327: Bestowing Grace (7 updates)
Over the years, having been sold several times, it was true that they could no longer see even a glimmer of hope.
Their entire family had been sold in the beginning, just to survive, and now, earning the silver to redeem themselves was extremely difficult.
Xie Zhinuan, upon hearing this, fell silent for a long time.
“Work hard, I believe that one day you will return to your homeland in glory. This is my promise to you, but there is one thing, whether you can return depends on your performance. I don’t like to talk nonsense, nor do I like to make promises that offer you false hope. What I say, I will do, and I hope you can do the same. Let’s, as master and servant, encourage each other!”
The Zhu family, apart from being profoundly grateful, had nothing else to say.
Xie Zhinuan reminded them of the few manors they had set off to speak to the Lian family about.
Xie Zhinuan leaned against the railing, watching the river surface.
Mrs. Zhu, the daughter-in-law, brought in tea, “Master, your tea!”
“What’s your name again?” Xie Zhinuan pushed a cup to Mrs. Lian.
Mrs. Zhu pursed her lips, somewhat nervous, and said softly, “This servant’s maiden name is Zhang, and my nickname is Conghua.”
Xie Zhinuan looked at her; she wasn’t young anymore.
“Do you not have children?”
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Zhu’s eyes immediately reddened.
“We did have them early on, but one was lost during the chaos of fleeing, and the other fell ill and passed away. We haven’t conceived in years!”
“Have you seen a doctor?” Xie Zhinuan asked.
“We don’t have silver, and even if we had a child, we’re afraid we wouldn’t be able to support it, so, we just didn’t go!” Mrs. Zhu said, unable to hold back her tears.
She did indeed wish for it.
Desperately so.
Her in-laws and husband wished for it too, but they were dealt a hard lot in life.
Firstly, they were unable to conceive, and secondly, they didn’t even have the money for medicine.
“When you return from this trip, pack up and come with me. I’ll have a doctor look at you and treat you well, to get your health in order first, and then…”
“Thank you, Master. If I do conceive a child, Mrs. Zhang is willing to do anything for the Master!” Mrs. Zhang said, already kneeling down.
“…” Xie Zhinuan helped her up.
She continued to ask, “Logically speaking, living on the river, you could catch some fish and shrimp to sell. Your husband and two younger brothers-in-law look strong. Why are you living such a hard life?”
“The former master didn’t allow it!” Mrs. Zhang said softly.
Xie Zhinuan glanced at Mrs. Lian and said cynically, “It’s no wonder they squandered all their wealth, being so evil.”
It’s said that the House of Good Deeds is sure to have Yu Qing, and the House of Evil is sure to have Yu Yang.
Mrs. Lian laughed softly.
Mrs. Zhang bit her lip and raised her hand to wipe the tears.
“From now on, you can catch fish and shrimp from the river and sell them to me. Whatever the market price is outside, that’s what I will pay. You need to start saving money. What will you do to provide for your child in the future, or to find a spouse for him?”
Mrs. Zhang nodded repeatedly.
She was incredibly moved.
She went out and immediately told her mother-in-law.
Mrs. Zhu was the mother-in-law, who was also an aunt. Upon hearing this, she was even more excited than Mrs. Zhang.
She insisted on kowtowing to Xie Zhinuan.
They simply couldn’t deter her.
In the end, Xie Zhinuan could only let Mrs. Zhu kowtow and offered her a few words of encouragement before they reached their first destination.
As Mrs. Lian had said, this place was wonderful. Unless there was torrential rain, the river would not rise – at least water wasn’t a concern.
“Around here are the manors of rich families, and a whole village belongs to one owner. These fields were originally owned by the farmers, but for various reasons, the lands were sold off. The rich people gathered them acre by acre for easier management. They built houses together, had them stay together, and put them under the supervision of a head farmer!”
Chapter 329