ebookland Chapter 176 Muddle through
Chapter 176 Muddle through
As the ox cart entered the village, the villagers working in the fields looked up at the direction of the ox cart and whispered about something.
"I heard that Tang's family has become prosperous. Deng Gui asked her to go back and borrow ten taels of silver. The old lady of the Deng family boasted to everyone early in the morning, saying that her daughter-in-law's family has become prosperous, and that they, as relatives, can also benefit from it. I think the Tang family is also unlucky. They have such an in-law. They are like leeches, not only do they like to suck blood, but they can't get rid of them."
"I heard that the widow Tang Dafu married is no pushover. If they want to suck her, they have to see if she lets them. What was Tang Dafu like before, and what is he like now? You still look down on his widow, but we saw her last time. She's so pretty, much better than many other older girls. And, their family's prosperity is thanks to that widow. Tang Dafu treats her like a treasure, and you men can't even be jealous."
"That girl Shaoyao is hardworking and capable, and she's not bad looking, but it's a pity that she has a father like Deng Gui. I'm afraid no one will dare to marry her in the future."
"Marry? The first two girls were sold, and we don't even know if this last one can be raised until she's fifteen. How can someone else ask for her hand in marriage?"
……
Deng Shaoyao looked at the dilapidated house in front and said to Qin Huiyin in front of the ox cart, "Sister, that's the one in front."
Qin Huiyin drove the ox cart over.
She parked the bullock cart at the door.
The people inside heard the noise and ran out, and saw that Deng Shaoyao and Tang Caiyun were sent back by ox cart. Not only was there an old man who sent them back, but also a pretty little girl.
"Is this Lvwu?" The calculating old lady looked at Qin Huiyin and smiled as she came over. "I haven't seen you for so many years. You've grown up so beautiful and lovely. I remember when you were just born, I held you in my arms! Now that you're home, come down and have dinner before you leave."
"She is not..." Deng Shaoyao was about to say 'She is not Tang Luwu', but Qin Huiyin spoke first.
Qin Huiyin sat on the ox cart and smiled at the old lady of the Deng family: "I still have work to do at home, so I won't delay. I'll ask you to take care of my aunt and cousin. I've been very busy at home recently, and I really can't spare you. Otherwise, let them stay at home for a few more days."
"I heard your family is making a lot of money and has a big business. Are you still short of people? We have plenty of laborers at home. Instead of looking for others, why not ask our own family for help?"
"It's just a small business now, so we don't need so many people. We can do it ourselves. If we need people in the future, we can pick a few more skilled ones." Qin Huiyin said to Tang Caiyun, "Aunt, my mother asked me to tell you that in the future, whether it's collecting firewood or fetching water, if it's inconvenient, let others do it. Your family hasn't split up, so why are you the only one working out of a family of more than ten people? My mother is very unhappy to see you injured here and there. She said that if you continue to be so careless, she will suspect that someone has treated you harshly. Then we will report it to the police!"
"How could it be that I'm being treated harshly? You seldom do the work normally, but once you start working, you bump into things here and there!" The old lady of the Deng family glared at Tang Caiyun.
"My aunt's hands are covered with calluses. She said she seldom works. Only a fool would believe that! How about I ask the villagers?" Qin Huiyin said calmly.
"Oh, you are such a picky girl. We are all from the countryside. We can't even make ends meet at home, and the whole family has to work in the fields. But things will be better in the future. With such good in-laws to help, your aunt will also be able to enjoy a good life." The old lady of the Deng family said cunningly.
"Aunt, cousin, we're leaving first." Qin Huiyin said calmly, "I'll come pick you up and play at home next time when I'm free."
"Aren't you really going to stay for dinner?" Old Mrs. Deng shouted at the back of the ox cart.
When he saw the man leave, he said with a pout, and said with a gloomy face: "What's the big deal about having a few stinky bucks?"
Tang Caiyun shuddered and looked at Deng Shaoyao.
Deng Shaoyao blocked Tang Caiyun behind her, waiting for the old lady of the Deng family to come closer, and then she mustered up the courage to respond.
"Have you got the money?" Mrs. Deng held out her hand. "Give it to me!"
Deng Shaoyao put fifty cents in Old Lady Deng's hand.
Old Lady Deng stared at the fifty coins and said angrily, "I was talking about ten taels of silver. What do you mean? Are you using these few dozen coins to pay off beggars?"
As he said that, he slapped Deng Shaoyao.
Tang Caiyun rushed over to block it, allowing the slap to fall on her back.
"Grandma, were you half asleep when you made this request? Ten taels of silver! You might as well be a robber! My aunt is a concubine, not a biological daughter, and my cousins have to depend on her for survival. My uncle has a leg injury and has been away from home. Do you think my mother and I can borrow ten taels of silver? Besides, the first thing he asked for was ten taels. It's obvious that he's a poor relative trying to get something for nothing..."
"Alright, you've grown wings now, and you dare to challenge me, right? You should have kept the capable girl and sold you, the foul-mouthed girl."
"How dare you mention my elder and second sisters? They've been suffering so much. They've been obedient since they were young, and what have they gotten?"
"You're trying to rebel, you little bitch! Don't run! I'll show you how I'll deal with you..."
"Mom, stop hitting me. My sister-in-law won't lend it to us, and there's nothing we can do!"
"Go ahead and hit me! My aunt won't lend me money because you're not treating us well. My eldest and second sisters were sold, and my mother was almost forced to death. And you still want to lend me money?"
The eldest wife stood at the door and said in a quiet voice, "Peony, we're not forcing you to borrow money, but your father, that gambler, lost again. If you don't have the money, we'll have to sell you off!"
"These fifty cents are for us, not a loan. You think it's too little?" Deng Shaoyao said. "As for borrowing money, my aunt can't even afford an egg. How could she possibly lend me money?"
"You mean..." Mrs. Deng's eyes were full of calculation. "I don't have to pay back the money?"
"No! My aunt said that all the money she earned recently was spent on my uncle's leg treatment, and she has no money left. Their small business is not as profitable as others say. After my uncle's leg is healed, my mother will go to help her with work for a few days, and they will have more money, so maybe they will lend it to her." Deng Shaoyao said.
"It wasn't a wasted trip." Old Mrs. Deng said with a pout, "You're a money-loser. Why don't you get back to work?"
Deng Shaoyao pulled Tang Caiyun inside.
Tang Caiyun went from being terrified at first to being terrified now.
She looked back at the door, making sure Mrs. Deng and her sister-in-law hadn't caught up. She lowered her voice and said, "Did we really get away with it?"
Originally, the sister-in-law gave her two hundred coins, one hundred coins were given to her for the task, and one hundred coins were left for Shaoyao to plan on her own. However, on the way, Shaoyao took out fifty coins and said that she would only hand over this part later.