Sun Shi emerged from the crowd.
She had originally hoped that the village aunts and sisters-in-law would voice their objections, but to her surprise, no one said a word, so she had no choice but to step forward and play the villain.
Sun Shi looked around. In the past two days, her eldest sister-in-law had bought quite a few things. She roughly calculated that her eldest sister-in-law could earn at least two hundred copper coins a day, an amount that most families in the village couldn't earn in a whole month.
Earning two hundred copper coins a day, yet only giving them two copper coins per catty—that was truly too stingy.
Sun Shi spoke with conviction, "Dong Hua is still so young. As soon as he heard his eldest aunt needed lantern grass, he immediately went up the mountain to look for it. This child searched all day and only earned four copper coins. Eldest sister-in-law, don't you think the price should be increased a bit?"
As soon as Sun Shi said this, the other women in the courtyard immediately exchanged glances.
Although they hadn't thought of raising the price, if it could be increased, it would certainly be a good thing. Who would ever complain about having too much money?
Cheng Loan Loan curved her lips into a smile, stood up, and replied, "Dong Hua is indeed still young, and Xiao Mai and Hu Zi are also too young. Going up the mountain for a few copper coins is truly not worth it. This was my oversight. From now on, I will assign the task of picking lantern grass to my Er Gou, San Niu, and Da Wang, Er Wang. I won't trouble everyone else anymore."
Upon hearing these words, all the women present widened their eyes.
Two copper coins for a catty of lantern grass—a teenage child could earn two catties in half a day on the mountain. They had even planned to go and help pick more to exchange for money. How could such a good thing suddenly disappear?
"Zhao eldest sister-in-law, I think the price of two copper coins per catty of lantern grass is very reasonable. How about we let our children continue to help pick lantern grass?"
"You Cai's wife thinks two copper coins are too little, but none of us do."
"Exactly, exactly."
You Cai's wife was Sun Shi. Her husband was ranked third in the Zhao family and was named Zhao You Cai. She had no sons, so the villagers often called her Zhao Third Sister-in-law or You Cai's wife.
Sun Shi's face alternated between red and white. "When did I ever say two copper coins were too little..."
Cheng Loan Loan smiled faintly, "Dong Hua is too young. If anything were to happen on the mountain, I couldn't be responsible. From now on, I won't accept any more lantern grass that Dong Hua brings."
Sun Shi was furious, but she could only restrain herself and ask, "What about Chun Hua? Can she bring it?"
Cheng Loan Loan nodded indifferently.
The village women chatted idly for a few moments before dispersing.
Old Lady Zhao sat at the doorway, braiding dried grass. Dried grass bundled together would be easier to use for kindling.
She sat at the doorway, conveniently chatting with passersby about household matters, and inadvertently learned all the gossip from one end of the village to the other.
As soon as Sun Shi returned, she was severely scolded by Old Lady Zhao.
"Excellent! You, Sun Shi, that's your eldest sister-in-law. Not only do you not help your eldest sister-in-law bargain, you even think about raising the price. How did the third son ever marry you, such a narrow-minded wife, into this family!"
Sun Shi felt extremely wronged.
So what if she was her biological eldest sister-in-law? Even if she earned money, she wouldn't give her a single copper coin.
She lowered her head and said nothing. The more Old Lady Zhao looked, the angrier she became. She sternly scolded her until all the anger in her heart was vented.
Just then, Zhao Si Dan came over, carrying a bowl. "Grandma, my mother asked me to bring this."
He placed a bowl of bamboo shoot and pork bone soup on a chair, then turned and ran. He had to go back to eat braised pork.
Old Madam Zhao's face darkened again. "As soon as you make a few coppers, you start squandering it. Even pig's trotters, cheap as they are, still cost a few coins to buy. How much money do you have to spend like that? No, I must go over and tell her a few things. Don't just spend money on food.
There are still three boys in the family waiting to get married. This money must be saved up slowly..."