The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family-Chapter 598: Eighth Rank Preaching Pei Zongli(2)_1

"Going out to preach, let your elder brother follow first, he’s also a crop expert, knows how to grow everything. Slowly you’ll understand, and there’ll be nothing to it!" Lady Zhu’s mouth couldn’t close from joy, her son had become an official, and she had become a real old lady! Those people wouldn’t dare to look down on them anymore, let them know their power!

However, Pei Houli was rather unwilling, "Let Dad go with Er Lang instead! Dad has been farming for most of his life, he truly knows how to grow everything! I’ll just stay at home and take care of the family business!" The second branch had now secured an official position, pushing them firmly above the eldest branch. If he had to follow Er Lang around as an assistant, what would that look like?

"The home front indeed needs someone to watch over it, so let Dad first teach your husband! Anyway, sweet potatoes are easy to grow, just stick them in the ground and they’ll live!" Qian Wanxiu said with a slight smile.

Lady Chen secretly pinched Pei Houli, still wanting to watch the business, but the shop was so tightly managed by Qian Wanxiu that even their Er Lang wasn’t allowed to learn anything, claiming it was her dowry. The earnings over the years had never gone to the family, giving them just a little benefit. And now they wanted to help run the business? As if a donkey had kicked him in the head!

"Preaching requires traveling to different places. Dad is old, how can he withstand the bumpy journey? Plus, those lowly scamps and the Fang family, seeing our family turn over a new leaf and secure an official position, will definitely not rest easy. Dad needs to be here to oversee things! Just let your elder brother go with you. When to nurture the seedlings, when to plant them, when to dig up sweet potatoes—he knows all of that. Let him go and help you!" she said while giving Pei Houli a meaningful look.

Although Lady Zhu found Lady Chen less and less pleasing to the eye, ultimately, her eldest son was her own flesh and blood, and her eldest grandson was still studying, awaiting the imperial examinations this year. She thought it over, "Those scoundrels will certainly seize any opportunity to blame Er Lang for not being able to grow sweet potatoes, let the eldest go with him, so no one can catch hold of any fault!"

Pei Houli still wanted to speak, but Lady Chen glared at him sharply.

Old Pei also worried that if he left home, Pei Qin and the Fang family might target their family, and the folks at home wouldn’t be able to handle it, "Then let the eldest follow first. You two brothers together can look out for each other!"

Since his parents had spoken, and Pei Zongli had been considered ill-treated by the eldest branch all along, he had really no confidence in growing sweet potatoes and thought it best to agree, "It would be good for elder brother to join me."

Qian Wanxiu frowned slightly, a cold light flashing in her eyes, but she said no more.

Once the matter was settled, the family busied themselves with preparations for a celebration. Lady Chen and Pei Houli went to her natal home to spread the news. On the way, she scolded him, "Don’t you know the benefits of being an official? At a new place, it’s all about the good life. They wanted you to follow, which is to enjoy the perks! And you don’t appreciate it, insisting on staying at home dealing with trivial matters! When people give gifts and silver, your elder brother accompanying them will ensure you get a share too! Also, watch how much silver he collects. Every year he says he hasn’t earned money, yet all the food and utilities are the best. If there’s no money made, where did the funds for those come from?"

Pei Houli hadn’t thought that much, "Taking silver that way is called corruption and bribery. Pei Qin and the Fang family are watching! If they really get a hold of something, not only could I lose my position, but I might also face sentencing!"

"It’s not that easy to get caught by them! As if they have the ability to catch everything, as if they have magical powers. If they were really that powerful, the rewards wouldn’t have gone to our family, and the Eighth Rank Preaching wouldn’t have been granted to Er Lang! The Fang family also has a scholar, and who doesn’t want to be an official!" Lady Chen said through clenched teeth.

That made sense to Pei Houli, and he became happy, at least Er Lang becoming an official meant he wouldn’t have to do carpentry work for others anymore.

News spread, and most of Back Mountain Village flocked to their door to offer congratulations and ask about the celebration, even wanting to bring gifts.