Xiaomi looked at her big brother: "But mom, big brother is going to the county for school. In the future, younger brother and Xiaowei should also go to the county for school, right? Then won’t we see them less often?"
"Who said that? They can co back when they are not in school, right?" Second mom instinctively said, but after speaking, she slightly frowned.
It seed that the county was quite far from Fu’an Village, maybe not reachable in a day or two?
Xiaomi noticed her mother’s expression but didn’t say much, just mumbled: "Isn’t that far? Big brother might only co back once a year in the future."
As expected, second mom’s frown deepened, her previously very joyful expression now carrying a hint of reluctance.
Xiaomi realized she might have said too much, imdiately dared not say more, and quickly changed the subject, asking about lunch.
Second mom imdiately refocused on today’s lunch, just when Liu Ze and Xiaoxue also ca back with vegetables.
Additionally, two delivery people helped carry the things Uncle Liu brought back to the rooms of Uncle Liu and Liu Ze, then left.
This ti Jiang Yu went to the county, not only did he take the copper coins he had saved over the years, but Jiang Hu also gave him a few taels of silver, letting him decide how to spend it.
The silver given by his parents was untouched, but he used the pocket money he’d saved to buy gifts for everyone in the family.
Although not expensive, everyone was very happy.
Qixi and Aunt Yang helped tidy up the things brought back, had a drink of water, and started working, with Aunt Yang helping second mom prepare lunch.
Qixi led the remaining buffalo outside, finding a place with plenty of grass to tie it up.
Listening to Aunt Yang talking about Jiang Yu’s experiences in the county, second mom montarily forgot her earlier sadness, listening amusedly and enviously to Aunt Yang’s explanation.
It was evident that the county was much more prosperous than Xiangma Town, with many academies, especially the one found by Uncle Liu, which was a place many students dread of entering.
Although Jiang Yu said the tutor was only barely satisfied with him and that he might be kicked out if he couldn’t keep up with his studies,
in the eyes of others in the county, it was already quite impressive.
"At that ti, Qixi went with the master and the young master, and it was said that the tutor wasn’t satisfied with Jiang Yu’s studies, but had a high opinion of his mory, noting that Jiang Yu was held back in the town."
Aunt Yang originally ntioned it casually, as for the villagers, being able to attend school in town was already a great achievent.
However, second mom asked: "Really? Did the tutor really say that?"
Aunt Yang: "That’s what Qixi seed to say."
Aunt Yang, realizing her words might have inadvertently criticized second mom and Jiang Hu, quickly explained.
"Second mom, don’t be upset. The tutor probably said that casually. You see, not many in the village, let alone town, send children to study. You and Jiang Hu have done really well; everyone in the family can read."
Second mom smiled: "Mainly they are hardworking and study earnestly."
Not only the boys, but even the two girls were quite diligent when learning to read and write.
However, this comnt did leave a mark in second mom’s heart.
Xiaomi listened carefully, silently giving Aunt Yang a thumbs up in her heart.
A divine assist!
She didn’t expect a move to the county right away, which would be unrealistic.
But once the idea was planted, when the ti was right, her parents would surely take action!
No rush, there’s plenty of ti; she’s patient.
Thinking of this, Xiaomi told second mom she was leaving, then joyfully skipped out of the kitchen, grabbing a handful of crushed corn grains, heading to the back of the house.
Next to the cattle pen, an area was fenced off to raise a few young peacocks.
Peacocks are omnivorous, eating grains, insects, fish, and fruit.
Since there’s plenty of corn at ho, but they’re too big to feed directly, they need to be ground down, just once will do.
In the stone trough, there were so chopped sweet potato skins. Xiaomi sprinkled in so corn, and the young peacocks ca running to eat, providing Xiaomi an opportunity to fill the water trough with Spiritual Spring water.
In just two or three days, the young peacocks beca much more lively.
Kept outside during the day, they’re still small, so enclosing an area of three or four square ters with a bamboo fence suffices, allowing for easy relocation.
At night they’re brought ho in a bamboo basket and housed in the woodshed, as they’re too young and might get cold at night.
Just after feeding the young peacocks, she saw Liu Ze and Jiang Yu carrying out bamboo baskets, Xiaoxue and Jiang Wei following them.
Xiaomi quickly approached: "Big brother, second sister, are you going to collect eggs?"
"Not just collecting eggs, we also have to feed the pigs. We got up too late today, and these chores aren’t done yet. Mom and Aunt Yang are busy with lunch and don’t have ti."
"I’ll co too."
When they arrived at the old house, they found that Qixi was already cooking pig feed and cutting vegetables for the chickens. It seed everyone was quite aware of what chores needed to be done at ho.
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