Chapter 121: Dividing Silver Coins

Shen Zi’an drove the cart as four women sat aboard, laughing and chatting cheerfully on their way to the embroidery workshop.

At the embroidery workshop, shopkeeper Su warmly welcomed Su Zhi, mentioning that no one else had mastered her unique method of weaving. Witnessing Su Zhi teach the art of weaving knots to the women, she gratefully accepted, paying ten coins this time, intending to sell them elsewhere. She also noted that if the demand increased and the technique became less unique, the price might decrease. The women were prepared for this possibility and remained optimistic. As long as no one else learned the intricate weaving method, there would always be a market. If the skill remained exclusive, prices could rise, ensuring their continued success.

Su Zhi purchased several pieces of silk and numerous colored threads this time. She planned to embroider screens during her spare time, whether for standing or bed screens, as they were still needed in the household.

As for the threads for weaving, Su Zhi requested a moderate amount. She intended to weave the intricate patterns during her leisure time to avoid forgetting the skills from her past life. Regarding the sale of weavings, she entrusted this task to the women, even deciding to step back from overseeing the flower accessories and ddecorations.

After selling the weaved knots, each woman left with a silver coin, feeling particularly thrilled.

By now, it was nearing noon, and the group made a few more purchases before eagerly heading home. Carrying a significant amount of silver coins, they felt a mix of excitement and unease, eager to divide the earnings at home.

Shen Zi’an drove the cart back to the village. Li Qing’s Wife first disembarked to fetch Wang Huazhi, while Li Shi went to inform Wang Shi, and they both went to  Shugen’s Wife’s house.

However, Liu Siniang couldn’t be reached. Su Zhi had previously arranged to hand over the money to her later on.

The group gathered around the kang, forming a circle and placing the basket in the center. They emptied out all the copper coins, creating a mound that resembled a small mountain, dazzling the onlookers’ eyes.

Smiles adorned the faces of the women. Though these coins might only amount to a small piece of silver, the sheer quantity of copper coins piled up created a festive atmosphere.

In rural households, even a single coin could be folded into an eight-petal flower, let alone so many coins.^[1]in rural households, people are very frugal and resourceful. They can make the most out of even a small amount of money, turning it into something valuable or useful. The imagery of folding a single … Continue reading

Su Zhi began to tally up the accounts.

The total number of flower decorations this time included 1,290 in total. There were 360 plain cloth flowers, 284 intricate cloth flowers, 267 plain silk flower decorations, and 378 intricate silk flower decorations.

Plain cloth flowers were priced at one coin each, while intricate cloth flowers and plain silk flowers were three coins each. The intricate silk flower decorations were priced at four coins each.

All the decorations were sold except for two intricate silk flower decorations.

After calculating, the total sum amounted to 3,518 wen.

Dividing the earnings among seven individuals, Su Zhi, having covered the initial costs for the fabric scraps, took 518 coins, while the remaining six each received 500 coins.

Everyone was pleased, finding crafting flower decorations not at all taxing. Just a little over two days’ work had earned them 500 coins, more than what a man could make in several days of labor.

Su Zhi once again realized that while this venture required minimal investment and yielded substantial profits, it wasn’t an exceptionally lucrative endeavor.

However, the others didn’t share the same sentiment. To them, this kind of earning was relatively easy and quick, leaving them content.

Listening to the women’s chatter and observing their smiles, Su Zhi couldn’t help but feel joyous. She understood that earning silver coins came easily to her due to her diverse skills and possession of the spiritual spring and lotus. This realization sparked new aspirations within her. Yet, she appreciated the simplicity of the women’s lives, finding contentment in their down-to-earth approach to gradually improving their lives, even if it meant progressing slowly.

With the money distributed, it was already noon. Su Zhi bid farewell, declining Shugen’s Wife’s offer for lunch. Reluctant to stay, the group departed, each going their separate ways.

Wang Shi and Li Shi returned home together, prompting Sun Shi’s suspicions. She sarcastically questioned Li Shi about why Wang Shi had been called out, but Wang Shi managed to deflect her inquiries.

Observing Wang Shi and Li Shi each retreat to their respective rooms, Sun Shi glared with discontent. She was certain that something was going on with the two women, yet they didn’t seem to be concealing anything on them. Even if they had money, it would be in silver. This realization left Sun Shi feeling even more unsettled, though she was helpless in the situation.

After returning to her room, Wang Shi instructed Chunxiang to watch the door before proceeding to hide the silver coins. She was relieved that Su Zhi had converted the copper coins to silver earlier, preventing Sun Shi from discovering them. Sun Shi’s prying eyes were truly detestable!

Upon seeing Wang Shi place the silver coins in a small box, Chunlan and Chunxiang couldn’t help but smile at the sight of the scattered silver, pleased at the added stash of savings in the house.

Shen Zifu was also at home that day, sitting with his elder and second son, weaving baskets. Upon noticing the silver, he inquired, “Does second brothers home also have this much silver?”

Wang Shi closed the box and replied, “Yes, it’s just a little more. Second Brother’s wife no longer needs to work as hard as I do for the family chores. She naturally earns more. I’ve calculated that at this rate, by next spring, they won’t need to borrow money to build a few houses.”

The Eldest grandson chimed in, “It would be great if we could split up and have our own households.”

The Second grandson added, “Exactly. We can’t even have enough to eat at home.”

Chunlan and Chunxiang nodded in agreement but remained silent.

Shen Zifu interjected, “Don’t speak like that. You are from the main branch and we must continue to respect and care for our elders. Don’t talk about splitting up. Once your Fifth Uncle becomes a high official, you will all have better days ahead.”

The Eldest grandson countered, “Even if we split up, we can still have good days. Why do we have to rely on Fifth Uncle?”

The second grandson echoed, “We are from the main branch, but besides the eldest son, some people also prefer to live with the youngest son. I can see Grandfather and Grandmother living with Fifth Uncle in the future. They aspire to be titled as the master and madam. We can’t provide that for them.”

Shen Zifu’s expression dimmed, and he finally said, “Let’s do our best.”

Wang Shi shot her two sons a stern look and commanded, “Get to work! Don’t upset your father.”

The Eldest and second grandson lowered their heads to work, their minds wandering to the prospect of splitting up the family, observing how rejuvenated their Fourth Uncle and Aunt seemed upon discussing a potential division. It appeared as if a weight had been lifted, and smiles were more frequent. They wondered when such a change might come for them.

The atmosphere in the second branch’s house was markedly different from the main branch. As soon as Li Shi entered, Chunyue closed the door, and she settled on the kang, pulling Shen Zigui over to reveal the silver coins.

Upon seeing the silver, Chunchao’s eyes lit up, exclaiming, “Mother, you’ve earned money again!”

“Keep your voice down, don’t let anyone hear,” Li Shi cautioned.

Chunyue playfully patted Chuncao’s head, then embraced Chunyun as they sat together. A smile graced her face as she thought about how their family was steadily improving, anticipating the possibility of moving out next year.

Shen Zigui’s face also lit up upon seeing the silver coins. He suggested, “Let’s put these away, Wife. You’ve all worked hard these days.”

Li Shi replied with a smile, “It’s not hard work. It’s all thanks to Fourth Brother and Fourth Sister-in-law. In just a few days, they’ve helped us earn so much silver. If we continue like this, by spring, we won’t need to borrow money to build a few nice houses.”

Shen Zigui nodded in agreement, remarking, “We must remember to thank Fourth Brother and Fourth Sister-in-law properly in the future. We owe them a lot.”

Li Shi readily agreed, feeling grateful and admiring towards Shen Zi’an and Su Zhi. She believed she was fortunate to have such a good younger brother and sister-in-law. Without their decision to split the family and the hope it brought, she wouldn’t have dared to consider it. Their assistance after the split was truly compassionate and virtuous.

Shen Zhang shi received the money from Wang Shi and Li Shi, claiming she earned it by working at Shugen’s Wife’s house these past few days. Holding the two hundred wen in her hands, she pondered how Shen Zi’an’s wife, always scheming to separate the main branch and the second branch, had successfully split the second branch already. She wondered when the same fate might befall the main branch. However, she struggled with how to manage the situation. She couldn’t sever the relationship between them. Shen Zi’an and Su Zhi were now skilled at making money, even though she didn’t benefit much from it. Still, she could count on receiving something. Moreover, they could assist her sons and perhaps even help their daughters in the future. She didn’t want to antagonize them.

For now, she decided to take things slowly, gradually trying to mend their relationships.

Shen Zi’an and Su Zhi headed home in the cart and encountered Liu Siniang on the way.

Seeing Liu Siniang’s complexion turn from pale yellow to white, Su Zhi felt compassion for her. She mentioned the money distribution and offered to return it to her.

After a moment of contemplation, Liu Siniang replied, “Please help me keep it. I can’t keep it hidden if I take it back.”

Su Zhi noted that although Liu Siniang appeared delicate, she also possessed a degree of determination. However, she hadn’t managed to keep any private savings, likely due to her mother-in-law and sister-in-law searching her belongings or room. This behavior was truly despicable.

“It’s almost the New Year. Isn’t your husband returning home?” Su Zhi inquired, realizing she hadn’t met Liu Siniang’s husband, Zhao Daliang, yet. She had heard he was working outside, but with the approaching New Year, he should be back. Having a man at home often made life a bit easier.

Liu Siniang remained expressionless and replied calmly, “He might be returning soon. Whether he comes back or not, it won’t make much of a difference. It would only make him more tired.”

Upon hearing this, Su Zhi was at a loss for words. She pondered the apparent lack of affection between Liu Siniang and her husband, even detecting traces of resentment or perhaps numbness. She wondered about the purpose of persisting in such a marriage. While she couldn’t voice these thoughts to a woman in ancient times, she hoped Liu Siniang would come to her own realizations.

After bidding farewell to Liu Siniang and watching her fade into the distance, Su Zhi hoped that this seemingly fragile yet resilient woman could find some solace. However, as the New Year approached, Liu Siniang found herself embroiled in yet another unfortunate situation.