Chapter 8 Each with Their Own Thoughts

  Thinking of going to Qingfeng Town the next day, Shen Han tossed and turned on the bed but couldn't sleep. She let out a deep breath and closed her eyes, pondering in her mind.

  Thought of going back to her mother's house to borrow money, although it was a fleeting thought in an emergency, it was also a decision made after careful consideration. And when she mentioned it to Li this afternoon, half of it was to help and the other half was because Li had been taking good care of her these days, which deepened her desire to try going back to her mother's house.

  Shen Huan also had her own considerations, although she hadn't seen the so-called parents and didn't understand them. However, being able to keep their promise to marry off their daughter even after their son's death made Shen Huan feel that this old father she hadn't met was a man who valued reason, creditworthiness, and nothing else.

  However, for someone who attaches so much importance to face and propriety, if her in-laws have something going on, she probably won't just sit back and do nothing. Her only gamble is Shen Shiye's character; if she really guesses correctly, then borrowing money to solve the pressing problem at hand can be successful. Afterwards, it will depend on herself to come up with a way to make money. Although there isn't a specific plan for now, she has confidence that as a 21st-century person, she should still be able to survive in ancient times.

  No matter what happens to her mother's family tomorrow, Shen Han has no other choice but to face it head-on. She needs to come up with 20 taels of silver within half a month, and even if she lets her mother-in-law sell everything that can be sold in the house, she still won't be able to make it. Moreover, although this family is not wealthy, it is currently her only safe haven, and if she doesn't make a last-ditch effort, she won't be able to calm her mind.

  Thinking of this, Shen Huan couldn't help but feel a little annoyed and also felt a bit parched, so she got up to go to the main room to pour herself some water to drink.

  "Mom, don't you think Eldest Sister's change is too great?"

  "Things have changed, but they've changed for the better. And now that the Yuan family can afford to compensate, she's really helped us out a lot."

  Just as Shen Huan was about to take the cup back into the house, she heard a faint voice coming from the other end of the main room. Although her uncle and aunt had intentionally lowered their voices, the quietness of the night made it clear that they were talking about her. Unconsciously, Shen Huan stood still, waiting for what came next.

  "Yes, still so seriously ill, fortunately nothing happened." Then the voice of Xiao Shu came over again, and Shen Han immediately listened intently.

  "This time, such a big mess has happened, and at this critical moment, she wants to go back to her mother's house. Now she also says that she wants to live a good life in this family. I'm thinking if we can let her get some money from her mother's house, so that we can get through this difficult time."

  Shen Huan didn't feel much upon hearing this, after all she had originally planned to return to her maternal home to seek help and get through this difficult time. The fact that her mother-in-law would think of letting her take the lead at this moment must mean that she was also considered a member of the Zhao family. Shen Huan not only didn't feel uncomfortable about being used, but instead felt somewhat happy, as establishing a good relationship with the people she would be living with in the future was indeed much more pleasant than the cold interactions they had previously.

  "How can that be? You're not unaware, are you, Mother, why she made such a fuss when she first married into our family? Wasn't it just because her father wanted her to come here and live in widowhood?"

  "But you just said she's changed."

  "The more she changes, the more we can't let Sister-in-law have a hard time... Mother... Sister-in-law has already been wronged by coming to our house, can you bear to let her go back and talk to her family while being unhappy because of money?"

  "I also know it's not good, but your mother really has no choice, Qiao Er. You have to understand that if we can't come up with the twenty taels of silver this time, the Yuan family will definitely not let us off easily. If it weren't for your sister-in-law thinking quickly and rescuing the child, your mother and I would be locked up in the government office right now. Your mother doesn't want to harm you because of her own mistakes, and if we can't cover this up, your sister-in-law will also be implicated..."

  At this point, Li had already choked up a bit, so much so that Shen Huan didn't quite catch what she said next, but he could roughly guess the conflict in her heart - while wanting to go back to her parents' home to raise money, she was also worried about putting herself in a difficult position.

  "But... I still don't think it's quite right."

  "Don't worry, I won't let her have a hard time. If this time she goes with you to your hometown and still can't get along with the family, I absolutely won't make that excessive demand. At worst, we'll sell the land when we get back, and I'll take on more work, gritting my teeth to get through this difficult time. You and your older sister can't be dragged down by me, this old wife!"

  Having heard this, Shen Huan could no longer continue standing there. Suppressing the urge in her heart, she turned around and returned to the house, gently closing the door behind her. She let out a deep breath once again. It was impossible for her not to be moved by her mother-in-law's and younger uncle's secret concern for her. Despite their family being broken and sacrificing themselves, they were still considering her well-being. Shen Huan became even more determined in her heart that no matter what situation she would face when she returned home tomorrow, this money... she must try her best to borrow it from her natal family.

  Li and Shen set out the next day, bidding farewell to Zhao after waving goodbye, and then headed to Qingfeng Town. Qingfeng Town is adjacent to Fulaizhen where they are located, although the journey is not too far, it takes more than half a day. By the time Li and Shen arrived in Qingfeng Town, it was already late afternoon.

  The Shen family's pharmacy was located at the east end of Qingfeng Town, which was the busiest street in town. With it being an intersection, there were even more people coming and going, making it easy to find. Shen Huan thought that since she knew the road from Fulaizhen to Qingfeng Town was a straight shot, and the Shen family's store was so easy to find, there was no need for her mother-in-law to come along. Every day, she worked so hard, taking care of her younger brother-in-law, and this long journey would be too exhausting for someone of her age.

  "Mom...are you tired?"

  "It's okay, I'm not as useless as you think."

  "I wouldn't dare underestimate you, I'm just tired, let's find a place to rest first?"

  Xinzhī Shěn Hán is intentionally saying this, but in fact, she's worried that she'll be overworked. Seeing how considerate and meticulous Li Shi is, Li Shi also feels a sense of comfort in her heart, and can't help but lament to herself: "How did my eldest son Zhao Xī Huì not have the good fortune to cherish such a wonderful girl?"

  "We've already entered the town now, just ahead is the intersection and after walking a few more steps we'll arrive at East Street, hang in there."

  "Alright!"

  Knowing that her plan had been exposed, Shen Huan didn't insist on pretending anymore. She walked hand in hand with Li Shi, occasionally pointing at the small vendors' goods by the roadside. In fact, she had seen all these things on TV before, but it was different from seeing them through a small screen - the real-life, ancient-looking items were still novel and exciting to her.

  She had been cooped up at home all along, and even that time she went to Yuan's house was a rush, where did she have the mind to notice what was on display on the street? Now, with a relaxed mood, Shen Han couldn't help but smile as she took in the bustling streets. She also pondered whether she could use her modern knowledge to come up with something practical and useful to sell, to alleviate the financial strain at home.

  "What are you thinking about?"

  Li was preoccupied with her own thoughts, but still didn't forget to pay attention to Shen Huan's condition. Seeing her slightly furrowing her brow as she looked at the surrounding vendors, she couldn't help but ask.

  "I'm looking at these things, you see that one is really nice-looking, when I have money in the future, I'll buy it for you."

  Mrs. Li smiled and didn't respond, looking at the smile on Shen Huan's face, she also felt very relieved, having always felt a little guilty towards Shen Huan, now seeing her being optimistic about life, it made her feel much better as a mother-in-law.

  "Mother... Mother, don't you think this hairpin looks good?" In order not to let Li Shi see that she had something on her mind, Shen Huan said as she picked up a small hairpin from the stall and compared it to Li Shi's hairdo, without waiting for Li Shi's response, she continued to say: "It really looks good!"

  The little vendor also smiled professionally, trying to persuade Shen Huan to buy one. However, she didn't know that Shen Huan didn't have a single penny on her, and felt embarrassed as she put down the hairpin. Shen Huan smiled at the little girl and said, "Sorry, I'll take another look."

  She then turned around with Li's arm and saw that she was in a good mood, so she also felt relieved and didn't urge her to hurry on the road. Anyway, they had already arrived at Qingfeng Town, and from here to Dong Street, it was just a short distance away, so let her stroll around without worrying.

  She couldn't help but think about the financial aspect again, she can't even afford a hairpin now, and her family is in dire need of money at this time. Even if she's lucky enough to borrow money from her natal family to solve the immediate crisis, it doesn't guarantee that there won't be any unexpected situations in the future. Having money on hand is the only way to ensure security, and improving the living conditions of her family is a must. Her mother-in-law is old, and her brother-in-law is a weak scholar, even if he becomes an official in the future, it's still uncertain whether he can improve their family's living conditions, because that's something only corrupt officials can do.

  Ideas were swirling rapidly in her mind, Shen Huan had been racking her brains for a long time to think of something suitable for herself that could also make money. Looking at the bustling street vendors around her, she was momentarily stunned and couldn't think of any suitable ideas either.

  Li, who was beside Shen Huan, saw that she had suddenly become quiet and looked at her face, which seemed a bit heavy. She worried that Shen Huan might not be feeling well, after all, her body wasn't in good shape to begin with. Just the other day, she had fainted like that, and now they were rushing on the road again. It would be fake if Li said she wasn't worried.

  "What's wrong? Are you tired?"

  "No, I was just thinking when can I buy something for you, mom."

  "Silly child, Mother doesn't lack these things."

  What's lacking is not just a lack, it's that there's nothing good at all? Unable to hold back her sarcastic remarks, Shen Huan still smiled and said: "Whether you're lacking or not is one thing, whether I want to be filial to you is my own business!"

  "Actually, as long as you can accompany me happily like this, I am very satisfied and happy."

  "I want you to be more satisfied and happier."

  Shen Huan's silly and direct nature made Li feel both helpless and deeply moved. No one had ever spoken to her like that before, and with only two sons of her own, no matter how filial or obedient they were, they couldn't compare to the thoughtfulness of a daughter. At this moment, Shen Huan, as a daughter-in-law, had already become like a daughter in Li's heart.

  The two of them chatted and laughed, and before they knew it, they had arrived at their destination. From a distance, they saw a large sign with the three characters "Ji Ren Tang" printed on it. At this time, Li didn't say anything, but Shen Han inexplicably felt that this was the home of her body, and she had finally returned to her maternal family.

  "This is your medicine, a total of three packs boiled into three bowls, once in the morning, noon and evening, for a total of 15 cents."

  As she walked to the entrance of Jiren Hall, she heard a warm and gentle voice that seemed to penetrate into her heart, very pleasant but clean like a blank sheet of paper. Shen Huan's whole body trembled inexplicably at the sound, she couldn't quite grasp what emotion this was, she just wanted to see who this person was.