ughter-in-law's arm, worry etched all over her face."What are we going to do We don't have forty or fifty taels to give them.""Why don't we just give them that wild boar from earlier What if something...Yu Lian's expression was as if she was about to shatter. She quickly pulled the person beside her and lightly soothed their back, glaring at Jiang Chuang with displeasure.
"Aren't you being a little too much"
"To say something so serious to a teenager, didn't you do any stupid things when you were a teenager"
"Want me to count a few things out for you and tell you To jog your memory"
Standing beside him, Zong Yu furrowed his brow deeply.
Hearing this from Jinxiu, the relationship between the two didn't seem to be as simple as acquaintances. Zongyu's jealousy in his heart began to swell infinitely again.
This man before you knows many things about Jinxiu from before. He has seen many sides of Jinxiu that you have never seen.
They still shared many common memories. Just thinking about them, Zong Yu felt a sharp pain in his chest, and jealousy surged within him like a tidal wave.
"When I was a teenager, no matter how naive I was, I could never have done something like being sold and helping count the money for the person who sold me."
"Stop saying those useless things, I must take you away today."
Fang Jinxiu sighed helplessly, Yu Lian and Zong Bai saw that the situation was not right, they hurriedly stepped forward and grabbed Fang Jinxiu.
"Sister-in-law, are you really going to leave with him"
"I, we know we are not good enough, and we have dragged you down a lot in the past, but I have learned to manage finances and household chores now."
"Running a shop and doing business is nothing to me, I'll make lots and lots of money for you in the future, I'll also listen to your words and never do stupid things again, can you please not leave" Yulian cried until her face was streaked with tears.
Zong Bai also solemnly said, "Over the years, thanks to my sister-in-law's care, Zong Bai has what he is today. The Emperor has agreed to give me an official position. To make up for the suffering I endured before, my position is much better than that of the previous champion."
"He should be able to skip the posting and serve directly in the capital city."
"Sister-in-law, I, Zong Bai, cannot forget your great kindness. From now on, I will hand over all my salary to you. If you have any requests, Zong Bai will do his best to fulfill them."
Fang Jinshu was heartbroken. Her younger sister-in-law and nephew were raised under her care and love. She couldn't bear to see them so humiliated.
Although she was pleased to hear this, at least it proved that she hadn't treated the two people for nothing.
Just as she was about to speak and comfort him, Jiang Chuang let out another sarcastic snort.
"Turn over all your salary first"
"Even if the emperor was willing to compensate you, what high official position could he possibly give you as a newly restored champion"
"At most, he's just a sixth-rank official."
"Even a sixth-rank official's yearly salary is only a little over two hundred ounces of silver, with thirty stones of rice as an allowance. Is that enough to buy you a set of fine brushes, ink, paper, and stationery"
"All the couplets and inscriptions inside and outside the villa are written by you, aren't they"
Zong Bai stared at him blankly. Why was this Jiang so capable His words were both harsh and impossible to refute.
He didn't answer, but that didn't stop Jiang Chuang from continuing. Fang Jinxiu tried to stop him on the side, but it was no use. Her eyes were twitching with effort. Jiang Chuang seemed oblivious, even smiling at her.
"Your handwriting is quite good. You must have practiced a lot with brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, haven't you"
"Do you know how much silver an ordinary sheet of paper costs I smelled the ink you used for your calligraphy as I passed by, it's from Jiangnan's finest gold ink."
"When writing, the ink does not stain the pen, the strokes are light and smooth, flowing without blurring."
"Well-written characters with ink are even more resistant to water and highly durable."
"When you were using it, didn't you find it very convenient Do you know how much that little piece of gold ink is worth"
This left Fang Jinxiu unable to smile. Jiang Chuang was definitely doing it on purpose. She hadn't forced him to leave at first because she wanted to give him some face, and she also knew he was speaking up for her.
But complaining about this sort of thing only feels gratifying to the person experiencing it. Others might feel thankful if someone else voices their concerns. Her kindness towards the Zong family was entirely voluntary; she never expected anything in return or sought to evoke emotion in them. Bringing these things up now seems a bit tiresome.
"That's probably about the value of this luxurious Jade Hill Manor where you live, isn't it"
Upon hearing the value of Jin Mo, Zong Bai was completely stunned in his tracks, followed by a silence that spoke volumes.
When he was still in the village, his sister-in-law had given him several pieces of ink. Although his sister-in-law did not mention the price or what kind of ink it was, Zongbai, who had been dealing with calligraphy and ink for many years, knew at a glance that it was good ink upon using it.
Thanks to Tuojiang's introduction, he only learned today that the good ink his sister-in-law had given him was called gold ink. Back then, his sister-in-law was worried that he wouldn't have enough ink for practicing calligraphy, and since she was often away from home dealing with matters at the estate, she gave him four pieces of ink sticks all at once.
He kept the best one locked away, unused.
Thinking about how the other two were already so good, he hesitated to use the last one. Its ink was a dark shade with a faint golden shimmer, clearly expensive. He just couldn't bring himself to spend it.
He didn't expect him to think that two slightly inferior ink sticks were worth two Jinshi Mountain Villas.
Her sister-in-law was so kind to them, but she had never proactively said so.
Not only was Bu Guangzong's heart uneasy upon hearing this, but even Yu Lian remained silent.
Her sister-in-law often sent her clothes and jewelry. She never mentioned the prices, but Yu Lian knew they were definitely not cheap.
Every time my sister-in-law went out, she would always bring back gifts for the whole family, never failing to do so. Even the maids in the house received gifts.
She is such a wonderful person, and all of them together can't repay her even a fraction. They are indeed ashamed.
Everyone's heads were bowed by Jiang Chuang's words, and no one from the Zong family dared to speak up again.
Jiang Chuang, with a victorious expression, prepared to take Fang Jinshu's hand and leave. He felt that this family should have no face or reason to continue stopping him now.
He only failed to notice the current state of Fang Jinxiu's face.
She nearly wrenched her hand away from Jiang Chuang's with a fierce movement.
"Enough! I'm not going with you."
And I want you to apologize to Zongbo and Yulian.
Upon hearing this, the three Mu clan matriarchs were surprised and raised their heads. Jiang Chuang frowned, giving Jiang Chuang a you-are-crazy expression.
"Me apologizing to them Xiuxi, I was just speaking up for you and standing up for you. Did you not get that"
"If it weren't for this family, your life..."
Fāng Jǐnxiù really didn't want to continue listening to Jiāng Chuàng use words to hurt anyone here. As someone who had grown up with him since they were young and who had taken good care of her, she respected him from the bottom of her heart and wanted to give him some face.
But what he said today was really over the line.
Fang Jinshi loudly interrupted him.
"If it weren't for this family, I wouldn't even know where I was wandering around now!"
Seeing Jinxiu's imposing and solemn expression, Jiang Chuang was taken aback. The mouth that resembled a machine gun finally fell silent.
"Since you've already inquired about the Zong family before coming here, do you know how kindly and well they treated me when I was sold to the mountains by the Fang family with nothing to my name"
"This is not our world, and many things don't follow the same rules and realities as I was used to."
"In that mountain, if they hadn't given me a home, a place to make a living, I don't know if I could have lived there and left."
"I got married to Zongyu without any pressure from anyone because I genuinely like him. From the moment I first saw him, I knew he was my type."
"These are the people I recognize and cherish as my family. Who would go around bragging about being good to their own family"
"So, Jiang Chuang, if you come to visit, as an old acquaintance, I welcome you and will do my best to entertain you."
If you're here to cause trouble and make things difficult for my family, I ask that you apologize to them and leave.
Otherwise, don't blame me for turning my back on you after all these years of friendship.ot just about giving the Sun family an explanation, but also about reassuring the villagers.If they all panicked, who would be able to keep their cool and workIt's a good thing all that spring water w...