Chapter 155 - 147: One Tael of Silver for One Shi

Chapter 155: Chapter 147: One Tael of Silver for One Shi

Just then, Hu Feng came out with another large platter of dumplings. He placed it directly on the table, then turned to glance at Old Mrs. Bai and Liu, his gaze utterly frigid. "You’re still not leaving? Are you waiting for me to ’escort’ you out?"

A shiver ran down both their spines simultaneously, and their legs began to tremble. It seemed getting rice or flour today was impossible. With Hu Feng around, they couldn’t take it by force, nor could they borrow it through persuasion. Yet they weren’t willing to leave empty-handed.

So, Old Mrs. Bai tried a new tack. "How about this? I won’t ask to borrow from you. I’ll buy it, that should be fine, right?"

Buy?

Bai Zhi nodded. "Fine. Buying is certainly fine. One tael of silver per bushel, one mace of silver per scoop."

Old Mrs. Bai’s expression changed instantly. "Are you robbing people? What kind of rice costs one tael of silver per bushel? Stop pulling numbers out of thin air."

Bai Zhi shrugged. "Then go buy it in town tomorrow. See if you can find anything cheaper."

Liu tugged on Old Mrs. Bai’s sleeve and gave her a look. Old Mrs. Bai understood and said with a dry laugh, "It seems the price has gone up. I’ve heard about it too. One tael of silver per bushel it is, then. Get me one bushel of rice, and I’ll send you the money later." ’Once that rice enters the Bai Family home, it’s ours,’ she thought. ’Want money? In your next life.’

Bai Zhi didn’t fall for that trick. She shook her head. "Payment on delivery. No credit."

Hearing this, Old Mrs. Bai flew into a rage, stamping her feet and cursing, "You little bitch! You’re clearly just messing with me! Let’s see how I’ll teach you a lesson today."

Bai Zhi just stood there with her arms crossed, watching the old woman’s tantrum without moving a muscle. A small, cold smile played on her lips. "Teach me a lesson? Do you really think you’re qualified? I’d advise you not to try anything. Otherwise, I’ll definitely make you regret it."

Recalling the ferocity with which Bai Zhi had hit someone before, and with Hu Feng right there in the Hu Family’s home, she didn’t dare make a move. She could only grit her teeth and spit out a few threats. "You ungrateful brat! I’ll remember this! Just you wait!"

Not to be outdone, Liu threw in her own parting shot. "I’d like to see just how many good days you two, a mother and daughter alone in Huangtuo Village, can have. Don’t let some man cheat you out of your money and your virtue, only to end up with nothing and be swept out the door like a beggar. When that happens, it’ll be the biggest joke in the world!"

Bai Zhi shot back, "Don’t you worry. Even if that day comes, we won’t go to your Bai Family to beg for food. Likewise, even if you Bai family members are starving to death, I’ll trouble you not to come looking for us. We don’t owe the Bai Family a thing."

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law left the courtyard one after the other, cursing as they went. A stream of vile, ugly words poured from their mouths, as if the only thing they hadn’t done was go and dig up the ancestral graves of Zhao Lan and Hu Changlin.

Hu Changlin walked in from the courtyard.

Zhao Lan quickly said, "Brother Hu, we’ve troubled you. I’m so sorry."

Hu Changlin waved his hand. "What are you saying that for? It’s just a few empty curses. It’s not like I’ll lose any flesh over it. You two are the ones who shouldn’t take it to heart. It’s not worth getting angry at people like that."

Zhao Lan felt much better and nodded with a smile. "I understand."

The four of them sat around the table and happily began to eat the dumplings. Hu Feng was a true dumpling king, eating two-thirds of them all by himself. Thankfully, they had made plenty today, or there wouldn’t have been enough for him alone.

"Zhi, I saw you bought a lot of potatoes. Are you planning to eat them all?" Hu Changlin asked.

Bai Zhi replied, "Not all of them. I’m planning to plant the rest in the new field I was allotted."