Chapter 048: Ling Jingpeng's Warning, Listen to Big Brother!

 

After the recent disturbance at the old Ling family's place, Ling Jingxuan once again became famous. Various versions of the incident spread throughout the village before nightfall. Unlike before, when people only blamed and cursed Ling Jingxuan, this time, there were quite a few people secretly discussing the old lady's overbearing and unreasonable behavior. Despite Ling Qiyun later publicly sending ten kilograms of white flour, ten kilograms of rice, and two kilograms of pork to Ling Jingxuan, the fact that the old lady barged into someone's house, forcing a filial son and daughter-in-law to do something against their will, continued to attract criticism.

 

On the other hand, looking at Ling Jingxuan's side, his name used to be associated with words like "monster" and "jerk." For five years, the villagers bullied him as they pleased, and if they wanted to beat or scold him, they did. They always looked at him with disdain and contempt. However, after this incident, when the villagers talked about him, there was a noticeable glimmer of fear in their eyes. Ling Jingxuan slapping his own aunt, the retaliation against the old Ling family members, and the mysterious incident where Ling Chenghu was thrown to the ground before even getting close to Ling Jingxuan, left an indelible shadow in the hearts of the villagers who witnessed it. Even if they were more certain that he was a monster, they dared not say it out loud or even curse him.

 

However, all this seemed unrelated to Ling Jingxuan. When those people caused a ruckus, the previously ample time suddenly became tight. The two brothers worked until almost midnight to finish a hundred jars of fruit jam. Even Yan Shenrui's nightly medicine was forgotten, but it was brought by the two little brats. Perhaps because Yan Shenrui protected them, the attitudes of the two little brats towards him improved significantly. Although the elder one was still difficult, he no longer opposed everything. As for the younger one, who was innocent to begin with, he completely forgot what his father and brother had said. All night, he stayed near Yan Shenrui, playing around and asking questions curiously. The father and son soon became familiar with each other.

 

"Five years ago, my eldest brother was abandoned by the family. It took him a whole five years to emerge from the shadows and return to normal. I don't care who you are or what prestigious status you have. If you dare to bully him again, I will definitely fight back with all my strength."

 

In the dark night, Ling Jingpeng, who had stayed overnight because he was busy making fruit jam, lay on a stack of straw in the corner. Despite being thin, he was in good health, casually wearing a pair of white underpants and a thin outer coat draped over his belly. He was only nine years old five years ago, and he couldn't do much at that time. Now, things were different. Bound by filial piety, he couldn't say anything to the Ling family, but he would never tolerate anyone bullying his eldest brother.

 

"Wait until you have enough strength to say those things to me."

 

Glancing at Ling Jingpeng on the other side of the room under the moonlight, Yan Shenrui said in a deep voice, without any sign of anger. He just stated the fact. Although Ling Jingpeng might have grown up at fourteen, in his eyes, he was still just a little kid. His threats were like a child's play, holding no deterrent power to him.

 

"I will." Almost merging with the darkness of the night, the determined glint in Ling Jingpeng's eyes shone. Lying on the straw stack, he tightly clenched his fists, not only for his elder brother but also for his parents, second brother, and two little nephews. He would become stronger for them, to the point where no one could hurt or bully them anymore.

 

Ling Jingpeng didn't know that those skilled in martial arts could generally see clearly at night. With the faint moonlight, the expressions on his face and eyes were all captured by Yan Shenrui's keen eyes. In response, Yan Shenrui just smiled calmly and refrained from expressing further opinions. Protecting Ling Jingxuan and the two children was his expectation and his wish. Even if he regained his memories someday and remembered the past, he would never forget this current hope.

 

The next day, Ling Jingxuan still woke up early and took several rounds around the courtyard as usual. Ling Jingpeng, who also got up early, had prepared breakfast.

 

"Brother, why are you running so early in the morning?" Seeing the little one automatically running around the courtyard after getting up, Ling Jingpeng couldn't help but wonder. Weren't they bothered by the heat?

 

"Hehe... just exercising. After running, Xiao Wen and the others will practice Tai Chi. If you are interested, you can learn from them, and we'll have breakfast after you come back."

 

Taking the cloth handed to him to wipe off the sweat, Ling Jingxuan walked toward the cart in the courtyard, where four large wooden barrels were already placed.

 

"No need, brother, I'll go with you."

 

Worried that he couldn't pull it alone, Ling Jingpeng took the initiative to approach, but Ling Jingxuan hesitated, turned around, and said with a smile, "I can handle it alone. If you are too free, help Jinghan brew the medicine and deliver it."

 

He didn't want him to find out about the Moon Crescent Spring. It wasn't about trust; he just didn't see the need for it. If he had to give a reason, it would be the same as not telling the little brats. Some things were better borne by himself, without involving others.

 

"Okay, but don't catch too much. Someone is coming to collect the fruit jam today. It wouldn't be good if we're both not here."

 

Ling Jingpeng didn't insist further and accepted his request. Big brother was important, but second brother was equally important, and he hoped that his second brother's illness would improve soon.

 

"I know, Xiaowen, don't run too long. You'll have to do some martial arts practice later."

 

As Ling Jingxuan pulled the cart out of the house, he saw the two little brats running out from the corner, followed by two wolf pups that were usually tied up in the backyard. As expected, as soon as the wolf pups saw him, they bared their teeth and howled, seemingly wanting to rush over and attack him. This made him feel embarrassed every time. When would these two pups forget that he killed their mother?

 

"Oh, dad, are you going fishing again? Don't go too deep."

 

"Daddy!"

 

Big bun kept nagging like an old man, and his facial injury had improved significantly under the effect of Ling Jingxuan's medicine and the Moon Crescent Spring water. Little bun happily ran over and hugged his leg. The two little brats had similar faces with two small, white front teeth showing. Due to their long exercise, their faces were sweaty, but their smiles were not at all tired. After running for a few days, they gradually got used to and enjoyed this morning exercise.

 

"Yeah, the swelling on your face has gone down. Remember to apply the medicine after running."

 

Rubbing the little brat's head and touching the still slightly swollen cheek of the big brat, he continued to pull the cart.

 

The two little brats obediently nodded and watched their dad disappear before starting to run again. The two wolf pups played around beside them. The two boys and two pups faced the morning sun, running tirelessly around the yard, their clothes soaked in sweat. However, their will remained unwavering and their bodies grew stronger with each moment.

 

Yesterday, after bringing back the old lady and others, Ling Qiuyun did not go to the nearby private school. Instead, he sent Ling Jinghong, to notify the children to come back home. After Ling Chenglong and his wife returned home, the old master let the eldest son, Ling Chengcai, send the old lady back to her natal family. Although, in the end, under the persuasion of the grandchildren, the old lady was not sent back to her family, the matter of separating the family to live individually ended without any further progress, just as Ling Chenglong and the others had predicted.

 

When the couple returned to their own room, Ling Wangshi couldn't help but wipe tears. They knew that the old master had already dug a pit for them to jump in on their own, but they had no choice but to jump in. Besides, those people received nothing more than a scolding from the old master and no punishment at all. Previously, they had always felt that the old lady was biased, and the old master was at most indifferent. Now it seemed that the old master's heart was biased as well.

 

"Mother, human hearts are naturally biased. After so many years, we should be used to it. Anyway, nothing happened to Big Brother. Let it go. If my illness can really be cured, I can take the imperial examination. Once I pass and become successful, no one will dare to bully us in the future."

 

In the end, it was Ling Jinghan's words that comforted her. Filial piety weighed on them like a mountain, leaving them with no choice but to think this way. Who made their oppressors their own parents?

 

"Jingpeng, you're back. Great, let's have breakfast now. Put down your things and come eat."

 

When Ling Jingpeng returned to the old Ling's house carrying two medicine jars, Aunt Ling Li, who was missing all day yesterday, acted as if she didn't know what had happened yesterday. As warm as always, she warmly greeted him.

 

Ling Li was the old lady's niece, always pleasing to her, and treated her sisters-in-law as if she were an elder sister. She was especially gentle and loving in front of the younger generation. However, Ling Jingpeng had disliked her since he was little. It wasn't because he was smarter than anyone and could see through the real face behind her kind facade, but because he had once accidentally overheard her complaining to his uncle about how much money they were wasting on a person destined to die soon. Since then, he had kept his distance from her.

 

"Good morning, Auntie." Without being affected by her warmth, Ling Jingpeng nodded casually, walked into their house with the medicine jar, and shut the door, indirectly cutting off the annoying conversation outside.

 

"Bah! Sister-in-law, don't pay attention to him. He is just a freeloader who eats without doing anything, shameless!"

 

Ling Jingpeng clearly heard Ling Chenghua's disdainful and abusive words coming from behind. He paid no attention, closing the door and blocking out the outside chatter.

 

"Jingpeng is back. At this hour, shouldn't you be going to Jingxuan's house to catch fish? Why did you come back?"

 

Seeing her son, Ling Wangshi, who had stopped doing household chores out of frustration, quickly put down the cloth she was using to wipe the table and approached him. Ling Chenglong sitting cross-legged on the side also looked at him curiously.

 

"Big brother asked me to bring second brother's medicine. Second brother, how do you feel after taking the medicine that big brother prescribed yesterday? Are you feeling better?"

 

Ling Jingpeng raised the medicine jar in his hand and poured two bowls of medicine for Ling Jinghan, who was lying on the bed, showing concern for his condition.

 

"It's not that fast, but I coughed much less last night, and this morning I didn't cough much when I spoke. It should be effective."

 

Supporting his body, Ling Jinghan took the medicine bowl with a smile. Compared to his parents and siblings, he had already become accustomed to not having high hopes for his illness to avoid getting too disappointed in the future.

 

"It will definitely be effective. You don't know, big brother's medical skills are excellent. Yesterday, we drank the medicine he prescribed for preventing the epidemic and earned ten taels of silver. Second brother, just focus on resting and recovering. I believe big brother will definitely cure you." Thinking of Ling Wen's words, Ling Jingpeng sat down excitedly on the edge of the bed. Besides a few of them, no one else knew about this matter yet.

 

"What? Wasn't it said that he just happened to buy it for the epidemic? How did it become his prescription?"

 

Hearing this, Ling Wangshi walked over with Ling Chenglong. Even Ling Jinghan, who was drinking the medicine, couldn't help but put down the bowl. The epidemic was not an ordinary cold. Every time it broke out, even famous doctors were helpless. How could Ling Jingxuan prescribe preventive medicine? Was his medical skill really that good?

 

"I'm not sure about the specific details. I just heard it from Xiaowen. Big brother's medical skills are really good. Second brother's illness will definitely be cured. When second brother gets better, maybe he can take the child examination this year. Next year, he can become a xiucai in the spring, then a juren in the autumn examination, and a jinshi in the spring examination, and we'll have our good days ahead."

 

Ling Jingpeng's imagination grew more and more optimistic. It seemed as if he could already see the scene of his second brother passing the imperial examination. This also made Ling Chenglong and his wife forget their previous doubts and revealed smiles. If this were to happen, they would have a way out.

 

"Just because you think it's great doesn't mean it's easy to pass the imperial examination. Haven't you seen how many years our master has been trying without progress?" Ling Jinghan remained rational and poked his head, helplessly laughing, indirectly shattering his brother's dreams.

 

Ling Jingpeng wrinkled his nose unhappily and muttered, "Just because he couldn't pass doesn't mean you won't. Maybe you will succeed?"

 

Apart from the eldest brother, Ling Jingpeng admired his second brother the most. Perhaps it was because he spent too much time lying on the bed. His knowledge was the best in the family, even better than the old master's. But... his broken body prevented him from participating in the imperial examinations.

 

"Enough about that, it's all a matter for the future. What did big brother say about the proposal our parents brought up yesterday to split the family?" Ling Jinghan calmly changed the subject, knowing very well that while others might not be aware, he had noticed his little brother's desire to split the family for a long time, ever since the day their eldest brother was driven out when they were only nine years old.

 

"He didn't say much. Big brother just said that yesterday's opportunity was not enough and asked us to wait a little longer."

 

When it came to this topic, Ling Jingpeng slumped his shoulders, feeling disappointed. Why wasn't yesterday's opportunity enough?

 

Ling Chenglong and his wife were also troubled by this matter. Some things were better left unspoken; as long as they avoided being explicit, they could pretend and continue living together. But once it was made clear, the future might become more difficult.

 

"Well, you don't need to worry too much, Mom and Dad. I think big brother is right. Yesterday's opportunity wasn't enough, and he won't agree to separate just yet. Grandma bullied her son and daughter-in-law by relying on her status as an elder. Besides, even if big brother doesn't relent, things will still move in that direction. Let's follow big brother's lead and wait a little longer. Perhaps a bigger opportunity will come soon."

 

After a moment of silence, Ling Jinghan looked at his clearly disappointed and worried parents. He had a feeling that his eldest brother already had a plan, but he just hadn't told them yet.

 

"Alright, since you put it that way, Mom and Dad will wait a little longer. Jinghan, take your medicine quickly. Now Mom and Dad don't want anything else, just hoping for you to get better. As long as you three brothers are healthy and well, Mom and Dad will be willing to stay here for a lifetime."

 

Ling Chenglong and his wife exchanged glances and sighed helplessly. Apart from waiting, what else could they do? They couldn't force their parents to split the family. Committing such an unfilial act was something they couldn't bear.

 

"Yes, I'll listen to big brother and second brother." Although he still had some misgivings, Ling Jingpeng felt somewhat relieved after his brother's explanation. When he left with the medicine jar, it had been nearly half an hour since their conversation began.