The Daily Life of a Rich Peasant's Boy in the Imperial Examination

Chapter 1582 A Fine Chapter for the Lantern Festival

The Lantern Festival arrived as scheduled. After this day, the annual holiday officially ended, and it was time to start spring plowing.

Dege said early in the morning, "Shanzi, I'm not coming home for dinner today."

Before Sun Shan could speak, Uncle Sun immediately shouted, "If you're not coming back to cook, where are you going?"

His eyes darted around, trying to figure out what Dege was up to.

Little Fatty widened her already large eyes, put her hands on her hips, and imitated Uncle Sun's posture as she asked, "Where is Uncle De Bo going? What kind of trouble is he up to?"

The little black girl, always eager to please, followed behind and asked, "Derber, did you go out and do something bad?"

She spoke cautiously, afraid that Dege'er might lunge forward and beat her up.

Tiger Cry, true to his thoughtful nature, explained for Dege'er: "Uncle De is definitely away on business. Don't ask anymore. You wouldn't understand anyway. The year is almost over, and we need to discuss our business plans for the new year."

He turned to Dege and said, "Uncle Dege, is Huming right?"

Yes, absolutely right! Look, of all the family members, only Hu Ming truly understands him.

Dege'er's eyes were red as he looked at Huming with emotion: "Good Huming, you truly are my good Huming. What you said is exactly what Dege'er wanted to say."

Uncle Sun didn't believe it at all: "Brother De, you can fool Xiao Yazi, but you think you can fool me? No way! Humph, tell me honestly, where are you going to fool around?"

Dege glanced at Uncle Sun speechlessly: "Father, don't ask too many questions about business. Just stay home and wait for me to make a lot of money so I can enjoy my life."

Uncle Sun didn't believe the unreliable Brother De.

He pointed at Sun Shan and said, "I'll take care of enjoying myself, Shanzi. I don't need you. Humph, since you won't say anything, you'll have to take me with you. Without me, I'm afraid you'll go astray!"

Dege'er:...

He thought to himself: If Uncle Chen comes to Yuanlu County after the spring planting, I must make him bring my father back to Sunjia Village. My father's presence is hindering my progress.

Dege looked at Sun Shan for help.

Sun Shan, understanding the situation, said, "Third Uncle, De'er has important things to do, so don't follow him. You can't go anywhere today, just stay home."

Sun Shan had no idea what De Ge'er was going to do.

But Uncle Sun couldn't go out. Today, there were crowds everywhere, and Uncle Sun was getting on in years. If he got stepped on or tripped and injured himself, Sun Shan really didn't want to spend money to treat him.

Especially since Uncle Sun has always been lively and active, even as he gets older, his temperament will not become more stable with age, so it is best to keep him at home.

Dege looked at Sun Shan with emotion, opened his mouth, and silently said: Shanzi, my good brother.

Uncle Sun stared wide-eyed in disbelief, clutching his chest, and feigned sadness as he questioned, "Shanzi, what do you mean by this? Why won't you let me go out?"

It's bad enough that he's often locked up in a dark room on ordinary days, but why is he locked up during a major holiday, a time for celebration and joy?

Is this really my own nephew? Even an enemy wouldn't do this.

Sun Shan ignored his third uncle.

Turning to Sun Bomin, Su said, "Father, Mother, you two stay home tonight. Don't go out and join the crowds. With so many people, you might get lost. And with so many people, arguments are likely to break out."

The yamen has arranged for many people to patrol tonight, and the guards at home will also be patrolling. If you go out and encounter any trouble, it won't be easy to find someone to help you right away. The yamen is very busy, and I feel more at ease if you stay home.”

Upon hearing this, Sun Bomin had no choice but to comply.

He said repeatedly, "Shanzi, just do whatever you say. Work hard and don't worry about me. What's so fun about the Lantern Festival? It's all the same."

Mrs. Su chimed in, “That’s right. It’s better to stay home and sleep than to go out and play. Only young people like to join in the fun. We’re too old for this kind of thing. Shanzi, don’t worry, we’ll stay home. Don’t worry about us.”

Sister Yun slowly walked out and said, "Brother Shan, I won't go out either. I'll stay home to take care of Father and Mother. Don't worry about me. Focus on your official duties."

Su pursed her lips, wanting to say: I don't need you to serve me!

He glanced at Sister Yun's belly again.

Thinking: After the Lantern Festival, I will have a good time with Shanzi. A month later, I will hear news of Xiaoyazi. Ten months later, I will see Xiaoyazi.

Yun Jie'er felt a chill run down her spine; a naked scrutiny assaulted her scalp. Without even looking, she knew from this familiarity that it was her mother-in-law.

Especially that last glance, aimed at her stomach. Thinking that they wouldn't be able to consummate their marriage until tomorrow, Yun-jie had no desire to go out and have fun.

I don't know which deity or ancestor made this rule, but it's forbidden to have sex from the first to the fifteenth of the lunar month, which is a waste of half a month.

Since Sun Bomin and Su Shi don't go out, Sun Sanshu, this old man, naturally can't go out either.

Dege ran off with a grin.

Hu Ming asked quietly, "Godfather, can we go out to see the lanterns tonight?"

Sun Shan nodded firmly: "Yes, Godfather will go out with you tonight."

Hu Ming was overjoyed, but then, remembering that his adoptive mother couldn't go out, he cautiously asked, "Father, is it really true that adoptive mother can't go out?"

Sun Shan reiterated, "My godmother won't go out. She saw lanterns when she was little, so she doesn't need to. Good son, you haven't seen them, so your godfather has to take you out to see them and broaden your horizons. If your classmates talk about the lanterns for the Lantern Festival and you can't say anything, wouldn't you lose face?"

This is one reason.

The bigger reason is that boys shouldn't be raised in a greenhouse or pampered. They need to be exposed to the world and see more of the world from a young age. We shouldn't let the fear of crowds and danger prevent us from doing anything about it.

So, Sun Shan sent Wu, the clerk, back to the yamen to stand guard at night, while he took Hu Ming out to play.

Tiger Cry blinked his bright eyes and said happily, "Godfather, you are so kind."

Sun Shan laughed: "Good son, you're really good too."

Hu Ming laughed even harder.

The chubby girl and the dark-skinned girl also ran over to see the lanterns.

The chubby little girl said in a clear voice, "Daddy, Sister Wang and Sister Liang said that the lanterns are the most beautiful during the Lantern Festival, and Xiaoxiao wants to go see them."

The little black girl nodded repeatedly: "So beautiful, the little black girl wants to go see it too."

Sun Shan readily agreed: "Okay, let's go see it together."

He paused, then said seriously, "But you have to behave tonight. You're not allowed to run around or ask to buy anything."

The chubby girl looked at Sun Shan with a puzzled expression.

She wondered to herself: Why did Father agree so readily? Was there a trick to it?

Then he thought: Even if there's a trap, I still have to go out and see the lanterns.

Little Fatty pounced on Sun Shan's lap, excitedly shouting, "Daddy, Xiaoxiao wants to go see the lanterns with you! Xiaoxiao loves you the most, Daddy!"

Little Black Girl mustered up her courage and ran over, whispering, "Little Black Girl also likes Shanbo the most."

Sun Shan chuckled and tapped the little girl's forehead.

The reason I took them out was to let them see the world; they can't just stay locked up in the backyard forever.

Yuanlu County is a small town, and security has been strengthened. Several more guards have been assigned to accompany them, and I will keep an eye on things myself.

Sun Shan was full of confidence.