Starting with a daily divination to build an immortal clan

Chapter 5 Two Children Arguing About the Moon

While the three of them were eating, Hu Yufen took out a few pieces of fabric that she had bought in town before the New Year from the cupboard.

These were originally intended to be clothes for Shen Yuan, but in this rush, they can only be used by the two children for now.

"Let's eat first, we have enough time."

Seeing her busy considering the fabric, Shen Yuan came up to her and spoke.

Hu Yufen measured the fabric herself.

“Master Lu is a great Confucian scholar. This is a rare opportunity, so we must pay attention to even the smallest details.”

Seeing her nervous expression, Shen Yuan couldn't help but smile and shake his head.

This scene was quite similar to when he was lucky enough to get a job interview at a big company in his previous life.

To prepare for that interview, I emptied my wallet and bought a suit and tie.

On the day of the interview, the interviewers were all dressed casually in sneakers.

If Master Lu were to accept students based on their clothing, then his two sons wouldn't have had the chance.

"I'll go to the front yard and see if Sister-in-law Zhao is busy." Shen Yuan wiped his mouth and walked outside.

Just as he was about to leave the courtyard, he glanced at the few palm-sized grass carp in the wooden basin, then casually picked up a hemp rope, threaded it through, and carried them out.

The family living in the front yard of their house was surnamed Zhao. The man was two years older than Shen Yuan and his name was Zhao Shuan.

Zhao Shuan's wife's surname is Wang, and her given name is Wang Ying.

The couple has two sons and a daughter, all of whom are honest and law-abiding people.

Shen Yuan knocked on the courtyard gate while carrying a string of grass carp. A boy with a chubby face and a similar age to Shen Wenxing opened the gate.

"Uncle Yuan?"

Upon seeing Shen Yuan, the little boy called out and then hurriedly ran back into the yard: "Dad, Uncle Yuan is here."

Inside the courtyard, Zhao Shuan, shirtless, walked in carrying a rice bowl.

"Ah Yuan, have you eaten yet?"

"Give me a bowl of the millet soup your sister-in-law made!"

"His mother... give A Yuan a bowl of millet soup!"

Shuhu is a type of millet and meat porridge.

Some time ago, Shen Yuan set a trap in the mountains and caught a large wild boar and seven small wild boars, which were difficult to transport down the mountain.

After asking Zhao Shuan and the others for help to transport the wild boar back from the mountain, the boar was slaughtered on the spot. Some of the pork was sold to the group at a low price, and the rest was cured into salted meat by Hu Yufen.

"Brother Shuan, don't bother, I just ate."

Shen Yuan waved his hand, raised the fish in his hand and said, "I caught some fish this morning, I'm bringing you a few, don't mind that they're small."

Upon seeing this, Zhao Shuan hurriedly put down the bowl in his hand and examined the grass carp.

"The fish is so shiny and bright, Yuan, isn't this a fish from the Laishui River?"

"From Blackwater Pool."

Zhao Shuan was somewhat surprised: "You went to Blackwater Pool?"

"I've heard that the alligator dragons there are quite ferocious lately, so let's not risk it next time."

Shen Yuan nodded, then looked at Wang Ying beside him and asked, "Sister-in-law, are you free after dinner?"

Wang Ying smiled and said, "The crops are almost done, there's nothing much to do. Is there something you need, A-Yuan?"

The two families have a good relationship and often help each other with everyday matters.

In addition, Shen Yuan brought fish from the Blackwater Pool this time, and Wang Ying was very polite.

"Yu Fen has torn off some pieces of cloth, wanting to make a decent set of clothes for Shi Tou and his wife. Sister-in-law is very skillful; if you're not busy, go and give her some pointers later."

Wang Ying was pleased with the small compliment and quickly replied with a smile, "No rush, no rush, I'll come over once you're ready."

Shen Yuan nodded and handed the fish to Zhao Shuan, saying, "Brother Shuan, you guys eat first, I'm going back."

In the afternoon, Hu Yufen and Wang Ying were busy making clothes for the two little ones in the yard, while Shen Yuan was killing fish by the well and also picked out two pieces of good wild boar meat, cut them into long strips, and wrapped them in red cloth.

Although Lu Zhiyuan said that the two bluefish could be used as tuition fees for becoming his apprentice, it wouldn't look good to go empty-handed tomorrow morning.

This wild boar meat is purely wild and tastes great. Bringing a couple of pieces along would be nice.

Besides, given Lu Zhiyuan's personality, if he didn't accept the stones, he wouldn't accept the meat either, so he wouldn't lose money.

"Yufen, I remember you bought this fabric to make clothes for Ayuan, right?"

On the bamboo mat, Wang Ying carefully sewed the fabric and casually asked a question.

Hu Yufen smiled and nodded.

“Shitou and Anu are going to visit Master Lu tomorrow morning. They’re short on time and don’t have time to go to town to get new needles, so they’re just using this as a temporary measure.” Hearing this, Wang Ying paused slightly in her needle and looked up in surprise.

"To visit...Master Lu?"

"That stubborn old man from our village?"

Hu Yufen suddenly realized that she might have let something slip.

Master Lu finally agreed to give his child a chance, but if the villagers find out, they'll inevitably bother him.

The Master prefers peace and quiet; what if he gets angry later...?

Seeing that she didn't answer, Wang Ying grinned and continued sewing the clothes in her hands, saying, "Yu Fen, don't you still trust me, sister-in-law?"

"I will never let this matter get out of my ears, don't worry."

Hu Yufen smiled awkwardly: "Thank you, sister-in-law."

The two worked until evening before finishing making the clothes for Shen Wenxing and Shen Wenyan.

The two little ones took a quick bath using the hot water in the yard and then couldn't wait to change into their new clothes.

"It fits perfectly."

"Thanks to my sister-in-law for making me tighten my shoulders and waist a bit, otherwise it really wouldn't look good."

Clothes make the man, and a saddle makes the horse. Ever since summer started, those two rascals have been going around naked. Even when they do wear clothes, they're always just wearing a pair of shorts, and they look like mud monkeys all day long.

After taking a shower and changing into new clothes, she looks much more comfortable.

"Sister-in-law, Stone's father has killed a fish. I'll go stew it now. You can call Brother Shuan and Da Hu to come and have some fish soup later."

It was already dark. Wang Ying had been busy at home all afternoon, and Hu Yufen hurriedly greeted her.

"No need. A-Yuan brought me a few fish at noon. I'll just go back and stew them now. Bye."

Wang Ying walked out of the house with a smile.

In the evening, the family of four drank fish soup, washed up, and then sat in the courtyard to enjoy the cool air.

"Father, why is the moon sometimes round and sometimes crescent?" Anu, lying next to Shen Yuan, asked curiously, gazing at the moon overhead, which resembled a jade plate.

"That's what the celestial dog eats!"

"It's like a pancake that's been bitten into!"

Before Shen Yuan could speak, Shen Wenxing on the other side answered quickly.

After hearing this, the little guy jumped up and asked, "Then why does the moon that was bitten become round again after a while?"

Shen Wenxing was taken aback by the question and stammered, unsure how to answer.

"Mother, what do you think?"

The little guy looked at Hu Yufen, who was holding a palm-leaf fan beside him.

Hu Yufen was taken aback by the question and looked at her youngest son with a headache.

This little guy is only four years old, but he's definitely a "problem child".

Although Hu Yufen was not a talented woman, she had read quite a bit of classics and historical texts before her family suffered a terrible misfortune.

However, he often couldn't answer Anu's questions.

Seeing his wife's discomfiture, Shen Yuan smiled faintly.

"Stone, go and get two plates."

Shen Wenxing was a little curious, but he still got up and went to the kitchen to get two plates.

Shen Yuan took the plates, placing one in front and the other behind.

The slow movement simulates the process of the moon changing from a full moon to a crescent moon.

"understand?"

The little guy stared at the movements in his hands without saying a word.

Shen Yuan didn't explain these things in detail. He simply put down the plate, rubbed the little guy's head, and said, "If you want to understand these things, you have to study hard. When you read more books and think more, you'll know all of these things."

Shen Wenyan nodded as if he understood, then asked, "Does the teacher know these things?"

Hu Yufen felt that her husband was taking the opportunity to encourage her to study, so she immediately picked up the conversation and said, "Master Lu is a great Confucian scholar, the most learned person in the world, so he naturally understands."

"Anu, you must perform well tomorrow and try to get the teacher to accept you as a student, understand?"

Shen Wenyan nodded.

Hu Yufen then looked at her eldest son, Shen Wenxing, and said, "Shitou, you must also perform well. If you can both become the teacher's students, your father and mother will be at ease."

Shen Wenxing nodded, and the family of four sat on the bamboo mat, quietly watching the full moon overhead.

(End of this chapter)