The Daily Life of a Down-on-Hard-Life Medicine Girl Supporting Her Family

Chapter 133 We can't let their appetites grow too big.

“Uncle Chen, the plum tree is actually easy to deal with.” Chunnuan wasn’t really reluctant to part with ten taels of silver; she just wanted to see how greedy the Chen family was. “I’ll find a few people to dig it up and transplant it to another place. It won’t make a difference.”

“Who said that trees die when moved, but people live when moved? The plum tree is already so big, it would die if we moved it. Really, we don’t necessarily want the plum tree, we just think that it’s a keepsake left by my mother, and we can’t let it be destroyed like this.”

“That’s true. Well then, let’s let the geomancer choose another place.” Chunnuan turned to Zhao Minghua and said, “Let’s go. We can’t be too selfish. We can’t put Uncle Chen in a difficult position.”

Zhao Minghua was stunned for a moment, then quickly realized what was happening and hurried to catch up with the arrival of spring.

After walking a few steps, Zhao Minghua was about to ask Chunnuan if she really didn't want it anymore when the Chen family members started calling from behind.

“Oh dear, eldest son, it’s just two plum trees, why are you making such a fuss? The Xiao family isn’t an outsider, they’re relatives.” Old Master Chen stepped forward at this moment: “Do you think the Xiao family would treat us unfairly? Don’t you think things through? Chunnuan, if you want to take that land, go ahead, just use the land transfer fee.”

So decisively?

The more decisive she was, the less Chunnuan dared to use it. What she feared most was that the Chen family would cause trouble again after she asked the neighbors to dig out the well; that would be the real problem.

“Grandpa Chen, since you’ve put it that way, I’ll get straight to the point.” Chun Nuan turned around: “We don’t necessarily need this place. Of course, if we do, I will definitely offer compensation, because we don’t have any land to exchange. A grave doesn’t take up much space. I’ll give you two taels of silver for the land and the two plum trees. Also, the plum trees must belong to me. Whether I transplant them or cut them down for firewood, you can’t interfere. If you agree, then we’ll sign an agreement. If you don’t agree, I’ll immediately have a feng shui master find another place.”

Chunnuan was too lazy to argue with them, so she cut to the chase and didn't expect them to give in to her every whim.

Coffins and burial clothes are indeed needed, and land... is also needed. However, the more you need something, the more they will raise prices. Only when you act as if you don't care about it will they make a choice after weighing the pros and cons.

After all, two taels of silver can buy an acre of land.

As expected, after Chunnuan's words, the Chen family members looked at each other, and finally looked at Old Master Chen.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Old Master Chen said, "It's no big deal. Even if you're just neighbors, let alone relatives of the Xiao family, you should be lenient in this kind of situation. Just do whatever Chunnuan says and don't make things difficult for a young girl like her."

So, that's how it was settled.

As Zhao Minghua wrote the contract, he thought to himself: I've always thought I was very good at negotiating business, but now I realize there are always people more capable than me. Chun Nuan is the real expert; she has a firm grasp on people's hearts.

The Chen family signed the contract and pressed their thumbprints, and that plot of land and two plum trees belonged to the Xiao family.

After leaving the Chen family, Zhao Minghua praised Chunnuan once again.

“It’s not that I can’t afford those ten taels of silver,” Chunnuan said in a low voice. “It’s because our Xiao family is going to live in this village for a long time. If we pave the way for everything with silver like you do, it will only make them more greedy. The longer we live, the more we will become easy prey in their eyes.”

This must never happen again.

"It was my oversight." Zhao Minghua realized that sometimes his help only made things worse: "Your composure and calmness in the face of adversity are qualities I should learn from."

Chunnuan glanced at Zhao Minghua beside her. She had to admit, this man seemed like a good partner, whether as a business collaborator or a lifelong companion. He fully understood and respected her decisions, listened to her opinions, recognized others' strengths, and was adept at learning from their strengths and compensating for their weaknesses. He wasn't blindly reckless… well, sometimes he was indeed reckless, impulsive yet straightforward. In Sichuan dialect, this was called "simple-minded," and his simple-mindedness was increasingly pleasing to the eye. Zhao Minghua had no idea that he had gained another point of approval in Chunnuan's heart.

In any case, Zhao Minghua put himself in a very proper position when it came to the old lady's funeral arrangements, contributing money and effort as needed.

"Grandma, look, I always thought the third child was a child who would never grow up, but now it seems that he is actually quite good. Doesn't he look like a proper adult?"

Mrs. Zhao was very pleased to see Zhao Minghua always following Chun Ning around, helping Chun Ning with all sorts of miscellaneous tasks.

“Madam, our third young master has always been very well-behaved and sensible. You're just being too demanding,” said Granny Zhong with a smile. “Look how wonderful our third young master is!”

"Hehe, that's right. I have high expectations. My son is very capable." Mrs. Zhao smiled with relief after hearing what Granny Zhong said. "Actually, it doesn't matter to me how good other people's sons are. No matter how bad my son is, he is still my son. I shouldn't look down on him."

Granny Zhong... Our mistress is getting more and more witty with her words.

"Mother, who are you disliking?"

Zhao Minghua happened to be passing by and overheard this, so he deliberately stayed and asked her.

"I despise myself. I'm blinded by greed. How can I find fault with my own son when he's so wonderful?"

“That’s great, Mother. Are you talking about me?” Zhao Minghua asked knowingly. “Or are you talking about my eldest brother, or my second brother? Oh, I understand. It must be my second brother. He’s going to take the imperial examination to become a scholar. How excellent he is! How wonderful!”

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Zhao rolled her eyes helplessly.

Zhao Minghua is just being petty. Her youngest son is jealous and always wants to compete with his older brothers in everything. Even though he's good at everything, he's never willing to admit defeat.

“Look, Granny Zhong, this is how my mother treats me.” Seeing her mother roll her eyes, Zhao Minghua laughed: “Really, I’m not used to her praising me one day.”

"You brat, hurry up and go help out, stop hanging around in front of me, you're never serious..."

Mrs. Zhao felt that she couldn't tolerate it any longer either. The way they got along since childhood really couldn't be changed at all. One of them pretended to be a loving mother and the other pretended to be a filial son. They were both tired of pretending.

These kinds of minor squabbles and playful arguments, where you pretend to be angry, make getting along easy and pleasant.

“Okay, I’m going to help.” Zhao Minghua was still very filial. He turned to Qingsheng and said, “I’ll take my mother and the others back to town later. Be careful on the way. Those people are definitely still in the shadows. The enemy is in the open while we are in the dark. Be careful in everything.”

"Yes, Master."

The young master told him to keep a close eye on the safety of the Xiao family's young children, and also to pay attention to the safety of his wife. Qing Sheng felt that he had a heavy responsibility.

(End of this chapter)