs. Chen was very happy. Upon learning of their return today, she had hired musicians the day before and was waiting at the city gate from early morning.

As for the onlookers, they came because, after the news of Gu Jin’an’s scholarly success was sent to He’an Prefecture, Mrs. Chen boasted all over the city, spreading the news until everyone in the city knew, prompting them to join in the spectacle.

"I heard that First Place Gu is Jianghuai’s second Small Three-Yuan Scholar—it’s truly commendable. Sister-in-law Gui, your family must have favorable ancestral blessings."

Mrs. Chen, deeply pleased, held a few ribbons of red silk flowers tied together, raised her chin, and said, "It’s more than just blessings—our village chief says it’s like a fire igniting. My four nephews are quite remarkable, each one passing the exam—like stars descended from the heavens, like immortals."

"Hey, they’re here, they’re here. I won’t talk anymore—I’ve got to set up red silk flowers for my four nephews." With that, Mrs. Chen rushed towards the mule team, causing the driver to stop immediately to avoid injuring her.

Gu Dexing reluctantly got off first, and before he could fully stand, Mrs. Chen had already adorned him with a red silk flower.

Gu Dexing looked rather resigned, and Gu Jin’an, the second to alight from the mule cart, also had a dour expression—again with this, why again? Couldn’t she forego it?

Mrs. Chen, however, had good news for him and Qi Kangming who followed behind in disembarking: "Good Brother An, Brother Ming, Brother Ping’s wife has given birth—you two are uncles now."