Chapter 108: The Stubborn Shaoyuan

Shao Yuan gave a playful grin. "Mother, Jiao Yan, I'm fine. It's just a superficial wound. I don't know how it happened, but I ran into this wild boar while in the mountains today. I figured it wasn't too big and that I could handle it, so I went for it. Mother, don't worry, see? I managed to kill it, didn't I?"

Miao Suwen sighed. How could she not understand her own son's temperament? The boy had been clever and sensible since he was young, but he was also incredibly stubborn; once he set his mind on something, he would never waver. He was simply worried about others bullying his mother, which was why he was so desperate to become strong and capable.

How could Miao Suwen not be moved by her son's devotion? They were a widowed mother and an orphaned son relying on each other; if Shao Yuan didn't grow strong, how would he support this household in the future? Yet, seeing her son endure such hardships at such a young age, how could her heart not ache?

"Come, let's go inside so I can dress your wounds." Miao Suwen pulled her son toward the house.

Jiao Yan found the medicine chest and brought in some warm water to help Miao Suwen clean Shao Yuan’s wounds, apply the medicine, and bandage them. "Stay home and rest for a few days. You are not allowed to go back into the mountains until your injuries are healed," Miao Suwen said, her face stern as she finished bandaging him.

Shao Yuan agreed readily. "Alright, I'll stay home these next few days and won't go out." Having been injured, he knew he had to recover before returning to the mountains; otherwise, it would be suicide. Shao Yuan was a smart boy and would not be foolish about such things.

Miao Suwen found a fresh set of clothes for her son to change into, naturally soaking the bloodied ones immediately to prevent the stains from setting.

Shao Yuan was robust and possessed great endurance, so he paid little mind to his injuries. Once dressed, he prepared to head into the courtyard to process the boar.

"Jiao Yan, stay for lunch today. The boar isn't fully grown yet, so the meat won't be too tough. Once I've finished butchering it, I'll have Mother stir-fry some for us. Or we could make meatballs; those are delicious too," Shao Yuan said as he walked out.

"Brother Shao Yuan, I need to go home. My brothers went to register at the private school today, and I don't know how it went. I have to go home and check on them." Jiao Yan shook her head, feeling anxious about her family and eager to return.

Shao Yuan paused slightly before nodding. "Alright then, I'll walk you back. When my mother makes the meatballs tonight, I'll bring some over to you." He stopped to wait for Jiao Yan, and the two left the Miao residence, heading toward the Gu family home.

On the way, Jiao Yan suddenly remembered something and asked, "Brother Shao Yuan, do you want to study? If you do, I can talk to my father and have him send you to the private school with the others."

Jiao Yan knew that Shao Yuan was already literate. Miao Suwen was a physician, so she was naturally educated. In Jiao Yan’s view, Miao Suwen’s scholarship was profound—perhaps even higher than that of a typical village schoolmaster. Shao Yuan would always find time in the afternoon to read and practice his calligraphy.

However, Jiao Yan felt that someone like Shao Yuan should be studying properly in a schoolhouse. Especially after seeing how excited Wen Tao and the others were at the prospect of schooling, she felt certain that Shao Yuan must harbor the same desire.

Shao Yuan’s expression tightened for a moment before he shook his head with a smile. "Jiao Yan, I don’t want to go to a schoolhouse. I have no intention of taking the imperial examinations, so what would I do there? As long as I can read ordinary books and write thanks to my mother’s teaching, that’s enough."

"Brother Shao Yuan, are you worried about the tuition fees? That’s not a problem; if necessary, I can ask my father to cover it for you first. I really think you should go to school." Shao Yuan was a very bright boy, and Jiao Yan felt it would be a pity for him to remain at home.

Shao Yuan reached out and ruffled Jiao Yan’s hair. "You little girl, you worry too much. I truly don't want to study. It’s not about the tuition—my family can certainly afford it—I just don’t want to be tied down by those regulations. Scholars are often useless; reading too many books just makes the mind rust. I’ve seen enough of those 'scholars' who are lazy, can’t tell their crops apart, and are full of empty talk about benevolence and morality. I look down on them the most."

"I only want to take good care of my mother and live a grounded, honest life. As for the rest, I don't care for it. Jiao Yan, don't try to persuade me anymore. I am content with how things are now. Besides, I want to focus on learning martial arts from my master, and I can't do both at the same time. One cannot have it all; it is better to specialize in one thing."

Jiao Yan fell silent. Perhaps Shao Yuan was right; a person's energy is limited. If Shao Yuan wanted to master martial arts, he simply didn't have the time to study. Being too greedy would only lead to failing at everything.

"Alright, I won't pressure you then. As long as you know what you're doing, that’s all that matters. Just don't regret it later." Jiao Yan dropped the subject; it was Shao Yuan's life, and he had to be the one to decide his path.

As they spoke, they arrived outside the Gu family gate. Madam Li was still complaining to Old Master Gu, sobbing and rambling about her miserable fate.

"Jiao Yan, go on in. I'm heading home. If you have time tonight, come over for dinner." Shao Yuan had heard the commotion in the courtyard, so he spoke loudly.

"Alright, I'll see this afternoon if I can make it." Jiao Yan had also heard Madam Li’s words, and along with her confusion came a flicker of anger. *Had it been too long since the house was quiet? Does she feel uncomfortable if there isn't any drama?* Jiao Yan felt displeased and, realizing Shao Yuan was being intentionally loud, she raised her own voice in response.

With the two children talking at the gate, how could Old Master Gu and Madam Li not hear them? They both stopped talking, and Madam Li glanced toward the gate. "Wandering around all day like a stray! She didn't learn her lesson from the last beating; sooner or later, someone will teach her a real lesson, and then she'll finally be quiet." Madam Li was in a bad mood, and since she couldn't take it out on Gu Chengyong, she vented her frustrations with these vague, pointed remarks.

Jiao Yan rolled her eyes. *Is this old woman terrified of peace and quiet? Is she only happy when the household is a chaotic mess?*

"Grandpa Gu, Grandma, my mother asked me to come by and borrow a pattern from my cousin for making shoes." Before Jiao Yan could speak, Shao Yuan walked in, smiling brightly at Old Master Gu and Madam Li.

Shao Yuan had intended to turn back, but upon hearing Madam Li's barbed remarks, he had decided to walk in. He was afraid Madam Li might take her anger out on Jiao Yan, and he wouldn't let her suffer.

Madam Li knew exactly what Shao Yuan was doing, but in front of an outsider, she couldn't keep scolding Jiao Yan. She huffed, turned her face away, and stopped looking at them.

Old Master Gu, however, was not like Madam Li. He smiled at Shao Yuan and said, "Ah, Shao Yuan is here. Your cousin is in the west courtyard; go on over."

Shao Yuan pulled Jiao Yan along, bowed to the old couple, and whispered to Jiao Yan before they headed to the west courtyard.

The moment they left, Madam Li began her complaints again. "Look at that, just look at that! Does that wretched girl have any respect for us? Did you see her eyes? She looks at us with such loathing, as if she wishes she could throw us away. This whole family is in shambles now; even a brat like that dares to look at me like that!" Madam Li gnashed her teeth.

"Enough, enough, stop saying these things. You are an elder; you need to carry yourself like one, or no one will respect you. Sigh, this whole family... none of them are a moment's peace." The old man's latter remark was not directed at Madam Li, but at his own sons.

Jiao Yan and Shao Yuan were children with sharp ears; they hadn't walked far, so they heard every word. Shao Yuan took Jiao Yan’s hand. "Don't be like them. Getting angry isn't worth it. Who knows what the future holds? We won't all be living together forever."

Jiao Yan smiled. "I know. I won't lower myself to their level."

Returning to Gu Chengyong’s quarters, they found Wen Xiu and Wen Qi at home. Both looked troubled, whispering to each other.

"Big Brother, Third Brother, what are you doing? What are you whispering about? You're not planning to go out and stir up trouble, are you?" Jiao Yan asked curiously as she approached.

"Father just came back from town with Wen Tao and the others, and Grandmother started calling Wen Tao a 'bastard found on the side of the road.' She's angry that Father cares more about Wen Tao than Wen Jing and Wen An," Wen Qi explained without hiding anything.

Jiao Yan was stunned. So that was it. No wonder the old woman had such a sour look on her face earlier. She was angry about the money spent on Wen Tao’s schooling. The old woman really did overstep her bounds.

"Is the Second Brother alright?" Jiao Yan was worried. Wen Tao was sensitive about his origins, and hearing Madam Li say such things would surely hurt him.

"He cried when he got back and has been sitting there ever since. Father and Mother are both trying to comfort him," Wen Xiu said, shaking his head. "That old woman is truly something else, always picking at people's old wounds."

Wen Xiu had long since accepted Wen Tao as his own brother, so he was naturally upset to see him so heartbroken.

"I’ll go in and see him." Jiao Yan was worried too. Wen Tao had finally begun to accept his current life; if he were provoked into doing something drastic, it would be a disaster.