“Father, we can’t let Sister-in-law be convicted like this. What will happen to my and my two nieces’ marriage prospects if that happens!”
Shen Qing Qing, who had been hiding nearby and watching the commotion for a while, couldn’t help but run to Shen Zhiqiou’s side and whisper.
She was sixteen this year, and it was precisely the time for her to be betrothed. If her sister-in-law committed a crime now, it would be difficult for her to find a good match. Her eldest niece was already thirteen and would be ready for betrothal in two or three years.
Old Man Shen’s expression shifted. He didn’t care what happened to his eldest daughter-in-law, but his youngest daughter was the apple of his eye. His eldest granddaughter and youngest daughter, though just girls, were exceptionally beautiful. If he wanted to live a good life in the future, he would have to rely on them finding good families.
“Madam Shen, you’ve been making a scene for so long just for money, haven’t you? Fine, tell me, how much do you want!”
Shen Zhiqiou’s gaze was as if he were looking at something filthy and utterly vulgar. He thought that by crying and playing the victim like this, he would soften his heart and make him care about her family’s survival. Ultimately, it was because she was too aggressive and overbearing, which made him, as her husband, dislike her. She deserved what she got today. He had encouraged his daughter-in-law to teach this old woman a lesson precisely to let her know who was in charge.
“You…” Feng Meixiang was fuming. It was clearly this family that had done such wicked things, yet his expression made it look as though he were looking at a group of beggars.
“Our family has 15 mu of land planted with grain. This year’s yield has decreased; one mu is estimated to produce 150 jin of grain. Currently, unhusked rice can be sold for 10 wen coins per jin, which makes 22 taels and 500 wen coins. The other 5 mu were for vegetables, which Eldest Aunt’s people stole. There wasn’t much, so let’s calculate one mu at 500 wen coins, which is 2 taels and 500 wen coins. The total is 25 taels of silver!”
Shen Hong didn’t care about the look his deadbeat father was giving him. His thin, weak body stood tall as he spoke these words directly.
As the youngest son, he was the least favored in this family. Back then, the relationship between his parents had reached a freezing point. Liu Yan, the concubine, had swapped his Mother’s prenatal medicine for an abortifacient while she was pregnant with him, and he was only saved by a physician at the time. This resulted in him being born with a weak constitution and frequent illnesses; he was as thin as a kitten at birth, and everyone said he wouldn’t survive. His father had always looked at him with that same expression—full of disdain. He was used to it.
“Bullshit! How could it possibly sell for that much? There’s no water; how could there be such a large harvest!”
Du Shi jumped up in anger. In her view, her father-in-law probably only had twenty or thirty taels in savings. If it were all given to the Second Branch and Third Branch, how would they survive?
“That’s not right. My Mother was beaten, and my Grandma is also covered in injuries. Not only do they need medical treatment, but they won’t be able to work the fields for a long time. You have to compensate at least another 5 taels.” Shen Xixi peeked her head out from behind her eldest brother.
“Yes, and the medical fees for Grandma and Mother!” Xiao Xing Xing followed suit, peeking her head out from behind her second sister.
Shen Zhiqiou, Shen Wu, Shen Qing Qing, Shen Yue, Shen Yu, and all the villagers turned their gaze toward Shen Wenxing.
Shen Wenxing’s entire body went stiff. “Uh, my Grandma and Mother are in poor health… you have to compensate!” Under everyone’s gaze, he stammered out these words to declare his stance.
Shen Zhiqiou took a deep breath. Fine, fine, fine—one rat dropping has ruined the whole pot of porridge.
“Second Uncle Shen, your family started this. My Mother and wife were both injured by your people. You should compensate!”
Shen Da Shan said. Since the village head was presiding over the matter, he couldn’t back down either.