Chapter 261 - Chapter 261: Chapter 257: Outing_1 (1/2)

Chapter 261: Chapter 257: Outing_1

Translator: 549690339

Li Jishan was momentarily speechless, but he quickly recovered and pointed at Yingbao, “Now that you’re healed and not going to the examination, what is the meaning of bringing these people home?”

Before Li Xu could reply, Yingbao pridefully said, “Because he owes me for the medical treatment and consultation fees! Of course, I have to come here to collect them!”

Li Xu nodded, “Indeed, my nephew has incurred the young doctor’s consultation and medicine fees, which he is currently unable to repay.”

Everyone present was astounded upon hearing this, and all eyes turned to the village head, Li Jishan.

Everyone in the village knew that the twenty acres of tax-free farmland owned by Li Xu were held under the name of Li Jishan’s family, and have been so for three years.

But over these three years, it seemed that Li Jishan had done nothing for this older nephew of his.

Not only had he shown no gestures of support, Li Jishan’s wife had often claimed they should never have split the family apart. That way, their household could have avoided one extra labour levy.

Upon hearing this, Li Jishan’s face changed rapidly, and after hesitating for a moment, he said painfully, “I will trust you this one time, I will cover the medical expenses.”

Yingbao said, “Good, the total is fifty taels of silver. Once I receive it, I’ll leave.”

“Wha-what?” A stupefied Li Jishan asked, “Fifty taels? What medicine is so expensive?”

Yingbao replied, “The medicine isn’t rare, but wasn’t it able to pull your nephew back from the Ghost Gate?”

“You… Congenital liar! I will not believe you!” A frustrated and irritated Li Jishan turned and left in a huff.

Before leaving, he added, “Li Xu, I have to go first because of some errands. Come to my house later to discuss in detail.”

Watching his uncle’s retreating figure, Li Xu silently sighed.

During his stay at the inn, he had suddenly realized a lot.

Dependence on oneself is the best, and all talk about clan and relatives was illusory.

Just like his birth uncle who was enjoying the benefits he offered, yet secretly hoping for his misfortune.

Once, when his uncle’s youngest son was drunk, he pointed at Li Xu and said, “You poor bugger should stay downtrodden your whole life. You think becoming a scholar is a big deal? That you can flaunt your achievements before us? Dream on!”

At the time, Li Xu was terrified, not understanding why his cousin would speak to him that way. Seeing his cousin’s drunkenness, he assumed he was just talking nonsense.

Now, it all makes sense. His eleven or twelve-year-old cousin, given his outburst at his scholarship celebration party, must have heard his parents’ behind-the-scenes discussions.

Li Xu, who lost his father at a young age and depends on his mother, did not have a proper meal on Chinese New Year for the first few years.

To support his education, his mother had to sell their land and work tirelessly on her embroidery.

His uncle’s family lived next door but had never lent them a helping hand.

After he became a student, his uncle was nicer to him, but he never missed an opportunity to belittle him in public, saying he was slow and obtuse from childhood and his student position was just because the county magistrate had sympathy for his orphaned status.

But his uncle didn’t know that the actual examination was held in the Prefecture City and it was not the County Magistrate but the Education Commissioner who supervised the examination.

“Young doctor, I am sorry for causing you this embarrassment.”

Li Xu, after a moment of contemplation, suddenly asked, “Can I really work off my debt by teaching students in your hometown?”

“Of course, my father is the Lizheng. Our village has a ready school, but we haven’t been able to find a suitable tutor for a while now.”

“Great! I’ll go!” Li Xu decided, then hesitated again to ask, “Young doctor, can I bring my mother with me?”

Yingbao replied, “Of course, our school has many rooms and a large yard. It’s even bigger than this place. The previous tutor left a few hens behind. If you come, those hens will be yours to take care of. You can keep all the eggs they lay.”