Chapter 86: Buying Pigs by the Pen

Chapter 86: Buying Pigs by the Pen

"Zuo Niang, didn't she mention anything about borrowing money?" Chen Fu casually tossed the core of the pear Xianjin had eaten into a wooden bucket, his long face showing a puzzled expression. "She came to me for money, but you know me—I only have twenty or thirty taels on me at most..."

In Xuancheng, all the money he had was taken by his mother, fearing he would spend it frivolously.

Upon arriving in Jing County, he still had no substantial amount of money—Xianjin had used it all to fund the shop.

For a month, he had to visit the workshop or the store for twenty days, going in the morning and leaving at night, regardless of what he did during the day. He had to be there.

If he met the requirements, Manager Dong would give him fifty taels every month.

In Xuancheng, how could he truly have no money? His mother collected the monthly allowance, but he still had dividends from the shop, tributes from the estate, support from his second elder brother, and red envelopes from his eldest brother during Spring Festival. Without money, how could he support Ainiang?

But... in Jing County, he really had no money. Who would support him? The muscular Tuesday Dog who gets fined for writing wrong characters until he has nothing left, or the stubborn Li Sanshun who lives next to the water trough every day?

Chen Fu shed a tear for his old age's hardships.

He relied on the fifty taels Xianjin gave him each month to live!

Therefore, when he wasn't out looking for food, he spent his time at the workshop, doing nothing but providing precious spiritual encouragement to Li Sanshun.

Even his own mother hadn't moved him like this, but his daughter did.

Speaking of this, Chen Fu complained with a hint of resentment, "She came today, but it wasn't a good time. If she had come at the beginning of the month, I would have had fifty taels."

Xianjin ignored him and brought the topic back to Chen Zuo Niang. "... She came to me and helped all morning, but didn't say anything..."

Xianjin understood and was momentarily speechless.

Zuo Niang probably didn't say it aloud?

Chen Fu was an elder; asking an elder for help, though embarrassing, was understandable.

She was just a young sister.

And the matter of her in-laws demanding a high dowry before agreeing to the marriage proposal was indeed too awkward.

Xianjin pursed her lips.

Chen Fu clicked his tongue and asked, "How much money do we have left on our books?"

Xianjin replied immediately, "Over four hundred taels. We can negotiate with Boss Shang; the payment to Xiaocao Village can be delayed until the end of the year. So, we have four hundred taels in cash."

That's perfect.

Chen Fu sighed, "If we have spare money, let's help her. Consider it as your Third Uncle and Fifth Sister contributing to her dowry."

Money is a curse; whoever loves it will suffer.

Anything that can be bought with money isn't valuable.

Ainiang said this.

He deeply agreed.

If four hundred taels could protect a girl's reputation and rescue her from her predicament, then this money far exceeds its value.

Seeing Xianjin hesitate slightly, Chen Fu understood that every copper coin in the shop had a purpose. Moving such a large sum of cash would certainly disrupt her plans, so he quickly reassured her, "I have an antique snuff bottle from the previous dynasty. Last time, the Treasure Pavilion offered two hundred taels for it, but I didn't agree... I'll pawn it tomorrow and replenish the account—helping others shouldn't leave us destitute."

The shop isn't destitute, but you're pawning your beloved snuff bottle...

Xianjin waved her hand. "Please keep your junk! You'd regret selling one for eight years, and I don't want to hear you complain—"

She turned and walked away. "Don't worry about this. Go to sleep. Even if we do give money, it shouldn't be given casually."

Old Father's feet are better off; leave this to him. Either he'll give everything away or argue until he's up all night sulking.

This father may not be smart, but he's still a father.

He should stay out of it.

Moreover, in business, one must ask for more than they need and settle for less.

One can't just give whatever is asked for.

If we do give, at least make sure the entire Chen family knows—old rascal Mr. Chen did something significant this time.

But...

Xianjin sighed. If stopping the loss early is best, then so be it.

Xianjin took Suo'er and headed straight to Seventh Uncle's house at the street corner. The gatekeeper, upon hearing it was Xianjin, led her directly into the courtyard without announcing her arrival.

As soon as Xianjin stepped over the inner courtyard threshold, she heard sobbing inside.

"... If we can't gather this money, we won't marry her off! I'll become a nun or jump into the river, but I won't burden our family!"

It was Chen Zuo Niang's voice, even crying softly.

"They don't owe us anything, yet you insist on using my dowry to trouble them! I, I, I can't bring myself to say it!"

Chen Zuo Niang's cries were like ants in the soil, unable to resist the rain and flooding.

Xianjin stood at the door, listening openly and unashamedly.

The gatekeeper stood aside: Ah, just because you look righteous doesn't mean you're not eavesdropping!

First, there was the cry of a middle-aged woman, lamenting Zuo Niang's ill-fated destiny, mourning the untimely death of the Chen family's patriarch, and weeping over their lack of money and power, leaving them at the mercy of others.

Then came the angry voice of a middle-aged man, berating the crying woman for being unreasonable and spreading falsehoods.

Next, a hoarse and deep voice echoed.

"…But Chen Fu refuses to provide the funds?"

Chen Zuo Niang cried in embarrassment and distress. "What does this have to do with them! Willing to help is already a great kindness. You don't blame the other party for being greedy, yet you fault your own family for not offering support!"

The sound of a cane striking the ground echoed with a thud.

"Nonsense! Ridiculous! What does it mean to be the head of the family! Isn't it about taking responsibility in times of crisis? Why can't we ask for four or five hundred taels to marry off our daughter?! Shouldn't Chen Fu provide it? If he doesn't agree, then let's convene the ancestral hall! I'll kneel before our ancestors with these old bones!"

"I'll ruin his reputation!"

The old man cursed with vigor.

Xianjin thought calmly: Ruin his reputation? It seems you lack a systematic understanding of Chen Fu's reputation.

The entire courtyard was in chaos.

The gatekeeper glanced at Xianjin. "Are you still going in…?"

With all this commotion, should she join the fray?

Even the gatekeeper didn't want to come in and listen to the cursing.

Xianjin nodded, pushed open the slightly ajar door, and decisively stepped inside.

The hall fell silent.

Chen Zuo Niang's face turned red. "Jin… Jin Jie'er."

The rest of the people had seen Xianjin during the New Year's feast. Seeing her appear, they first froze, then rejoiced.

Xu Shi, the mother of Zuo Niang and Er Niang, wiped her tears and wailed heartbreakingly. "…Jin Jie'er, you must help your sister Zuo Niang! That heartless beast is taking advantage of our family's loss of the elder…"

Her voice was so shrill it seemed to pierce through eardrums.

Xianjin scratched her ear, greeted everyone calmly, and then smiled reassuringly. "It's just a matter of money. A hundred taels is earned, twenty taels are spent. We shouldn't let money cause Zuo Niang Jiejie and our Chen family to lose face."

Xu Shi clutched Xianjin's hand tightly, as if finding a close friend, sobbing in response. "Yes, yes, that's right!"

Xianjin smiled and returned the grip. "Today, when Zuo Niang Jiejie came to the shop, I didn't treat her well. How about I take her out for a walk and find a quiet place to talk?"

Xu Shi agreed eagerly. "Good, good! This courtyard is small; let's go out! Aunt will pay!"

Seventh Uncle Ancestor considered for a moment and nodded in agreement.

Xianjin then accompanied Zuo Niang out of the courtyard. As soon as they left the alley, Xianjin stopped and spoke directly. "When buying a pig, one looks at its pen. Before marriage, if his mother behaves like this, calculating and tormenting, imagine how they would treat you after marriage, down to the last bone."

Without waiting for Chen Zuo Niang's reaction, Xianjin continued. "Logically, I shouldn't be the one stepping up, but after much deliberation, it seems no one else in the Chen family is willing to—don't be offended."

"Stepping up?"

Behind them, Chen Jianfang's voice echoed.

"Stepping up for what?"