They've all separated, so what does it matter to me if they get poorer and poorer?

Chapter 22 Ignore Them
"We didn't harm anyone. The things we sell have been processed and are not poisonous. These past few days in the city haven't been a wasted trip; we've earned some hard-earned money."

"Oh"

Half of the inquisitive gazes have been diverted.

"I knew it! Doing business isn't that easy."

"That's right. If you ask me, the best way to make a living is to honestly tend to the few acres of land at home and earn a living. Those who are restless and like to cause trouble will only get poorer the more they cause trouble."

"Hey, they all have some money on hand, so they can afford to take risks, unlike us."

"The Zeng family and Zhu'er's sister-in-law are one thing, but what's with Xu, a widow, causing all this trouble? I heard that Minglang left some money at home, but it's all for Mingxuan's studies and exams. If Xu runs out of money, won't Mingxuan be in trouble? Without his brother, this sister-in-law is really unreliable. She has no scruples at all."

"It's someone else's business, why should we care!"

"Hehe, who cares? Do whatever you want. Anyway, it's not my family's money that's being lost. I just couldn't stand it and said a few words."

Liang Mingliang had already driven the oxcart past the big locust tree when he could faintly hear the whispers behind him, none of them pleasant.

Zeng Xiaoyan said angrily, "Sister-in-law Zhichun, don't pay attention to those words. Those people are really annoying, always pointing fingers and causing trouble."

Aunt Zhu'er also said, "Yes, Zhichun, don't pay them any attention. If they knew you had such abilities and that we made so much money, they would be green with envy."

Xu Zhichun smiled faintly, her heart unmoved. "Well, let's ignore them. Let's hurry back and count and divide the money."

"Yep!"

All three of them laughed happily.

Aunt Zhu'er hurriedly added, "After we get the money, let's hurry up and dig up konjac and pick lantern fruits. We need to sell them tomorrow."

"Then let's hurry."

Where there are gossipy old women, there's bound to be some. She lives her life, who cares what they say? The group was already anxious about making money, so they had long forgotten about the idle chatter.

Good heavens, I earned two thousand and fifty-six coins today.

Aunt Zhu'er's voice trembled, "This, this, this is... two taels of silver! It's two taels of silver!"

Zeng Xiaoyan was born into a wealthy family, but as an illegitimate daughter, she was always bullied. Two taels of silver was not a small amount for her, so she couldn't help but get excited and hugged Xu Zhichun tightly: "Sister-in-law Zhichun, we've made so much money!"

Xu Zhichun was also happy and nodded repeatedly: "Let's work harder and try to earn more."

"Yes, yes, it definitely will."

After deducting the ten coins for renting the oxcart and the extra ten coins given to Liang Mingliang for his wages, totaling thirty coins, Xu Zhichun received one thousand two hundred coins. Because he had ordered a large iron pot and received five hundred coins, he only received seven hundred coins. Zeng Xiaoyan and Aunt Zhu'er each received four hundred coins.

This money is so easy to make, everyone is putting in their best effort.

After working until evening, Zeng Xiaoyan and Liang Mingliang had to go back, and Aunt Zhu'er also had to go back to feed the chickens and pigs.

Xu Zhichun smiled and reminded them, "I've cooked your meal, don't forget to come over."

"I won't forget! I'll be there soon! Sister Zhichun, you must make spare ribs, I'm so craving them."

"I'll come back to help in a little while."

Zeng Xiaoyan and Aunt Zhu'er answered with smiles.

Zeng Xiaoyan and Liang Mingliang walked briskly into their courtyard. "Mom, Mom!" Aunt Liang came out of the house with a smile. "You're back! Go and rest for a while, then we'll have dinner."

Judging from their posture, Aunt Liang knew they must have made money today, even if not as much as yesterday. She felt proud and honored, and looked at her youngest son and daughter-in-law with increasing affection, her eyes filled with loving kindness.

Zeng Xiaoyan exclaimed "Ah!" and she and her husband looked at each other in bewilderment: they had bought meat today, but in their haste to dig up konjac and then grind it into konjac paste, they had forgotten to bring the meat back.

The meat is still at Xu Zhichun's house.

Zeng Xiaoyan hurriedly tugged at Liang Mingliang's sleeve: "Go and get it quickly."

"Hey, good!"

"Wait a minute, I'll go instead."

Zeng Xiaoyan turned and ran out in a flurry.

Aunt Liang was completely bewildered: "What's going on?"

Zhao, who was cooking dinner with her sister-in-law Liu in the kitchen, couldn't help but prick up her ears. She rushed out and said, "Third brother, you didn't leave the money at Xu Zhichun's house, did you? You're so careless."

Liang Mingliang felt a surge of disgust. "No, Second Sister-in-law, we just forgot to bring back the three-plus pounds of meat we bought today."

"What? You guys are so careless! With none of you around, who knows if Xu Zhichun will—"

"Alright, second son, stop being so short-sighted. If Zhichun were that kind of person, she wouldn't be making money with Xiaoyan and the others. If you keep spouting nonsense, don't blame me for putting on airs and teaching you a lesson."

Xu Zhichun is earning money with her son and daughter-in-law, so much every day. If her second son's wife ruins it, she'd be ready to divorce her.

Otherwise, what's the point of keeping such a troublemaker around?
Zhao was indignant, but had no choice but to swallow her anger and keep quiet.

Zeng Xiaoyan quickly returned carrying a covered basket, her eyes crinkling with pride as she showed off: "Mom, look, we bought more than three catties of meat. We'll cook a lot tonight so everyone can have a few more pieces."

Aunt Liang smiled and said "okay" several times, then added, "Don't buy so much next time. You should save your money."

"Don't worry, Mom!" Zeng Xiaoyan and her husband pulled Aunt Liang into the house with smiles, and whispered to her how much they had earned that day, away from others.

Aunt Liang cried out, "Ouch!" and quickly covered her mouth, her eyes widening. It took her a while to recover, and her voice trembled slightly as she lowered it: "How...how much? Four...four hundred. Did I hear that right? No, no, shh, don't say it, please don't say it!"

It's alright if it's the eldest son's family, but if the second son's family eavesdrops, it will definitely cause trouble.

Aunt Liang's heart was pounding, and she was completely stunned.

Four hundred coins! Four hundred coins! In a day? Add the third brother's wages and the cost of renting the oxcart, it's almost half a tael! Good heavens!

Earning half a tael of silver a day, isn't that a wonderful life?
Zeng Xiaoyan was so proud of herself that her tail was practically wagging. "I won't tell you, as long as Mom knows, that's fine! Sister-in-law Zhichun invited us and Aunt Zhu'er over for dinner tonight, we're going now."

"Did her family buy meat too?"

"Ok!"

"Then you can go."

Aunt Liang had initially intended to suggest that they eat only a small amount, leaving some for them at home, since Xu Zhichun had a hard life. However, she then thought that if the couple could earn so much, Xu Zhichun must earn even more. Since she could afford to treat them to a meal, she didn't say anything.

Seeing her son and daughter-in-law leave happily, Aunt Liang smiled broadly. Just then, Liang and his two sons returned. Seeing her smiling, the two sons looked puzzled, while Liang asked, "Did you find some money? What's so funny?"

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(End of this chapter)