CHAPTER 122 CHAPTER 123 THE BIG HOUSE OF THE BLACKHEARTED (FIRST UPDATE)

Mu Shuangshuang asked Liu Zian for the reason for the books because she thought they might be useful in the future.

Whether it's to take them back to teach Xiao Han and Little Zhi to recognize characters or to find characters she needs in those books herself.

"I brought out ten books, ten wen each."

Liu Zian didn't take advantage of Mu Shuangshuang. He originally bought those books for more than ten wen each, some even for twenty.

"Five wen each, you've used them for so long, there's some wear and tear." Mu Shuangshuang bargained.

Liu Zian hesitated. Five wen per book meant he could only sell them for fifty wen, not a small amount, but definitely not much either.

"How about this, did you bring any brushes or xuan paper? If so, give me a brush and two sheets of xuan paper, and I'll give you eighty wen."

Eighty wen, equivalent to more than a month's wages for her mother, this scholar wasn't too much at a loss.

"Alright!"

The side room of the Old Mu Family.

Mrs. Jin changed her clothes, but she still hadn't recovered from the blow of falling into the latrine.

She used ten buckets of water to wash off the stinking stuff on her body.

Right now, in her mind, she kept seeing those filthy faces of the Old Mu Family, and the disgusting look in Mu Danian's eyes...

"Mom, I threw away those clothes of yours, they were too stinky..." Mu Dandan said as she walked in from outside, speaking to Mrs. Jin who was sitting on the kang.

"Mom, this grandma is really too much, obviously it's Fifth Uncle's fault, why talk about you? I don't like grandma one bit." Mu Dandan muttered with a pout and complained.

Mrs. Jin, at this point, didn't care about these matters; she felt she couldn't take it anymore. She didn't want to stay at the Old Mu Family one more day. She needed to leave soon, and the only way was for her husband to pass the exams.

"Dandan, quickly go get your dad and tell him I have something important to discuss with him."

"Okay!"

Those disgusting people, it's best if they never appear in front of her again. Mu Dade left the study room with a somewhat unnatural expression on his face.

In fact, his mother had also come by earlier, said a lot of things, all complaints, even accusing Mrs. Jin of deliberately seducing the men in the family, and warned that if not managed, the family would be in chaos.

"My mother just came by," Mu Dade said expressionlessly. "She asked you to be more restrained, not to make trouble every day."

Mrs. Jin's expression instantly became shocked, "You believe your mother's words? Dandan's father, do you find me repulsive? I..."

Large teardrops rolled out of Mrs. Jin's eyes, and Mrs. Jin was good-looking; she also looked beautiful while crying, which softened Mu Dade's heart.

"Yinyin, don't cry, I don't mean that. I know you've suffered in this household. Once dad gathers the fifty tacls of silver, we'll live a good life!"

Most men like women who are pitiful and beautiful. When Mu Dade passed the scholar's examination, among the women who approached him for marriage, he only found Mrs. Jin attractive.

Moreover, Mrs. Jin's family was decent, which allowed this relationship to last for so many years.

"Da De, I feel so bitter inside. For years, I've treated mom as my own, but how does she treat me? She speaks ill of me behind my back, saying I eat without producing... Boohoo..."

"And then our dad, claiming it's for your benefit, but why is he unwilling to marry Shuangshuang off? If he did, we'd have money, and you could hire a teacher in the county."

Mrs. Jin resented Mr. Mu and Old Mrs. Mu; eventually, these people would become obstacles to her good life, it'd be better to make her husband think ill of them now.

Mu Dade also knew about these things, but his father was stubborn; once something is decided, who can change it?

"Yinyin, I understand everything you say. The wealth and grandeur are so close, I don't want to give it up, but I have no other option." Mu Dade shook his head

helplessly.

"There is a way, you can ask mom. She's easily swayed, ask her if she wants to be the mother of an official, wants to be waited on, wants the villagers to

respect her."

Old Mrs. Mu was greedy and liked face; as long as you offered her enough benefits, she would definitely agree, and she never liked Shuangshuang. "Even if mom ultimately disagrees, I have a contract, Da De, take a look"

Mrs. Jin took out the contract she had hidden for a long time and handed it to

Mu Dade.

Mu Dade took a look and immediately understood Mrs. Jin's intention.

"Isn't this going too far?"

Mu Dade was actually worried that Mrs. Jin's plotting against the third branch might eventually be exposed by Old Third, making him lose face.

"Don't worry, Old Third is honest; he can't outtalk the two of us. Just go and plead with dad and mom; if they don't agree, use this."

When Mu Dade went to find Old Mrs. Mu, she happened to be heading out to dump slop water. A bucket of slop water poured outside nearly splashed onto

Mu Dade.

Mu Dade disdainfully lifted his foot, looked up, and saw the carelessly dressed

Old Mrs. Mu.

The weather was unbearably hot, so Old Mrs. Mu just wore a sweat-soaked shirt, the wet clothes clung to her body, emitting a unique odor.

"Oh, Da De, you're here. Hurry into mom's room and sit; mom will get you

something to eat. Your Uncle Yang came over this morning and brought two melons; he said they're really sweet."

"Mom, I won't go in. I just want to ask, have you prepared the travel expenses for me? The Autumn Examination is getting closer, and by then, even if you gather the silver, I won't have time to hire a teacher."

Old Mrs. Mu, upon hearing this, became anxious.

These days, Mr. Mu couldn't eat or sleep, constantly worrying about the fifty

taels of silver for his eldest son.

The Old Mu Family didn't have many wealthy relatives; rather a bunch worse

off than them.

Virtually no relatives they could borrow from.

"Oh, Da De, your dad is nearly going crazy; dad and mom really can't come up

with such silver."

Mu Dade's face looked increasingly gloomy. "Then I won't take the exam, tell

dad, I don't want to be laughed at again. For years, many have mocked me

behind my back, saying our Old Mu Family can't raise a single talent.

Son's heart is suffering, yearning for recognition all these years, just wanting to stand out, to let dad and mom live a good life."

What Mu Dade said sounded pitiful, compelling Old Mrs. Mu to feel as though her heart was being stabbed, causing her tremendous pain.

She dropped the slop bucket and hugged Mu Dade, lamenting her poor heart,

finally she said,

"I, this old lady, will go and borrow from the eldest sister tomorrow; she surely

has fifty taels."

"Mom, why go bother Xianxian, Xiangxiang is freeloading at her house, now take money from her, how will others see our Old Mu Family?"

"This..." Old Mrs. Mu realized this as well; she didn't favor her eldest daughter

Mu Xianxian the most, but she was still her daughter.

She's involved in business, and they were hoping for her future support for

Dade, definitely not worth offending her.

"Then what do you suggest?"

"Marry off Shuangshuang, marrying her will bring money, mom, don't you want

to see me pass the exams and become an official in the Capital?"

To wear gold and silver, be waited on, of course, Old Mrs. Mu wanted that.

"Alright, I'll discuss this with the old man, go have a melon and rest."