Chapter 13 Rumors Rumors
Su Zhaoshi sorted out the things at home these two days and actually found a lot of things that she couldn't use now but could keep for a long time.
Those that were not valuable were put aside, and Su Zhaoshi planned to exchange the more valuable ones for silver and save them.
The most valuable items among them are three pieces of silk. The quality of these silks is not very good. They will easily change color or even fade after being stored for a long time. By then, they will be worthless.
These were actually purchased before the New Year, and I planned to cut and wear them during the New Year. After all, I had originally agreed with the Chen family to get married after the New Year.
Su Zhaoshi didn't want to stay any longer and add to her sadness, so after thinking about it, she called Aunt Bai to come with her, wrapped the body in coarse cloth and went to Uncle Su's house.
"Sister-in-law, why are you here?" She came in the evening, and the Su family had just finished dinner.
Hearing the voice, Zhang from the kitchen also poked her head out, "Really, sister-in-law, you are a rare guest. Jiaojiao, Linlin, quickly move a seat for your aunt."
Su Jiaojiao and Su Linlin are the daughters of Su Laoer. They were busy in the kitchen, but they hurried out after hearing this.
Su Zhaoshi quickly said, "Hurry up and stop. I have something to tell his second uncle. I have to leave after I finish speaking."
Su Lao Er quickly stood up and said, "Sister-in-law, what's the matter? If there's anything, just ask Sanlang to come and call me. Why did you bring Aunt Bai with you?"
There are always a lot of gossips around a widow, especially since Aunt Bai is a concubine. Su Laoer said this with good intentions.
Aunt Bai was indeed feeling very uncomfortable. She hugged the two pieces of cloth tightly and didn't dare to look up.
Su Zhaoshi didn't care and asked her to put the things down: "His second uncle, come and take a look at this."
Second Uncle Su was also knowledgeable and was surprised when he saw it: "Fine silk? Sister-in-law, what are you doing with these?"
In the kitchen, Zhang's eyes suddenly lit up. She thought to herself that since her uncle's family was in mourning and couldn't wear fancy clothes, should she give these silks to them? Seeing the bright colors, Zhang's heart was moved.
"Uncle, you know our family's situation. These silks have all been damaged after three years. I thought it would be better to return them to the county town. Although 10% of the money will be deducted, I can get some back after all." Su Zhao took out the receipt for purchase again.
"Erlang has started studying now and needs to practice calligraphy every day. Please buy some paper and ink."
Second Uncle Su also understood and nodded in agreement: "That's true. It would be better if it could be exchanged for money."
"Erlang has started studying, that's good. Paper and ink won't be a problem either. I know where to buy them."
Zhang couldn't hide the disappointment on her face, and Su Jiaojiao beside her also lowered her head.
Su Zhao pulled out a piece of cloth from inside and said, "Sister-in-law, please accept this cloth and make Jiaojiao a new dress."
Zhang subconsciously took a step forward and heard her head of the household say, "Sister-in-law, this is unacceptable. Return them all."
"These are all scattered and worthless if returned. Jiaojiao is already engaged, so just consider it as my dowry." Su Zhao said with a smile. She could see Zhang's expression clearly.
Su Jiaojiao is exactly sixteen years old and got engaged last year to a family in the same village.
It was said that Uncle Su and Zhang had a quarrel over Su Jiaojiao's marriage. Zhang thought that with her uncle's family around and her daughter Jiaojiao being pretty and charming, she would definitely be able to marry into the city.
Uncle Su felt that Qi Da was not his match. They were just farmers in the countryside. Even if they could find a better family with the help of their eldest brother, would they still have to rely on him for support in the future? He couldn't let his eldest brother take care of his niece for the rest of her life. Besides, he had two daughters.
In the end, Su Jiaojiao got engaged to a man from the village. The man's family was quite well-off, but Zhang was not satisfied.
After Su Dianli was dismissed from his post, the Chen family broke off the engagement, and Su Dianli and his son passed away, Second Uncle Su felt even more that his original decision was correct.
"Uncle, as an aunt, can't I even give her some extra dowry?" Su Zhaoshi retreated to advance.
Sure enough, when she said that, Second Uncle Su nodded: "Jiaojiao, take it in. You must remember the kindness of your aunt."
Su Jiaojiao quickly came out and took the cloth inside.
"Uncle, thank you for your help with this matter. We will go back first." Su Zhao stood up and said goodbye.
Uncle Su asked his son to send him home. Su Cizhang came back after sending him home and said as soon as he entered the door, "Dad, this is the silk from the Li family cloth shop. The color is really bright. I guess three pieces of cloth like this will cost more than ten taels of silver."
"I guess it was bought before the New Year." Uncle Su carefully put the cloth away and kept the receipt close to him. "You will have to accompany me tomorrow morning."
Su Cizhang was naturally happy to go to the county town, but Zhang couldn't help but say, "The work in the fields isn't finished yet."
Uncle Su said nonchalantly, "There are only a few acres left. You and Cao Zhang can finish it."
Zhang was so angry that she fell backwards and could not help but say, "We are the same people, but we have different fates. Even if the head of the family dies, others can still make a good living by selling things. But I, on the other hand, work hard all day and still can't get any good results."
Second Uncle Su frowned and said unhappily, "What's wrong with you? Are you still hoping for my death?"
Zhang felt like she couldn't breathe and said angrily, "You're always thinking about your uncle's family and not thinking about ours. Cizhang is not young anymore, but he still hasn't found a husband."
Second Uncle Su turned around and said to her: "If you hadn't been so picky, Ci Zhang would have given birth to the child."
In fact, Zhang also felt regretful in her heart. When her uncle was still an official in the county, many people came to propose marriage. But now, even those people who she thought were not suitable before are no longer coming to her, and only some ugly ones are left.
When the children saw them arguing, they hurried back to their rooms. Su Ci Zhang didn't care. If it weren't for the recent busy farming season, he would have gone to the county town to work long ago, because the salary was good if he could read and it wasn't easy for him to get married.
Su Jiaojiao sat on the edge of the bed and reached out to touch the cloth on the bed. It was softer than she had imagined, and it was completely different from the coarse cloth their family usually used. This showed how generous her aunt was.
Su Linlin followed in and wanted to reach out to touch it, but was slapped away. She pouted and said, "I don't know if my aunt will still give me a piece of cloth when I get engaged in the future."
"Yes, if uncle hadn't been in trouble, he would probably have given more than just a piece of cloth." Su Jiaojiao also sighed.
In the past, the clothes her two brothers wore were all picked up from their uncle's house. Although they were old and the colors were not good, the material was good. Unfortunately, there was no cousin in her uncle's family, so they had no chance to wear them.
Su Linlin added, "I heard from Tiezhu that Erlang is studying at home every day now. I'm afraid he's going to take the exam to become a scholar."
"Is it true that Erlang can pass the imperial examination?" Su Jiaojiao knew that her eldest cousin was very talented, but her second cousin had no interest in studying.
"Who knows? It would be great if he could pass the exam." Su Linlin hoped so. If Erlang passed the exam and became a scholar, then they would be a family of scholars again.
"It's not that easy to pass the exam to become a scholar, and it costs a lot of money." Su Jiaojiao thought more about it.
"His family has no means of livelihood now. They only have two mu of land. How does the whole family survive?"
Su Linlin said, "No matter what kind of work they do, it's easier than ours. My aunt just brought three bolts of cloth and said she could get more than ten taels of silver if she returned it. Besides, they have maids and servants at home. If they can't make ends meet, they can just sell them off."
Su Jiaojiao's eyes flashed, and she also said: "Yes, a lean camel is bigger than a horse. No matter how sad it is, it is still better off than our family."
In fact, Uncle Su's family lived a very good life in the village. Although their house was not big, it was a brick and tile house, not to mention that after the family split up, they got ten acres of fertile land.
However, after having children in recent years, Uncle Su was influenced by his eldest brother and insisted on sending both sons to school for a few years. Although they did not plan to take the imperial examinations, they could learn to read and write. This cost more money, and Zhang became a little stingy.
In the long run, Uncle Su's plan is worthwhile. Apart from anything else, just seeing that his eldest son can find an easy job with good wages in the city, you will know the benefits of literacy.
The next day, before dawn, Uncle Su set out with Su Ci Zhang and took the ox cart with him.
When Zhang got up, she was furious. She made so much noise while making breakfast that her three children were so scared that they had to lower their heads to eat.
When they arrived at the paddy field, Zhang became even more angry. She had never seen such a neglectful person. He rushed to help others before finishing his own work. If you didn't know, you would think that was his home.
Su Caozhang was a filial son. Seeing that Zhang looked unhappy, he said considerately, "Mom, if you are tired, just take a rest. It's not much work. I can finish it by myself."
Zhang snorted angrily, "What do you mean there's not much to do? Haven't you seen how much work there is? When other families have problems, you three, father and son, go to help. But when our family has problems, there's not even a single person to be seen."
Su Caozhang was a simpleton, and after hearing this he didn't understand the deep meaning and added: "That's right, I won't be able to see any of my uncles and cousins, and don't go to help with the autumn harvest next time."
Zhang almost fell over and cursed, "What are you talking about? That's your uncle."
Su Caozhang said, "I would only say this if it was my uncle. I've never seen such an uncle. He only knows how to take advantage. Two days ago, he even took away several baskets of rice seedlings. Mother, aren't you also talking about them? And you don't allow me to say anything."
Zhang's face became even worse. She felt that she had given birth to these two sons in vain. She was only thinking about the Su family all day long.
At this moment, she didn't want to think about how much Su Dianli took care of his younger brothers and nephews over the years. It was nothing compared to her mother's family who would come when there was something to do and disappear when there was nothing to do. The child was not a fool and she understood everything.
At this time, someone happened to come over and say something. It was the gossipy old woman Wang from the village: "Hey, Su Laoer's family, I saw Su Laoer going to the county town early this morning. Su Laoda is dead, so why would he go to the county town?"
In the past, whenever Su Laoer went to the county town, he would look for his eldest brother ten times out of ten.
Zhang said angrily, "It's because my sister-in-law's family is having a hard time, and Erlang wants to take the imperial examination. He's pawning the silk and satin at home for some silver to buy paper and pens."
When Mrs. Wang heard this, her eyes twitched. "Is this true? Su Dianli has been an official for so many years, and he doesn't even have any savings? It's only been a few days, and his family has to rely on pawning to make a living?"
Zhang thought to herself that this was not good and kept silent.
When she didn't say anything, Mrs. Wang went to find someone else to continue talking. Whatever she said was like a loudspeaker installed in the village. In no time, the whole village knew about it.
So before Second Uncle Su came back from the city, the news that the Su family was having a hard time and had to rely on pawning to make a living spread everywhere, and the news became more and more outrageous.
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