Rebirth: Making a Fortune in Ancient Times

When Uncle Ma returned from town, it was nearly 9 PM. At that time, Zhang Youtie and the others were still at the old house, discussing the good news of the baby and preparing a feast for the guests. Zhang Youyin was very excited. Over the years, many people in the village had said behind his back that he was childless, but now that Li had given birth to such a good, healthy son, he was determined to make a grand celebration and let everyone in the village see that he was a man with a son.

Liu's snoring had already begun on the kang (a heated brick bed). Zhang Youtie and his elder brother were exhausted and wanted to go back to their rooms to sleep early. But Zhang Youyin wasn't tired at all. He had spent the whole day lying on the kang, and now that he had a son, how could he not share his joy with his father and brothers?

Li was still asleep. Seeing that they wouldn't finish anytime soon, Liu took Xia Yu and Wang to her room. There, Xia Yu carefully read aloud the piece of paper that Granny Liu had given her.

"Oh my, our Xiaxia is really something now, she can recognize so many characters." Wang said with some envy when she saw that Xia Yu could recognize all the characters in the book.

"Sister-in-law, you know what, this girl learns to read really fast. Every time Changyun comes back from his day off, he teaches her the new characters she's learned, and she learns them incredibly quickly. Her father and I even said that if Xiaxia were a boy, she might be able to pass the imperial examination and become a scholar like our fourth brother." Liu Shi was unusually low-key at this moment, praising Xia Yu's literacy skills highly.

After saying that, she suddenly turned her gaze to Chunyu and said to Wang Shi, "Sister-in-law, how about next time during the long-term holiday, let Chunyu go and learn from Xiaxia? That way, when we look for a husband, people will think more highly of our Chunyu."

Hearing Liu's suggestion, Wang was very tempted. Her gaze also turned to her daughter, who was talking to Xia Yu.

Feeling the gazes of their two mothers, the two girls belatedly raised their heads and looked at their sisters-in-law.

"Chunyu, what do you think of Third Aunt's idea?" Madam Wang looked intently at her daughter.

The two people who were talking just now didn't notice what they were saying. Now, under Wang's burning gaze, Chunyu felt a chill run down her spine.

"Mom, I was talking to Xiaxia just now, I didn't hear what you and Auntie were saying?"

“Chunyu, look how many characters Xiaxia knows. I’m thinking of having you learn to read with Changyun too. What do you think?” Wang Shi repeated what she had just discussed with Liu Shi.

Hearing her mother's words, Chunyu thought to herself, 'Not very good.' But she said aloud, 'Mom, there's a lot of work to do at home. Even though I went to learn with Changyun, I didn't have time to review it when I got back. Besides, I prefer doing needlework.'

Hearing her daughter's answer, Wang thought about her words and immediately lost her temper. Chunyu was right; Chunyu did a lot of the housework. Although Qinghe was a little better than before, it was only a little better. She would still slack off when Grandpa Zhang wasn't looking.

So she said to Liu, "Let's forget about literacy. There's just too much work to do at home. If she likes needlework, let her do what she loves." As she spoke, Wang felt for the first time that she owed her daughter something.

Thinking about how her daughter had always helped take care of her younger siblings since she was little, and then started doing housework as she grew older, I felt a pang of sadness. Looking at Xiaxia's delicate hands and then at my daughter's calloused hands, I felt a sudden pang of sorrow. My daughter could enjoy a comfortable life at her parents' home for a few years, but once she got to her husband's family, she would have to manage the household and serve her in-laws. Even at her parents' home, her own mother didn't seem to care for her; how could she expect to be treated like a servant at her husband's family?

Having figured all this out, Wang decided that she would treat her daughter better from now on, letting her live comfortably for a few years. If her mother-in-law, Liu, could spoil her own Qinghe, why should she treat her daughter like a maid?

"Sister-in-law, I smell a wonderful fragrance on you and Xiaxia. Did you use perfumed face cream?" Madam Wang suddenly asked.

"Yes, Xiaxia bought it in the county town. After using it this winter, my hands and face won't get chapped. We have some more at home, I'll bring some over tomorrow, you and Chunyu can try it too," Liu said knowingly.

"No, no, I just want to ask how much it costs." Wang knew this thing wasn't cheap, so she wasn't willing to take advantage of it for nothing.

"You'll have to ask Xiaxia, I don't know how much it costs either." After saying that, she turned her gaze to Xiayu, who was standing next to Chunyu.

Xia Yu thought for a moment and said, "Two hundred coins a jar, enough for one winter."

"Hiss, this price is really not cheap." Wang couldn't help but gasp when she heard the price Xia Yu mentioned. However, glancing at her daughter sitting next to Xia Yu, she noticed how rough her skin was compared to Xia Yu's, something she hadn't noticed before. She gritted her teeth, turned, and took a money pouch from the cabinet. She took out two strings of coins and placed them in Liu's arms, saying...

"Sister-in-law, next time my third brother goes to the county town to deliver goods, please bring me a jar of the face cream you use."

"Okay, I'll have him bring it back when he goes in a couple of days. What scent do you want? We have jasmine and orchid scents, which one do you want?"

"Spring Rain, what scent do you like?" Wang asked Spring Rain, turning her head to look at her.

Thinking this had nothing to do with her, Chunyu was scratching the chilblains on her hands. Suddenly, she heard Wang ask what kind of fragrance she liked. She looked up, somewhat bewildered, and saw everyone staring at her. Remembering what her mother and third aunt had just said, she replied, "Mother, what kind of fragrance do you like?"

"Silly girl, this is for you. Why are you asking me?" Wang felt a pang of heartache looking at her daughter's obedient yet bewildered expression.

"For me? Mom, that's too expensive. You can use it. I don't need it," Chunyu said.

“I’m already an old woman, what use is that to me? You’re a young girl, it’s time to dress up.” Madam Wang reached out and brushed some stray hairs from her daughter’s head, speaking gently.

Seeing their reaction, Xia Yu spoke up.

“Aunt, that jar contains quite a lot; it's enough for you and my older sister.”

"That's great! I didn't expect it to be so affordable." Wang had just been complaining about the price of the face cream, but now that Xia Yu said it would last two people a whole winter, she did the math in her head and suddenly thought it was quite a bargain. It wouldn't cost much each day, and with her current income, she could easily afford it.

In the end, it was Ms. Wang who chose the one with orchid fragrance, and that brought the topic to a close.

Zhang Youyin, who was on the upper floor, was still excited. Finally, when Uncle Ma brought the person back, Zhang Youtie took out his pocket watch and saw that it was so late.

"Father, let's call it a day. It's already past midnight. Second brother, you should go back to your room and check on your wife."

Old Master Zhang was also fed up with his second son, but understanding his feelings—having carried the burden of having no male heir for so many years, and finally having a son today—he patiently listened to his son repeating the same few sentences over and over. At this moment, hearing his third son mention that it was already Hai hour (9-11 PM), he went along with it and said…

"That's enough for now. We can talk about it tomorrow." The old man made the final decision. Zhang Youjin, who was feeling drowsy, stood up abruptly, said, "Dad, I'm going back to my room," and left the main room.