Chapter 122 - 122 Enlightenment
122 Enlightenment
Su Binglan’s heart became heavy when she saw her uncle’s teary eyes. She could understand how he felt.
The Su family had spent most of their savings to send Su Fengchen to school. He did well in his studies, and many had high hopes for him. He would have had a different life if he had taken the imperial exams and graduated.
He would not have issues becoming a scholar with the knowledge he gathered. However, he severely injured his right hand before autumn and could no longer take the imperial exams.
Then the Su family went into debt to treat his hand, while the money they spent sending him to school went down the drain. Su Fengchen blamed himself and could never get over it.
He wanted to work hard and earn back the money his family had spent, but it was extremely tough with a crippled hand. His personality significantly changed after experiencing these things.
Su Binglan did not know how to make Su Fengchen better. She pondered and said, “Uncle Fengchen, our world is not peaceful. The most crucial thing in troubled times like these is to have a supportive family.
“Moreover, we should not think everything is fine in the imperial court. Who knows when things might change. It’s okay that you didn’t take the imperial exams. A united and stable family is more vital than anything else.”
Su Fengchen trembled when he heard his niece’s words. She seemed to have enlightened him. Suddenly, he felt a massive burden lift from his shoulders. He was in disbelief that Su Binglan would say such things.
It was not something an ordinary country girl would say, even one who had attended school before. Even Su Fengchen was not as open-minded as his niece.
Still, he had to admit, “Y-You’re right, Binglan. That was a great regret in my heart.”
Su Binglan said smilingly, “It’s good that you can reclaim yourself, Uncle Fengchen. I think grandmother and grandfather won’t want you to be a high-ranking official anyway. They only wanted you to have a better life.”
Those were things Su Fengchen was glad to hear.
Su Binglan continued, “Uncle Fengchen, the townsfolk usually sell chicken and duck eggs for two to three coins. We will sell the salted and preserved eggs in town for five coins each.”
After some thought, Su Fengchen said, “Isn’t that a little expensive?”
Su Fengchen had no experience doing business and was typically more introverted. If he were to sell the eggs in town, his mother, Old Madam Su, would have to help him.
If it were up to Su Fengchen, he would just sit at the stall and do nothing if no one came up to him. But if someone came to bargain with him, the person would easily persuade him, and he would sell the eggs at a lower price.
That was why Su Fengchen did not make much raising ducks and chickens. He would only make a decent amount of money selling his raised pigs. Still, he thought five cents for his pickled eggs were expensive.
Su Binglan wanted to laugh when she looked at her uncle. She felt he was too honest and a push-over. She knew doing business would not suit such a person. Su Fengchen was more suited to arrange stuff in the background while others handled customers.
However, Su Binglan knew she could change her uncle’s personality. People would constantly improve and learn, after all.
“Don’t worry, Uncle Fengchen. Five coins aren’t expensive because the salted and preserved eggs are rare. Other sellers would not have this sort of thing, so people would practically fight to buy these eggs for five coins.”
Su Fengchen nodded. “A-All right, we’ll set the price according to what you said.”
Su Binglan had convinced her uncle that things would be okay. However, Su Fengchen once again considered what the monk said.