50 Gold Beans

Trying to outdo her in wealth or extravagance?

That's a joke.

The maids and servants nearby were no longer concerned with anything else.

These are real gold beans! Each one is worth one tael of silver, and some of the larger ones are worth three taels of silver!

Xiaocui's eyes turned red, and she knelt down and picked up three stones.

Zhou Wanwan chuckled and said, "Oh dear! This will take you guys a long time to finish, won't it?"

Some villagers also found several, especially the children from Daniu and Erniu's families.

Niuniu, the chubby girl from Daniu's family, was standing next to Zhou Wanwan. When Zhou Wanwan threw it, it was thrown right in front of her.

She picked up the most, a total of more than a dozen.

Other children managed to pick up only one, and the maids and servants didn't pick up many either.

Niuniu was overjoyed. "Sister Wanwan, I'm giving all these little gold beans back to you."

Zhou Wanwan took out a purse and wrapped it up for her, saying, "It's okay, you can keep it! I have plenty more."

The villagers gathered around, saying, "Wow! Zhou Wanwan, you're really rich! Hurry up and give us some money!"

"So many gold beans, and I couldn't grab a single one! Oh my! That's several taels of silver!"

"Of course! We're all from the same village, you wouldn't be stingy with giving it to us, would you?"

Zhou Wanwan looked at them with a half-smile and said, "Yes! I can't bear to part with them."

Xiaocui said sarcastically:

"I knew it! Where would a little girl like her get so much money?"

"It's just about 20 gold beans, what's so special about that?"

Zhou Wanwan looked at her seriously and said, "Twenty-odd golden beans, isn't that a lot? If you're so capable, why don't you scatter some too!"

The villagers shouted, "Zhou Wanwan, she's the daughter of the prefect! Do you think you're like her?"

"It's just a little bit of gold, isn't it? The prefect's daughter is nothing to him."

Fang Ting, inside the sedan chair, couldn't help but frown and say, "Xiaocui, I have 50 gold beans here, take them!"

Xiaocui smiled broadly and said, "Yes, Miss."

She arrogantly scattered all the gold beans inside, and a group of people swarmed forward.

But after searching for a long time, not a single one of the 50 gold beans could be found.

Xiaocui's face turned ashen. "This... this is impossible! I clearly scattered 50 gold beans just now, how come there aren't a single one left?"

Zhou Wanwan smiled and said, "You didn't do this on purpose, did you? You deliberately hid those gold beans, didn't you?"

Xiaocui snorted coldly and said, "What good things haven't I seen? Do I need to hide these gold beans?"

Everyone searched for a long time, turning over every nook and cranny, but they still couldn't find it.

Xiaocui looked at Zhou Wanwan and said, "Did you take it? Hand over the gold beans."

Zhou Wanwan couldn't help but sneer, "What's wrong with you? I'm miles away from you, do you think I can perform magic tricks?"

But the villagers searched for a long time and still couldn't find it.

The matchmaker suddenly said, "Alright, alright, let's stop now. What if we miss the auspicious time?"

The sounds of playing wind and string instruments filled the air again, and the bridal sedan chair slowly made its way towards the Zhou Family.

The Old Scholar Tree winked at her from a distance, and Zhou Wanwan knew what was going on.

The Old Scholar Tree must have collected those little golden beans, but some villagers are still searching for them.

Unfortunately, they couldn't find her at all. When Zhou Wanwan arrived at the Zhou Family, the Zhou Family was in a flurry of activity.

They had just finished sitting down to eat when they heard Old Madam Zhou's voice:

"No, what are you all doing sitting here? The house is so busy, don't you know how to help out?"

Zhou Fusheng, go to the front hall to greet the guests. Liu Su'e, your cooking skills are quite good, hurry up and go to the kitchen to help.

Seeing them both standing there dumbfounded, she couldn't help but urge them, "What are you two doing standing here like statues? Hurry up and go help!"

Zhou Wanwan smiled faintly and said:

"You called us back just to help? You called us back just to give us money?"

"Calling us back means bringing all our livestock over?"

Old Madam Zhou shouted angrily, "Do you even have a place to speak here?"

Aunt Huihui, who was standing nearby, quickly said, "Mother, this is a joyous day, don't be angry. Fourth Brother and Fourth Sister-in-law have just returned, they should be allowed to rest well."

Old Madam Zhou coughed and said, "Alright! You all get some rest! My fate is different from yours; I'm destined to be busy and can't stay idle."

The people around Zhou Fusheng looked at him and said, "We heard you passed the imperial examination and became a scholar?"

Zhou Fusheng quickly nodded and said, "Yes, not only me, but my daughter and son also passed the imperial examination and became scholars."

Those people exchanged glances and said in a sarcastic tone:

"They're really rich now! It's different; they can pass the imperial examination for the lowest degree just like that."

Zhou Fusheng, we're from the same village. How did you manage to pass the imperial examination and become a scholar? Can you tell us about it?

Zhou Fusheng looked at them and said, "Of course, it's about memorizing texts every day!"

Those people laughed loudly, "Zhou Fusheng, do you think we don't know your own capabilities?"

"You've never been literate since you were a child, and now you suddenly claim to have passed the imperial examination and become a scholar. Do you think we can believe that?"

"How much money did you bribe the examiner? If possible, I'll have my child take the imperial examination next year; he has to at least become a scholar!"

Zhou Fusheng was furious. "Stop talking nonsense! Our imperial examinations are fair and just. I passed the exam through my own hard work."

Zhou Fuyu laughed very loudly:

"Haha, okay, okay, whatever Fourth Brother says goes. Are you all ready?"

"My son is marrying the daughter of the prefect today; it's a joyous occasion, so please stop making a scene here."

Those snobbish types quickly flattered, "Then you'll be the prefect's in-laws! Congratulations!"

"That's incredible! Isn't your Qingzhou about to rise to great heights?"

"When your Qingzhou family becomes successful in the future, don't forget about us, your fellow villagers!"

"Among all the people in this area, you're the most capable. Not only are you a scholar, but you're also related to the prefect by marriage."

Zhou Fuyu said smugly:

"Alright, alright, everyone stop talking. My Qingzhou is indeed capable."

But he'll have to rely on his own efforts from now on!

Unlike my fourth brother, who has a good daughter and doesn't need to work hard to live a good life.

The people around burst into laughter.

Zhou Fusheng was so angry that his face turned pale. He turned to leave, but was stopped by Zhou Fu'an and Zhou Fukang.

Zhou Fukang coaxed:

"Oh dear! Fourth brother, you know how much of a mouth your third brother has, he's always asking for trouble, and today is his son's wedding day."

He had a few too many drinks. Since he's rarely home, you should stay home and enjoy your time here for a few days.

Your family misses you a lot.

Old Man Zhou also came over and said, "Fusheng! I've been looking forward to your return for so long. Stay a few more days. We may not have much else, but we'll make sure you have plenty of food."