TSWPF -Chapter 320 Bluff

Li Qingling smiled and nodded, saying that since she was free today, she had personally gone to the kitchen to cook.

After saying this, she quietly reminded Liu Zhimou not to eat too much venison, as it could easily cause internal heat.

Liu Zhimou gave a hum of acknowledgment, then eagerly stood up and pulled Li Qingling to the table to eat.

Meanwhile, at the Ma household, Ma Xiancheng returned home and saw a large plate of meat on the table. Several children sat staring intently at it, almost drooling.

When the children saw Ma Xiancheng return, they obediently called out “Father,” then shouted for Hu Juanjuan, saying that Dad was back and it was time to eat.

Hu Juanjuan responded and hurriedly brought out the vegetables and rice from the kitchen.

“Why the sudden idea to get meat today?” Ma Xiancheng looked at Hu Juanjuan, surprised. “Wasn’t it just half a month ago that we had meat? Why again?”

With a large family and limited means, eating meat once a month was already a luxury—not to mention twice in half a month.

After serving rice to Ma Xiancheng and the others, Hu Juanjuan sat down and explained, “It’s not bought—it was given by the magistrate’s wife.”

Ma Xiancheng looked up at Hu Juanjuan, frowning. “You went to see the magistrate’s wife?”

If He Dianshi found out, wouldn’t he take offense?

Their lady had always been cautious, so why was she so impulsive this time?

Hu Juanjuan rolled her eyes at Ma Xiancheng and calmly said, “Of course I had to see her when she arrived. Otherwise, she might think you’re arrogant and refuse to meet. If we want our household to be in good standing, we must maintain a good relationship with the magistrate’s wife and leave a positive impression.”

“You… what did you take to see the magistrate’s wife?”

“Vegetables from our garden.”

“….” Ma Xiancheng’s eyes twitched. His frown deepened. “Just vegetables from the garden? Nothing else?”

Hu Juanjuan nodded, ignoring Ma Xiancheng’s worries. She added more to the children’s plates and urged them to eat quickly.

With the family so poor, what valuable gifts could she have given? Besides, the magistrate’s wife had likely seen all sorts of fancy things. Hu Juanjuan thought that simple, everyday vegetables and fruits might actually please her more.

Hearing this, Ma Xiancheng nearly dropped his bowl. He took a deep breath and asked, “How did the magistrate’s wife react?”

He felt his wife’s temperament was too straightforward and could easily offend others.

“She liked it very much,” Hu Juanjuan said, “and even asked me to bring her some seeds tomorrow. She wants to plant a small plot of vegetables in her home garden.”

“Really?” Ma Xiancheng looked at Hu Juanjuan in disbelief. How could the magistrate’s wife personally plant vegetables? Previous magistrate’s wives either fell ill or acted haughty, never mingling with ordinary people. Their household goods were all purchased, not homegrown.

Hu Juanjuan gave Ma Xiancheng a sharp look. She was usually very accurate in judging people—how could she have misjudged?

“Of course it’s true. I think the current magistrate and his wife are different from their predecessors. They genuinely want to do things for the people.”

“Oh? How so?” It was rare for his wife to praise someone. If she praised them, the new magistrate and his wife must indeed be extraordinary.

Hu Juanjuan recounted the day’s events to Ma Xiancheng. When she finished, he raised an eyebrow and asked, “Does Lord Liu really work the fields himself?”

Thinking of the magistrate’s dignified aura, he couldn’t imagine him doing farm work. He even doubted whether the magistrate knew anything about grains.

Hu Juanjuan noticed what he was thinking and pursed her lips. “The magistrate’s wife said they both come from rural backgrounds. The magistrate not only works the fields himself, he also orders his children to help. In their house, no work means no food.”

She glanced meaningfully at Ma Xiancheng and then at the children at home.

Ma Xiancheng rubbed his nose and asked if Hu Juanjuan really trusted the magistrate’s wife’s words.

“You’ll see for yourself when you follow the magistrate. You’ll know it’s true.”

“Of course…” Ma Xiancheng chuckled, picking up a piece of meat and putting it in Hu Juanjuan’s bowl. “Eat, my dear.”

Hu Juanjuan nodded, then looked at the children, warning them not to eat too much meat—it was venison, highly nourishing, and could easily cause internal heat.

But the children, rarely getting meat, ignored her advice, stuffing it into their mouths without a second thought.

Hu Juanjuan glared, fuming. These kids were so disobedient, acting as if she deliberately withheld meat to be strict. Her heart wasn’t that cruel as a mother!

Ma Xiancheng chewed a piece of venison, swallowed, and said, “Where did the magistrate’s wife get this venison? It’s quite tender.” He ate another piece. Indeed, meat was delicious—unlike the usual steamed buns and vegetables, which were bland.

His lifelong wish was to eat meat every day, though he didn’t know when that would ever happen. If the magistrate ensured the people were well-fed and clothed, perhaps his wish might come true.

“I told you earlier, didn’t I? The magistrate’s guards hunted this deer in the mountains,” Hu Juanjuan said, enjoying the meat as well. Thanks to the magistrate’s wife, they got to eat it. “Why did the magistrate bring so many guards? Even though our county is underdeveloped, no one would dare commit serious crimes against the magistrate. What are they afraid of?”

Ma Xiancheng looked at Hu Juanjuan and clarified, “The guards aren’t there to protect the magistrate, but to protect Mr. Luo. Do you know who he is? The emperor’s teacher. The emperor respects him greatly and sent a team of guards to ensure his safety.” Thinking of the famed Mr. Luo, Ma Xiancheng’s heart warmed. He wondered if Mr. Luo accepted disciples, and if he could teach his sons.

If his four sons could learn from Mr. Luo, they would surely have a bright future.

Looking at his half-grown sons, Ma Xiancheng felt a headache coming. As the saying goes, children at this age eat their father to death—they ate a lot and couldn’t do much work. He sighed silently.

He then looked at Hu Juanjuan and suggested she casually probe the magistrate’s wife in the coming days to see if Mr. Luo could tutor their children.

“Is Mr. Luo really that capable?”

“Mr. Luo only accepted three disciples in his life: the emperor, a general, and the magistrate’s father. Isn’t that impressive?” Ma Xiancheng had done his research and admired Mr. Luo. “Even the current crown prince and other princes wanted to study under him, but he refused firmly.”

“So… the magistrate is Mr. Luo’s grand-disciple?” Hu Juanjuan inhaled sharply. “If Mr. Luo is so demanding, will he guide our children?” She glared at her four sons; only the third one studied seriously, the others were hopeless.

“Mother, if I could get Mr. Luo’s guidance, could I become this year’s top scholar like the magistrate?” Ma Da, the third son, asked eagerly. Becoming the top scholar was every student’s dream. He wanted to be as capable as the magistrate.

Ma Xiancheng patted his head with a smile. “Not necessarily, but if you study hard, you could become someone as capable as the magistrate.”

The magistrate was so intelligent. His son wasn’t that bright, but Ma Xiancheng couldn’t crush his spirit. He had to give his son a goal to strive for.

Ma Da clenched his fist and promised to work hard.

“I believe in you,” Ma Xiancheng praised the third son, then looked at the other three. “What about you? Tell me your thoughts.” He didn’t expect much from them; he just hoped they wouldn’t grow up illiterate.

The eldest son Ma Zhi, second son Ma Shu, and fourth son Ma Li glanced at each other and quietly admitted they didn’t like studying.

Ma Xiancheng frowned. “If you don’t like studying, what do you want to do?”

The three brothers peeked at their father, and seeing his displeased expression, dared not speak further.

Hu Juanjuan sighed, then glared at Ma Xiancheng. “Ask them, what do you want to do if you don’t like studying? As long as it’s reasonable, I’ll support you.” She knew these three weren’t academic types, but as parents, they hoped their children would succeed.

The eldest, Ma Zhi, looked up excitedly at Hu Juanjuan. “I want to become a great general, to fight enemies!”

He imagined a great general as powerful and heroic, and it made his blood boil with excitement.

“To be a general, you need to study. How can you command troops without studying?” Ma Xiancheng poured cold water on him. Could he become an illiterate general?

Ma Zhi froze. He asked Hu Juanjuan, “Even a general needs to study?” He thought leading troops was enough. He hadn’t realized generals needed education.

Hu Juanjuan smiled and asked, “Do you think the emperor would let an illiterate man become a general? How could he plan formations and command troops?” If this made the eldest son like studying, that would be a good thing.

Ma Zhi scratched his head, realizing his parents were right. The emperor wouldn’t appoint someone who couldn’t read as a general.

So if he wanted to become a general, he’d have to study properly.

But every time he saw the words, his head ached!