Chapter 86 Resentment
The gifts sent by Xiao Family consisted of a large box of gold and silver jewelry. Although these weren’t as valuable as the white jade hairpin hidden by the You Jin, they were all fashionable in the capital. Right now, only Mrs. Su in Su Family can put on a headdress. Under You Jin's persuasion, Mrs. Su chose a few pieces of gold and silver that seemed suitable for her age. The remaining silver necklaces and bracelets were thoughtfully prepared by Xiao Lin Yu eight copies. Everyone in Su Family had a share.
Mrs. Su looked at the hides with excellent fur and couldn't help feeling a little bit guilty: "Young Gentleman Xiao only had a few meals with us. Us accepting such expensive gifts, isn’t it taking too much advantage?" Mrs. Su reckoned that these new year gifts would add up to at least a thousand liang silver. Just accepting it like this, didn't they seem a bit too greedy for money?
You Jin patted Mrs. Su's hand and said: "Mother, I can't do anything. I asked Xiao Family’s guards to pull it back to the capital, but they said that they only listen to their master. What can I do? I can only owe this debt for now. Once I have a chance in the future, I will pay it back slowly."
You Jin daren’t tell Mrs. Su that she still had ten thousand liang silver in her hand and a white jade hairpin that was worth a lot at first glance. If Mrs. Su finds out, she will worry again.
"If we had known this earlier, we should have prepared some gifts to send to Xiao Family." After accepting such expensive gifts, Mrs. Su kept feeling a little uneasy.
"Don't worry, Mother, I have something prepared for the guards of Xiao Family to take back. Although it's not worth much, it's a thought." You Jin asked Xiao guards to take a jar of sweet-scented osmanthus tea back before they left. Recalling that day, it can be regarded as Xiao Lin Yu liking it. And Su Family had nothing worthy to show for now. So it can be like this.
Back to the other side, the capital. Although Xiao Lin Yu and brothers secretly prepared three big carts to send to Luohe Prefecture, they couldn't hide it from the elders of Xiao Family.
"Yu-er, ever since you came back from Luohe Prefecture, you always seem to have something on your mind. Why don't you tell Mother?" Mrs.. Yu heard from her confidant attendant that her son had arranged for the chief guard around him to deliver three carts of expensive gifts to a family surnamed Su in Luohe Prefecture. Since her son came back from Luohe Prefecture, his marriage had been prioritized. However, Mrs. Yu was inexplicably worried.
Xiao Lin Yu shook his head slightly: "Son is fine. Mother had been in poor health since the beginning of winter. It is still not suitable to work hard." He helped Mrs. Yu to sit on the top seat before sitting below Mrs. Yu. The servant beside him quickly served hot tea.
Seeing her son's gloomy brows, Mrs. Yu couldn't help but sighed again: "Mothers know their children the best. Mother can tell you have something on your mind at a glance. You encounter a matter that didn’t go smoothly in Luohe Prefecture?" Actually, what Mrs. Yu wanteds to ask was if he met some vixen who took away her son's soul. The attendant beside her had already inquired about Su Family’s situation. Mrs. Yu had a preconception that the other party was eyeing on their wealth. Naturally, she won't have a good impression of Su Family.
"It's just a business matter. Son can handle it well. It's better for Mother to take care of your body." In fact, Xiao Lin Yu himself didn't know what was fretful about. Since returning to the capital, his wedding with Bai Family’s girl had been put on the agenda. The talented girl from the noble literate family was about to become the next mistress of Xiao Family. Naturally, everyone in Xiao Family was in a merry mood. However, he had some inexplicable resistance to this marriage he can’t refuse.
Looking at the eldest son who wasn’t close to her at some unknown time and didn't like to say anything to others, Mrs. Yu suddenly had the illusion that she had ignored Eldest Son for too long. In the end, she sighed: "Fine. Since you say so, I won't ask any more questions. Your Second Uncle will host a banquet in two days. Bai Family’s girl will also be invited. You have not seen each other for nearly a year, so get ready!"
"Yes, Son respectfully sends Mother off." Xiao Lin Yu escorted Mrs. Yu to the gate of the courtyard, cupped his hands respectfully and bowed in salute.
Mrs. Yu glanced at the polite Eldest Son. For some unknown reason, her eyes turned slightly red. Since when did her son become so unfamiliar with her? Sighing, she no longer looked at him and got into the sedan chair and left.
After sending Mrs. Yu away, Xiao Lin Yu inexplicably let out breath of relief. Since when did he begin to suppress himself like this in this family? As soon as he thought of this, Xiao Lin Yu denied this thought. It should be said when did he realize that he was going to suppress himself like this in this house? He never felt this way before. Since he came back from Luohe Prefecture this time, he always resisted everything in the capital for some unknown reason...
He sent away the servants who served him and locked himself in the study room until it was time to turn on the lamp. Even then, Xiao Lin Yu didn't understand.
***
This year's winter was extraordinarily cold. All the canals in Luohe Prefecture had been connected. All the canal workers who have lived in Su Family's for two years had disappeared, leaving only the dilapidated thatched hut and the gatekeeper, Uncle Wang.
Because Uncle Wang was too old to do other jobs, You Jin asked him to watch the gate of Su Family's house. It was two silver coins a month and accommodation was provided. When all the canal workers left, Uncle Wang was still a little worried about his livelihood. Although he had saved almost three liang silver in the past two years, it wasn’t much use! So before You Jin finished speaking, Uncle Wang clapped his hands and agreed: "There’s not much for an old man like me to have so much money. As long as you take care of food and shelter and give this old man some wine during the holidays, then I couldn't be more satisfied!"
Hearing what Uncle Wang said, You Jin cheerfully nodded and promised: "Deal. No one will short you of good wine during the New Years and festivals in the future!"
One old and one young happily conversed. On the spot, Han Li helped Uncle Wang pack up and move to Su Family's house. He lived in the small room next to the gate of Su’s house, which was convenient.
The canal worker's dormitory was officially locked and He Hao and his wife stopped their business. The west side of the river, which had been bustling for nearly two years, suddenly returned to calmness.
This year, Wuliqiao villagers were doing well. Nine out of ten families in the village had vacated their vacant places and rented them out to the canal workers. They had gained an extra income. There were also many of them selling food. Then, they earned even more. Like Lizheng, He Hao's family.
In the past two years, He Family had accumulated more than forty liang silver by relying on He Hao and his wife working from dawn to dusk. The whole family can live a good year in harmony. The only small imperfection was that He Xuan Hai didn’t get admitted in this year's autumn exam. It casted a lingering haze over what should have been a year of union and joy.
"Family Head, it's not a good idea for Xuan Hai to stay like this!" Witnessing her son's weight lost since the release of the rankings, Mrs. Zhao was really anxious.
Seeing his always high spirits son become like this, He Hao was also worried! After smoking a good few pipes of tobacco, he frowned and uttered, "I know. I'll talk to him later! My son will be seventeen in the new year. You should hurry up and have one more person to serve him. Maybe it’ll get better."
If He Family's side was said to be a small imperfection, then two streets away old Third Chen's house was brewing with trouble.
Ever since old Third Chen ‘run off with money’, it was only old Third Chen's wife raising four children. were taken care of by old Third Chen. Chen Family's land was sold by old Third Chen a few years ago to pay off debts. Normally, they relied on old Third Chen’s stealing and tricking for food and drink. Now that old Third Chen was gone, Chen Family couldn't even open the stove. They wanted to rent the property to the canal workers. Who would come to live after what happened to the five canal workers in Chen’s house had long been spread? So they could only borrow money from the west and cheat from the east. Old Third Chen's eldest son went to work as a manual worker to earn some money. They barely got by.
The New Year was about to come. Which family in the village hadn’t prepared the New Year's goods and waited for a good New Year? However, Chen Family didn't even have a few pieces of firewood left for the kang. How could they survive this year?
Chen Xiao Hong was wearing a torn padded jacket that had been patched many times. She was carrying firewood picked up from the mountain. Her feet were already numb from the cold. When she finally got home, she couldn't even have a mouthful of hot soup. Chen Xiao Hong, who was driven to a desperate state by the days ahead, had no choice but to find Su Family again.
"As long as you give me one hundred liang, no, fifty liang, I will never tell about you killing old Third Chen and the others! Su You Jin, your family is so rich now, so what if you give me fifty liang?" Chen Xiao Hong sat on the armchair closest to the door, feeling the warmth of the spring-like interior. She drank a few cups of hot water before finally recovering.
You Jin cracked up in irk at her attitude of ‘I'm poor, so I’m in the right; you’re rich, so deserve it’: "Our family have money is our business. Why should I give it to you? You always say how difficult it is for you. So my money falls from the sky?"
The mocking gaze examined Chen Xiao Hong, making her feel ashamed: "When our family first came to Wuliqiao, we were so poor that we had to live in a haunted house. Have we ever begged rich people for money? You said old Third Chen is an animal that only has eyes for money. You opening your mouth to blackmail me like this is worse than old Third Chen!"
"I'm just a country girl, what can I do?" Chen Xiao Hong felt a little bit guilty. Still, she stubbornly replied. She truly felt this from the bottom of her heart. What could she do as a female who was born in such a shabby family?
Hearing what she said, You Jin sighed silently. If it was someone strong, maybe it will be different? Shaking her head, she responded: "In conclusion, you are the same as old Third Chen. You just want to reach out your hand and get money and food from others. You can cheat and snatch for a while, not for the rest of your life, right?
It’s impossible to give silvers to you. But I can help you have a good new year. But it’s only this one time.” She summoned Uncle Song, told him to prepare 20 jins of rice and flour, and to ask Auntie Song to find a few sets of Mrs. Su’s old coarse fabric clothes.
Chen Xiao Hong looked at the food and clothes on the ground. She felt that Su Family was sending beggars away: "Your words sounds nice. Want me to keep a secret for you with such little things? You are simply bullying!"
"There are only this many things. It’s up to you, whether you take it or not. As for you saying that I killed old Third Chen, do you have evidence?" You Jin really didn't want to mess with this maniac any more. She asked Uncle Song to send her out and instructed Uncle Wang that no one from old Third Chen's family will be allowed in from now on.
Although Chen Xiao Hong felt that Su Family was sending beggars away, she didn’t forget what she should take. She carried rice, flour, and clothes back to the east of the river. In her heart, greater longing toward Su Family’s prosperity emerged. At the same time, greater resentment towards the dilapidated Chen Family arose.
The gifts sent by Xiao Family consisted of a large box of gold and silver jewelry. Although these weren’t as valuable as the white jade hairpin hidden by the You Jin, they were all fashionable in the capital. Right now, only Mrs. Su in Su Family can put on a headdress. Under You Jin's persuasion, Mrs. Su chose a few pieces of gold and silver that seemed suitable for her age. The remaining silver necklaces and bracelets were thoughtfully prepared by Xiao Lin Yu eight copies. Everyone in Su Family had a share.
Mrs. Su looked at the hides with excellent fur and couldn't help feeling a little bit guilty: "Young Gentleman Xiao only had a few meals with us. Us accepting such expensive gifts, isn’t it taking too much advantage?" Mrs. Su reckoned that these new year gifts would add up to at least a thousand liang silver. Just accepting it like this, didn't they seem a bit too greedy for money?
You Jin patted Mrs. Su's hand and said: "Mother, I can't do anything. I asked Xiao Family’s guards to pull it back to the capital, but they said that they only listen to their master. What can I do? I can only owe this debt for now. Once I have a chance in the future, I will pay it back slowly."
You Jin daren’t tell Mrs. Su that she still had ten thousand liang silver in her hand and a white jade hairpin that was worth a lot at first glance. If Mrs. Su finds out, she will worry again.
"If we had known this earlier, we should have prepared some gifts to send to Xiao Family." After accepting such expensive gifts, Mrs. Su kept feeling a little uneasy.
"Don't worry, Mother, I have something prepared for the guards of Xiao Family to take back. Although it's not worth much, it's a thought." You Jin asked Xiao guards to take a jar of sweet-scented osmanthus tea back before they left. Recalling that day, it can be regarded as Xiao Lin Yu liking it. And Su Family had nothing worthy to show for now. So it can be like this.
Back to the other side, the capital. Although Xiao Lin Yu and brothers secretly prepared three big carts to send to Luohe Prefecture, they couldn't hide it from the elders of Xiao Family.
"Yu-er, ever since you came back from Luohe Prefecture, you always seem to have something on your mind. Why don't you tell Mother?" Mrs.. Yu heard from her confidant attendant that her son had arranged for the chief guard around him to deliver three carts of expensive gifts to a family surnamed Su in Luohe Prefecture. Since her son came back from Luohe Prefecture, his marriage had been prioritized. However, Mrs. Yu was inexplicably worried.
Xiao Lin Yu shook his head slightly: "Son is fine. Mother had been in poor health since the beginning of winter. It is still not suitable to work hard." He helped Mrs. Yu to sit on the top seat before sitting below Mrs. Yu. The servant beside him quickly served hot tea.
Seeing her son's gloomy brows, Mrs. Yu couldn't help but sighed again: "Mothers know their children the best. Mother can tell you have something on your mind at a glance. You encounter a matter that didn’t go smoothly in Luohe Prefecture?" Actually, what Mrs. Yu wanteds to ask was if he met some vixen who took away her son's soul. The attendant beside her had already inquired about Su Family’s situation. Mrs. Yu had a preconception that the other party was eyeing on their wealth. Naturally, she won't have a good impression of Su Family.
"It's just a business matter. Son can handle it well. It's better for Mother to take care of your body." In fact, Xiao Lin Yu himself didn't know what was fretful about. Since returning to the capital, his wedding with Bai Family’s girl had been put on the agenda. The talented girl from the noble literate family was about to become the next mistress of Xiao Family. Naturally, everyone in Xiao Family was in a merry mood. However, he had some inexplicable resistance to this marriage he can’t refuse.
Looking at the eldest son who wasn’t close to her at some unknown time and didn't like to say anything to others, Mrs. Yu suddenly had the illusion that she had ignored Eldest Son for too long. In the end, she sighed: "Fine. Since you say so, I won't ask any more questions. Your Second Uncle will host a banquet in two days. Bai Family’s girl will also be invited. You have not seen each other for nearly a year, so get ready!"
"Yes, Son respectfully sends Mother off." Xiao Lin Yu escorted Mrs. Yu to the gate of the courtyard, cupped his hands respectfully and bowed in salute.
Mrs. Yu glanced at the polite Eldest Son. For some unknown reason, her eyes turned slightly red. Since when did her son become so unfamiliar with her? Sighing, she no longer looked at him and got into the sedan chair and left.
After sending Mrs. Yu away, Xiao Lin Yu inexplicably let out breath of relief. Since when did he begin to suppress himself like this in this family? As soon as he thought of this, Xiao Lin Yu denied this thought. It should be said when did he realize that he was going to suppress himself like this in this house? He never felt this way before. Since he came back from Luohe Prefecture this time, he always resisted everything in the capital for some unknown reason...
He sent away the servants who served him and locked himself in the study room until it was time to turn on the lamp. Even then, Xiao Lin Yu didn't understand.
***
This year's winter was extraordinarily cold. All the canals in Luohe Prefecture had been connected. All the canal workers who have lived in Su Family's for two years had disappeared, leaving only the dilapidated thatched hut and the gatekeeper, Uncle Wang.
Because Uncle Wang was too old to do other jobs, You Jin asked him to watch the gate of Su Family's house. It was two silver coins a month and accommodation was provided. When all the canal workers left, Uncle Wang was still a little worried about his livelihood. Although he had saved almost three liang silver in the past two years, it wasn’t much use! So before You Jin finished speaking, Uncle Wang clapped his hands and agreed: "There’s not much for an old man like me to have so much money. As long as you take care of food and shelter and give this old man some wine during the holidays, then I couldn't be more satisfied!"
Hearing what Uncle Wang said, You Jin cheerfully nodded and promised: "Deal. No one will short you of good wine during the New Years and festivals in the future!"
One old and one young happily conversed. On the spot, Han Li helped Uncle Wang pack up and move to Su Family's house. He lived in the small room next to the gate of Su’s house, which was convenient.
The canal worker's dormitory was officially locked and He Hao and his wife stopped their business. The west side of the river, which had been bustling for nearly two years, suddenly returned to calmness.
This year, Wuliqiao villagers were doing well. Nine out of ten families in the village had vacated their vacant places and rented them out to the canal workers. They had gained an extra income. There were also many of them selling food. Then, they earned even more. Like Lizheng, He Hao's family.
In the past two years, He Family had accumulated more than forty liang silver by relying on He Hao and his wife working from dawn to dusk. The whole family can live a good year in harmony. The only small imperfection was that He Xuan Hai didn’t get admitted in this year's autumn exam. It casted a lingering haze over what should have been a year of union and joy.
"Family Head, it's not a good idea for Xuan Hai to stay like this!" Witnessing her son's weight lost since the release of the rankings, Mrs. Zhao was really anxious.
Seeing his always high spirits son become like this, He Hao was also worried! After smoking a good few pipes of tobacco, he frowned and uttered, "I know. I'll talk to him later! My son will be seventeen in the new year. You should hurry up and have one more person to serve him. Maybe it’ll get better."
If He Family's side was said to be a small imperfection, then two streets away old Third Chen's house was brewing with trouble.
Ever since old Third Chen ‘run off with money’, it was only old Third Chen's wife raising four children. were taken care of by old Third Chen. Chen Family's land was sold by old Third Chen a few years ago to pay off debts. Normally, they relied on old Third Chen’s stealing and tricking for food and drink. Now that old Third Chen was gone, Chen Family couldn't even open the stove. They wanted to rent the property to the canal workers. Who would come to live after what happened to the five canal workers in Chen’s house had long been spread? So they could only borrow money from the west and cheat from the east. Old Third Chen's eldest son went to work as a manual worker to earn some money. They barely got by.
The New Year was about to come. Which family in the village hadn’t prepared the New Year's goods and waited for a good New Year? However, Chen Family didn't even have a few pieces of firewood left for the kang. How could they survive this year?
Chen Xiao Hong was wearing a torn padded jacket that had been patched many times. She was carrying firewood picked up from the mountain. Her feet were already numb from the cold. When she finally got home, she couldn't even have a mouthful of hot soup. Chen Xiao Hong, who was driven to a desperate state by the days ahead, had no choice but to find Su Family again.
"As long as you give me one hundred liang, no, fifty liang, I will never tell about you killing old Third Chen and the others! Su You Jin, your family is so rich now, so what if you give me fifty liang?" Chen Xiao Hong sat on the armchair closest to the door, feeling the warmth of the spring-like interior. She drank a few cups of hot water before finally recovering.
You Jin cracked up in irk at her attitude of ‘I'm poor, so I’m in the right; you’re rich, so deserve it’: "Our family have money is our business. Why should I give it to you? You always say how difficult it is for you. So my money falls from the sky?"
The mocking gaze examined Chen Xiao Hong, making her feel ashamed: "When our family first came to Wuliqiao, we were so poor that we had to live in a haunted house. Have we ever begged rich people for money? You said old Third Chen is an animal that only has eyes for money. You opening your mouth to blackmail me like this is worse than old Third Chen!"
"I'm just a country girl, what can I do?" Chen Xiao Hong felt a little bit guilty. Still, she stubbornly replied. She truly felt this from the bottom of her heart. What could she do as a female who was born in such a shabby family?
Hearing what she said, You Jin sighed silently. If it was someone strong, maybe it will be different? Shaking her head, she responded: "In conclusion, you are the same as old Third Chen. You just want to reach out your hand and get money and food from others. You can cheat and snatch for a while, not for the rest of your life, right?
It’s impossible to give silvers to you. But I can help you have a good new year. But it’s only this one time.” She summoned Uncle Song, told him to prepare 20 jins of rice and flour, and to ask Auntie Song to find a few sets of Mrs. Su’s old coarse fabric clothes.
Chen Xiao Hong looked at the food and clothes on the ground. She felt that Su Family was sending beggars away: "Your words sounds nice. Want me to keep a secret for you with such little things? You are simply bullying!"
"There are only this many things. It’s up to you, whether you take it or not. As for you saying that I killed old Third Chen, do you have evidence?" You Jin really didn't want to mess with this maniac any more. She asked Uncle Song to send her out and instructed Uncle Wang that no one from old Third Chen's family will be allowed in from now on.
Although Chen Xiao Hong felt that Su Family was sending beggars away, she didn’t forget what she should take. She carried rice, flour, and clothes back to the east of the river. In her heart, greater longing toward Su Family’s prosperity emerged. At the same time, greater resentment towards the dilapidated Chen Family arose.
The author had something to say: Chapter 87 (The next chapter is empty. Please don’t buy it.) Because of the coding bug in software, I lost the content of this chapter that was pieced together two months ago. Qingshan really can’t remember it. I can only modify this chapter and connect it with the following content. Little cuties, please don’t buy the next chapter. The next chapter is empty! EMPTY! EMPTY! Important things are said three times.
Because there are a lot of manuscripts saved, it was too troublesome to replace chapter by chapter. After the main text is finished, Qingshan will replace the empty content of chapter 87 with side stories. Cuties, please don't buy it now! ! !
Translator: Nothing to buy here! Wait, actually, you can buy me snacks πor be my patron. All up to you π
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