–

Lei Daqiang came over with a slight cough.

Qin Mian and Lei Tie halted and politely greeted him.

“Father.”

Lei Daqiang looked at the back of the bricklayers in the distance and affectionately looked at Lei Tie. “Do you need any more hands here? Your father, I, still have a lot of strength.”

Qin Mian was about to open his mouth when his hand that was held tightly by Lei Tie was pinched.

“There are enough hands.”

Such an attitude made Lei Daqiang angry, and his face turned cold. He endured it and changed the topic, “Have you already known about your youngest brother’s going to participate in the county-level examination? You said you’re going to provide money.”

Qin Mian understood it clearly. He came for money.

Lei Tie nodded, “I did. It’s written in the separation document that whether it’s the fifth brother’s examination or the fourth brother’s, fifth younger brother’s, and little sister’s marriage, we’ll give one share to father’s five shares.”

Lei Daqiang choked, “How can the situation be the same now? You’re well-off now, so you should give more money. It also shows your care for your younger siblings.”

Lei Tie said with a cold face, “We’ll give that share of money and also give the fifth brother some pocket money, but we won’t hand the money to you.”

Lei Daqiang was very angry and said harshly, “What do you mean? Am I, the father, greedy for my son’s money?”

Lei Tie said indifferently, “You know yourself.”

“You…” Lei Daqiang could not help but feel guilty when he thought of the 20 silver taels that Lei Tie gave him.

Lei Tie looked at him just like looking at a stranger as he said, “I’ll increase your monthly money later, but if you all ask for trouble…”

Lei Daqiang was shocked by the look in his eyes. He very much wanted to courageously say “I don’t want your money”, but he could not give up the money. His lips wriggled for a long time, but his tongue failed him. He snorted, swung his sleeve, and strode away. The sight of his back cut a sorry figure.

All of a sudden, Qin Mian laughed.

Lei Tie looked at him inquisitively.

Qin Mian said, “I suddenly think that it’d be a good relief to tease them once in a while.”

Lei Tie touched his head, “Go home.”

Five days later, the wall of the Leisurely Farm Residence was completely built and their house became an independent small manor. Then they began to work on some details.

Before they knew it, the last ten-day of second lunar month ushered in. Two days later, Lei Xiangzhi would take part in the county-level examination. The overall atmosphere of the old house became tense. Even Lei Dagang went to the old house to visit for a while and gave Lei Xiangzhi 500 Wen so that he could take the exam properly and be at ease. He was the only scholar in the old Lei Family’s generation; they could not help but attach importance to him.

All in all, it was their younger brother, so Qin Mian and Lei Tie come to the old house together.

Before they sat down, Du Shi brooked no delay as she said, “Your fifth brother will take the county-level examination for three days this time. The old man and I gave him 10 silver taels pocket money. You give him the money, too.”

Lei Xiangzhi sighed silently, “Mother.”Qin Mian and Lei Tie looked at each other in silence.

Qin Mian had no intention to argue with Du Shi. He took out a silver ingot of 50 taels from his purse and handed it to Lei Xiangzhi, “Fifth brother, keep it. The knowledge that has been truly mastered will not be easily forgotten; the knowledge that has not been mastered is too late to review now. In these two days, just have a proper relaxing time. Only by maintaining the best condition can you perform better than normal in the examination room.”

Everyone looked at Qin Mian in surprise.

Lei Xiangren and Zhao Shi fixedly stared at the silver, wishing that the silver was for them.

“Many thanks, eldest brother and eldest sister-in-law.” Lei Xiangzhi received the silver with both hands. If he refused to accept it, Du Shi and Lei Daqiang would make trouble again. It was better to accept it generously and repay their kindness later.

Du Shi’s and Lei Daqiang’s faces looked much better.

Lei Tie asked, “You’ll be going together with other scholars?”

Lei Xiangzhi was flattered by his eldest brother’s rare concern. He straightened his back a little more, “Exactly. The two teachers in the school will personally lead us.”

Lei Tie nodded and resumed his indifferent appearance.

Wei Shi suggested, “It’s hard to get together today. The eldest and eldest daughter-in-law should stay for lunch. Two days later, Old Five will have an exam, and gathering with his brothers can also be a great encouragement. What do you think, Old Five?”

Naturally, Lei Xiangzhi could only nod his head, “Eldest brother and eldest sister-in-law, let’s have lunch together.”

Qin Mian however, felt that Wei Shi’s smile was very reluctant today. Her right hand always touched her abdomen unintentionally, and there was some imperceptible haze hidden under her eyes.

Du Shi gave Wei Shi a triumph look. She even gave Qin Mian and Lei Tie a kind smile, and her voice was very gentle, “Stay for lunch. At noon, I’ll make you stewed pork with dried vegetables.”

Qin Mian looked at her in horror and could not speak for a moment.

Lei Chuntao guessed what he was thinking. She was amused and said, “Eldest sister-in-law, mother’s stewed pork with dried vegetables is a special dish. It’s a pity to miss it.”

No one wanted to spoil everyone’s fun on a day like this. Qin Mian nodded with a smile, “Then we can have a taste.” As for why Wei Shi and Du Shi were so strange today, he did not care, as long as the did not reach him and Lei Tie.

He agreed, and Lei Tie also did not object.

This one time of Du Shi’s rare generosity, she cooked a large wok of delicious dried vegetables stewed pork, loaded on two large plates. The taste was really good. Qin Mian ate three bowls of rice, while Lei Tie ate four bowls. Du Shi and Lei Daqiang also did not give them attitude.

This meal was the most enjoyable meal in the old house.

When they were leaving, Lei Tie motioned Lei Xiang Zhi to send them off.

Out of the courtyard gate, he said to Lei Xiangzhi faintly, “You only need to concentrate on examinations and learning. Don’t have to worry about money. Your eldest sister-in-law and I will support you in the future prefectural exam and college exam1.”

Qin Mian nodded with a grin.Lei Xiangzhi deeply bowed with hands folded in front, “Many thanks, eldest brother and eldest sister-in-law.”

Qin Mian thought about it and added, “It’d better not to mention it to other people, so as to avoid other incidents.”

Lei Xiangzhi replied, “I understand.”

A few days passed in a flash.

Lei Xiangzhi came back from the county and brought back good news. He had made a good achievement of being first place. The Lei’s family members were all elated. Although it was only a county exam, obtaining first place was extremely hard to come by. It was clear that Lei Xiangzhi was indeed a good seedling at learning. After a day’s rest at home, Lei Xiangzhi went back to school to prepare for the prefectural exam in the fourth lunar month. After he passed the prefectural exam, he would be an entry-level examinee. If he also passed the college exam, he would be settled a Xiucai2.

……

Under the care of Qin Mian and Lei Tie, the Leisurely Farm Residence changed from day to day. Only by the third lunar month did the two men be thoroughly busy and the Leisurely Farm Residence was officially completed.

Cacti were planted on the wall of the manor, which could be used for ornamental purposes and also to prevent thieves. The entrance gate was a vermilion lacquer gate with a width that could accommodate two carriages and reached up to 8 chi3. On the red wall on the right side of the gate were the two words “Leisurely[悠然]” composed of greenish-black bricks, and on the left side were the two words “Farm Residence[田居]”. It was of a person-height, neat and eye-catching. There was a duty room on the left side of the entrance. The manor was too big, so it was inevitable to hire a porter. It was empty at present. To the left of the duty room, was a row of servant’s quarters facing south and backing north, all of which were three-room style with a total of four sets. To the north of the servant’s quarters was the plum forest.

There was also a row of building on the right side of the gate. Among these was a warehouse used for storing firewood, farm tools, and putting the oxcart. The other four were ox house, pig house, chicken house, and stables. Ten pear trees were planted in front of this row of buildings.

Straight ahead into the gate, one could see the wooden arch bridge and the pond at a glance. There were peach trees at both ends of the wooden arch bridge; one on the left and one on the right. The newly hatched fish had already been put into the pond and lotus roots had been planted. The small lotuses only revealed pointed shoots. A stone path that could accommodate two people walking side by side surrounded the pond and three to five willows trees were scattered next to the pond. Under a willow tree near the north head of the bridge, there was a long wooden chair, and under another willow tree not far away were a round stone table and four stone benches. The gourd-shaped flowerbed, which had been carefully managed, was almost completely parallel to the path. Inside were winter jasmine, magnolia, tree peony, herbaceous peony, camellia, gardenia, and so on. Some of them were dug out from the mountain and some were smuggled out of the space by Qin Mian. There was a small path in the east and west of the flowerbed for people to walk along.

To the north of the pond was the peach forest. From the west of the forest to the northwest corner, there were large vegetable and pepper fields. Qin Mian thought that the smell of Sichuan pepper was unpleasant. Moreover, he sometimes needed to irrigate the manure in the vegetable field, so he specially arranged the vegetable field and pepper field in the corner. To the east of peach trees were the house of Qin Mian and Lei Tie. There were two additional trees in front of the house; a ginkgo tree about 20-year-old and a maple tree about 40-year-old. Qin Mian and Lei Tie found them on the mountain and dug them out especially. It took a lot of effort to carry them. Ginkgo and maple trees were wonderful choices for ornamental plants.

There were some open spaces around the house for future expansion.

Beyond the peach forest to the north, there was a grove, which had not been transformed for the time being. Twenty sweet oranges, six cherry trees, six jujube trees, and two pomegranate trees were planted to the north and east of the grove.

It was now the third lunar month. Flowers bloomed in the Farm Residence. The white plum and pear flowers were like snow on the branches in winter. The delicate and charming peach blossoms were like pink clouds contended in beauty and fascination with the pink-purple cherry blossoms … There were also white magnolia, yellow winter jasmine, pink peony, red camellia, and so on in the flowerbed. The splendid beautiful purples and brilliant reds4 attracted butterflies to dance lightly and gracefully, and bees to buzz for a long time, unwilling to leave.

Qin Mian looked at the manor he created. With his hands clasped behind his back, he faced up and looked at Lei Tie with a satisfied and complacent smile.

“How is our new home?”

Lei Tie embraced the person beside him, bowed his head, and kissed Qin Mian’s lips. He said in a low voice, “Home is where you are.”

The smile in Qin Mian’s eyes deepened, feeling pleased as well as sweet, “Let’s go there and sit down.”

White Spot’s body, like Qin Mian, had been nourished by the spiritual spring water for a long time that its black fur appeared more black and shiny. It had drilled out of the flowerbed and nimbly dodged the angry bees. Upon seeing its two masters walking away, it went to catch up with them.

Note:

FootnotesEntry-level examinations have 3 stages: 1st County, 2nd Prefectural, 3rd College.Xiucai “distinguished talent” who can enjoy officially sanctioned social privileges such as exemption from statute labor, access into local government facilities, and limited immunity against corporal punishments. Source Wikipedia1 chi = 1/3 meter. The gate is 2.7 meter highlit. Beautiful flowers.