Reincarnation and Rebirth

Because the old lady's hand was broken and she needed to rest, the Su family has been much more well-behaved during this time.

That day, Chen went to her parents' home to borrow some grain. Old Man Chen was very generous in giving it to her, but he made one request: that the Su family send over fifty pieces of balm next time.

Upon hearing this, Old Lady Su realized that the perfume balm was selling very well, so she insisted that the Chen family make them pay a deposit first, otherwise she would not supply the Chen family's general store.

Chen was furious but dared not speak out, so she took Su Youfu back to her parents' home. He scolded her mercilessly, but thinking the product would sell well, he reluctantly agreed. He even made Chen sign a contract stipulating that if she couldn't produce fifty pieces of perfume, he would compensate her three times the deposit of ten taels. Chen hesitated, but Su Youfu agreed without a second thought. There were plenty of wildflowers on the mountain, and the plum blossoms were in full bloom this season; making a few pieces of perfume was nothing difficult.

So for the past few days, the villagers have seen the Su family picking flowers on the mountain every day, and they all laugh at them, asking if they've gone crazy. Winter is almost here, and it's understandable that they'd gather some firewood, but what are they going to do with those useless wildflowers? Eat them as food?

Su Xiang'er was actually much better, but Su Wan'er wouldn't let her go out to work. Anyway, during this time, Su Wan'er's reputation as a shrew had been spread far and wide by the rest of the Su family. Whether the villagers believed it or not, after Su Wan'er hit the old lady, the Su family also gave Chen a beating, and most of them behaved themselves.

The reason for punishing the Chen family stemmed from a single meal.

Chen felt that since she had brought back the grain the family was eating and she and Xiang from the fourth branch of the family were cooking the meals, she had the right to distribute them. She only gave the young maids a cornbread and some pickled vegetables each day, saying that since they were all lying around and not doing any work, they didn't need to eat too much.

Su Wan'er rushed into the main house and took away all the snacks and food that Chen had brought back from her parents' home. She would beat anyone who dared to stop her.

"Uncle, there are so many sick people in the family, yet you all eat alone. So this is what your teacher taught you when you were studying?"

Su Youfu was so angry that the veins on his face were bulging. "You shrew, you shrew! These were sent by your maternal grandparents when your older cousin got hungry while reading at night."

"Oh? But Grandma said that once you enter the Su family, everything belongs to the Su family. What, is Uncle's family an exception? Did you separate your family?"

"Su Wan'er, I've put up with you for too long. Give me back my things." Su Qing'er stepped forward to pull, but Su Wan'er kicked her away.

"Let me tell you, when people are pushed to the limit, they're capable of anything. I can't hit my elders, but I can hit you, right?"

Seeing her daughter being beaten, Chen picked up a rolling pin and rushed towards Su Wan'er. Su Wan'er deftly flipped her hands, and a pebble rolled to Chen's feet. The next second, Chen's plump body was lying on the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.

"Oh, Aunt, what are you doing? It's not a holiday, why are you giving such a big greeting?"

"You little slut, you were born of a mother..." Before she could finish speaking, Chen felt a sharp pain in her mouth. She reached up and wiped it, finding it covered in blood. She screamed in terror.

An impatient voice came from inside the house, "If you make any more noise, get out of the Su family." The next second, the door opened, and Old Man Su walked out with a gloomy face, smoking his pipe as he left.

As Chen saw her father-in-law leave, she looked at Su Youfu and cried, "Husband, you must stand up for me!"

As Su Youfu watched the old man's departing figure, cold sweat broke out on his back. That glance just now overlapped with the scene in his memory.

"Alright, you're acting like an aunt, hurry up and prepare the meal."

Chen couldn't believe her ears and immediately started throwing a tantrum. Su Youfu glanced at her with disgust and turned to go back to his room.

Seeing that no one was helping her, Chen struggled to get up and called Su Qing'er to join her. She was determined to teach Su Wan'er a lesson today. Of course, unsurprisingly, during the meal, both Chen and her daughter had swollen cheeks.

From then on, the Su family treated the second branch of the family like air, but they still didn't cause any more trouble during meals. Su Wan'er was happy to have some peace and quiet. She went to the agreed location again to deliver some perfume to Ding Chouqin.

“Miss Su, I went to the prefectural city recently and heard some news.”

"what news?"

“Miss Su, the Ziyan Kingdom may really be about to attack. You should be prepared.”

Su Wan'er pursed her lips, thought for a moment, and asked, "How are your perfume balms selling?"

Speaking of this, Ding Chouqin's face was full of smiles, "They're all sold out, and there's still not enough to go around. Many people have placed orders with me. That's why I'm rushing back to the prefectural city today with the perfume." After saying that, he handed Su Wan'er a hundred-tael silver note, "Miss Su, could you please give me a little more?"

Su Wan'er was taken aback. "You... went to rob silver?"

Ding Chouqin scratched his head, embarrassed, and said, "No, no, I sold it for five taels in the prefectural city, and everyone was scrambling to buy it. The rest was a deposit they gave me." He suddenly remembered something and said somewhat nervously, "Miss Su, when I came back this time, I saw that Chen's General Store was also selling perfume balm, and it was also three taels of silver." Afraid that Su Wan'er would misunderstand, he added, "I'm not questioning Miss Su. Theirs doesn't come in jars, so naturally it's not as good as the one you gave me. It's just that, has your recipe been leaked?"

Su Wan'er laughed, "Those were sold by my family, but it doesn't matter. Their products are different from mine. Anyone who has used them will know that. Besides, the amount in this jar is worth two yuan of theirs, so it's still a bargain for us, isn't it?"

Ding Chouqin felt embarrassed. "I'm so sorry, Miss Su."

"It's alright. You said the rumors have spread all over the prefectural city, so there must be some truth to it. We don't know how long this business can last. Here's what we'll do: I'll give you two hundred cans this time. If it's convenient for you, go to the capital and inquire about it. Come back in half a month. Is that alright?"

Ding Chouqin hurriedly shook his head, "No, no, I don't have that much silver."

"I'll give you the goods first."

"Miss Su, aren't you afraid I'll take the things and run away?"

"It's just two hundred jars of perfume. I trust you. If I've misjudged you, I can afford to compensate for this."

Looking at the smiling young girl in front of him, Ding Chouqin suddenly felt a surge of pride. "Don't worry, Miss Su. Although I am not a great man, I am not a petty person either. Rest assured, I will definitely come back and make up the rest of the money."

"However, a round trip to the capital in half a month might be a bit rushed."

“Brother Ding, you can hire a carriage. I'll cover the cost. After all, I asked you to do this for me.”

"This, this won't do." Ding Chouqin wanted to refuse.

"Brother Ding, please don't refuse. Could you go to the capital for me? Everyone in our prefecture is in a panic, and rumors are flying everywhere. What about the capital? If possible, could you also help me find out about someone else?"

"Who?"

"The second young master of the Xiao family."

Ding Chouqin swallowed hard. "Miss Su, are you referring to the Xiao family, the God of War family?"

"Yes."

"You know Young Master Xiao?"

Su Wan'er shook her head, "I don't know her, I'm just curious."

"Ah, oh, well, alright then." Although Ding Chouqin didn't know why Su Wan'er wanted to inquire about the second young master, he subconsciously agreed.

"Thank you. By the way, take this silver note back with you. The price of grain in Meizhou is changing every day. Go to the capital and see if the price is right. Buy some grain and winter supplies to prepare."

"No no no..."

"Take this, I'm leaving now. See you here again in two weeks." With that, he left a bundle behind and departed.

Ding Chouqin watched the departing figure, clutching the silver note in his hand. The feeling of being trusted solidified his resolve to help Miss Su complete her mission. Miss Su must have met the second young master of the Xiao family; otherwise, why would she want to inquire about his whereabouts? Aren't most girls eager to marry General Xiao? Although General Xiao is already married, the second young master is rarely mentioned.