Chapter 49

Chen Bushi pushed the teacup aside disdainfully, slipped the silver into his sleeve, and said, "Did you hear what I just said? At least fifteen taels of silver, that's the minimum; if you have extra means, you'd better prepare a bit more."

Understood.

Chen Bushi nodded, gave a light chuckle, and said calmly, "But during this time you can go all out causing trouble for those two brothers; today's affair was handled very nicely, it's pleasing to watch."

But you need to be on guard: we can use connections, and they can too, and they're more skilled at it. Once you notice this trend, you must stop and wait for my word.

Chen Wuji nodded and agreed to each.

Chen Bushi could know this matter; it looks like the news that he chopped Yuan Laoer has already spread through the village.

"Alright, then I'm leaving." Chen Bushi nodded.

By the way, if you have any wild goods later, you can go find that surnamed She person, but be wary: that bastard has a lot of tricks and is good at sizing people up.

"No, I think it's better to let San Shu arrange things for me; it's less trouble." Chen Wuji shook his head.

Suit yourself.

You're going home alone anyway; eat your meal then leave. Tonight we have deer leg bone, maybe the last time we can eat it.

"If you're going to say that, then I won't stand on ceremony; I'll go home to get some wine, and we uncle and nephew can have a drink." Chen Bushi showed no humility, waved his hand, and turned to leave.

After Chen Bushi left, Chen Wuji raised his hand to look at his palm lines, feeling somewhat depressed.

His finger gaps aren't that wide, yet he leaks money like a sieve.

This morning he was happy to have a little extra cash in hand, but then a bigger debt came up.

Although this method was his own choice, the speed of earning money far lags behind the pace of spending, which is still annoying.

If it weren't already late, he'd want to rush into the mountains to dig for silver.

When Chen Bushi came again, he not only brought wine but also brought a person.

Chen Luozi, who considered himself tougher than a mule.

And, seasoning.

Chen Wuji realized that, though his home was bare, everyone in the Chen clan knew it well.

Damn, that's outrageous.

Suddenly guests arrived at home, keeping Huo Sanniang and Shen Youwei busy.

Although there was nothing to prepare at home, the two of them still managed to whip up two wild vegetables, letting Chen Wuji and the others have them as simple accompaniments to drinks, then hastily stewed the deer leg bone.

The deer leg bones Chen Wuji had kept for himself would be completely finished after tonight's meal.

When they might get to enjoy such deliciousness again is uncertain.

In the kitchen, Shen Youwei, who was tending the fire, glanced furtively at the courtyard and whispered to Huo Sanniang, "Sister, my husband looks much more normal; is his illness nearly healed?"

"I also think it's almost better; his speech and actions these past days have become very steady." Huo Sanniang's face was full of smiles, her delicate hands quickly picking the wild vegetables.

"Youwei, I think this has a lot to do with you; since you entered the door, my husband has gradually improved. A few days ago he'd still occasionally utter foolish talk, but today I haven't noticed any."

Shen Youwei blushed a little, "Sister, you're joking; how could this be related to me?"

"It really is related to you; maybe it's truly a case of marrying to ward off bad luck." Huo Sanniang said.

"You don't know; I joined the Chen family back then to ward off bad luck, but unfortunately my luck didn't hit the mark and instead caused trouble."

"Really?" Shen Youwei exclaimed in surprise.

As for such luck‑warding marriages, she had never really believed in them, thinking they were just self‑comfort for common folk.

But if her foolish husband truly improved because of her arrival, she felt sweet inside.

She came from a privileged background, born like a proud peacock, but a sudden turn of fate turned her into a female convict that made people's faces change at the mention of her name; Shen Youwei never spoke of it, but she kept it a strict taboo.

Chen Wuji paid no heed to her dark past, instead treating her as a proper wife, never showing any favoritism.

Even though the family was a bit poor, Shen Youwei still felt this was the man she wanted to find.

A man she could rely on.

Dinner was ready amid the two women's soft whispers.

Today there were guests at home, so the two women didn't go out to join the fun; they ate in the kitchen.

Chen Bushi and Chen Luozi stayed until the moon rose above the willow tips before bidding farewell.

The jug of wine they brought was drunk dry.

As they were leaving, Chen Luozi suddenly shoved a money pouch into Chen Wuji's embrace, saying, "Take this for now; Lao San has already told me everything, I estimate you won't be able to scrape together a dozen taels of silver in the short term—just get past this immediate hurdle first."

"No need, I still have a month; I should be fine." Chen Wuji shook his head, refusing Chen Luozi's goodwill.

No wonder Chen Bushi dragged Chen Luozi along to eat; it was really to make Chen Luozi bleed.

"Enough with the nonsense; I'm not in a hurry to use money. It's best not to owe the Xianya people's silver, and if we do, don't stretch it out over a whole month. Lao San thinks his face is worth a month, but I don't." Chen Luozi waved his hand impatiently.

Chen Wuji looked toward Chen Bushi for confirmation.

Chen Bushi said arrogantly, "My face is worth more than a month; even if I don't pay this time it's fine—I just don't want to use it."