Hearing her say that, Chen Zhancai puffed out his chest, raised his head proudly, and stated his purpose directly, "Fengjiao, although I have lofty ambitions, I am unlucky and short of money right now. Do you think you could give your husband a few taels of silver to tide him over?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Fengjiao's expression changed drastically, and her eyes instantly turned cold.
"How could you say such a thing? You took fifty taels of silver to Ningjing for the imperial examination, but did you leave me and Jiye a single coin? If it weren't for Elder Wang taking pity on me and letting me work as a handyman at his house, I probably would have starved to death long ago. Where would I have any money to give you?"
“Fengjiao, this isn’t my fault. You said that Jiye would get two taels of silver a year for accompanying Wang Qizhang’s studies, so I didn’t leave you any,” Chen Zhancai continued with an innocent expression. “Besides, you’re working here, you can’t work for free!”
When Ru Hua saw Chen Zhancai ask Liu Fengjiao for money without batting an eye, she felt disgusted.
They have absolutely no sense of responsibility, giving such a high-sounding excuse.
If Liu Fengjiao could still get food in town, then Chen Zhancai's neglect of her would be somewhat understandable.
But he didn't even care about the lives of his own parents, and he didn't leave them a single penny before going to Ningjing.
Can such a selfish person really be entrusted with her life?
Ru Hua looked completely bewildered...
Liu Fengjiao sighed softly, "I did earn some money, but that little bit is only enough for my own expenses. I don't have any spare money for you to spend."
Chen Zhancai's face darkened. "Fengjiao, you're wrong. We're husband and wife. Your husband is in trouble now, and you should help him out. You work here and don't have to worry about food or money. Why don't you have any extra money to help your husband out?"
"A woman marries a man for food and clothing. I'm already being lenient by not asking you for money, yet you still have the nerve to ask me for money. Are you even a man?!"
Liu Fengjiao was so angry she laughed. She had never actually thought such a selfish and self-serving person could ever achieve great success; she was truly blind.
She could no longer contain herself; all the resentment she had suppressed for so long suddenly erupted.
"Chen Zhancai, I've really had enough of you. All these years, besides sucking the blood of your family, what else have you done? You're just a good-for-nothing who doesn't strive for anything, only knows how to enjoy life, and has no sense of responsibility."
"With your character, you'll never amount to anything. In just a few months in Ningjing, you've made fifty taels of silver. Tell me, did you spend your family's money on lavish meals and frequent brothels again?"
Hearing this, Ru Hua suddenly realized that what Liu Fengjiao said made sense. So many people went to Ningjing to take the imperial examination, how come Chen Zhancai was the only one who encountered robbers and had his money stolen? It was too much of a coincidence!
Could it be true, as Liu Fengjiao said, that he took the money to a brothel?
After all, that's where I met him.
She looked at Chen Zhancai with a hint of suspicion. "Husband, is what my sister said true? Did you really go to that kind of place again?"
Chen Zhancai panicked and raised his right hand, solemnly swearing, "I swear to heaven and earth that I really encountered robbers. If you don't believe me, go ask Da Bao and Chen Zhanshan."
"Husband, don't worry, I was just saying it casually, don't take it to heart." Ru Hua quickly comforted her, after all, in her mind, it was 'marry a chicken and follow the chicken, marry a dog and follow the dog, even if you marry a blockhead, carry him with you', if you don't even believe your own husband's words, who else in this world can you trust?
Chen Zhancai was so angry that he jumped up and down. He never expected that Liu Fengjiao would use such sharp and sarcastic words to attack his conscience, and he never expected that Ruhua, who was always obedient, would doubt him.
He really wanted to put on a stern face and give the two of them a good scolding, but he knew now was not the time to lose his temper.
If he really angered Liu Fengjiao, he wouldn't get a single penny back, and he'd have to go back to Nanshan Village to face that nagging old couple.
Thinking of this, Chen Zhancai took a deep breath, suppressed his surging anger, and said in a deep voice,
"Feng Jiao, you're right to scold me. I may not have any great abilities, but I'm not as despicable as you say."
I did take all fifty taels of silver with me at the time, but that was for unforeseen circumstances.
I was very frugal on the way and didn't spend a single penny more than necessary, but who would have thought that I would be robbed and have nothing left on me.
I had no other choice but to think of you. You have to help me no matter what. I'll repay you double when I make money..."
"Shut up! I'm sick and tired of your empty promises." Liu Fengjiao interrupted Chen Zhancai, her eyes filled with resentment, as if Chen Zhancai were her mortal enemy. "Chen Zhancai, do you have any shame? If you had any ability, you wouldn't have let your daughter marry that beast, and she wouldn't have died such a mysterious death. Give me back my Ruolan!"
Liu Fengjiao had long heard the news of Chen Ruolan's disappearance from the Fan family. Some said she died suddenly, while others said she was sold to a slave trader by the Fan family.
To verify the truth of these rumors, she went to the Fan family to inquire, but she couldn't even get through the gate. In the end, she only received one sentence: the person is dead.
Upon hearing this devastating news, Liu Fengjiao was heartbroken and placed all her resentment on the Chen family.
If it weren't for that old couple causing trouble, her daughter would never have married into the Fan family.
If the man were even remotely decent, the daughter wouldn't be treated so poorly by the Fan family...
Chen Zhancai hadn't expected that Liu Fengjiao already knew about her daughter's misfortune. Since that was the case, he saw no need to hide it, and feigned a wronged expression as he explained...
"Fengjiao, you can't blame me for this. At the time, you also thought that the Fan family was rich and powerful, and that Ruolan would enjoy a life of luxury after marrying into the family. Who would have thought that she couldn't handle such a blessing? I didn't tell you because I was afraid you would be sad. You have to understand my good intentions!"
Liu Fengjiao raised her hand to wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes. "No matter what, my daughter is dead. All of this is the evil done by your Chen family. I hate you. You killed my Ruolan. Go away. I don't want to see you now."
"Ruolan's death was an accident, you can't pin the blame on me!" Chen Zhancai was sweating profusely as he grabbed Liu Fengjiao's arm. "Fengjiao, I don't have a single penny in my pocket right now, do you really have the heart to let me end up on the streets!"
"That's your own business, it has nothing to do with me!" Liu Fengjiao coldly shook off his hand and turned to leave.
Upon hearing this, Chen Zhancai felt a mix of emotions, and his face immediately darkened.
"Liu Fengjiao, you stop right there! You are my lawfully wedded wife, Chen Zhancai. You were born a member of the Chen family, and you will die a member of the Chen family. The money you earn outside should be given to me. How can it be none of your business?"
Hearing these words, Liu Fengjiao finally understood what it meant to be shameless. She was so angry that her teeth itched, and she really wanted to slap him across the face.
She frowned, patiently looking at Chen Zhancai, then suddenly sneered, "I told you, I'm just a handyman, and the little money I earn isn't even enough for my own expenses. I don't have any spare money for you!"
......
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