Miss and farmhand

Perhaps reading really can measure a person's worth.

Shen Yurui used to think that her husband could only pass the lowest level of the imperial examination because he was unlucky and didn't know how to please the examiners, like Huang Xingtong. She believed this herself and used it to comfort Huang Xingyu.

But now it seems that even the title of Xiucai (a lower-level scholar) was perhaps a fig leaf for Huang Xingyu. That he was even allowed to achieve Xiucai status was already a great favor from the current imperial examination system and academies. Given his own limited perspective and intellect, he was probably even less capable than himself, a woman who had never received a proper education.

I was deceived by him.

He was bad at studying and lacked intelligence, but society was too kind to men. As long as they were willing to study, there was always a respectable path for them. Inferior goods were packaged respectably, just like genuine high-quality goods, because they were all scholars. Once he studied, he became good in every way, and if he passed the imperial examinations, even his character improved, since he had been vetted by the court.

Is he really a good person? He didn't patronize prostitutes or engage in prostitution in the first half of his life. Was it really because he was a gentleman and kept himself pure?

Maybe he never had a chance.

Given Huang Xingyu's personality, besides his mother, which woman did he speak to during his childhood? His family lived in the countryside, where people were generally poor and rules weren't so strict. It was common for little girls and boys to run around in the fields catching frogs together. Didn't any neighbor girls or older sisters ever speak to him? That can't be right; Huang Xingtong had mentioned these funny childhood stories in casual conversation. It's just that Huang Xingyu himself didn't.

Can't we take the fact that no girl is interested in him as proof that he is a person of good character?

Shen Yurui could still distinguish between being passively ignored and actively rejected.

Isn't that right? When Luo Shutao, who was desperate and had nowhere else to turn, took the initiative to throw herself into his arms, did he hesitate for even a moment? Did he ever think that a gentleman shouldn't do such a thing? He still took her in without hesitation.

How absurd that was! Everyone was just talking about Luo Shutao's indecent behavior, saying that women are always the easiest to talk about, being sensual and vulgar, what great fodder for gossip. Even Shen Yurui herself was blinded by her own ignorance, only caring about hating Luo Shutao for being despicable, forgetting that this was the perfect time to apply the saying "it takes two to tango"!

If Huang Xingyu himself refuses, how can Luo Shutao force him?

Shen Yurui felt tinnitus and her head was buzzing.

So her husband was bad at his studies, bad at his career, and even bad at his character. He just didn't have the opportunity; given the chance, he would do anything outrageous.

How did such a person manage to convince almost everyone over the years that he was honest, dull, down-to-earth, and hardworking, and that he wasn't stupid but simply didn't know how to scheme?

This world is too good to men; even such a piece of trash can live a decent life to this day.

Shen Yurui even felt sorry for Huang Xingtong at this moment. He had helped and raised this brother all his life, and in the end, he had to spend two hundred taels of silver to sever ties with him?

This world has gone mad.

Thinking of this, Shen Yurui couldn't help but cover her face, lower her head, and chuckle.

Huang Xingyu, not understanding what was going on, simply said, "From now on, our two families have no relation. I have the position of headmaster, and I will take the imperial examination again next year. I will definitely continue to move up the ranks, and I can't let our neighbors drag us down anymore. I think maybe we should sell this house and move to a better place to further sever ties. I don't want people to think of him when they talk about me in the future."

Shen Yurui let out a laugh that was almost a sob.

Oh my goodness.

This kind of people.

This kind of people.

Huang Xingtong is free now. He supported Huang Xingyu for the first half of his life, and from now on, he has nothing to do with such a brother anymore.

But what about her?

Huang Xingyu's later life was intertwined with hers.

A profound sense of despair crept up Shen Yurui's back.

What could she do? She had nowhere to run.

She even considered divorce.

But she absolutely could not accept returning to her parents' home as a divorced woman—no, her parents' home wouldn't even want her; she still had brothers who wouldn't allow her to return to her parents' home in middle age. Her dignity wouldn't allow it. She had nowhere to go.

Could she go out and establish her own household? Perhaps, but how would she survive if she went out on her own? She knew Huang Xingyu's financial situation all too well; he could barely support her. If they were to split the assets, she might be able to get a bigger share from Huang Xingyu, but she still wouldn't live a very good life. It would only result in a lose-lose situation, leaving her with a desolate old age.

And there are children too.

Shen Yurui suddenly opened her eyes wide—Yong Ge'er.

Yes, she also has a son. Her life isn't over yet.

Yong-ge is still studying; Yong-ge has a future. With her upbringing, he will surely be a hundred times, a thousand times better than his father. He will definitely not be just a scholar forever.

She remembered that Yong-ge was clever from a young age, just like her. Everyone said that Yong-ge was like her.

Her future depends entirely on Yong-ge'er.

For Yong-ge'er's sake, Shen Yu-rui glanced at Huang Xing-yu. For Yong-ge'er's sake, she not only had to endure her future life with Huang Xing-yu, but also had to fight for his interests. Even if it was just a facade of positivity, she had to maintain it for him.

Only if he, as a father, is good, can Yongge'er be better.

Shen Yurui's turbulent and bitter emotions gradually subsided. She raised her head, looked at Huang Xingyu, and suddenly revealed a disdainful expression that he was quite familiar with.

"You idiot! You can't even understand human language! Lord Shen was kindly making arrangements for you and planning ahead. Asking about the division of the family property back then was a reminder that the accounts here are unclear and could be used to create a big problem! And you actually said that the accounts have been settled, trampling on his good intentions! I've never seen such an obtuse fool!"

Huang Xingyu paused, still not understanding the key point: "But back then it really was—"

"Even if we divided the assets back then and made a list, so what? Back then, when the second son was studying for the imperial examinations and went north to the capital, wasn't it all the family's savings that supported him? He was just a Hanlin scholar; how much salary could he possibly have? Can you say that his parents didn't subsidize him? So it's no wonder that in the end, after his parents passed away, there wasn't much left of the family's wealth; the account books couldn't even fill a single page. It's simply unfair! These are all the facts. Why don't you report this to the adults and ask them to take charge for you, so that the second son's family can return the subsidies they gave him back then?"

"I...I'm too ashamed to do such a thing—"

"You're too ashamed to ask for money, but when others take advantage of you and ride roughshod over you, you don't dare say a word! Is that all the face you have? Is that all the grit you've got?" Shen Yurui pointed at Huang Xingyu. "I don't care what you do outside, but if we're going to split things, let's split them clearly. If you're willing to suffer this loss, it's because you're incompetent. No one will remember your kindness or say you're kind. You've already humiliated him, and you're still worried about saving face? Go and find a way to get it back. I don't want my son to suffer such a huge loss for the rest of his life because of his cowardly father!"

It's unclear which of Shen Yurui's words struck a chord with Huang Xingyu, but Huang Xingyu's face flushed red, and he didn't refute her further.

Shen Yurui got the result she wanted, knowing he would find a way. But she still felt a chill in her heart.

This is how her life will be from now on. Following someone like him, she can only fall to his level.

But at least she can give her son the best.

As long as Huang Xingyu remains in his position as the headmaster and keeps a tight grip on the money, Yongge'er's future will be fine.

She didn't expect that even with the headmaster's involvement, Huang Xingyu would soon be unable to protect him as well.