Chapter 27 Not Enough Money

Sun raised the corner of her mouth and sneered, "Third brother, I'm not saying anything bad about you. For so many years, the whole family has been supporting your studies so that you can pass the imperial examination as soon as possible and get a job. This way, the whole family can enjoy a little bit of happiness. So we accept the hardship and fatigue.

But you have to be grateful and don’t take us for granted and treat us all like fools.”

Chen Zhancai smiled awkwardly, "Sister-in-law, of course. I see all your efforts. Don't worry, as long as I pass the exam, our family will be exempted from taxes in the future, and our lives will definitely get better and better."

Sun's face was full of disdain. She had been listening to such nonsense for more than ten years.

My mother-in-law always talks about how happy they will be in the future after the third child passes the imperial examination.

But now, the third child's studies are neither interesting nor worthwhile.

Then he thought again, if the third son really got sick, how could their second house also benefit from it?

At least she would be exempt from taxes, and her husband wouldn't have to suffer the punishment of forced labor.

"Third brother, I will trust you once more. If you pass the exam in the spring, everyone will be happy. If you fail, I will no longer squeeze money from my teeth to support your studies."

Chen Zhancai's face turned pale. Although he lived a comfortable life in the town with his family's hard-earned money, he also knew that he had been taking the exam for more than ten years. If he failed again, it would be really unacceptable. He felt a huge pressure in his heart.

But he still gritted his teeth and promised, "Don't worry, sister-in-law, I will definitely pass the exam this time."

Hearing her beloved son speak so confidently, Mrs. Chen looked very proud. "Son, you will leave tomorrow. Don't delay your studies."

"Mom, I know the current situation of our family. Now that my son is gone, it will be hard for my parents and my second brother and his wife at home." Chen Zhancai concealed the joy in his eyes, and his heart finally settled down.

Old Mrs. Chen waved her hand and said, "What are you talking about, my son? Just focus on studying hard and don't worry about the family affairs."

As she spoke, Old Lady Chen fished out a cloth bag from her clothes and took out twenty-five taels of silver. "Son, our family isn't rich, but this money should be enough for your family's expenses."

"This..." Chen Zhancai hesitated, thinking secretly in his heart,

Twenty-five taels of silver was indeed enough for their family to squander. Even if they ate delicious food and drank spicy drinks all day long, it would still be enough for them to take the imperial examinations next spring.

But he was tired from studying, and wanted to relax from time to time and go to Chunfeng Tower to see Miss Ruhua.

If he gets happy, not to mention fifty taels, even one hundred taels of silver would not be enough to spend.

No, as the saying goes, a poor home makes a rich road, it is not difficult to stay at home, but it is better to prepare enough money when going out, so as not to lose face in front of others.

Having made up his mind, he pretended to be embarrassed.

"Mom, this money is enough for my studies, but I know a teacher who is very accurate in predicting the exam questions. I want to arrange for him to help me so that I can have a better chance of passing the exam next year."

“Is that so?”

Old Mrs. Chen frowned. She had heard others mention the topic before.

It is said that Mr. Wang from Qiantang Village spent twenty taels of silver to predict the test questions correctly and passed the exam. Now he has become a Mr. Juren and is said to be a candidate official of the court.

But in just a few years, the cost of studying has been rising steadily, and last year I spent more than twenty taels of silver.

Giving him twenty-five taels of silver now is not enough. It's too expensive.

However, in order to help their son succeed, the whole family had to support his studies even if they had to beg for food.

Although she thought so, she felt a little uneasy. These fifty taels of silver were the money from selling the young girl. What if the eldest wife did not give in and the money was taken away by the third brother? What would she use to return the betrothal gift?

If that really happens, I'll be in big trouble...

Seeing that Old Lady Chen kept her head down and kept scratching her head, Liu Fengjiao was worried.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, we must find a way to dig out the money. As long as we have money, we can eat delicacies from mountains and seas, wear silk and satin.

Over the years, she has been accustomed to a life of extravagance, luxury and food, and cannot bear any hardship.

Now, let alone more than twenty taels of silver, even fifty taels would be enough to cover the expenses of their family of four.

"Mother, what are you still thinking about? As the saying goes, everything is easy at home, but difficult outside. No matter what you do, you have to spend money everywhere. No matter how poor you are, you can't be poor in books, and no matter how hard you are, you can't be hard on talents.

Think about it, a fortune teller has to use his brain all day long, which is not as easy as a farmer. He needs to eat well and sleep well.

If you are really short of money, with nothing to eat or drink, and become pale and skinny like a sickly person, how can you have the energy to study?

If that's the case, our dog will never be able to become a scholar in his lifetime."

"What are you talking about, kid? It's really unlucky."

Old Mrs. Chen had an ugly expression on her face, glaring at Liu Fengjiao with bared teeth.

"It's not that I don't want to give you money. You can spend these twenty-five taels of silver first. When you run out of it, you can come back and take it back. Why do you have to take it all with you?"

"Mom, you don't understand, do you? Zhanshan went to town to study, not to travel. How could he have the time to run home all the time? This trip back and forth will only waste time!"

"You're right, but it's okay. Mom can take it to you and even visit you while she's at it!"

Liu Fengjiao's heart skipped a beat. Oh my god, I can't let this old lady go to town.

If she found out that they eat well and live well, she would definitely call herself a spendthrift.

If she gets angry again and dies, then her source of income will be cut off. No matter what, she can't send money to me.

"Mom, Zhancai and I appreciate your kindness, but we can't afford it. You're so old, and we don't trust you on such a long journey.

Besides, if you go, Zhancai will have no time to study, he will have to spend some time with you and talk to you.

In order to bring honor to our family, we must cut off all unnecessary contact. Just like before, you should not come to our place."

"This," Old Mrs. Chen was choked back. She was a little unhappy. What was going on? Not only did they not allow family members to visit them over the years, they had never even told her where they lived.

Old man Chen, who had been silent for a long time, nodded and said, "Old lady, what the third family said makes sense. We should not disturb them."

"Well, I'll give you all the money, but you better spend it sparingly. I really don't have any plans for it."

"Oh~~ My dear mother, please don't worry. Zhancai and I will definitely spend every penny carefully. We will save when we can, and we will never be stingy when we can't."

Old Mrs. Chen was heartbroken and wanted to save some money for her coffin, but when she thought about her third son, who was a talented person, she couldn't save this money.

Grit your teeth, good days will always come.

Thinking of this, he felt relieved and took out the remaining twenty-five taels of silver from his cloth bag.

Just as he was about to hand it to Chen Zhancai, he heard the voice of his second daughter-in-law...