Doted By The Regent King
Chapter 163 Complaint

Chapter 163: Chapter 163 Complaint

The sweltering heat continued until the end of June, and not a drop of rain had descended from the heavens, but one piece of bad news arrived after another.

With the persistent high temperatures, the affected regions were growing larger. Far off areas were one thing, but even Wozi Village, where most of the crops had already perished, was suffering, and the water in the river had dried up to mere puddles.

As crops failed, grain prices kept soaring. Poor families could no longer afford to buy grains; some had to satisfy their hunger with just ground potatoes.

Wufu had stored grain early on and was spared from this trouble, something for which Madam Zhou was very grateful.

However, her parental home wasn’t doing well. A large sum of silver had already been spent on Zhou Xueli’s marriage, and Zhou Xuennian needed to make arrangements that required even more silver. When Lady Liang suggested storing grain, she was overruled by everyone else.

By the time their household ran short of grain and decided to make a purchase, they found that grain prices had surged beyond their comprehension. But people still needed to eat, no matter how costly, and so they were forced to scrimp and save.

Indeed, Lady Liang was harboring a bellyful of anger and confided in Zhou Xueli privately, "If we had listened to your sisters earlier and bought the grains to store, why would we have to buy them at such an exorbitant price now?"

Zhou Xueli replied, "This year is an exception. We’ve always had some grain in reserve in the past, but this year, eldest brother had to make arrangements, and there was no choice but to sell it."

He was also very annoyed. For a farming household, after paying their taxes, they would usually save the remaining grain for family consumption, and only consider selling if there was a surplus after a bountiful harvest.

But this year, Zhou Xuennian talked about securing a lucrative position and needed silver for bribes, so he sold the grain early.

Who would have expected a drought this year?

Zhou Xueli wore a look of grief and worry. Not only was there not enough grain at home, but the crops in the fields had died as well. Even if it rained, they would have to replant, and expenses were cropping up everywhere.

Whenever Lady Liang brought up the matter of Zhou Xuennian taking the money, she would get even more frustrated. Her eldest brother-in-law had spent the silver, yet he hadn’t managed to secure anything from his negotiations. The silver might as well have been thrown into the sea for all the good it did.

As if that weren’t enough, he disregarded household matters entirely and, when idle, would sit at home clutching a book, pretending to study diligently—plainly shirking his duties.

The entire family suffered on his account, and even she had to roll up her sleeves and lend a hand with whatever she could. People in the big house, however, were all skilled in shirking work.

These remarks, however, were just a bit of griping from Lady Liang; she couldn’t really afford to say more. Zhou Xueli didn’t like to hear it, always espousing that family harmony brings prosperity to everything. She didn’t want to appear as a troublemaker that sowed discord, just then married into the family, risking a rift between husband and wife for no reason.

But Lady Liang wasn’t paying much regard to her mother-in-law’s opinion anymore and would seize opportune moments to visit Madam Zhou for a chat, which was how Madam Zhou came to know about the situation of the Old Zhou family.

Madam Zhou relayed Lady Liang’s complaints to Wufu and asked, "Wufu, is the situation in town still very bad?"

Ever since Wufu started going to town for work, Madam Zhou hadn’t been there herself. Even when she completed embroidery works, she only had Wufu deliver them to the Embroidery Workshop; so, she was unaware of the current commodity prices.

Upon hearing Lady Liang’s complaints, Wufu responded with a question of her own, "Has Aunt asked you for help?"

Madam Zhou was taken aback and shook her head, "No."

Wufu breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Just hear them out but don’t get involved." It wasn’t worth stirring up trouble.

Madam Zhou pursed her lips and said with a woeful face, "When will the prices return to normal? People won’t be able to survive like this."

Wufu didn’t respond to that, nor did she show any acknowledgment of Madam Zhou’s kind-heartedness.

Madam Zhou didn’t expect any reaction from her, turning instead to offer incense to the Bodhisattva, praying for Heaven to bring rain soon.

After some thought, Wufu summoned Hongyu and instructed her that if Lady Liang or anyone else visited again, she should stay by Madam Zhou’s side to prevent her from being taken advantage of.