Allure of a Country Maiden-Chapter 136 - 334: Provincial Examination Incident

Mr. Shen thought for a moment before starting, "Third child, our family all relies on the grocery store’s income to make a living, as you know, your shop’s opening has resulted in no business in the grocery store these past few days, if this continues, how can we go on."

"My shop is just new and, therefore, offers more favorable terms; we all know that people are curious about new things. Everyone has a novelty feeling in their hearts, which is why my store does well. As time goes on, the novelty will wear out," Chengyao explained, feeling helpless. What did his father want from him? Did he want him to close the supermarket to accommodate his eldest brother’s grocery store?

"It doesn’t work!" Xiao’er nodded. How could we survive without a steady income! However...

The products in the supermarket are several coins more expensive compared to those in general grocery stores. Of course, the quality is much better as well. For every product in the supermarket, she and Chengyao, along with their brother Mu Xiu, visited various places before finalizing their purchase. The quality was top-notch!

Due to its high prices, not everyone can accept this, unless there was a promotion. The grocery store would definitely be affected in the short term, but in the long run, the impact wouldn’t be very significant.

"I’m glad Xiao’er understands that it isn’t working. If the grocery store doesn’t make any income, what would our family eat? You see, your grandparents and us are living together. We could go hungry, but we can’t let the two elderly folks go hungry! Your parents have worked their entire lives for their children, aren’t they entitled to comfort in their old age!" Mrs. Lan with a face of concern for the elderly spoke earnestly.

"I’ve always known of my aunt’s filial piety. Now that my fourth aunt is pregnant, it’s not convenient for her to help my aunt with household chores. As soon as my aunt returned from the town, I knew she is very filial. A person as filial as aunt will definitely not leave the two elderly folks and go back to town. Instead, you will stay here and serve your parents-in-law for the rest of your life. But aunt, you don’t need to worry about grandpa and grandma starving because business is not going well. Every month, my father gives ten taels of silver as living expenses. I don’t think my grandparents will have nowhere to eat, even if they eat meat instead of rice, they won’t be able to finish these ten taels of silver!"

"Wen’er needs to continue his studies. How can we go on without any income from the grocery store? Wen’er is about to take the provincial examination. Our store cannot earn a single coin these days, what silver would he use to take the examination!" Upon hearing Xiao’er saying that she would stay and serve those two aged people, Mrs. Lan’s face blanched; unable to refute her, she simply argued...

"When we went out, my parents had discussed and concluded that the provincial examination is coming up, and your uncle and aunt must help their nephew. So we got hold of ten taels of silver as travel and accommodation expenses for your cousin. We planned to give it to your cousin through your grandparents, now that you are here, you can give it to your cousin. We wish him the best of luck in the exam!" Xiao’er took out ten taels of silver and put it on the kang table, shutting Mrs. Lan up. Ah! Indeed, money makes the world go round!

Chengyao glanced at Xiao’er. When did they prepare ten taels? Recently, he was so busy that he had forgotten about the provincial examination. He didn’t say much, he couldn’t ruin his daughter’s attempt.

"How’s ten taels enough!" Lan complained.

"Ten taels is not enough? Father, doesn’t it just take about ten taels for my brothers to study in the county each year? Cousin is only going to take the college examination in the county. If he passes, he will be eligible to participate in the provincial examination in the prefecture city after qualifying as a scholar. Only then will we include travel and accommodation expenses to the prefecture city. Are we not right? As long as he has not yet taken the college examination, he should not talk about the provincial examination. Having ambitious goals is good, but he must be realistic!"

Upon hearing these words, Mrs. Lan didn’t know what to say. She planned to bribe the examiner with silver, hoping that Wen’er would pass the rural examination and even planned to purchase an official post for him after he qualifies as a scholar. In any case, this would cost a few thousand taels.

Of course, she wouldn’t think about this in the past, but since the third branch family is so rich now, what’s the problem in giving a few thousand taels to help her nephew! It’s just a drop in the ocean.

"Of course, the travel expenses are enough, but besides travel expenses, there are other things to take care of during the Imperial Examination," Mrs. Lan vaguely added.

"Aunt, you can rest assured. The poor business of the grocery store is temporary. Once the novelty of the townsfolk wears off, your store’s business will revert to normal. Then you will have the silver to facilitate things for cousin. As the uncle’s family, what’s in our heart for nephew’s Imperial Examination is what matters. It’s not our place to overshadow the efforts of his parents. My brothers will also take the Imperial Examination in the future, but they will not ask aunt to donate silver, nor will they need it. If they need facilitation, let my brothers stop studying."

Mr. Shen and Chengguang listened, their faces darkening. Mrs. Lan’s face morphed between red and black! ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

It turns out, the third branch family won’t give this silver. Ten taels is like a hand out to beggars!

"Okay, when Wen’er becomes an official, don’t expect any favors. If there’s anything you need help with in the future, even if it’s a few thousand taels, I will not accept it!" Mrs. Lan, in her anger, spoke her mind without thinking.

Xiao’er lowered her head, her eyes full of irony. What a wild imagination! Helping the son of such a person become an official would be a crime against society! She regretted giving out those ten taels of silver!

"Third child, your elder brother is short of silver, if you have a surplus, please help him out!" Master Shen directly ordered.

"Father, I’ve helped however I could," Chengyao said, shaking his head in hesitance.

"Third Child, are you now daring to disobey me!" Master Shen said in a heavy voice, his face turning dark.

"But Father, I am unable to help with this!" Chengyao voiced in difficulty.

"Alright, you don’t have to help. But close your supermarket. Otherwise, you will take all the business from the grocery store and refuse to help. What does this mean!"

Chengyao: ...

"Grandpa, of course, we would listen to a reasonable request. But if the demands are unfair or excessive, how can we do it? There is more than one grocery store in town. Why is it only my aunt who asks us to close our store! Our family only does what’s fair and just, anything that is unfair and unjust, we will not do!" Who likes to help such people, unless one took pleasure in being abused!

All it takes is one disagreement and she puts on a sour face, even going as far as to threaten others! My sister, I hate being threatened the most!

"Grandpa, I believe my cousin will pass every examination with flying colors. He doesn’t need any additional facilitation. There are some things we need to take care of at home, so we will leave first!"

Xiao’er calmed her tone and dragged the stunned Chengyao out.

Alas, her father was disappointed again!

As Master Shen watched Chengyao getting pulled away by Xiao’er, he was boiling with rage. However, they had already said all they had to say. Even if the young ones didn’t listen, there was nothing he could do. It wasn’t feasible to disclose this matter because they didn’t have a valid reason.

He could only tell Chengguang, "We don’t need to rush Wen’er’s matter. Let’s see how the first step goes."

Mrs. Lan gave the third branch even more contemptuous glances. Just wait; once Wen’er becomes a scholar and an official, she will surely...! Mrs. Lan clenched her fists tightly.