Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Old Madam Wang refused to admit that she had not made it clear previously, but she took this opportunity to tell her three sons.
Other than Wang Chuanman, those who stayed at home to farm and those who stayed in town to do business could take 30% of their profits as the income for their family.
Wang Chuangui asked eagerly, âMother, what about me? What about me?â
Old Madam Wang looked at him. âDonât be anxious. You get a share too.â
The smile on Wang Chuanguiâs face bloomed, but before his smile could completely bloom, he heard Old Madam Wangâs next words.
âYouâre studying now. So, you already owe our family more than 100 taels of silver. According to our rules, you will be exempted from 30% of the debt. Remember to return the rest within 10 years.â
Wang Chuangui:
Could it be that he was the only one in the family who was at a disadvantage?
âThatâs not right. How did I use up 100 taels of silver? When I came to the prefecture city to study, I only paid my tuition once and gave three gifts.â
The tuition fee was five taels of silver, and the wedding gifts were bought with the money earned by the couple themselves.
Old Madam Wang: âDo you think your brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones came out of thin air? These donât cost money?â
âButââ Wang Chuanguiâs eyes widened. âMy inkstone is a stone polished by Father, and my brush was also made by Father. The ink block cost some money, but wasnât that given to me by County Magistrate Zhang?â
How did it become 100 taels? Thinking about it, the brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones were at most worth a little more.
However, when he helped others copy books, the other party would give him extra paper as a backup. As time passed, he would not have to spend extra money to buy paper.
Old Madam Wang did not even blink. âIâm afraid youâve forgotten that your father used to make inkstones for people. Not to mention 100 taels, he could even sell the inkstones for 200 taels of silver! And that sheep hair brush. Do you think itâs hair from an ordinary sheep? Thatâs Ah Yuâs lamb. Itâs a piece of wool that was plucked from the lambâs body. Up until now, have you ever seen it rolling up or splitting off? Without Ah Yuâs material, your father wouldnât be able to make such a good brush even if he hired a brush master!â
Wang Chuangui was speechless. Just like that, Old Madam Wang calculated the debt of 100 taels of silver to more than 300 taels.
Wang Chuangui was on the brink of tears.
Why did he feel that he was not born by his mother?
They were all her sons. If they had the ability, they could cheat together. How could they take advantage of him over some sheep hair?
It was too dishonest!
Wang Chuangui told Madam Ma about this and complained to her.
However, Madam Ma was very open-minded. âHusband, didnât I tell you before that Motherâs words are like an imperial edict? Donât go against Mother. Otherwise, youâll be the only one who suffers.â
The two of them had been married for so many years, but Madam Ma had never seen her husband fare well at the hands of her mother-in-law.
However, Madam Ma believed that her mother-in-law always had her reasons for doing things.
Wang Chuangui shook his head vigorously. ââ¦Honey, youâre hopeless. Youâre really hopeless.â
When did your elbow become crooked?
Heavens, there was actually no place in this world that was reasonable.
While Wang Chuangui was complaining, Old Madam Wang took advantage of the curfew to find an agent in the prefecture capital and said that she wanted to buy a house here.
Wang Chuanfu was surprised. âMother, why are you buying a house in the prefecture capital?â
âIs it because Chuangui wants to study, so you specially bought a house to make it easier for him to study?â Wang Chuanman imagined it reasonably.
Old Madam Wang ignored them and asked the agent to introduce what houses he had. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
The agent originally thought that she was an ordinary old lady and did not pay much attention to her. He thought that she was probably asking casually.
Old Madam Wang asked, âIs there anything with more than three courtyard entrances suitable for a bridal home?â
More than three courtyard entrances suitable for a bridal home?
This was a big deal!
One had to know that the rules in the prefecture capital were much stricter than in the townships. Ordinary people could not live in houses with three courtyards even if they were rich.
They had to have a meritorious status.. At the very least, they had to be a county scholar!