Xiao Zhengde was in a dilemma
"Don't push your luck too far. Didn't the second son's family say they're out of money?"
Xiao Yuanhang's eyes darted around and he said
"Didn't Second Sister-in-law give the money to this Miss Xiaodie? You can borrow twenty taels from Second Sister-in-law first! Anyway, seeing how close Miss Xiaodie and Second Sister-in-law are, like sisters, she won't refuse to lend it, right, Miss Xiaodie!"
Qu Xiaodie was already furious at Old Madam Xiao's shamelessness, barely managing to refrain from whipping her. Now, seeing Xiao Yuanhang even dragging her into his schemes, and acting all high and mighty with an air of knowing everything, she was truly disgusted and wanted to vomit. She sneered...
"Hmph! What a cunning scholar! His abacus beads are flying all over my face!"
If it's someone like you who I'd lend it to, then I'd seriously consider it!
"Pah! You crude brute, it's your good fortune that we on our long voyage can even see you! Don't be ungrateful!"
Grandma Xiao couldn't stand it when others didn't take Xiao Yuanhang seriously, so she immediately started cursing at Qu Xiaodie!
"Say less!"
Old Man Xiao, who had been silent all along, scolded Old Woman Xiao.
At the same time, he gave Old Mrs. Xiao a look.
Grandma Xiao forcibly suppressed the words she was about to finish and reluctantly shut her mouth!
Old Man Xiao coughed lightly and spoke.
"Uncle, although we have favored the fourth son over the years, which has caused the other children to suffer a bit, there is nothing we can do about it. The fourth son's education is a big deal. Now that our village has a scholar like our fourth son, we can hold our heads high when we go out. If he can pass the imperial examination and become a Juren or Jinshi in the future and get an official position, not to mention anything else, our Xiao family will be transformed!"
Even if we don't pass the imperial examination, but pass the provincial examination, we can still register 80 mu of land under our names without paying taxes. Our fourth brother only has 30 mu of land himself, and the rest is just for tax exemption by registering it under our clan's name.
The fourth son has made something of himself; who knows, he might even open a clan school someday, so that children in our clan, and even the village, can attend school for free. This is a major issue concerning future generations. The second son and his wife are short-sighted, don't see the bigger picture, and are ignorant. You have to talk to them about it!
"Wow! This is such a pie in the sky, it's practically a blanket!"
Xie Yushu couldn't help but speak up.
However, some of the clansmen actually took it seriously when they heard that there was something to gain! They all spoke up, saying that since the other party was just borrowing, they should lend it to them this once, after all, they were brothers, and studying was an important matter!
Grandma Xiao perked up immediately upon hearing the sound.
"Forget about cakes and pancakes, let's get down to business. If you don't understand, Xie, just listen!"
"I'm not happy about it," said Old Mrs. Xiao.
"This~"
Old Mrs. Xiao was making a scene and throwing a tantrum, and with Old Mr. Xiao offering him a big pancake, even though Xiao Zhengde was unwilling, he had to speak up. Otherwise, he would jeopardize the future of the entire clan, and the whole clan would disagree. So he spoke up...
"Why don't you borrow some money from the Xie family, and have the fourth son pay you back next year when things are easier?"
Xie Yushu said coldly, "Grandpa makes it sound so easy. Who can guarantee that Xiao Yuanhang will pay me back after he borrows it?"
Besides, his studies aren't something that can be done in a year or two, and the money required is not a small amount. How much do I need to borrow? And how many times do I need to borrow from him?
I went into debt to pay for his education. There are five people in my family, adults and children, to feed. We have no money and no land. You all asked me to borrow money, but tell me how a family of four or five people like us survived.
Whose house should I go to for dinner?
If someone offers to feed me, I'll lend it to them right away!
Those who were just talking about asking Xie Yushu to lend them money fell silent after hearing this!
Seeing that no one was making sarcastic remarks, Xie Yushu thought that filial piety was highly valued here, and as the younger generation, they couldn't argue with Old Madam Xiao even if they were right. It would be better to take a small risk and do their best to be virtuous and righteous first, so that she could deal with them more easily if they caused trouble in the future.
Having made up his mind, he then spoke.
"But since the village chief has asked, I can lend him the money, as long as he gives me the land deed as collateral. I'll return the land deed to him whenever he repays the money!"
"You wish! You vicious woman! You've only been married a few days and you're already eyeing my land! You're not worthy of my Xiao family's land!"
"Shut up!"
Xiao Zhengde couldn't stand Old Madam Xiao's shrewish behavior any longer! He scolded her. Then he said to Old Man Xiao...
“What Madam Xie said makes sense. Give me a straight answer: are you going to hold the land deed back, or what? Madam Xie is just a woman, and she has to support several people in this family right now. It’s really unreasonable for you to make such a fuss every other day!”
Old Man Xiao frowned and remained silent. Of course, he didn't want to lie down, and he had no intention of repaying the money he had borrowed. But he couldn't say this directly, because these people were watching.
I have no choice but to say
"The money will have to be paid back sooner or later. Xie is just a woman and can't farm much land, so let's forget about the land! She knows some martial arts, so she can go hunting in the mountains again. The children are young and don't eat much, and with this Miss Xiaodie helping out, they can manage on their own!"
Xiao Yuanhang also spoke up.
"But we've encountered a year of famine! The situation is special. From now on, the land under my name will be enough for my schooling, and I won't trouble my second brother and sister-in-law as often."
If it's not frequent trouble, then it will still come occasionally. As for this occasional trouble, it's when Xie Yushu makes a fortune again.
The way they spoke left more loopholes than a sieve could crack.
One of them was implying that they didn't want to pay back the money, while the other was cunning and planned to swindle them every now and then, as if they thought she was a money exchange and wanted to come and withdraw money from her from time to time!
Xie Yushu was too lazy to waste any more time arguing with Xiao Yuanhang and the others! She directly addressed Xiao Zhengde.
"Grandpa has always been fair, and I'm sure you've understood what my father-in-law and Xiao Yuanhang said."
I didn't want to agree to this at first; they were really forcing me. But since Grandpa has spoken, I have to give you face. Please, show me the way!
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