The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 452 - 450: Selfishness

Chapter 452: Chapter 450: Selfishness

Back at the Wang Family, those who had stayed at home were all worried, but seeing them return, each face lit up with joy, clearly indicating that things had gone smoothly.

Wang Yongfu stopped accepting mountain goods, tidied everything up, closed the door, and the whole family gathered in the main room to listen as Wang Yonggui vividly described their great achievements.

The little Beans listened with such envy that they wished they could grow up fast to witness such scenes for themselves.

Especially when Wang Yonggui mentioned the amount of compensation they received, the entire family was stunned.

Wang Laozhu’s tobacco pipe fell to the ground without him even noticing, Lady Jiang’s hands trembled, and the little Beans, who had been learning arithmetic these days, couldn’t figure out how much a thousand-plus taels of silver actually was.

Even Song Chongjin raised his eyebrows, not expecting Old Granny Zhang to be so effective. A thousand-plus taels in silver notes, plus the deeds to the courtyard houses, along with those calligraphy and paintings, this was all of Shopkeeper Zhang’s assets.

Wang Yonggui, who didn’t know the first thing about antiques, thought those paintings and calligraphy weren’t worth mentioning, but Song Chongjin knew better—the most valuable things in that pile were exactly those artworks.

Speaking of compensation, Wang Yonggui still expressed regret, "Initially, my younger sister had calculated that they should compensate us with four thousand eight hundred taels of silver. It’s a pity that only the one surnamed Zhang compensated us; the one surnamed Qin didn’t pay a dime. If he had also paid, we would have struck it rich and wouldn’t have any worries for the rest of our lives..."

Old Granny Zhang, without skipping a beat, took off her shoe and threw it at him: "I’ve told you before, that money is Chongjin’s, it’s meant to compensate him, what’s it to you? Talking about striking it rich, not having to worry for the rest of your life? Have you no shame? Do you expect your brother-in-law to support you for the rest of your life?"

Lady Lin’s eyes also turned green with envy—fifteen hundred taels of silver, such a colossal sum, something she never dared to even dream of.

In her most unrealistic dreams, she could only hope to save up a private stash of a few dozen taels of silver.

Now, watching Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu effortlessly obtaining fifteen hundred taels, her feelings were incredibly mixed.

Song Chongjin’s heart warmed. No matter why Old Granny Zhang said what she did, he appreciated the sentiment, the emotion.

He immediately said, "I owe the compensation I got to the aunt and Third Brother, as well as my older sister and the two nephews who helped us get it back. How can the money be all mine? I’ll just keep a little of it, and the rest..."

Old Granny Zhang hastily took over, "The rest should be kept by Yongzhu for you. Won’t you need money to build a house in the future? And set up a household? What about your eyes? You’ve taken the medicine but we don’t know if it can counteract the poison, and wouldn’t you still need to see a doctor? Don’t all these things cost money?"

"I’ve made the decision for you! The silver notes are given to Yongzhu for her to keep for you. After all, you two are already engaged. Your future is hers anyway. If you’re ever short on silver, just ask Yongzhu. If she doesn’t give it to you, tell your aunt, and I’ll set her straight!"

Song Chongjin nodded eagerly, playing the part of the obedient nephew: "I’ll listen to everything the aunt says!"

Old Granny Zhang was very pleased with Song Chongjin’s attitude; a son-in-law who listens to his mother-in-law is the ideal one!

"As for us, Yongzhu also said on the way back that the remaining few dozen taels of silver should be shared among us, considering it a reward for the hard work helping out."

This made everyone happy, and even Wang Laozhu straightened his posture, looking at Old Granny Zhang.

Old Granny Zhang opened the chest and counted out the silver ingots—no more, no less—sixty taels.

Looking at the snow-white silver pieces that were about to be distributed, Old Granny Zhang truly couldn’t bear to part with them. After thinking it over, she gritted her teeth and said, "Right now, the family needs to buy mountain goods and we need capital. These sixty taels of silver will first be reserved as our family’s capital. Today, each household will be given one tael of silver, and the rest will be noted. At the end of the year, after we’ve sold all the mountain goods, then I will distribute the rest to you all."

Lady Lin had been calculating that, even if they were to divide the money according to households, each household should receive around ten or more taels of silver. But with what her mother-in-law had just said, a family would only get one tael of silver. The gap was too big. After all, they had gone to the town today and made a scene, just for one tael of silver?

Immediately, a hint of displeasure appeared on her face.

Wang Yonggui had been eagerly awaiting the silver, but as soon as his mother spoke, the silver he was supposed to receive disappeared? He was also unhappy, "Mother, you said you would distribute it to us, and now you’re suddenly saying you won’t. Don’t go back on your word by the end of the year, alright?"

Old Granny Zhang picked up a broom and hit Wang Yonggui with it, "Would I do such a thing? Jindou, bring the paper and pen. Make a note, at the end of the year, I will give each household fifteen taels of silver. Is that alright now?"

With that, Wang Yonggui had nothing more to say, but still, a trace of reluctance remained on his face.

Old Granny Zhang secured the sixty taels of silver and pulled out two one-tael silver pieces from a box to throw on the kang table. Seeing Lady Lin and Wang Yonggui’s expressions, she grew angry, "Each and every one of you, ungrateful wretches, blinded by barely over ten taels of silver, right? Have you forgotten who provided the capital for our family’s mountain goods business? It was your sister who earned the money. What did she say at the time? She put in the money for the business to support all of you, and ended up pampering you all until you became so entitled?"

"Go out and ask around, which family’s young sister supports her family like this? Still not content? Even if you went along today, what did you do? When it came to settling accounts and asking for money, did any of you make an effort? Wasn’t it all Yongzhu who took the lead? Giving you one tael of silver is generous enough already. What brother or sister-in-law helps their young sister with such trivial matters and still has the face to demand payment?"

"It’s only because Yongzhu is kind-hearted and wants to help you out! But it has made you all forget your own names, right? Heartless creatures, the good food you’ve eaten these days has muddled your conscience..."

Her scolding left the entire family looking embarrassed and ashamed.

Wang Yongfu hurriedly stood up and said, "Mother, we don’t want the silver! You’re right, we are all one family. If our sister is in trouble, we, as her older brothers and sisters-in-law, should help as is our duty. How could we ask for silver in return? What would that amount to?"

"The family business needs silver now, let’s keep it as capital. We’re a part of this household, we can’t always rely on our sister for everything. We, as older brothers and sisters-in-law, would lose face!"

As he spoke, he turned and glared at Lady Lin, who shrank her shoulders and lowered her head.

Wang Yongzhu had matters on her mind, seeing Old Granny Zhang expose everyone’s selfishness and her eldest brother stepping forward to speak, she also felt relieved.

She tugged at Song Chongjin’s sleeve, "I’ll take you back to your room; I have something to tell you."

Saying this, she picked up the chest and supported Song Chongjin back to his room.

Sitting back on the kang, Song Chongjin watched as Wang Yongzhu placed the chest beside him, and then, pulling out the silver note of fifteen hundred taels from her bosom, she placed it on top and pushed both towards him.

Today, Song Chongjin’s eyes had almost completely recovered. Apart from not being able to look for too long under the sun, he felt no different from before.

Amazed at the miraculous effect of the medicine Wang Yongzhu had given him and seeing her push these things towards him, he was taken aback, "Yongzhu, what are you doing?"

Wang Yongzhu looked at Song Chongjin impassively, "Are your eyes feeling better today?"

Song Chongjin instinctively sensed something was wrong; Yongzhu was angry, but why would she be? Could it be that she had been wronged today?