Old Man Song, still basking in his joy, was unaware that his money pouch had already caught the eye of his two sons and their wives.
He was happily having a meal at Song Jinzhao's home with Old Lady Song. "If you ever can't manage the household chores, come to the old house anytime to find your grandpa and grandma," he said.
With Song Qiming away at the village school and Song Jinzhao out working, only Song Shixue was left at home to look after Song Anhao. There were surely many things she couldn't handle alone.
Song Anhao sat in a specially made highchair, his chubby little hands grabbing at things on the table.
Song Jinzhao had already started him on solid food—rice flour mixed with finely minced meat paste. Song Anhao would eat nearly half a small bowl each time.
"Anhao's physical deficiencies have been nursed back. He doesn't need to stay cooped up at home like before. When I go out, I'll take them all with me," Jinzhao said.
Seeing she had already thought it through, Old Man Song said no more.
Ever since the third son and his wife passed away, he had never stopped worrying about the four children.
It wasn't that he hadn't tried to intervene before, but Jinzhao had never been one to listen.
Step by step, they had come this far, and now they were living even better than the families of the eldest and second sons.
Everyone has their own path. He was old and couldn't manage everything anymore.
The next day, while washing clothes by the river, Elder Aunt Song ran into Song Dazhuang's wife. After some thought, she struck up a conversation. "How much silver does it cost for Gao Li to study at the village school for a year?"
Dazhuang's wife smiled and replied, "Six taels for the tuition fee, plus all sorts of other expenses, it comes to about twelve taels."
"Yesterday, your father-in-law and Jinzhao came to our house saying Qiming was going to study in the city. It really startled me."
"That girl Jinzhao is not only capable but also so good to her younger siblings. Even when Qiming's father was alive, he never talked about sending the child to school, but Jinzhao made it happen."
"It's just a pity it's a few years late. Starting school at eleven—who knows how old he'll be by the time he passes the exams."
Elder Aunt Song quickly pressed, "Eleven is considered late?"
Dazhuang's wife packed the washed clothes into a wooden bucket. "One should start studying from a young age. When my Gao Li started, the teacher said he was already late."
"Other families' children start at six. My Gao Li didn't enter the schoolhouse until he was eight, a full two years late, and he still hasn't passed the child scholar exam yet."
Elder Aunt Song stood frozen on the spot, not even noticing the clothes in her hands being washed away by the water.
She had originally thought of having another child this year, saving for one more year before sending her son to study next year. Now it seemed that was absolutely not an option.
Second Aunt Song hid behind the reeds by the river, watching quietly, her eyes darting around faster than anyone's.
"I want to send Yongnian to the village school to study," Elder Aunt Song said with firm determination to Oldest Song in their room.
Oldest Song's face was full of struggle. He held his head in his hands, deeply troubled. "Why haven't you given up on this? I've told you, the family has no money."
"We could choose a different school. Some village schools in the city only charge three taels of silver a year for tuition. If we scrimp and save, it would definitely be enough."
Oldest Song put his hands on his hips. "That's a school run by a child scholar. You could study there a lifetime and never pass the provincial scholar exam."
Elder Aunt Song straightened her back and spoke loudly. "He could study there for a year first, then transfer to a better school. His progress would be faster then."
It was the first time Oldest Song had seen his wife so insistent about something.
Not wanting to argue, he compromised a step. "Then let's wait until next year to send him."
Elder Aunt Song shook her head. "Dazhuang's wife said the younger a child starts studying, the better. Yongnian is already several years late. Another year and it really will be useless."
Oldest Song's eyelids drooped. "How many who study actually pass the exams? He'll end up working the fields anyway. Since he's already late, we might as well have another son and train the younger one. Yongnian can help out when he grows up."
Elder Aunt Song's face flushed with anger, and she couldn't help but lose her temper with him.
"No! First come, first served. Yongnian must study. How is it that a grown man like you has less foresight than your own niece!"
"What's all this noise? I could hear you arguing from far away."
Old Lady Song returned from chatting with neighbors to find the roof of the house nearly lifted off by the commotion.
Her eldest daughter-in-law had almost never argued with Oldest Song before. What was going on today?
Elder Aunt Song's eyes were slightly red. Her husband had never been so harsh with her before, and her heart ached.
"I want Yongnian to go to the village school to study, but Oldest Song just won't agree."
Old Man Song appeared at the doorway, his mouth turned down and his eyes dim. He hadn't expected Qiming's studies to give the eldest son's family ideas.
"Being able to study is a good thing. But the expense of twelve taels a year—how do you plan to scrape that together?"
Tears welled in Elder Aunt Song's eyes, but her tone had never been as forceful as it was today.
"The money we saved last year from selling mushrooms and fish is enough for this year's tuition. We had some savings before, and selling grain brought in another two taels. It's enough for his expenses for a year."
Old Man Song trembled as he walked to a stool and sat down. "One year of study will wipe you out. What about next year?"
"Studying for just one year and then stopping is worse than never starting at all."
"Where does the money for daily food and drink come from? Last New Year, Oldest Song said he wanted another son. Are we not having one now?"
Elder Aunt Song looked at Oldest Song. Seeing him stern-faced and saying nothing, she felt even more stifled.
He was usually so good to her and the children. Why did he become so timid and hesitant when it came to education?
They were all children alike. Why could other people's sons study, but not her own?
"Father, Yongnian is your own grandson. You surely want him to have a good future too."
"If Qiming can go study in the city but he can't, how do you think that makes him feel? All this fuss I'm making is for the child's sake."
Elder Aunt Song covered her mouth and burst into tears.
Seeing her cry so sorrowfully, Oldest Song felt a pang of bitterness in his heart.
When it came down to it, he was useless, not even comparable to a young girl.
"Don't cry. We'll do as you say. We'll send Yongnian to the child scholar's school for his early education first, and we'll see next year."
Elder Aunt Song stopped crying, looking at her husband through tear-filled eyes, unable to believe he had really given in.
"Mother, is the food ready? I'm hungry." Yongnian and Song Qiaoniang ran in from outside, holding grass crickets.
Old Man Song saw the dirt all over Yongnian's hands and knees and thought of how Song Qiming had looked yesterday, writing at the desk.
The difference was truly vast.
Without education, one could only farm for a lifetime, dependent on the heavens, with no prospects, never getting ahead.
Thinking of how Song Jinzhao was willing to spend more money to send Song Qiming to a good school, Old Man Song closed his eyes wearily, then opened them again.
"If he's going to study, he should study at a good one. Let Yongnian also go to Scholar Zheng's school. Your mother and I will cover the extra tuition."
Second Aunt Song, who had been eavesdropping at the door, secretly rejoiced and turned to run home.
She needed to settle Yaozu's schooling matter quickly.
Elder Aunt Song's eyes lit up with joy. If he could go to a good school, she certainly didn't want him in a poor one.
Oldest Song stole a glance at his wife, who was secretly tugging at his clothes from behind, and sighed silently.
"Thank you, Father. We'll consider this silver a loan from you and Mother."
Old Man Song shook his head. "What's this talk of loans between family? Your mother and I are getting older. You all need to work harder yourselves."
Oldest Song and Elder Aunt Song nodded in unison.
