BXBX NOVEL Chapter 267 - 267: Brothers, Family
Old Madam Xu saw the couple standing not far away and said to Yangyang and Seven Pounds, “Young Master, Master and Madam are here.” The two children who were playing with the mud looked up and saw the two of them. “Father” Yangyang threw down the mud in his hand and ran over. Seven Pounds looked at the mud in his hand and suddenly lowered his head and slowly followed behind Yangyang.
Zhou Jia looked at the mud on the two of them and said sternly, “Did your mother just bathe the two of you two hours ago?
Seeing that his father did not hug him with a smile like before, Yangyang pouted aggrievedly. When he heard his father’s question, he still nodded. Seven Pounds looked at Zhou Jia and said seriously, “Master, Madam bathed us two hours ago and changed our clothes.”
Zhou Jia squatted down and looked at the two of them. “I won’t say anything about Madam bathing and changing your clothes. That piece of land was planted by Grandma Liu with spring onions and cabbages. You know that, right? If you step on the vegetable seeds and spring onions in the field, Grandma Liu will have planted them for nothing, right?”
The two of them turned to look at the spring onions that had been pulled out and thrown on the ground. They rubbed the soil on their fat hands and nodded.
“Yes.”
Zhou Jia asked again, “Do you think this is right?” Seven Pounds nodded honestly. “No, we were wrong.”
Yangyang looked at Li Yu, who was standing at the side, and also admitted his mistake. Zhou Jia looked at the two of them and asked, “Will you still play like this in the future?
“No.” The two of them shook their heads. Zhou Jia patted their butts. “Look at how dirty you guys are.”
The two of them looked at each other’s hands and then at each other’s muddy faces. They touched each other’s faces and giggled. Seven Pounds saw the spring onions on Yangyang’s braids and grinned. He reached out and took the green onions from Yangyang’s head. “Yang Yang has horns.”
Zhou Jia smiled and patted their chubby buttocks. “Go back quickly. Wash up and eat dinner.”
“Oh, oh! Let’s go back and eat!” The two of them skipped back happily.
Li Yu looked at the two of them running happily. “Seven Pounds is more than three years old. After the new year, we should get a teacher to enlighten him. Xiao Xi, discuss with Ruyi and register them so that their future will not be delayed.”
Zhou Jia held Li Yu’s hand and kissed it. He smiled in relief. “You and I have thought of the same thing. In the past, I told them that the four of us grew up and risked our lives together. We’ve also experienced so much. In my heart, I’ve long regarded them as my family and brothers. I’ve mentioned them a few times, but the three of them refused. Now, for the sake of the child, they should agree!”
Li Yu had always felt that the relationship of Zhou Jia, Ruyi, and the rest was more like family and brothers. After spending a few years with them, she also regarded them as family.
“That’s right! Although we don’t treat them as outsiders, children should study and take the scholarly examination. Call the three of them together later and tell them what you’re thinking.”
After the husband and wife discussed it, Zhou Jia called Ruyi and the other two to the main hall after dinner. The three of them saw Zhou Jia sitting upright with a serious expression and thought that something had happened. They asked worriedly, “Master, what happened? Is it serious?”
“Sit down. I have something to tell you.”
After they sat down, Zhou Jia said to them, “I’ve told you before that you, Uncle Zhou, Aunt He, and I are master and servant in name. In my heart, you’re my brothers and family. I’ve told you before that I’ll remove your slave status, but you refused no matter what. Now that Ruyi has a family, Ji Xiang and Zhao Cai will soon have your own small family and children. Ruyi’s Seven Pounds is more than three years old and has reached the age of enlightenment. Madam asked me to invite a teacher back to enlighten Seven Pounds and Yangyang. If the child is talented in school, he has to go on a career path. He can’t be a slave if he goes on a career path. I want to remove your slave status so that your children’s future won’t be delayed.”
Ruyi and the others listened to Zhou Jia’s words and thought of the happiness and woe the four of them had experienced together. Kneeling in front of Zhou
Jia with red eyes, they shouted, “Master!”
They choked and could not say anything else.
Zhou Jia looked at the few of them with red eyes. He stood up and helped them up with a smile. “As men, you even cried. Yangyang and Seven Pounds will laugh at you if they see you.”
Ruyi and the others said in unison, “Master, no matter when or where, the three of us will alwavs be vour Ruvi. Ji Xianz and Zhao Cai.’
After they sat down again, Zhou Jia said to them, “Madam said that she will give the three of you 10% of the profits from the wool and bag business with the Four Seas Bank. The family’s matters and business will still be done according to the previous arrangements.”
The three of them knew that ever since they cooperated with the Four Seas Bank, the bag and wool shop had been opened in all the provinces and counties of Great Yong. With 10% of the dividend divided among the three of them, there would be more than ten thousand taels of silver a year. It was too much. The three of them shook their heads and said, “Master, it’s too much. Tell
Madam that 5% is enough.”
Zhou Jia smiled and said, “After you get married, you have to have your own house, raise a wife, and have children. Don’t say anything else and listen to your Madam. Zhao Cai and I will go and check the grain storage. Also, Ah Qing will be setting off for the capital after the autumn examination this year. In a few days, Zhao Cai will go to the capital with Ah Qing in Tongzhou to see if there are any suitable houses to buy. At the same time, we will settle your marriage. Alright, go back to your rooms and rest.”
Seeing that Zhou Jia and Li Yu had already decided, they didn’t say anything else. They bowed and retreated.
Wu Tingxian rushed to Xingfu Town angrily and brought his men to Wu Yueze’s house overnight.
After bringing the bailiffs and constables in, they realized that the Wu family’s courtyard was filled with boxes. It seemed that Wu Yueze had already sensed that something was wrong and planned to hide his belongings.
Wu Tingxian first held the arrest document and said to the constables, “Take them all down and search all the items.”
Wu Yueze and a beautiful and charming woman ran out of the house after hearing the news. Seeing that Wu Tingxian had brought the bailiffs and constables, they knew that it was over.
The couple harbored hopes that they would be spared and knelt at Wu
Tingxian’s feet. Wu Yueze said in a cunning tone, “Sir, I really don’t know what
Zhong Bao did outside. Please let me off on account of our past friendship.”
Wu Tingxian first walked to Wu Yueze’s side and squatted down to look at him with a cold smile. “Friendship? What relationship can I have with a traitor like you? Don’t forget that I’ve already calculated the money for the calligraphy paintings you sent over. The matter regarding your collusion with Zhong Bao and those hooligans to commit crimes has been investigated.” Wu Tingxian stood up first and pointed at Wu Tingxian and Madam Zhong. “Men, take them all down.”
Wu Yueze and Madam Zhong sat on the ground and looked at the boxes in the courtyard. They knew in their hearts that they would have no chance with more luxurious clothes, delicacies, gold, silver, and jewelry in the future..