They've all separated, so what does it matter to me if they get poorer and poorer?

Chapter 82 Traveling Together
What Uncle Liang didn't expect was that he wasn't so prescient; he guessed correctly, but not entirely.

Liang Lizheng had indeed said that there was no need to rent an oxcart. Before Uncle Liang's excitement had even subsided, Liang Lizheng added, "Tomorrow, Mingliang will drive Mingxuan to take the children's examination. Zhichun and Xiaoyan will also be going. You can all ride together."

Uncle Liang nearly split open on the spot.
"what?"

His reaction was so exaggerated that Liang Lizheng found it a bit strange and kindly repeated, "There's no need to rent an oxcart. You can all go together first thing tomorrow morning."

Uncle Liang broke down and blurted out without thinking, "Mingxuan is going to take the exam too?"

“Yeah,” Liang Lizheng said speechlessly, “Didn’t Zhichun say that she had already registered Mingxuan? Why have you all always thought that Zhichun was lying?”

Uncle Liang: "." Isn't that right?

Liang Lizheng was very disapproving and frowned, scolding, "Mingxuan is your nephew, how can you not care about him at all?"

"I--"

Uncle Liang thought to himself, "We've already divided the family property long ago, why bother with him? What does it have to do with our family whether he takes the exam or not?"
"That won't do," Uncle Liang forced a smile. "Look at what the village head is saying. Of course we care about him, but we didn't expect him to be so young to take the imperial examinations. Well, it's good for him to see the world, haha."

Liang, the village head, was displeased; he didn't like hearing this.

“Mingxuan is a smart kid. He’s been a good student since he was little. Since he said he wanted to take the exam at such a young age, he’ll definitely pass. You’re his uncle, don’t you hope he passes?”

What else could Uncle Liang say? He only had one answer.

"Of course I hope he passes the exam, but—"

"That's good!" Liang Lizheng waved his hand. "You've put your heart into this as the eldest uncle. I also believe that Mingxuan will pass the exam."

"I--"

"Alright, you can go back now. You can wait for Zhichun at his house or the village entrance tomorrow morning. Don't worry, I definitely won't leave you behind."

Uncle Liang felt aggrieved, but he had no chance to speak, so he could only leave dejectedly.

When she got back and told Zhang, she was furious. "What? How old is that brat Liang Mingxuan? He wants to take the exam too? Can he even pass?"

Uncle Liang sneered: "How could that be!"

Zhang was very angry, even though, to be fair, she had no reason to be angry, but she was just very angry.

"Forget it, the Xu family's ambitions are getting bigger and bigger. Let them do whatever they want. If they lose face, it's their face that's lost, not ours. Such a little brat, thinking he can pass the imperial examination, really, really dare to dream."

Uncle Liang grunted in agreement. "You should hurry up and find a family for Xu Shi."

Zhang perked up when the topic came up: "We're looking for it. My family is also helping to inquire. It'll be ready soon."

"Faster," Uncle Liang sneered, finally feeling a little better.

He disliked the way Liang Lizheng spoke of Liang Mingxuan, as if Liang Mingxuan were something special—how great could such a tiny kid be? Without parents to guide him, he's even worse. He's far inferior to their Mingxiang.

If Liang Lizheng were to praise someone, shouldn't he praise his own son, Mingxiang?

They look down on Mingxiang and insist on praising that brat Liang Mingxuan, right?
Okay, then let's prove him wrong.

Once Xu Shi is gone and Liang Mingxuan is raised by his own family, he will prove to Liang Lizheng and everyone else that his Mingxiang is better than Liang Mingxuan.

We set off very early that morning.

Uncle Liang and Mrs. Zhang had no desire to see Liang Mingxuan and Xu Zhichun today, and they did not want to go to their house to wait for the bus.

But Liang Mingxuan is also going to take the imperial examination today. Since his uncle and aunt are going in the same oxcart, why don't they wait for them at their house?
The two men figured they were about to leave, so they reluctantly went over. Liang Lizheng came to see them off personally, and many people from the village came to see them off as well. Everyone had a smile on their face, saying words of concern and blessings, praising Liang Mingxuan for "making something of himself." His uncle and sister-in-law responded to each of them, while Liang's eldest uncle and Zhang Shi were both angry and jealous, their faces almost turning black.

Why are you only praising this little brat? Why aren't you praising their Mingxiang?
Their Mingxiang is studying at a school in the city! He's much better than Liang Mingxuan, okay?

These people really have no taste.

Don't even think about taking advantage of their family in the future.

The couple were both furious and their attitude was "we'll see."

Then, someone praised Uncle Liang and Madam Zhang, saying, "Did you specially send Mingxuan to take the imperial examination? You really love him! You two are truly worthy of being uncle and aunt, haha!"

Uncle Liang and Mrs. Zhang were so angry that they felt dizzy on both sides of their temples.

Zhang, unable to contain her anger any longer, said with a dark face, "My son Mingxiang is also going to take the imperial examination. He's studying at a school in the city, and his teacher takes him directly to the examination hall. We, as his parents, have no choice but to go and see him!"

Uncle Liang coughed and quickly tried to cover it up: "We're going to see Mingxiang, and we'll also take Mingxuan along for a bit of a formality, haha."

"Ah? Haha, haha, yes, we should go take a look."

The person who tried to strike up a conversation gave an awkward smile and quickly retreated to hide behind the crowd.

Not only him, but many people also suddenly remembered this at this moment: Oh right, their youngest son is studying in a school in the city.

It's no wonder that people don't remember Liang Mingxiang. Liang Mingxiang studied in the city school for many years. Even when she came back, she was like a young lady from a wealthy family, never leaving her home. She neither visited other people's homes nor worked in the fields. Who would remember her?

Liang Mingxuan: "Uncle, I'm not just going through the motions. I can pass the exam."

Zhang sneered, "How old are you to dare to brag? Wait until you pass the exam!"

Xu Zhichun smiled: "If my Mingxuan says it's possible, then it's definitely possible."

I'm so angry! I'll lose the argument, but I won't back down. I'll fight for my pride, even if it means losing face. Ugh, you petty person, get out of here!

Zhang sneered, about to say something, when Xu Zhichun smiled at Liang Mingliang and said, "Third Brother Liang, let's get on the carriage and set off."

"Alright!" Liang Mingliang shouted, cracking his whip to urge the oxcart to move, and laughed loudly, "The little prodigy is so amazing, he'll definitely pass the exam! If even the little prodigy can't pass, then who can!"

Zeng Xiaoyan chimed in enthusiastically, loudly agreeing, "That's right, I think so too!"

Liang Lizheng waved his hand: "Have a safe journey and all the best!"

The villagers chimed in with wishes: "Have a safe journey!", "May everything go smoothly!", "May you pass the exam!"

Uncle Liang glared fiercely at Xu Zhichun and Liang Mingxuan.

Zhang was so angry that her chest felt tight.

Xu Zhichun found it both funny and exasperating; the couple's words were... not really that serious.

However, it's clear that my uncle and aunt aren't very popular in the village.

He must have often gloated and shown off Liang Mingxiang.

If you show off too much, as if you're superior to others, who would want to pay attention to you?

(End of this chapter)