Cheng Zhao walked towards the ice jelly stall.
Zhao Sidan was filled with vigilance, his face expressionless as he blocked the wooden box containing the copper coins. He swore to protect the copper coins belonging to the Zhao family with his life.
But if Mother insisted on giving them away, he seemed to have no way to stop her.
The boy's mood instantly plummeted.
Cheng Loanloan maintained her commercial smile. "Two bowls of ice jelly for six copper coins. Eat slowly, no need to rush."
After she finished serving the customer in front of her, her gaze finally rested on Cheng Zhao behind them.
This was the eldest grandson of her original body's maternal family. When the original body was alive, she doted on this grandson the most because Cheng Zhao was educated. More than two years ago, he had passed the *tongsheng* examination. A *tongsheng* was not as respected as a *xiucai*, but attaining this status was actually not easy. One had to pass the county examination, then participate in the prefectural examination, and only after gaining the qualification to take the *xiucai* examination could one be called a *tongsheng*.
"Ha, Brother Cheng actually has spare money to eat ice jelly?" A scholar next to him sneered. "You copy one book for a hundred copper coins in half a month. Do you really dare to eat a bowl of ice jelly for three copper coins?"
Cheng Loanloan was a little surprised. Cheng Zhao was the center of attention in the Cheng family. She didn't expect him to be ostracized at the academy.
She thought Cheng Zhao would be embarrassed, but the boy just quietly said, "This is my second aunt. I don't need to pay to eat ice jelly."
Zhao Dashan silently washed the bowls, preparing to scoop ice jelly and bring it over.
Zhao Ergou was cold. This eldest cousin was annoying, always making everything seem reasonable.
Zhao Sanniu clenched his fists. The eldest cousin was truly asking for a beating. He really wanted to punch him.
Zhao Sidan lowered his head and said nothing. What was one bowl of ice jelly? He was afraid Mother would give all the money earned today to the Cheng family.
The corner of Cheng Loanloan's mouth twitched.
He still thought she was the second aunt from before, thought she would give him all the good things.
Her family was short on money everywhere. The children wanted to go to school but had no money. Why should she pay for the Cheng family to raise their child?
The previous bad debts were unclear, but from now on, she would not let the Cheng family take advantage of her in the slightest.
Cheng Loanloan awkwardly spoke, "Zhao'er, it's not easy for Second Aunt to do a little business. If you don't help Second Aunt, then how can Second Aunt give you free ice jelly?"
Cheng Zhao's face showed surprise.
Before, no matter what he wanted, Second Aunt would always bring it to him with both hands.
He didn't want to eat ice jelly, but if it was Second Aunt, eating one bowl shouldn't be a problem. He didn't expect Second Aunt to refuse.
Before, twenty taels of silver were given without hesitation, but now she was unwilling to part with three copper coins.
Also, before, Second Aunt always looked gentle and smiled kindly whenever she saw him. Today, her smile seemed distant...
He seemed to have heard that Second Aunt had a falling out with her family, so would Second Aunt no longer love him after that?
The academy scholars next to them reprimanded him.
"Brother Cheng, you are a scholar. A *junzi* would not do such things that are inconsistent with propriety."
"A *junzi* seeks the Way, not food. Your behavior is not worthy of the title *junzi*."
A look of confusion appeared on Cheng Zhao's face.
He didn't take it to heart when his fellow students mocked his family's poverty, because the Cheng family was indeed poor.
But being criticized as unworthy of being a scholar, unworthy of being a gentleman, this was even more unbearable than being slapped.
He took out three copper coins from his pouch and placed them on the table: "Second Aunt, is this enough?"
Cheng Loanloan smiled faintly and said, "Of course it's enough. Dashan, hurry up and get your cousin a bowl of ice jelly."