Xu Zifan looked at Su Qianyun and raised an eyebrow, saying, "So it was Second Sister-in-law who came up with the idea." He smiled and cupped his hands in a salute, "Second Sister-in-law is indeed amazing. She came up with a great idea. I should be grateful to Second Sister-in-law."
Su Qianyun awkwardly tugged at the corners of her mouth and smiled, "Third brother, it was a last resort that day." Seeing that Cai was still pressing her for an answer, she said knowingly, "Sister-in-law, are you referring to our recent food sales when you said 'good days'? Sister-in-law, it's not that I was so good at keeping quiet before, it's just that the family's meals were always rationed, and we couldn't just touch things like sugar and red dates. How could I dare to mess around with pastries and other snacks? If we hadn't separated and were living our own lives, I wouldn't have known I actually had a talent for making snacks. To be honest, life is pretty good like this now. But seeing that we're going to be unhappy again at the same table today, I think it's better if we don't stay together as one family."
Xu Erlang said coldly, "Brother, what does sister-in-law mean by this? We work hard to get food and sell it, and we're so tired that our bodies ache, all so that the children can have a better life. Why is sister-in-law blaming us for not taking you with us when we sell things? By that logic, wasn't it your duty to take care of the third son before? Why are you unwilling?"
Xu Dalang's face turned bright red. "No, second brother, I didn't mean that. I just want the family to be together, to be filial to our parents, and to raise our children." He looked at Cai Shi and scolded, "Don't talk nonsense. Our parents are still here. Shut up."
Mr. Xu frowned and said, "Alright, what's all the arguing about? It's pointless for a family to be like this. Let's just leave it at that."
"Old man!" Xu's mother looked at him anxiously. They were only fifty years old, in such good health, and they even wanted four generations to live together. Why not take the opportunity to bring the family together?
Xu's father shook his head and said coldly, "It's useless to force them to be a family when their hearts aren't in it. From now on, we'll just live with the third son and stop causing trouble."
Xu Erlang laughed and said, "Father is right. Mother, don't worry. Children and grandchildren have their own blessings. Aren't we all doing quite well? When your son earns money, he will buy you nice things to show his respect. You just need to enjoy your life."
Mrs. Xu was displeased and snorted, "I can't enjoy your good fortune. Didn't you hear what your wife just said? It's all my fault for not managing the household well. She has no chance to use her abilities. She'll only feel better after the family is separated."
Su Qianyun quickly said, "Mother, that's not what I meant. I didn't know I would be able to do these things before. It was all by chance."
Xu Zifan served some food to his parents and said with a smile, "I also think it's good to separate the family. Father, Mother, have you forgotten? I still want to continue studying to pass the imperial examination and learn medicine to help people. If we hadn't separated, I was afraid I would have been a financial burden on my elder brothers. Now that we're all living our own lives, I can work hard to earn money and spend it however I want in the future. It's really much more comfortable. Otherwise, no matter how much I earn, I'm afraid I'll be seen as a bloodsucker by outsiders, which will affect my reputation."
Xu's parents knew he wanted to take the imperial examination, but upon hearing that it might damage his reputation, they abandoned the idea. Even Cai hesitated. Despite Xu Zifan's ability to copy books and his father's skill in selling bamboo products, studying and taking the imperial examinations required a lot of money; perhaps their combined earnings wouldn't even cover Xu Zifan's expenses! Thinking this, Cai lowered her head and remained silent. Seeing this, Xu's mother was deeply disappointed. She glanced at Cai a few times, knowing Cai was envious of their earnings. Looking at Xu Dalang, she saw he didn't understand many complexities, only knowing how to work hard; the eldest son's family would indeed have little future.
Considering Xu Zifan's attitude, Xu's mother didn't say anything more. The old couple and Xiaolian were already easing the burden on the eldest son's family by living with Xu Zifan. Even if the eldest son's family didn't achieve much, they wouldn't be worse off than other families in the village, and that was enough. Now that she was with Xu Zifan, she couldn't keep thinking about her two sons. When the family divided the property, they hadn't thought about her either. So be it.
The meal that followed was somewhat silent. After the meal, Xiaolian took the initiative to wash all the dishes, and everyone went back to their rooms. This time, it felt more like a ceremony, a ceremony to declare that the Xu family had completely separated and there was no possibility of them ever reuniting. It was also a catalyst, making the second branch of the family even more anxious to earn enough money to build a house and move out, far away from their awful relatives. In their eyes, Xu's mother and Cai's wife had only stuck with them because they were capable.
Madam Cai was still envious, but now she only envied the second branch of the family. The second branch had virtually no expenses, their income was plentiful, and they'd even eaten meat a few times, their lives clearly becoming easier. The third branch, though desirable, held no appeal for her now; Xu Zifan was preparing for the imperial examinations, and who knew when he might go bankrupt. Unfortunately, Su Qianyun was very wary; Madam Cai hadn't seen how she made the snacks, nor had she found out how much the second branch was earning. She could only envy from afar, unable to do anything about it.
Xu Zifan continued copying books every day, oblivious to the undercurrents between the first and second wives. Every day after sunset, fearing his eyes would hurt from copying, he would exercise in the courtyard, using methods completely devoid of modern influences. When his family asked him about it, he would say he learned it from medical books and that it could improve his weak constitution. His mother had suffered a difficult childbirth and had always been weaker than other men; it was because of this that they were able to support his education, as he was incapable of doing anything else.
After Xu Zifan had been training for a month, his father twisted his arm while carrying bamboo strips. Twisting a tendon is very painful, and even the slightest exertion will cause pain. When Xu Zifan saw this, he quickly helped him back to his room. Xu's mother said anxiously, "Take your father to Doctor Hu's house to have him checked out."
Xu's father said, "It's alright, I'll rest for a while."
Xu's mother disagreed, "We have to be careful at this age. We can't take it lightly. Third son, don't go inside. Listen to me, go straight to Doctor Hu's house."
Xiao Lian reminded her from the side, "Mother, isn't Third Brother good at treating illnesses? Let Third Brother treat Father."
Xu Zifan helped his father sit down, told Xiaolian to go out first, then took off his father's clothes and carefully...
After examining her, she said, "I really know how to treat illnesses, Dad, Mom, don't worry, let me take a look first."
Parents are always very tolerant of their children. Hearing what he said, the two elders stopped rushing to find a doctor. Instead, they watched with curiosity as Xu Zifan examined the child like a doctor, finding it quite amusing. After the examination, Xu Zifan held his father's wrist with one hand and stroked the tendons on his arm with the other, massaging a few acupoints. After doing this, he said, "It's almost fine now. I'll prepare some medicated oil later. Apply it three times a day, and it should be healed in about ten days. Dad, don't put too much weight on this hand these next few days. If you need anything, just call me. Take a good rest for a few days."
Mr. Xu frowned. "No, I've already arranged with the people in the neighboring village to deliver the straw hats."
"Then I'll go," Xu Zifan said casually as he helped his father put on his clothes.
"How can you do that? You'll be tired carrying that basket all the way to the village entrance," Xu's mother said with a smile.
Xu Zifan laughed, "Mother, you underestimate your son. I exercise every day according to the methods in the medical books, and my body is much stronger now. If you don't believe me, let me go and try it. I guarantee there won't be any problems. If I can't even take care of myself, how dare I treat others in the future?"
Xu's father looked him over and hesitated before saying, "How about this, you come with me. If you can't carry it on the way, I have an arm that's fine, so we can each carry one side and make it easier."
"Alright then, Dad, just consider it a stroll."
Xu Zifan went back inside and changed into his oldest clothes. He walked to the door, nimbly picked up a large bamboo basket, which was full of heavy things, but Xu Zifan seemed to be carrying nothing at all. He walked with ease and said with a smile, "Dad, let's go."
Xu's father followed him out, glancing at him every now and then, always thinking that with Xu Zifan's physique, he would soon be bent over, panting heavily, and his legs would give way so he couldn't walk any further. But Xu Zifan was perfectly fine, and even greeted the people they met.
Someone asked in surprise, "Where are you going? Why is your third son carrying a bamboo basket?"
Mr. Xu pointed to his arm and sighed, "It's all because I'm useless. I twisted my arm just by carrying something. I had to deliver the goods I agreed to, and my third son is helping me deliver them."
"Your third son is so filial, and he's much healthier than before. It seems he still can't go to the academy. He's only been home for a month, and he's already so strong."
Xu Zifan explained, "Uncle Liu, I got better after reading medical books and conditioning my body."
Mr. Xu nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, the third son likes to read medical books. He examined my arm just now and massaged it for me. I feel much better now."
"Really? You can diagnose illnesses just by reading medical books?"
Xu Zifan laughed and said, "I grew up in the village and I wasn't very strong when I was a kid. But I'm not just looking around casually; I've been looking for several years now."
Uncle Liu said with some doubt, "That's really amazing, Brother Xu. Your third son is incredible. I've never seen anyone else with his skills."
Mr. Xu smiled restrainedly, but his tone revealed an undisguised pride. "We didn't expect it either. We didn't even know when he started to like medical books. Anyway, treating patients is a good thing. If you trust him, come to see our third son if you have any discomfort in the future."
"Okay, then it's settled."
Uncle Liu's words were just polite talk, and Xu's father didn't mind. Xu Zifan had indeed helped him relieve his pain, and he knew his son's abilities.
The father and son left the village and were alone. Xu Zifan said, "Dad, no one believes I know medicine, and we don't have any medicinal herbs at home. I want to go into the mountains."