Farm Girl's Manor
Chapter 564 Trouble Arises (1)_1

Chapter 564: Chapter 564 Trouble Arises (1)_1

Mo Yan had no prejudice against Phoenix Men and didn’t think "Phoenix Men" were bad. On the contrary, most "Phoenix Men" were ambitious, knowing what they wanted and would go to great lengths to fight for it. Such people usually achieved a certain level of success.

However, in a poor family, where everyone had to tighten their belts just to barely provide for a scholar, even if they could not afford to continue supporting him, they would not let the most promising child become a live-in son-in-law, would they? After all, upon acquiring the title of Scholar, the Government would grant a certain amount of subsidy each year. If he really wanted to advance further, leveraging the status of a Scholar, he could easily find a job to earn Silver Tael and continue his studies. It was just a delay of a few years’ time. Wasn’t this much better than becoming a live-in son-in-law?

Mo Yan expressed her doubts, and Liu Tinglan explained, "The Du Family had three generations living under the same roof, with both Grandpa Du and Grandma Du still alive, but they had been bedridden for many years, costing a great deal of Silver Coin for their medical treatment. The Du Family didn’t have much Silver to begin with and had to borrow from the Bank to support Young Master Du’s education. Over the course of more than ten years, with interest compounding, they owed a debt of more than a hundred Silver Tael. The Bank, fearing they could not get their money back, often came to demand payment, but never succeeded. Finally, they set a deadline; if the Du Family did not pay the Silver within the year, they would report to the Government about the Du Family. With no other choice, the Du Family, upon hearing that my family was looking for a live-in son-in-law, sent a matchmaker to inquire, and after confirmation, agreed to let Young Master Du marry in on the condition that my family would pay off their debt of more than one hundred Silver Tael and support Young Master Du’s education until he achieved high academic success!"

After listening, Mo Yan’s face fell. If that Young Master Du never succeeded, would they just continue to rely on the Liu Family? And with this marriage arrangement already so entangled with financial interests, and the Du Family having thin resources, no fields to speak of and the household relying solely on the women washing clothes for Copper Coin to support their living, those men, high-minded and lacking practical skills, were not willing to do hard labor. The Silver earned daily was even less than what the women made from washing clothes, and the family was in a constant state of deficit spending. The Du Family was essentially a bottomless pit.

Even though that Young Master Du would become a live-in son-in-law, and would hence be part of the Liu Family, could he really indulge himself in luxury, while watching his parents and relatives suffer? The Liu Family’s conditions were good but certainly could not support more than a dozen people from the Du Family.

Even if Young Master Du could endure it temporarily, over time he would inevitably develop resentments, and conflict with the Liu Family would be inevitable. Ting Lan, kind and generous, would only be caught in the middle with endless troubles—and where would her happiness be then?

Mo Yan did not look favorably upon this marriage arrangement, but she couldn’t bluntly express this to Ting Lan, after all, these were her personal views, and the members of the Liu Family might not realize the severity of the issue.

After some thought, she cautiously reminded, "Marriage between two people is actually the joining of two families. A man’s character is one aspect, but family is equally important. If there is a vast disparity in conditions, environment, and perspectives between the two families, conflicts are most likely to arise."

Ting Lan had not thought deeply about it and simply assumed that Mo Yan was worried about her future well-being. She couldn’t help but say helplessly, "Everyone understands the principle, but which family that is well-matched socially and financially would want to have a live-in son-in-law? The Du Family’s conditions are indeed poor, but fortunately, Young Master Du is ambitious. There are no big problems with his literary studies, and if he truly makes a name for himself, revitalizing the Du Family is not impossible! Even after marriage, I would still live in my own home, which wouldn’t be too bad, as long as it pleases my parents; that’s not a bad outcome either!"

Mo Yan sighed inwardly and swallowed the words that had reached the tip of her tongue: "Your parents are satisfied, but what about you?" She saw that her good friend was indifferent about the marriage, agreeing only to please her parents. Asking such questions would only add to her friend’s troubles, so it was best not to ask.