In the past, the couple always went to teach at the Ye residence together. Having both the husband and wife come to teach not only provided a change of scenery but also an opportunity to enjoy the views outside.
It was the first time Mr. Mo came to the Ye family to teach a music lesson alone. Although he had guards with him, the students still found it odd.
Ye Shiqi and her elder sisters only saw Mr. Mo, not Mrs. Mo. Initially, the teacher didn’t explain, but during lunch, as the male host, Hongji probed with a question.
"Mr. Mo, you and your wife are usually inseparable. Is the madam resting today?" he asked.
Since the male host had already asked, Mr. Mo paused his eating, and while the Ye family listened intently, his face turned shyly red as he spoke, "I’m afraid from now on, it’ll only be me taking on the job. My wife is pregnant."
Upon hearing this, Hongji’s face broke into a smile without putting down his bowl and chopsticks, and he heartily congratulated, "Congratulations, congratulations!"
The Ye Family’s sisters just giggled amongst themselves, whispering about the future arrival of a little ’teacher’s brother.’
The household, with its population not being particularly large, still observed the custom of men and women sitting separately.
Mrs. Li was feeding her son while her face also wore a gentle smile.
Listening to the men’s conversation, they would only discuss it quietly among themselves?
Mrs. Lai began to proclaim, "A married woman should first focus on raising children. Running around as a teacher all day, now she’s finally doing what a woman ought to do."
Hearing the grand lady make such comments, Mr. Mo didn’t know what to say and chose to remain silent, not engaging in the topic.
Hongji’s father shot his wife a glance and, together with his son, pretended not to hear her words and continued eating.
Having brought up the topic, Mr. Mo remembered what the old doctor had said about honey.
He and his wife occasionally received this treat during their visits here, valued even more on their first day when the Ye family presented them with two kilograms of honey, a gift they considered not costly but very practical.
He greatly appreciated it and they had since reciprocated with silver and sometimes sent back fruits and vegetables to add to their small kitchen garden.
The family couldn’t be considered extremely wealthy, but they were generous, and both husband and wife liked them very much. Of course, there were the occasional discordant voices, but as long as they ignored them and did not take them to heart, there were no troubles.
"Brother Ye, thank you for the honey you sent. The doctor said my wife drinking this honey will nourish the fetus well," he expressed his gratitude.
Hongji nodded, knowing well the benefits of honey, something even wealthy families recognized. Its value was clear, and not everybody had the privilege of receiving their gifts.
Especially the honey meant for their daughter’s dowry, which couldn’t be compared to ordinary mountain honey, was something he would not share with others, not even their parents were aware of the true nature of this matter.
Hearing the teacher’s words, Mrs. Lai laughed triumphantly, her spit flying as she boasted:
"Heh, lucky you! Do you know that at the recent Tang Family banquet, a noble lady offered a hefty sum for our honey, and we didn’t sell it to them."
At the same table, the Ye Family’s sisters and her daughters-in-law...
Every time Mrs. Lai spoke during meals, her spittle would fly, and it became questionable whether the food could still be enjoyed by others at the table.
Everyone hastened with their rice, avoiding the dishes sprinkled with spit.
The teacher’s words only elicited a nod from Mr. Mo; as for what transpired at the Tang family gathering, the men didn’t indulge in gossip.
This grand lady’s words suggested that the honey from their household was coveted even by wealthy families.
The decision not to sell but to give away honey signified that the household prioritized relationships and friendship over profit, unlike petty merchants driven solely by greed. He disregarded this grand lady’s comments, knowing she held no sway over the family affairs.
Mrs. Lai, expecting praise for her revelation, was annoyed that the young man was so discerning to withhold it. She shot Mr. Mo a displeased glance and, resuming her meal, realized the dishes were left untouched – exactly as she wished, and she chewed loudly with pleasure.
The others chose to ignore the sound.
As Mr. Mo prepared to leave in the afternoon, Ye Shiqi presented him with a cloth-wrapped vat, saying, "Teacher, this is from my mother, for your wife. Take good care of her, and let my mother know once you run out of honey."