She Became A Downfall Noble Lady-Chapter 69 - Lady Wangs Reservations
Chapter 69: Chapter 69 Lady Wang’s Reservations
Chapter 69 -69 Lady Wang’s Reservations
Qi Yougui fundamentally disapproved of the idea of peasants engaging in trade, so when he heard that Qi Younian’s stall was to expand, with more tables, chairs, and staff, his first reaction was to object, “No way. There’s a common saying, ‘No business without deceit, no trader without scheming.’ Trade isn’t meant for us peasants. A small business to make ends meet is one thing, but if we aim bigger and attract attention, how could we possibly outwit those crafty folks in the county?”
Qi Younian felt helpless. His older brother’s stubbornness was truly difficult to change.
He glanced at two villagers passing by, nodded as a greeting, then lowered his voice and said, “Big brother, I’m not saying I want to go big in trade. Isn’t it just that our stall is too small, and patrons who want to eat can’t find a seat? I’m just thinking, while I still have the energy, I should earn a bit more, save up, and maybe buy a few acres of land. That way, when Jiajia grows up, he would have a solid foundation for a good life.”
Talking about Qi Jia’s future and buying land caused Qi Yougui to hesitate.
The second eldest brother had returned at an advanced age, owning neither a house nor a plot of land. He was also stubbornly against redistributing the family property. If there were truly no property or house to leave for Jiajia, Jiajia and Ye Zi really would have a hard time in the future.
After thinking for a while, Qi Yougui made up his mind, “That’s true. Jiajia is still young and it’s indeed time to plan for his future. Fine then, the fields are not busy right now, I’ll have Chengzi and his wife help you out. We’re one family; you don’t need to talk to me about wages, just let them work.”
Qi Younian immediately smiled, “Big brother, you’ve been working in the fields for too long and have lost touch, haven’t you? Helping out is temporary, who helps out year-round without earning wages?”
Qi Yougui grew a bit annoyed, “You’re the one who’s been outside too long, acting all distant with your own family. Trust me, Chengzi will help you and that’s it. If you bring up wages again, don’t consider me your big brother anymore!”
“…” Qi Younian looked at his older brother with white hair in utter surprise. Just a few rational words had set off his temper?
“Do you need help urgently? I’ll discuss it with your sister-in-law, and have Chengzi and his wife come over tomorrow,” Qi Yougui said, ready to stand up.
Qi Younian quickly held him back, “Big brother, haven’t you thought about it? When does a farmer’s work ever end? Qi Cheng is the eldest grandson in our family and is at an age where he can contribute. Yet, he would be doing unpaid work for me every day, leaving the farm work to our father, uncles, and younger siblings. Is that acceptable?”
Qi Younian waved his hand dismissively, “That’s enough. My visit today was just to inform you, big brother. It’s good that you agree. As for when I need help, I’ll have Ye Zi come and discuss with your sister-in-law.”
“How can that be okay?” Qi Yougui objected repeatedly. If Ye Zi discussed it with his wife, she would definitely demand wages from the Second Branch family. Now in his old age, the second brother had just started to make a living for himself; how could they take his wages away? Absolutely not.
“Big brother, keep it down.” Qi Younian hushed his loud voice, “We don’t even have a plan yet. Let’s not talk about it openly, lest Yourong’s family hears about it and I end up in trouble. They don’t have anyone who really works, and if the two nephews and nieces from the third family get involved, then I might as well just close up shop.”
Qi Yougui, who was amenable to reason, immediately composed himself and slyly looked around a few times.
Feeling uneasy, he thought, the second brother is right; the third’s two sons really can’t be trusted. Taking care of one’s own business is manageable, but few ever ask them for temporary help because those two boys are just too crafty when they work.
“Alright, I have things to attend to at home, so I’ll be leaving.” Qi Younian stood up from under the shade of the tree, patted the dirt off his buttocks, and then headed home on his own.
Qi Yougui failed to stop him and dared not to call out loudly, so he could only watch Qi Younian leave before returning to his own yard, laden with heavy thoughts.
As soon as she entered the door, Lady Wang immediately asked, “Old man, what is Second Uncle here for?” Could it be that his family has some matter that needs help again?
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Qi Yougui looked at the caution on Lady Wang’s face and swallowed the words that had reached the tip of his tongue, “It’s nothing, just stopping by for a chat.” His voice had barely faded when he turned around and went back into the room, leaving Lady Wang behind him.
Although Qi Yougui entered the room, his heart was filled with helplessness. There was no helping it, family matters are always troublesome. If he were to share his intentions with his wife now, even if she held her peace for the moment, it’s hard to say whether she wouldn’t complain to the two daughters-in-law later, and the second daughter-in-law might stir things up with the Third Branch family… better to drop it and say nothing.
Ye Xinyan, having received Qi Younian’s tentative approval, immediately started planning, considering each day how much more rice tofu to make, the needed bowls and chopsticks, tables and stools, food ingredients and seasoning, as well as rice and tools.
The next day, Qi Younian contacted the village’s Carpenter Wang to order two sets of tables and stools. To avoid the villagers, Ye Xinyan went to Qi Yougui’s home before naptime to discuss with her Great Aunt Lady Wang the matter of Qi Cheng helping out.
Qi Yougui was resting in the courtyard when he saw Ye Xinyan come in and immediately called her into the house, “Ye Zi is here, come inside and have a seat.”
Qi Sanshun had been getting along well with Qi Jia these days and was quite familiar with Ye Xinyan, “Big sister, why didn’t you bring Xiao Jiajia when you visited our house? He usually doesn’t dare to go far, saying big sister and Nanny Jin don’t allow it.”
Ye Xinyan glanced at the young and old in the courtyard and laughed, “I came here today to find Great Aunt, I have serious matters. Next time I will bring him for sure.”
“Oh, then I’ll just go play by myself.” Qi Sanshun said with a look of regret, turning around and running outside. Lady Han’s continuous calls did not make him pause for even a moment.
Lady Wang stood under the eaves with a puzzled look on her face, not moving.
This niece of the Second Branch family was no ordinary village woman. In her view, although the Second Branch had Qi Younian as the official in charge, the role this young woman played could not be ignored. And now, this niece had come to her for something? If the Second Branch had matters, shouldn’t they speak with their own old man? Why did it fall on her?
After greeting the two uncles who were resting with Qi Yougui, Ye Xinyan smiled at Lady Wang and said, “Great Aunt, I have something I’d like to discuss with you. Let’s go inside to talk, shall we?”
Lady Wang couldn’t resist and reluctantly walked toward the main house.
Ye Xinyan followed and said to Qi Yougui, who was originally resting in the yard, with a smile, “Great Uncle, please continue resting, I’m going in first.”
As Qi Yougui was about to follow, he heard that she did not intend to let him join. The step he had already taken halted awkwardly; he was unsure whether to assertively enter the house or to honestly stay under the shade of the tree to rest.
Lady Han had just dragged Lady Xu out of the kitchen, looking for a chance to mix in and eavesdrop on what Ye Xinyan was there for, only to come out and see that the master of the house himself was being kept out. Naturally, they stood even less chance of getting close.
Lady Wang’s face was not looking good. Her old man always said that Second Uncle had not a single room or plot of land to his name and took extra care of the Second Branch family. Although the Second Branch had since started a business and their life had greatly improved, their poor foundation was clear for all to see, evident from the rundown courtyard and house; it was obvious that the Second Branch wouldn’t see any big changes in the short term. Now that his niece had come to their house and wanted to talk behind the old man’s back, what could the matter be?
