Chapter 599: Chapter 599: Didn’t See It Chapter 599: Chapter 599: Didn’t See It Mrs. Liang was superstitious.
Afraid that her son’s official career would be influenced by the widow Feng, she even sought out a crone to dispel the evil spirits from her house after the uproar involving Su Xiaofu and Feng Meimei, making it impossible for Fan Wenxuan to stay in the Su Family village.
He hastily packed his belongings and fled to the academy in town. Mrs. Liang prepared a pouch of money for Fan Wenxuan, filled with copper coins she had saved from living frugally.
Handing the money to Fan Wenxuan, Mrs. Liang advised him with earnest concern, “Son, take this money and don’t deprive yourself at the academy. If you crave meat, buy some. Just remember one thing, study hard at the academy. Your mother is still waiting for you to bring back a high official rank! And don’t go attracting those indecent women anymore.”
In Mrs. Liang’s eyes, neither Su Xiaofu nor Feng Meimei were anything decent – what were those two women compared to her son Fan Wenxuan?
“In the future, if you pass the imperial examination, what kind of woman couldn’t you have? Daughters of noble families, daughters of high officials, wouldn’t they all be at your disposal to choose from?”
Mrs. Liang’s words ignited a yearning in Fan Wenxuan.
If he were to top the imperial examination, he might indeed be able to marry a noble lady as his bride, seeing his own son enlightened by her words.
Mrs. Liang also urged Fan Wenxuan to take good care of himself.
A mother’s care is all the same; Mrs. Liang was deeply invested in hopes of Fan Wenxuan bringing glory to his ancestors, wishing for him to bring honor and face to her in the Su Family village.
After Fan Wenxuan fled with his bundle, he never returned to the Su Family village. Su Xiaofu and Feng Meimei both sought him out many times, only to be chased away by Mrs. Liang with a broom each time.
Curious to know who the man was that had been sending gifts to her older sister, Su Yunjin waited in the carefully chosen bushes outside, but surprisingly, after an entire day, Su Yunjin did not catch sight of the man returning, and even the Su Family found it strange. Mrs. Shen pondered, “Yunjin, the previous times that man had sent gifts, he would always send more the following day. Why has he not come today after sending something yesterday?”
Su Ningxiu was also quite puzzled in her heart.
“Mother, could it be that the man was delayed by some urgent matter today?” After much thought, Su Yunjin came up with this possibility. Her eldest brother, Su Muze, concurred, “Mother, I think little sister is right. The man must have been held up by some unexpected business.”
However, Su Zhongshi shook his hand dismissively, saying with indifference, “It’s better if he doesn’t come. It’s best if he never comes again, so I won’t feel uncomfortable inside about accepting gifts from strangers.” Being a simple and honest man, Su Zhongshi sometimes felt uneasy accepting things from unknown benefactors.
Mrs. Shen felt the same way.
“Xiuxiu, Yunjin, it’s good that the man has stopped sending gifts. I think what your father said is right.” The day before, Su Ningxiu had told Su Yunjin about the man.
Later, she had asked Su Yunjin to keep it a secret, to avoid telling their parents about it until they were sure of the man’s identity.
Su Yunjin had promised her older sister Su Ningxiu and did not wish to break her word by speaking to their parents. Seeing how her parents felt, Su Yunjin really wanted to tell them the truth.
If her parents knew the man was pursuing her sister Su Ningxiu, they would not feel embarrassed but angry.
Of course, while Su Yunjin considered this, she said nothing. Having promised her older sister, she could not break the agreement by revealing their secret before confirming the man’s identity.