Chapter 20. Private treasury fund
As soon as You Jin entered the west wing, a few small radishes clustered around with a whoosh: "Third Elder Sister!"
You Zhu, who had a small scar about an inch long on her face, looked at You Jin with joy in her eyes: "Third Elder Sister, Yue Wen Wei was also stung by parasa consocia!"
"I know. Do you still remember what Third Elder Sister said to you at that time? Now Third Elder Sister will tell you again. The rest of you listen too." She picked up little Ninth, who was still staggering as she walked, and led younger sisters back to the kang to sit. Then she spoke each and every word in a slow pace: "It is not too late for a gentleman to take revenge ten years later. If someone stronger than us bullies us and we are unable to fight back outright, we will can think of other ways. You all have to remember that hitting a stone with an egg is the stupidest way. Remember?"
The few little radishes nodded earnestly: "Remember!"
There was a particularly bright light in You Zhu's eyes. From the moment she heard Yue Wen Wei's howling cry and moan, she guessed that it was Third Elder Sister who avenged for her. Now after listening to Third Elder Sister's words, she fully knew that this was Third Elder Sister's doing!
You Jin noticed You Zhu's gleaming eyes and secretly winked at her while the younger sisters weren't paying attention. Caught on, You Zhu nodded. This was a little secret between herself and Third Elder Sister. The sisters messed around. Mrs. Su, who was lying on the kang, heard the movement outside and couldn't help showing a loving smile. That's when she felt that with just them in the family, what did being poor and miserable count as? At least her children didn't have to be afraid and on edge every day. Nor do they need to wonder when they will be beaten again, right?
Back to old Mrs. Chen and Mrs. Chen bringing Yue Wen Wei to Doctor Ma's house. Doctor Ma happened to gone up the mountain to forage medicine and hadn't returned yet. It was half an hour of agitating wait. When Yue Wen Wei was in so much pain that bean-size sweats appear on his forehead and the clothes were soaked, Doctor Ma carefreely came back with the medicine basket on his back.
As soon as he heard that another person who was stung by parasa consocia, Doctor. Ma found this the chance to try the method You Jin given. He grabbed a few parasa consocia, picked out the turquoise vessels and applied it to Yue Wen Wei's wound. Sure enough, within a quarter of an hour, the redness, swelling, and pain were greatly reduced. Seeing that Yue Wen Wei finally stopped howling, old Mrs. Chen and her daughter-in-law breathed a sigh of relief.
Seeing that he was all right, Doctor Ma advise them a few things to watch out for: "If it still hurts when you go back, get some soapy water to rub on. Currently, it's parasa consocia's abundant season. You have to take good watch of the child. The sting is fierce. It can sting people to death!"
The mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law originally brought their child to see the doctor. Never thought that they get a lecture from the doctor. Especially old Mrs. Chen. How could she possibly receive such treatment? Her complexion that had recovered due to her grandson's suffering became darker. She vaguely acknowledged in response and left without paying the medical fee.
Watching old Mrs. Chen's departing back, Doctor Ma's wife let out a vicious "pah": "What the heck! You shouldn't get involved. He deserved to be stung! Last time, You Jin and the few girls were so sensible. It really is bad bamboo produce good shoots!"
She turned her head to Doctor Ma, who was sitting in the courtyard cutting herbs, and continued: "He deserved it if you let him he be stung to death. Can we not even say a few words of kindness? She really think of herself as Queen Mother of Heaven?"
Doctor Ma put down the herbal medicine in his hand and sighed: "Doctors got parental heart. A patient is a patient. No matter what the personality they have, it is the doctor's duty to save lives and heal the wounded. Don't talk about it. Prepare some food. I had gone up the mountain to collect herbs for half a day. I'm hungry."
Mrs. Lin rolled her eyes at him angrily: "You can do it"
Still, she swiftly cooked food for him.
Because no evidence was found and the egg stealing incident from before, old Mrs. Chen felt a little wary of You Jin. Yue Wen Wei had to bite the bitter fruit and swallow it into his stomach. Because of the parasa consocia incident, only a shallow scar was left on You Zhu's face and this storm passed quietly.
***
About 3-4km to the west of Cuifeng Village was Liutun Town. The town hold a market every day that end with 2 or 6. So every second, sixth, twelfth, sixteenth, twenty-second, and twenty-sixth day of every month. Once it reached these days, most of the people in the villages around the town will bring their eggs or fresh fruits and vegetables that they accumulated to the market to exchange for money. After all, they were all produced in their own fields. Being able to exchange for money was wonderful.
Now that Yue Family had spent a large amount of money, old Mrs. Chen begun to exchange the eggs saved at home for the money. At dinner that day, old Mrs. Chen spoke to Mrs. Chen: "The day after tomorrow will be twenty-sixth. On that day, take the eggs and the insoles I made myself to exchange for some money. It can be a little supplement."
Mrs. Chen nodded: "Sure. Don't worry, Mother."
Thinking of the eggs at home, the insoles made by old Mrs. Chen, and making some small things like nets that should be possible to exchange a lot of money, Mrs. Chen started to wonder how much she could make here.
Old Mrs. Chen glanced at Ms. Chen and knew what she was thinking about. She used a chopstick and stuffed some food into her mouth to chew on it. She solemnly looked up at Mrs. Chen and stated, "I will go with you the day after tomorrow."
In the past, the family's situation was better. Since Mrs. Chen was her own niece, it didn't matter to her whether she nipped some money. But now that there was a shortage of money at home, how could she still give the money to others in vain? Not even when this person was her own daughter-in-law and niece!
Mrs. Chen was a little confused by old Mrs. Chen's sudden move. However, she quickly caught on: "Mother! It's a long way to go. No need to bother. I guarantee that I can sell the things for a good price!" She coaxed old Mrs. Chen with a smile on her face while her heart nervously twist. She was afraid that old Mrs. Chen would go to the market with her.
But how could her little thoughts escape from old Mrs. Chen, an old vixen who has practiced for many years? The matter of going to the market was settled by old Mrs. Chen: "You don't have to come up with any thoughts. It's decided. I'll go with you the day after tomorrow."
Mrs. Chen was full of unhappiness. While You Jin, who was quietly eating sitting at the side, was extremely happy. In the past, Mrs. Su was reluctant to leave Yue Family and she had no chance to go to the market. Now that Mrs. Su had the heart to leave Yue Family, the first thing to do was to solve the problem of money.
However, old Mrs. Chen and Mrs. Chen were keeping watch at home. And she had too many things to do every day. Now that old Mrs. Chen and Mrs. Chen were going to the market together, isn't this creating an opportunity for herself to gather private treasury fund?
That night, before Yue Chang Lu came back, You Jin whispered to Mrs. Su: "Mother, if we want to leave Yue's house, we must have money. You need to change my clothes for me."
The method that You Jin thought of was to catch some pheasants and hares to exchange for some money. Currently it was the golden autumn season. Cuifeng Mountains covered a vast amount of land. Naturally, there were lots of pheasants and hares. It went without saying, You Jin can find a rabbit burrow and smoke them out.
When Mrs. Su heard that she wanted to make money, she couldn't help but worry: "What idea do you have to make money?"
If the idea got to sacrifice her daughter, Mrs. Su would definitely refuse.
You Jin leaned over and whispered: "Mother, did you forget? I can catch pheasants. I will go to the mountains in the next two days. Even if I catch one pheasant and one hare, I can exchange some money, right? It's a rare chance that Grandmother and Eldest Aunt isn't at home. If we don’t seize the opportunity to save some money, how will we live when we leave Yue’s house?”
Hearing what her daughter said, Mrs. Su's eyes couldn't help but slightly reddened. her heart was in knots: "Jin'er, how about we don't leave?"
Cuifeng Mountain was infested with tigers from the early years. If her daughter lose her life, the what to do?
"Mother, just listen to Third Elder Sister!" Seeing You Jin go in and speak to Mrs. Su, curious You Zhu first eavesdropped by herself. Then she beckoned for You Yin and Young Bao. Hearing that Third Elder Sister said that she was going to take everyone away from Yue's house, surprise flashed across the eyes of the three sisters. But when her mother expressed that she didn't want to leave, hasty-tempered You Zhu lifted the curtain and rushed in.
When You Yin and You Bao saw that You Zhu rushed in first, the two of them looked at each other and went in: "Mother, listen to Third Elder Sister!"
Mrs. Su didn't expect that the few daughters were so anxious to escape from Yue's house. She couldn't help but persuade a bit: "You are still young. You know that if we leave Yue's house, it won't be just a problem of whether we have enough food and clothing. We are all female. If we get bullied, what can we do?"
After listening to Mrs. Su's words, soft-personality You Yin and You Bao showed a somewhat hesitant expression on their face. While You Zhu, who had a sharp temperament, didn't think so: "Mother, if we leave Yue's house, I can protect everyone with Third Elder Sister. But if we stay at Yue's house, can we really live well? Father only know how to beat us. We can’t get enough to eat. Nor do we have enough warm clothes at Yue’s house. We also get ordered around by people. We are worse than the wild dogs wandering around in the village outside!” She stared deeply at Mrs. Su and then said quietly: "If it's like this, I might as well be a wild dog!"
After listening to You Zhu's words, she glanced at You Yin and You Bao, whose eyes became firm. Mrs. Su was surprised to find that her daughters had grown up enough to distinguish between good and bad. Only then did Mrs. Su feel that she couldn't even compare with her own daughters. The daughters understood better late than never and when it's time to break, then break. She, herself, had let herself be bullied by others for so many years. To be so indecisive was a failure.
Mrs. Su, whose eyes were slightly red, had a lot of thoughts rushed through her mind. After a while, she nodded heavily: "Okay, this time, Mother will listen to you."
"Really!?" The three little girls happily rushed to Mrs. Su's bed. They joyfully stretched out their little hands to gently rubbed Mrs. Su's belly: "Mother is so wonderful!"
You Jin was also relieved. It seemed that Mrs. Su wasn't hopeless. As long as she had these children in her heart, the possibility of leaving Yue Family would be increased by another notch.
Mrs. Su agreed to help You Jin change a set of clothes into large male's clothes. The next night, You Jin changed her clothes and put on a little gray hat. She looked exactly just like a skinny boy from a farming family. You Jin was very satisfied with this dress up: "Success. Then I will dress like this to go to the market the day after tomorrow."
As soon as You Jin entered the west wing, a few small radishes clustered around with a whoosh: "Third Elder Sister!"
You Zhu, who had a small scar about an inch long on her face, looked at You Jin with joy in her eyes: "Third Elder Sister, Yue Wen Wei was also stung by parasa consocia!"
"I know. Do you still remember what Third Elder Sister said to you at that time? Now Third Elder Sister will tell you again. The rest of you listen too." She picked up little Ninth, who was still staggering as she walked, and led younger sisters back to the kang to sit. Then she spoke each and every word in a slow pace: "It is not too late for a gentleman to take revenge ten years later. If someone stronger than us bullies us and we are unable to fight back outright, we will can think of other ways. You all have to remember that hitting a stone with an egg is the stupidest way. Remember?"
The few little radishes nodded earnestly: "Remember!"
There was a particularly bright light in You Zhu's eyes. From the moment she heard Yue Wen Wei's howling cry and moan, she guessed that it was Third Elder Sister who avenged for her. Now after listening to Third Elder Sister's words, she fully knew that this was Third Elder Sister's doing!
You Jin noticed You Zhu's gleaming eyes and secretly winked at her while the younger sisters weren't paying attention. Caught on, You Zhu nodded. This was a little secret between herself and Third Elder Sister. The sisters messed around. Mrs. Su, who was lying on the kang, heard the movement outside and couldn't help showing a loving smile. That's when she felt that with just them in the family, what did being poor and miserable count as? At least her children didn't have to be afraid and on edge every day. Nor do they need to wonder when they will be beaten again, right?
Back to old Mrs. Chen and Mrs. Chen bringing Yue Wen Wei to Doctor Ma's house. Doctor Ma happened to gone up the mountain to forage medicine and hadn't returned yet. It was half an hour of agitating wait. When Yue Wen Wei was in so much pain that bean-size sweats appear on his forehead and the clothes were soaked, Doctor Ma carefreely came back with the medicine basket on his back.
As soon as he heard that another person who was stung by parasa consocia, Doctor. Ma found this the chance to try the method You Jin given. He grabbed a few parasa consocia, picked out the turquoise vessels and applied it to Yue Wen Wei's wound. Sure enough, within a quarter of an hour, the redness, swelling, and pain were greatly reduced. Seeing that Yue Wen Wei finally stopped howling, old Mrs. Chen and her daughter-in-law breathed a sigh of relief.
Seeing that he was all right, Doctor Ma advise them a few things to watch out for: "If it still hurts when you go back, get some soapy water to rub on. Currently, it's parasa consocia's abundant season. You have to take good watch of the child. The sting is fierce. It can sting people to death!"
The mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law originally brought their child to see the doctor. Never thought that they get a lecture from the doctor. Especially old Mrs. Chen. How could she possibly receive such treatment? Her complexion that had recovered due to her grandson's suffering became darker. She vaguely acknowledged in response and left without paying the medical fee.
Watching old Mrs. Chen's departing back, Doctor Ma's wife let out a vicious "pah": "What the heck! You shouldn't get involved. He deserved to be stung! Last time, You Jin and the few girls were so sensible. It really is bad bamboo produce good shoots!"
She turned her head to Doctor Ma, who was sitting in the courtyard cutting herbs, and continued: "He deserved it if you let him he be stung to death. Can we not even say a few words of kindness? She really think of herself as Queen Mother of Heaven?"
Doctor Ma put down the herbal medicine in his hand and sighed: "Doctors got parental heart. A patient is a patient. No matter what the personality they have, it is the doctor's duty to save lives and heal the wounded. Don't talk about it. Prepare some food. I had gone up the mountain to collect herbs for half a day. I'm hungry."
Mrs. Lin rolled her eyes at him angrily: "You can do it"
Still, she swiftly cooked food for him.
Because no evidence was found and the egg stealing incident from before, old Mrs. Chen felt a little wary of You Jin. Yue Wen Wei had to bite the bitter fruit and swallow it into his stomach. Because of the parasa consocia incident, only a shallow scar was left on You Zhu's face and this storm passed quietly.
***
About 3-4km to the west of Cuifeng Village was Liutun Town. The town hold a market every day that end with 2 or 6. So every second, sixth, twelfth, sixteenth, twenty-second, and twenty-sixth day of every month. Once it reached these days, most of the people in the villages around the town will bring their eggs or fresh fruits and vegetables that they accumulated to the market to exchange for money. After all, they were all produced in their own fields. Being able to exchange for money was wonderful.
Now that Yue Family had spent a large amount of money, old Mrs. Chen begun to exchange the eggs saved at home for the money. At dinner that day, old Mrs. Chen spoke to Mrs. Chen: "The day after tomorrow will be twenty-sixth. On that day, take the eggs and the insoles I made myself to exchange for some money. It can be a little supplement."
Mrs. Chen nodded: "Sure. Don't worry, Mother."
Thinking of the eggs at home, the insoles made by old Mrs. Chen, and making some small things like nets that should be possible to exchange a lot of money, Mrs. Chen started to wonder how much she could make here.
Old Mrs. Chen glanced at Ms. Chen and knew what she was thinking about. She used a chopstick and stuffed some food into her mouth to chew on it. She solemnly looked up at Mrs. Chen and stated, "I will go with you the day after tomorrow."
In the past, the family's situation was better. Since Mrs. Chen was her own niece, it didn't matter to her whether she nipped some money. But now that there was a shortage of money at home, how could she still give the money to others in vain? Not even when this person was her own daughter-in-law and niece!
Mrs. Chen was a little confused by old Mrs. Chen's sudden move. However, she quickly caught on: "Mother! It's a long way to go. No need to bother. I guarantee that I can sell the things for a good price!" She coaxed old Mrs. Chen with a smile on her face while her heart nervously twist. She was afraid that old Mrs. Chen would go to the market with her.
But how could her little thoughts escape from old Mrs. Chen, an old vixen who has practiced for many years? The matter of going to the market was settled by old Mrs. Chen: "You don't have to come up with any thoughts. It's decided. I'll go with you the day after tomorrow."
Mrs. Chen was full of unhappiness. While You Jin, who was quietly eating sitting at the side, was extremely happy. In the past, Mrs. Su was reluctant to leave Yue Family and she had no chance to go to the market. Now that Mrs. Su had the heart to leave Yue Family, the first thing to do was to solve the problem of money.
However, old Mrs. Chen and Mrs. Chen were keeping watch at home. And she had too many things to do every day. Now that old Mrs. Chen and Mrs. Chen were going to the market together, isn't this creating an opportunity for herself to gather private treasury fund?
That night, before Yue Chang Lu came back, You Jin whispered to Mrs. Su: "Mother, if we want to leave Yue's house, we must have money. You need to change my clothes for me."
The method that You Jin thought of was to catch some pheasants and hares to exchange for some money. Currently it was the golden autumn season. Cuifeng Mountains covered a vast amount of land. Naturally, there were lots of pheasants and hares. It went without saying, You Jin can find a rabbit burrow and smoke them out.
When Mrs. Su heard that she wanted to make money, she couldn't help but worry: "What idea do you have to make money?"
If the idea got to sacrifice her daughter, Mrs. Su would definitely refuse.
You Jin leaned over and whispered: "Mother, did you forget? I can catch pheasants. I will go to the mountains in the next two days. Even if I catch one pheasant and one hare, I can exchange some money, right? It's a rare chance that Grandmother and Eldest Aunt isn't at home. If we don’t seize the opportunity to save some money, how will we live when we leave Yue’s house?”
Hearing what her daughter said, Mrs. Su's eyes couldn't help but slightly reddened. her heart was in knots: "Jin'er, how about we don't leave?"
Cuifeng Mountain was infested with tigers from the early years. If her daughter lose her life, the what to do?
"Mother, just listen to Third Elder Sister!" Seeing You Jin go in and speak to Mrs. Su, curious You Zhu first eavesdropped by herself. Then she beckoned for You Yin and Young Bao. Hearing that Third Elder Sister said that she was going to take everyone away from Yue's house, surprise flashed across the eyes of the three sisters. But when her mother expressed that she didn't want to leave, hasty-tempered You Zhu lifted the curtain and rushed in.
When You Yin and You Bao saw that You Zhu rushed in first, the two of them looked at each other and went in: "Mother, listen to Third Elder Sister!"
Mrs. Su didn't expect that the few daughters were so anxious to escape from Yue's house. She couldn't help but persuade a bit: "You are still young. You know that if we leave Yue's house, it won't be just a problem of whether we have enough food and clothing. We are all female. If we get bullied, what can we do?"
After listening to Mrs. Su's words, soft-personality You Yin and You Bao showed a somewhat hesitant expression on their face. While You Zhu, who had a sharp temperament, didn't think so: "Mother, if we leave Yue's house, I can protect everyone with Third Elder Sister. But if we stay at Yue's house, can we really live well? Father only know how to beat us. We can’t get enough to eat. Nor do we have enough warm clothes at Yue’s house. We also get ordered around by people. We are worse than the wild dogs wandering around in the village outside!” She stared deeply at Mrs. Su and then said quietly: "If it's like this, I might as well be a wild dog!"
After listening to You Zhu's words, she glanced at You Yin and You Bao, whose eyes became firm. Mrs. Su was surprised to find that her daughters had grown up enough to distinguish between good and bad. Only then did Mrs. Su feel that she couldn't even compare with her own daughters. The daughters understood better late than never and when it's time to break, then break. She, herself, had let herself be bullied by others for so many years. To be so indecisive was a failure.
Mrs. Su, whose eyes were slightly red, had a lot of thoughts rushed through her mind. After a while, she nodded heavily: "Okay, this time, Mother will listen to you."
"Really!?" The three little girls happily rushed to Mrs. Su's bed. They joyfully stretched out their little hands to gently rubbed Mrs. Su's belly: "Mother is so wonderful!"
You Jin was also relieved. It seemed that Mrs. Su wasn't hopeless. As long as she had these children in her heart, the possibility of leaving Yue Family would be increased by another notch.
Mrs. Su agreed to help You Jin change a set of clothes into large male's clothes. The next night, You Jin changed her clothes and put on a little gray hat. She looked exactly just like a skinny boy from a farming family. You Jin was very satisfied with this dress up: "Success. Then I will dress like this to go to the market the day after tomorrow."
I wonder how they'll break away. Thank you for the chapter!
ReplyDeleteThank god that mother su is sensible
ReplyDeleteThank you Heroic Translator for your hard work. 😺
ReplyDeleteI can totally understand the mother's worries
ReplyDeleteShe has no support from anyone and has been abused for years
In that time and age she has no way of earning any money as a women
Not to mention she has 7 young daughters while the oldest is only 12
It wouldn't be surprising if some of the girls got kidnapped by bad people and sold off, if they don't prepare properly