CHAPTER 1325: CHAPTER 1325: RESTLESS HEARTS

Wang Yonggui was thinking about his uncle in the Capital City, an important official there! If he could build a connection, perhaps his own future with Jinpan and Jinshao wouldn’t be any less promising than their uncle’s?

Who knows, he might even go from being the uncle’s brother-in-law to becoming the official’s real father?

With this thought, Wang Yonggui felt a surge of excitement.

Initially, he was that type of person who aimed high and didn’t want to stay grounded, otherwise, he wouldn’t have left his parents and wife and children, gone gambling outside, and then wandered around aimlessly.

The reason he could stay at home obediently now was primarily because after wandering outside for so many years, he had suffered a lot and was afraid.

Moreover, life at home had gotten better. Once the business was up and running, he had a sense of accomplishment, and the family had saved up quite a bit of silver.

Life at home was more comfortable than outside, so naturally, he wouldn’t go looking for hardship outside again.

Plus, now the family had a graduate brother-in-law, and when going out, no one dared to disrespect him.

When in town, he was sometimes even respectfully referred to as Third Old Master Wang, living quite a delightful life!

But ever since Jinpan started studying, Wang Yonggui felt that there was more to life, higher pursuits still.

The ultimate wish in his life was to become the father of an official!

Before, he had been thinking about letting Jinpan study well, and in the future, ask Song Chongjin, this brother-in-law, for a recommendation to go to Changqing Academy, and if Jinpan was fortunate, he might even become a graduate or something eventually.

This time, upon knowing that Song Chongjin had become a County Magistrate, he had started planning on his way back.

Jinpan was still young, studying for a few more years, and if Song Chongjin’s rank rose further in the future, wouldn’t it be more beneficial to Jinpan?

And then he heard that his wife’s mother and brothers were all in the Capital City, and her brother was even a high official.

Wouldn’t that be like finding a pillow when you feel sleepy?

Wang Yonggui’s first reaction was whether he could send Jinpan to the Capital City; his boy had the talent for studying, and if he stayed buried in this mountain village, it might be a waste.

In the Capital City, relying on the power of that granduncle, who would dare to neglect him?

But how to get past his wife’s mother, that was what worried Wang Yonggui.

Lady Jiang was also feeling more and more unable to suppress her thoughts. Hearing her husband restlessly tossing and turning, unable to sleep, she finally spoke up, "My dear, I have an idea—"

Wang Yonggui couldn’t sleep either and responded casually: "What idea?"

Lady Jiang shared her calculations, and Wang Yonggui’s eyes lit up. He slapped his thigh, "I say Xiao Lian, you reminded me. How didn’t I think of it!"

Immediately, he turned over and got up, and the couple stopped sleeping, discussing the matter one word over another.

In the two front courtyards, nobody could sleep, but Wang Yongping wasn’t thinking so much, as he got back home, washed up, and was about to sleep.

Liu Xiaoqiao, both amused and upset, slapped Wang Yongping on the shoulder: "Sleep what? With such big things happening in the family, how can you sleep?"

Wang Yongping was baffled: "Why can’t I sleep? It’s the brother-in-law who became the County Magistrate, not me. Besides, with mom still upset about acknowledging the relatives, we couldn’t even recognize them if we wanted to, could we?"

"Moreover, even if we did recognize them, what then? We’re thousands of miles from the Capital City; having or not having this relation doesn’t make much difference. Why think about so much? Let’s just do our business well, wait for the mourning period to be over, and then you give your husband here a few plump sons and daughters, that’s the right thing to do."

Liu Xiaoqiao, both embarrassed and annoyed, spat at Wang Yongping: "Keep your voice down, don’t let others hear, they might think we’re not observing the mourning!"

Yet, her thoughts had calmed a bit, testingly asking: "Fourth Brother, do you really have no other thoughts?"

Wang Yongping turned over, impatiently pulling Liu Xiaoqiao to lie beside him, blowing out the lamp: "Quickly sleep! Got to get up early tomorrow to help prepare breakfast! Mom and sister finally came back; by the looks of it, they won’t stay long, better spend time with them, what’s there to think about?"

Liu Xiaoqiao pinched a piece of flesh at Wang Yongping’s waist out of irritation but had somewhat taken the words to heart, indeed, they didn’t have any children yet, and she, being a hunter’s daughter, only knew how to hunt.

Her man was honest, and now relying somewhat on the brother-in-law’s status, they were doing reasonably well with their mountain products business, having saved several hundred taels for a modest family estate.

Compared to others in a ten-mile radius, who could have such family wealth as they did, the young couple with so much to their name?

When married into the Wang Family, she never expected life after marriage to be this good, with a mother-in-law who didn’t interfere, and a sensible sister-in-law.

The family split early, and her husband could make money, as her natal family would say, it was like falling into a happy nest.

If she wasn’t content still, even the heavens might find it intolerable.

Furthermore, without children, what would they have to fight for? It would be better to hold onto this bit of family estate and live life well as the right path.

Thus, she let go of her thoughts, holding onto Wang Yongping’s arm, and settled to sleep peacefully.

On Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin’s side, though they were tired, it wasn’t easy for them to fall asleep quickly.

Sighing, Wang Yongzhu said: "This time, with you being appointed as County Magistrate, plus mom recognizing relatives, I’m afraid the family will become restless again."

Song Chongjin comfortingly patted Wang Yongzhu: "Such is human nature, not just with the family, I observe even the villagers are restless. Let’s quietly observe for a few days before making any decisions."

Wang Yongzhu smiled: "That’s a good idea, before we leave, we must resolve all issues, only then can we leave for Chicheng City with peace of mind."

By the second day, before dawn, the courtyard was bustling.

Yao Da and Shitou had already brought back a large amount of goods from town, and had arranged for someone to deliver meat and various foodstuffs every other day.

Liu Xiaoqiao remembered Wang Yongping’s words, got up when she heard the commotion, and seeing the door connecting the two courtyards still closed,

she simply went to her own kitchen, started the stove, cooked a big pot of porridge, and sliced some pickled vegetables.

Just as she was about to steam a batch of buns, the door between the courtyards opened.

Old Granny Wu came over, seeing Liu Xiaoqiao busy in the kitchen, and upon seeing the full pot of porridge and side dishes, her expression became even more pleasant.

She stepped forward to pay respects: "Fourth Young Mistress, such hard work early in the morning, the Old Lady and Madam invite you and Fourth Young Master to have breakfast in the back courtyard. Leave the kitchen work to me, the old woman."

With that, she took over the tasks from Liu Xiaoqiao’s hands.

Liu Xiaoqiao didn’t refuse, returned to wash up and change into clean clothes, then awoke Wang Yongping, and the two went to the back courtyard.

In the back courtyard, the entire third branch of the family was gathered.

The table was filled with various foods purchased by Yao Da and Shitou from the town, paired with white rice porridge and pickled vegetables made by Old Madam Ding.

Although the Wang Family was doing well, such breakfasts from the town were rarely had, and the children, their eyes brightened, sat by the table, waiting for Old Granny Zhang to pick up her chopsticks before daring to reach for the food.

After breakfast, Old Granny Zhang and Wang Yongzhu distributed the gifts prepared by the Gu Family for each household.