Chapter 5: Debts must be repaid

Having sent away the Zhao Wang clan, Zhang Jinbao burst out with a wail, his face filled with sorrow, "My sister! My dear sister! How could you sell me out like this!"

Oh dear! Young lady, you are quite reasonable; do you not know that a child must repay their parent's debts? Your father has used you to settle his debts. I do not care what tricks you and your father are playing; since I have come to you today, I naturally must ask you for money. This two taels of silver is not much, and I assume it does not mean much to you. Since you speak so lightly of it, why not take out the silver?

Little did she know that the female ghost, not wanting to deprive herself before her death, specifically took the money on her to buy half a roasted chicken to enjoy. It was already quite fortunate that there were still three coins left.

"Elder sister, what shall we have for dinner tonight?" Zhang Jinbao asked with a beaming smile, his expression resembling that of a pet owner with the words 'Pet Owner' inscribed on Zhang Qingting's forehead.

The Zhao family was initially met with such a significant setback, their dignity tarnished, and their lips twitched a few times, no longer putting on a show. "I say, Zhao family daughter, are you intending to break off the engagement?"

She laughed hypocritically, "Isn't it just two taels of silver? Is it worth Auntie making such a fuss here? If Zhang Facai owes you money, then you should just go ask him for it!"

Zhang Qingteng believed that the matter had nothing to do with him and thought he could remain aloof, but can it really be so convenient?

A small patch of weak and sparse vegetables, wilting under the setting sun, resembles this family, lacking care and suffering from malnutrition

Everyone shook their heads in unison, swearing, "Not a single penny!"

Seeing her at a loss for words, Zhao Wangshi became increasingly pleased with himself and pressed on, "I say, Zhang's daughter, since you do not acknowledge the marriage proposal from our family, our Zhao family cannot engage in the absurdity of forcing you to drink from the bull's head, as that would be pointless! However, one must be clear about the facts: your family has indeed accepted our money, and there are villagers who can testify to this. If this matter were to escalate to the authorities, no amount of flowery words from you could outweigh the principle of the matter! So, what? You refuse to return the money? Then you will just have to wait for our bridal sedan chair and become my wife!"

"Good! You are quite ruthless!" The Zhao Wang clan member extended his hand, "Then bring it on?"

How do I know what to eat? Zhang Qingtian could not bear to see their eager expressions, "What else is at home?"

Do you all not have any money

Each person is pondering a question: where will we stay tonight

When Zhang Qingtian was in a coma, no one in the family dared to touch her money. The eldest sister had an excellent memory; if even a single coin went missing, she could make the whole family go hungry for a day

She suddenly felt that the previously beautiful thicket was not so unbearable after all, at least it was clean, warm, safe, and comfortable, but now, there wasn't even a shelter to shield her from the wind and rain

Zhang Qingtian thought to himself, this meal cannot be as poor as the rice and books, I must not skimp on the vegetables. He personally walked over to the vegetable garden, and after this inspection, he felt even more disheartened.

"I need the money, but I currently do not have it. In a few days, I will definitely return the full amount!" Zhang Qingteng had already made up her mind to quickly pack up and leave. This money was owed by Zhang Facai, and how it was spent was a matter for his family. Selling off children or anything else was none of her concern; her priority was to send this old hag away first.

I initially thought I would scare Zhang Qingtian, but to my surprise, she readily nodded in agreement, saying, "Alright! Then I will go along with you!"

As soon as it was announced that it was time to eat, not only did the two people in front of me stop howling, but even Zhang Luoshi and those two mischievous younger brothers, the Fourth and Fifth, poked their heads out.

Zhang Xiaodie felt puzzled; this bowl made by her elder sister was undoubtedly the best one, with no grains of sand in it. Yet, why did her elder sister still look unwell?

Seeing Zhang Jinbao extend his hand towards her, Zhang Qingting cast a sidelong glance at him, and Zhang Jinbao hurriedly said: "Elder sister, give me the money"

Zhang Facai is known for his gambling habits, and the villagers are all aware of it. He would sell his children for just two taels of silver. Although Zhang Qingting is capable of earning money, if she had any wealth in her hands, she would not be driven to hang herself. Looking at this house, which has been half-destroyed, it is clear that it was not built for show; she is genuinely distressed.

There is still half an old pumpkin. Zhang Xiaodie remembers it more clearly than Er Ge, "As long as we buy another pound of corn, it will be enough to make porridge, and if we pick some green vegetables, dinner will be sufficient"

After eating a bowl of porridge, Zhang Qingteng sighed more times than in the total of the previous eighteen years. What kind of food is this? Even the pig at her home eats better than this

Zhang Qingteng clearly thinks more and deeper than all of them. After she reluctantly finished that bowl of porridge, she began a new round of sighing.

Throw all the money to Zhang Jinbao, and that kid still foolishly asks: "Sister, are we still buying japonica rice?"

Alas! How bitter is my fate!

"If the marriage has not yet been established, what is there to regret?"

Zhang Qingtian cast a cold glance at this family and said to Zhang Jinbao, "You, go buy a pound of this year's newly harvested japonica rice to make porridge." No matter how poor this family is, they should still be able to afford a pound, right

This old woman is truly cunning! The administrative systems of Beian and Nankang are largely similar; every household maintains a ledger that records information about the population, land, service, and tax payments. If the population ledger is confiscated, it becomes impossible to obtain a travel permit. Should one be caught during the journey, they would be treated as a vagrant, facing light punishment such as being sent to the frontier, or severe punishment such as being conscripted as a government slave or prostitute, with no hope of redemption for eternity

What?

However, unexpectedly, upon hearing just the mention of glutinous rice, the entire family was left wide-eyed, and the saliva of Yinbao and Yuanbao could not help but flow uncontrollably.

Zhang Jinbao ran away frantically, clutching a few coins in his hand

"There is nothing left at home," Zhang Jinbao said truthfully, yet his eyes kept darting towards his elder sister, not knowing how much money she might still have hidden on her person, enough to buy something to eat

It seems that there is no escaping this. Zhang Qingteng calmly discussed the terms, "Then let it be limited to one month!"

Zhang Qingtian turned her hand to feel on her body and found a small money pouch, light as a feather, containing only three copper coins. She rolled her eyes in anger, thinking, this dead girl is still a miser! Why couldn't she leave a few more coins for her before dying?

Pah! Zhang Qingtian thought to herself, if I were to become the daughter-in-law of this old shrew, I would surely be stripped of a layer of skin by her

Zhang Qingtian cast a disdainful glance at the two of them, their voices had grown louder now; where had they been just a moment ago

No! The Zhao family is determined to make things difficult for you. I will give you three days. If you cannot repay the money within three days, you will obediently marry into the Zhao family! If you die or run away, your sister Zhang Xiaodie will take your place and marry in, and she will also have to accompany a younger brother, that one named Jinbao, to work for our family for ten years!

The Zhao family has become quite familiar with the situation of the Zhang family, and at this moment, when discussing the conditions, they are naturally targeting their points precisely

Although the Zhao family was illiterate, they were self-taught and acquired impressive skills in exorcism and driving away demons. They had been active in the countryside for several decades and had gained a certain level of fame. However, they had never encountered a formidable character like Zhang Qingteng, who was impervious to persuasion.

"Stop being foolish! Since you want to break off the engagement, you must return the betrothal gifts to our family, right?" The Zhao Wang family is certainly not composed of foolish and incompetent individuals, and they quickly grasped the core issue

No one in the family dared to ask, silently each holding a bowl, they found a corner to finish their meal, scattering around the courtyard like birds and beasts

Zhang Qingtian's expression changed slightly; this old shrewd woman is indeed quite cunning! However, to be fair, it is true that we are in the wrong.

I went to pick vegetables! Just outside the courtyard wall, Zhang Facai, who had returned at an unknown time, heard this clearly and hurriedly climbed over the wall into the backyard to pick vegetables in the field

Are you out of your mind? Zhang Qingtian, unable to endure any longer, exclaimed, "Choose the cheapest option, no matter how little it weighs!"

As the sun sets behind the mountains and the cooking smoke rises gently, Zhang Qingtian feels hungry and exclaims, "Hey! Why aren't you cooking yet!"

You wasteful person! Always thinking about eating well!" Zhang Luoshi nagged, "A pound of corn costs ten wen, while a pound of brown rice is only seven wen, that's a difference of three wen!

The Zhao Wang family seems to have discerned her thoughts, "I say, Miss Zhao from the Zhao family, do not think you can just walk away. Your household registration must be kept with me as collateral. Since you have agreed to me, I must set a date with you, lest you delay for ten or eight years, and by then I will truly have grievances with no place to voice them"

After all, she is neither his sister-in-law nor his brother's wife; whether he lives or dies has nothing to do with her

Sister!" Zhang Xiaodie, with tears in her eyes, rushed over but hesitated to speak, sobbing, "That Aunt Zhao is the most notorious woman in Zalanbao; we really cannot provoke her!"