Poisonous Peasant 'Concubine' Ch 52 - Hyacinth in Bloom

Chapter 52 — Everything Is For The Child

Ling Jingxuan’s home was quite secluded, and Zhao Dalong’s wasn’t much better—both were located in places so remote that they might as well have been forgotten by the world. The people in Lingjia Village were laughable, though; anyone they didn’t approve of was promptly shoved into some far-off corner. Did they really think that just because they couldn’t see them, these people didn’t exist? For Ling Jingxuan, this was beyond words. If it weren’t for the decent location of Lingjia Village, which wasn’t far from Datong Town and had convenient transportation, he’d have long considered moving. With plans for the future, at least he wouldn’t have to worry about getting goods in and out. But living in the same village as such a group of people… what if he caught their bad habits one day?

Well, this was all just a joke. Compared to the dilapidated thatched hut Ling Jingxuan called home, Zhao Dalong’s place was much better. While the walls were still made of mud, the roof was covered with small tiles—at least they didn’t have to worry about leaks. The main house was flanked by small kitchens and pigpens, with a large yard both in front and behind. All in all, it was a fairly standard rural setup.

“Jingxuan! You’re here! What a rare guest! Come in, come in, sit down!”

When the door opened and Zhao Dalong saw Ling Jingxuan standing outside, Han Fei greeted him warmly, pulling him inside. They passed through the tidy and spacious courtyard, heading straight for the central hall. Zhao Dalong, sweating and dressed in simple work clothes, was resting after a long day’s work, while Tiewa, sitting quietly on a small stool beside him, was sorting beans. Though this family was poor and ostracized by the villagers, they seemed to live a carefree, peaceful life.

“Brother Zhao, is Tiewa helping Brother Han with the work? He’s really capable.”

After greeting Zhao Dalong, Ling Jingxuan walked over and ruffled Tiewa’s head. He had no resistance to children, especially those who were obedient and cute.

“Uncle, did Xiao Wen and Xiao Wu not come?”

Maybe it was because they had become familiar with each other, but Tiewa no longer seemed shy. His eyes darted behind Ling Jingxuan, eagerly searching for something. After a while, he pouted in disappointment and returned to his seat. He was Ling Wen and Ling Wu’s only friend, and they, too, were his only friends. They were all lonely children.

“Hehe… They’re busy at home, catching piglets. Xiao Wu went to the market with his little uncle. Xiao Wen stayed home to practice his writing and look after the house. Later, you can go back with Uncle and play with them in the afternoon, okay?”

Seeing the little one’s lips pouting so much that it seemed like they could hold a teapot, Ling Jingxuan couldn’t help but laugh. It reminded him of his little bun—Ling Wu was always like that, wasn’t he?

“Okay, Uncle! I want to practice writing with Xiao Wen too. Last time, Xiao Wen taught me how to write the character for ‘person.’ I’ve already learned it!”

When Tiewa heard that he could go play with them, his face lit up with joy. He pulled Ling Jingxuan’s hand and chattered excitedly. Han Fei, standing nearby, couldn’t help but laugh, saying, “This child… Jingxuan, you’re busy, don’t let him come and cause trouble.”

To Han Fei, Ling Jingxuan was always busy catching fish every day, so it was natural for him to be occupied.

“It’s alright, I’ve got nothing urgent to do these days. By the way, Brother Zhao, Brother Han, have you thought about sending Tiewa to a private school?”

Seeing that Tiewa was about to be disappointed again, Ling Jingxuan quickly picked him up and turned to Han Fei and Zhao Dalong. He had come here for something serious today.

“Huh? Send him to a private school? We hadn’t thought about it. But there’s only one private school nearby, right? Old Master Ling runs it. Last time, I went with Brother Zhao and took two pounds of meat to visit the village head, hoping he could help us get Tiewa into the school. I don’t expect him to become a scholar, but I at least hope he won’t end up illiterate like his father and I, always looked down upon wherever we go. But the village head didn’t even think twice before rejecting us. Later, we quietly approached Old Master Ling, and he said we should bring the child for a test. But you know, this child is shy around strangers and has never been taught anything. When Old Master Ling asked him questions, the poor boy didn’t know a thing, so we had no choice but to bring him back.”

Han Fei sighed deeply as he spoke. Zhao Dalong, sitting on the other side, furrowed his brow. Children from other families could get into private school just by paying tuition, but their child? It wasn’t that they didn’t feel wronged, but what could they do? Their fathers were just too incapable.

“Hmph, they call it a ‘test,’ but I think it’s just a way to make things harder for you.”

Ling Jingxuan sneered coldly. With Old Master Ling’s obsession with family reputation, he had even driven his own grandson—who had the title of ‘Tongsheng’—to the point of despair. It was hard to believe that he would be kind enough to help.

“That’s right! The child’s never had any schooling, so what could he possibly pass? Him?”

“Xiao Fei!”

“There’s no one else here. Why can’t I speak? Long Ge, I’m not criticizing you, but you’re just too cautious. You worry about everything. This concerns our child’s future!”

Before Han Fei could finish speaking, Zhao Dalong shot him a quiet, reproachful glare. But this time, Han Fei didn’t back down. Instead, his eyes reddened as he looked at Zhao Dalong. Tiewa’s mother had passed away early, and when he married into their family, Tiewa had been barely two years old—an age when children were still in need of constant care. Over the years, he had raised Tiewa with his own hands, feeding him, changing him, and caring for him. In his heart, Tiewa had long become his own flesh and blood. The thought that the child’s future might mirror their own—living a life filled with hardship and scorn—caused him pain, as if a dull knife were slowly cutting at his heart.

Zhao Dalong, caught off guard by Han Fei’s sudden outburst, darkened his face but didn’t snap back this time. The seven-foot-tall man hung his head low, lost in thought. Perhaps, like Han Fei, he too was filled with sorrow. Ling Jingxuan glanced back and forth between them, then gently pushed Tiewa in his arms. The clever child immediately understood and hurried over to hug Han Fei’s arm.

“Daddy, don’t cry. Tiewa will blow on you, okay?” The little one said, and clumsily climbed into Han Fei’s lap, puffing air into his face, trying his best to mimic the gesture of blowing.

“Haha, this child is really cute!”

Han Fei, who had been feeling down, couldn’t help but chuckle. Ling Jingxuan also smiled brightly, and even Zhao Dalong’s face softened. The oppressive atmosphere from before seemed to evaporate in an instant, leaving behind the warmth of a family reuniting in joy—except for Tiewa, who still tilted his head in confusion, not understanding what had just happened.

Once the tension had passed, Ling Jingxuan patted Tiewa’s head with a smile and spoke, “So, Brother Zhao, Brother Han, here’s the thing—I’m planning to send Xiao Wen and Xiao Wu to a private school, but not to Old Master Ling’s school. Based on his character, I don’t believe he’s fit to teach children properly. I’ve saved up some money, and I’m thinking about sending them to a school in town. The journey is a bit far, so I’d like to buy a cart. It would be tough on us fathers, but at least the children wouldn’t risk being taught badly, right? And, well, I’ve been a bit out of touch these past few years. I know little about livestock, so I was hoping that you two could come with me to town tomorrow to buy a horse-drawn carriage. Do you have time? Also, if you think you can afford it, maybe we can send Tiewa to school with the other two. They’d have each other for company, wouldn’t that be nice?”

Ling Jingxuan had spent quite some time laying the groundwork, but now he finally got to the point. Though he wasn’t unfamiliar with choosing horses—having been a killer in his previous life, he had dabbled in many fields—he wasn’t particularly skilled in livestock. Despite having a farm back in the 21st century, modern technology meant there was no need for cows and sheep. So, after thinking it through, he realized the only ones who could help him were Zhao Dalong and Han Fei.

“A horse-drawn carriage is expensive. How about I just use an ox cart to send them?” Han Fei frowned, clearly distressed. Though it wasn’t his money, the thought of spending several dozen taels on a carriage still made him uneasy.

“No matter how expensive it is, can it really be more valuable than the children’s futures? Brother Han, I don’t know how others feel, but for my children—if they want to go to school—no amount of money will be too much. Even if I had to sell everything I own, I’d do it for them.” Ling Jingxuan’s smile faded, and he spoke seriously. “Money can be earned back, but if a child’s life is ruined, no amount of money can buy it back.”

His words struck deeply into both Zhao Dalong and Han Fei’s hearts. For the sake of their children’s future, Ling Jingxuan, a man who was raising two kids on his own, was willing to make such sacrifices. How could they, as fathers, possibly let him outdo them?

“Alright, we’ll go with you to town tomorrow. But Jingxuan, our town is small. If you want to buy a horse-drawn carriage, you’ll have to find a broker. A couple of years ago, when we bought our ox cart, we went to Broker Liu in town. He doesn’t just deal in livestock; he handles the trade of servants and land as well. He’s the biggest broker in Qingyang County and has the best reputation.”

With that, Han Fei, having made up his mind, didn’t hide anything from him. Ling Jingxuan raised an eyebrow. It seemed like a kind of intermediary service, similar to modern-day real estate agents. It was a clever system, and it suited him perfectly. While the agents would take a commission, at least he’d be assured of getting a fair deal. Thinking of this, Ling Jingxuan also remembered the matter of buying land. He wouldn’t be buying any salt-soaked land for now—there was no point—but perhaps he should give some thought to buying residential land.

“Alright, then. Brother Zhao, Brother Han, I’ll rely on you tomorrow,” Ling Jingxuan said after turning things over in his mind. Buying land was still something he needed to plan carefully. And—he couldn’t help but think of Ling Wen’s miserly face. Ling Jingxuan couldn’t help but smile wryly. In the end, he’d need his little bun’s approval too.

“What are you saying? Don’t be so polite. Tiewa will be riding with your children to school in the future, won’t he?”

Han Fei was straightforward, with no pretensions. He said what was on his mind, making Ling Jingxuan feel at ease. At least he didn’t have to worry about constantly being on guard.

“Alright, from now on, I won’t be so formal with you,” Ling Jingxuan chuckled.

“That’s how it should be. Our families are connected by fate. We should help each other out.”

The three men exchanged smiles. Their similar fates had brought them together, though at this moment, Zhao Dalong and Han Fei could never have imagined that their good fortune was just beginning. In the future, when they stood at the top, they would realize that they weren’t just connected by fate—they were tied to Ling Jingxuan, their life’s true benefactor.

“Also, one more thing, Brother Zhao, Brother Han— I know you don’t have much land and aren’t tied up with farming seasons, but I’ve just received a big order from the Xinyuan Restaurant in town. I need to deliver a thousand pounds of homemade jam within ten days. So, I was wondering if you’d have time to help me gather wild fruit from the mountains. As for payment, don’t worry, I’ll make sure you’re well compensated.”

Initially, Ling Jingxuan had planned to pay them per pound, but after spending more time with them, he realized that these two men were trustworthy. Given that, there was no need to quibble over small details.

“This is a good thing! As for wages, forget it. Only you’re allowed to help us, but we’re not allowed to help you? Just let the kids come call us when it’s time to pick the fruit, and we’ll be there.”

Han Fei was genuinely happy for him, not bothering at all about payment. After all, he was free, so why not help out?

“Heh… Alright, then. It’s settled. I think Jingpeng and the others will be back soon, so I’ll take my leave for now.”

Ling Jingxuan didn’t argue about the payment anymore. He’d just slip it to them when the time came.

“Uncle, I want to go too!”

When he saw Ling Jingxuan about to leave, Tiewa, who had been nestled contentedly in Han Fei’s arms, suddenly sat up straight. His little hand grabbed tightly onto the corner of Ling Jingxuan’s clothes. The three adults couldn’t help but laugh. Ling Jingxuan bent down, picked him up, and said, “Alright, you can come with Uncle. From now on, you can just be my son.”

“Hehe!” Tiewa giggled in delight.

“This kid… Well, go ahead and play, but remember not to disturb Uncle Ling too much, okay?” Han Fei shook his head helplessly, smiling as he stood up to see them off. He even tugged at Tiewa’s clothes and gave him a few instructions.

“Brother Han, just let Tiewa take a nap at my place around noon. I’ll have Xiao Wen bring him back in the afternoon.”

“Alright!” Han Fei nodded.