Allure of a Country Maiden-Chapter 60 - Fifty-Eight What About Me

Chapter 60: Chapter Fifty-Eight: What About Me?

Chapter 60 -Fifty-Eight: What About Me?

The night had long been blanketed with peaceful darkness; several stars were casting their cold light against the jet-black sky.

Shen Chengyao, filled with discomfort, stared up at the roof beams above his kang bed.

It had been the first time in his life he had been put to shame in front of his parents.

Why did his elder brother’s family, already bedecked in gold and silver, require his support?

His wife didn’t even own a single piece of gold or silver jewelry.

He could understand his father’s eagerness for future success; however, he could not stomach his elder brother manipulating their parents and exploiting him.

Plus, was his elder brother’s family somehow involved in Yun’er’s situation?

The government office had yet to provide any news…

Mrs.

Liu checked the baby’s diaper for dryness before tucking her in with a small quilt.

Seeing that Shen Chengyao was still awake, she urged, “Hurry and sleep.

We need to get up early tomorrow.”

“You and the children have suffered over these years.” Shen Chengyao took Mrs.

Liu into his arms.

Mrs.

Liu paused briefly at his words, “Hmm, but all that’s now in the past.

Aren’t our prospects looking much better now?”

“That older brother’s family…”

“Isn’t it clear to us what kind of people they’ve been all these years?

Once Yun’er’s situation is handled, we can deal with them accordingly!” While the thought of her children struggling to support the main family pained her, she could still bear it.

But, her gut instinct told her that the main family was somehow linked to Yun’er’s predicament.

If her sacrifices made others think she owed them her all, to the extent of selling her own flesh and blood, she would not stand for it!

She didn’t care how her good nature was exploited, but she would not tolerate any harm to her children.

Her kindness and acquiescence depended on her children not being taken advantage of.

“My eldest brother’s family bought a two-courtyard house in town and even got themselves a servant.” Shen Chengyao remembered how he stumbled on this information when he was looking for roof beams for house construction.

He saw Shen Chengguang walk into a house, the gatekeeper respectfully calling him ‘Master.’ He inquired around and found that Shen Chengguang had purchased that townhouse five years ago.

All these years, they had remained in the dark, scrimping and saving, barely surviving in the village while funding his son’s education and his family’s luxurious lifestyle.

“What, are you serious?”

“They’ve owned it for five years.

I happened to see it and asked people about it.”

Mrs.

Liu fell into a brief silence, “It seems…the main family has been a bit too much.

But we’ve separated now, and as long as we live our own lives well, that’s what matters.” She didn’t want more than that.

She believed that money is not to be fought for or acquired at any cost; such wealth was fleeting anyway.

Life must be earned by one’s own strength, the size of the job dictated by the power of one’s own hands — what is earned is what is consumed, blamed neither on the heavens nor on others.

Shen Chengyao thought the same way, but his feelings ran deeper due to the bond he had with his elder brother since childhood, which made it more difficult for him than Mrs.

Liu.

But he had no intention of fighting back.

He held Mrs.

Liu tightly, now they fell into silence and gradually drifted into sleep.

Early the next morning, Doctor Luo sent someone to find Xiao’er.

“Aunt Lin, what brings you here so early?” Mrs.

Liu ushered her into the house and offered her water.

“Don’t tire yourself, Mrs.

Shen.

I only came to deliver a message.

Young Master Shangguan wishes to see Miss Xiao’er.

He wanted me to inquire if she could make a trip to the County Town today.”

“Today?

When does he want to leave?” Xiao’er had just entered the room and overheard the conversation.

Conveniently, she had planned to sell pearls and ginseng in the county today.

“Whatever time suits Miss Xiao’er is fine.

Xiao Fuzi is waiting at the mansion.” It was all prepared; they could leave whenever she was ready.

“Then let’s leave half an hour later, I have a few things to prepare.”

“Alright, then I ought to take my leave now.”

“Safe travels, Aunt Lin.”

“Mom, where’s dad?”

“Your father left early in the morning.

He said he was going to the town’s bank to exchange some copper plates.

The day after tomorrow is groundbreaking day.

As today is the local market day, he needs to buy some offerings.”

“Mother, Brother Shangguan probably wants to discuss the toy store.

I’m going out for a while, and I also plan to sell pearls and ginseng.”

“Alright, do you need your brother to accompany you?” Mrs.

Liu was a little apprehensive about Xiao’er going alone.

“There’s no need.

We need hands at home right now, and I’ll be fine on my own.

Plus, I’ll be riding in Brother Shangguan’s carriage; there won’t be any problems.

I plan to ask them to sell the items.” Of course, the last part was said to reassure Mrs.

Liu.

Mrs.

Liu felt relieved after she listened to Xiao’er.

Selling these items alone could be dangerous, but Xiao’er had a good impression of Shangguan Xuanyi and Di Zhaowei.

Entrusting them with the task was much safer.

Xiao’er packed the pearls into the box used by Shangguan Xuanyi to give her books in the past, and wrapped the ginseng pieces in cloth.

She also added a big black pearl and several small pink pearls.

Additionally, she put some of her recent glassworks, the concept materials for the toy store, design drawings, and the latex preparation method copied from the study room in the space last night, into the basket.

She also took out a bucket of latex, intending to take it to Shangguan Xuanyi and Di Zhaowei for making rubber.

Seeing Xiao’er’s load, Mrs.

Liu helped her carry the barrel to Dr.

Luo’s house.

Xiao Fuzi led Xiao’er to the private room of the same restaurant as last time, knocked on the door, and announced, “Master, Miss Xiao’er has arrived.”

“Come in.”

Xiao’er walked in, and Shangguan Xuanyi and Di Zhaowei were drinking tea and chatting.

Seeing Xiao’er carrying a back-bucket and Xiao Fuzi holding a barrel of milky white stuff, Di Zhaowei pointed to the wooden barrel, “Girl, why did you bring a bucket of milk here?”

“It’s not milk, it’s latex, and it’s not edible.

It’s toxic.”

“What are you doing with this toxic substance?

Pour it away asap.” Di Zhaowei kept its distance.

“This is a material for making rubber for the water pump that I drew last time, which requires a rubber sealing ring made from this latex.” Xiao’er put down her back-basket, took out a stack of papers, extracted the rubber-making method, and placed it on top, “Brothers, here are the methods for making rubber, about glassmaking, some design diagrams and materials of the toy store.

Please take a look first.”

Shangguan Xuanyi handed Xiao’er a wooden box, “This was made by Lin Sheng.” He then picked up the materials to look at.

Xiao’er opened the box and saw a glass bowl lying quietly inside.

It was simple without any pattern but clear, transparent, and clean.

Xiao’er nodded her head in agreement, “Not bad, this is already good.

In the future, when we get skilled, we can carve flowers or add some colors.”

Shangguan Xuanyi finished reading the method of making rubber, handed it to Di Zhaowei, “Have someone give it a try.”

Di Zhaowei took it, looked at it, and wore a meticulous expression on his face, nodding his head in agreement.

“Brother Shangguan, why did you ask me to come to the county town today?”

“The toy shop location has been found, and I wanted to show it to you to see whether there are any problems.” Shangguan Xuanyi answered whilst flipping through the materials.

Xiao’er looked at him, lowering his head, his sharp features like a carved knife.

His long eyelashes were like a small fan, fanning nonstop.

He was utterly charming, causing her to curse in her heart, “Devil.”

Shangguan Xuanyi looked through them quickly.

He saw the box he gave to Xiao’er the last time in her back-basket, “Why did you bring it here?”

Following his gaze, Xiao’er responded, “I used it to carry some things to sell since we didn’t have a suitable box.”

Listening to this, Shangguan Xuanyi raised his eyebrows, wondering what could be so important to require the use of his box for its transportation.

“Show me.”

Xiao’er handed the box to him.

Upon opening the box, even Shangguan Xuanyi, who had seen countless rare treasures, was attracted by these pearls.

“How much are these pearls, girl?

I’ll buy them.” Di Zhaowei lunged over, attempting to snatch the box.

He had been worried about what gifts to give Old Madame for her birthday.

Shangguan Xuanyi closed the box, avoiding Di Zhaowei’s outstretched claws, “I got it first.”

“I was the first to say I’d buy it!”

“I didn’t say I wouldn’t buy it.”

“You are shameless!” Di Zhaowei dropped all pretense of respect.

Xiao’er pretended to search in her back-basket, taking out two big white and black pearls from her space, “Brother Di, I have two more.”

Upon hearing this, Di Zhaowei rushed over, snatched the basket and began to rummage through it.

Indeed, there were still one black and one white large pearl.

He held one pearl in each hand, “Ha ha, now I have a gift for the Old Madame’s birthday.”

He put the two pearls into Di Gui’s hands, then took out two 1,000-tael silver banknotes, “What do you say to 1,000 taels per pearl, girl?”

Xiao’er initially planned to sell them for 500 taels each at the Treasure Pavilion.

As she was on good terms with Di Zhaowei, she certainly couldn’t charge more, so she said, “I initially planned to sell them to the Treasure Pavilion for 500 taels each.

Brother Di, you’re not an outsider, so I’ll buy one get one free and only charge 300 taels.

One is considered as my birthday present to Old Madame.”

Upon hearing that Xiao’er considered him an insider, Di Zhaowei was overjoyed, “Since you’ve called me big brother, I can’t take advantage of you.

Fine, I’ll take one for the Old Madame, and I’m buying the other for 1,000 taels.

Don’t refuse, girl, I know you’re short on money.”

Shangguan Xuanyi felt a sour taste in his heart when he heard Xiao’er say that Di Zhaowei wasn’t an outsider.

“So, what about me?”