The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 287 Capital?

Chapter 287: Chapter 287 Capital?

So when Sun Daming finally managed to steer the conversation towards marrying off Sun Mutou, subtly hinting at the difficulty of their family’s circumstances and suggesting, in not so many words, that the Wang Family should lend the Sun Family a hand for the sake of Wang Yongzhen, Old Granny Zhang and Wang Yongzhu hadn’t even spoken yet,

But Wang Yongzhen’s face had turned beet red. She felt utterly humiliated, watching the man who had always been so authoritative in her presence speaking obsequiously to Old Granny Zhang, lavishing praise on her younger sister to the point of embarrassment, as if her lifelong efforts had suddenly become a joke.

Especially in front of Old Granny Zhang, her stepmother.

She wanted to leave and not have to see Old Granny Zhang’s face, but remembering her mother-in-law’s warning before they left and her younger son’s expectant gaze, she forced herself to bite her lip hard.

As soon as Sun Daming stated his purpose clearly, Old Granny Zhang looked towards the inner room. Wang Laozhu was inside and hadn’t made a sound, which left everyone wondering whether he agreed or disagreed.

She glanced at Lady Jiang, who had come out of the kitchen due to the noise, followed by Eldest Brother and his son who had come out behind Sun Daming.

Eldest Brother Wang Yongfu and Jindou clearly looked displeased. Their own business was still in the preparatory stage, and here the Sun Family was, trying to get involved. Even if he was his brother-in-law, this was not the way to conduct business.

Moreover, she had been injured for so long, and this elder sister had never come to visit. Even today, she hadn’t inquired about her once since arrival. Anyone in her shoes would feel cold inside, let alone entertain the thought of joining the Wang Family to make money. Dream on!

Lady Jiang knew that this sister-in-law had once been a timely help in their hour of need, and thus she had a better impression of her than the main house. However, she still looked down upon the Sun Family’s crude manners.

Old Granny Zhang had a grasp on the situation and slowly plopped down onto a stool, "Eldest girl, it’s not me who is speaking against you as a mother, but you used to say all the time that a married daughter is like water poured out. Now, that water has been poured out for over twenty years. In the past, during the holidays, your father, considering the Sun Family’s hardships, would give some grain and fabric, and I thought, considering our flesh and blood, we couldn’t just watch you starve or go naked, so it was forgiven."

"But now, what is this you’re suggesting? To help Mutou get married because your family has no money, you want to go into business with our Wang Family to earn some silver, is that right?"

Sun Daming hastily said with a flattering smile, "Exactly, we really have no other choice! Otherwise, we wouldn’t dream of troubling my father-in-law and mother-in-law!"

"Alright then, let’s not talk about other things first, if you want to do business with us, how much capital are you planning to put in?" Old Granny Zhang asked.

"What? Capital?" Sun Daming was taken aback.

What capital? If he had capital, would he come to the Wang Family?

"Oh my! Does this mean, brother-in-law, that you have no capital? No capital, and you want to do business?" Old Granny Zhang’s voice grew louder.

"Mother-in-law, it’s just that we’re really struggling at home. How about we pay the capital back after we earn some silver?" Sun Daming said, rubbing his hands together and forcing a smile.

"Nice talk, better than singing. You want to do business with no capital and earn silver? With what will you earn silver? With our Old Wang Family’s money, and then share the earned silver with the Sun Family?" Old Granny Zhang grew more and more angry as she spoke.

"You seem to have beautiful dreams! Are such good things possible under the sun? Pah! Have you no shame? Why should my Wang Family’s silver go to you, the Sun Family? Just because of Wang Yongzhen, the water that’s been poured out for over two decades?"

"Your Sun Family’s son wants to get married, what’s that got to do with our Old Wang Family? Are they my Wang Family’s children? Besides, even your youngest son is getting married, have you ever thought that our Laosi hasn’t wed? That my boys Jindou and Jinhu have yet to speak of marriage? My own Old Wang Family hasn’t settled theirs, yet you’re thinking of prioritizing the Sun Family?"

"I spit on that idea! Today, I’ll tell you plain and clear, don’t even dream about it in broad daylight! Back then, when the old man decided to subsidize you, he called the shots and it was his Wang Family’s things he gave, and I had nothing to say about it! But now, everything in the Wang Family, inside and out, the rice we eat, the clothes we wear, the silver we spend, all are earned by my daughter! You want to spend my daughter’s silver? Dream on!"

"Since ancient times, I’ve only heard of parents providing for their married-off daughters, never have I heard of an unmarried sister having to provide for her elder sister and brother-in-law! If you dare to ask for such a thing, I’ll go to the town and proclaim how shameless the Sun Family is, so broke that they plot against their young sister-in-law’s dowry! I’d love to see if your thick skins can survive being drowned in spit!"

Sun Daming’s face stiffened, and he could no longer maintain his composure.

The Wang Family doesn’t want to help, that much is clear! Hearing how Old Granny Zhang spoke and observing the attitudes of the other members of the Wang Family, it was evident that the others were reluctant as well.

Even her father-in-law, with all the commotion, surely he must have heard it from inside the house? His silence and absence essentially represented his tacit approval.

Sun Daming was extremely humiliated. Today, he had swallowed his pride and even brought pastries to the Wang Family, hoping to seal the deal.

But who would have thought that the Wang Family would prove such a hard nut to crack?

Glaring at Wang Yongzhen with her head hung low, he felt utterly embarrassed. With a stomp, he flung his arms and stormed off.

After watching Sun Daming leave the courtyard, Old Granny Zhang spat in disdain, "Shameless creature—"

Wang Yongzhen’s tears swirled in her eyes. Today’s visit to her maternal home had ended with her husband upset; she feared that upon returning home, she would suffer the consequences.

In her heart, she felt both resentful and hateful towards her natal family, especially towards Old Granny Zhang and her younger sister.

She even began to harbor certain thoughts about her father, who had remained silently in the room the whole time.

Realizing there was no further point in staying, she wiped her tears and prepared to leave.

But before she reached the door, Wang Yongzhu stopped her, "Elder sister, wait a moment."

Wang Yongzhen, in her irritation, shook off Wang Yongzhu’s hand, "Why are you stopping me? Haven’t you all laughed enough?"

Wang Yongzhu signaled to Jindou with her eyes, "Lock the door properly, don’t let your elder cousin leave."

Jindou complied with a "yes" and ran off to secure the door.

Wang Yongzhen, now anxious, looked at Wang Yongzhu stuttering, "What... what are you trying to do?"

Inside the house, Wang Laozhu also noticed the commotion and hastened to intervene, "Zhuzhu, what are you doing? She’s your elder sister—"

Wang Yongzhu couldn’t be bothered with Wang Laozhu and whispered a few words to Old Granny Zhang. Showing an unwilling face, the latter had no choice but to poke her daughter’s forehead disapprovingly before reluctantly retreating to the inner room.

Shortly after, Old Granny Zhang emerged with a bundle, obviously annoyed, and stuffed it into Wang Yongzhu’s hands before huffing back into the house.

Wang Yongzhu shook her head. Her mother was upset again; she would have to go and comfort her later.

Taking the bundle, she approached Wang Yongzhen and offered it to her.

Wang Yongzhen was taken aback for a moment, not daring to reach for it.

Wang Yongzhu pushed the bundle into her hands, "Inside is a piece of cloth and Five Taels of Silver. Take it back with you! It’s because you thought of us when the Wang Family was going through the toughest of times, bringing the family a packet of grain and two hundred Large Coins."