Chapter 126 - 126: 124: Visiting Gan Mansion Again: Old Madam’s Thoughts

“Take it! It’s just an ointment, not some precious treasure!” Nan Tianzong said impatiently.

Liu Sisi hesitated, unsure whether to accept the ointment: “But this…”

Suddenly, a hand reached over and snatched the jade bottle, tossing it onto the counter.

Di Yelei laughed arrogantly, narrowing his eyes wickedly: “Mr. Shopkeeper, my wife already said she doesn’t want this ointment! You should take it back!”

Their eyes met furiously, like sharpening knives.

The smile on Nan Tianzong’s face slowly faded away.

The tense atmosphere between them was palpable, even for someone as thick-skinned as Liu Sisi. Looking at Di Yelei and then at Nan Tianzong, she said awkwardly, “You two… I really can’t accept this ointment! Mr. Shopkeeper, you’d better take it back quickly!”

Nan Tianzong looked surprised, glanced down at the ointment, and then looked up at Liu Sisi.

That’s right! They were a husband and wife after all. What was he doing getting involved?

But why did his heart feel so painful?

He slowly picked up the jade bottle, gripping it tightly in his hand. When he looked up again, he showed his usual gentle demeanor: “Fine, I’ll take it back! Not because I’m giving in, but because… I don’t want to make Sisi uncomfortable!”

Di Yelei’s face turned pale, his fists clenched, like a fierce beast ready to attack.

Sweat dripped from Liu Sisi’s forehead as the situation grew increasingly tense, like a spark that could ignite a wildfire at any moment…

“Shopkeeper, how much is this book?”

Just as Liu Sisi anxiously anticipated a conflict, someone entered the bookstore to buy a book. Upon spotting the copied “Three Character Classic,” they brought it to the counter to pay.

Faced with Di Yelei’s half-smiling gaze, Nan Tianzong grew angrier and yelled, “This book costs five taels of silver!”

“The ‘Three Character Classic’ costs five taels of silver? The books in this small town are more expensive than those in the capital city. Shopkeeper, can you…”

“No, our store’s items are non-negotiable!” Nan Tianzong’s anger escalated, unleashing it all onto the customer.

The customer reluctantly looked at the “Three Character Classic,” grumbling as they took out five taels of silver from their pocket. They placed it painfully on the counter before leaving.

Nan Tianzong stared in amazement. How could a “Three Character Classic” worth five taels of silver sell so easily? Was it raining money?

Di Yelei’s eye twitched. Are books that valuable? A single book worth five whole taels of silver?

Liu Sisi was also astonished. Even though books were hand-copied in this era, the “Three Character Classic” being worth five taels of silver seemed incomprehensible!

The customer walked slowly away from the bookstore, glanced left and right to make sure no one was around, then quickly stashed the “Three Character Classic” in their pocket and dashed off.

They were rich! Who would have thought they’d find a new type of font in this small town!

They’d heard rumors but didn’t believe them, until they saw it for themselves. It was an unfamiliar font worth studying in detail!

They had bought a copy of the “Three Character Classic” written in a brand-new font for only five taels of silver. Indeed, the smaller the place, the more likely a lucky find!

The three in the store exchanged puzzled glances, with Nan Tianzong finally breaking the silence: “You saw it too. The ‘Three Character Classic’ you copied sold for five taels of silver. The five taels I prepaid you last time, now…”

“Shopkeeper, I finished copying this book too.” Liu Sisi hurriedly took out the finished book from her bag.

Nan Tianzong raised an eyebrow in surprise, his gaze filled with contempt as it swept over Di Yelei.

“Very good! Here’s two taels of silver for your previous wages and the three books you copied. Take this book and continue copying. Once it’s finished, bring it back anytime, I’ll buy it. As for the helper position, I’ll reserve it for you. When your injury heals, you can resume work immediately.”

Such a great opportunity!

Liu Sisi happily accepted the silver and kept it in her pocket: “Thank you, shopkeeper! I have to go to Gan Mansion now, so I’ll take my leave.”

She had gotten five taels in advance and now received another two taels. That was seven taels in total―enough to repay the borrowed money for the medicine.

As Liu Sisi walked, she counted the money with a cheerful smile on her face.

“Ye Lei, we now have thirty taels of silver. We owe Mr. Land Officer twenty-five taels and Brother Zhang and Li Wu five and a half taels. We should just be able to repay our debts! It feels great to be debt-free!”

Liu Sisi happily pulled on his sleeve, but was met with an emotionless expression: “Ye Lei, what’s wrong? Aren’t you happy that we can repay our debts?”

Di Yelei was silent for a moment before lightly patting her shoulder.

“Of course I’m happy but you earned that silver too. I couldn’t help but think that since you married me, you’ve been suffering hardships with me, and I…”

“What nonsense are you talking about? A husband and wife are one entity. Happiness and unhappiness have nothing to do with material possessions! As long as we’re happy in our hearts, even a sip of water would taste sweet! Besides, didn’t I say when I married you that we would clear our debts within half a year? It’s only been a little over three months since I married you.”

As she spoke, Liu Sisi couldn’t help but laugh, gazing at him with hope in her eyes.

“Our Sisi says she can do it, so she definitely can!”

Di Yelei felt as if his heart was melting.

Remembering Nan Tianzong’s contemptuous glance before they left, he felt uncertain again. He couldn’t rely solely on hunting for silver! He needed to find another way to support them!

At the very least, he wanted to ensure that Liu Sisi had enough food and clothing!

Entering the gates of Gan Mansion was not easy this time. The two sat in the living room for quite a while before a maid finally brought them tea, tardily.

The cloudy, inferior tea leaves tasted like stale water, astringent and rough, making it impossible to swallow.

Naturally, Liu Sisi understood that this was the Old Madam’s way of expressing her dissatisfaction. The two exchanged glances and patiently waited for another two quarters before seeing the Old Madam slowly enter.

“Sisi pays her respects to the Old Madam. I was bedridden for the past few days and was afraid that my illness might spread to the Miss of the Gan Family, so I didn’t dare to visit. I hope the Old Madam will not take it to heart.” Liu Sisi offered a bow.

“Hmph! Dismissing your duties with an illness excuse is convenient! You really can’t step into the realm of decency coming from such a humble household. You defy the agreement and act so recklessly, do you really think the Gan family has no one left?”

The Old Madam spoke coldly, not even bothering to look at the two.

Liu Sisi was taken aback, and then suddenly realized! The other party had likely sent someone to investigate her background, which was why they were saying such things! But since she was in the wrong, she had no right to blame them.