"Ah Die, the teacher said that after spring next year, I can start practicing swordsmanship."
Just as Shen Yuan entered the courtyard, Shen Wenyan ran over excitedly.
Practicing swordsmanship?
Shen Yuan pinched his cheek and then turned to Lu Zhiyuan, who followed him, with a slight bow.
After returning the gesture, Lu Zhiyuan spoke: "A gentleman should cultivate the six arts."
"The six arts are rites, music, archery, charioteering, writing, and arithmetic."
"In addition, the sword is an instrument of a gentleman, symbolizing integrity, benevolence, and bravery."
"Ah Nu is my student, he should become a true gentleman of the world."
In just a few words, Lu Zhiyuan made Shen Yuan perceive the high hopes he had for his son. Shen Yuan immediately said, "I'll leave everything to you, sir, and I'll go to town later to buy him a matching sword."
A teacher with high expectations is indeed something to be thankful for.
Having a great scholar like Lu Zhiyuan personally mentoring, he believes that Ah Nu will achieve great things in the future.
"There's no need for that."
"Regarding the sword, I will take care of it."
Lu Zhiyuan waved his hand, whether knowing Shen Yuan's family difficulties or out of care for his only student, directly took on the responsibility for the sword.
Shen Yuan didn't argue further.
He was well aware that even a cheap matching sword would cost dozens of taels of silver, and a great one would be invaluable.
"Thank you, sir."
Lu Zhiyuan stepped forward, came in front of Shen Wenyan, and gently stroked his head: "Henceforth, I will give you a few days off. Return after the year-end sacrifice."
"But don't neglect your studies. After the year-end sacrifice, I will test you properly, and if you can't answer, you know my methods."
Upon hearing the word "methods," the little one turned pale and hastily bowed: "Teacher rest assured, Ah Nu will never slack off."
"Mm, go back with your father."
The little one stepped back, stood upright, and respectfully performed a grand bow: "Teacher, Ah Nu is leaving."
…
People often say that after having children, time seems to speed by, chased by them.
In this life, since their child's birth, Shen Yuan has truly felt this.
A busy yet fulfilling life goes by quickly, and in no time it was the autumn of the second year, with his wife about to give birth.
In the past half year, with Uncle Ya's help, all five mu of orchard land had been planted with fruit trees.
Following Uncle Ya's advice, fruit trees needed careful tending in the early stages, and after thinking it over, Shen Yuan finally hired Fu Gui to become the long-term worker, building a simple dwelling for him in the orchard to care for the five mu of fruit garden.
Today, it was the annual tax collection day.
The fifteen mu from Niu Erzhu's family were actually bought by Lu Zhiyuan, while Shen Yuan rented them, so the taxes should be paid by Lu Zhiyuan.
However, Lu Zhiyuan merely charged him rent of one stone of polished rice per mu, which wasn't enough to cover the taxes.
Shen Yuan wanted to discuss sharing half of the tax for these fifteen mu with him, but Lu Zhiyuan said as a scholar of the Imperial Academy, he was exempt from taxes, letting Shen Yuan not to worry.
At Village Chief Yang Changlin's door, Shen Yuan was queuing to pay taxes when Zhao Shuan's wife, Wang Ying, rushed over from the front yard.
"Ah Yuan!"
"Ah Yuan!"
"Yufen is about to give birth, hurry home!"
Upon hearing the call, Shen Yuan quickly entrusted the tax affair to Zhao Shuan beside him and hurriedly ran home amidst the congratulatory voices of neighbors.
"Sis, please go and fetch Aunt Sun!"
Shen Yuan called out as he turned back.
In the village, Physician Sun Fuchun's wife acted as the midwife, and amidst his anxiety, Shen Yuan could only ask Wang Ying to summon her.
Just as Shen Yuan entered the house, he heard Hu Yufen's painful cries.
"My dear…"
He came up to the bedside, seeing his wife sweating in agony, he tightly held her hand.
Forcing a faint smile, Hu Yufen said, "Husband, I... I'm fine."
With some pity, Shen Yuan wiped the sweat off her face, gently saying, "Sis has already gone to get the midwife, hang in a bit longer."
After a long torturous wait, urgent footsteps came from the courtyard.
"Yufen, Yufen, Aunt Sun is here!"
Wang Ying, sweating heavily, supported an elderly lady and walked in.
Shen Yuan hurried up to her: "Aunt, please take a look."
Mrs. Sun came over, took one glance, and said: "The birth is imminent."
"Don't stand there, go boil some hot water!"
"Yingzi, help out."
Once Shen Yuan was pushed out, the two began to busy themselves.
In the courtyard, listening to his wife's heart-wrenching cries, Shen Yuan felt a pang in his heart.
"Boil water… Right!"
He hurried into the kitchen room, started the fire, and began boiling water.
Soon after, Wang Ying walked in with a wooden basin, quickly scooped some hot water and carried it away.
Shen Yuan wanted to follow her inside, but was blocked at the door.
"Yufen, push!"
"Yes, the head is out!"
"Quick, push harder!"
Hu Yufen's heart-wrenching cries mixed with Mrs. Sun's words came from inside the room, causing Shen Yuan to pace anxiously outside like an ant on a hot stove.
Time slipped by.
Zhao Shuan had already finished paying taxes and drove the ox cart back.
"Ah Yuan, how is it?"
Entering the courtyard, Zhao Shuan asked with concern.
"I don't know…"
Shen Yuan with worry written all over his face gazed at the closed door.
"It'll be fine, it'll be fine…"
"Wah—"
Just as Zhao Shuan was comforting him, a loud newborn cry burst from the room.
"Born!"
"Judging by the sound, it's definitely a boy!"
Zhao Shuan said with a smile.
Simultaneously, the door opened.
With bloodied hands, Wang Ying, visibly tired, came up to Shen Yuan.
"Ah Yuan, congratulations, mother and daughter are safe, it's a girl."
Hearing this, Shen Yuan's hanging heart fell back into his chest, and he broke into a smile.
"Stop fumbling, go take a look."
Wang Ying said, and Shen Yuan realized and hastily rushed into the room.
Beside him, Zhao Shuan was craning his neck, trying to peek into the room.
"What are you doing?"
Wang Ying glared at him: "The old saying goes, the first stranger a child sees besides their parents, that's who they'll grow up to resemble."
"Don't ruin the girl's luck."
Zhao Shuan chuckled and scratched his head.
"Ah Yuan's luck resembles mine, two sons and now a daughter, he's got both sons and daughters."
Shen Yuan reached the bedside, seeing his nearly exhausted wife, he tenderly held her hand.
"My dear…"
Hu Yufen turned her head, managed a smile, but suddenly her expression changed and showed pain.
"My dear, what's wrong!?"
Seeing this, Shen Yuan's heart leapt to his throat.
"Aunt, Yufen… what's happening to her!?"
Beside him, Mrs. Sun hurriedly came up to check upon hearing him.
After feeling Hu Yufen's abdomen, her expression turned a bit odd: "There seems to be another one…"
"Quick, Yingzi, come in!"
"You should go back out!"
Hastily pushing Shen Yuan outside, Mrs. Sun called out: "Yingzi, hurry and help!"
In the courtyard, hearing the call, despite her tired body, Wang Ying rushed in again.
"Ah, Yufen is having twins!?"
Wang Ying's exclamation came from inside.
Shen Yuan's anxiety intensified.
With the current medical conditions, delivering one baby was already risky, having twins was utterly dire.
Listening to Hu Yufen's now hoarse voice from inside, his inner concern was beyond expression.