Transmigrated into a seven-year-old child, my fate is in my own hands, not in the heavens.

Tonight we're having millet porridge, mixed with wild vegetables. It's a thin, watery soup, with more vegetables than rice.

These past few days, the porridge that Old Yang has been feeding Zhao Feng and Zhao Di has become thinner again. Fortunately, Zhao Lian put some food under the phoenix tree this morning.

They would eat some there each time, saving the rest to secretly eat before bed.

"Grandma, when we came back just now, we saw Li Chunlan and the others. Li Erwang said they went to Zhaolian to earn wages."

He Yue'e recounted in detail her encounter with Chunlan and the others that evening.

"What?! Is that really true?!" Old Madam Yang's eyes widened. That jinx actually had money to hire workers.

I never expected that she would hire outsiders instead of Zhao Feng and her family. That brat, she gave such a good opportunity to outsiders.

"Old man, do you think we have no way out?" Old Yang became angrier the more she thought about it. Now that brat is so capable, she must still have money in her hands.

"You still have the nerve to say that? It's all because of you. If it weren't for you, would she have severed ties with us?" He Sen said, his voice rising and falling.

"This has nothing to do with me, it's all the eldest daughter-in-law's fault!" Old Yang said discontentedly, pointing the finger at Li.

“Mother, how can you blame me? In my opinion, the second and third sisters-in-law are also implicated.” Li was no pushover either.

Since her mother-in-law was targeting her, she naturally wanted to drag the second and third wives into the mess.

Li was no pushover, but Liang was no pushover either. She said sarcastically, "Sister-in-law, you're wrong to say that. You're Zhaolian's stepmother. If you, as her mother, don't treat her well, you can't blame us."

"And the eldest brother, he didn't care about anything as a father," Madam Gao from the third wife chimed in, seizing the opportunity to add insult to injury.

This infuriated Li. The two of them had been so happy when they were beating each other, but now they were trying to deny everything and blame it all on the couple.

He Run looked at their worried faces, bit his lip, and realized that Teacher Liu had urged him several times to ask for tuition fees, but he had been putting it off.

He knew his family was out of money, but if they didn't give him the money soon, Liu Fuzi might have to drop out of school.

He Run thought for a moment, then braced himself and said, "Grandma, Teacher Liu said that this year's tuition fees should be paid."

Old Mrs. Yang was already angry, and when she heard He Run say that she had to pay tuition again, she became even more anxious and agitated.

She was so angry that she pounded her chest: "Old man, you have to think of a way. This tuition fee can't be skipped. Our Run'er has been studying for two years."

Upon hearing He Run mention paying tuition, Li was displeased: "Mother, our whole family has earned money to support He Run's studies. Just in two years, how much silver has it cost?"

“We tightened our belts just to support his education. We couldn’t even afford a full meal, but he could just study and didn’t have to work.”

"Oh dear, sister-in-law, what are you saying?" Liang asked anxiously. Then, looking at Old Yang with a pitiful expression, she said, "Mother, isn't our Run'er studying to bring honor to our ancestors?"

"If he passes the imperial examination and becomes a scholar, it will bring glory to our family, and we will never have to worry about food and drink again."

“Yes! My wife is right!” He Zhu chimed in, following Liang Shi’s lead.

“Run’er is studying for everyone’s sake. If he passes the imperial examination and gets a government position, our family’s good days will begin.”

"cut!"

Gao rolled her eyes and scoffed, "Who says that going to school guarantees you'll pass the imperial examination and become a scholar? Our Dong'er is just as good."

"If our Dong'er went to school, he might be able to pass the exam too. Why should only He Run go to school?"

"Snapped!"

The loud slap startled everyone. He Sen slammed his fist on the table, his beard bristling and eyes wide with rage. He glared at Gao Shi and yelled, "Why? Because he's the eldest grandson of the He family, and he's exceptionally intelligent!"

Seeing He Sen get angry, everyone immediately fell silent.

He Shu tugged at Gao's sleeve, telling her to shut up. Gao was furious and had nowhere to vent her anger, so she poked him in the chest with her elbow, making him wince in pain, but he didn't dare to utter a sound.

A smile crept onto Liang's lips. Her son was truly impressive; both her father-in-law and mother-in-law were on her side.

Hearing what they said, He Run's face flushed. His aunt was right; all the money the family earned was spent on him alone.

They always gave him the best food, and he didn't have to do any chores; he just studied. He felt he would really let them down if he didn't pass the imperial examinations and become a scholar.

None of the He family members enjoyed the meal; everyone had their own thoughts.

Zhao Feng and Zhao Di were also afraid that they would take their anger out on them, and they were on tenterhooks all night. Fortunately, they seemed to have forgotten about them.

"Boss, stay here, I have something to tell you."

After dinner, seeing that He Mu wanted to go back to his room, He Sen called him back.

He Mu looked at He Shu and He Zhu, who were afraid their father would call them back, so they quickly hid back in their room.

It's definitely not a good thing if your dad calls you "big brother," so you'd better slip away if you can.

When Li saw her husband being stopped by his father-in-law, she knew that her father-in-law must have something to discuss with her husband, and it certainly wasn't anything good. But why didn't he keep her second and third uncles with him as well?

Although she was unhappy, she didn't dare to challenge her father-in-law's authority, so she could only go back to her room and secretly eavesdrop at the door.

Although the second and third wives also entered the room, they were hiding behind the door eavesdropping.

Seeing his father's serious expression, He Mu felt uneasy and cautiously asked, "Dad, Mom, what's wrong?"

"sit down!"

He Sen took a puff of his pipe, blew out a large smoke ring, and looked at He Mu as he slowly spoke: "Boss, Zhao Lian is your daughter. Although she's been clamoring to sever ties with us, we've already signed a contract."

“Even if the bones are broken, the tendons are still connected. You are still her father. Right now, the family is out of money, but Run’er’s tuition must be paid.”

"Go and beg her to see if you can borrow some money. If that doesn't work, ask her to hire you and pay you in advance."

He Mu knew his father was calling him to discuss something, but he never expected it to be this.

He Run isn't my son, why should I borrow money for his education? I can't believe he even thought of that.

"Father~"

He Mu looked troubled: "You know that girl's temper now, and besides, we've broken off ties, so even if I go, it won't make a difference."

Seeing He Mu's reluctance, He Sen glared at him and said, "This isn't over yet, how do you know it won't work!"

Old Mrs. Yang chimed in, "That's right, eldest son, you haven't even tried it, how do you know it won't work? You are her biological father after all."

He Sen tapped the ash from his dry gun and said without further ado, "You're Run'er's uncle, so you have to take this matter seriously. It's settled then, you go see her tomorrow."

He Mu knew that since his father had already put it this way, he had no choice but to go.

The second and third wives in the room breathed a sigh of relief, especially Liang, who was overjoyed, since they didn't have to do this themselves.

Moreover, the money borrowed was used to pay tuition for Run'er.