Chapter 109 Chapter 109 Great-grandmother (including 3w nutrient solution plus more...
Xiao Xun asked directly, without beating around the bush. He thought it was no big deal, and he thought he understood Xiao Dashi's personality.
It is unlikely that Xiao Dashi would go to the old house to get money, so he asked this question for An Lin Qiuran's sake.
However, after Xiao Xun finished speaking, Xiao Dashi's expression changed in a way that he hadn't expected. A hint of embarrassment appeared on Xiao Dashi's face, which quickly turned into anger. His face flushed visibly, looking quite ugly.
Xiao Dashi stared at Xiao Xun and said, "Qiu Ran told you, if you want to ask anything, just come and ask me directly. Why beat around the bush and ask you to ask?"
Before Mrs. Sun could react to what was happening, Tangyuan was startled. She thought, "Grandfather was fine just now, why is he so angry now?"
Tangyuan has grown up, Lin Qiuran has a gentle personality, and Sun also loves him, but this is the first time he has seen someone like this.
Lin Qiuran winked at the maid beside her, and the maid took the dumplings out.
It's not nice for children to be around when adults are talking, and Tangyuan knows things early, so Lin Qiuran doesn't want him to hear it.
Tangyuan left and the room was quiet. Xiao Dashi and Sun sat on the armchair in the main hall, while Lin Qiuran and Xiao Xun sat on the chairs below.
Lin Qiuran wasn't in a hurry, calmly sipping his tea. Sun couldn't help but look at Xiao Dashi. "What's wrong with you? Shouldn't you ask about the unclear accounts? Why are you blaming Qiuran? Besides, Xiao Xun didn't say anything else, so why are you so anxious?"
Lin Qiuran still had a smile on his face. If Xiao Dashi said that he lost the flowers on the road, it would be somewhat credible. But he became angry and embarrassed as soon as he asked the question, and blamed others. Without asking, he knew that the money must have been spent by the people in the old house.
If it weren't inappropriate, I should have brought Tang Yuan in and told him the meaning of the four words "angry out of shame". His face changed quickly.
Lin Qiuran said calmly, "Dad, there are differences between men and women. It's not a big deal for me to ask my husband. Besides, my husband didn't beat around the bush. He was straightforward. Isn't that okay? Aunt Yu and I are in business together, so I should get a share every month. If Aunt Yu doesn't give it to me, I can find out. It's impossible for me to give you the recipe and then not take the money. I'm not stupid."
The same goes for Madam Yang. I invested money in her business. Ever since she set up her stall, I've asked Lin Ming to help me with everything, big and small. He introduced me to cheap vendors and gave me carts. If she doesn't make the monthly profit, I can file a complaint with the government. It's for the good of both families to ask about it."
Lin Qiuran finished speaking and continued, "Besides, I haven't asked outsiders about this. Dad is acting like Xiao Xun and I have done something unforgivable."
Sun nodded as she listened. When Lin Qiuran finished, she couldn't help but push Xiao Dashi, "Where did the money go? Speak!"
Lin Qiuran said, "If we lose it, we can report it to the authorities. Although the capital is far from Yu An, I have also left servants and stewards in Yu An, so it's not that we have no way out just because it's far away. Besides, Xiao Xun is an official, so he can investigate such a small matter thoroughly."
Xiao Dashi's face flushed dark red, and Xiao Xun frowned. Sun looked at Xiao Dashi for a long moment and urged, "Hurry up and tell me!"
Mrs. Sun never asked about the shop's profits, and Aunt Yu and Madam Yang naturally didn't ask either. Firstly, she didn't have to worry about it or do any work, and secondly, Lin Qiuran never treated her unfairly.
Lin Qiuran used to give her and Xiao Dashi two taels of silver each per month, but after moving to the capital to live alone, it became five taels. After moving again, Lin Qiuran said he would give her ten taels of silver per month from now on, with the monthly wages of the servants in her courtyard paid from the public treasury, and the rest of the money would be kept for Sun's own use.
There is a small kitchen in the yard, and I can go out to buy snacks on weekdays. If it’s not enough, I can tell her.
Sun couldn't help but ask Lin Qiuran, "How much profit have you made in the past few months?"
She wanted to know how much Xiao Dashi took.
Xiao Dashi remained silent. Lin Qiuran said, "About eighty taels of silver."
After Lin Qiuran finished speaking, Xiao Dashi still didn't say anything. He just lowered his head, his face turning red and white.
It would take her eighty taels of silver to spend it in eight months. Sun asked anxiously, "Where did you take the money? Did you gamble it away?"
Lin Qiuran thought to herself, this definitely wasn't the case. She had asked Lin Ming to go out with Xiao Dashi, but Xiao Dashi hadn't gone to gambling houses or brothels. He had only privately asked where the original house was and how much it would cost to buy a house in the capital.
Xiao Dashi raised his head. "Why are you asking so many questions? It's just a few dozen taels of silver. Can't I spend it? Yes, I didn't worry about the business, but I am a member of this family. I spend a few bucks and still have to ask where it went. What's going on? Are you looking after the prisoner? How much did Qiuran spend? Did I ask him?"
Xiao Dashi had a very loud voice and he shouted at the top of his lungs when he spoke.
Xiao Xun couldn't help but say, "Dad, it's not that I don't allow you to spend it, but eighty taels is not a small amount. It's not too much to ask where you spent it."
Sun was furious. "That's right, how can you talk like that? You don't get paid every month, and what about the eighty taels of silver? You said you spent it, so you spent it. If I ask you where it went, you can't tell me. You should have spent it properly. Who can blame you? If you don't tell me where you spent it, who knows what you spent it on? You still have the nerve to be unhappy, you!"
Sun was very angry. She was afraid that Xiao Dashi would gamble and develop bad habits. The family was living a good life now, but he had to make a mess and make others unhappy.
Xiao Dashi was still shouting, how could he not know what was good and what was bad?
But no matter how much Sun asked, Xiao Dashi refused to say a word. Xiao Dashi kept his head down, his usual honest nature. As Sun continued to ask, she thought of an unlikely outcome.
Sun pulled Xiao Dashi across the table between the armchairs and said, "I'm asking you, you didn't spend this money in the old house, did you? You spent it on them!"
Lin Qiuran glanced at Xiao Dashi. Xiao Dashi was stunned at first, then lowered his head even lower.
She didn't say anything. As the younger generation, there were some things she couldn't say. But it was different for Sun. They had been married for many years, and husband and wife should be honest with each other. Moreover, the old mansion had not treated Sun well in the past. If this money was spent on them, how could Sun not be disheartened?
Xiao Dashi was a little confused. On the one hand, he felt guilty and sorry for Sun Shi. But on the other hand, he felt that he had done nothing wrong.
At the end of August, Lin Qiuran and the others left, leaving Xiao Dashi alone in Yu'an. He had just returned to Xiaojia Village to harvest grain, and after a busy day without even eating, he rushed home exhausted. It was only the people at the old house who took him back for a meal.
Bai was old, and she cried bitterly about missing him. She said Xiao Dashi was cruel and had never come back to see her in all these years. She was about to be buried, so what could she not get over?
There was meat on the table, but the people in the old house were reluctant to eat it themselves, but let Xiao Dashi eat it. They also said that Xiao Dashi was now the pillar of the family and he should eat first.
If Xiao Dashi didn't have much money, that would be fine. He often ate meat, so how could he bear to eat it himself and let his mother and nephew watch?
Gradually, their relationship became closer. Since he was the only one at home, Bai and her nephews would occasionally cook and send food to the county town.
Xiao Dashi was also worried that they were thinking about the money at home, but they didn't mention staying at home at all, and left after delivering the food. How could Xiao Dashi feel at ease?
Xiao Dashi had saved some money in the past few years and spent it all.
In three months, the relationship in Xiao Dashi's old house improved a lot. Every time he went back, he was treated to good food and wine, and his nephews were filial to him.
He said to Sun: "People change. You can't always assume they are the same as before."
Sun didn't say anything else, just asked: "How much money have you paid in the past few months?"
Sun was so angry that she was shaking. She even wanted to pry open Xiao Dashi's head to see what was going on in his mind. How could he have the nerve to say that people would change? If the family hadn't been rich, how could the people in the old house look down on Xiao Dashi?
They were not relatives at all. They had not changed in twenty years, but changed in three months. When Sun thought of how the people in the old house treated her, she trembled with anger.
Xiao Dashi still didn't say anything, so Sun said sternly, "Tell me how much it cost."
Xiao Dashi: "It's just a few dozen taels of silver. They are all relatives. What's the point of asking for it? At worst, I can just not give it to you later. Just consider it my filial piety."
Lin Qiuran lowered his head and Xiao Xun pursed his lips. This was a matter between Sun and Xiao Dashi. He was adopted and a junior. Since it involved Xiao's relatives, he had no say.
Xiao Dashi said, "There's so much money at home, and you're so clear about...such a small amount."
Xiao Dashi couldn't understand it. They had such a big house and were not short of money, but he was still asking for dozens of taels.
Sun took a deep breath. She was too lazy to talk nonsense with him. "Qiuran, write a letter quickly and let your family find out where the money went. Then ask for it back."
Xiao Dashi was anxious, "How can you come back?"
Sun said, "Why not? This is the money Qiuran earned. Not only do you have to get the money back, but you have to go back to me after the New Year. Didn't you say you'd treat me well? Didn't you say people change? I want to see if they will still be nice to you if you go back with nothing."
Lin Qiuran tried to persuade her, "Mom, it's winter now. Let Dad go back after the New Year. It would be a pain to make two trips back and forth."
Sun said, "What's there to suffer for? If Xiao Xun doesn't take up his post, won't the northwest be cold?"
Lin Qiuran: "The journey is secondary. If Dad is not treated well there after returning, wouldn't that be..."
Xiao Dashi stiffened his neck and said, "I'll go back if I want."
The Bai family always said Xiao Xun was unreliable, and it was absolutely true. How much money did they give him to go back to his hometown? He had nephews and relatives, and every time he went back home, they would cook a huge table of food. He didn't dare spend the money earned by Lin Qiuran and Xiao Xun.
Sun's rage was met with laughter. She sneered and said, "Very well, you can go back, but you are not allowed to take a penny from home. I will have Qiu Ran write a letter to ask for the money I spent. The two houses in Yu'an are in Qiu Ran's name and were bought by Qiu Ran. You are not allowed to touch them. There is a house in Xiaojia Village. If you want to live there, you can live there. It is close to the old house, which is exactly what you want."
Sun didn't know if she could get the money back; it was probably a long shot. She felt she owed Lin Qiuran a debt of gratitude for all the hard work she'd done over the years to support the old house. If she couldn't get it back, she could consider it Xiao Dashi's wages for his work for the family. She could take less monthly pay until the hole was filled.
Xiao Dashi was also firm. He said, "If you don't want it, then don't want it. What's the big deal? Living in my hometown may not be less comfortable than living in the county town."
Sun didn't know what kind of magic potion the people in the old house had given Xiao Dashi, but he was so blinded by her. She cheered up and said, "You haven't brought anyone home in the past three months, right? If they do, I will sue them for trespassing!"
Xiao Dashi said, "I've already told you that you can't always think of people the same way as before. In the past few months, they often come to deliver food and then leave."
Lin Qiuran pursed his lips. Sun couldn't help but say, "The money you took from them is enough to eat at Jindinglou every day for three months. And you even send food. Don't you have a cook at home? The food at Jindinglou is inedible. I've had too much of the delicacies and I'm craving simple meals!"
Xiao Dashi felt that he couldn't communicate with Sun.
Lin Qiuran didn’t think that people couldn’t change, but all these years ago, Xiao Xun hadn’t shown up when the news of his death came. What could he expect now?
There is no intention of helping someone in need. He only came forward after the Xiao family became rich. Who would believe him if he said he had no other intentions?
The people in the old house have been treating Xiao Dashi of the Sun family the same way for more than 20 years. Lin Qiuran has also seen the Bai family members.
If she were Mrs. Sun, she wouldn't believe that they could change their ways in just a few months.
The person they felt most sorry for was Sun. They didn't show any behavior when Sun was around, but only acted like this as soon as Sun left. It was because Xiao Dashi had no ideas and was easily influenced.
But they've learned to be smart, knowing how to retreat in order to advance, and how to take things step by step. If they can please Xiao Dashi, they'll be paid whatever they want. Delivering food and getting paid is a great bargain. There are only three of them, and they haven't moved in yet. But as the months go by, it proves they're serious.
Now they take the silver, and then what else do they want? They take the house, the shop, and they want to suck the blood from the Xiao family. If we don't do anything, they might follow us to the capital in the future.
Xiao Dashi can go back and see how the people in the old house treat him if he has no money.
Of course, he is willing to leave now because he feels he has a way out, so let him go. It won’t be easy for him to come back later.
Xiao Dashi had raised Xiao Xun, so he certainly couldn't ignore him. But he certainly wouldn't be as comfortable as he is now. He would give Sun Shi ten taels of silver per month, so Xiao Dashi didn't have to pay.
Lin Qiuran couldn't understand why Xiao Xun was so ambitious, and the people in the old house were so incompetent and treated him so badly in the past. Xiao Dashi was willing to give up his son and return to Yu'an. She really didn't know what he was thinking.
Do you hope that your children will bring honor to the family, but are also afraid that your children will be too successful and you can't control them or that they won't listen to you?
Lin Qiuran sighed lightly. She looked at Sun, who was so angry that she didn't even want to eat with Xiao Dashi.
Lin Qiuran smiled and advised, "Mom, the New Year is coming soon, let's celebrate it first. If Dad doesn't eat or drink well in the capital, I'm afraid the old family will be worried when they see how thin he is when we return to Yu'an."
Lin Qiuran's words had no effect, but made Sun even angrier. She wanted to send Xiao Dashi back today, but after so many years of friendship, Xiao Dashi had just arrived, and she couldn't bear to let him spend the New Year on the road. Sun's eyes were red, "Let's eat first."
When Tangyuan came back, he had forgotten about this matter. He ate happily and even picked up some dishes for the four of them.
However, Xiao Xun, Sun Shi, and Xiao Dashi were not happy with the meal. Xiao Dashi felt a little regretful. After all, his family was well off, but time reveals a person's true character. In the past three months, the people in the old house had treated him well. Xiao Dashi didn't want the Sun Shi and others to look down on his family.
It's not shameful for him to live alone, but Sun refused to give in.
Sun was in no mood, and Xiao Xun couldn't understand why they were no match for the people in the old house.
After dinner, the two returned to the main courtyard. Lin Qiuran said, "We'll know once we go back. If she's really good to Dad, then that's a good thing."
However, Lin Qiuran felt that this possibility was unlikely.
It was discovered early, before it became a big mistake. Just look at Zhao Tingyue and you will know that those who bully others by taking advantage of their power are sometimes more terrifying than those who have power themselves.
Xiao Xun nodded, "I'm sorry to bother you."
Lin Qiuran: "I should have brought Dad here earlier."
But judging from Xiao Dashi's appearance, he has returned to Xiaojia Village in the past two years, and he probably gave some financial support before.
She stopped thinking about it. She was going to the Jinding Building that afternoon. The shop had been set up and would open after the New Year. She first went to the study to write a post, and then had the servants deliver it to the Anyang Marquis Mansion.
She was going to the Anyang Marquis's residence tomorrow to deliver a New Year's gift. This could actually be done by a servant, but Old Madam Qin treated her very well. Even if Xiao Xun had no connection to the Anyang Marquis's residence, she should still be grateful. Now that Zhao Tingyue was incarcerated at the Dali Temple, it wouldn't be a problem for her to go there and deliver a New Year's gift.
Lin Qiuran also wanted to bring some dumplings to make the old man happy.
Before leaving, Lin Qiuran reminded Xiao Xun, "When Tangyuan was studying, you also went to the street to eat snacks."
Xiao Xun has been busy these days, so Lin Qiuran didn't urge him. Now that he has some free time, he must get this done.
Tangyuan’s birthday is on the fifteenth day of next month, and it’s time for him to go to school when spring comes.
Xiao Xun nodded, "Okay, I'll take care of this tomorrow."
Lin Qiuran went to the Jindinglou, a shop in the south of the city, a bit far from the mansion. He had already found assistants and hired two vegetable cutters. He also had pots, pans, and other supplies ready. He also had all the homemade pickles and seasonings delivered to the restaurant. He left two people to watch the door at night.
The shop was bigger than Yu'an's, but now he could only take his time. There were many restaurants in Beijing, but as long as no one maliciously excluded him, Lin Qiuran still believed in his own skills.
After walking around outside twice, Lin Qiuran caught a glimpse of Lao Jin eating hot pot. After thinking about it, she went back home to pick him up.
None of us had a good lunch, so we can go out to eat in the evening.
Tang Yuan had told Xiao Xun earlier that this hot pot was delicious, and today he had finally fulfilled his promise. Sun Shi didn't like going out because the capital was colder than Yu An, but she did go out today.
Xiao Dashi was left alone in the house, and the cook was asked to prepare something for him to eat.
Sun was heartbroken because she couldn't enjoy the good life.
In the evening, the family had dinner at a hot pot shop. There was a beautiful copper pot with mutton floating on it. The pot was boiling and bubbling all the time. In addition to the mutton, there was also the frozen tofu vermicelli that Tangyuan liked to eat.
The first floor is almost full today, everyone is eating hot pot. Some are friends who came with us, and some are families. The shop is very lively.
Tang Yuan looked up and asked Xiao Xun, "Dad, what do you think?"
Xiao Xun nodded, "It's delicious."
Tang Yuan said, "It's a pity that Dad is still taking medicine and can't eat spicy food, otherwise it would be more delicious."
Xiao Xun smiled. The chilblains on his hands had almost healed, but he was still taking the other medicine. He didn't act like a doctor and tell himself not to take the medicine anymore. Lin Qiuran was doing this for his own good, so he just took the medicine on time.
Sun ate a lot in the evening, and the bustling shop made her feel less irritable.
After dinner, the family returned home. In the carriage, Sun couldn't help but say to Lin Qiuran, "We didn't contribute much to the money. Your father spent it. I'll give you fifty taels out of the eighty. We can talk about the rest later. Don't say you don't want it. Let's put it this way."
This was the money that Sun had saved herself. She had originally planned to use it to buy a house, but she never used it.
Lin Qiuran thought about it and accepted the money.
The next morning, Lin Qiuran first counted the New Year gifts sent to the Anyang Marquis's residence. There were wine, snacks, and several jars of homemade sauce. They were all in even numbers; the first two were gifts, and the rest were tokens of her appreciation.
Tang Yuan didn't expect that he could go again. After getting on the carriage, he kept asking Lin Qiuran, "Mom, what should I say and do when I get there? Is the Marquis' Mansion fun?"
Lin Qiuran said softly, "As long as Tangyuan knows how to be polite, there's no need to say or do anything special. Just be yourself. In the past, mother went to the Marquis' Mansion for official business. I don't know if it's fun now. You can go and see it today."
Tangyuan nodded, and Lin Qiuran straightened his collar. Tangyuan was dressed very festively today. His maroon winter coat was embroidered with auspicious cloud patterns, and his collar and cuffs were decorated with fur collars. He wore cotton boots and a tiger-head hat made for him by Liu. He looked very well-behaved.
Lin Qiuran patted his head and said, "Let's go."
The carriage soon arrived at the Anyang Marquis Mansion. Lin Qiuran and Tangyuan got off the carriage, and the maids carried the New Year gifts.
As soon as she got off the car, she saw Yun waiting at the door.
Yun took two steps forward, a smile in her eyes. Tang Yuan looked up at Yun. It was his first time meeting her, and he felt a little shy. He called out, "Tang Yuan greets Auntie."
Yun said, "So her name is Tangyuan, Qiuran. Now I'm old enough to be your aunt. It's okay for the child to call me Grandma."
Lin Qiuran was stunned for a moment. She leaned over and took Tangyuan's hand. "Tangyuan, you're calling me by my generation name. Call me that again."
Tang Yuan called out obediently, "Meet grandma."
Yun took Lin Qiuran and Tangyuan to Qin's courtyard. Her mother-in-law told her about the past. She felt surprised and unbelievable.
Qin is old, and it would be nice for her to get the news in her lifetime and fulfill a wish.
Yun couldn't help but hold Tangyuan's hand. After seeing this child, she felt that he looked like Yi Ge'er when he was a child.
When they arrived at the Qin family's courtyard, Yun didn't ask the maid to inform them and directly led Tangyuan in. The maid raised the curtain and Lin Qiuran followed.
Qin had been waiting. She had thought Lin Qiuran would come alone today, but she hadn't expected him to bring the child with him. In that instant, tears welled up in her eyes.
Tang Yuan looked at Yun, then at Qin, "Mom, shouldn't I call her great-grandmother?"
-----------------------
The author has something to say: It's the last day of the month, and today I'll add another chapter~ Please irrigate it, otherwise the nutrient solution will expire~ [Let me see][Sprinkle flowers][Cat head]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
