Wang Qingchen took out the two bags of candy he had bought and gave them to Caiyun. Caiyun happily tucked the candy away and then went out to the fields to call Wang Qinghua. Wang Qingchen took the basket off his shoulder and set it down in the yard, preparing to look for Wang Youfu. Just as he reached the door of Yang Shi’s room, he heard her voice speaking inside.

“...If it weren't for me, the family wouldn't be in so much debt. Thirty taels of silver, how are we ever going to pay it back! I should have just thrown myself down and died right then, rather than drag the family down like this.” As soon as the words fell, Yang Shi’s weeping grew louder.

“What good is crying? If you have the energy, focus on resting and getting your body well—that’s what matters. I’m still here to handle things!” Wang Youfu’s voice came through, sounding stern even as he tried to comfort Yang Shi.

Perhaps because of Wang Youfu’s initial despicable act of selling his daughter when they first arrived, Wang Qingchen had always held a low opinion of him, viewing him as a typical ancient patriarch—one who favored sons, treated his wife poorly, yet wasn't entirely foolish. But in this moment, Wang Youfu earned Wang Qingchen’s admiration. At least he was taking responsibility. Thirty taels of silver was a substantial sum for their family right now—enough to buy nearly four mu of paddy field. If Wang Qingchen had felt any hesitation before about giving him the money he earned, that doubt vanished completely now.

“I lost the child, and now I’ve burdened the family…” Yang Shi continued to blame herself.

“Enough. If it truly comes to it, we’ll sell the land and scrape together the thirty taels. Stop overthinking things. I’ll go boil some medicine for you.” Wang Youfu walked out. The moment he stepped across the threshold, he saw Wang Qingchen and frowned. “Why are you standing here?”

Wang Qingchen looked at Wang Youfu. Not only had he darkened from the sun, but he had visibly lost weight. Now burdened by an extra thirty tael debt, his brow was tightly furrowed. Perhaps due to the recent change in perception, Wang Qingchen felt Wang Youfu had it incredibly hard: supporting a large family, working the land, and enduring yaoyi (corvée labor). He was haggard, thin, and dark. While he had committed the act of selling his daughter, Wang Qingchen now realized it must have been forced by life’s pressures. Wang Youfu’s figure suddenly seemed taller in his eyes.

“Father, I have something to tell you,” Wang Qingchen said, looking at Wang Youfu.

Wang Qingchen led Wang Youfu into his own small room, pretended to rummage through a wooden chest, but actually retrieved three one-hundred-tael banknotes from his spatial storage. Wang Qingchen handed the three hundred taels in banknotes to Wang Youfu.

Wang Youfu stared when he took them, immediately alarmed. He quickly shut the door. “Qingchen, tell your father honestly, where did you get this money?”

“I earned it helping someone tend flowers,” Wang Qingchen replied.

“Tending flowers? Tending flowers earns this much money?” Wang Youfu was doubtful.

Wang Qingchen then recounted the story of going to the market town, encountering Boss Xue, and being given a dying orchid.

“My luck was incredible; that orchid revived the moment it was in my hands. I even split the plant into two pots. When Boss Xue visited our home later, I returned the original pot to him and sold the newly divided section to him. These three hundred taels are from that sale.” Wang Qingchen explained.

“Is this true?” Wang Youfu still couldn’t believe it. Such good fortune rarely existed in the world.

“Father, I’m not lying, it’s true. Boss Xue even came to our house that day! But I was afraid if others found out, it would bring trouble to our family, so I told everyone that Boss Xue was the person who lost his purse previously. That’s why no one in the village knows about these three hundred taels, not even Mother.”

Wang Youfu gazed at Wang Qingchen, realizing he needed to completely re-evaluate his second son. Being so young yet handling matters with such foresight meant he was destined for great things.

Seeing Wang Youfu just stare without speaking made Wang Qingchen a little unnerved. “Father, with this money, our family’s life will be much easier. The thirty taels for Mother’s illness can be paid off, Elder Brother can finally arrange a marriage, and we can settle the debt for the piglet too.” Wang Qingchen looked innocently at Wang Youfu.

“Yes, we can do so much. But you must never tell anyone about this money, understand? I need to think this over first.” As Wang Youfu spoke, he carefully tucked the three hundred tael banknotes away.

Once the money issue was settled, Wang Qingchen went to unpack the things he bought in town. The four old hens would not be slaughtered immediately; Wang Qingchen tied their legs with rope to prevent them from wandering off. Wang Qingchen also set aside the pig liver, planning to make soup for Yang Shi tomorrow. The large bones he had bought were washed immediately and placed in a pot with water, a little salt, scallions, and ginger to start simmering. This arrangement was purely because bone broth was the simplest thing Wang Qingchen knew how to make; he couldn't handle the other cooking and would have to wait for Zhang Shi or Wang Youfu. Meanwhile, Wang Youfu, recovering from the shock of the three hundred taels, was outside boiling medicine for Yang Shi.

When Wang Qinghua and Caiyun returned, they were met by a rich aroma of meat mingling with the strong scent of traditional medicine. Upon entering the yard, they saw Wang Youfu tending the simmering pot.

“Father, you’re back?” Wang Qinghua said happily.

“Yes. You’re back from the fields? How are the crops growing? Has anything happened?” Wang Youfu asked.

“No, the crops are doing very well…” Wang Qinghua’s words were cut short by Caiyun’s gasp of surprise.

“Oh my, so many chickens!” Caiyun exclaimed joyfully, running toward the four old hens.

Wang Qinghua then noticed the four old hens tied up in the yard and guessed they must have been bought by Qingchen, who had left for town early that morning.

Caiyun reached the same conclusion and hurried to the kitchen. “Second Brother, did you buy these chickens?” she asked happily.

“Yes, I put them in the basket when I got back. Didn’t you see?” Wang Qingchen replied.

“Second Brother, can we not kill these few chickens? I want to keep them so they can lay eggs,” Caiyun pleaded.

Wang Qingchen teased her, “Then what will Mother drink for her recovery soup?”

Caiyun thought for a moment, then looked up pleadingly. “Then can we keep just one? That way, we’ll have eggs to eat.”

“Alright then, we’ll keep one for Caiyun to lay eggs,” Wang Qingchen laughed.

“Second Brother is the best!” Caiyun ran out happily. “Elder Brother, can you weave me a chicken coop? Second Brother said I can keep one chicken.”

Once Wang Qingchen had finished preparing the bone broth, Wang Youfu quickly griddled a few flatbreads. When it was time to eat, Wang Qingchen served a large, full bowl of bone broth to both Yang Shi and Wang Youfu, realizing they both needed nourishment. He then served another bowl, which was for the three children to share among themselves.

Caiyun had been craving the bone broth, as they hadn't eaten any meat in a long time. When Yang Shi had her miscarriage, the three children had been so well-behaved that they hadn't taken a single bite of the chicken meant for her, even after Yang Shi told them to eat.

After the meal, Caiyun pestered Wang Qinghua to weave her a chicken coop. Wang Qinghua, always indulgent of Caiyun, went to the village slope to cut two bamboo stalks for the weaving. Wang Qingchen was also curious and watched nearby. As they were weaving, people from the Old House and the Third Branch arrived to check on Wang Youfu’s return. The Old Madam was not present.

The Old Master looked at his second son, who was now dark and thin, and felt a pang of sympathy. “It’s good that you’re back. You must focus on nourishing yourself in the coming days. I’ll go back and have your mother send over a chicken for you.”

Wang Qingchen interjected, “Grandpa, you just sent a chicken over the other day!”

“That chicken was for your mother. This one is for your father to regain his strength,” the Old Master stated.

“Oh, Second Uncle, why are there four old hens in your yard!” Tian Shi suddenly noticed the fowl in the courtyard.

Wang Qingchen quickly covered: “Auntie, the remaining money from the thirty taels borrowed for Mother’s illness was a little over three hundred wen. I bought these chickens for Mother’s recovery.”

Tian Shi’s eyes flashed with avarice. “Second Auntie is truly blessed. Her child is so filial, buying so many chickens—it might almost rival the number the Old House has. Alas, I’ve been feeling weak these last few days, and no one has sent a chicken my way to nourish me…”

“Sister-in-law, you’re eyeing the very chickens meant to help Second Aunt recover from her miscarriage? Aren’t you ashamed? Besides, the Old House has plenty of chickens; why are you coveting others’ here?” Zhang Shi scorned.

“You…” Tian Shi couldn't find a suitable retort.

“Father, there’s no need to give a chicken. We just bought some, and the Old House’s chickens are few—keep them for you and Old Madam to eat,” Wang Youfu said.

“Since you’ve already bought some, so be it. Regarding the thirty taels borrowed for your wife’s miscarriage, do you have any plans?” the Old Master asked.

“Father, since the money was borrowed, I will certainly find a way to repay it,” Wang Youfu replied.

The Old Master considered this. “Thirty taels is no small sum. You must plan carefully. Your elder brother is preoccupied with the betrothal gifts for Luo family right now and can’t spare any funds. Your mother didn’t have much left after the family division. However, once Qingyun’s wedding is settled, your elder brother’s household will certainly help you out.”

Zhang Shi secretly pursed her lips. “Once Qingyun’s wedding is over, won't Elder Brother’s family be saving up money for Qingtong’s marriage instead?”

The Old Master was about to say something, but upon seeing the Elder Brother and his wife remain silent, seemingly tacitly agreeing with Zhang Shi’s implication, he sighed in disappointment and dropped the topic of offering assistance. However, this suited Wang Youfu perfectly; if Wang Youliang offered no help now, he would have no grounds to demand assistance later.

The people from the Old House and the Third Branch left after visiting Wang Youfu, and Zhang Shi did not bring up the eighteen taels again.

Wang Youfu, having just returned from his yaoyi, should have been exhausted, but the three hundred taels kept him wide awake, his mind racing about what to do with this massive sum. The first order of business was definitely settling the debts: the thirty taels for the medical costs, plus the nine hundred and sixty wen for the piglet. Next, he needed to buy land; the remaining silver could purchase quite a bit. He decided he would find a yaji (land agent) tomorrow to see if any land was for sale. Though, since the crops were already planted, buying might be difficult, but he would look anyway—perhaps luck was on his side. Qinghua was also at an age to arrange a match; with money in hand, they could approach a respectable family and ask a matchmaker about suitable young women. Moreover, this money was earned by Qingchen, so he should ask what his son desired. He recalled seeing Qingchen practicing writing in the yard; now that they had money, he could be sent to study in the town, perhaps leading to future success.

On the other side, Wang Qingchen also couldn't sleep, wondering what his father would do with the money now that the family was solvent. Meanwhile, he was preoccupied with the rice and wheat in his spatial storage, which were ready for harvest again. How many cycles was this now? Should he harvest and replant them all again? That wasn’t a solution; he needed a way to bring them out of storage naturally.

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