Chapter 76: Handing in the Homework

Chapter 76: Handing in the Homework

As for why Chen Fu knew about the silver in the Jing County shop, it was purely a coincidence—last month, Old Dong came to him with the ledger, tears streaming down his face, exclaiming, "...the profits from spring have come in. We've made twenty taels more than the mulberry paper workshop in the eastern part of the city... the current balance is over three hundred taels..."

His mother had given him a strict order: if the profits from the Jing County shop exceeded those of the mulberry paper workshop in the eastern part of the city, he could end his exile and return to Xuancheng to live close to home.

He didn't know until now, and when he did, he was shocked.

The mulberry paper workshop was considered one of the Chen family's trump cards; most of their expenses in Xuancheng were covered by its profits. The Jing County workshop was at best an add-on to their income!

His mother's arrangement was clearly meant to keep him in his hometown forever.

Now this surprise came too suddenly, catching him off guard.

In theory, he could go back. Xuancheng was wonderful, full of pleasures and familiar faces. In the streets, he could call out, and the other idle sons would yawn and join him in squandering their parents' money.

While Jing County wasn't poor, it was small, with fewer idle sons, leaving him feeling underappreciated—his brilliant ideas for mischief had no stage to shine on!

Yet, he decided not to return.

Chen Fu took a sip of plain water and watched his stepdaughter innocently swindle and deceive with a smile.

How adorable.

If he returned to Xuancheng, wouldn't that be like clipping a bird's wings?

Better not. Clearly, this girl was happier here.

Chen Fu's eyes curved into crescents as he watched Xianjin's performance with meticulous attention, even the slight tremble of her eyelashes conveying surprise.

Chen Fu couldn't help but admire her in his heart: she truly was a star!

Xianjin's eyelashes fluttered, seemingly not understanding. After a moment, she feigned realization, "You... you're serious?"

Then she laughed, "That won't do. The inventory in your warehouse is worth more than a thousand taels. I can't take advantage of you just because you've had some wine. If you come to me tomorrow with complaints, it would really hurt my reputation."

No, no, no!

Song Baixi leaned forward, "Though I've had some wine, I'm not drunk. I'm perfectly sober!"

Civil liability -1.

Xianjin hesitated visibly, "I can't sell the paper in the warehouse alone." She glanced at Chen Fu and explained to Song Baixi, "...we need to inform Third Master, have Manager Dong verify the accounts, and have Master Li open the warehouse door..."

Song Baixi hurriedly shook his head, "I don't need them! Uncle Song is sick, and all the elders are in the village! I'm the manager and accountant!"

Clan power -1.

Xianjin nodded thoughtfully, satisfied.

Song Baixi feared Xianjin might change her mind, losing the thousand taels, so he pleaded, "Just do me this favor!"

If he could truly focus on studying, wouldn't he be as happy as the old scholars in the eastern part of the village?

Enjoying the family's offerings, free from labor, with food served and clothes handed to him...

What kind of life was he living now? Waking up before the rooster crowed, smelling lime powder and sweat, eating coarse food, and listening to vulgar language every day. Reporting daily, always busy... what difference was there from farming?

Studying was much better.

Everyone expected him to pursue a degree, never daring to scold or disobey him. He got the best parts of the chicken and the choicest cuts of meat.

With the wine warming him, Song Baixi's eyes welled up, and he added another stake, "Even if you replace the Song Kee sign with the Chen's sign, I won't object!"

Xianjin looked at him, then laughed after a moment, taking out a roll of banknotes from her sleeve, "This is five hundred taels. The other five hundred will be given to you after you accompany us to transfer the lease tomorrow."

Chen Fu's eyes widened, where did this money come from!

Song Baixi reached for the banknotes but was stopped by Xianjin's gaze.

Xianjin smiled, "Please calm down! Sign the contract first."

She then took out a stack of documents and a writing brush from her bag, stood up, intending to explain, but Song Baixi snatched the documents and brush, licked the tip, and quickly signed his name. Then he looked up at Xianjin, "Should we press a fingerprint?"

Xianjin shook her head, smiling, "A scholar recognizes debts and reason."

Song Baixi felt this girl was both beautiful and sensible. If not for his vow to study, he would have taken her into the Chen's household.

After signing the documents, Xianjin pushed the roll of banknotes forward and slowly packed up her things.

Song Baixi, eager to leave with the money, gave a shaky bow to Chen Fu and rushed out, lifting his robe.

"Ah—"

Chen Fu sighed deeply, "Beyond the mountains, there are higher mountains; beyond the buildings, there are taller buildings. Squandering wealth and relying on family, I am not ashamed. The young surpass the old; a stray dog wanders in Jingnan."

Xianjin: "..."

Xianjin lowered her head and laughed.

Chen Fu limped over and asked again, "Where did these banknotes come from?"

Xianjin, still looking at the documents, glanced up and tersely explained, "Initially, Mr. Chen Liu tried to bribe me, giving me a thousand taels, redeemable only in June."

It sounded familiar.

When Old Dong complained earlier, he mentioned something similar.

Chen Fu watched as Xianjin pulled out an abacus from her bag, clattering away, calculating a number. He stared at the abacus for a long time.

"Tomorrow, go to the county office and transfer the Song Kee shop lease."

Xianjin said in a solemn voice, "This thousand taels, I haven't recorded it in the public accounts. When the time comes, put the name of the Song Kee shop under your name. It's up to you whether to tell Uncle Dong or not."

Chen Fu was dumbfounded.

Is this... Is this setting up private property for him?

Not recording the transaction in the public accounts means no one knows about it.

Putting the long-term tenant's name as him proves that this shop is now under his name.

That naturally means the business and the profits all belong to him!

It won't even show on Chen's account books!

What else could this be if not private funds?

My daughter has grown up and knows how to give her father some private funds!

Chen Fu was moved to tears, planning to go back tonight and offer three cups of wine at Ainiang's memorial tablet, to have a good chat about how accomplished their daughter is now!

Suddenly remembering something, he wiped his eyes dry, "No! If anything, it should be under your name! Your name is now registered with mine, so I'll set up a separate female household for you. With a female household, you can buy land and property. Having some private funds under your name will be good for you!"

Xianjin said, "You know it's hiding!"

Then she lowered her head and started calculating, "If this business is under my name, it would be equivalent to me ultimately accepting Mr. Chen Liu's bribe—I'm a clean person, there's no need to stain myself for this amount of money."

Moreover, using the Chen family's money to set up private property for herself—what difference would that make from that fat, big-eared steward Zhu?

She earns money, not because she likes money.

But because she enjoys "earning."

The process of earning money makes her feel self-worth and happiness, helps her forget that she once died, and allows her to rediscover this new world that is both clear and messed up.

Does the amount of money matter?

Furthermore, if she leaves the Chen family, these private properties and private funds would give the Chen family the right to accuse her of being ungrateful and a traitor.

Xianjin lowered her eyes, and at that moment, the flutter of her eyelashes had no artifice, only emotion.

The next day, the honest scholar came early to collect the remaining five hundred taels. To get the money, he cooperated enthusiastically, his mood abnormally high. After successfully transferring the ownership at the county office, Xianjin handed the remaining five hundred taels to Song Baixi and politely asked about his plans.

Song Baixi straightened his back, his hunched posture seemed to straighten, "Of course, I'm going to the Capital City to study!"

Xianjin nodded in agreement.

Song Baixi continued, "Before that, I need to go to Xuancheng to buy two maids, rent a carriage, hire a personal attendant, and make three sets of clothes for the season..."

Chen Fu sneered inwardly.

That's already one hundred taels gone.

"Also, I need to buy a few fine inkstones, a couple of jade pendants for my waist, and a jade ornament to press down my robes."

Another hundred taels gone.

Song Baixi was excitedly making his plans.

Chen Fu listened, and with this thousand taels, this fool wouldn't even leave Southern Zhili.

Xianjin, with sharp eyes, noticed a red mark on Song Baixi's mouth, as if it had been scratched by something, and asked with a smile, "What happened to your mouth?"

Song Baixi stiffened, then waved his hand and laughed unnaturally, "Nothing, nothing! Scratched by a cat!" He quickly found an excuse to pack his things and ran off.

Such an ugly face of a scholar.

Xianjin glanced at him, remained silent, and returned to transcribe the article from *On Learning*. As she transcribed, she added more content, "...if scholars study for leisure and enjoyment, they will lose their original intention and become detestable; if they study for power and fame, they will lose their true nature and harm themselves and others; if they study to avoid laziness and trouble, they will achieve nothing and become ridiculous...to avoid dangers, harms, and hatred, reforms must be made, regulations must be established, and education must be promoted to weaken the obscure and establish capable officials..."

After finishing, she went to Qingcheng Mountain Courtyard to submit her assignment.

Qiao Fangzhi lowered his head, scanning through it quickly, and nodded, "Some insights, more practical and comprehensive than those students who just theorize behind closed doors."

Indeed!

She turned a theoretical question into a practical project!

She personally persuaded people to study!

Xianjin grinned.

Qiao Fangzhi then said, "However—"

Xianjin's face immediately fell.