Transmigrated Family C12

Chapter 12: Bringing My Nephew Home

Yan Lao’er and the donkey waited under the shade of a tree at the academy gate.

He was still a bit dazed.

The twenty taels of gambling debt that had been weighing down on their family—paid off.

The family’s land—sold off completely.

His elder brother had the land deed on him and handed it over on the spot.

Even that arrogant shopkeeper was stunned when he saw his brother pull the deed out from his pocket. He counted the silver over and over again.

What was there to count? Ten small silver ingots, each worth five taels. Was he hoping to skim a little off the top?

Yan Lao’er couldn’t stand watching anymore. He stepped forward and, without a word, grabbed the silver.

“Hand it over!”

Old Yan seemed to glare at him at the time, but he didn’t care. Heh! Now it was their turn to count the silver.

Oh, so this is what five taels feel like. Not bad. Those small ingots looked pretty cute when stacked together.

After honestly returning all the silver to his elder brother, the two of them left the pawnshop and headed straight for the academy.

Yan Lao’er made an excuse about checking the cart and didn’t go inside.

As if! This wasn’t exactly a place he frequented.

What if he ran into someone who knew him and they greeted him? He wouldn’t even recognize them—how embarrassing would that be?

Besides, he had noticed something about Old Yan. The guy never led the way.

He always made Yan Lao’er walk in front while he trailed behind.

Yan Lao’er had tried walking beside him a few times, even offering to support him, but Old Yan refused. He insisted on walking by himself, keeping up appearances even after just recovering from illness.

Seriously, what’s the big deal? What’s wrong with getting a little help? At home, they were close as brothers, so why act all distant outside?

Fine, whatever. If Old Yan wanted to manage on his own, he’d let him.

He’d use the time instead to memorize the streets they passed, so he could go home and learn more from his daughter.

…

Yan Huaiwen subtly mentioned his concerns about the drought to the academy headmaster. He also noted that some well-informed wealthy families were already making preparations to leave. He then mentioned that he had received a letter from a fellow scholar, hoping to introduce him to his cousin, who was about to take office, for a position as an advisor.

Hearing this, the headmaster did not try to persuade him to stay. Instead, he even had someone prepare a farewell gift for him.

After exchanging some pleasantries about rural affairs, he sent Yan Huaiwen on his way.

Standing outside the window, Yan Huaiwen listened to the clear voices of students reciting their lessons. Through the carved lattice window, he saw his son sitting upright like a pine tree, intently memorizing the classics.

Scholar Guo, who was teaching the class, noticed him and nodded slightly in greeting.

Yan Huaiwen returned the gesture and quietly waited for the class to end.

When the noon break arrived, the students saw their teacher off and then rushed out of the classroom.

As they passed by him, they all greeted him one after another.

“Master Yan!” “Sir Yan!”

He smiled and nodded, replying warmly, “Hurry along to the dining hall.”

Unable to resist their hunger, the boys laughed and dashed toward the cafeteria.

Yan Xiangheng, however, stared at him without looking away. “Father, you don’t look well. Are you feeling unwell? Do you need to rest?”

“I’m fine. Don’t worry.” Looking at his still youthful son, Yan Huaiwen felt a pang of sorrow. He steadied himself and said, “There’s some family business to attend to. I’ve already requested leave for you. Pack your things—we’re going home today.”

Yan Xiangheng wanted to ask what had happened that required his father to personally come pick him up.

But, mindful that they were at the academy, where ears were everywhere, he chose to remain silent.

…

Yan Lao’er saw his elder brother stroll out leisurely, carrying a small bundle in his hands.

He blurted out, “Big Brother, is that all your stuff? Where’s my nephew?”

Yan Huaiwen paused, placed the bundle in the cart, and said plainly, “This is a parting gift from the headmaster. Go to my room and pack up. I’m feeling tired—I’ll wait here for you two.”

With that, he climbed onto the cart, lay down, and closed his eyes.

Yan Lao’er was still trying to figure out what exactly a “parting gift” was when he saw Old Yan settling in for a nap.

What else could he do?

Time to pack!

He had asked his way around, mostly by pulling aside little kids—he found that the younger they were, the easier they talked.

By the time he reached the dormitory entrance, he spotted a young boy who turned at the sound of movement and looked surprised. “Second Uncle?”

“Hey! Nephew!” Yan Lao’er’s eyes lit up as he greeted him enthusiastically, waving away the child who had guided him.

“The students here sure are friendly—they insisted on showing me the way, haha!”

“Have you packed your things yet? Here to help your dad pack?”

Yan Lao’er walked in naturally, took a glance around, and quickly got the general idea.

What could a scholar’s belongings consist of?

Books. And more book-related stuff.

Ink, brushes, paper, and inkstones—these were expensive and couldn’t be left behind.

Clothes, shoes, blankets, mats—pack them all.

Small personal items—not heavy, so bring them too.

After tidying up the entire room, Yan Lao’er was very satisfied. The room was left clean and ready for the next scholar.

No need to thank him!

He even went to check out his nephew’s dormitory.

And sure enough, no matter how old kids were, they were still kids. Without parental supervision, things were a mess.

Was that washbasin even his? That bedding had to be packed too! He went about organizing, basing it on how Old Yan’s room had been arranged. If his nephew hadn’t blushed and pointed out that some of the items belonged to his roommates, he might have packed up the entire dormitory!

When they finally emerged, burdened with bags, Yan Huaiwen couldn’t help but cough a few times and turned away.

He couldn’t bear to look!

There was so much stuff that he could no longer lie down—he had to sit.

“Tiānyòu, go to the grain shop,” Yan Huaiwen instructed.

At that moment, Yan Lao’er felt immensely grateful that he had memorized the locations of all the shops.

Yan Huaiwen visited the grain store, oil shop, bookstore, general store, cloth shop, pharmacy, woodwork shop, blacksmith, carriage shop…

Damn! He almost made a full round of the town’s stores.

Yan Lao’er followed behind, leading the donkey, watching as Old Yan went in and out of each shop—asking questions but not buying anything.

Yan Xiangheng whispered to his second uncle, “Second Uncle, what is Father doing? What is he trying to buy? Has he not found it yet? What’s happened at home? I’m really worried. Father never takes leave, and he won’t tell me anything.”

“He’s comparing prices. He’s making sure to find the cheapest deal before buying,” Yan Lao’er said knowingly.

Of course! You couldn’t just buy something without comparing prices and checking quality.

“Is Father… preparing a dowry?” Yan Xiangheng asked hesitantly.

“A dowry? Where did you hear that?” Yan Lao’er’s gaze sharpened.

“Some classmates said our family was arranging a marriage with the village head’s family…”

“That’s nonsense! Your father already refused them,” Yan Lao’er said firmly.

Yan Xiangheng let out a breath of relief. “That’s good. I heard their youngest son isn’t very decent.”

“Not decent? That brat is downright rotten!”

Seeing Old Yan step out of another shop, Yan Lao’er warned his nephew, “Don’t mention this in front of your father.”

“Tiānyòu, come back later to pick up the goods.” Yan Huaiwen handed him a stack of receipts.

Yan Lao’er: So he did buy things… but made him do the pickup.

Old Yan just focused on shopping—while Yan Lao’er got stuck with all the hauling!