Song Yanyan’s heart was also burning with excitement.
This was the silver she had earned for the family, hehe!
So happy!
Tian Denghua couldn’t hide her proud expression either: “Although Yanyan is the youngest in our family, according to the family rules, since we haven’t split the household yet, the money earned should be handed over to the common pool. So Yanyan gave it all to me. As her mother, I feel for her being so sensible and gave her a small piece of broken silver for her to spend as she pleases. You, as her older brothers and sister-in-law, shouldn’t have any objections, right?”
Song Risheng, Qi Lian, and Song Yueping all shook their heads vigorously.
Qi Lian also said, “Yanyan is so capable. It’s only right for Mother to give her a little extra.”
But Tian Denghua shook her head: “No need for extra. She’s just a child. If she carries too much money on her, it might attract unwanted attention from those with ill intentions. I gave her a small piece of broken silver and will take her to the county town later to exchange it for copper coins. That should be enough for her to buy snacks for a good while.”
Qi Lian nodded: “Mother makes sense.”
Tian Denghua gave Qi Lian a satisfied look, then took out the largest piece of broken silver and pushed it toward Qi Lian: “Eldest daughter-in-law, this is for you.”
Qi Lian was both surprised and flustered: “Ah, f-for me?”
This piece of broken silver looked to be about four qian! That was quite a lot!
Tian Denghua said, “You’re pregnant now. Although I won’t shortchange you in terms of food, clothing, or daily necessities, if you ever encounter an urgent situation where you need money, having some on hand will give you peace of mind.”
Tears welled up in Qi Lian’s eyes: “Mother, you’re so good to me.”
Tian Denghua then looked at Song Yueping.
This time, her expression was one of disdain. She picked the smallest piece from the pile of broken silver, estimated to be just over one qian, and tossed it to him impatiently.
Song Yueping let out an “ah,” completely baffled: “Mother, I get some too?”
Tian Denghua curled her lips in disdain: “Aren’t you always trailing after that Zhai family girl? … Having some money on you will give you something to spend when trying to impress her.” She paused and looked at Song Risheng and Qi Lian. “Eldest son, eldest daughter-in-law, you don’t have any objections, do you?”
Song Risheng and Qi Lian shook their heads repeatedly: “No objections, no objections.”
“It’s only right, it’s only right.”
Song Yueping clutched the broken silver, feeling extremely excited, but then his expression dimmed as he thought of something. He hesitated and said, “Mother, maybe you should take the silver back… There are many places in the family where money is needed.”
After a pause, he added softly, “…And Cuihong wouldn’t… just because I don’t have money…”
Tian Denghua impatiently cut him off: “If I tell you to take it, then take it!”
This troublesome second son!
Song Yueping then awkwardly said “oh” and put away the one-qian piece of broken silver.
Tian Denghua nodded in satisfaction and collected the remaining silver.
“Apart from the tuition fee for the third son in spring and his meal expenses at school, I plan to use the rest to start a small business when spring comes,” Tian Denghua told her family about her plans. “As for what kind of business, I’ll look into it more and do some research later. Relying solely on those few acres of land is really tough. Now that we suddenly have this extra capital, it’s also an opportunity.”
Naturally, no one in the Song family objected.
Tian Denghua waved her hand with great ambition: “Let’s eat!”
"Ahh, Mom, the meal you made tonight smells absolutely amazing!"
"Exactly! The moment I stepped inside, wow, I thought it was New Year's already!"
"Alright, alright, enough with the sweet talk. Hurry up and eat!"
The Song household was filled with laughter and joy. Outside, snow and wind raged, but inside, it was as warm as spring.
…
In just two days, it would be market day. Song Yanyan woke up early, tidied herself up neatly, and waited for Tian Denghua to take her to the market.
Tian Denghua glanced at Song Yanyan, then fetched a rabbit-fur hood to wrap around her, grumbling with dissatisfaction, "You young ones don't take keeping warm seriously now, but when you get older, you'll suffer for it."
Song Yanyan stuck out her tongue but didn't resist, obediently letting Tian Denghua bundle her up like a ball.
Mother and daughter each drank a warm bowl of porridge before heading out.
Zhaoyou Village was nestled against Qi Mountain but wasn't far from the main road, and the path to the county town was relatively easy to walk.
After nearly an hour of walking, the pair arrived at the county market.
Song Yanyan kept thinking about the small piece of broken silver tucked in her pocket, taking it out to look at it again and again.
Tian Denghua laughed and scolded, "Look at you, acting like you've never seen anything before!"
Song Yanyan smiled sweetly, "I've never held so much silver before."
Tian Denghua poked the bit of Song Yanyan's cheek that was visible, then led her to a small roadside shop to exchange the broken silver for over two hundred copper coins. All of them were placed into the small purse Tian Denghua had just sewn for Song Yanyan.
Song Yanyan tucked the purse into her pocket, feeling its weight and a deep sense of satisfaction.
Two hundred and thirty-seven coins in total!
In Zhaoyou Village, who else, who else at her age, possessed such a massive private fortune?
Who else!
From now on, they could call her Little Song, the Rich Lady!
Song Yanyan beamed with joy.
Seeing her daughter so delighted over exchanging a piece of broken silver, Tian Denghua recalled how Song Yanyan had handed over all the silver without hesitation earlier, and her heart softened.
After walking for an hour, the porridge in their stomachs had long been digested.
As they passed a wonton stall, the aroma of the broth was so enticing it nearly rooted them to the spot.
Song Yanyan declared grandly, "Mom, let me treat you to wontons!"
Tian Denghua found her daughter's proud little expression utterly adorable. Though she thought eating out was a bit extravagant, she didn't want to spoil the fun. With a click of her tongue, she smiled and said, "Well then, I'll enjoy my daughter's treat today."
Mother and daughter sat down at the wonton stall. A bowl of lard wontons cost four coins. Song Yanyan boldly spent eight coins on two bowls, then went to a nearby pancake stall and spent two more coins on two freshly baked, steaming sesame pancakes.
In the depths of winter, steam rose from the wonton bowls, sprinkled with finely chopped green onions, making them look even more irresistible.
As they ate the pancakes and sipped the steaming wonton broth, warmth spread from the soles of their feet all the way to the tops of their heads.
Song Yanyan felt so happy she could cry.
She scooped up a wonton and gobbled it down in one big bite!
But in this moment of pure happiness, Song Yanyan happened to catch sight of a familiar figure leaning against a richly dressed woman as they passed by on the street nearby.
Who else could it be but Luo Jinyu?
Two words flooded Song Yanyan's mind—utterly relentless!
How annoying, even the little wonton in her mouth didn't taste as good anymore!
Song Yanyan saw Luo Jinyu, and Luo Jinyu saw Song Yanyan.
She was taken aback at first, then a look of delight appeared on her face as she smiled and said to the noblewoman beside her, "Foster Mother, I see the family who saved me earlier!"
Song Yanyan swallowed the wonton expressionlessly.
You little troublemaker, since you know it was my family who saved you, could you stay as far away from us as possible!