Chapter 275: Reveling in calamity and delighting in disaster Chapter 275: Reveling in calamity and delighting in disaster Madam Wang wiped away a bitter tear and blamed Ye Zhong, “What are you so stubborn about these years? So much time has passed since the matter with Grandma, and you insist on holding this grudge against their family. If you hadn’t been so fixated on your pride, our son may not have left us so soon.”
Ye Zhong’s eyes also reddened. He regretted the past events and the death of his eldest son; the grief of a parent burying their child was something he could never forget. But now, any words were too late.
Since the incident with Old Lady Ye, the two brothers had quarreled and stopped communicating for a long period of time. His eldest son had not been healthy since birth due to complications during delivery, and his condition had only worsened over time.
During those times, Ye Cheng knew that he was borrowing money everywhere, so he personally brought money to lend him, urging him to treat his son’s illness first.
But back then, he had not accepted the help. He not only rejected the money but also harshly sent Ye Cheng away.
Latterly, his son passed away followed by his daughter-in-law, leaving only a grandson for the elderly couple to care for. Their only brother never crossed their threshold again.
In truth, he had regretted sending Ye Cheng away the moment he did it, but he just couldn’t swallow his pride afterward. As Ye Cheng’s family prospered more and more, with branches spreading and flourishing, it only highlighted the desolation of his own family, and out of stubbornness, he refused to be seen seeking reconciliation.
Ye Jiu was unaware of these details, so she went to ask Mrs. He. After hearing the whole story from Mrs. He, Ye Jiu no longer mentioned reconciling Ye Old Man with his elder brother.
Ye Old Man had been cast out when he brought money to help in the past. With such an incident, it was no surprise that things had reached this state today.
Ye Jiu did not return but stayed to work alongside Mrs. He. However, with little strength and dexterity, she quickly fell behind, and Mrs. He turned back to help her.
Soon after, Ye Jiu saw how troublesome it was for Mrs. He to keep running back and forth, so she simply told her to mind her own tasks and leave her to work slowly behind.
Mrs. He was anxious to get the work done, so she agreed to Ye Jiu’s request.
By noon, the sun climbed higher and grew hotter.
Ye Jiu, inexperienced in labor, quickly developed blisters on her fingers, but seeing Ye Old Man and Mrs. He still toiling, she felt too embarrassed to suggest going home.
Fortunately, Mrs. He, realizing that Ye Jiu was not accustomed to the work and had become exhausted, insisted that she rest under the large tree at the end of the field.
Unable to resist any longer, Ye Jiu obediently sat down to rest.
Before long, Ye Wenzheng came running over and plopped down beside Ye Jiu, panting and speaking urgently, “Little Aunt, I’ve found the land you asked me to inquire about, but it’s quite large, and the seller is in a hurry. Overall it’s quite cheap, but I’m not sure if you can manage it?”
“How much?” Ye Jiu asked.
“A total of 500 acres of good farmland, plus a manor, priced at 3,800 taels, non-negotiable and to be sold as a whole. What do you think?” Though Ye Wenzheng asked this, he was not optimistic in his heart.
The plot was large, and the required silver substantial. Even if the Ye Family earned a good sum from their soap business, it was unlikely they could produce such an amount at once, especially considering that the money was not solely under Ye Jiu’s control.
Ye Jiu, after only a brief contemplation, asked, “Is there a problem with the land? Why is it so cheap?”
By current standards, a single acre of good farmland would cost at least eight taels of silver, amounting to 4,000 taels for 500 acres, not to mention the inclusion of a manor. It did not make sense for such a property to be this inexpensive.
At this point, Ye Wenzheng laughed, a laugh tinged with a touch of schadenfreude.