Chapter 76

When Liao Tingyu shared the good news with Mother Deng and others, his mother was overwhelmed with emotion. She sat down on the floor and wept openly, while Liao Ming knelt at the door, offering his gratitude to the sky and their ancestors.

Liao Shi and his wife embraced each other, trying to digest the reality they were living now.

This transition was very importance for a family that had been rooted in farmer life for generations.

This brought a tremendous honor for the clan.

No matter how small the official position, in ancient times, it was customary to establish an ancestral hall and hold a grand ceremony when a family member became an official. This ceremony would bring a strong sense of belonging and unity to the clan.

Therefore, many people were reluctant to leave their hometown even if they knew they couldn’t live it there anymore.

Liao Tingyu knelt in front of the ancestral hall, surrounded by clan elders who were equally captivated by their own thoughts. After paying respects to their ancestors, the elders offered Liao Tingyu advices.

This was an exceptionally rare and momentous event for Liao Village, something that hadn’t occurred in a century.

As the head of the village, the village chief was fortunate to have raised a scholar during his tenure, one who now held an official position. This achievement was a point of pride he could boast for the rest of his life.

He had silently resolved to ensure as Liao Tingyu didn’t lose the clan honor, and he would stand up against any villager who attempted to hold Liao Tingyu back. He hoped Liao Tingyu would maintain his scholar fame, continue his diligent work, and achieve further promotions.

In his heart, he longed for Liao Tingyu to always remain elegant, unwavering in his path, and gradually rise through the ranks.

For this reason, he pulled aside Liao Tingyu’s father, Liao Ming, and talked for a long time.

“We all know about your wife’s affairs. In the past, everyone had ignored her actions, but circumstances had changed. Now that their second son was an official, all the glory of the Liao family rested on his shoulders alone. He had the fate of being an official and the support of noblemen. While the current glory was a good thing, it also came with additional responsibilities. There are stories about a family problem that caused an official to lose his hat. You need to be cautious, and you should explain it clearly to your wife. If that didn’t work, she could return to the village, where we could take care for her.”

Liao Ming nodded his head. However, he didn’t agree with the village chief’s last suggestion. He knew his wife’s spirit and her determination. If she was allowed to go back, she would be unwilling to return to the village.

Furthermore, since they had moved to town, her behavior had improved significantly.

In the past, villagers had looked down upon them because they were so fussy about certain things, especially when it came to their son’s education. They had always believed it was just a pipe dream that their son could become a scholar.

Could Mother Deng really be blamed for her outbursts? Ultimately, it was Liao Ming’s own shortcomings that had brought them to that point.

Now that their family had turned the tide, it was improbable that Mother Deng would be willing to return to their previous less fortunate life.

Nevertheless, they did need to exercise caution and maintain a low profile. The village chief’s concerns mirrored Liao Ming’s own, and he as the family head, had to ensure they didn’t add unnecessary trouble for their second son.

Especially… There was a glint in Liao Ming’s eyes, concealing a deeper thought.

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Liao Tingyu returned to the academy, and Teacher Li couldn’t help but observe his student, who had suddenly become an official.

Liao Tingyu, uncomfortable with his master’s scrutiny, spoke up, “Master, if there’s something on your mind, please say it. You’re looking at me like this, your wife might get jealous.”

Upon hearing this, Teacher Li withdrew his gaze, chuckling. “I just wanted to see what abilities you have. You actually could raise so high in a short time.”

“You are surprised that I, a mere tiny official. Aren’t you the same when the county magistrate asked you to be a teacher?”

Teacher Li’s goatee bristled, “You don’t understand; being a teacher and an official are different. As a teacher, you have many responsibilities, while you had a far more relaxed official position.”

“I see. It’s a pity that others didn’t know your thought. You actually looked down on my official post. I actually like to teach and educate people.”

Liao Tingyu donned an expression of, “I see through you,” playfully, which irked Teacher Li so much it made his teeth hurt.

“Teaching and educating. If you didn’t have this prestigious position, I wouldn’t even glance at a bad thing like you!”

“No way, opportunities always favor handsome men!” remarked Liao Tingyu.

Teacher Li widens his eyes in surprise like a goldfish.

Was this saying that he isn’t good-looking!!!

After a few seconds, the tension between the master and student melted away, and they walked happily together.

Teacher Li sighed with emotion, “I can’t pinpoint exactly when, but I’ve noticed a change in you. You’re different now. You’re probably the only one from our Qingshan Academy who has entered officialdom shortly. You’re fortunate, but remember, the world of officials is different from the world of academy. It’s crucial to be kind to others, but you must also maintain your principles. When faced with unsolvable issues, don’t hesitate to seek guidance from the dean. And never abandon your studies. Even though you’ve become an official, be it a lowly or high-ranking one, to make significant progress, you need to achieve at least the rank of Jinshi.”

Liao Tingyu nodded solemnly and replied, “Don’t worry, Teacher. I understand your advice, and the dean has also told me. I’m determined to work diligently and never become complacent with my current achievements. I’ll continue my studies, and if I ever encounter difficulties, I won’t hesitate to turn to you for guidance.”

Teacher Li stroked his beard and smiled. He had full confidence in Liao Tingyu’s character.

As for Liao Tingyu’s personal life, Teacher Li had some concerns due to his youth.

However, he understood that, with both of Liao Tingyu’s parents were still alive, it was challenging for an outsider like him to interfere.

Teacher Li suggested, “I trust you completely. You’ve recently become an official, and it’s essential to navigate the complexities of officialdom. While your mother comes from a farming background, her perspective might be limited. Now that you have a successful career, it’s wise to find a suitable partner to share your life. Do you have a special person in mind? If so, I’d be honored to host a wedding celebration on your behalf.”

Liao Tingyu thought about the person he had been spending time with, smiled shyly, and replied, “Yes, I’ve been planning to establish my own household first. Once I’m financially secure, I intend to propose marriage, so my wife doesn’t need to endure a life of hardship with me. Now that my career is on track, I have the confidence to approach their family for marriage.”

Teacher Li inquired further, “Can you tell me more about this person? Are they a ger or woman? What kind of character do they have? Are there times when you lack confidence?”

Liao Tingyu described, “The person I have in mind is a ger from our town. He has a charismatic personality and quite charming. I suspect his father is a successful businessman, so there’s a strong family background.”

Teacher Li harbored some concern upon hearing that the person was the child of a merchant, but he noted Liao Tingyu’s deep affection. Although some scholars might harbor prejudice against merchants, he understood the importance of following one’s heart, especially for young people.

After a lengthy discussion with Teacher Li, Liao Tingyu met with the dean again. The three of them shared numerous pots of tea and engaged in discussions, Liao Tingyu gained a lot of valuable insights.

Although Liao Tingyu had the option to leave his job at the academy, he decided to stay. Their town wasn’t so big and there was nothing to be busy about. Both the master and the dean were very supportive, offering him occasional teaching assignments alongside his official duties.

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On his first day of teaching, he was caught by a student who invited him to share a meal.

The next classes would only take place a few times a month, allowing him more time to socialize with people in the officialdom.

Liao Tingyu was very grateful for the dean’s understanding and support. As the head of the best academy, Qin Guoyuan graciously accepted the thank-you gift from Liao Tingyu without any pressure.

After all, he teaches and educates Liao Tingyu, and often imparts wisdom after a meal, “You are still young; don’t limit yourself. Work hard, and you’ll have no regrets when you look back on your life in old age. Remember it.”

“Yes, student understand.”

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Mother Deng was now in full swing and bustling at home.@@novelbin@@

They were slaughtering chickens and purchasing meat. Liao Ming and his eldest son were assisting.

According to mother Deng, this was a good year, and it deserved celebration. Initially, they had considered buying a few strings of firecrackers to set off at their doorstep, but Liao Ming stopped the idea.

He suggested they save the fireworks for their hometown, where they could set off as many as they liked. After all, he had just opened a shop and welcomed a child, he already set off two firecrackers; setting off too many in the same place might not be appropriate.

However, mother Deng’s enthusiasm remained undeterred. Unable to set off firecrackers, she arranged red candles at home, adorned with red paper, and lit several sticks of incense in the kitchen.

Upon returning home for dinner, Liao Tingyu found the house brightly lit, the dinner table was full of food and a pot of fine wine. If one overlooked the environment, it could resemble a touch of nostalgic charm from a modern perspective.

As the head of the family, Liao Ming picked up his chopsticks first. He raised a wine glass and said, “This year, we’ve been blessed in three ways. First, our youngest child passed the scholar examination, then we welcomed our first grandson, and finally, the youngest child successfully entered officialdom. This marks the best time for our Liao family in three generations, a significant honor. It’s a reward to the hard work our family has invested over the years. The eldest has sacrificed greatly to support the youngest son’s education, and the youngest son, in return, bought this shop for his da-ge. It’s all praiseworthy. I won’t say much more, but I have one message for you both. As your parents grow older, you two will become the pillars of the family. Support each other, nurture your brotherly bond, and progress together.”

“Son, remember not to be content with your current achievements. The fortune teller once predicted that you are destined for greatness among men. Your da-ge will be your most trusted confidant. Your dearest brother, make sure not to leave him behind,” Liao Ming said earnestly, despite being somewhat inebriated.

The Liao brothers exchanged looks and firmly nodded in agreement.

Seeing their unity, Liao Ming rose happily, lifted his glass, and said, “Alright, remember our words today. Let’s celebrate now. I hope our family lives up to the good wine and sumptuous food we’re enjoying today. Your mother even went to purchase this wine at noon.”

Mother Deng, who generally didn’t like it when he drank to the point of unconsciousness, merely took a small sip of wine this time.

She then looked at her favorite dishes, took small portions, chewed slowly, and paid no attention to Liao Ming, who was making the most of the cheerful atmosphere to drink freely.

Wen Xiuer had already risen from her bed, holding her child and occasionally taking bites of meat while Liao Ming and his sons continued their revelry.

That night, the family casted aside any barriers in their hearts and enjoyed a warm and pleasant evening, filled with delicious food and wine.

The news of Chen Yi’s imminent promotion quickly spread to the ears of people with power throughout the town, and the people who would replace him was closely observed by those in higher positions.