Su Xiaozhang's eyes lit up. He thought that his sister-in-law was going to fight with him for the title of nobility, but it seemed that there was room for discussion.
"I'm just a woman, so I don't know much about the title of nobility. I thought that since we're all family, there's no difference between an uncle and a son, but …" The woman from the Jhao Clan took out a handkerchief from her sleeve and dabbed at the corner of her eyes. She suddenly burst into tears, "I've been in charge of the household for many years. I know exactly how much wealth our family has. Even if it's not enough, we won't let Yu 'er go out to sell fish! You black-hearted people, you're trying to starve us to death! "
With that, the Jhao Clan began to wail. While crying, they scolded the Li Clan for not giving Su Yu enough food to eat and not giving her medicine if she didn't pay enough money every day. Poor child, who couldn't do anything, was forced to sell fish in cold weather. Her hands and feet were frozen. It was simply sad to see it and shed tears.
Su Xiaozhang and his wife were dumbfounded. Su Yu was also stunned. It wasn't until the furball on her back came out of her collar that she came back to her senses. She quietly rubbed her head against the kitten's. If it wasn't for her mother's words, Su Yu really didn't realize that she was living such a miserable life.
The two clan uncles also frowned. The Su Family used to be prosperous, so it was really shameful for them to become like this. "Xiaozhang, your brother's body hasn't even turned cold, and you treat his widow like this. How can the clan give you the title of nobility?"
Su Xiaozhang glared at his wife fiercely. She was unable to accomplish anything but was good at spoiling things. It would be fine if she forced Zhao Shi to death, but if she forced her to fight back, it would be really troublesome.
"Zhao Yuhua, don't slander us. I didn't give you any less medicine these days." Eldest Aunt glared and jumped up to scold her.
The Jhao Clan immediately asked Chun Cao to bring the dregs of the decoction she used every day to the two Jhao Clan uncles. Anyone with a discerning eye could tell that the dregs had been decocted more than five times. The decoction was no different from plain water. How could it be used to treat illnesses?
"The money Yu 'er gives you every day is enough to buy three sets of medicine, but you only give me one set every two days. If it weren't for my luck, I'm afraid I would have seen the King of Hell long ago." The Jhao Clan member covered his mouth with a handkerchief and coughed non-stop. He looked very weak, and his other hand was still tightly holding the imperial yellow silk on the table. "If I'm tortured to death by you like this, how can my Yu' er live? I'm determined not to let you succeed in getting this title!"
Su Yu's father was a second-class general who supported the country. Regardless of whether it was him or his eldest uncle, they would be demoted by two ranks, skipping the second-class general of the army and directly becoming a third-class general of the army. Although they didn't have any power and were forced to participate in the war, the third-class general of the army had a salary of 30 shilu rice and 130 strings of coins every year, which was enough to support a family.
The atmosphere became stiff for a moment. Su Xiaozhang was silent for a moment with a livid face. He sneered and said, "With the identity of a concubine's son, Zong Zhengsi will directly take away the Su family's title. At that time, no one will benefit!"
The nobility's title had always been very strict. Under normal circumstances, it had to be the eldest son of the first wife. If there was no son of the first wife, it was likely that Zong Zhengsi would judge that there was no heir and directly take away the title. Although Su Xiaozhang was the son of a concubine, his mother later promoted him to the first wife. In the family tree, he was the son of the first wife, so it was more likely that he would inherit the title.
However, Zong Zhengsi's duty was to control and reduce the nobility, so he could find a few faults. If the Jhao Clan made a big deal out of this, once Zong Zhengsi judged that Su Xiaozhang's virtue was not good, he would definitely not be able to inherit the title.
The white-bearded uncle looked at her and coughed dryly, "Second daughter-in-law, don't be impulsive. The Su family must not lose the title. It's not good for Yu 'er to make a big deal out of it."
With the title, the Su family was still noble. Without the title, the relatives of the side branches would also lose face. In the future, the family would completely decline.
An Hong-chul yawned on Su Yu's shoulder. The Su family was already like this. What was there to fight for the title? As long as they served the emperor well, they could even be conferred the title of Duke.
"With the reduction of the title, there's still five hundred taels of silver as an allowance. It's enough to buy a farm and support the two of us." The Jhao Clan stopped crying. They wiped away their tears and calmly folded the yellow silk and put it into the box.
Su Xiaozhang became nervous. According to the usual practice, some money would be given for the reduction of the title. It could be considered the imperial family's last grace. It might not necessarily be five hundred taels of silver, but it should be two or three hundred taels of silver.
Su Yu raised his eyebrows. He seemed to understand what his di mother meant.
"Sister-in-law, we're a family. There's no need to be so distant." Su Xiaozhang forced a smile, "The Su family's prosperity is intertwined. With the title, there's a salary every year. How can it be short of food and drink?"
If these words were said before, it could be used to smooth things over. But now, it was obvious that the mother and son had no food to eat. Even ghosts wouldn't believe that they would be treated well in the future. As soon as these words came out, Su Xiaozhang felt that she couldn't continue speaking.
"The salary is all yours. The sun will rise from the west if you can give it to us." As she spoke, a head poked in from outside the door. She looked 50% similar to Su Xiaozhang, but her face was covered in dust and she didn't look as energetic. "If it were up to me, even if you were to reduce the title, you still have to give me 30% of the five hundred taels of silver!"
"You …" When Su Xiaozhang saw the person, she almost fainted. "You still have the face to say that? Isn't it all because of you that our family is so poor?!"
This person was Su Yu's third uncle, Su Xiaoxian. He was usually idle and idle. A few years ago, he caused a big trouble. Su Yu's father sold the family's fields to settle the matter. This was the main reason why the Su family's situation was deteriorating.
"Hmph, I didn't ask Second Brother to save me. Did you ask me before you sold the fields? That's ancestral property, and I also have a share! Now that you want to be a general, you have to give me my share! "Third Uncle squatted at the door with his hands in his hands and straightened his neck.
When the Jhao Clan saw that their younger brother-in-law had come, they sneered, "After selling the fields two years ago, there's still a manor in the western suburbs and a few shops on East Street. If Eldest Uncle wants to inherit the title, it's not impossible for him to share the family property with us. Just let us have food to eat."
When Su Xiaoxian heard this, his eyes lit up. He stood up quickly, "What? There's still a manor in the western suburbs? Eldest Brother, you're planning to take the family property for yourself! "
With Third Uncle's interference, the main hall became more lively. Su Xiaozhang was so angry that he was breathing heavily.
An Hong-chul had been impatient for a long time. It kept scratching Su Yu's clothes with its claws. His Majesty the Cat, who had not eaten breakfast, was in a bad mood. Su Yu had no choice but to quietly reach out and pull the cat's tail to make it quiet. The cat immediately jumped onto his other shoulder and continued scratching.
"How about this," the Jhao Clan finally said, "I'm just a woman. I don't know anything. I just want to be able to eat and wear warm clothes. Give the two shops on East Street to Yu 'er. I'll live with Yu' er in the future. As for the title, Eldest Uncle and Youngest Uncle can discuss it. "
Su Yu was stunned. The shops on East Street? The Su family really did have shops on East Street!
East Street was the main street of Dongcheng. It was very prosperous. If they could open a tavern there, business would definitely be booming. This was really a case of sleepiness meeting a pillow!
Su Xiaozhang was in a terrible fix because of the commotion. Suddenly, the situation took a turn for the worse. Without even thinking, he readily agreed, "Sure!"
"How can that be! That's the most valuable thing in the Su family! " Eldest Aunt of the Li Clan screamed. She had schemed to get the shops. Every month, she would receive five taels of silver! Without these two shops, where would they get the money if they had to go around and give gifts to earn the title?
"What do you know!" Su Xiaozhang hurriedly gave her a meaningful look.
After a noisy morning, finally, with the two clan uncles as witnesses, they brought the account book and divided the family property. Since the title had not been decided, they could not divide the family property. They could only give the shops in the account book to Su Yu and count them as his private property. Su Xiaozhang wanted Su Yu to sign and sign a document renouncing his title.
Su Yu didn't care, and the Jhao Clan didn't stop him.
An Hong-chul coldly watched this farce. His mood became worse. This stupid slave was too easy to bully!
"We can't set up the stall today. Let's eat this squid." Su Yu looked up at the sky. It was almost noon, and the squid hadn't been pickled yet. There was no time to set up the stall.
An Hong-chul squatted on the chopping board, glanced at him, and turned around to face Su Yu with his butt. Stupid slave, without the title, how can I promote you and make you rich in the future? Why are you so happy?
Su Yu poked the soft cat's butt with his finger, "Hey, Sauce, let's go look at those two shops. If the location is good, we can open a restaurant."
After lunch, Su Yu excitedly took the cat to look at the shops.
After noon, East Main Street was still very lively. Su Yu searched for a long time, but he couldn't find the address recorded in the account book.
"East Main Street 101 …" Su Yu stared at the area between number 100 and number 102 for a long time. Number 100 was a pawnshop, number 102 was a silk shop, and number 101 was … an alley … There was no shop, only an alley. Number 101 seemed to have disappeared into thin air, "Could it be that it was demolished?"
"Meow …" The kitten on his shoulder glanced at the silly Su Yu, wagged its tail, and jumped on the door of the pawnshop. It pulled out a gray plate number from the corner of the eaves.
Su Yu found that there was a three-foot wide door at the edge of the pawnshop. It was not connected to the pawnshop. He went up and asked. It was shop number 101.
Su Yu: "…"
In fact, the shop was not small. There were two big rooms, but they were both on the second floor. There was only one small door on the first floor, and there was a ladder. It was impossible to do business here, so it had always been rented to the pawnshop as a warehouse.
Su Yu stared at the shop for a long time. Suddenly, his eyes lit up. The small staircase was next to the alley. If he wanted to do business on the second floor, the staircase couldn't be placed like this. If he made it into a distinctive external staircase, hung a conspicuous signboard, and decorated it well, it might be particularly eye-catching. However, the cost of the renovation would be much higher than that of the shop on the first floor. He did not have the money to make that beautiful spiral staircase.
Dejected, Su Yu carried the cat home. He had been going back and forth between heaven and hell for the whole day. He was physically and mentally exhausted.
"Sauce, I'm so poor …" Su Yu buried his nose in the cat's fur. Looking at the golden fur, he felt that it was shiny gold. "Lend me some money. I'll be your cat slave for the rest of my life …"
The kitten, who was sitting impatiently, slowly turned its head. Looking at Su Yu's fair and handsome face, it quickly pursed its ears, stood up, and dug under the pillow with its claws. It pulled out a piece of green jade carved with a kirin.
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