Chapter 50: Theft
The mother and daughter returned home and the first thing they did was string the copper coins. After the two spent some time stringing all the loose coins, they began counting the amount.
“How much?” Zhang Zhaodi looked at Su Yaoguang anxiously.
Su Yaoguang first took out a portion of silver and said, “This is what we saved before.”
She then pointed to the second pile of silver, a small mountain: “This is what Chun E gave me this morning.”
The last pile had the most loose coins, which was what they earned today.
Zhang Zhaodi didn’t wait for Su Yaoguang to state the total; she counted it herself. Her hand holding the silver trembled nonstop, her eyes full of disbelief.
“There are a total of twenty-nine taels of silver and five hundred thirty-two copper coins.”
Su Yaoguang smiled and said, “This money is enough for us to live on for two years. If we spend it frugally, three years won’t be a problem. Mom, are you relieved now? No need to worry about going hungry.”
“Don’t forget we are still supporting a scholar now. This amount of money will only last a little over a year.” Zhang Zhaodi said, “But my daughter has ability, so there’s nothing to worry about.”
“Business is good now, but these things can be used for a long time. Once most of the people who want to buy have bought them, business afterward will definitely be much worse. Unless we find new customers and sell our goods to more people who need them. Actually, there’s a place that really needs these cosmetics. If we sell to them, our business definitely won’t suffer.”
“Which place?”
“Brothel.”
“No.” Zhang Zhaodi said coldly, “Even if we are poor, we are still daughters of an upright family. How can we go to that kind of place? Even if I starve to death, I won’t let you set foot there.”
“Mom, those young ladies aren’t willing to fall into prostitution either…”
“I said no means no, no room for discussion.” Zhang Zhaodi glared at Su Yaoguang, “You’ve gotten bold, daring to earn any kind of money.”
Su Yaoguang saw her attitude was so firm and had no way to deal with her. She wouldn’t go to the brothel, but once the sign was out, those women would come knocking on their own.
“Tomorrow I have to go to Chun E’s place to do her female cousin’s makeup. Today let’s rest and not make cosmetics.” Su Yaoguang said, “Tonight we’ll make dumplings to eat!”
Second Aunt Su trotted back to the courtyard and said to Grandma Su, who was collecting clothes in the courtyard, “Mom, I just saw Zhang Zhaodi and Su Yaoguang carrying two large back baskets of things back.”
Grandma Su looked at her angrily: “Are you trying to anger me to death? What does it have to do with us that those two cheap wenches carried things back? We’ve already cut ties.”
“Shouldn’t have helped Great-granddaughter scheme against her. Now that we’ve torn faces, there’s not even a chance to come to the door and take advantage. What did we gain from this?” Second Aunt Su muttered discontentedly.
“Instead of wasting time watching them, you should watch your son properly. Didn’t you hear Dabao crying again?” Grandma Su was already angry, now even more so.
Second Aunt Su went into the room, picked up Su Dabao, and held him in her arms to coax him. Suddenly, she saw Su Dabao’s small figure, a flash of light in her eyes, and an idea emerged in her mind.
“Bao, do you want to eat meat?” Second Aunt Su asked in a low voice.
“Yes.” Su Dabao licked his lips, “Mom, are we eating meat today?”
“Whether we can eat meat today depends on your performance.” Second Aunt Su stroked his hair. “Listen to Mom in a bit, okay?”
At dinner making dumplings, Zhang Zhaodi went to the vegetable garden to pick vegetables for the filling, Su Yaoguang carried buckets to the well, and the mother and daughter left the courtyard one after the other, locking the door before leaving.
What they didn’t know was that right after they left, a small figure sneaked through by digging open a hole in the fence courtyard and crawled in through the hole.
Su Yaoguang carried the water back and stopped when entering the courtyard. She looked around and muttered to herself in confusion, “Strange, I feel like something’s off.”
She muttered while pouring the well water into the water jar. When she came out with the empty buckets and passed through the courtyard again, her gaze stopped on the cage not far away.
That cage housed two little rabbits, which Zhou Wangshu had caught on the mountain last time and they had been raising every day. Now the cage door was open, and the rabbits inside were gone.
She set down the buckets and began searching the courtyard. After searching for a while without finding the rabbits, the small hole in the corner of the fence courtyard came into view.
She parted the nearby branches and examined the small hole, finding a piece of fabric.
“What’s wrong?” Zhang Zhaodi returned.
“Our rabbits were stolen.” Su Yaoguang handed her the fabric.
Zhang Zhaodi took it and immediately recognized it as fabric from Su Dabao’s clothes. She sneered, “They really know how to bring us bad luck. Daughter, Mom will go get the rabbits back.”
“We didn’t catch them in the act. Going to demand the rabbits now definitely won’t get them back.” Su Yaoguang said, “To make them spit out the things, we have to use some tactics.”
“What tactics?” Zhang Zhaodi asked, “Tell me quick. I’ve endured bullying from their family for over a decade, I’m fed up. Now that we’ve cut ties, no filial duty holding me back, no need to be polite to them anymore.”
“In a bit, you do this…” Su Yaoguang leaned to Zhang Zhaodi’s ear and said a few words. “Don’t worry, I’ll go get some things first and send them a big gift.”
Second Uncle Su’s home. Grandma Su held a rabbit in one hand, a smug look on her wrinkled face.
“My dear grandson is so capable, getting two such fat rabbits for free. To avoid any complications, we’ll boil them all tonight and everyone eat heartily.”
“Mom, Su Yao’er has bullied us for so long. Let these two rabbits be compensation for us. Doesn’t that vent a lot of the anger in our hearts?” Second Aunt Su laughed.
“That stinky girl is crafty now. If she comes knocking, I’m afraid it’ll be another big fuss.” Grandpa Su said worriedly.
Second Uncle Su didn’t care: “She didn’t see anything, so what right does she have to say the rabbits are here? Even if she finds rabbit meat in our house, it can’t prove it’s her rabbits.”
“Exactly. Rabbits all look the same. What evidence does she have to prove our rabbits are hers? Even if taken to the county magistrate, it probably couldn’t be judged clearly.”
“I just don’t feel at ease.”
“You’re just scared of her. Timid as a mouse, no prospects in this lifetime, that’s why a junior can ride roughshod over you.” Grandma Su cursed loudly, “If you’re scared, don’t eat. We’ll eat.”
Grandpa Su said sheepishly, “You’re right, old lady. I’ll listen to you.”
Bang bang bang! Someone knocked on the door.
Grandma Su and Second Aunt Su exchanged a glance.
Grandma Su told Su Dabao to go back to the room and also shut the two rabbits in his room, then had Second Aunt Su open the door.
Second Aunt Su opened the door and saw Zhang Zhaodi.
Zhang Zhaodi anxiously asked, “Have you seen two rabbits?”
