Chapter 28 Men Are Unreliable
Just when Sun Tu was about to accept that he would have to take on another concubine, Wang Xiaoyi spoke up: "Uncle Sun, I was instigated to suffer this crime. I don't want to be a concubine anymore, but I ask Sun Tu to compensate me with two thousand taels of silver. I will return to my hometown and get married."
Wang Xiaoyi asked for this money based on her own experience over the past period of time. She also knew how much this money meant to the country folk. With this money, she could definitely marry a good man in the countryside. She would definitely have a good life, so why would she suffer here?
Sun Tu was initially quite happy when he heard the first half of Wang Xiaoyi's words, but after hearing the last two sentences, he felt hopeless. If he hadn't fallen out with his wife, he would have been able to easily come up with two thousand taels. But now he didn't even have twenty taels.
When Sun Dayong and his clansmen heard Wang Xiaoyi say this, they had only one thought in their minds: two thousand taels, how much money is that! For country folk like them, it would be a joke if they could save a hundred taels in their lifetime. So the clansmen also looked at Wang Xiaoyi and Sun Tu.
Wang Xiaoyi had a good idea, but she didn't expect that Sun Tu really had no money.
"Two thousand taels, you really dare to dream. I don't even have twenty taels. You'd better stay here and be my concubine!" Sun Tu felt helpless about this matter.
Sun Tu's attitude made Sun Dayong and the others feel relieved. If Sun Tu had made so much money after serving as an official for three years, they would have expelled him overnight.
Wang Xiaoyi looked at the decorations in the room unwillingly, and countless thoughts flashed through his mind.
Sun Tu also noticed Wang Xiaoyi's gaze, and fearing that she might have another idea, he immediately said, "These things are Madam's dowry, and they are all registered with the government. If you touch them, Madam will definitely report them to the police. I won't be able to save you then. I'm in a difficult situation now, even though I can't save myself."
Although Wang Xiaoyi wanted to move, she now knew that Zhao Lingmeng was really ruthless when it came to dealing with people. So she could only look away with hatred. But she still looked at Sun Tu with hatred, "If you don't give me money to go back to my hometown, I will make sure you can't be an official and go out every day to publicize the good deeds your family has done."
It can only be said that when a man gets ruthless, you can't imagine it. "Wang Xiaoyi, you are my concubine now. Not to mention my wife, even I can sell you off easily. So don't threaten me, it's useless. Anyway, you can either go back with your uncle or stay in the mansion and be my concubine! There is no third way for you to choose."
Wang Xiaoyi heard Sun Tu's resolute words and knew she couldn't defeat this man. She could only accept her fate and stay to be Sun Tu's concubine. After all, her parents had already expelled her from the family for fear of getting into trouble. She had no money to return home and couldn't marry a good man, so this was the only way.
Seeing that these matters were almost dealt with, Sun Dayong told Zhou, who was still kneeling on the ground, "Pack your things. We will leave immediately."
"Uncle, cousins, please stay at my house for a few more days. It's not easy for you to come all the way to Yuanjing, so stay for a few more days before going back." Sun Tu tried to persuade him to stay, but the main reason was that he didn't act like a good mother and wanted to leave right away.
"We have a lot of things to do at home! We've been out for so many days, let's go back soon, and you should get your wife back soon!"
Sun Dayong advised Sun Tu, and the tribesmen nearby nodded in agreement with their leader. It wasn't that they weren't tempted by the wealth and prosperity of this place, but they also had to consider future generations. The better Sun Tu performed, the greater the benefits he would bring back to the tribe. They couldn't afford to lose the greater good for the sake of a small gain.
Sun Tu had no choice but to bring up his three sons. "Uncle, cousin, you haven't met the three boys from my nephew's family yet, right? You can stay here and meet them today, and then leave early tomorrow morning."
Sure enough, after hearing what Sun Tu said, Sun Dayong must still want to see those children. This way, he can go back and tell his mother and let her rest assured that his brother's descendants are doing well. So Sun Dayong asked in confusion: "Can I see them?"
"Yes," Sun Tu promised immediately and decisively. He then arranged for his uncle and cousin to rest in the guest rooms. He then headed straight to Yixin Courtyard.
Zhao Lingmeng had just woken up and was listening to Qiu Nian's report of the news from the mansion. She was grateful for her father and mother's love and protection. She couldn't let them down.
So Zhao Lingmeng sighed and ordered, "Now that the Sun clan leaders have arrived, let's resume cooking in the kitchen today! When the master comes over later, have him take Sun Qijing and Sun Qiming out to meet the clan leaders. Be sure to bring good people with you, and they can't leave your sight at all. Don't take the third young master out since he's still young.
Tomorrow, when the clan leader and the others leave, give each of them twenty taels of silver as a reward. As for Aunt Wang! Tomorrow, after the clan leader and the others leave, find the most secluded courtyard close to the master's front yard and move it in. Don't worry about anything else, including Aunt Wang's three meals a day."
"Yes, ma'am, do we need to check the old lady's luggage when she leaves tomorrow?" Qiu Nian said a little indignantly.
"No need, don't worry! The patriarch will not let Zhou do anything wrong tomorrow." Zhao Ling dreamed that since his father had found the patriarch of the Sun family, this patriarch should be a smart man.
"By the way, the big kitchen is in use and there is no need to stop it. But Sun Yue and the master will only have the dishes in their quota and will not accept orders. Of course, if they have money, they can also order, you understand! From now on, no one in the mansion's account office is allowed to withdraw money without my seal, including the master." Zhao Lingmeng felt that it would be a bastard not to make money even if he had the money.
"Yes." Qiu Nian was extremely happy to hear his wife's instructions and went out to do things.
As soon as Qiu Nian came out of his wife's room, he saw the master coming. Qiu Yue bowed and saluted, "Master."
"Madam, what are you doing? Are you asleep?" Sun Tu waved his hand to let Qiu Nian get up. Sun Tu also knew that this was one of the capable maids around the madam. So Sun Tu asked in a calm tone.
Qiu Nian quickly recited all of Madam's instructions. "Master, Madam has been chatting with the young masters for a while, and now she's tired and has gone to sleep. But Madam has instructed that you can take the eldest and second young masters to meet the head of the Sun family and have dinner together."
But the two young masters must come back to sleep at night and cannot leave their side. The big kitchen is available today, but Madam said that only the clan leader can order food during the two days he is here. From now on, we can only eat what is available in the kitchen. Any additional food will be charged extra.
After hearing this order, Sun Tu knew that every move in the mansion could not escape the eyes of the lady. Still unwilling to give up, he asked, "The old lady will go back to her hometown with her uncle to serve her mother-in-law tomorrow. Did the lady say that I can withdraw money from the accounting office?"
Qiuyue still answered respectfully, "Master, the Madam said no."
When Sun Tu heard this answer, he felt a bit stuck in his throat for a moment.
"If there is nothing else, sir, I will take my leave." Qiuyue bowed again and asked.
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