Transmigrating to the Qi Family - Chapter 29

“Walk this way, there’s no road ahead,” Second Uncle waves the hatchet in his hand, chopping off the dead branches that stretch onto the path to avoid getting scratched. This place is quite remote, with few people coming up the mountain to gather firewood. If they don’t come for a while, the surrounding grass and trees will grow wildly, engulfing the path. Fortunately, it is winter now, and most of the weeds have withered and fallen to the ground.

Jiang Miao and Xiao Shitou follow behind him, carrying incense, paper money, and sacrificial items into the mountains to pay respects to the Jiang family ancestors.

The rest of the Jiang family are buried in the ancestral tombs, and every year the clan collects money to buy items for a collective memorial. However, Jiang Miao’s uncle, aunt, and parents are not buried in the ancestral tombs but are buried on this desolate mountain since they did not die at home. It is said that if those who die unnatural deaths are buried in the ancestral tombs, their descendants will suffer similar fates. Therefore, it is a nearly universal rule that those who die unnatural deaths are not buried in the ancestral tombs.

Upon reaching a sunny slope, Jiang Miao sees several graves close together, covered with withered wild grass, looking extremely desolate.

Second Uncle Jiang sighs, silently picks up the hatchet, and begins cutting the grass. Jiang Miao finds a grassy spot to put down the items he is carrying, then takes out yellow paper, and with Xiao Shitou, uses clods of dirt to press them onto the graves, symbolizing adding bricks and tiles for the ancestors to prevent the tombs from leaking due to long disrepair. Of course, this is just a form of emotional comfort, as the ancients always have the saying “treat the dead as if they were alive.”

Jiang Miao notices that in front of these graves there are wooden plaques with some words carved on them. The ink used to fill the carvings has faded over time, leaving only faint traces of black, making the words barely noticeable. However, one can still vaguely distinguish the characters “eldest son and daughter-in-law” and “second son and daughter-in-law.” From these titles, it seems that these are the plaques erected by Jiang Miao’s grandparents.

The white-haired people sending the black-haired people away is probably the most heartbreaking thing in the world. Jiang Miao can’t imagine the mindset of the elderly couple when they send off their sons and daughters-in-law. It’s an indescribable pain, like having chunks of flesh forcibly cut from the heart. He has also lost loved ones; when his grandparents died, it felt like the sky was falling.

Jiang Miao sighs, stands up, takes the hatchet from his uncle, and asks him to sit and rest for a while. Then he continues the unfinished work.

After tidying up the graves, Jiang Miao places the sacrificial offerings and pays respects to each elder. Then he kneels in front of the graves, burning paper money and talking to them.

“Dad, Mom, don’t worry, Xiao Shitou has been taken back from that family and has been re-listed under your name. You can rest assured down there.” And to that unfortunate boy, please trouble you to go to Yifeng Street in Liangjing City to pick him up, don’t let him wander alone outside…

After the memorial, Jiang Miao and his group descend the mountain. Xiao Shitou walks with his head down, feeling inexplicably sad. Jiang Miao pats his head, thinking that the Jiang parents’ biggest concern before they passed away must have been this child.

Back at his second uncle’s house, his second aunt and the others have already prepared the meal. After eating, Jiang Miao and Second Uncle sit in the main room, chatting.

“Little Miao, now that you’ve brought Xiao Shitou back, there’s no need to go to the city, right? Your parents still have some fields under their name. I’ve been farming them these years. Next year, you can take them back and farm them yourself; it should be enough to make a living,” says Second Uncle, who has spent his whole life farming in Jiangjiawan. He always feels the city isn’t reliable. For people like them with no roots, what could they achieve in the city? He has heard that a girl from the neighboring village, working as a maid in a big family, came back six months later with a broken leg and a burned face and ended her life shortly after with a thick rope.

Looking through the family register these past two days, Jiang Miao also sees the little land allocated to his father. There are only a total of just two mu of paddy field and one mu of dry land, barely enough to get by. Second Uncle supports him these years and pays their head tax and other expenses. The yield from those three pieces of land probably isn’t enough.

“Uncle, I still want to stay in the city. I’m not good at farming, and it’s hard to support myself and Xiao Shitou with it. Actually, I’ve gotten used to city life. The people where I live are nice, and selling buns can make some money,” Jiang Miao prefers earning money through small business.

Second Uncle takes a puff from his tobacco pipe, frowning, “You’re capable of running your own household now. Since you’ve decided, I won’t say more. Just be careful working in the city. If you come across influential people, take any losses as lessons and don’t confront them.”

“Uncle, don’t worry. I won’t act recklessly,” Jiang Miao assures him, aware that ancient times don’t have the same logic and reasoning as modern times so he won’t act impulsively.

Jiang Miao initially plans not to return for the New Year, but Second Uncle immediately shakes his head at this idea.

“How can that be? You’re not rootless! If you start a family and don’t come back, that’s one thing, but before that, you must come back. Moreover, this is Xiao Shitou’s first New Year at home; you can’t not come back.”

Seeing his strong reaction, Jiang Miao realizes he hadn’t thought it through. In modern times, life moves quickly and the New Year atmosphere is fading, with countless people not returning home for the celebration. But here, the New Year is a very important event.

Jiang Miao counts on his fingers and realizes there are only a dozen days left until the New Year. If he had known, he would have come back just before the New Year.

“Yes, Manager Wang. So, where have you been finding good food lately?” Jiang Miao teases while instructing the assistant to weigh out some flour for him.

“Don’t even mention it. A new lamb restaurant opened up recently. I was excited to try it, but the taste was awful! I won’t be going back there again,” Manager Wang says, feeling uncomfortable at the thought of it. It was a waste of good ingredients.

“Lamb needs to be properly prepared to taste good. It seems that place is lacking in skill. One day, I’ll cook it for you, and you’ll see the difference,” Jiang Miao laughs. “By the way, Manager Wang, do you know of any good academies in the west part of town?”

“Academies? There are one or two decent ones,” Manager Wang thinks for a moment, then realizes something is off. “Wait, who are you asking for? Do you have a child already?”

Jiang Miao doesn’t know whether to laugh or cry, finally understanding how Young Master Pei felt back then. “I have a younger brother who will be seven after the New Year. I’m thinking of having him learn to read and write so he can make a living in the future.”

“In that case, you’d be better off sending him to a private school for beginners,” Manager Wang suggests.

“I thought academies were bigger and taught more things,” Jiang Miao is confused.

“They teach a lot, but your brother is too young. If he goes in, I’m afraid he won’t be able to keep up. The ones inside have all started learning, and at the very least, they’ve already studied the Three Character Classic, Hundred Family Surnames, and Thousand Character Classic. Your brother doesn’t even recognize a single character. Do you expect the teacher there to start teaching from scratch?” Manager Wang understands the situation better, and with one sentence, leaves Jiang Miao speechless.

“Do you know of any good private schools nearby? I’d like to find a teacher who is patient and responsible,” Jiang Miao doesn’t think his request is unreasonable.

Manager Wang laughs, “And preferably someone with vast knowledge who can make him a top scholar?”

“That would be overkill,” Jiang Miao says with a grin, knowing that Manager Wang is teasing him.

“You know,” Manager Wang glares at him, “those scholars are all proud and arrogant. You’re the one who has to flatter them; how can you expect them to be gentle?”

“Isn’t it because the child is a bit timid? If there really isn’t anyone like that, I can’t force it, can I?”

“You’re in luck, kid. I know a scholar who passed the provincial examination last year. Unfortunately, his family is very poor, and he didn’t want to marry for money. So, he started teaching a few students. He’s the most gentle and patient person, and his knowledge is quite good,” Manager Wang says proudly.

“May I ask where this scholar lives?” Jiang Miao asks, looking delighted.

Manager Wang raises an eyebrow and says, “Hold on. He has a rule about accepting students: he doesn’t take any unless introduced by someone he knows, to avoid trouble.”

“Manager Wang, you must be one of his acquaintances. My brother’s education depends on you!” Jiang Miao quickly flatters him. Seeing Manager Wang’s pleased expression but still unwilling to agree, Jiang Miao has to promise to treat him to a special lamb dish if the matter is settled. Only then does Manager Wang agree.

“After you’re done with your stall tomorrow, bring your brother and come with me. But let me say this first: if your brother doesn’t satisfy Scholar Yu, I can’t guarantee anything,” Manager Wang cautions, always careful not to make overly optimistic promises when doing business.

“Don’t worry, whether it works out or not, that lamb dish is yours!” Jiang Miao is confident. Though his brother doesn’t know how to read yet, he is so well-behaved and cute that the scholar surely won’t turn him away.

“Manager Wang, I really can’t accept this,” Jiang Miao intervenes. “This child has never handled so much money before. It wouldn’t be good if he loses it.”

Manager Wang glares at him. “It’s not for you. Xiao Shitou, go ahead and take it. You can play with it.”

Xiao Shitou glances at Jiang Miao, who nods, then reaches out and accepts the ingot, and says thank you obediently.

“That’s more like it,” Manager Wang smiles. “We’re old neighbors doing business on the same street. Why act so distant?”

Jiang Miao smiles back. “You have a big business, how can I compare with you?”

“You never know,” Manager Wang says thoughtfully. “Young people like you are full of ideas. Maybe one day I’ll rely on you to take care of my business.”

As they chat along the way, they cross two streets and turn a few corners before arriving at Scholar Yu’s house. Jiang Miao finds the street somewhat familiar, and it dawns on him when he sees the old man selling sweet cakes at the entrance of the previous alley—it’s right next to the Hongle Academy.

“Uncle Wang?” A gentle voice calls out as the door opens, revealing a young man with mild features and a smiling demeanor.

“Scholar Yu, I have a young friend here who wants to find a good teacher for his brother. As soon as I heard, I brought them over to you,” Manager Wang explains.

“Has Uncle Wang told you my requirements? If it’s feasible, let me ask him a few questions. Perhaps next year, he can come to study.”

Jiang Miao nods. “Manager Wang has informed us, and we agree. Xiao Shitou, go over and greet the teacher.”

“Hello, Teacher,” Xiao Shitou says loudly. Apart from a slight tremor in his voice due to nervousness, everything else is good.

“Are you called Xiao Shitou?” Scholar Yu asks.

“Yes, my nickname is Xiao Shitou. My full name is Jiang Lei, which means ‘pile of three Xiao Shitous.'”

“Have you learned any characters before?”

“Big brother taught me a few characters these days, and I can already write my name.” When he says “write,” he means scratching it out on the ground with a small stick.

“Do you want to come study?” Scholar Yu asks.

“I do! If I come to study, I can learn to read and write. Then when big brother goes out, I can write him letters. Teacher, will you accept me? I’ll be very obedient.” This is Xiao Shitou’s biggest wish at the moment. During the half year that his big brother was away, he thought about this every day.

Scholar Yu smiles, “Then come study next year, but you are not allowed to cry.”

“Okay! Thank you, Teacher, for accepting me!”

Jiang Miao is also very happy; he knows that his brother can succeed.

“Teacher Yu, thank you so much for accepting Xiao Shitou. Please don’t refuse this small token of appreciation.” Seeing Scholar Yu frown slightly, he quickly adds, “It’s just some ordinary food items, not worth much money. It wouldn’t be right to visit empty-handed. I hope you can accept.”

“Well, alright, but next time it’s not necessary.” Scholar Yu reluctantly accepts.

On the way home, Xiao Shitou holds Jiang Miao’s hand, bouncing all the way.

“Big brother, I’ll study hard from now on!”

“Mm, learn more characters and teach me when you come back.”

“Mm, when I learn, I’ll teach big brother to write, and also Xiao Wu. Oh, and Xin Di too.”

Under the warm sunshine, the two figures—one big and one small—hold hands and walk forward slowly…