Leaving Liu Jin behind, Wufu wasn’t worried about an extra person meaning an extra bowl and chopsticks, but her concern was about the living arrangements.
The house they were currently living in only had two rooms, a main room where Wufu and Madam Zhou stayed, and a former firewood shed, which had been cleaned up for Hongyu to live in. Now with Liu Jin’s arrival, a boy no less and at the age of seven, where would he stay?
It was common knowledge that boys and girls over the age of seven should not share a seat, and although the rules weren’t so strict in a farmer’s household, it still wasn’t appropriate for males and females to reside together, plus they were not blood-related siblings.
In the end, they decided to have Hongyu stay in the main room for the time being and let Liu Jin live in the firewood shed.
It was exactly this issue that made Wufu start to think about whether she should expand the house, but then she thought of the Old Zhou family and her thoughts went deeper, perhaps even to move to town entirely.
There were several advantages to moving to town. Firstly, it would be more convenient for daily life, as it was easier and more convenient to buy anything. Secondly, it would be easier to find work, and thirdly, it would mean fewer idle gossips away from Wozi Village.
The most important point, however, was to distance themselves from the Old Zhou family, lessening the influence on the impressionable Madam Zhou.
However, Wufu didn’t discuss this with Madam Zhou; she was only planning it in her heart and had also calculated their current assets, preparing to proceed cautiously.
Meanwhile, over at the Old Zhou family, Madam Lu and Zhou Xiuer, mother and daughter, were also locked in a room having a private conversation.
"Mother, how much is it?" Zhou Xiuer’s eyes widened as she watched Madam Lu put away the scale.
"It weighs seven qian," Madam Lu said with a complex look at the piece of silver in her hand.
She had just returned from Madam Zhou’s place, where Madam Zhou had given her this piece of silver upon hearing that grandma was sick. She had cut this small corner of silver for them to bring back to afford some delicacies and supplements for grandma.
Upon hearing this, Zhou Xiuer said, "Mother, wasn’t I right? My aunt and her family really have made a fortune, but they’re also stingy, giving us only so little."
Madam Lu gave her a reproving look and said, "Seven qian of silver isn’t considered little."
But Zhou Xiuer was full of contempt, "That’s why I say, mother, your vision is too short-sighted. If they hadn’t made a fortune, could they afford such a generous gift for second aunt’s recognition ceremony and those pearls? I heard they’re of the same jade quality as the ones in my aunt’s hairpin."
Zhou Xiuer coveted the pair of pearls that Wufu had given Lady Liang which were later made into earrings. Having seen this and the maid Hongyu, she was convinced that her aunt’s family had struck it rich.
Otherwise, where would they get the silver to procure such items and afford to keep servants?
"Second aunt also said, Wufu works at the Hundred Treasures Silver Building, and her wages must be substantial. Look at what they wear and how they accessorize compared to before, and the pastries they have, hmmph, our household doesn’t even have such nice things!" Zhou Xiuer added.
Madam Lu was silent for a moment, then said, "But seeing Wufu, I feel a little unease in my heart, that Monster..."
"Mother, hasn’t grandma also forbidden you from using that word? If it gets out, my and older brother’s marriage prospects could be affected, we might be dragged down by Wufu," Zhou Xiuer pouted.
"I’m just worried," Madam Lu may have sounded confident, but deep down, she truly feared Wufu, especially after facing several setbacks at her hands.
"That’s why we need to maintain a good relationship with them!" Zhou Xiuer declared.
"They won’t appreciate it."
Zhou Xiuer said, "If I can get my hands on good stuff, what’s wrong with being a bit obsequious?"
Madam Lu opened her mouth to say something, but then Lady Liang’s voice came from outside, saying that Old Lady Zhou was calling for them.
"Mother, hide the silver well and don’t mention getting it from my aunt," Zhou Xiuer immediately whispered.
"I’m not an idiot," Madam Lu rolled her eyes and adjusted her clothes before stepping out.
Zhou Xiuer thought for a moment and followed suit.