Chapter 68: Chapter 68: For a Bite to Eat
Translator: 549690339
“Shut up, do you think I am unaware of what you are planning?” Qiao Qinghe snorted coldly, his gaze shifting between the Sun Family and Zhu Cuiying, “Changsun has already handed out his hundred wen of monthly filial piety money. If you want Changsun to provide more silver, then you and the third and fourth should also increase your filial piety money.”
“You and Changsun are brothers. What he gives, you should too. Don’t think you can always take advantage of him just because he is honest.”
At this, Qiao Changfu, Qiao Chang’an, and Qiao Changkang all spoke up.
Qiao Changfu, “Father, Dazhu doesn’t have enough money for his wife yet. The hundred wen a month is what Cuiying and 1 saved by tightening our belt.”
Qiao Chang’an, “Father, filial piety should be determined based on the circumstances. If someone has more money, they should contribute more. If they have less, they should contribute less. Your equal treatment may seem fair, but it’s actually difficult for us brothers.”
Qiao Changkang, “Father, isn’t the silver we took from Changsun eventually spent on you and mother? My elder brother, third brother and 1 can’t get a single wen. My big sister-in-law is also considering for you and mother.”
Qiao Changkang’s words were not without merit; over the years, the money accumulated by the Sun Family had mostly been spent on Sun Junyan.
Even if it hasn’t been spent now, it will be in the future: going to the capital for the examination requires a large amount of silver!
Aside from Qiao Meipan, it was almost impossible for anyone else to get silver from the Sun family.
Qiao Qinghe, taking in all these words, responded sternly, “Your mother and 1 don’t need Changsun’s filial piety. We have enough to eat and wear. We’re not struggling. Stop thinking crooked thoughts!”
He believed in Qiao Changshun’s filial piety. If the family really hit hard times, Changshun would be the first to help, readily providing silver without a second thought.
With that attitude, he had no other wishes.
“You may not need it, but I do! I’m sick of eating this every day, it feels like I have bird feathers in my mouth. And Xiaowu, he’s studying so hard that he’s become skin and bones! He should be preparing for the local exams this fall and needs extra nourishment! Without money, how can we afford that?”
The Sun Family pointed at Sun Junyan, firmly asserting her point.
“What’s more, it’s not like we’re simply taking from him. Once Xiaowu gets a position in the government, we’ll pay him back!”
Each of the Qiao brothers gave fifty wen each month to support Qiao Qinghe and the Sun Family, and another fifty for Sun Junyan’s education.
However, the money given to Sun Junyan was not simply a gift; every penny was recorded and was to be repaid once Junyan secured a government position.
That’s why over the years, the Qiao brothers had willingly given the money.
However, how much truth there was in what the Sun Family said, only she herself knew.
“So, you want to make a scene, huh? Fine, I’ll move out right now then.” Qiao Qinghe also stood up, striding towards his room with an air of packing his things and leaving at any moment.
Seeing this, the Sun Family got a bit flustered, “My husband, you clearly favor Changsun too much. Even if it’s for Xiaowu’s sake, you can’t act like this!”
Sun Junyan had a panicked look, he hurried to stop Qiao Qinghe, “Father, let’s talk this over. I’m a grown man now, I won’t starve. Please sit down and don’t get angry. Mother only meant well.”
Zhao Shufen, who had been silent all this time, swiveled her eyes and chimed in, “Father, let’s forget about the silver for the moment.. Regarding the food, since this idea came from Xiaomai, our family surely won’t need to buy it with more money, will we?”