CHAPTER 262: CHAPTER 261: THE DAMN LITTLE AUNT (4TH UPDATE)

When Mu Shuangshuang handed six taels of silver to Liu Zian, she noticed his hands were trembling.

It wasn’t just trembling; he had never expected he could earn so much money. Although he pondered for five days before deciding to earn through selling calligraphy and paintings.

But when he actually started selling, he realized things weren’t as simple as he imagined.

"Take it, why are you still standing there?" Mu Shuangshuang urged him.

Only then did Liu Zian take the six taels of silver.

Holding this silver in his chest, it felt incredibly heavy. Liu Zian felt he was carrying something very important at this moment.

In fact, this six taels of silver were indeed crucial for him. With this silver, he could attend the Autumn Examination in Qianzhou Prefecture. Although passing was uncertain, at least he had a chance.

Liu Zian secretly vowed that if he succeeded, he would definitely repay the girl in front of him well.

"Thank you, Shuangshuang!" Liu Zian said, concealing his excitement.

"You should thank yourself; people bought the fan because your painting is good."

Mu Shuangshuang always said what she thought. Liu Zian was talented—that was a fact. Plus, she had some little schemes, like she said, she didn’t know if Mu Dade would pass the exams.

But one thing was certain: if Mu Dade did pass, with his vindictive nature and Mrs. Jin’s stinginess, the third branch would definitely suffer.

As the saying goes, civilians can’t fight officials. If Mu Dade really became an official, it would be troublesome.

But if she helped Liu Zian, regardless of how he would repay her, at least there was a chance to stop Mu Dade’s persecution.

"It’s not that, I..." Liu Zian was about to say more, but Mu Shuangshuang interrupted.

"Enough, it’s getting late today. I need to head back with Fengzi, take care of yourself, and I hope next time we meet, you will return in fine clothes."

Mu Shuangshuang didn’t say much, tossing her expectation to Liu Zian, and hurriedly walked in the direction of Er Gui Village with Lu Yuanfeng.

On this trip, she made a fortune!

Five taels of silver, instead of saying Liu Zian benefited from her, it was her cleverness that let her ride Liu Zian’s coattail.

Lu Yuanfeng looked at the cunningly smiling Shuangshuang with a face full of indulgence; he knew Shuangshuang was a little moneygrubber. Every time she earned money, she showed this expression.

"Fengzi, I’m so happy; I made so much money today." As she spoke, Mu Shuangshuang handed two taels of silver plus nine hundred coins to Lu Yuanfeng. "This is yours."

Lu Yuanfeng refused to accept it. "Shuangshuang, you earned this, I didn’t do anything."

Lu Yuanfeng knew how hard Shuangshuang worked, getting up so early in the morning, and yet despite her efforts, she still wanted to share half of the silver with him, especially today’s fan selling, where he barely contributed.

"Fengzi, you aren’t keeping your word. We agreed; now it’s summer, hunting is rare, I call you for business, and we split the silver earned. When winter comes, and there’s no business, I’ll go into the mountains with you, you hunt, and we split the prey."

Mu Shuangshuang was unhappy; this silly boy was truly naive.

Last time buying cloth, he paid more than a tael, and he didn’t mind it.

"Shuangshuang, this time is different."

"How is it different, tell me?" Mu Shuangshuang raised her head, staring straight at Lu Yuanfeng. She wanted to see how this silly boy would explain.

"It just can’t happen!" Lu Yuanfeng was anxious, insisting he just couldn’t take it.

"Then don’t walk with me, we won’t cooperate. You are unwilling for this, and that."

After speaking, Mu Shuangshuang strode forward, not even placing her hand on Lu Yuanfeng’s wheelbarrow.

Lu Yuanfeng panicked, dropped the wheelbarrow, and chased after her to grab her hand.

"Please, Shuangshuang, I didn’t mean it like that. I’m sorry, but I really can’t take this silver. I can take the cold noodles money, but not a penny from the fan selling."

Mu Shuangshuang was so angry she could stomp. She wished she could be a shrew, throwing a tantrum and threatening, ensuring Lu Yuanfeng would agree.

In truth, Mu Shuangshuang didn’t really want to stop cooperating with Lu Yuanfeng; she just felt he was too honest. If he stayed like this, when would they earn enough silver to send Yuanbao to the school? When would they save enough to buy land?

If a farming family has no land, it’s like a fish without water; eventually, there will be problems.

"How about this, I’ll exchange this silver for a piece of dry land. You can plant some crops; can you accept this? I already told Uncle Fu I want to buy some dry land."

Dry land was cheaper than paddy fields, but it still needed two or three taels of silver. The money Mu Shuangshuang had could only buy two acres of dry land at most, and the rest had to be saved for Xiao Han’s schooling and pay back Zhang Huai Shu.

Thinking about these, Mu Shuangshuang felt overwhelmed.

Originally, Lu Yuanfeng wanted to refuse but swallowed his words under Mu Shuangshuang’s intimidating gaze.

The two reached an agreement happily and went back to Er Gui Village.

Mu Shuangshuang, carrying food for the two little ones at home, returned to her yard and heard Little Zhi crying heartbreakingly.

Xiao Han was beside comforting Little Zhi, his eyes were also red.

Mu Shuangshuang rushed over in urgency, "What’s wrong with Little Zhi?"

Seeing Mu Shuangshuang, Little Zhi cried loudly hugging her, about to faint.

Mu Shuangshuang noticed a fresh red five-finger mark on Little Zhi’s right cheek; a small hand’s shape, clearly left by a woman.

Her face turned cold as she comforted Little Zhi in her arms.

Inside, Mu Dashan’s eyes were red with anxiety. The red marks on his daughter’s face were obviously slap marks.

"Who did this? Xiao Han, do you know who it was?"

This was Mu Dashan’s first time getting angry, speaking almost in a shout.

Xiao Han held back tears, speaking while crying: "Aunt stole Little Zhi’s fan. Little Zhi refused and wanted it back, but Aunt wouldn’t give it back. They fought, and Aunt slapped Little Zhi."

"It’s my fault; I didn’t protect my sister. I... boo-hoo..." Xiao Han cried, making Mu Shuangshuang’s heart ache.

Mu Xiangxiang, she knew it; there wasn’t a good one in the Old Mu Family, hitting even children - are they even human?

Mu Dashan struggled to get up from the bed, "I will find Xiangxiang; I have to ask her why she hit our Little Zhi and took things from others – is this justified?"

"Dad, please don’t go. They know how to bully you. If you get upset and something happens, what will we do?" Mu Shuangshuang pressed Mu Dashan’s hand.

Zhang Huai Shu had advised him not to get upset. If he went there, he would get mocked; if something happened, all her efforts would be wasted.

"Sister, I’ll go with you!" Xiao Han stood up, hastily wiping the tears from the corners of his eyes.

"You stay here and take care of your sister. I’ll be right back!"