The Family Had Split, Why Should I Care if They Go Broke? - Chapter 22

“We didn’t harm anyone. The things we sold had been treated, not poisonous. These few days entering the city weren’t a wasted trip—we earned a bit of hard money.”

“Oh.”

The many probing gazes lessened by half.

“I said so, doing business isn’t that easy.”

“Exactly, if you ask me, honestly tending a few acres at home and having something to chew on—that’s the proper way to live. Those restless and fond of tossing things around only get poorer the more they toss.”

“Bah, they’ve got some silver in hand, they can afford to toss about—unlike us.”

“As for Lady Zeng and Younger-sister-in-law Zhu’er, fine, but what’s this widow Xu fussing for? I heard Minglang left some money at home, but that was meant for Mingxuan’s studies and exam success. If Lady Xu squanders it all, won’t Mingxuan be pitiful? With no elder brother around, this sister-in-law isn’t reliable at all—she’s acting without scruple.”

“It’s other people’s matters—why bother with her!”

“Heh, who cares? Let her do as she pleases. Anyway, it’s not my family’s money being lost. I’m just speaking up because I can’t stand watching.”

Liang Mingliang drove the ox cart past the big locust tree, still faintly hearing the gossiping voices behind him—none of them pleasant.

Zeng Xiaoyan fumed, “Sister-in-law Zhichun, don’t mind those words. Those people are so annoying, always pointing fingers and stirring up trouble.”

Aunt Zhu’er added, “Yes, Zhichun, don’t mind them. If they knew you had such skills, knew we earned this much money, they’d surely be jealous to death.”

Xu Zhichun’s lips held a faint smile, her heart calm and unruffled. “Mm, let’s not bother with them. Let’s hurry back, count, and divide the money.”

“Yes, yes!”

The three all laughed in delight.

Aunt Zhu’er quickly added, “After dividing the money, let’s hurry to dig konjac and pick lantern fruits—we still have to sell tomorrow.”

“Then let’s not waste time.”

Where there are groups of gossiping women, there’s bound to be idle chatter. But she had her own life to live. Whatever they said, she wouldn’t be swayed. The truth was, they already had more than enough work ahead earning money. Who had time to bother with nonsense?

Good heavens, today they earned two thousand and fifty-six cash coins.

Aunt Zhu’er’s voice trembled, “Th-this—this is two taels of silver! Two taels of silver!”

Zeng Xiaoyan was born into a wealthy family, but as a concubine’s daughter, she was constantly bullied. Two taels of silver were not a small sum even for her, and she couldn’t help but be excited, throwing her arms around Xu Zhichun, “Sister-in-law Zhichun, we earned so much!”

Xu Zhichun was also happy, nodding repeatedly, “Let’s keep working hard, strive to earn even more.”

“Mm-hm, we definitely can.”

After deducting ten coins for renting the ox cart and another twenty given to Liang Mingliang as wages, a total of thirty coins, Xu Zhichun received 1,200 coins. Since she had already set aside 500 for ordering a big iron pot, she only took 700. Zeng Xiaoyan and Auntie Zhu’er each received 400.

This money was simply too easy to earn, and everyone was full of energy.

By evening, Zeng Xiaoyan and Liang Mingliang had to return home, and Aunt Zhu’er also had to go back to feed chickens and pigs.

Xu Zhichun reminded them with a smile, “I’ve cooked your meal already, don’t forget to come over.”

“Won’t forget! We’ll be right back! Sister-in-law Zhichun, you must make spare ribs—I’m craving them so badly.”

“I’ll go home for a bit and then come back to help.”

Zeng Xiaoyan and Aunt Zhu’er replied with laughter.

When Zeng Xiaoyan and Liang Mingliang entered their own courtyard, their steps were swift. “Mother, Mother!”

Aunt Liang came out smiling warmly. “You’re back—go rest a while, we’ll eat later.”

Seeing their bearing, she knew they must have earned money today—maybe not as much as yesterday, but still some. Aunt Liang felt proud and satisfied, looking at her younger son and daughter-in-law with increasing fondness, her eyes full of affection.

Zeng Xiaoyan let out an “Ah,” exchanging looks with her husband—today they had bought meat, but in their hurry to dig konjac and grind konjac slurry, they had forgotten to bring the meat back.

At this moment, the meat was still at Xu Zhichun’s house.

Zeng Xiaoyan hastily tugged Liang Mingliang’s sleeve. “Hurry, go fetch it.”

“Ah, alright!”

“Wait—better if I go.”

Zeng Xiaoyan whirled around and dashed off.

Aunt Liang was confused. “What’s this—what happened?”

Second sister-in-law Zhao, who had been cooking dinner in the kitchen with eldest sister-in-law Liu, couldn’t help but perk up her ears. She hurried out and said, “Third brother, you didn’t leave the money at Xu Zhichun’s house, did you? You two are far too careless.”

Liang Mingliang felt a wave of disgust. “No, second sister-in-law, we only bought over three jin of meat and forgot to bring it back.”

“What? That’s still too careless. With you not there, who knows if Xu Zhichun might—”

“Enough, second daughter-in-law, don’t be so small-minded. If Zhichun were that sort, she wouldn’t have brought Xiaoyan along to earn money. If your mouth spouts nonsense again, don’t blame me for putting on my mother-in-law airs and teaching you a lesson.”

Xu Zhichun was helping her son and daughter-in-law earn money, such a large sum in one day—if the second daughter-in-law ruined it, she’d be utterly heartbroken.

Otherwise, what’s the point of keeping such a family-wrecker around?

Lady Zhao, resentful, had no choice but to swallow her anger and shut her mouth.

Soon, Zeng Xiaoyan came back with a lidded basket, eyes crinkled in pride, “Mother, look, we bought more than three jin of meat. Tonight, make a bit more so everyone can eat a few extra pieces.”

Aunt Liang chuckled, saying “good, good” several times, then added, “Next time, don’t buy so much. Money ought to be spent more sparingly.”

“Don’t worry, Mother!” The couple pulled Aunt Liang into the room, grinning, and quietly told her how much they had earned today.

Aunt Liang let out an “Aiyo!” and quickly covered her mouth, eyes wide. Only after a while did she recover, her lowered voice trembling, “How—how much? Four, four hundred? I didn’t mishear? No, no, hush, don’t say another word.”

It would be fine if the eldest household overheard, but if the second household heard, it would definitely stir up trouble.

Aunt Liang’s heart pounded wildly, her whole being dazed.

Four hundred coins—four hundred coins! In a single day? Adding in the third son’s wages and the ox cart rental, nearly half a tael! Oh heavens!

Earning half a tael of silver in a day—wasn’t this life far too good?

Zeng Xiaoyan was so smug her tail could have been sticking up. “We won’t say, won’t say—anyway, it’s enough that Mother knows! Sister-in-law Zhichun invited us and Aunt Zhu’er for dinner tonight, so we’re off.”

“She also bought meat, right?”

“Mm!”

“Alright then, go on.”

Aunt Liang had at first wanted to tell them to eat sparingly, that the family would save some for them, since Xu Zhichun had it hard. But thinking again, since this couple could earn so much, surely Xu Zhichun earned even more. Since she was inviting them, she must be able to afford it—so she swallowed the words.

Watching her son and daughter-in-law leave cheerfully, Aunt Liang also beamed with joy. Just then, Chief Liang and his two elder sons returned. Seeing her smile, the sons were puzzled, and Chief Liang asked, “Did you pick up money? What are you grinning about?”

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