CHAPTER 73: CHAPTER 73: OPPOSING THE NOTION THAT STUDYING IS USELESS

"We can’t overlook your contributions either," Aunt Luo said. "Once a teacher, always a father. Even though we are uneducated and simple, we still understand the importance of respecting teachers."

"Aunt Luo, there’s really no need to be so serious."

Well, as a woman, talking about such rules like ’once a teacher, always a father,’ it feels a bit out of place having such a grown son.

As they were talking, they heard Luo Xiaogang and a few other kids returning.

"Where did you run off to again, covered in sweat like this," Aunt Luo turned around and noticed that Luo Xiaogang’s pants had a long tear. She grabbed him and started to scold: "You little rascal, can’t you settle down for once, just look at yourself..."

"Mom, don’t hit him, he was climbing trees to collect cicada shells to sell, and got scratched by a branch while coming down," Luo Sanya quickly interjected. "Xiao Gang said the money from selling the cicada shells can be used to buy salt, so dad won’t have to haul goods at the docks."

Aunt Luo’s raised hand slowly came down softly.

With such a considerate son, how could she bring herself to hit him?

"Did you all go collecting cicada shells?"

Chun Nuan then saw the kids holding baskets, all filled with cicada shells.

"Yes, Sister Chun Nuan. Every year around this time, we go collecting them, and we sell them to Hundred Herbs Hall or Qianjin Hall to earn some money."

"Sister, we also collected some." Chunyan, Chun Shu, and Chun An handed her their baskets to look at: "We didn’t collect as much as Xiao Gang and his friends, they’re really good at it."

"It’s okay, this is your first time, it’s normal to collect less than them."

Chun Nuan didn’t expect even the kids to have their own way of earning extra money.

Indeed, cicada shells are used in medicine, and collecting them at this time and selling them to the pharmacy can indeed bring in some money.

Looking at Chunyan and Chun Shu’s sunburned faces, Chun Nuan felt a pang of sadness: Born as young ladies of the Xiao family, they now had the same complexion as San Ya. Truly, rural life is the hardest.

Back then, they had maids and servants around them, and each looked as delicate as green onions.

But now, for the sake of life, they have to climb the mountains to dig wild vegetables, farm crops, and collect cicada shells.

It must be because she herself is not working hard enough.

"It’s getting late, let’s go home." Chun Nuan patted Chun An’s head. "You’re still young, so don’t come out to collect next time. Focus on practicing your writing at home and take care of your younger siblings."

This child was dirty all over; if Aunt San saw him, she’d surely be upset for a long time.

"Sister, if I can’t take the imperial exams, what’s the use of reading so many books? Our family can’t just rely on you to earn money, it would be too hard for you."

"Who told you such things?"

Chun Nuan looked at him in shock.

"Grandmother and mother said it, Chun An heard them."

Chun Nuan sighed: Looks like Aunt San’s state of mind isn’t right, probably scolded by Grandma again.

Yes, Aunt San has been holding a grudge these days.

The kids run around everywhere every day, coming back all dirty, which makes her feel uncomfortable.

"Grandmother’s words aren’t entirely wrong." Chun Nuan patted his head. "Even if you don’t take the imperial exams, education is valuable. You must remember, all things are inferior, only studying is superior. You should study diligently and read more; don’t wait until you need knowledge only to regret not having enough, by then it will be too late, understood?"

"But I can’t take the imperial exams?"

Lil’ Chun An still doesn’t quite understand why he can’t take the imperial exams.

"When you have enough knowledge, like the ancestor of the Huang family, becoming a master of your generation, the imperial exams and gaining fame are just the icing on the cake."

"Can I be like the ancestor of the Huang family?"

About the Huang family ancestor being a master scholar, his mother had always talked about it since he could remember.

When they returned to the Huang family, his mother even took him to his grandfather’s study to see the ancestor’s portrait and read the ancestor’s essays. Although he didn’t understand them, he could already recite several by heart.

The descendants of the Huang family were proud to be able to recite the ancestor’s essays.

Anyone who couldn’t recite them was considered unfilial.

Even he, as a descendant of the Xiao family, was no exception.

Mother said that he had half the blood of the Huang family, so he must have inherited some teachings from the ancestor. He had to study hard to eventually become a top scholar.

But when Grandfather got into trouble, they were forced to travel far to Shu City.

Couldn’t study at school anymore, and mother often secretly wiped her tears, always telling him: Not being able to take the imperial exams has cut off my prospects, Heaven is truly unfair.

Chun An felt that his mother must harbor some resentment, even blaming Heaven.

At that time, he resolved to study hard and make his mother proud.

But then, overhearing his grandmother and mother talking made him confused again, what was the point of studying?

In this family, Sister ran around busy every day, and brother Chun Ning was also constantly on the move.

Being the eldest son in the third household, he couldn’t just sit around.

So when he knew Sister Yan and Sister Shu were going with San Ya to collect cicada shells, he went along.

Grandmother was right; Sister shouldn’t have to bear everything alone.

Though selling cicada shells doesn’t earn much, little by little it adds up, and eventually, it can be used to buy basics like rice and oil.

"Chun An, you must remember, when your skills are lacking, everything will seem terrible and useless; but, when you have enough abilities and stand at the top, you’ll find everything is good, easy, and useful," Chun Nuan said. "You carry half the blood of the Huang family. Your mother was also once a famed talent in the Capital. Though our family has fallen, her knowledge is enough to teach you all until you’re ten, so study seriously and don’t upset her."

"Sister, Chun An understands," Chun An said. "Even if it’s just to make mother happy, I will study seriously."

"Yes." She had said so much, but he understood it this way - well, for his age, this understanding capability is good enough.

Chun Nuan took her younger siblings home, and sure enough, the moment Aunt San saw Chun An, she began to lament.

Chun Nuan... fine, I’ll just look away. Let her scold him.

Chun Nuan returned to the pharmacy to process her herbs, when she heard Aunt San’s scolding voice.

Just then, Mrs. Xu also walked into the pharmacy.

"Nuannuan, look at your Aunt San... Shouldn’t you go and persuade her?"

This sister-in-law has been temperamental lately, even the old lady isn’t too pleased with her.

Now she’s scolding Chun An again; it must upset the old lady.

"Mother-in-law, let Aunt San be. It’s a father’s fault for not teaching his children; since Uncle San isn’t home, Aunt San should discipline the children. Let Grandma and First Aunt pretend not to hear; they should not defend him."

Chun Nuan thought: Strict discipline also has its benefits.