Chapter 037: Using House Fighting to Solve the Food Crisis

Huang Cui'e's eyes darted around, but paused for a moment on Xu Yinxi's face. She was obviously a little absent-minded, and smiled very reluctantly: "He didn't say anything, just told us to listen to him in the future and not cause trouble."

Oh, that Liu Jieshi actually wanted to instigate her to hit on Xu Yinxi?

If she really had the guts, Lian would have killed her.

Do you really think she is that stupid?

She hurriedly instructed, "Girls, go collect some firewood. Don't go too far and come back early. Zhenlan, help us get the food ready first."

Everyone had to go about their business, but Xu Dechi took advantage of everyone's inattention and asked Huang Cui'e privately, "What did Liu Laoshi say to you?"

Huang Cui'e had been feeling a little guilty just now, but when the person beside her asked, she straightened her back and said, "What are you asking? What's the matter? Don't you believe me?"

"Humph, I've slept with you, Huang Cui'e, for most of my life and I still don't understand you. I saw the look on your face just now and knew you weren't telling the truth at all—"

"Alright, alright." Huang Cui'e waved her hand and pushed him away. "Don't ask me any more questions. It's nothing serious. Just stay here. I'll go get something to eat."

On the other side, Xu Zhenying had already grabbed Lian Qiuzhi who was about to leave.

Lian Qiuzhi and Xu Deyuan have been angry with each other these days, as if they had separated into separate families. Lian Qiuzhi only cared about herself and her three daughters, and did not take care of her second uncle at all.

Concubine Qiu had repeatedly instigated this in front of Second Uncle, but he remained unmoved. He couldn't bring himself to do this, and even naively thought that after a few days of venting her anger, Mrs. Lian would naturally change her mind. Second Aunt, however, sincerely wanted a divorce. She had already made up her mind to continue living in this muddled state for the time being, until her daughter got married.

Xu Zhenying stopped his second aunt and said directly, "Second aunt, second uncle is not telling the truth."

Second Auntie didn't want to get involved in Xu Deyuan's affairs, so she asked, "So what?"

"Nothing." Xu Zhenying smiled slightly, staring into Miao's eyes and said, "It's just that even if Second Aunt is unwilling, the situation is beyond our control. You and we are now in the same boat. If we don't deal with Liu Laoshi, there will be endless troubles."

Lian Shi had discovered that Xu Qingying was a scheming person these days, and subconsciously avoided her, so she said, "What does that have to do with me?"

"Second Aunt has money on her, but you have four mouths to feed. How many days can you afford to eat expensive food?"

Lian was startled, her heart pounding. "What nonsense are you talking about? High-priced grain? I don't understand what you are talking about."

"Second Aunt, there's no such thing as an impenetrable wall. I saw it, and I'm sure others saw it too. This exile of two thousand miles will take at least two or three months on foot. Can the money you have sustain it? Are you planning to go to Guizhou empty-handed? Or are you willing to give money to Liu Laoshi?"

Lian Qiuzhi's eyelids twitched. Now she was sure that Xu Zhenying had not deceived her. She immediately said angrily, "So what? Are you going to expose me? This money was given by my father. You want to use my Lian family's money to support you? That can't be-"

Xu Zhenying interrupted her and asked, "How much did you spend on buying grain from Liu Laoshi?"

Lian Qiuzhi gritted her teeth and said nothing.

"Liu Laoshi stole our food and sold it to Second Aunt at a high price. Can Second Aunt really tolerate this?"

"So what if I can't bear it? You also said that the situation is stronger than people. If I don't buy it from him, do you want us to starve to death?" Lian Qiuzhi's voice trembled a little. Although she didn't want to live with Xu Deyuan, she didn't divorce him after all. She was still a wife of the Xu family.

If others knew that she ignored her mother-in-law's life and death and took her daughter to eat alone, she would be drowned in spit.

She was obviously very cautious when making the transaction, and she repeatedly told her three daughters not to tell anyone. How did Xu Qingying find out?

"I'm warning you, there's no benefit in exposing me. This money was given by my father. There's no reason for your Xu family to be dependent on my father for support even though you've been exiled—"

"It makes me sad that Second Aunt thinks of me like this." Xu Zhenying showed a sad expression, but the combination of that childish face and that mature expression was a bit out of place. "Besides, I didn't say I was going to expose you. I told you yesterday that how we live depends on our own abilities. Do you think the eldest wife also suffered from hunger with us for two days?"

Lian Qiuzhi was stunned.

"Didn't you notice that she went to see the Qian family girl?"

Asking for food from a wife who is not yet married is something Huang Cui'e would do.

Xu Zhenying shrugged, "I think only the third and fourth wives are truly honest."

Lian's heart was beating like a drum. Looking at the pair of clear black and white eyes in front of her, she couldn't help but ask, "How do you know everything?"

"Just observe everything." Xu Zhenying waved his hand nonchalantly. "Let's get to the point. I'm not interested in what you did, and I'm even less interested in reporting or exposing you. I came here to ask Second Aunt if you want to completely deal with Liu Laoshi."

Lian Qiuzhi was stunned. "What do you mean?"

How could she not hate that escort? She was the daughter of a high-ranking official, yet she had to be so servile to a mere clerk, even knowing he was blackmailing her. She could only smile cautiously and not dare to offend him.

She sold a piece of steamed bun to her for five taels of silver.

If this continues, the money will be gone before we even reach Guizhou.

It is said that the county magistrate is not as good as the current manager, and this time she really experienced it.

"I don't think we can let Liu Laoshi manipulate us. Think about it, we've only just started this journey, and if he treats us like this, what's going to happen? I'm afraid our entire family will be wiped out by him... We have to take the initiative and find a way to resolve this matter once and for all."

Lian Qiuzhi pondered for a moment, and seeing that Xu Zhenying wasn't joking, she became more cautious. "Could it be that you have a solution?"

"Not right now." Xu Zhenying stared at Lian Qiuzhi and smiled amiably, "Don't you need Second Aunt's help?"

Lian Qiuzhi sighed as if resigned to her fate, but was unwilling to let her succeed so easily. So she acted like an elder and coughed softly, "Tell me first—"

"I think Second Uncle isn't telling the truth. Although Liu Laoshi is trying his best to hide it, I've observed carefully and he seems to be paying special attention to Second Uncle. So I think we should first investigate what the grudge between Liu Laoshi and Second Uncle is, and then make our next plan."

"Who can I ask in this desolate mountain?" Lian Qiuzhi had been managing the rear quarters for many years, so naturally she was quite smart and understood the situation immediately. "You want me to find Captain Zhao?"

"Second Aunt is amazing." Xu Zhenying praised sincerely, "I guess Zhao Bantou still has to give Second Aunt face."

Lian hesitated and said, "But Zhao Bantou looks rough, but he's actually not easy to deal with. Trying to trick him into talking...I'm afraid it won't be easy."