Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 88 - 13: Mrs. Huang’s Jealousy

"Yo! Uncle Third from the Gu Family, heading to town?" Mrs. Huang looked at the brand new bullock cart, a bit puzzled, looked around but didn’t see who was driving it.

"Ah, just came back." Mr. Gu wasn’t very fond of the neighbor’s daughter-in-law from the Zhang Family, who loved to gossip and often mingled with that Wang Yue. He gave a simple reply and prepared to drive the bullock cart into the courtyard.

"Uncle Second from the Gu Family, have relatives come over? Why is the bullock cart going into the courtyard?" Mrs. Huang eyed the strong ox with envy; it was indeed a precious livestock.

Though Mr. Gu did not want to babble with Mrs. Huang, the mention of his newly bought ox made him happy and he couldn’t help but indulge in a few more words.

"What relatives? Didn’t I just buy this ox from town today?"

Gu Chengyu was just pushing open the courtyard gate to let the bullock cart in when he heard Mrs. Huang coming over from the neighboring yard.

"What? You bought an ox? Is that bullock cart yours? Tsk tsk! Oh my! Uncle Third from the Gu Family? Have you struck it rich? That bullock cart must have cost quite a bit of silver coins, right?" Mrs. Huang was utterly shocked when she heard it was bought by the Gu Family.

Mrs. Huang hurried to the Gu Family courtyard gate, touching the cart bed and then the sturdy ox tied to the cart, clicking her tongue as she petted, "Look at this ox! Fat and strong, truly a master at pulling carts and plowing fields! And this cart bed, I’ve only seen it on people’s carriages."

Mr. Gu saw her not stopping and ran out of patience, "Niece-in-law from the Jiang Family, we just got back and haven’t had our midday meal yet!"

"Oh dear! Look at me! I am just fascinated by the ox! Uncle Third from the Gu Family, your family is quite something now in Shangling Village!" Mrs. Huang gave Mr. Gu a thumbs up.

"Oh, don’t flatter me, the Zhao Landlord’s family doesn’t lack oxen." Mr. Gu was actually quite pleased himself; in Shangling Village, besides the Zhao Landlord, his family could also count a bit, right? Probably no other family had more silver than his.

"Uncle Third from the Gu Family! Where did you get rich? Tell us, let us make some silver coins too, we’re all from the same village, and our houses are next to each other! Everyone should earn, right?" Gu Chengyu noticed Mrs. Huang’s flattering smile, as obsequious as can be.

At the same time, he scoffed at Mrs. Huang’s words; this woman was foolish, who would willingly share a source of wealth if they had it? However, his family bought the bullock cart today and would need to buy land and build a house later; without explaining some source of wealth, the village might harbor more unfounded suspicions, and some might develop bad intentions. Gu Chengyu, after a brief consideration, decided it would be better to reveal a bit.

Mr. Gu was just about to get angry, how shameless must one be to say such a thing? Even if his family had a lot of silver, it wouldn’t have anything to do with the Jiang Family, right?

Gu Chengyu quickly pulled Mr. Gu over, whispered a few words in his ear, and though initially reluctant, Mr. Gu eventually nodded helplessly.

"Speaking of a way to earn money, there isn’t really one. A few days ago, Xiao Bao and I went up the mountain and dug up some ginseng, sold it for some silver. Otherwise, where would we get the silver to buy a bullock cart?"

Mrs. Huang slapped her thigh, "What? How so coincidental! It’s like hitting a jackpot! How much silver did that ginseng sell for?" Mrs. Huang’s eyes lit up at the mention of ginseng.

"The ginseng wasn’t big, sold only for dozens of taels." Mr. Gu thought it better to understate; after all, Doctor Li wouldn’t go around spreading it.

"Dozens of taels? That much?" Mrs. Huang was practically jumping with jealousy hearing they got dozens of taels, the Gu Family’s luck was too good!

"Yes, but I bought the bullock cart and land today, and there’s nothing left. Xiao Bao, let’s go home to eat." Mr. Gu intentionally said nothing was left to prevent people from borrowing needlessly and to guard against thieves since it’s not safe to keep silver at home.

They pulled the bullock cart into the courtyard and shut the gate, ignoring Mrs. Huang outside.

Gu Chengyu could be sure that after today, the villagers would know his family dug up ginseng and sold it for a lot of silver.

"Mom! Come out quickly." Gu Chengyu shouted towards the main room, wanting to give his mother a surprise.

"What’s the matter?" Mrs. Lv asked while cutting thread ends from the clothing she was sewing, neatly folded it, and put it into the kang cabinet before descending from the kang and slipping on her shoes to go outside.

"Oh my! Whose bullock cart is this? Why is it in our courtyard?" Mrs. Lv was startled by the big ox’s eyes as soon as she walked out of the main room.

Gu Chengyu grinned, leaving the pleasant task of explanation to his father and carrying the package from the cart into the main room.

A while later, Mrs. Lv and Mr. Gu entered the house, "Why did you buy a bullock cart? Didn’t I tell you to be frugal? Wasn’t the silver meant for Xiao Bao’s education spent on a cart?"

"I just thought since Xiao Bao had to go to town every day, wouldn’t having a bullock cart be more convenient? Always hiring Old Wang’s bullock cart, it adds up to quite a sum! Besides, his ox is too slow, better to buy a new one so Xiao Bao can sleep a bit longer in the morning." Mr. Gu had considered it; the bullock cart was indeed indispensable.

"Mom, we are soon going to buy land, having an ox will make it less strenuous for dad and them, besides with more land, relying on manpower will delay work!" Gu Chengyu consoled from the side.

"Hmph! I can’t win against you two. It’s bought already, can’t return it, can we? By the way, how did Xiao Bao’s schooling go today?" Mrs. Lv had been waiting at home for news, momentarily distracted by the ox.

"It’s set! He will study with Mr. Wen, you’ll have to get up early tomorrow to make something for Xiao Bao to eat, he’ll have lunch at the private school; they eat at early noon, he’ll be famished by then."

"So it’s three meals a day, I’ll need to get up early to make wowo." Mrs. Lv thought for a moment and decided she’d get up early every day to oversee making the wowo with the families of the elder and second sons.

Eating at the private school was something Gu Chengyu had considered. If it’s hot, the food taken would spoil, so it’s better to eat there; it’s not so expensive actually. He also thought their two-meal-a-day system at home needed a change.

"Mom, let’s add a meal at home in the morning too! Dad, big brother, and second brother have to get up early for fieldwork, how can they have the strength to work without eating?"

"Do we have that much grain to eat out of bounds? This can be discussed later!" Mrs. Lv was sewing a cloth bag, didn’t even look up from the kang when she spoke.

Gu Chengyu knew instantly that his mom was just putting him off, but since the Gu Family currently had no steady source of silver coins, he’d have to wait till he could make soap and bring in more rice and flour to improve their meals.

"Mom! What are you making?" Gu Chengyu saw the square cloth bag in Mrs. Lv’s hands, couldn’t it be a book bag for him?

"You’re starting school tomorrow, can’t let you go without a book bag!" Mrs. Lv was threading her needle against the light from outside the window, squinting her eyes, her hands working tirelessly.

"Mom, stop sewing, take a break! Don’t strain your eyes!" Gu Chengyu felt a twinge of pity.

"Almost done, just wait a bit!"

"Mom! I’m hungry, dad and I haven’t had lunch yet!" Gu Chengyu was helpless, resorting to his ultimate weapon.

"What? Silly boy, don’t you know to buy food in town for Xiao Bao? Coming back with empty stomachs? Wait, the buns you brought back are still in the well cooling! I’m afraid they’ll spoil, I’ll heat them up for you." Mrs. Lv heard they hadn’t eaten, and quickly put down her sewing, getting off the kang to go to the kitchen.

Apparently, his mom kept the buns uneaten for him.

He thought of the wowo and packet of peach blossom cakes in the space, planning to share with Da Lang and the others when there’s time.