Chapter 76: Chapter 76 Poor Mother’s Brother (2)_1 Chapter 76: Chapter 76 Poor Mother’s Brother (2)_1 “How much silver is this?” As the box was opened, everyone was surprised to find that the boxes were filled with golden hairpins and other jewelry, as well as jade and gilded pieces. Two of the boxes even contained silver notes of one hundred taels each.
“This is way too valuable.” Lin Zige swallowed.
“Since it’s been given, let’s accept it.” Lin Ziyin suggested, “Sister-in-law, you and sister should divide the items into three portions, and set one portion aside for Changting in the future.” Lin Ziyin took the silver notes and handed them to the old man, “Grandfather, you keep these silver notes.”
“The gifts were for you, why are you distributing them?” Zige asked angrily.
“I don’t like these things, that’s the truth.” Lin Ziyin said with a faint smile, “It’s a waste to give them to me. Both you and sister-in-law don’t have much jewelry, so keep them. Changting is young, let the items be kept with grandfather.”
Lin Ziyin didn’t want any strain in relationships between brothers because of worldly possessions, thus he made himself clear from the start.
“I won’t take it.” Guo Huiniang shook her hands in alarm, “I have never seen such valuable things in my life, I still have to work in the fields, what use are these things to me?”
“You should all keep them, or I’ll get angry,” Lin Ziyin said seriously, “Also, from now on, you will join me in learning accounting and literacy at night. If our family business is to grow, you can’t depend solely on me if you don’t know how to keep accounts.”
“I’ll study.” Lin Changting, who had been anxious these days, felt like he was the least useful person in the family. He wanted to grow up and help his sister in business.
“Good.” Lin Ziyin patted his shoulder, “Once the new house is built, we’ll send you to school.”
“Really?”
Seeing his surprised face, Lin Ziyin nodded, “Yes, really.”
“What should we do?” Guo Huiniang looked helplessly at the old man as Lin Ziyin irresponsibly pushed the boxes towards them.
“Divide it into four parts, save one part for Ziyin.” The old man sighed, Ziyin had changed a lot after recovering from his illness, and had his own ideas.
In the end, Lin Zige and the others picked the best set to leave for Ziyin, and the rest was indeed split into three parts.
At noon, an unexpected visitor came to the house.
“Uncle, Auntie?” Seeing the people standing outside the yard, Lin Changshu called out in surprise.
“We heard Ziyin was sick, we’ve come late, haven’t we?” Standing at the gate was a humble looking couple, dressed more shabbily than the Lin Family.
“Please, come inside.” Lin Changshu invited them.
“Ah.” The couple came in carrying a basket and a load on their back.
Lin Ziyin noticed the man who came in was lame, with one leg longer than the other.
“Uncle, Auntie.” Lin Zige came out of the house, she was also pleased to see the couple.
“Ah.” The woman looked at Ziyin, who was silent. “Your Second Miss looks much better now, we?”
She started crying, “We have let your mother down.”
“Auntie, don’t blame yourselves.” Guo Huiniang also came over to attend to them.
“Did that old witch torment you again?” Lin Zige asked frantically.
“No.” The man waved his hand, “It’s your uncle who is useless. This little something is for Ziyin to nourish his body.”
After saying this, he pushed the things they brought forward.
Lin Ziyin had no memory of them and stood blankly.
“Auntie, you sit down, Ziyin and I will go to the back to pick vegetables.” Seeing her reaction, Lin Zige sighed and pulled her away.
“They are our uncle and auntie.” Crouching in the vegetable field and picking fresh vegetables, Lin Zige explained absent-mindedly, “Don’t blame them for coming to see us only now. They are pitiful too. During your illness, although they didn’t come in person, they sent a chicken and some food quietly to help us.”
“Quietly?” Ziyin asked with a frown.
“Yes, they sent it covertly. Our mother and uncle are siblings by blood, but there are other uncles and aunts from the step-grandmother. When they were young, to make sure mum had enough to eat, uncle went to chop wood on the mountain and fell, becoming lame. Mum was sold to our father by the stepmother, while they led a life of slavery. They had to feed the large family, but never had their share of meal. What was sent today might’ve been saved from their frugal living.” Lin Zige was angry when the situation at her uncle’s house was mentioned, “Their third cousin still doesn’t have a wife, all because of the oppression from the old witch.”