Chapter 97 Ancient World: Stepmother (14)
"Uncle Fu's land? How much is the rent per year?"
After a long while, Li Qingyue finally reacted and asked in a hoarse voice.
"Five taels of silver." This time, it was Zhao Lianhua who answered.
Li Qingyue sat down.
Li Xiangling's face also turned ugly. Although she was young, she knew what five taels of silver meant. That was five thousand copper coins. She only paid one tael of silver for tuition for embroidery in town a year, and a bowl of minced meat noodles outside cost only ten copper coins.
what does that mean?
This means that even if Li Changqing and his sister did nothing, they could live on rent for almost a year.
The thought of this made her feel a pang of jealousy.
Li Qingyue was also feeling bad.
He knew that studying was expensive, costing at least ten taels of silver a year. Yet Li Changqing could collect five taels of silver without doing anything, which was quite disheartening.
You should know that he will be taking the imperial examination next year, and just asking a government-subsidized student to vouch for him will cost at least two taels of silver.
Moreover, reading cannot be done by rote; one must also socialize, participate in societies, poetry gatherings, and so on, all of which require money.
Why didn't you say so sooner!
He glared at Zhao Lianhua with annoyance, and stopped calling her "Mom" this time.
Li Xiangling also glared fiercely at Zhao Lianhua.
Now everyone knows that they've moved out on their own, so it's not easy to keep the rent money safe for them. But seeing Changqing and his sister able to eat their fill without doing anything is really upsetting.
Li Xiangling, in particular, considered the possibility that with the family's income plummeting, she might still be able to continue learning embroidery in town. She had no doubt that if she had to choose between her brother and herself, her father would definitely prioritize her brother.
She felt like slapping herself twice.
Why were you so focused on getting rid of them back then?
It's all Zhao Lianhua's fault; she didn't say a word.
Zhao Lianhua was also bitter. She didn't want things to turn out this way either. The clan chief and so many villagers were there at the time. What could she say?
Besides, the two siblings were arguing and vying to be in charge, so did she even get a chance to speak? Moreover, this matter is not easy to say; Li Fusheng has never told his children about it, so how could she dare to say it casually?
While others might only feel distressed, Li Fusheng could be described as extremely anxious. He had always been in charge of the family's finances and knew his family's financial situation well. Without that money, the family could not have maintained its current standard of living.
So he slammed his hand on the table.
"What kind of talk is this? I was only gone for a little over a month, and you've already broken up the family! Lianhua, go and call Changqing and Huanxi back. What kind of family is this, living separately? Aren't we going to be a laughing stock?"
He thought Zhao Lianhua would be delighted with his decision, but to his surprise, Zhao Lianhua's expression changed drastically upon hearing this, and she fell off the stool.
"No, no, I can't go! I'd rather die than go!"
She looked terrified, as if she had seen a ghost. This reminded Li Qingyue and his sister of what had happened before. This woman had locked herself in her house after returning from the old house, behaving very strangely. The two of them couldn't help but feel uneasy.
"What happened?"
Li Fusheng also frowned.
Zhao Lianhua's voice trembled, "Fu, Fu Guan, he said that if I dare to go to the old house, he will not let our whole family go."
Li Qingyue and his sister's expressions changed.
Li Fusheng's brows furrowed even deeper.
"Li Fuguan?"
The concept of ghosts and gods has existed since ancient times. Judging from Zhao Lianhua's expression, she really looked frightened, and Li Fusheng couldn't help but feel a little uneasy.
"What do you mean by 'what's going on'?"
So Zhao Lianhua recounted what had happened at the old house last time, and then the whole family fell silent.
Possessed by a ghost!
This is simply unheard of.
However, Zhao Lianhua also said that the voice at that time was exactly the same as Li Fuguan's when he was alive, and that Changqing's eyes rolled back and his expression was ferocious, not like a normal person.
Could it be that the dead have truly manifested their spirits?
But if he could manifest his power, why didn't he do so earlier?
Li Fusheng waved.
"Let's eat first, I'll think about this matter some more."
His mind raced, and his face grew serious. He knew his family's situation well; there were too many expenses and not enough workers. With two fewer workers and the large rent, his son's schooling might be in trouble.
Therefore, we must strive to obtain that silver.
However, he was also a little scared when it came to ghosts.
So, after finishing his meal, he went out to visit an aunt in the village, and when he returned, he had a relieved smile on his face.
"Lianhua, you've prepared a delicious meal. I've finally come back today, so our family should celebrate properly. I'll go call Changqing and Huanxi."
"And you two are family, how can you hold a grudge overnight? Speak properly, remember?"
Zhao Lianhua:...
Li Qingyue and her siblings: ......
Since he was inviting people to his home for dinner, there was nothing to be afraid of. Zhao Lianhua knew that Li Fusheng wanted to break the ice and make peace, and she agreed with him, so she nodded.
Although Li Qingyue and his sister felt embarrassed, they naturally had no objections considering the large sum of money involved in the rent.
Li Fusheng was very satisfied.
Now that the head of the family is back, the family should get back on track.
Moreover, he remembered his great-aunt's words: even if Li Fuguan's ghost was there, there was nothing to be afraid of. At most, he could only move around in that old house and couldn't come out at all. Otherwise, he would have appeared long ago.
Hehe, what can't I handle with two little kids?
Just coax her a little.
...
Changqing looked at Li Fusheng, who had a kind face, and felt no surprise at all.
"Have a meal?"
"Yes, your mother stir-fried cured pork. Today, the whole family is having dinner together. You..." Li Fusheng stood at the door. Although he kept telling himself that he would be fine as long as he didn't go into the house, he was still a little guilty and stood at the door, not daring to take a step out.
Did you stir-fry some meat?
Changqing shook his head.
"We're tired of eating meat these days, let's not go!"
He stepped aside and pointed to several pieces of meat hanging on the stove. "See? We have plenty of meat at home. We're all tired of eating it."
Li Fusheng almost lost his smile.
What kind of talk is that?
This spendthrift son, has he started living the life of a pampered prince after taking the rent? Eating meat every day?! What a waste! That's money meant for his son's education!
“Your mom misses you a lot…” he said in a different way.
"Then let her come over for dinner. I'll stir-fry some meat." Changqing grinned, but seeing Li Fusheng's displeasure, he paused, then muttered to himself, "If there were fish and shrimp, that would be more like it..."
Li Fusheng was jolted awake.
"Yes, yes, yes! We have fish and shrimp. We'll go to town to buy some right now. For dinner, can you and your sister both come over for dinner?"
Changqing readily agreed.
If there's food to eat, of course we should go eat it; these days, fish and shrimp are very expensive.
"Brother, are we really going to eat over there? They definitely have bad intentions." Li Huanxi poked her head out, her expression worried.
Changqing then revealed a wicked smile.
"Let's eat our fill of food and vegetables, and refuse everything else."
Li Huanxi nodded emphatically.
Now, she is completely convinced that her brother is not stupid; in fact, he is quite clever and can easily make people suffer.
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