stingy landlady

Chapter 210 Gui Xiang Suffers (2)

Jiang Hongliang said impatiently:

“My mother also has to do needlework and wash clothes for wealthy families. She has to earn money, so where would she find the time to collect firewood? When my younger sister used to work in your area, she could use the money she earned to buy firewood.”

Now that there's nowhere to earn money, if she doesn't go gather firewood, who will?

Jiang Hongliang suddenly seemed to remember something and said:

"Hey? Guixiang! You're such a pampered young lady, don't you keep your word about that handicraft workshop? Why don't we let our little sister go back to work and earn money? Then we won't have to worry about going up the mountain to collect that little bit of firewood!"

Gui Xiang quickly shook her head and said:

"Jiang Lang! I wouldn't dare make that decision! I didn't tell my parents I came out! They must be so worried! They don't know where to look for me! If they find out I came here with you, they'll beat me to death!"

"Gui Xiang! Even tigers don't eat their cubs! Your parents might hit you a few times at most, so just take it! They're your parents anyway, it's enough that they vent their anger on you!"

Jiang Hongliang said nonchalantly.

Gui Xiang felt a pang of heartache upon hearing Jiang Hongliang's callous words, but still unwillingly said:

"Jiang Lang! My change of clothes are all in that bundle. Come with me to get my things!"

Jiang Hongliang's patience has completely run out.

"Guixiang, why are you so long-winded! Why are you making such a fuss? Do you think my mother doesn't know where your change of clothes are in that bundle? Besides, who bathes and changes clothes every day?"

You can't wear work clothes when you're doing chores! Save your nicer clothes for when you go out! With our current financial situation, we can't afford to buy new ones.

I need to study now, so be quiet!

The Dazhu family received confirmation that Guixiang was indeed at the Jiang family's house, and that she had started doing hard labor the very next day. Everyone fell silent.

After a long pause, Dazhu was the first to speak:

"She chose this path herself! Since Guixiang chose this life, suffering or enjoying it is her fate! She's smart, otherwise she would have gotten a good beating if she came back now!"

With tears welling in her eyes and a hint of heartache in her voice, Mrs. Li said:

"Honey! Gui Xiang hasn't done any heavy work all these years! When we were still living in the old house and hadn't separated from the family, she would at most wash clothes and dig up some wild vegetables."

"Sigh! This child, has she lost her mind? Giving up a perfectly good life as a young lady! She insists on being someone's slave!"

Gui Hong was worried about Gui Xiang, so she didn't go to the county town and stayed home waiting for news. At this time, she also said:

“Father! Mother! Eldest sister has always been decisive! Maybe she'll come back once she's figured things out! It's just that the Jiang family is really too poor. I heard from Uncle Zhou that their two low thatched huts are almost collapsing!”

Scholars are useless! I bet that Jiang kid is just a bookworm! He doesn't care about anything, whether it's family or outside the home; all he knows is how to study!

This can't go on forever! We need to find a way to get her home!

Guizhi thought long-term and said:

“Father! Mother! Some people will go astray when they are extremely poor! I guess that Jiang family can't afford to get married, so they tried to trick a wife into coming home.”

My eldest sister is a very stubborn person. Logically, after seeing so many people and things over the years, she shouldn't be the type to stick to one thing. I suspect she's been blinded for a moment, or maybe the Jiang family has some leverage over her!

How about we secretly send someone to ask her sometime? If she wants to go home, we have ways to get her back! If she doesn't want to come back, we'll think of ways to not come back!

Dazhu pondered for a moment and said:

"Let's wait until she can't take the suffering anymore! You can't force a relationship. If we bring Guixiang back by force, and she runs away again, what if we can't find her?"

It's no use arguing with us at home. It all depends on Guixiang's own decision. Guihong should go back to the county town early tomorrow!

Guizhi should go do whatever she needs to do! Let her wait a few days before we talk about it!

Guizhi returned to Huanghua Village with a worried expression. Wanrou was distracted by her child, and Xu Hong was busy with the two workshops every day. Neither of them noticed the worry on Guizhi's face.

Lin Qianjia, being observant, quietly asked Guizhi:

"Master! Is something wrong at home? Why do you look so worried? Frowning too much will cause wrinkles for a young lady!"

Guizhi thought about it. After all, Lin Qian's family was one of their own, and they wouldn't gossip like those gossipy women. Besides, Lin Qian's family was knowledgeable and experienced; perhaps they could find a solution!

Guizhi briefly recounted how Guixiang had been deceived and was now eloping to suffer.

Lin Qian's family considered for a moment, then smiled and said:

"Master! The one who tied the knot must untie it! Since the Jiang family tricked the young lady into going to their house so devotedly, then let them take the initiative to kick her out of their house!"

However, the young lady will have to suffer a bit during this period!

Guizhi's eyes lit up, and she asked:

"Aunt Lin, do you have any good ideas?"

Lin Qian's family then brought up another matter.

"Master! When my master went to the prefectural city this time, the prince heard that the eldest and second young ladies are getting married soon! So he gave your two older sisters dowries ahead of time."

Guizhi was a little confused:

"Why didn't Uncle Lin Qian tell me? Does this have anything to do with my sister's matter?"

Lin Qian's mysterious smile:

"That's because the eldest and second young ladies aren't married yet. So the head of the household hasn't told the master about it yet."

The dowry arrangements were certainly related to the eldest daughter being deceived! The prince gave each of the eldest and second daughters fifty acres of wasteland as dowry. The second daughter's husband's family was experienced and powerful.

Fifty acres of wasteland would be a nice bonus, but not for the young lady. Having these fifty acres as part of her dowry might temporarily improve her life, but the hardest time would come when taxes were due in three years.

Fifty acres of land would generate a substantial amount of tax revenue. The real worry is that if these fifty acres were given to the eldest daughter, the Jiang family wouldn't even have enough land to cultivate!

Guizhi pondered the reasoning and said:

"Alright! Aunt Lin, that's a great idea! Isn't the Jiang family after money? Let's send it to them. But we can't let these fifty acres of land go to waste; they're perfect for planting fruit trees!"

Lin Qian's wife saw that Guizhi already understood her meaning, and the corners of her mouth turned up:

"Although the master is young, he is indeed very intelligent."

Guizhi found Dazhu and said:

"Dad! Let's go find our eldest sister!"

Dazhu asked Guizhi in confusion:

"Looking for your older sister? Didn't we say she could stay a little longer, and then come back if she couldn't stand it anymore? It's only been a few days! You miss your older sister?"

Guizhi smiled slyly:

"Father! That man in the prefectural city gave my eldest sister fifty acres of wasteland as part of her dowry. Let's send it to her!"

Dazhu was puzzled by the tunnel:

"Your eldest sister is stupid enough to elope with someone without a matchmaker or betrothal, and I'm supposed to give her a dowry? I wonder what people will say about your father when they hear this!"

Besides, with their family background, let alone fifty acres of wasteland, they couldn't even cultivate five acres! No one in that family is cut out for farming.