Chapter 43 She was the Sucker
It turned out that last night after everyone went back to their rooms to rest, the old lady was unable to sleep because she was weighed down by worries. She stayed up all night and went to give Tu Suye a severe reprimand for his misbehavior.
Tu Suye's face was still gloomy today, but he finally suppressed the urge to continue making trouble. When he went out to move bricks, his face was still gloomy, but he remained silent and did not say anything out of line.
Gu Yuexuan noticed that the old lady had obvious dark circles under her eyes. She walked up to her with a smile and asked softly, "Grandma, what do you want to discuss with me today?" Her smile was filled with a hint of thoughtfulness and concern, making people feel her gentleness and attentiveness.
The old lady perked up and said firmly, "I heard from Tu Subo that you were planning to buy some fresh vegetables from the villagers to help with our urgent needs?"
Gu Yuexuan was a little surprised by Tu Subo's quick action, but she quickly came to her senses, smiled and nodded: "Indeed, I have this plan."
"Although I've planted seeds in my vegetable garden, it's going to be a while before I can pick them, and going to town to buy them is quite inconvenient. It just so happens that some families in the village have a surplus of vegetables, so buying some back home might be a good idea."
After all, they were all hard-working people. How could they possibly eat only white rice and hard steamed buns every day? Who could endure this for a long time?
Moreover, vegetables are different from meat and should not be stored for too long. The best way is to buy and eat them immediately.
The old lady had no objection to this proposal, but remembering the unpleasant experience she had with Gu Yuexuan when she went to the market last time, she chose to be extremely cautious this time.
"In that case, I'll give you six copper coins every day. You can go and choose the food yourself and cook it yourself."
Gu Yuexuan was worried about causing unnecessary disputes and didn't want to dirty her hands with these insignificant copper coins. She secretly pondered how to make this grocery shopping both economical and affordable while also taking into account the tastes and health of her family.
But the old lady's face suddenly darkened, and she said in a serious tone, "You are the eldest grandson's wife of the eldest son's family. You are destined to take charge of household affairs and shoulder the responsibility of being the head of the family in the future. If you dare not make a decision for a mere six copper coins, how can you be in charge of the entire family in the future?"
"Just go if I tell you to. Don't act like a shrinking, naive girl."
After receiving a few scoldings, Gu Yuexuan showed a humble and teachable expression on her face. She took the six light copper coins and replied softly, "Okay, I will follow my grandmother's instructions."
The old lady then smiled with satisfaction.
"That's more like it."
She still maintained her dignified demeanor and lectured him a few more times. Gu Yuexuan listened, but she didn't necessarily accept what she was saying. However, when she was about to go out and spend money, she suddenly called Yu.
"Second Aunt, please accompany me."
After some observation, she found that Second Aunt was impatient, sharp-tongued, suspicious, and jealous, but she was unusually sensitive to financial matters. She thought that as long as it involved money spending, letting Second Aunt participate would definitely ensure accuracy.
At least we can shut up her chattering mouth with solid facts.
Yu wanted to take this opportunity to rest for a while and relax her exhausted body and mind, but Gu Yuexuan advised, "It's Second Aunt's turn to cook tonight. What if the ingredients I buy don't suit your taste?"
"Besides, I don't know much about the market, so I'd like to trouble Second Aunt to come with me and help me choose carefully."
Who in this world doesn't prefer words of praise, especially someone like Yu who has been looked down upon for many years because he came from a merchant family.
She especially liked Gu Yuexuan's calm praise.
What’s the difference between her and a merchant’s daughter?
When it comes to the circulation of money and careful budgeting, the daughters of merchants are obviously better than those self-proclaimed children of noble families!
Yu raised her chin slightly and replied with some reserve, "Okay, I'll go with you and let you see it."
Gu Yuexuan couldn't help but smile, and she leaned sideways to make a gesture of invitation: "That's great, Second Aunt, please go first."
As soon as Yu appeared, she was indeed extraordinary.
Holding six copper coins in her hand, she held her head high and walked lightly, as if she was carrying a huge fortune.
Gu Yuexuan followed closely behind, a gentle smile on her face. Yu was careful to maintain her composure, intending to teach Gu Yuexuan how to bargain seriously, to broaden her horizons.
However, unexpectedly, the sister-in-law he found had picked a basket of beans and autumn melons, but the asking price was only a copper coin.
Yu's business acumen and negotiation strategies were at a loss for words. He scratched the back of his head in embarrassment and said in a somewhat stern tone, "How can one copper coin be enough? For so many vegetables, one copper coin is really too much."
In the past, it would have been impossible to get so many things without two taels of silver.
As soon as we stepped out of the lush vegetable garden, the simple sister-in-law smiled frankly and said, "One penny is definitely not a small amount. Look, these vegetables are not marketable. If you don't eat them all in time, they will have to be picked and chopped into pieces in a few days to feed the pigs in the pen. To be honest, even if you don't spend a penny to enjoy them, there's nothing wrong with that."
Yu responded slightly embarrassedly: "How can this be possible?"
Her words were dry as she continued, "After all, this isn't the first time. I can't just eat and take for free every time. That would be disgraceful."
"Xuanxuan, give my sister-in-law two cents."
Gu Yuexuan carried the heavy basket and counted out the copper coins with a smile. She thanked the slightly shy sister-in-law repeatedly, then turned around and started on her way home.
However, on the way back, Yu's face always looked heavy and uneasy.
Seeing this, Gu Yuexuan couldn't help but ask, "Second Aunt, are you feeling unwell?"
Logically speaking, she should be delighted to be able to purchase such a rich variety of ingredients at such a low price, but why does she look more miserable than if she had paid more money?
Yu sighed angrily and clenched her fists. "These side dishes are so cheap, but how did the steward who was in charge of purchasing things during my years at the Marquis' Mansion calculate the twenty taels of silver he reported every day?"
How much of her hard-earned money had those greedy managers swallowed up without her realizing it?
Only at this moment did she realize that she had been kept in the dark the whole time and had been made the scapegoat without realizing it!
When Yu's desire for wealth was completely ignited, the anger in his heart became more and more fierce like an enraged volcano.
The moment she stepped into the house, her gloomy face even made Xi Lanfang cast a concerned glance at her.
Xi Lanfang asked in a low voice: "Xuanxuan, what happened to your second aunt?"
Gu Yuexuan gently turned the fresh beans in the basket, and with a subtle change in her tone, she replied softly, "Maybe she feels bad for her."
After all, even the most vulnerable will still feel anger...
Yu was so angry that she couldn't control her words. She vented her anger on everyone she saw. In just half a day, she revealed the reason for her anger.
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