The aroma of cooking filled the house: I sent my eldest brother to become the Grand Secretary.

Unlike Shen Qing, Shen Wan smelled a sweet and sour aroma mixed with fruity fragrance when she first brought out the plum-flavored pork ribs.

Shen Wan's first chopstick went to the ribs. They were the same bright red and oily color. The ribs were stewed until they were tender and falling off the bone, with a faint plum aroma. When she took a bite, unlike the tender braised pork, the ribs were stewed and still retained some of the meat's unique texture. The slightly sour and sweet taste was like the refreshing feeling left after a summer breeze. It was exceptionally sweet and sour, and the taste was very appetizing.

Before Shen Wan could even process what she had just eaten, she had already finished the rib.

"Delicious! Sister, these ribs are really delicious." Shen Wan's second chopsticks were also taken from the ribs.

The potatoes were also infused with the flavor of the meat, making them incredibly delicious.

If you get tired of the meat, you can eat a few bites of cold wild vegetables to cleanse your palate and then eat a few more bites of meat.

The Shen family enjoyed their meal immensely, especially Shen Cao. Seeing her family eat so happily filled her with satisfaction and motivated her to earn more money so that her family could eat meat every day.

After the meal, Shen Qing and Shen Wan took turns washing the dishes.

Inside the main room, the dim light of an oil lamp illuminated the scene clearly. Shen Cao and his parents sat at the dining table, chatting as they waited for Shen Qing and Shen Wan.

“Father, Mother, we still have some money in our family, and I would like to discuss with you how to use it,” Shen Cao said, looking at her parents.

After listening to Shen Cao's words, Shen's father knew that she had her own plans for the money. Although the money could indeed ensure that their family would not have to worry about food and drink for the next few years, no one could say for sure what would happen in a few years, so it was indeed necessary to make plans as soon as possible.

Mr. Shen wanted to hear Shen Cao's plans. "Cao'er, tell me."

After listening to her father's words, Shen Cao slowly said, "Father, Mother, everyone knows our family's current situation. We only have four acres of low-grade land and a dilapidated thatched hut. Although this money can change our current situation, I do not want to live like this."

Mr. Shen did not intend to just stay on his few acres of land. Just by looking at how he sent his eldest son to school early, you can tell that Mr. Shen was a farsighted man.

Seeing that her parents did not interrupt her, Shen Cao continued, "Now my brother is studying at school and will be taking the imperial examination next year. The path to the imperial examination is long and arduous, and the key is that it requires money. We can set aside some of this money for my brother in advance."

"Moreover, it's better to start school sooner rather than later, and I also want my younger siblings to go to a private school as soon as possible."

"Of all things, only studying is noble. We can talk about what our younger siblings are interested in later, but they definitely need to study."

Shen Cao had studied for over twenty years in her previous life, so there was absolutely no need for her to read them all again. However, the characters in this era were indeed different from those in her previous life, so she only needed to spend a little extra time learning the characters of this world.

After hearing Shen Cao's words, Shen's parents realized that they had known too little about their daughter.

They hadn't expected their fourteen-year-old daughter to have thought so much, and they immediately felt a little guilty, as these were things they should have been thinking about.

Although it is said that children from poor families mature early, thinking about how she has shouldered the heavy burden of the family at such a young age, everyone thinks that they should love this sensible daughter even more in the future.

Shen's family was originally well-off, and they took it for granted that they should send their daughter to school. However, seeing that his daughter only thought about her younger sister and not about herself, he felt a pang of guilt. He felt that he was useless and that his daughter had taken away the things he should have been worried about.

Filled with guilt, she said, "Cao'er, don't just think about your younger siblings, think about yourself too. You also need to go to school."

Hearing her father's words, Shen Cao felt a warmth in her heart. She could worry about her studies later. She had been studying for over twenty years; now, all she wanted was to make money.

"Father, I know."

"Father, Mother, I want to go to the county town."

Thinking that Shen Cao wanted to go to the county town tomorrow, Shen's parents said, "Go ahead, take Qing'er and Wan'er with you tomorrow."

Shen Cao knew that her parents had misunderstood her thoughts. "I want our whole family to move to the county town," Shen Cao said firmly. "Right now, we only have a few acres of low-grade land and a dilapidated thatched house in Stone Village. I've calculated that if we were to exchange it for high-grade land, it would cost nearly a hundred taels of silver to build a decent house."

"What happened to Aunt Li today shows that our family is from out of town. When we really encounter trouble, apart from the village chief, there are hardly any people who will help us. Rather than that, it would be better for the whole family to move to the county town. That way, my brother can come home for dinner every day after school."

"Moreover, there are many private schools in the county town, which will make it more convenient for my younger siblings to study in the future."

"In addition, I plan to make money by selling food and doing some business."

"My father's carpentry skills can also help him find some work in the county town."

Mr. and Mrs. Shen were both shocked by Shen Cao's words. It wasn't that they hadn't considered living in the county town, but they had been so poor before that they couldn't even afford to eat.

Now that the family has some money, it's not impossible for them to go to the county town.

Seeing her parents' hesitation, Shen Cao knew that the matter was feasible, but it needed to be considered carefully.

“Father, Mother, what I’m talking about is just a plan, it doesn’t mean we’ll move to the county town tomorrow.”

“We can take it slow. First, we can go to the county town to find out about the rental prices of houses. Also, if we suddenly leave, it will be hard for our neighbors and relatives to say anything.”

"Actually, the main reason I moved to the county town first was that our family suddenly had a large sum of money, which would definitely arouse the envy of some people, especially Aunt Li. If she found out, she would definitely find a way to make things difficult for us."

"Father, Mother, I think my sister is right." Shen Wan and Shen Qing, who had finished washing the dishes at some point, came into the main room and expressed their support.

Shen Cao knew that her parents were hiding many things from her, but she would take it slow and tell them when things got better.

After thinking it over, Mr. Shen realized that so many years had passed, and those people should have long forgotten him. Besides, his son was going to take the imperial examinations in the future, so it wouldn't do to keep avoiding him.

Instead, I suggested to my daughter that we go to the county town and make money.

Perhaps there will be different opportunities. Wasn't what happened at Wan'an Hall today an opportunity?

As if he had made up his mind, Mr. Shen said, "Alright, let's do as Cao'er says."

Hearing her husband's words, Shen's mother understood his decision and the reasons behind it, and she also expressed her support, saying, "I also support Cao'er's plan."

Shen Cao looked at her supportive family and smiled with relief. Her family would support her unconditionally.

That's what family is like. Even though they know she's chosen the most difficult path, they still support her.

"We can always come back at the last minute," Shen Wan suddenly said.

Shen Cao thought about it for a moment and stopped worrying about it. She gently pinched Shen Wan's nose and said, "Little sister is right. We can always come back!"