"What's wrong? The county magistrate's wife said that the Tong family has a good reputation, and their children are well-behaved. They are a good match, and even the old lady approves of our daughter."

Tian Guihua intentionally teased her.

"So what?" Fu Baiman said nonchalantly, "Even if the emperor's son wants to marry into our family, I still have to think about it."

Tian Guihua let out a snort of laughter. "You're just being vain! The emperor's son could possibly marry into our family? Even if our daughter was the best, she wouldn't be good enough."

For the two of them, the county magistrate was already heaven, let alone the emperor who ruled over the entire empire. They didn't even dare to dream about him.

Fu Baiman, he's just saying things for the sake of it. At the end of the day, he can't bear to part with his daughter. "Even if we have enough, it's not enough! Haven't you seen that wealthy families all have three wives and four concubines?"

"Our daughter is so precious, why would she put up with that? We're not short of money, find a honest and kind man, most importantly someone who will love our Chuchu."

Tian Guihua didn't expect the old man to have such thoughts. She had always thought he wanted to give his daughter a good marriage.

Fu Baiman said again: "I've already thought it through, it's best to find a son-in-law who comes to our door. My daughter is right under my nose, and I have her brothers too. I'll see who dares to bully her."

Tian Guihua was speechless. "Other families have daughters-in-law because they don't have sons, but our family has so many sons, why would we need a son-in-law?"

"I don't care, that's how I see it. My daughter can't leave me anyway. Even when she gets married, she has to stay under my watch. Big families have so many rules and are very comfortable. Our little JiuJiu wouldn't stand for that kind of hardship."

Then Guihua smiled, she also felt that marrying an honest man wasn't a bad thing.

Even if it is like this, if the Tong family really comes, you can just refuse. You mustn't lose face by saying things that would anger them.

Tian Guihua worried that she had spoken too harshly and offended someone. The county magistrate's wife wasn't someone to be crossed with.

That goes without saying, I know.

After Tian Guihua finished speaking, her worries were lifted, and she turned over to go to sleep.

Keduo's millions couldn't lull him to sleep. With so many people watching his little daughter, he had to keep a close eye on her, and make sure those young rascals didn't trick her away.

But he was also thinking, of the people around him, which one was honest and trustworthy, worthy of marrying his daughter.

Tang Qi?

Although he may not be honest, his love for Chi-Chi is real. It's just that he can't become her husband, which isn't ideal.

……

On the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, Zhou entrusted her child to Tian Guihua and took pains to dress herself up. She put on her most beautiful clothes, adorned with the prettiest hairpins, and then walked hand-in-hand with Fu Dagjin into town.

She is going to get the bonus.

Fu Jiujiu also woke up earlier than usual, didn't even eat breakfast before running to find Tang Q.

After she came back, she went to look for Tang Qi every day, but every day she only saw Cui Mamu. Tang Qi didn't know what she was doing and hadn't come back all this time.

She vaguely felt that something big was going to happen, but she felt that Cui Mama might not know, and even if she did, she wouldn't say anything.

Tang Qichu only returned at the end of the seventh ugly hour. He had just lain down for a short while when he was startled awake by a knock on the door.

If anyone else had said that, he would have sent them flying with a single palm strike long ago, but the voice was so familiar it couldn't be more so.

"Grandma Cui felt a pang of pity; the child had lost a lot of weight these days. 'Little mistress, you should sleep a little longer. I'll have JiuJiu wait,' "

Tang Xian rubbed her temples, "She's so chatty, how could I even sleep with her coming in?"

Then why not let her go?

Cui Mama thought to herself, "It's not that you don't want her to leave, is it?"

But you just fell asleep…

"So early... let's get her something to eat."

Cui Mama no longer said anything more, turned to open the door for the little dumpling, “Hush... Little master came back very late yesterday, you sit in the house for a while, I’ll go make dinner for you both, let him have another nap!”

"He's back?" Fu Jiaojiao was a little excited.

She was still worried, what if Xiao Zhengtai didn't come back? Could she even perform in this play?

He didn't come back last night, and today she is holding onto a try-it-out mentality.

Tang Xian imagined inside the house that her unbelievable appearance should be very cute, so she smirked.

Cui MaMa nodded, "Yes, he's back. Lin Wei said he clearly finished everything this evening, but he insisted on rushing back last night under the stars and moon, He looks much thinner after staying up all night, I don't know what important matter could be so urgent that he had to do this. You just came right as we were falling asleep..."

Could it be...what she had in mind?

Fu Jiujiu couldn't quite believe it, but she still caught Cui Mamá's meaning. She quickly covered her mouth.

Tang Xian was a little embarrassed by what had been said. "Grandmother Cui, I'm hungry, could you please go get some food?"

Cui Mama shook her head. The young master dotes on Jiujiu, not even allowing for complaints, fearing she'd be upset if she heard them.

No matter if Tang Qi came back for the money lender's business or not, she was woken up by herself just after falling asleep. Fu Jiujiu felt embarrassed, so she didn't even dare to breathe.

Tang Xian listened to her trying her best to slow her breathing, and he just found it amusing. "What day is it today?"

Fu Jiujiu was taken aback. He...didn't know it was the fifth day of the lunar new year today?

That means he didn't rush back to collect the nets from the bank with himself, right?

Did she overthink things again?

Fu Jiaojiao's little face turned red, she was still quite embarrassed. "It's the fifth day of the lunar new year, don't you know?"

"Busy forgot." Tang Xian said carelessly, "It's the fifth day already."

"That's right, it's the fifth day already." Fu Jiujiu reminded again.

"On the fifth day....I feel like something is going to happen."

Fu giggled and nodded. She couldn't see the little boy's teasing expression through the door, but she thought he was probably so busy he forgot. "We have to go to Meishi Money Changer, right?"

Tang Xian feigned a look of sudden realization, "Oh... I would have forgotten if you hadn't reminded me."

Although he was very tired, after chatting with her for a few words, he felt much more refreshed.

After breakfast, the two of them rode in a carriage to town.

Tang Xian was truly tired. He sat in the car, squinting his eyes as if trying to sleep. Fu Jiu Jiu looked at his face, which had finally regained some flesh after being so thin. Seeing it all gone again, she felt a twinge of pity.

Although Tang Xian had his eyes closed, he could feel the little milk bun looking at him. He didn't expose her.

"Master, the money lender has arrived."

"How can you talk and not keep your word? Give me back my money, you heartless bastard..."

Fu Jiujiu immediately recognized the voice as Zhou's. To avoid being exposed, she told Lin Wei to drive the carriage away and wait until they were done arguing before coming back.

Zhou and Fu Dagjin came to collect their money, looking very pleased. However, they were told by Boss Mei that there was no money left, not a single penny.

Zhou was stunned at once. No matter how hard she cried and pleaded, it was useless. Boss Mei even took out the signed agreement from before and showed her, writing on it that she would only be paid dividends when they made a profit. Now that they had lost money, there was nothing for her to receive.

Zhou realized too late that she had made a mistake.
It was all clearly written in black and white.

It's not something she can just get back by making a fuss.

Finally, Zhou shi, who was crying and fussing, and Fu Da Jin, who was dumbfounded, were driven out by the money lender's clerk. In the pushing and shoving, Zhou shi even twisted her ankle.

After they left, Lin Wei immediately told the two children in the carriage that it was their time to act.

First published on the Traditional Chinese Novels website