“We didn’t hurt anyone. What we sold was properly treated, safe from poison. Coming into the city these days wasn’t for nothing—we managed to earn a bit of hard‑earned money.”
“Oh”
Half of the probing gazes had faded away.
“I told you, doing business is never that easy.”
“Exactly. If you ask me, it’s better to honestly tend the family’s few acres and earn some food—that’s the proper way to live. Those restless ones who love to stir things up only end up poorer the more they fuss.”
“Hah, they’ve got some silver in their hands, they can afford to fuss about—unlike us.”
“Fine, the Zeng woman and little sister‑in‑law Zhu are one thing. But tell me, what is Widow Xu fussing about? I heard Minglang left some money at home, but that was meant for Mingxuan’s studies and his pursuit of honors. If Xu squanders it, won’t Mingxuan be ruined? Without his elder brother around, this sister‑in‑law can’t be relied upon—she has no scruples at all now.”
“It’s other people’s business—why bother with her!”
“Heh, who cares? Let them do whatever they want. Anyway, it’s not my family’s money being lost—I just couldn’t help saying a few words when I saw it.”
Liang Mingliang drove his ox cart past the great locust tree, faint gossip trailing behind him—not at all pleasant to hear.
Zeng Xiaoyan said angrily: “Sister Zhichun, don’t mind those words. Those people are so annoying, always pointing fingers and stirring up gossip.”
Aunt Zhu also said: “Yes, Zhichun, don’t mind them. If they knew you had such skill, if they knew we earned this much money, they’d be green with envy.”
Xu Zhichun’s smile was faint at her lips, her heart calm and unruffled: “Mm, let’s not bother with them. Let’s hurry back and count the money, then divide it.”
“Yes, yes!”
The three of them all broke into cheerful laughter.
Aunt Zhu hurriedly added: “Once we’ve divided the money, let’s quickly dig up konjac and pick golden lantern fruit—we still have to sell them tomorrow.”
“Then let’s hurry up.”
Where do gatherings of gossiping women not have idle chatter? She lived her life, unconcerned with what they said. The few of them thought of the money‑making tasks still unfinished, grew a bit anxious, and had long since tossed those idle words out of mind.
“Good heavens, today we earned 2,056 coins.”
Aunt Zhu’s voice trembled: “Th‑th‑this is two taels of silver! Two taels of silver!”
Zeng Xiaoyan, though born into a wealthy family, was always bullied as a concubine’s daughter. Two taels of silver was no small sum to her, and she couldn’t help but grow excited. She threw her arms around Xu Zhichun: “Sister Zhichun, we’ve earned so much!”
Xu Zhichun was also delighted, nodding repeatedly: “Let’s keep working hard, and aim to earn even more.”
“Mm‑hm, we definitely can.”
After deducting ten coins for renting the ox cart and thirty coins for Liang Mingliang’s wages, Xu Zhichun received 1,200 coins. Since she had already set aside 500 coins for the iron cauldron, she only took 700. Zeng Xiaoyan and Aunt Zhu each received 400 coins.
This money was simply too easy to earn, and everyone threw themselves into it with full energy.
By evening, Zeng Xiaoyan and Liang Mingliang had to head back for a while, while Aunt Zhu returned to feed the chickens and pigs.
Xu Zhichun, smiling, reminded them: “I’ve cooked your meal—don’t forget to come over.”
“We won’t forget! We’ll be there soon! Sister Zhichun, you must make ribs—I’m craving them so badly.”
“I’ll head back for a bit, then come help.”
Zeng Xiaoyan and Aunt Zhu answered with smiles.
Zeng Xiaoyan and Liang Mingliang strode into their own courtyard with wind at their feet: “Mother, Mother!”
Aunt Liang came out of the house, smiling: “You’re back! Go rest for a while—soon it’ll be time to eat.”
Seeing their manner, it was clear they had earned money again today—even if not as much as yesterday, it was still income. Aunt Liang felt proud and full of joy, finding her younger son and daughter‑in‑law more pleasing to the eye with each glance, her gaze tender.
Zeng Xiaoyan let out an “Ah!” and exchanged a look with her husband: they had bought meat today, but in their rush to dig konjac and then grind it into paste, they had forgotten to bring the meat back.
At this moment, the meat was still at Xu Zhichun’s house.
Zeng Xiaoyan hurriedly tugged at Liang Mingliang’s sleeve: “Go fetch it quickly.”
“Alright!”
“Wait—hold on, I’ll go instead.”
Zeng Xiaoyan whirled around and dashed out in a blaze of haste.
Aunt Liang, utterly puzzled: “What’s going on here?”
While cooking dinner in the kitchen with Sister‑in‑law Liu, Zhao couldn’t help pricking up her ears. She hurried out: “Third Brother, don’t tell me you left the money at Xu Zhichun’s house? You’re far too careless!”
Liang Mingliang, a bit annoyed, said: “No, Second Sister‑in‑law, we just bought over three pounds of meat and forgot to bring it back, that’s all.”
“What? You’re far too careless—while you’re not around, who knows if Xu Zhichun might—”
“Enough, Second Brother’s wife—don’t be so petty. If Zhichun were that kind of person, she wouldn’t be helping Xiaoyan and the others earn money. If you keep talking nonsense, don’t blame me for pulling rank as the mother‑in‑law and giving you a lesson.”
Xu Zhichun was earning money with her son and daughter‑in‑law, so much in a single day; if Second Brother’s wife ruined it, she’d be heartbroken.
Otherwise, what’s the point of keeping such a household troublemaker?
Zhao, resentful, had no choice but to swallow her anger and fall silent.
Zeng Xiaoyan quickly came back carrying a lidded basket, her brows and eyes curved in delight as she showed off: “Mother, look—we bought over three pounds of meat. Tonight we’ll cook a bit more so everyone can have extra pieces.”
Aunt Liang chuckled, saying “Good, good, good” several times, then added: “Next time don’t buy so much. Money should still be spent sparingly.”
“Don’t worry, Mother!” Zeng Xiaoyan and her husband, grinning, pulled Aunt Liang into the house, away from others, and whispered how much they had earned today.
Aunt Liang cried out “Oh my!” and quickly covered her mouth, eyes wide. It took her a while to recover, and when she spoke again in a trembling whisper: “How… how much? Four… four hundred? I didn’t mishear? No, no—shh, don’t say another word, stop talking.”
It would be fine if the eldest’s family heard, but if the second’s family overheard, it would surely cause trouble.
Aunt Liang’s heart was pounding wildly, and she was completely dazed.
Four hundred coins—four hundred! In a single day? With Third Brother’s wages and the cart rental, it’s nearly half a tael. Oh heavens!
Earning half a tael of silver in a single day—life really is too good!
Zeng Xiaoyan, so proud her tail was practically wagging, said: “Not telling, not telling—so long as Mother knows, that’s enough! Sister Zhichun invited us and Aunt Zhu to dinner tonight, so we’re heading over first.”
“Did her family buy meat too?”
“Mm!”
“Alright then, you two go ahead.”
Aunt Liang had wanted to tell them to eat a little less, to leave some for the household—after all, Xu Zhichun had it hard. But then she thought: if the couple could earn so much, Zhichun must be earning even more. Since she was inviting them to dinner, she could afford it. The words rose to her lips but she didn’t speak them.
Watching her son and daughter‑in‑law leave happily, Aunt Liang also laughed cheerfully. Just then, Liang Lizheng and his three sons returned. Seeing her smile, the two sons were puzzled, and Liang Lizheng said: “Did you pick up some money? What are you grinning about?”
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