big brother is actually a scholar! You know, it's incredibly difficult for someone from a farming family to become educated these days. To have achieved official recognition and honor is even rarer t...Chapter 1: Empty Pockets

"Don't cry anymore!"

The man lying on the bed rasped and croaked with effort, followed by coughs that came in fits and starts, sometimes high-pitched, sometimes low, never truly subsiding. {What You still don't know|. Read, error-free chapters|Hurry up and google it}

A girl cried non-stop, her face covered in tears that she hadn't even had time to wipe away. She suddenly threw herself onto the man's body and wailed.

"Daddy! Don't die, don't die... ..."

Hearing a noise inside the house, the little girl, who came over immediately, decisively kicked open the door with her foot. The old, deformed wooden door creaked and groaned, opening a gap for her.

Glancing at the tearful elder sister and the uncle who was being pressed down so hard that he seemed to be gasping for breath, as if he might die any moment, I let out a deep sigh in my heart. I rushed towards the only table in the room, quickly poured water, and carefully brought it to the bed's side.

"Big sister, if you don't get up, grandpa will be crushed by you."

Looking at the little girl who was four or five years old, her voice was childish yet raspy. She lacked the innocence of a child and instead possessed a calmness that was rare for someone her age.

The young girl immediately panicked, scrambling to her feet. "I... I'm not... Father..." Tears welled up in her eyes once more.

Finally knowing how to receive it, he fed his father water while crying.

Okay, sister, just stop making things difficult...

The little girl couldn't help but complain in her heart, but she couldn't speak out. Heaven knows, the elder sister of this uncle was practically soaked in tears, weeping day and night. If it weren't for the fact that her uncle had been beaten so badly he couldn't stand on his own and had to be served by others at all times, she probably would have gone somewhere alone to end her life long ago.

It wasn't that her imagination was wild, but in this oppressive era for women, she attracted lechers who almost cost her father his life. Besides dying to clear her name, it seemed like there was no other way out.

"Er Ya! Er Ya! Quickly get some water for your father, my throat is on fire!" A gruff voice came from outside the door. It was definitely our old man, and his voice sounded parched.

The little girl, called Er Ya, accepted this hopelessly common name with resignation.

She quickly poured water for her hardworking father, carrying it out and watching him take a big gulp. After finishing, he pursed his lips, clearly wanting more, but he restrained himself and didn't ask for another glass.

It was unbearably hot that day. The ditches along the edge of the village had dried up, and the water levels in the village wells had dropped significantly. The elders said it was a sign of an impending drought. Every household hoarded water day and night, too afraid to drink it themselves and instead pouring it onto the fields. They were watching their spring-planted wheat nearing harvest time, and they couldn't afford to lose everything now.

"Where's Mom" the little girl asked in a low voice.

"Still down in the field, sigh! What have we done to deserve this Why are we going through such hardship Your mother is from the city, she's never even stepped foot on the land before. Now she's out there under the scorching sun harvesting wheat, and that sickle isn't even working properly. Just sharpening it takes half a day! We left home this morning and haven't even finished one acre..."

A family of three, living honestly at home, woke up in the morning and changed places. The daughter said they seemed to be wearing...

Just wear it, at least the whole family is together. What if they disagree There's nowhere to protest anyway.

After the daughter who was raised by a romance novel-loving father started to explain things, the three of them began to try their best to recall memories of their past lives. They racked their brains and still couldn't remember anything about their original selves...

Then came a series of experiments, drawing several incisions with just fingers, applying blood in various ways, yet no baby appeared to recognize its owner by the blood.

Later, the daughter taught them various calls: System, Big System, Little Treasure System…

Just, so ashamed.

The result is still nothing.

If I let them go, then so be it.

In this unheard-of ancient time, struggle to survive.

The only comfort they could find was probably in their age.

He seemed to have shrunk twenty years younger. Aside from Er Ya's various discomforts, he and his wife were—fine.

Oh! That gone-forever youth!

It's back!

The environment they came from was quite harsh. Their new home was very poor, lacking everything. There was also a brother who had been injured, and they had been busy tending to his wounds and buying medicine these past few days. From the always crying little niece, they did manage to learn quite a bit.

This big brother is actually a scholar! You know, it's incredibly difficult for someone from a farming family to become educated these days. To have achieved official recognition and honor is even rarer than one in ten thousand.

The wife of the scholar, unfortunately, passed away during childbirth years ago, leaving behind a son and a daughter. The eldest nephew is studying in town, while the eldest niece is fourteen years old this year. She's still a child, but she has been targeted by a scoundrel who constantly follows and harasses her. Not only that, he spreads rumors about them being in love everywhere, ruining the niece's reputation.

The scholar was indignant and went to confront him, but what he said is unknown. In any case, he was carried back.

This is both agonizing and painful, a double whammy. My constitution was already weak to begin with. This fever lasted for days, finally breaking after much struggle. The cough, however, hasn't subsided so easily. The doctor said it’s a miracle I survived. There’s still a need for rest and recuperation. He's changed my medication to focus on nourishing the body.

He, this younger brother of his, apparently is quite a scoundrel. He doesn't want to farm and he doesn't want to work. He just loafs around all day.

He tried to emulate his older brother's pursuit of knowledge, but he ended up inferior even to his nephew. He spent his days socializing with friends and attending literary gatherings, which were really just excuses for drinking and feasting. Shamelessly, he relied on his elder brother for support.

Even your older brother is really thoughtful, he built a house, found you a wife, and takes care of the children...

The two brothers didn't split the family property, they ate from the same pot. Their sister-in-law passed away early, so his wife took charge of the household and managed everything for the entire family. The elder brother gave some money to her every month for household expenses.

Unfortunately, they have no memory and don't remember where the money is. They rely on credit to pay for their medical bills.

I just hope that the talented scholar has money and can settle this on his own.

He found out another very unfortunate thing today, he didn't dare to tell his daughter-in-law, so he made an excuse to come back and discuss countermeasures with his daughter first.

"Girl, that what, I only just found out, there are still debts outside..."

Yan—doesn't know her own given name—Er Ya:...

What do you owe To whom do you owe it How much do you owe

"Oh dear! Gambling debts! I owe the gambling den twenty taels of silver. I've seen the promissory note myself, with my fingerprints clearly marked on it. What are we going to do about this Fortunately, they saw me as soon as I entered the village. If they had come to our house, your uncle would have been so angry he might have died from rage! And if anything happened to him because of me, that would be a terrible sin!"

"Twenty taels!" Yan Er'ya gritted her teeth, "Dad, do you know how much twenty taels is worth in ancient times An egg costs one wen, a steamed bun costs two wen, and one thousand wen equals one tael. Twenty taels could buy 20,000 eggs and 10,000 steamed buns!"

Listening to the girl lecture him, her little mouth going non-stop, Dad Yan couldn't help but feel helpless. He didn't want this either, he was innocent too! Who knew that the scoundrel everyone talked about in the village, turned out to be such a formidable character

Come on, big brother, you don't work and still dare to gamble!Half of our wheat will have to go. If it doesn't rain... Oh no, Uncle! Father is going to take all the wheat to mill. What will we use to pay the tax then!"Old Yan glared at him fiercely and muttered...