Song Ning said calmly, "Then you speak."
“Starting the day after tomorrow, I will be going to work at the yamen. The magistrate said that he will give me one tael of silver every month as wages. I will pay you back when I have saved enough money.”
The Zhou family consisted of five people. They had been on the road for about two or three months. There were three grown men in the family. They had borrowed at least 100 jin of grain from Song Ning.
Based on the current grain prices in Jiangning County, rice costs 20 wen per jin and flour costs 18 wen per jin. If we calculate each in half, it's actually not much.
At this moment, Zhou Ling'an spoke again: "You have helped me a lot. I will give you the money for the grain loan at the same price as before."
Song Ning mentally corrected him, saying that it was his family that was helped, not him.
However, if we go by the prices in Shanhe Town in the past, it would have started at fifty wen per catty.
However, Song Ning did not refuse. Who would turn down money?
"Then keep up the good work and try to pay back my family's money as soon as possible."
"Also, if you ever need any help, just call me. I promised to do my chores for you," Zhou Ling'an said in a muffled voice, lowering his head somewhat embarrassed.
Song Ning asked with a smile, "Are you really going to come and work for my family? If you come to work for my family, won't your mother cause trouble?"
Madam Yu was completely obsessed, constantly believing that someone was coveting her son.
"Don't worry, this time I will keep a close eye on her and I will definitely not let her cause you any trouble."
Originally, this was a matter for the Zhou family, and Song Ning didn't want to get involved. But since Zhou Ling'an said he wanted to come to her house to work, she had to make things clear so that no one would say she was heartless later.
"Let's make this clear beforehand: if your mother goes crazy and causes trouble, don't blame me for being ruthless. I won't show any mercy in the future."
Zhou Ling'an nodded: "Don't worry, she wouldn't dare."
Now that Madam Yu is making a scene, Zhou Cheng loses his temper and threatens to divorce her. It's only because the younger family members persuade him otherwise that Madam Yu would have been kicked out of the house long ago.
“Alright, we’re out of firewood. My dad’s going up the mountain to collect some tomorrow, so you can come with him.”
Song Ning didn't stand on ceremony. The grain she had given him was life-saving, so she couldn't just give it away for nothing. She would naturally accept payment for the hundred catties of grain. However, since he was willing to work, Song Ning accepted whatever came her way.
"Okay, I'll go tomorrow."
Although he will have official duties starting the day after tomorrow, he will not need to wait for the county magistrate unless the magistrate is available.
There will be plenty of time to work later.
The next day, after breakfast, Zhou Ling'an really did come.
He came alone, carrying a basket on his back and a rope around his neck.
Song Dahai was clearly surprised, but Song Ning told him directly, "Dad, he's going with you today. If you can't work anymore, don't force yourself. Zhou Ling'an is here."
Song Dahai didn't want to bring him along; with Zhou Ling'an's thin arms and legs, he would just be a burden.
Besides, many people went up the mountain to collect firewood today. What would he say if others asked him?
Seeing that Song Dahai remained motionless for a long time, Song Ning persuaded, "Dad, Uncle Zhou's family borrowed a lot of grain from us. In addition to repaying the money, they also need to repay the laborers. Why don't you take him with you? He can do any kind of heavy or tiring work."
Zhou Ling'an nodded solemnly. Yes, he could do it.
For the first time, Song Dahai showed his disdain and reluctantly led Zhou Ling'an up the mountain.
As soon as he left, Liu Yuelan said worriedly, "Why did you insist on having him do the work? Don't let him cause trouble again."
Song Ning protested his innocence: "He asked for it himself. As a scholar, he cares about his reputation. He probably didn't want to owe us anything, so let him pay it back."
Liu Yuelan said helplessly, "You..."
Although she had lent them grain beforehand, she had made it clear that the debts would be repaid. Those with money would repay the money, those with grain would repay the grain, and those who had nothing would have to work.
In this era, it was common practice to sell oneself with a contract when all other options were exhausted.
She had no interest in Zhou Ling'an's body, so he could only work.
Besides, the families she borrowed grain from on the road have all been helping her with chores recently, and Zhou Ling'an wasn't the only one.
He ate so much of her food, so it's not a hardship for him to do some work.
Those who didn't go up the mountain worked in the cellar, while those who lived nearby visited each other.
Sure enough, Aunt Zhao and Mrs. Sun came again this morning.
This time, the three of them talked about Song Ning.
"Moon Lady, now that we've all settled down, haven't you thought about Er Ya's future marriage?"
Liu Yuelan smiled shyly: "Er Ya is still young. Let's talk about it when she's a few years older."
"Er Ya will be thirteen next year, right? Actually, she should start thinking about it. We could get engaged first and then she can marry into the family when she's older." Aunt Zhao was so worried.
Holding needle and thread, Sun said as she sewed, "I was sixteen when I married Yongshou, and our engagement was made when I was thirteen."
"So early?" Liu Yuelan was surprised. She was almost twenty when she married Song Dahai.
Liu Yuelan thought about it and realized there weren't many suitable young men for Song Ning.
Zhou Ling'an is sixteen years old, not much older than Song Ning, but Song Ning no longer likes him.
The remaining one is Li Xingwang, who is also sixteen. Aunt Zhao had this plan in mind: her son and Song Ning would be a perfect match.
Li Xingwang, however, prefers the gentle and considerate type, not someone as outgoing and impulsive as Song Ning.
The last one is Gao Tiedan, who is just twenty years old this year. Although there is a big age difference between him and Song Ning, he is strong, reliable and hardworking, and is a good choice.
But nobody knew that Gao Tiedan liked women with big breasts and big butts; he didn't like small girls like Song Ning.
Meanwhile, Xie Linzhou and Zheng Gaoyi, far away in Yuanzhou City, were also discussing Song Ning.
"You mean, vegetables really did grow in that cellar?"
“It’s absolutely true, I saw it with my own eyes, they’ve all sprouted.”
Do you know what you're planting?
"I don't know. That girl won't say, and no one else will mention it either."
Xie Linzhou chuckled lightly: "Looks like those people don't consider you one of their own."
Zheng Gaoyi clicked his tongue: "How can you talk like that? Maybe you're going to surprise me? Er Ya said that she'll let me have a taste of the first one she harvests."
"Er Ya... is that Song Ning?"
"Ah, it's said to be a nickname."
Since arriving in Tianxiang County, Song Ning has told everyone around her that from now on her full name will be Song Ning, and Er Ya will be her nickname.
When registering names in Tianxiang County, Song Ning took the opportunity to change his name.
From now on, when she goes out, she can openly say that her name is Song Ning.
Xie Linzhou, seemingly lost in thought, asked, "What do you think of Song Ning?"
Zheng Gaoyi became interested: "Of course she's smart. I asked around, and they've encountered quite a few people on the road. Er Ya is not only smart but also capable. Apart from her slightly poor health, she's impeccable. She was the one who reminded me this time..."
Zheng Gaoyi told Xie Linzhou everything he had heard about Song Ning.
Xie Linzhou frowned slightly. Was this the girl who coveted his body?
It doesn't sound like it at all...
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