A Good Country Wife
Chapter 291 - 285: Can’t Let Go_1

Chapter 291: Chapter 285: Can’t Let Go_1

Zhao Erhu had been silently observing without expressing his opinion. After they finished discussing, he said, "I understand, but I need to discuss this matter with my wife when I get home. She’s in charge of our silver."

By saying that, Zhao Erhu was actually showing his reluctance to contribute the money. It wasn’t that he coveted that bit of silver; he just didn’t want to be outmaneuvered by Zhao Quan and Zhao Xing. Even if he had to spend money, it wouldn’t be in this manner. Having the silver end up in Zhao Quan and Zhao Xing’s pockets pained him more than cutting his own flesh, so he deliberately used this excuse. He didn’t feel anything wrong with a man like himself being managed by his wife, and besides, he had already promised Li Xiaomei that they would make decisions together regarding family affairs, and he wouldn’t make any unilateral decisions.

At that time, Lin Yue was busy with the female guests, serving tea and water. Zhao Erhu approached her to discuss, and Lin Yue was indeed pleased, believing Zhao Erhu to be teachable. If it had been before, Zhao Erhu would have definitely made the decision on his own.

"Brother Erhu, I know you don’t care about that small amount of silver. Two taels of silver are something any of our kids could bring out now. You just don’t want Zhao Quan and Zhao Xing to benefit from this, right?" Lin Yue’s eyes twinkled as she spoke, knowing her man well and understanding Zhao Erhu’s temperament.

"Wife, you’re so smart, your mind works well. Could you think of a way for your husband, to see how we deal with Zhao Quan and Zhao Xing?" At that moment, Zhao Erhu really had no better ideas, especially since Zhao Jingen’s funeral arrangements needed urgent attention. Seeing the attitude of the brothers Zhao Quan and Zhao Xing, they would likely play truant and not contribute if he didn’t give the silver.

Although Zhao Jingen had never been very good to him, and he felt no affection for the father who had never looked after him, the man had passed away, and past grievances seemed pointless to hold onto. Zhao Erhu still hoped for Zhao Jingen’s funeral to be conducted with dignity and without any issues. Therefore, even though a good excuse was needed, the silver could not go unpaid. Zhao Erhu also knew his young wife was quick-witted and might actually come up with some good ideas.

"You’re not unwilling to give the silver, but you just don’t want Zhao Quan and Zhao Xing to profit from it. That’s not difficult; there are plenty of ways. Just take me along later, and I’ll handle it. I guarantee that not even a copper will go their way, and we’ll ensure your father-in-law’s funeral arrangements are splendid," Lin Yue confidently took on the responsibility, knowing that Zhao Erhu lacked experience in such matters.

Zhao Erhu, seeing Lin Yue’s confidence, knew that his wife must have come up with a good plan. A smile spread across his lips, "Alright then, I’ll leave it to my wife to manage. Ensure it’s done beautifully, and afterwards, I’ll definitely thank you properly."

"You said it yourself, later you’ll wash my stinky feet for me."

"Sure, it’s not like I haven’t washed them for you before." Hearing Lin Yue mention this, Zhao Erhu laughed heartily, but soon controlled himself due to the setting. Still, he thought to himself how his wife’s feet were not only not smelly, but actually fragrant. Her small, delicate feet were irresistibly charming to the touch.

Zhao Jingen’s funeral needed to be arranged, and everything required money. The first step was for the brothers to gather their contributions. On the day of the division of their inheritance, they had allocated the silver to each household, and Lin Yue had also returned the silver that Zhao Dahuo and his wife had previously deposited with her. As a result, everyone went back to fetch their silver. Two taels of silver were readily available to both Zhao Erhu and Lin Yue, so they didn’t need to make a special trip back for it.

When the time came to hand over the silver, not only did Zhao Erhu bring Lin Yue, but Li Xiaomei and the Liu family also followed, with only the Jin Family not going. Zhao Quan was different from his other two brothers. He was not only cold towards others, but also did not trust his own wife very much. The silver coins of their family had always been managed by Zhao Quan, and he had sole control over it. The Jin Family had no say in these matters.

"Who should the silver be given to when it’s brought over?" Previously, Zhao Quan and Zhao Xing, although both had been vying to manage the financial affairs and purchases, no one had agreed, and now if this wasn’t clarified, things couldn’t proceed.

Seeing that the matter was at a standstill, Lin Yue opened her mouth to speak, endorsing Zhao Quan and Zhao Xing to manage these matters. This surprised everyone. Even Zhao Quan and Zhao Xing themselves knew of Sister-in-law Erhu’s capabilities and didn’t trust the Lin Family to be so foolish. Therefore, when Lin Yue said this, they hesitated to respond, fearing they might be trapped by her.

As for Zhao Dahuo and Zhao Cheng, although they felt it was improper, since Lin Yue had spoken, they did not continue to object. They too knew of the Lin Family’s abilities, noticing that Zhao Quan and Zhao Xing had lost their previous enthusiasm for the rivalry.

"What does everyone think? If there is no opposition, then it’s decided," said Lin Yue, encouraged by the supportive glance from Zhao Erhu, looking around at everyone. But not a single person spoke up. This silence could be taken as tacit agreement. Even Li Xiaomei, usually the most talkative and unable to keep her mouth shut, remained silent at this moment. Although her mind was not the sharpest, she had one trait; when confronted with something she didn’t understand, she would listen to Zhao Cheng. Since Zhao Cheng had remained quiet, she followed suit.

"Sister-in-law Erhu, is this really appropriate? After all, we should be clear about the silver coin matter," said the Liu family, unable to hold back her doubts, even though she did not distrust Lin Yue. She simply felt that both Zhao Quan and Zhao Xing were dishonest and would surely pull some trickery. However, she was immediately scolded by Zhao Dahuo before she could continue.

"What would a woman understand? There must be a reason for Sister-in-law Erhu to say this," Zhao Dahuo had finally understood. If the situation continued to be deadlocked, neither Zhao Quan nor Zhao Xing, the two indifferent brothers, would care about how well their father’s funeral was managed. They might just wash their hands of it altogether if they became irritated. Now, it was not the time to fight over this. It was better to let them take slight advantage, as long as their father’s funeral preparations were properly handled. Besides, with so many people watching, Zhao Quan and Zhao Xing would only dare to do their shady dealings in secret. Publicly, they still had to appear to act decently.

Lin Yue was not upset by the words of the Liu family; on the contrary, she used them as a platform to continue, knowing her sister-in-law’s forthright nature. "Big brother, don’t blame your wife. She is right. Since the silver is collected by everyone to manage the funeral for our father-in-law, we have to make it clear. I trust that third brother and fifth brother would not be so heartless as to misappropriate the silver meant for our father’s funeral. That would be an act that harms one’s moral standing and will lead to retribution. If anyone really did such a thing, they would be struck by lightning."

Zhao Quan and Zhao Xing’s expressions turned sour upon hearing Lin Yue say this, and they stiffly replied, "That is indeed the case."

"Since that’s the case, and third brother and fifth brother also agree with what I’ve said, then the management of the silver and the procurement will be left to the two of them. However, there is one thing: every transaction involving silver must be properly recorded. Record the prices, quantities, and the places of purchase. If anyone conducts fraudulent business and overcharges us, then we will have the evidence to settle the score with them later."