Chapter 197 - A Slap in the Face (2/2)

Madam Zhang’s eyes darted around, and then she squeezed out a few tears and started sobbing, “Old Man, I know that I have gone overboard in the past. I have harmed Older Cousin and I have also wronged Dahai’s family. But, no matter what, Dahai is your biological son and blood brothers with Xiaobo ah. Can they really not be in contact with each other for the rest of their lives? If he helps us with this now, wouldn’t Xiaobo also take care of his second brother in the future, when he makes a name for himself?”

By this time, they had already arrived in front of their own house. Yu Bo, who had walked out of the courtyard listlessly, looked as if he had found his pillar of support when he saw Old Yu. He choked up as he said, “Father… Son is unfilial. I have made the two of you worry about me!”

Looking at his youngest son, who appeared to have gotten a size thinner and looked haggard, Old Yu thought of Madam Zhang’s words and his heart had somewhat softened. He sighed heavily and said, “You have to remember this lesson ah! People shouldn’t think of doing dishonest practices. You should focus on studying these days, and then try again during Rongxuan Academy’s fall enrollment examination. If you don’t pass the first time, then try a second time, a third time… You will eventually get in.”

Yu Bo listened to his father’s teachings dejectedly and nodded repeatedly. However, he didn’t have any hope in his heart. After this incident, Rongxuan Academy had probably placed him on the blacklist, so he would never have a chance to enter Rongxuan Academy again in his life. After all, other than talent, Rongxuan Academy attached great importance on one’s moral character as their standard for accepting students.

When Old Yu saw his youngest son looking downcast, he patted his shoulder and said, “Alright, it’s already a thing of the past, so stop thinking about it. I… I’ll go to your second brother’s house and ask if we can get the money back?”

Yu Bo’s eyes flickered, and he suddenly remembered that his niece’s godfather was an imperial envoy sent from the capital, which was a position that was even higher than the county magistrate. If he put in a word, the people of the yamen certainly wouldn’t dare to take his family’s money for themselves. But, wouldn’t that expose the fact that he kept a private saving?

“Father, this has to do with my reputation, so it’s better if less people know about it…” Yu Bo muttered.

With shifty eyes, Madam Zhang said, “Son, your second brother isn’t an outsider. Moreover, when I went to town to borrow money from him, that girl Xiaocao had already guessed that this was a scam. If she hadn’t gone to Rongxuan Academy to make a confirmation, we may get deceived even more. Xiaocao’s godfather has a close relation with the county magistrate, so we should be able to get the money back.”

Yu Bo wrung his hands in indignation and said, “So, it was Xiaocao who reported it to Rongxuan Academy ah! I was wondering why the academy would report the case—Mother, you’re destroying your son’s future ah!!”

Madam Zhang looked at him, confused, “I did it for your good ah. How did I ruin your future?”

“Just think about it. To let the administrators of Rongxuan Academy know about this matter, which originally wasn’t some honorable thing, would I, your son, still have face to study in Rongxuan Academy in the future?” Yu Bo sighed and groaned.

Madam Zhang stomped her feet angrily and said, “It’s all that damned brat Xiaocao’s fault! I was wondering why she was being so kind, so it turned out that she was trying to spoil my son’s good opportunity ah! That wicked girl has such a malicious heart. Why didn’t the heavens take her away at that time…”

“Enough! You’re still blaming others for your own mistakes! I reckon that all the books that you have read over the years have rotted in a dog’s stomach!! If you’re going to continue to be like this, then I think you should stop studying and just come back to learn how to fish!” Old Yu tossed his sleeves and stormed towards the direction of the old residence.

Yu Bo looked at his father’s departing figure and felt wronged in his heart, ‘I didn’t say anything ah! In the end, it was Mother who couldn’t accomplish anything and caused trouble instead. It’s fine to go borrow money, but why did she have to talk about my matters?’

Madam Zhang’s whole body was trembling in anger. She pointed at Old Yu’s gradually fading figure and shouted, “Look, just look at him! Does he even think of you as his son?!! In his heart, he only cares about the two children that his dead wife left behind!! Second Son’s family are just farming and doing a little business, what good future would they have? Won’t they still have to rely on you in order to live a leisurely life in the future?”

“Mother, don’t be angry! I, your son, will definitely study hard so that, in the future, those people will regret that they looked down on us!” Yu Bo was very confident in himself. He was just unlucky this year. Next year, he would pass the examination to become a county official and let his father see him in a new light!

Old Yu paced back and forth in front of the old residence for a while before Yu Hang saw him. After being invited into the yard, he saw Xiaocao working in the garden. He slightly hesitated, and then went up to help her.

“Xiaocao, your vegetables have grown really well. Other families’ bok choy and spinach have already gone bad and are inedible, but your family’s greens are still so fresh and tender.” Old Yu was slightly surprised by the vegetables in the courtyard, which were obviously out of season.

Xiaocao smiled and said, “It might be because there’s not much wind in the yard, so they’re able to last longer. Grandfather come by the old residence more often when you’re free. Little Shitou misses you a lot!”

Old Yu wanted to force out a slight trace of a smile, but he didn’t succeed. He didn't know how to ask for her help. They had just agreed to live separate lives last night, yet he had come to trouble them today. Wasn’t he just slapping himself in the face?

Seeing that he seemed to have a lot on his mind and was hesitating to speak, Xiaocao asked, “Grandfather, you…do you need something?”