si-mexico Chapter 231: Things are looking up
Chapter 231: Things are looking up
Chapter 231 Things Are Getting Better
beginning of winter.
It's a bit cold.
A charcoal fire was lit inside the house.
It's much warmer now, but it's still cold outside.
When Jiang Miaomiao got up, the whole family was gathered around the stove warming themselves.
Xi'er moved a chair for her, and she sat down in front of her mother, munching on a steamed bun and listening to everyone chat.
She quite enjoyed listening to her aunt talk about the everyday life of the villagers.
My mother and aunt also love to listen to it.
But they simply love to listen; they don't love to talk.
Then I heard my aunt say to my mother, "Sister-in-law, the fish in your yard are doing very well. Uncle Fu even found someone who knows how to raise fish to take care of them."
"The fish is still alive?"
Lu Qingyao was somewhat surprised; she had completely forgotten about the fish.
The villagers really took it to heart.
"What are you saying? Everyone treats them like gods of wealth." Liu Yuniang tried to cover her mouth.
Jiang Miaomiao remembered the vat that was as wide as her front door.
I've heard that koi can live for sixty or seventy years, and some can even live for over a hundred years.
I wonder if the feng shui really worked.
Anyway, things have been pretty good at home these past two years.
My mother's business is doing better and better, and she has also made friends with influential people. My brothers have also passed the imperial examinations and become scholars. Now there is hope that my maternal grandfather will be exonerated.
In short, things are looking up.
Then the aunt said about Jiang Yunyan and her husband: They were not giving up and later came to their house to beg for money again, but they were chased out by the villagers.
Unwilling to give up, he went to the Lu residence in town to cause trouble again. Before anyone could report him to the authorities, he was arrested and imprisoned for three months. After he was released, he finally calmed down.
However, what's truly regrettable is the fate of their eldest nephew, Chu Mingyuan.
I almost starved to death at home.
After his parents were imprisoned, he couldn't do anything. After spending all the family's money, he went out to beg.
A waste.
Jiang Miaomiao watched her aunt speak with great enthusiasm and satisfaction, clearly seeing that she had been holding back for many years and was finally able to vent her frustrations.
Let's look at my uncle.
He held his tea cup, saying nothing.
After all, they are siblings born of the same mother, so he must have felt bad about it too.
Actually, my mother didn't go too far.
She guessed that Jiang Yunyan and her husband wouldn't give up, so she asked Magistrate Xu to keep an eye on them and throw them into jail as soon as they committed any offense, locking them up for a long time.
I never expected that Chu Mingyuan, a mama's boy, would be so useless.
He was a fine young man, with all his hands and feet intact.
They actually starved to death.
Then the eldest uncle said quietly, "What's a few meals of hunger? As long as he doesn't starve to death, that's fine. It's all because his parents spoiled him..."
Jiang Miaomiao: ……
I feel like my uncle has changed.
"Uncle, how are Li Erlang and Sanlang? Are they alright?" Jiang Zifeng was a little worried about his friends.
Neither of them knew many words, so when they wrote a letter, it was halting, nonsensical, and they couldn't understand what they were saying.
It's easier to just ask my uncle.
"Those two boys have become much more reliable and steady. Erlang joined the caravan, and Sanlang joined the forest ranger team. They go to the village school to study during their days off and have already learned quite a few characters. Erlang also got engaged not long ago, and they are set to get married next spring..." Jiang Yunhu said with a face full of satisfaction.
Since the two boys joined the caravan and the forest ranger team, helping him manage those mischievous monkeys, he has had much less to worry about.
Speaking of the forest rangers, Jiang Miaomiao felt that her mother had recruited the county magistrate's wife.
Very insightful.
After tying everyone's interests together, this person tasted the benefits and started doing things differently, treating everything as if it were their own business.
My uncle said that the forest protection team was initiated and organized by Magistrate Xu, and there were teams in every village and hamlet.
Nowadays, bamboo shoots and bamboo fungus have become the pillar industry of the entire Qingshi Town. Naturally, the vast bamboo forests have also become a treasure for the villagers. They not only need to plant new bamboo forests, but also protect the old bamboo forests.
The villagers cherish the bamboo forest as their lifeblood.
Upon Magistrate Xu's call, every household spontaneously sent people to join the forest protection team.
As for the motorcade, it was still managed by my uncle.
The current motorcade is not what it used to be.
With my mother's money, Magistrate Xu led the people to repair and widen the road from Qingshi Town to Jiangzhou.
I left before dawn the day before yesterday, and after transporting the bamboo shoots to Jiangzhou, I had to rush back without stopping for even a moment, otherwise I wouldn't be able to get back to Qingshi Town before dark.
Traveling at night in ancient times was an extremely dangerous activity.
One wrong move and you're in the tiger's den.
Nowadays, the caravans are divided into several groups. They make one trip to Jiangzhou in the morning and then make another trip before dark. Jiangzhou has also set up places for the drivers to stay and eat.
It has grown increasingly large in scale.
As for the Lu family residence in town, the mother hired a manager, but it still couldn't do without the help of her aunt. Although she couldn't read many words, she was quite adept at managing the young women and wives in the village.
Those who try to cheat or steal will not get away with it under her watchful eye.
Lu Qingyao poured tea for the two of them. "Brother and sister-in-law, thanks to you both for managing things in Qing Shi Town, I'd like to offer you this tea in lieu of wine."
"Sister-in-law, we're all family, what are you saying..." Liu Yuniang was at a loss when she saw her suddenly acting like this.
She quickly looked at her husband, unsure how to respond, and decided to let him speak first.
Jiang Yunhu looked at his younger brother and sister-in-law, whose demeanor was no longer what it used to be. In the past, she always tried to integrate into the village.
Deliberately concealing one's shortcomings.
perhaps……
This is what she truly looks like now.
Now, she is no longer just their sister-in-law, but also their employer and the provider of livelihood for the entire Qing Shi Town.
Talking to her now doesn't feel as comfortable as it used to; there's an invisible pressure.
He quickly accepted the tea and said, "Sister-in-law, you flatter us. If anyone should thank us, it's us who should thank you. Thanks to you, your sister-in-law and I are able to live a good life now. Thanks to you for arranging the marriage for Qiao'er, she has such a good home. Your sister-in-law and I don't have much ability, we can only do our best to help you manage the business in Qing Shi Town. Please don't look down on us..."
“That’s right, sister-in-law, what your brother said is exactly what I wanted to say.” Liu Yuniang nodded repeatedly, like a chick pecking at rice.
She took Lu Qingyao's hand, "Sister-in-law, I came here today to ask you some questions..."
As soon as her aunt finished speaking, Qiaojie blushed and reached out her hand, "Miaomiao, let me take you out to play."
Jiang Miaomiao actually didn't want to go.
But my eldest uncle, eldest brother, and second brother all went out.
She knew that the topic her aunt and mother were about to discuss was something Qiao Jie didn't want them to hear.
What is it about?
Jiang Miaomiao was a little curious.
But she still obediently followed Sister Qiao out.
Anyway, she has a chick, and the chick will tell her if it eavesdrops later.
After watching them leave, the aunt closed the door.
To be honest, Lu Qingyao and Xiuxiu were also a little curious, feeling that it might be something unsuitable for children.
Then Liu Yuniang spoke up, "Sister-in-law, I... I came to ask you about Qiao'er's dowry."
This matter is really troubling her.
I asked the uncles and aunts in the village, but none of them had any useful information.
Because Qiao'er had told them about Yan Shu's family background, it would have been better if she hadn't, because what she said was shocking.
If they didn't say anything, they would just assume that Manager Sun was the owner of a small bookstore in Qing Shi Town.
It turned out that the person was an advisor to the Grand Tutor and had once been a government official in the capital.
Coming from a scholarly family with a substantial fortune, Yanshu is highly likely to become a high-ranking official in the future, and Qiao'er would become an official's wife if she married him.
Most importantly, Yanshu is an exceptionally good child.
I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing that such a good thing has fallen on Qiao'er's head.
After discussing it with her husband, she came to Jiangzhou.
I need to ask my younger brother and sister-in-law to put my mind at ease. "The Sun family came to propose marriage, offering a dowry of six hundred taels of silver and also transferring a silk shop in Jiangzhou City to Qiao'er's name..."
Liu Yuniang gripped her handkerchief tightly, both nervous and excited.
But more than anything, there is sorrow.
"We've given so much in betrothal gifts and shops, I wonder how much dowry we'll have to provide? We can't afford too much, and if we give too little, people will say we're selling our daughter, and Qiao'er will be looked down upon after she marries in..."
"We probably can't afford a house or shop in Jiangzhou, sister-in-law, what do you think about us buying a few acres of land?"
Liu Yuniang told her younger brother and sister-in-law everything at once. Apart from her husband and sister-in-law, she didn't know who else to talk to.
But my husband doesn't know how to make arrangements.
Even now that life is better, the dowry for a son in the village to get married has never exceeded eighty taels.
The six hundred taels were returned to the shop.
She was somewhat apprehensive, unsure how to prepare a dowry for her daughter.
Lu Qingyao patted her hand gently and comforted her, "Sister-in-law, don't be nervous. Tell me first, how much dowry can you and my brother afford?"
What should have been a wonderful occasion has turned into a source of worry for this couple...
She had calculated that with her elder brother's family's monthly allowance, plus the year-end bonus, and after deducting expenses for building houses, buying land, and supporting servants, they should be able to save a thousand taels over three years.
Liu Yuniang counted on her fingers and muttered, "After deducting household expenses and the cost of the banquet, we should be able to come up with about six hundred taels..."
"Sister-in-law, do you know how much the silk shop that Yanshu gave away is worth?"
"I'd estimate an annual income of one or two thousand," Lu Qingyao said, lowering the figure to avoid scaring her.
One or two thousand.
"So many!" Liu Yuniang's mouth dropped open, and she couldn't close it for a long time.
"Yes... a bit too much..."
Jiang Miaomiao sat on a small stool in the yard, teasing the little red bird, which would fly over and then fly back.
She wasn't surprised at all after hearing this.
In ancient times, betrothal gifts were very expensive, far beyond your imagination.
Qiao'er is considered lucky; the daughters of wealthy and powerful families get married with tens of thousands of dollars, plus fertile fields, shops, and jewelry.
That's why people in ancient times placed great importance on marriage between people of similar social standing.
Whether it's a rich young master and a Cinderella, or a rich young lady and a poor scholar, they can't get past the hurdle of betrothal gifts and dowry.
Therefore, quite a few people elope.
As for why my mother married that scumbag father, well…
They're just fools with too much money.
Jiang Miaomiao quickly tapped her head.
You can't think like that.
What you think about during the day, you dream about at night; what if I talk in my sleep and my mother hears me?
You'll get beaten...
It must be that scumbag father who deceived his mother. People say that civil officials are more cunning than lotus roots.
Jiang Qiao'er was walking back and forth in the courtyard when a small hand pulled her towards the door.
A big one and a small one were squatting outside the door.
Jiang Miaomiao knew her mother wouldn't arrange a marriage randomly.
She took two brocade boxes out of the cabinet.
Open……
Each box contained a set of jewelry and headdresses.
A pearl headdress and a pair of jadeite bracelets with floating floral patterns.
A pair of red gold headdresses inlaid with jewels, featuring dragons and phoenixes symbolizing good fortune.
Then I heard my mother say to my aunt: those were the dowry that she and Princess Rong'an prepared for Qiao'er. The dragon and phoenix ornaments were made by her at the jewelry shop, and the pearl headdress and bracelets were given by Princess Rong'an.
The princess and Qiao'er had been acquainted, and Qiao'er had embroidered many clothes for her. The princess usually refused to accept them from Qiao'er, but instead gave them to her as part of her dowry.
Then I saw my mother take out a contract and hand it to my aunt. "Sister-in-law, I plan to hand over the management of Baihuazhai across the street to Qiao'er. I will give her 40% of the profits as a dowry."
Liu Yuniang hesitated to accept it.
Although she couldn't calculate exactly how much a 40% profit was, she knew it must be a lot.
Her family only received a small fraction of the bamboo shoots from Qingshi Town, yet they still received several hundred taels of silver every year, let alone 40%.
Although she was tempted, she knew she couldn't accept it, and declined, saying, "This...this must be a lot of money, too much, Qiao'er can't accept it."
Lu Qingyao said with a smile, "Sister-in-law, please accept it without any worries. Whether Baihuazhai can be successful and make money depends on Qiao'er's management. If it makes money, it is all rightfully hers."
Even so, she was confident she could make money, otherwise she wouldn't have given it to Qiao'er.
Xiuxiu chimed in, "Sister-in-law, I have one too. You only have money if you earn it."
"Really? You're not kidding me?" Liu Yuniang was relieved to accept the gift after hearing their words.
The two shook their heads. "Of course not."
“Sister-in-law, there’s something else I’m worried about. Qiao’er told me that Yanshu has two older brothers, and both of their wives are quite formidable. One is the daughter of an official, and the other is the daughter of a wealthy merchant. I’m worried that they might bully Qiao’er.” Liu Yuniang clutched her handkerchief, her face filled with worry.
It was only after seeing Qi Caiwei's demeanor that she realized how cunning and ruthless those rich young ladies could be, even more vicious than a scorpion.
Although Qiao'er is clever, she is also carefree.
Being much younger and less senior than others, it's obvious they'll be bullied.
Her heart was in turmoil.
Lu Qingyao understood her worries, "Sister-in-law, don't worry. After all, the sisters-in-law don't live together. Although her family background is slightly inferior to theirs now, who can say for sure what the future holds? Maybe Yanshu will earn an imperial title for Qiao'er..."
After a woman gets married, her life changes completely.
Even if you have a wonderful life at your parents' home, if you marry poorly, you'll still be living in misery.
Even if one comes from a humble background, finding a good match can lead to a completely different life.
No one can predict how it will end.
Jiang Miaomiao felt her legs go numb. She stood up and saw that Sister Qiao was already in tears.
I don't know if she cried from being moved or from being overwhelmed with emotion.
Some people could understand her to some extent; in the past, she would painstakingly embroider a handkerchief for a month before she could sell it for one or two taels of silver.
These days, even a simple dowry can cost several hundred taels of silver.
Her fiancé was even more generous, giving her a shop and hundreds of taels of pocket money every month.
It seems my future brother-in-law's family will be quite wealthy.
Jiang Miaomiao felt she should also give something in return, it's only fair to reciprocate.
She recalled the jewelry given to her by the ladies at the chrysanthemum banquet; it was quite a lot and very beautiful.
"Sister Qiao, let me add some makeup for you too..."
As he spoke, he pulled Qiao'er into his room.
……