Chapter 288: Going Home
Editor: Atlas Studios
The eldest daughter of the Mu family had returned and even brought back two young men. Geez, they looked energetic and strong.
Most importantly, she had also brought back a carriage of good stuff and bought a mule. Strong and solid, that mule was a head taller than the foal beside her.
The villagers of Chenggu Garrison all stood at the entrance of the Mu Family’s house in envy and jealousy. They wanted to find out more information, but they didn’t dare to visit.
Ever since the Mu family moved in, they had been a level higher than them. The villagers were already used to looking up to their family. Hence, when they saw that the Mu family had brought back another carriage of good stuff, although they were envious and jealous, no one dared to say anything unpleasant. At most, they would say a few jealous words and say that Mu Shi and Shu Wanniang had given birth to a good daughter.
After Mu Yangling unloaded all the things she had bought from the city, Great-aunt looked around and said, “Are you preparing new year goods?”
“It’s about time. We’ll just go into the city to buy some incense, candles, firecrackers, and so on during the new year.” Mu Yangling carried the things back to her room. Now that there were many rooms at home, these things could be placed in a separate room.
Great-aunt glanced at Zhang Wu and Zhang Liu, who were chopping firewood, and asked Mu Yangling in a low voice, “Are you really planning to keep them? Where would they stay? Considering your father is always not at home, you can’t let them stay in our house.”
Mu Yangling knew that Great-aunt was considerate of her mother’s reputation. Moreover, Shu Wanniang would indeed feel uncomfortable interacting with outsiders.
Before coming back, Mu Yangling had already thought it through. “They’ll stay in the old house next to ours. They can move in after heating up the brick bed for a day tomorrow. Buy them four new blankets and two winter clothes. Let the brothers stay in the guest room tonight.”
As the brick bed in the old house had not been heated up for a long time, they had to heat it up first to rid the brick bed of the dampness.
After some thought, Great-aunt nodded in agreement. Then, she asked, “How much do you plan to pay them? It’s off-peak farm season now, so there’s no work to do.”
Mu Yangling smiled. “Great-aunt, since when has our family stayed idle? Such a big rabbit shed isn’t just for decoration. Besides, I also want to buy oxen to raise after spring. I want to open an oxen farm so that the villagers can afford to use plowing oxen in the future.”
Great-aunt was stunned. “Where will everyone get the money to buy an ox?”
“I’ll give it to them.”
“Geez, you unlucky child. Other people do business to earn money, but you do business to lose money. I don’t agree.” Great-aunt said, “If this business isn’t profitable, I won’t allow you to raise cattle.”
Mu Yangling hugged Great-aunt’s shoulder and chuckled softly in her ear. “Great-aunt, do you know how much money we earned on this trip?”
“How much?”
Mu Yangling leaned over and whispered a number into her ear. Great-aunt clutched her chest and widened her eyes at her. “Oh my god, have you and Xiuhong become profiteers?”
Mu Yangling rolled her eyes. “If I don’t earn money, you’ll say that I’m working for nothing. Now that I did earn money, you’re complaining I’m earning too much. But then again, this is nothing compared to the amount of money our family has left with Fan Zijin.”
“How much?”
With a broad beam, Mu Yangling whispered into her ear, “More than 12,000 taels?”
“Sheesh, we didn’t do anything and we got so much?” Great-aunt muttered, “Young Master Fan has suffered a huge loss. In the future, when he comes, you and Xiuhong are not allowed to be disrespectful to him.”
“Great-aunt, you’ve maligned me. When have I not been respectful to him?”
“Then, when can you get that money?” Great-aunt was thinking about where to hide so much money.
“What’s the point of taking it back? We’ll hand it over to Fan Zijin to continue earning money. Great-aunt, Young Master Fan may sometimes be snarky, but he’s quite kind-hearted. At least he’ll never leave us behind in business. He has the ability, too. Anyway, our family isn’t in a hurry to use that money now. I mean, we’ll give him as much as we earn and continue investing that money. In the future, we’ll collect dividends when we need money.”
“What if we can’t get it back?” She would not feel at ease until she had the money in her hands.
However, Mu Yangling smiled and said, “Then let’s just treat it as a beautiful dream.”
Mu Yangling had never placed much importance on money. She had always felt that as long as her family was safe and sound, it was fine as long as they had enough money to spend. Now that the Mu family had a lot of cash, she did not keep a close eye on the money in Fan Zijin’s hands like before.
“Geez, that’s a lot of money!” Great-aunt spun around on the spot before following Mu Yangling into the house, still feeling a little dazed. In the end, she said to herself, “Forget it. Let the children fool around by themselves.”
At the thought that they now had 1,800 taels of silver at home, Great-aunt felt that she didn’t have to worry about anything.
After everything was settled, Mu Yangling officially introduced Zhang Wu and Zhang Liu to her family and told them about the arrangements for them. “In the future, come here to eat at mealtime. Anyway, the two houses are connected. Later, move some ingredients over. If you get hungry at night, you can cook some porridge yourself.”
Zhang Wu and Zhang Liu got up and knelt down to Great-aunt, Shu Wanniang, and the others.
Great-aunt hurriedly helped them up. As soon as she held their hands, she realized that they were only skin and bones. Their hands were cold. Realizing that they had not eaten their fill since they were young, her heart softened, and she wiped her eyes. “Since you’re here, stay in peace. Our family is easy-going. Tell me if you need anything. Great-aunt will get it for you.”
Shu Wanniang said, “You don’t have to do anything at home. You just have to help Ah Ling and Bowen outside. There’s only one thing. Although you’re not our servants, since you’ve come to our house, you have to be loyal to the Mu family for as long as you’re here. Don’t let me find out that you’ve betrayed your master.”
Shu Wanniang said these words with a smile. When the teacups were placed on the table, they didn’t even make a sound. However, Zhang Wu and Zhang Liu couldn’t help but tremble. They hurriedly expressed their loyalty. “Madam, don’t worry. Since we’ve already decided to follow Miss and Young Master, we will never betray the Mu family until the day that we die.”
Shu Wanniang nodded slightly. “It’s good that you remember. Alright, get up. From now on, just listen to your Miss and Young Master’s instructions.”
Only then did Mu Yangling continue the topic with a smile. “Mother, we bought some fabric when we came back. The things there are cheaper than those in Mingshui County. Pick two bundles later and I’ll send them to Great-uncle and the others.”
“You have to tidy up the things you bought tomorrow and send some to your Great-uncle and the others. It’s all thanks to them taking care of things here that we could go to Hanzhong Prefecture the last time.” Shu Wanniang looked at Zhang Wu and Zhang Liu and said, “Bring Wuzi and Liuzi along and let your two great-uncles meet them. This way, they’ll recognize them should their paths cross in the future.”
Mu Yangling agreed.
Although the Mu family had 1,800 taels of silver at home, they still owed Fan Zijin 400 taels of silver for the purchase of the sheep in Hanzhong Prefecture.
After Mu Yangling found an opportunity to return the money to him, there was only 1,400 taels left in the family. This time, she had earned a total of 905 taels from selling sheep, nearly twice the amount she had earned in the past two years.
Mu Yangling could not help but sigh. Although the past few days had been a little harder, this one trip earned them enough money to live on for three years. If not for the low status of businessmen and the fact that many people lacked the courage to venture out, people would go crazy for such a profit.