Becoming the Villain's Discarded Wife
Chapter 437 Strange event_1

Chapter 437: Chapter 437 Strange event_1

"Big brother, do you know what’s going on?"

"How would I know? But things have been strange this year, with all sorts of odd occurrences being reported everywhere."

Shen Xing shook his head, his tone filled with confusion.

Some in the manor said that someone had done too many evil deeds and offended the heavens, causing these abnormal events to occur frequently.

"Is that so..." Shen Yuntian frowned, his heart pounding uncontrollably, unable to figure out the reason.

He had a nagging feeling that something was wrong.

With worries in his mind, but not being a rash person, he sent two letters back to Yan City.

One was for Hexiu, stating that his return would have to be postponed, and the other was for Shen Wenchen, in which he mentioned only the strange events at Xiejiang.

He couldn’t just leave, not with his brother and sister-in-law still here.

Shen Yuntian wandered around Xiejiang City a few times before finally returning home to discuss his plan with his brother and sister-in-law.

There was a jetty in the southern part of Xiejiang City, and although numerous ships frequented it daily, there were few stalls around. He noticed many dock workers had to walk a distance just to eat. Some restaurants offered delivery, but they charged an extra two wen coins per meal. Many people either brought their own food or had to endure the inconvenience of traveling further.

If they could set up a food stall by the jetty, they might not make a fortune, but it definitely wouldn’t be a losing business.

"Yuntian, are you serious?" Concerned for his wife, Shen Yuan had been working at the landlord’s farm in the village. The work was plentiful, and the old folks there often bullied him.

That was bearable. What was unbearable was the monthly wages being deducted under various pretexts.

If Yuntian’s plan could work, Shen Yuan was keen on giving it a try.

"Of course, I’ve asked around. There are stalls for rent near the jetty. Most are used by people from out of town to sell goods they’ve brought. We can also rent a spot to sell food."

"But how much money would that take?"

Ms. Wan was hesitant. She wanted to make money, but they didn’t have much cash at home. And although having her husband sell goods seemed somewhat shameful, she was also worried about gossip if she and her younger sisters did it.

After all, it was rare for women to do business outside...

"I’ve asked about that too. It’s twenty wen a day to rent, but once you do, there’ll be people guarding it, so you don’t need to worry about trouble. I’ve calculated it. The dock workers can earn sixty wen a day, and meals nearby only cost nine wen for a full serving with both meat and vegetables.

We could sell our meals for eight wen. Even though rice isn’t expensive right now, those who engage in physical labour have big appetites. We could mix steamed buns with rice and sell it; we’d be making a profit of one wen per serving. As long as we have enough customers, we wouldn’t make little money a day."

Ms. Liu was somewhat motivated by this prospect.

After all, because of her health condition, the whole family had to cater to her. Though she had weak health and couldn’t do any strenuous work or farm, she was capable of running a food stall.

Furthermore, she thought her brother-in-law’s idea was sound and was willing to give it a try.

"Sister-in-law, let’s give it a try!"

There was conviction in Ms. Liu’s eyes and the rare sight of a healthy blush on her gaunt face.

Their children would always have expenses in the future, and they couldn’t rely on their brother-in-law’s support. He hadn’t even married or had children yet - they couldn’t be a burden to him.

"Little sister..." Seeing her determination, Ms. Wan was also somewhat persuaded.

To say she didn’t want to make money would be a lie.

Her man working on the Xu Family’s manor brought home some money every month, but their children were still studying, and buying books, paper and ink was a major expense. Niu Niu was now eight. Even though Niu Niu was learning a skill, she had to prepare a dowry for her.

Despite spending every day toiling in the field, the annual harvest, after deducting a third for renting the land, was barely enough to provide for the family for four or five months.

She wanted to take a gamble too.

According to what her brother-in-law mentioned, many women in Yan City were engaged in businesses, so what was there to be afraid of?

Once the sisters-in-law had made up their minds, Shen Xing and Shen Yuan didn’t say much.

Shen Yuan simply resigned from the job at the landlord’s house and accompanied his wife and sister-in-law daily to the city to buy items and gather information.

In Yan City, Shen Wenchen’s frown deepened as he read the letter sent by Shen Yuntian.

His subordinates had also sent recent reports.

Strange incidents were being reported everywhere.

Either the well water in some village inexplicably turned black, or the trees in the mountains died in large sections, or ghost fires arose at night and aurora light split the sky...

And now, the fertile fields of Xiejiang, where strange occurrences of crops not growing had emerged...

When Nanzhi came into the study, she saw Shen Wenchen’s frown locked on the letter on the desk, and she couldn’t help but worry.

"What’s wrong?"

Putting down the chicken soup she had brought in, Nanzhi also sat next to him.

"Why did you come out? It’s cold, don’t catch a cold." Taking her hand, noticing its icy temperature, Shen Wenchen scolded her lightly.

"I was worried about you." Nanzhi smiled, and urged the chicken soup towards him.

"This is the chicken soup I had the kitchen prepare especially for you. Have some to warm up."

"I don’t have much of an appetite." Shen Wenchen sighed, attempted to look down at Nanzhi’s slightly protruding abdomen, and then, worried his touch might be too rough, he refrained from doing so.

"Did more news come in from somewhere?" Seeing the shadows under Wenchen’s eyes, Nanzhi couldn’t help but feel heartache.

A month ago, news came from Kyoto stating that something had changed in the palace. General Song merely sent a message, urging them to be extra cautious.

After all, Yan City’s importance was unmatched by any other places.

"No, it’s a letter from Yuntian."

"Is he coming back?"

"His return will have to be postponed. He says there are strange occurrences in Xiejiang, and crops planted in the field don’t survive."

Shen Wenchen rubbed his temples, feeling a throbbing pain there.

"Xiejiang?" Nanzhi felt an involuntary twitch in her eyelid, giving her a bad premonition.

Xiejiang was the breadbasket of Xia Country, providing seventy percent of the grains consumed by Xia’s people. If something happened to this land...

"Yes, he finds it bizarre, so he plans to stay there a little longer."

"Wenchen, could this be because of me?"

Nanzhi pursed her lips, voicing the doubt that was in her heart.

The drought and subsequent famine that occurred previously was because the plot wanted to get rid of her, but now?

She was just an insignificant character, even more so now that she was far from the male and female leads...

"No, Nannan, don’t think too much." Seeing his wife’s worries, Shen Wenchen would only gently hug her.

"Whether or not you were here, these things would have happened. This world is on the verge of collapsing."

Shen Wenchen’s gaze was mysterious, making it impossible to tell what he was thinking.

This world was accelerating its collapse, but for what?

Where had the elder and Xiaohe gone?

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