The Old Zhou family owned land, and these past years it was Zhou Xueli who managed it. He knew the situation in the fields better than anyone, so hearing Zhou Xuennian’s words now made him quite uncomfortable.
"Elder brother, you’ve never been to the fields, so you don’t know the situation. The crops we just planted less than a month ago are now in a state where even daily watering isn’t enough, as the water level in the river has dropped too low. I feel that if this continues, this season’s crops will fail," Zhou Xueli said somberly. "The wheat we just harvested, apart from what was set aside for taxes, you’ve already sold quite a bit of the rest."
The fields were planted with winter wheat and then with rice. After this year’s wheat harvest, Zhou Xuennian sold nearly eighty percent, leaving not much left.
If the rice dies, even replanting it would be too late, and the yield would likely be poor.
Before Zhou Xuennian could say anything, Madam Lu interjected, "Uncle, what you say sounds like a complaint against your elder brother. Your elder brother is studying, and if he becomes a Juren or successful imperial examination candidate in the future, our Old Zhou family won’t just be farming anymore."
Her words were filled with pride, as if Zhou Xuennian was already a successful candidate, a significant official.
Lady Liang was disdainful. If he really had such capabilities, he wouldn’t still be a Child Student at this age. The main house simply didn’t see the reality, thinking they could actually produce a significant official through study.
Though she had only been married in for a few days, Lady Liang had already bonded closely with Zhou Xueli at night, thoroughly understanding the intricacies of the Old Zhou family.
All these years, the administration of the lands and miscellaneous family affairs was solely managed by Zhou Xueli, while the elder son from the main house, Zhou Xuennian, perpetually excused himself by claiming he needed to study, never helping with family affairs.
According to her uncle, he was a scholar who should remain oblivious to worldly affairs and concentrate only on the sacred and wise books to achieve greatness, which really meant shirking responsibilities.
Yet, no one in the family opposed this. Whenever Zhou Xuennian asked for silver, it was always deemed correct. Although he helped the headman as a junior clerk, earning two taels of silver for monthly money, he rarely contributed it back, mostly using it for other purposes, even asking for more from the family when it wasn’t enough.
In Lady Liang’s view, Zhou Xuennian was selfish, and even if he succeeded, it was unlikely he would support the second branch of the family.
So, hearing Madam Lu’s words now made her very uncomfortable.
Why should the main house naturally reap the benefits!
Zhou Xueli also felt uneasy and said, "Eldest sister-in-law, I didn’t mean to complain about elder brother. It’s just that I’ve always been the one managing our lands, so naturally, I know a bit more."
"That’s true, but uncle, you seem to have forgotten how much silver was spent on your marriage. How could we manage without selling the grain?" Madam Lu said, her smile concealing sarcasm.
At these words, both Zhou Xueli and Lady Liang’s expressions changed.
"Enough!" Old Lady Zhou, feeling a headache and irritation, shouted, "What is this quarrel about?"
Everyone fell silent.
"Lady Liang, did you say Wufu is working in town?" Old Lady Zhou turned to her daughter-in-law and asked.
Lady Liang quickly nodded and began recounting what she and Zhou Xueli had seen at the Hundred Treasures Silver Building when they returned to her maternal home.
Catching Madam Lu’s expression, she didn’t forget to add, "Mother, I heard that the hairpin my sister-in-law wears was personally carved by Wufu."
The matter of the hairpin was a sore spot for Madam Lu, turning her face the color of liver at the thought of the trouble it brought.
"Mother, Lady Liang isn’t wrong. I think the shop assistants in the store highly regard Wufu, and she speaks well with the shopkeeper too," Zhou Xueli added supportively. "So, I think it’s normal for her to get some news, especially as she’s managing a store as big as the Hundred Treasures Silver Building."
Old Lady Zhou frowned.
"She can also carve jade ware?" Zhou Xuennian asked incredulously.
Remembering what her family had said, Madam Lu exclaimed, "Mother, could Wufu be possessed by something vile? She’s so young, how could she carve jade?"
Lady Liang’s expression darkened, thinking how malicious these words were to claim a young girl was possessed by a monster, tarnishing her reputation if spread.
She also thought that it was only a matter of food storage that was being discussed, yet the people from the main house twisted the topic, unable to distinguish the main issue. It seemed they had no intention of appreciating the kindness of the Zhou family.