Everyone in the Xiao household was stuffed, yet none could bear to put down their chopsticks—the food was simply too delicious.
Especially the half‑grown children, who ate every grain of rice in their bowls without leaving a single one.
Tonight’s dishes differed from the Marquis’s New Year feast; though New Year’s offered more variety, it never had this much meat.
Never had the dishes been so refined—tonight’s food was delicate and smooth in texture, with a faint fragrance that lingered long after eating.
Even during New Year, the Xiao family had never been so extravagant; only at others’ banquets could they taste such fare.
Yet in the past two years, the Marquis’s household had few visitors, so they had no relatives to visit.
If they could eat like this every day, they’d do whatever the household mistress asked of them!
Everyone was inwardly delighted, yet when they saw the person seated at the head—beautiful as a celestial being…
Everyone’s smiles froze—she was still so young; could she really keep them from going hungry?
Watching Wen Qingwan’s extraordinary bearing, with noble grace in every gesture, they hoped she would lead them to a better life.
At that moment, she had just wiped the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief; her eyelids lifted slightly as she swept her gaze across everyone, and a wave of authority emanated from her, making them all sit up straight.
“Would you like to eat dishes like this every day?” she asked calmly, her voice gentle and melodious.
Everyone nodded in perfect unison, then unevenly echoed: “We want it.”
“We truly do.”
“These dishes are so delicious—how could we possibly refuse?”
“In fact, this isn’t the most delicious cuisine, nor is it the highest‑class fare.” Her gaze continued to sweep across the crowd.
The Xiao family froze for a second at her words, then realized what she meant, all staring wide‑eyed, waiting for what she would say next.
Eight‑year‑old Xiao Lichun, seeing his sister‑in‑law quietly watching everyone, couldn’t help scratching the back of his head and asking: “Sister‑in‑law… these dishes… aren’t the best?”
“No, it isn’t."
“Sister‑in‑law, then what dishes count as the best?” Eight‑year‑old Xiao Lixia asked bravely.
“As long as you behave, the dishes from now on won’t repeat for ten days. Whoever stands out, I’ll reward with a chicken leg,” Wen Qingwan said with a gentle smile.
Everyone: …
“Ten days without repetition? Sister‑in‑law, does that mean there’s meat at every meal?”
“As long as each of you obeys, not only will there be meat at every meal, but you can even have several meat dishes in one sitting, just like today.”
The Xiao family was stunned; they had already feared her somewhat, but now her words made them truly respect her from the heart.
The half‑grown children couldn’t help swallowing, sneaking glances at the elder brother beside their sister‑in‑law, and indeed found him as if his soul had been hooked away.
So the half‑grown children grew bolder and asked, “Sister‑in‑law, how should we obey?”
“Starting tomorrow, everyone under fifteen, regardless of gender, will spend half the day reading for me.”
“The boys will study literature for half the day and practice martial arts for the other half. The girls will spend their remaining half‑day learning music, calligraphy, painting, and needlework.”
“Every three days there will be an assessment. The top three will get an extra chicken leg, while the bottom three will be punished by not eating meat.”
“Sister‑in‑law… is it really… this simple?” Xiao Lixia asked in disbelief.
He’s really good at studying!
But their household couldn’t afford to send so many to study, so no one went to school.
“Mm."
As soon as Wen Qingwan finished speaking, there was a collective gasp, followed by whispers—the gist was that they were willing to accept.
The Merit Mall reminded her: find ways to make the children of the Marquis of Cheng’en’s household improve, and she could earn merit points.
She also wanted to earn merit points, so she proposed that her younger step‑siblings study and practice martial arts—surely that counts as progress!
“Your elder brother said he can work hard to earn money; he only hopes you study diligently, not waste your youth, and never idle away your time.”
“Sister‑in‑law, what about me?” asked the twenty‑one‑year‑old Xiao Libo curiously.
“Step‑brothers over fifteen may also study and sit for the autumn provincial exam; those who fail will be struck from the family register.”
“Of course, those step‑brothers unwilling to study can follow your elder brother and learn to earn money.”
As Wen Qingwan’s words fell, Xiao Libo muttered inwardly: [Heavens! I was hoping to muddle through, but it looks like that won’t work!]
[I’ve already sat for the autumn exam five times and never once made the list. If I slack off, I’ll be struck from the genealogy. Better to earn money instead! Why is my fate so bitter?]
“Sister‑in‑law, I’m signing up to study,” Xiao Litao said firmly as he stood up.
His maternal grandfather, the Grand Tutor of the court, always hoped he would pursue official rank, but until now he had refused to sit for the exams.
He felt that the siblings in the Marquis’s household were like a swarm of blood‑sucking leeches; if he passed the exam, they would drain him dry until not even a scrap of bone remained.
Then why should he even try!
Now, with elder brother and sister‑in‑law bearing the brunt ahead, he wants to win official rank and secure a generous stipend, to ease their burden.
“Mm. Leng Feng, make the registration. Tomorrow, remember to prepare the Four Treasures of the Study for Third Young Master,” Wen Qingwan said with a gentle smile.
Seeing the little girl’s smile at her brows and eyes, Xiao Jin didn’t want to dampen her joy—let them study then!
He had only planned to feed them enough to be full; with so many mouths, even that was difficult—let alone supporting their studies!
But the little girl is kind‑hearted; her happiness is what matters most.
Wen Qingwan was happy—not because of her kindness, but because a melodious voice rang in her mind.
[Congratulations, Host! You’ve saved two Literary Stars. One thousand merit points have been credited.]
One merit point can be exchanged for a roast chicken; a thousand merit points for a thousand chickens—enough to feed a hundred people for two months, right?
Wen Qingwan still hadn’t figured out where those merit points came from; in any case, they always ended up in her account.
The heir‑husband did not object; he had already said he would roll up his sleeves to earn money and support the younger step‑brothers and sisters.
Since it’s all about raising them, isn’t fighting crickets every day the same as studying?
The only benefit is that she can earn merit points.
Ha ha……
In her past life, Wen Qingwan endured a lifetime of stifled grievances; in this life, she often just wants to laugh out loud.
Xiao Jin gazed steadily at her; seeing her genuine happiness, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, he was wise enough not to object—otherwise how could he have seen her smile like a blooming flower!
Since the age of eleven, his life’s goal has been to make the little girl happy.
After the meal, no one hurried to leave; they all wanted to know what good things might await them next.
“Ladies, begin sewing tomorrow. First, make two sets of summer clothes for the children. Those with fine workmanship will also be rewarded.”
Looking at the women blooming like a hundred flowers, Wen Qingwan suddenly thought of a way to make money.
In her past life, the Seventh Prince’s consort designed a certain Tang‑style outfit, which once took Shangjing City by storm.
It drove the noble young ladies into a frenzy of buying, earning profits hand over fist.
Sadly, her ending was bitter, for in the Seventh Prince’s eyes there was only Wen Mingzhu, and he never cared for her at all.
The Seventh Prince’s consort often muttered before Wen Qingwan: she had no golden cheat, so she lost to Wen Mingzhu.
At this time she was only eleven, not yet grown up—borrowing that design to earn some silver first wasn’t excessive, was it?
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