hotmtlnovel Chapter 481: Time and fate
Chapter 481: Time and fate
"Don't you like tinkering with rouge and powder? When we get to the capital, I'll find you a place to study on your own. If you succeed, I'll open a shop and give you dividends."
Jiang Youzhen encouraged with a smile, saying that Liu Ya liked to tinker with these things and had achieved some success. She did a pretty good job and often gave them to her sisters at home to use, and they all said they were effective.
It just so happened that she also opened a cosmetics shop in Li County, but it was all imported goods and had no unique characteristics. Now that Liu Ya has this talent, she can give it a try.
Liu Ya shouted in surprise, "Really? Second brother, can these also make money?"
"Well! Didn't the elder sisters say that you are doing a good job? You should work hard on your research and open a shop to earn money to save for your dowry."
Liu Ya blushed immediately, "I don't want any dividends, I just like doing this. If I can make money, I'll give it to my second brother. I heard that his schooling is very expensive."
She was still used to calling him second brother, but her household registration had been moved to Jiang Youzhen's house, so she would be considered a real sister from now on.
"It's fine as long as I can earn some money for my second brother, but I'm afraid no one will buy it."
Liu Ya has lived in Jiang Youzhen's house for the past two years. She eats well, wears warm clothes, and is not beaten or scolded. Her second brother and his family are all very kind to her. But she has nothing and has no way to repay him.
If rouge and powder can make money, then she is still useful and not just eating for free.
"Then Second Brother will have to rely on you for support from now on, so you have to work hard!" Jiang Youzhen laughed heartily. This girl is too shy.
Liu Ya nodded heavily, her eyes full of admiration. In her heart, Liu Ge was a good man who stood tall and upright, no man in the world could compare to him, and no woman in the world could match him.
In the evening, Jiang Youzhen's family gathered together for dinner. After dinner, Shen talked about the old house.
"I heard from your Aunt Ya that Jiang Haiqing was beaten so badly that he almost died."
Jiang Youzhen was a little surprised when he heard this, "Who did this?"
Although she thought the beating was good, she still disdained to beat a man who was down and out. They were no longer on the same level.
What made her curious was who else in the village had such a deep hatred for Jiang Haiqing that she could beat him up when no one was around.
"You can't guess who this person is. When we heard it, we all found it incredible." Shen said mysteriously, which aroused Jiang Youzhen's interest even more.
"It's Jiang Hailin!" Shen said with a few clicks of the tongue.
"Jiang Hailin?" Jiang Youzhen really didn't expect that these two people had some deep hatred? Why did they do such a cruel thing?
Jiang Youzhen suddenly recalled that the one who replaced Liu Ya and married into the Tang family was Wu Ya from the eldest house, right?
That's not right! Wu Ya was framed by Zhou Shi when she married him. As for Jiang Haiqing's plot against Liu Ya, Jiang Hailin shouldn't mind it. He only has money in his eyes.
"You also find it unbelievable, right? We are brothers after all, yet he could be so harsh." Shen was holding Jiang Youzhen's clothes in her hand, preparing to sew the buttons on it.
"Now the whole village is saying that Jiang Hailin despises Jiang Haiqing because he is a useless person. He needs others to take care of him every day and provide him with food rations."
Jiang Youzhen was speechless. Jiang Hailin hadn't made any contribution to the old house. Wasn't he supported by his parents? He actually looked down on his elder brother.
"We have really made a fool of ourselves in the eyes of the villagers!" Jiang Fugui shook his head and sighed. Originally, the two scholars in the old house should have had a good life no matter what. Who could have expected that they would become like this?
Qian Chongen returned to his room with a smile on his face. Jiang Youzhen passed the imperial examination and had great hope of passing the imperial examination next year.
He was the youngest Jinshi in the Dayun Dynasty, and even the top three in the imperial examination, with a bright future.
"Master, if you had held the apprenticeship ceremony earlier, you wouldn't have such regrets."
Kong thought of the grand banquet held today. If Jiang Youzhen passed the imperial examination and became a Jinshi, it would be even more lively. What a great honor it would be!
Qian Chongen stopped smiling when he heard this. "Although we didn't hold a ceremony to become a disciple, we are already master and disciple. Don't mind those empty formalities."
"How can it be the same? Although she respectfully calls you teacher, she has no title or status after all. When she goes to the capital, if there is someone more capable, she might take someone else as her teacher."
Kong felt that her master was too honest. Now that the master was well, the apprenticeship ceremony could go on.
"But what do I have now? Even the teacher of the provincial school has taken away my position. Why should I be her teacher? She has mentioned before that Jiang Youzhen is a man who values friendship and loyalty, but I can't use this to threaten her and become a despicable villain." Qian Chongen smiled self-deprecatingly.
"So what? Did she approach you because of your status as Yu Jiao?"
Kong Shi didn't understand. They only had Jiang Youzhen to rely on now. What about their daughter's marriage? Wouldn't the master consider it?
"She is not that kind of person. I insisted on doing this. I don't want to ruin her future." Qian Chongen just felt tired.
"But you became like this because of him!" Kong shouted out of control.
"It can only be said that it is fate! If you don't have the ability, you shouldn't dream. This is not her fault, it's just because of her. She has tried her best to make it up to us, sending so many good things every year to supplement us, which is all for Ru'er's dowry. The total is 30,000 taels, are you still not satisfied?
I feel guilty for taking so much money. If I didn't want her to feel at ease, I wouldn't even take this."
Qian Chongen felt that he was too embarrassed to face Jiang Youzhen and he was ashamed of himself.
"You are so noble! You are great, but have you ever thought about us, mother and daughter?"
Kong wiped her tears. If it were in the past, why would she become so materialistic?
But now they rely on Jiang Youzhen to make a living. Once Jiang Youzhen becomes someone else's disciple, how long will the friendship they had before be useful?
"If you don't mention it, I won't force you!" Kong suddenly stood up and took a deep breath.
Qian Chongen breathed a sigh of relief, but also felt sad.
"Then let Jiang Youzhen marry Ru'er!"
These words were like a slap in the face to Qian Chongen, and his expression became extremely ugly.
"When are you going to threaten Entu to repay me? Do you think we are a good match? How can I have the face to mention it?" Qian Chongen growled with gritted teeth.
If he hadn't been at the Jiang family, he would have left long ago. He didn't dare to speak loudly for fear that the Jiang family would hear him.
He didn't understand why his wife had become like this and why she made such an excessive request?
"What do you mean by a good match? They are just farmers. Even if they have a bright future, that is a matter for the future. Would it be an insult to Ru'er to marry her? Ru'er is well-behaved and sensible, and she is devoted to her..."
Kong paused for a moment before saying, "Master, didn't you always say that Jiang Youzhen could become a superior person with her own abilities even if she didn't marry the daughter of a powerful official? If so, what difference does it make to her who she marries?"
Qian Chongen was so angry that his head felt dizzy. He took a deep breath and said, "Don't mention this matter again! I am not that kind of person. Don't force me. If you bring this up in front of the Jiang family, I will have no face to live."
Kong was shocked and panicked, "Master! Why do you have to do this?"
In the courtyard, Jiang Youzhen stood quietly, her heart in turmoil for a moment. Listening to the crying of Kong in the house, she sighed deeply.
After thinking for a long time, Jiang Youzhen turned around and left.