Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside

Chapter 1288: Sachet

Mrs. Chen heard this and it made her heart ache. She lamented, "Oh God, this over a thousand taels of silver. In one go, a thousand taels are gone. My family worked hard and only ended up with more than two hundred taels? Big loss, big loss indeed!"

Gu Jinli took out a bag and stuffed her share of silver into it, saying, "I told Aunt Da Gui before, the cost of snowy mooncakes is high, and adding on the increased taxes, even a landlord’s family doesn’t have much extra money. Hoping to make a windfall from selling snowy mooncakes is impossible. It’s good enough to earn something."

This year’s snowy mooncakes were profitable thanks to the help from Dou Ou Bank.

Brother Wang, that clever guy, directly set up the snowy mooncake stall at the entrance of Dou Ou Bank. Rich landlords from the county, nearby counties, and Prefecture trying to curry favor with Young Master Dou would buy a couple of pieces, making high-priced sales possible.

Otherwise, just keep them for oneself because ordinary farmers can’t afford these snowy mooncakes made of glutinous rice and heavy sugar.

But...

"Young Master Dou has taken a liking to snowy mooncakes and wants to partner with us. He proposes selling them in the Capital and Jiangnan next year. Even if the world turns unfavorable, we can make a big fortune from snowy mooncakes next year." Gu Dewang laughed heartily, deciding to become Sister Xiao Yu’s henchman for life.

Even the recipe Sister Xiao Yu discarded could help them earn big money. Where else could they find such a great partner?

"Young Master Dou can indeed help us earn a lot of silver." Gu Jinli nodded, took out a bag to place Tian Xiaohua’s share of silver, ready to present it when the Tian Family comes for the Mid-Autumn Festival meal.

After tying up the money bag, she looked at Brother Cheng: "Let’s go, back to the courtyard, Second Sister will check your pulse again."

Actually wanting to assess how badly you’ve been beaten.

Third Grandma had been preparing offerings and hurriedly agreed: "Right, right, Brother Cheng quickly go back to the courtyard with your Second Sister, let her take a closer look at you."

Then, considering that Xiao Yu was just a teenage girl and might not be reliable, she added, "When dinner comes, have Doctor Wu take a look."

Over the years, Doctor Wu got familiar with them and no longer stood on ceremony. He occasionally joined them for meals during festivals and stayed this time.

Gu Jin’an said, "Third Grandma, Grandpa Wu tired himself with making medicine, no need to trouble him. It’s fine for Xiao Yu to look, and Master Ouyang has already had the family doctor examine Brother Cheng, he’s almost recovered."

If Doctor Wu saw the injuries on Brother Cheng’s back, it would be a disaster.

Third Grandma trusted Gu Jin’an, so she no longer insisted, letting the siblings go back to the backyard to treat Brother Cheng.

In the main room of Brother Cheng and his sibling’s courtyard, Brother Cheng nervously clutched his clothes: "Second Sister, I’m almost well, no need to look. Besides, I’m old enough, and you’re girls, how can you ask me to take off clothes for you to examine?"

With a snap, Gu Jinli slapped Brother Cheng’s head: "You little brat, not even nine years old, what’s there to be shy about? Besides, just asking you to take off clothes, not your pants. Stop dithering and get on with it!"

Brother Cheng puffed his cheeks in anger, seeking help from Gu Jinxiu: "Big Sister."

Gu Jinxiu said: "Brother Cheng, be obedient, let your Second Sister check the injuries on your back."

She knew Brother Cheng had been beaten by Good Brother An, and that he would have been punished when he went to apologize to the Ouyang Family, doubling the injuries. She couldn’t be at ease without checking.

Brother Cheng had no choice but to take off his clothes but smartly used them to cover his front, earning him an eye roll from Gu Jinli.

But Gu Jinxiu started crying, looking at the injuries on Brother Cheng’s back, exclaiming: "This beating was too severe."

Gu Jinli followed her gaze, also startled; even after three days, the injuries on Brother Cheng’s back were still shocking, with many wounds deeply embedded, clearly showing the rattan had entered the flesh during the beating.

Gu Jinxiu shed tears, feeling for Brother Cheng: "Even if Brother Cheng made mistakes, he shouldn’t be beaten this harshly. He’s still young and frail."

Gu Jinli said: "Big Sister, what he did was conspiring with Big Brother to take advantage of a maiden; even a harsh beating is deserved."

Although Gu Jinli also felt for Brother Cheng, wrong is wrong, and she couldn’t excuse him because he’s her brother.

Brother Cheng tugged Gu Jinxiu’s hand, smiling: "Big Sister, don’t cry, it doesn’t hurt now. Moreover, I helped Big Brother, so I’m happy."

Gu Jin’an blushed and scolded Brother Cheng: "Why talk so much, let your Second Sister apply medicine to you."

Brother Cheng hummed twice and wisely shut his mouth.

Gu Jinxiu looked at Good Brother An, asking: "Good Brother An, did Master Ouyang really agree?"

Gu Jin’an was slightly embarrassed but didn’t hide from them, relaying Master Ouyang’s agreement and advised, "Big Sister, Xiao Yu, don’t tell mom and dad yet... lest it doesn’t work out and be unfavorable for Third Miss."

Gu Jinxiu smiled: "It’ll definitely work. Our Good Brother An is so promising; he’ll definitely make it in the top three of the Imperial Examination."

She and Good Brother An, being twins, understood this brother well. If he’s set on something or someone, it’s for life. If it doesn’t work out, he likely wouldn’t marry anyone else.

Established on him wanting to learn to read, his hands were almost broken during punishment, but he learned secretly, never stopping. Especially now he’s set on a person.

Gu Jinli remarked: "Master Ouyang indeed deserves to be a Great Scholar. If it were another noble family or noble, it wouldn’t be possible to agree; they’d surely send people to kill Big Brother or even eliminate our whole family."

Great Chu inherited the literate madman traditions of the former dynasty, emphasizing family status. Noble daughters were valuable and always matched with noble families, nobles, and the Imperial Family; even concubine daughters paired with officials and local noble families. If a farmer’s child had interactions with a noble daughter, upon discovery, the outcome was a single fate — assassinated.

Gu Jin’an said: "The love and care from Master Ouyang, I’ll remember for life, doing my utmost to repay."

Gu Jinli nodded: "That’s necessary."

Then blinked at Gu Jin’an, saying: "Also need to repay Third Sister; without her, Master Ouyang wouldn’t have agreed."

Surely Third Sister also has feelings for Big Brother; Master Ouyang realized, and upon evaluating various facets, agreed. If Third Sister felt any reluctance, Master Ouyang wouldn’t have consented.

Gu Jin’an’s complexion reddened further but nodded: "Naturally."

This life, he’d only have her, keeping her cherished throughout his lifetime.

Both Gu Jinli and Gu Jinxiu listened and laughed.

After changing medicine for Brother Cheng, Gu Jinli left two bottles of antiseptic medicine for Gu Jin’an and took Gu Jinxiu away.

Big Brother is older now; even though they’re siblings, she cannot apply medicine for him, must avoid suspicion.

...

After leaving the courtyard, Gu Jinli went to the kitchen to work, personally cooking grilled fish for Qin San Lang.

Qin San Lang returned at dusk, Gu Jinli had sharp ears, upon hearing hoof beats, she sneaked off to the Qin Family, drawing a huge eye roll and a sulky hum from Brother Cheng.

Humph, Second Sister, this disobedient cabbage, always running off to someone else’s place.

Gu Jinli ignored him, upon seeing Qin San Lang, immediately handed him a sachet: "Made for you, mom said to wear it after August."