Transmigrated as a Peasant Baby Who is Pampered by All

Chapter 287: Chapter 219: A Misunderstanding

Although he isn’t that busy at home, Jiang Yu would dedicate an hour each morning and afternoon to reading and practicing calligraphy.

A year ago, he always thought he was quite diligent and was doing well in his studies.

But once he arrived in the county city and saw his fellow classmates, he realized compared to them, he was nothing.

Even when the academy admitted him, it was partly due to Uncle Liu, or rather, Liu Ze’s parents.

He later vaguely heard some rumors that the academy took him in not because of his academic prowess.

The academy’s principal thought his memory was decent, but the bigger reason was still Liu Ze’s parents.

Jiang Yu had met Liu Ze’s parents. The first time he went to the county, he met them; Uncle Liu and Aunt Liu even had him send regards to his own parents.

They are very amiable elders.

At least, that’s what Jiang Yu believes in his heart.

In addition, Jiang Yu often went to the Liu family for meals since he lived at the academy, which had a dedicated student dormitory.

However, to this day, Jiang Yu still didn’t know Liu Ze’s parents’ status; everyone said they were merchants, but some said they might not be.

Fortunately, because of the Liu family, even though there were vague rumors at the academy that he got in through connections, no one dared to bully him.

After studying in the county for a year, Jiang Yu was no longer as naive as he was in town. Despite the academy being full of teenagers, there were plenty of mind games.

Thanks to the Liu family, Jiang Yu’s days at the academy were quite peaceful, but he didn’t just muddle through.

After discovering his gap with other students, Jiang Yu became even more serious and diligent, not to surpass others but at least not to lag behind.

So even though it’s just the beginning of the year now, he hasn’t put down his studies, maintaining his routine of reading daily.

Winters are cold, and since there are people passing through the courtyard frequently, it’s not suitable for reading.

However, the second aunt also makes her own charcoal.

When cooking or boiling pig food, she places the not completely burnt-out coals into a clay pot, covers it up, and after snuffing it out, it becomes good charcoal.

Such charcoal sells at a steep price in town.

But the Jiang family has never sold their charcoal; they keep it for their own use.

The charcoal burns without dust or open flames, and placing it in a fire basin allows it to be used indoors.

As long as the windows are open for ventilation, it won’t be cold whether you’re reading or embroidering inside.

Generally, in the courtyard or under the eaves far from the wall, a fire is made, typically using direct firewood.

This saves charcoal and produces more new charcoal.

Just a day or two ago, the sun was out on New Year’s Day, yet today it’s cold and gloomy, as if it could rain any moment.

After Jiang Yu finished breakfast in the morning, the second aunt had already lit the charcoal fire for everyone, including Jiang Yu, Wei Ziang, and Jiang Wei.

Today, the colors Xiao Xue was using for embroidery were too close, and the light inside wasn’t good, so she lit a fire in the courtyard and sat a little farther away to avoid burning the embroidery fabric.

Jiang Yu started reading at three quarters past nine, studied for half an hour, and then practiced calligraphy for a bit.

Although the teacher praised his progress last holiday, considering his young age, he didn’t need to rush into writing essays but should focus on calligraphy first.

The teacher said that a good handwriting would catch the examiner’s attention during exams.

By his foot was a fire basin; next to his hand were the used calligraphy copybooks.

After more than an entire hour, he finally completed the morning’s lessons, and just as he was about to put down his brush, the door suddenly slammed open.

”Big brother, something’s wrong! Someone proposed marriage for you and even said they want the girl to join you at the county academy to take care of your daily needs, and in a few years you’ll get married!”

The person who burst in was Xiaomi, her face pale with fright.

Xiaomi was genuinely scared; she knew people of this era married early, but there was no need to arrange a betrothal before twelve!

And Aunt Xie made it sound like it was final, with no room for objection.

What’s with letting the girl accompany big brother to the academy?

Even in the era she lived in before, as open as it was, nobody went to school with their boyfriend or girlfriend, taking care of each other’s daily needs.

Moreover, in this historical context, if big brother takes the girl along, wouldn’t that bind him to her for life?

This was simply unimaginable for Xiaomi!