Chapter 2: The Great Dream of Five Hundred Years (II)

Song Nan pondered for a moment, then stood up and gently lifted the curtain to step out of the room. In the main hall, Song's mother was reluctantly handing a beautifully crafted jade hairpin to Ping'er. It goes without saying that this was the last token left by her "father," Song De.

Song's mother said with a bitter smile: "Since the person is dead, what use is there in keeping a memento? It is better to exchange it for silver to support the whole family. If the master knows in the afterlife, he should not blame me. His son has no food to eat and no clothes to wear; this can be considered the last responsibility of a father."

Mother Song fell silent for a moment, then spoke: "Ping'er, take this and sell it; perhaps it will help us get through this winter."

Song Nan did not take into account the tone of Song's mother, thinking to himself: The Song Nan you have in mind has long since disappeared. Since I have taken on the body of Song Nan and cannot even sustain a livelihood, what am I still doing here

Fortunately, Song's mother was frugal and managed the household well. She meticulously managed the money and items that Song De secretly gave her during his lifetime, and as a result, she saved up several hundred taels of silver. After leaving Beida Alley, she purchased this small courtyard in the commoners' area of Little Stone Bridge.

Upon seeing Song Nan come out, Song's mother gently tucked the jade hairpin into her sleeve, her face instantly filled with a smile. She softly said, "Nan'er, are you tired from studying? It's good to come out for a walk. Although the autumn imperial examination is approaching, your health has just recovered, so you should still take care of your body."

In his spare time from work, he travels the world with paid vacation, and he enjoys various cutting-edge sports such as surfing, paragliding, and adventure activities. His quality of life is extraordinarily high, with top luxury brands in food, clothing, and transportation, indulging in the pleasures of life

In this year of 2023, the distinction between the young and the old is a fundamental principle of propriety, and one's lineage is of utmost importance, particularly in affluent families. The unexpected birth of Song Nan has caused significant dissatisfaction for the matriarch, Yan. Even after having given birth to a son, Yan resorted to crying, causing a scene, and even threatening to hang herself, firmly opposing Song De from taking Song Nan's mother as a concubine. The status of Song Nan and his mother within the Song family is thus quite evident.

That evening, Song Nan sat in the side room, feeling dejected. Outside in the main hall, he could faintly hear the soft conversation between Ping'er and his mother. He vaguely heard a sigh, so he held his breath and listened intently

Moreover, he knows that even such days cannot last long. The person he has embodied, Song Nan, is a frail individual. During his illness, the limited wealth of the Song family has already been depleted. This time, Song's mother has pawned the last few pieces of jewelry to exchange for medicine and supplements. Apart from the thirty acres of barren land rented out to farmers, the family has nothing left.

Song's mother hurriedly said: "You tell Uncle Zhong, he must not think that way. We are all one family now, and no one sees you as servants. If Uncle Zhong were to act like that, it would be unjust to me and my son."

Song's mother placed all her hopes on Song Nan, spending money to support his education. However, Song Nan was frail, often bedridden for half the year due to illness. Although he enjoyed studying, he ultimately could not overcome his physical weakness. After several struggles, he only managed to attain the status of a scholar. Beyond that, the path ahead was even more distant and uncertain.

Song's mother exclaimed in astonishment, "Do you have a way? What kind of way could you possibly have?" In the eyes of the Song family, Song Nan was a frail, obedient, and timid young man who hardly dared to speak in front of strangers. Therefore, it was indeed surprising to hear him say such a thing at this moment

Ping'er softly said: "Madam, whatever you say, it is my duty to serve you. If it weren't for your rescue back then, I fear I would have frozen to death on the street. It is a pity that I lack the ability; if I were a strong man, at least I could go out and do some labor to earn money. Now, I can only do some minor tasks and cannot be of much help to you. Uncle Zhong is old and cannot do hard labor either; we have become a burden. Uncle Zhong mentioned that next year will be the same, and he might as well find a deserted place to wait for death, so as not to drag you and the young master down."

Song's mother sighed again and softly said: "I am not particularly affected; without cotton clothes, I simply won't go out. However, both you and Uncle Zhong haven't had new clothes for years, and there is no money to pay you for your work. It truly is hard on you. Meeting you has been a blessing for both me and Nan'er."

Song's mother had a gentle disposition, being originally of servant origin and having little exposure to the world. How could she dare to compete in any disputes? She could only quietly bring Song Nan to burn some paper money and bow a few times in front of Song De's grave, considering it her fulfillment of filial duty

Song Nan experiences a significant psychological contrast; he is extremely depressed. After graduating from a prestigious university, he quickly ascended to a high executive position with an annual salary of several million in a multinational real estate company within just a few years. In his youth, he was wealthy and successful, much like a favored child of heaven, surrounded by envious gazes. With a mere snap of his fingers, he could attract beautiful women with ample figures, truly a time of great success and joy.

Song's mother was taken aback and immediately scolded, "What are you talking about, child? What do you mean by 'the mountains are exhausted and the waters are depleted'? You just focus on your studies. Our family has fields and land, and we have your mother and Uncle Zhong. Why should you worry about such things?"

Ping'er exclaimed, "No, madam, that is the only item left by the master; once it is gone, there will be no more thoughts of it"

His own mother was originally a maid beside Song De, possessing both beauty and a gentle temperament, which made Song De quite fond of her. He intended to take her as a concubine; however, the main wife of the Song family, Yan, was jealous and harsh, causing a great uproar and forbidding it. As time went on, Song Nan was born, but the matter of taking a concubine was left unresolved, and thus Song Nan became a child born of a maid, even inferior to a legitimate son.

Song Nan quietly said: "Mother, have we truly reached the end of our resources?"

Song Nan said: "In such circumstances, I cannot study. I have already thought of a solution; tomorrow I will go to get the money"

The household servants all scattered like birds and beasts, leaving only Uncle Zhong and Ping'er, who were unwilling to depart, faithfully following these two lonely women.

Ping'er said softly: "I believe Uncle Zhong is just speaking casually; he won't abandon us. But how are we to get through the current difficulties?"

Song Nan felt a deep sense of discomfort in his heart. The family was already in dire poverty, and no matter what, he was the only man in the family who could uphold its dignity. How could he stand by idly? During the more than ten days since he had transmigrated here, everyone from Mother Song to Uncle Zhong and Ping'er had taken meticulous care of him, showing him great affection. The neighbors were also very kind to him. He had been so absorbed in the immense disparity that he had forgotten that life must go on. Could he really remain in this state of decline forever?

Song Nan recalled that he and his mother originally lived in the grand residence of the Song family in Weizhou, enjoying a life of abundance. The elder Song De, who had served as an official in his early years, later resigned due to illness and returned to his hometown in Weizhou. He acquired land and engaged in business, amassing a substantial family fortune

"In books, there are houses of gold; in books, there are beauties like jade." In such circumstances, this statement sounds quite ridiculous. Now, with our family facing the prospect of having no food for three meals, should we gnaw on books like the field mouse?

Although Song's mother was capable of managing the household, she was ultimately just a woman. She used her savings to purchase thirty acres of land outside the South Gate, only to be deceived by a broker. The thirty acres were not the fertile fields as promised, but rather extremely barren mountainous land. Renting it out to farmers for cultivation barely covered the family's basic needs, and she had to invest additional money into it. Over time, this led to a depletion of resources, and now, five years later, the Song family is struggling to survive.

Mother Song sighed and after a moment said: "Well, I knew this would be the outcome; sending Uncle Zhong was merely a gamble."

Song De felt indebted to Song Nan and her child, and could not tolerate the noise from the Yan family. Therefore, he arranged a separate residence for them in the North Daxiang of East City, hired a private tutor to teach Song Nan, and provided a groom, servants, and maids. However, Song De had originally thought he would live a long life, but unexpectedly, he fell ill and died suddenly when Song Nan was ten years old, leaving no time to make any arrangements or say a word to Song Nan and her child.

Song Nan said: "Mother, do not deceive me. I am aware of the situation at home. You need not pawn the jade hairpin that Father gave you. I will find a way. As a son of the Song family, how can I allow my mother to worry about clothing and food? That would make me utterly useless"

... ...

But now, having soul-traveled hundreds of years to arrive in the Ming Dynasty several centuries ago, looking at the bare walls of the house, wearing a cotton long gown, and considering that drinking a bowl of fish soup from m.hetushu.com is a luxurious enjoyment, how can he possibly adapt

Song's mother awkwardly smiled and said: "What jade hairpin? My son, do not get distracted; just focus on your studies."

There is indeed a full bookshelf of ancient books at home, which is the only thing left by this incarnation of Song Nan. I began reading at the age of five, and over the course of ten years, these books, which emit a musty odor and cannot be eaten or drunk from, have accumulated at home.

Song De has passed away, and Yan's family along with Song De's legitimate son, Song Huan, refuse to acknowledge the identities of Song Nan and her child. Not only do they prohibit Song Nan and her child from observing the mourning rites and wearing mourning attire, but they also reclaim the residence on Beida Lane, completely expelling Song Nan and her child from the Song family.

Madam, Uncle Zhong returned empty-handed from collecting rent in the southern city today. This summer, there has been a pest disaster, and there is hardly any harvest from the fields. Uncle Zhong truly cannot bear to pressure them.

Ping'er echoed, "Indeed, young master, after reading for a while, you should go out with Brother Daniu next door for a stroll; it will surely be beneficial for your health"

Ping'er said: "But what will we do if we can't collect the rent? Winter is approaching, how will we get through this winter? Young master’s cotton robe has several tears, and we have no money to buy a new one. Moreover, you have pawned several fine winter garments at the pawnshop, how will we go out in winter?"

"Tomorrow morning, I will go with Daniu to take care of some matters. You all wait for my good news," Song Nan said quietly before turning and returning to her room, leaving Song's mother and the maid Xiaoping in stunned silence, looking at each other in confusion

There are currently four people in the household, which is indeed a standard configuration for a large family. My mother and I, along with a maid named Ping'er and an old servant named Uncle Zhong. Although it seems somewhat unreasonable to have servants and maids in such poverty, it represents the former lifestyle of the Song family.