Chapter 14

He turned to look at Gu Xinxin. Second Aunt waved at Gu Xinxin: “Go pour me a bowl of water. I’ve been busy calling out all day and haven’t had time to drink any water myself.”

Gu Xinxin went out to fetch water. Second Aunt spoke earnestly: “Because of Gu Chenshi, you probably think Xinxin and Xiangrong are unlucky and bring bad fortune. But today I must tell you, our Xinxin is blessed. The reason she’s so accomplished now is because she received guidance from your former wife…”

Gu Xinxin hadn’t gone far and couldn’t help but twitch the corner of her mouth.

Then she nodded in agreement. Yes, Gu Xiangrong was indeed fortunate otherwise how could he have encountered an elder sister like her?

The original host truly had no blessings, having passed away after falling ill.

If they had sent her to the pharmacy earlier, she might have survived. What a pity.

Who should be blamed? Blame Gu Chenshi, Gu Daniu, and Old Mrs. Gu. As elders, they should bear eighty percent of the responsibility for the child’s death from illness.

“Look at how just one idea from Xinxin earned my family what would normally take two years to make,” Second Aunt continued. “Even if this business doesn’t last, isn’t the silver we’ve earned real?”

Gu Daniu remained silent. Second Aunt went on: “If you make the child feel heartbroken, even if she has good ideas, she’ll never tell you. When you see other families making money while you can’t even get a share, how would that make you feel?”

“Be better to the child. After all, she’s your own flesh and blood would she really be unfilial and abandon you?” Second Aunt paused, then extended her hand: “To put it bluntly, Xinxin has capabilities. In the future, even if she just lets a little slip through her fingers, it will be enough to support you. You can hunt and earn money now, but ten years from now, will you still be able to draw your bow? Twenty years from now, will you still be able to climb mountains?”

Ten or twenty years later, when he could no longer earn money, would Gu Chenshi still serve him as she did now?

“By then, your quality of life will depend entirely on your children’s filial piety. Even if Xinxin doesn’t personally care for you, if she has money, couldn’t she buy you a servant woman to attend to you?” Second Aunt asked. Gu Daniu pressed his lips together and waved his hand: “I understand everything you’re saying, Second Sister-in-law. But after all these years, I’m afraid Xinxin resents me. Even if she has money in the future, she might not be willing to spend it on me.”

“What are you afraid of? There’s the principle of filial piety! If she doesn’t honor you, the elders in the village won’t let her get away with it,” Second Aunt said. “Besides, I don’t think Xinxin is that ungrateful. Although you haven’t treated her very well these years, haven’t she still grown up? What child can survive on air alone?”

Didn’t all children grow up because their parents’ provided food and drink?

Outside, Gu Xinxin rolled her eyes. Gu Xiangrong crept over: “Sister, are you really going to give Father ideas to make money?”

Gu Xinxin poked his forehead: “You should worry about your studies first. Father might agree to let you study tomorrow. Let me warn you my future depends entirely on you. If you don’t study hard, I’ll beat you to death, understand?”

Scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants – merchants had the lowest status. She had ideas to make money, but no means of protection. The class system was deadly, completely unreasonable, and could never be solved by wealth alone.

Gu Xiangrong quickly nodded: “I know, I know. Don’t worry, sis. I’ll study hard. When I make something of myself in the future, I’ll protect you and never let you suffer again.”

Second Aunt soon left.

Gu Daniu is called Gu Xinxin inside. Xinxin smiled and sat down opposite Gu Daniu, who immediately frowned: “Did I tell you to sit?”

Xinxin looked surprised: “So Father wanted me to stand? You should’ve said so earlier.”

She didn’t move, instead leaning forward: “Father, did Second Aunt mention buying potatoes?”

It wasn’t harvesting season yet. If Second Aunt wanted to make money quickly, she’d need to purchase potatoes from the village since she didn’t have enough herself. Although Gu Daniu was a hunter, the family owned one mu of land that was usually tended by Gu Chenshi.

Of course, in the past, it was mostly Xinxin and Xiangrong who did the work.

That one mu of land wasn’t planted with potatoes, only grain spring wheat and autumn corn which wasn’t enough for the family’s annual food supply, so they still needed to buy additional grain.

Then there was the small vegetable plot Gu Chenshi cultivated at the village entrance, about two fens in size, where she grew vegetables and melons.

Their family had no potatoes, but Second Aunt only had one son. If he went into business with her, they probably couldn’t handle the potato purchasing alone. Plus, the potatoes needed washing and cutting. Since there were three branches of the Gu family in the village, if Second Aunt needed help, she’d naturally turn to the Gu family first. And since this money-making idea came from Xinxin, she’d approach Gu Daniu first.

Gu Daniu shook his head: “She mentioned it, but I didn’t agree. You said you have other ways to make money.”

Xinxin understood Gu Daniu looked down on this manual labor money. After a moment’s thought, she asked: “Has Father agreed to let Xiangrong study?”

Gu Daniu’s face darkened: “Are you bargaining with me?”

Xinxin nodded, smiling: “Yes. Although I trust you, Father, I don’t trust Stepmother. If we don’t settle this now, she’s sure to give you pillow talk.”

Gu Daniu looked uncomfortable: “What nonsense are you talking, child?”

Xinxin raised her eyebrows: “I have money-making methods, but Father must first send Xiangrong to study. I know you must have some silver saved it’s not like our family is starving.”

She stood up: “It’s getting late, and Father must be tired after today’s work. You should rest early. We can discuss everything else tomorrow.”

With that, she left.

The next morning, Second Aunt went to the main branch of the family. The main branch had a prosperous family line with three sons alone. Although Gu Daniu also had two sons, they were still too young to be of much use.

So, for the work of purchasing, washing, and cutting potatoes, asking the main branch was appropriate.

The villagers were quite curious about Second Aunt’s family going into business. Some had tried to find out how much she was earning, but Second Aunt kept her mouth shut, not revealing a word.

The Gu Daniu household remained quiet too. Since Second Aunt hadn’t revealed that the idea came from Xinxin, no one approached Xinxin for the time being.

It was noon when Gu Daniu returned with Xiangrong. As soon as he arrived, he gathered with the whole family: “I’ve decided to send Xiangrong and Wenshu to study in town.”

Gu Chenshi was momentarily stunned, first happy then frowning: “But Xiangrong is already this old…”

Gu Daniu glared at her. After a moment of silence, Gu Chenshi reached out and pushed his arm. Of course, in Gu Xinxin’s eyes, her action seemed more like playful flirting, since she didn’t use much force anyway.

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