Exile with Storage Space: Family Fortunes in the Barren Lands-Chapter 497 - 471: A Family to Trust (2)

Liu Da Niu forced a smile, "As long as they can earn money, not to mention waiting three years, even ten years my father wouldn’t mind."

Li Yuzhu thought about the situation at Liu’s house and fell silent.

Liu Laoda had all daughters, and daughters were not as strong as sons, so Liu’s house was poorer than others.

Although the eldest daughter and her husband had a falling out with the in-laws and the couple moved back to her family’s home, with the husband vowing to be a live-in son-in-law for Liu Laoda, Lady Liu was not in good health and often needed medicine, leaving the family still in hardship. Moreover, Liu Da Niu was about to give birth, meaning one more mouth to feed.

The three unmarried daughters couldn’t do heavy labor either; they could only do some sewing to earn a little money, or help large landowners pick cotton, weed, and do odd jobs for some small earnings.

Compared to families with many sons, Liu’s household income was much lower overall.

As the end of the year approached and work dried up in the fields, with no income, it’s estimated that the hot-tempered Liu Laoda was grumbling at home again. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

The carriage arrived at Liu’s house; Li Yuzhu got off first, brought down Liu Da Niu’s basket, and reached out to help her.

Li Xingsheng and Li Yuzhu each carried one of the children and followed Liu Da Niu into Liu’s house.

Sure enough, inside the house, Liu Laoda was scolding his daughters again, accusing them of freeloading.

The three daughters either stood, sat, or squatted, keeping silent with their heads lowered.

Lady Liu was stitching a shoe sole, sighing and shaking her head as she looked at her daughters.

"Dad, Miss Li and Li Erlang are here," Liu Da Niu said, supporting her belly and calling out to Liu Laoda.

Liu Laoda turned around, and the anger on his face disappeared, replaced with a smile, "Ah, why have you come? And you’ve brought the children too? Come in, come in."

He turned and scolded the second daughter again, "Why are you all just standing around? Can’t you act when guests are here?"

In fact, the older Er Niu and San Niu were already moving to help.

Er Niu moved the fire basin in front of Li Yuzhu.

San Niu brought a chair over.

Er Niu took Liu Da Niu’s basket to the kitchen at the back of the house.

San Niu helped Liu Da Niu to sit down.

Only Si Niu walked over to Li Yuzhu, gave a smile, but didn’t say anything.

Lady Liu put down the shoe sole, brought a small basket over to the small table, and smiled, "There’s nothing much to offer, just some roasted chestnuts and fried broad beans."

Li Yuzhu laughed and waved her hand, "We’re not here to eat, just to warm ourselves by the fire. Uncle Liu, Aunt Liu, while we were escorting Da Niu on the way, we heard that Da Niu said her sisters are idle at home. Just as it happens, our family is a bit busy now and we would like to ask if they could help. Would Uncle Liu and Aunt Liu be willing?"

"Willing, willing. They are idle at home all the time, getting moldy from boredom," chuckled Liu Laoda.

"We’re so familiar; just say the word," Lady Liu said with a smile.

The Li family’s life was improving steadily. Whenever the Li family had something going on, they often invited the villagers for help. For example, Li Xingmao had asked village wives and lads to help with planting and picking cotton, and also with harvesting wheat and rice. When inviting them, their wages were settled immediately, unlike others who delayed for ten or fifteen days.

The Li family was generous and prompt with payments, so whenever they called for help, not one villager wouldn’t be willing to lend a hand.

Li Xingsheng said, "Uncle Liu, don’t be in a hurry to agree. First, listen to us about the situation."

He told Liu Laoda about the Second Princess’s distant marriage.

"They’ll be gone for three years, earning ten taels of silver a year during that time. Besides, there might be rewards during festivals, which will belong to them. All their meals, clothes, and necessities are covered by our family. After three years, if they want to continue with my sister, they will receive one tael of silver per month, besides retaining rewards. All living expenses will still be covered by us. If, after three years, they wish to marry, they can inform us, and we’ll send them back."

Currently, it’s ten taels of silver a year, which is about over eight hundred coins a month. After three years, it would be twelve taels of silver a year.

Even the live-in maids of some big households in the county town earn about the same.

Besides, their food and clothing are covered, meaning those hundreds of coins a month are pure income.

Moreover, working in the big households in town, the rewards often surpass the monthly wages. They eat well and live well.

Even the kitchen maids assigned to menial tasks eat and live better than villagers.

If not, why would so many people be so eager to want a job in a big family?

Liu Laoda thought it over briefly and nodded in agreement, "If you don’t mind, take all three of them with you."

Er Niu, San Niu, and Si Niu all looked towards Li Yuzhu and Li Xingsheng with expectant eyes.

Li Yuzhu said, "Si Niu is too young, she should stay at home. We’ll take Er Niu and San Niu." Si Niu was only eight, what could she do?

Si Niu was disappointed and lowered her head.

Li Yuzhu, afraid she would be upset, patted her on the shoulder with a smile, "Er Niu and San Niu will go with my second sister, but my eldest sister and I will be at home. If you want to learn anything, come find us."

With that, Si Niu finally smiled and let out a sigh of relief.

With the two daughters accompanying them, earning twenty taels of silver and saving on grain and clothing expenses, Liu Laoda and his wife were very happy.

Liu Laoda asked his daughters to thank the Li siblings.

Lady Liu urged her daughters, "Quick, go pack your things."

Li Yuzhu smiled and said, "No need to pack, just clean themselves up. Our family will prepare clothes and shoes."

Going to the Prefect’s house, how could they wear coarse cloth work clothes from the countryside?

Otherwise, they’d be laughed at by the Lou Family.

Not needing to prepare clothes, just sending the people, was an excellent thing, making Liu Laoda and his wife even happier.

Li Yuzhu added, "Because they’re going to a big household, they need to learn the rules in advance. From tomorrow, Er Niu and San Niu will have breakfast at home then come to our house. They can have lunch there, and after dinner, return home. This will go on until my second sister’s wedding day."

"Sure, that’s necessary," Lady Liu said joyfully.

Having settled things with Liu Laoda and his wife, Li Yuzhu and Li Xingsheng left with the two children.

Er Niu and San Niu escorted them to the carriage before turning back home.

With the new job ahead, the two young girls were jubilant and couldn’t stop smiling.

Even happier were Liu Laoda and his wife. With the new year approaching, they were worried about money for celebrations and clothes for their grandson. Now it was all settled. With a windfall of twenty taels of silver, they could afford a prosperous year.

Liu Laoda was so pleased, he immediately went visiting his brother Liu Er’s house.

He wanted to spread the joy to Liu Er as well.

In the cold, nearing the end of the year, there was no work outside, and no work to do in the fields either. Liu Er and Liu the bricklayer were repairing some old furniture at home. The father and son were hammering away as the older son watched and helped.

Liu Laoda walked into the house, and Liu Er, still working, looked surprised. "Why are you so happy if they’re leaving?" grumbled Liu the bricklayer.

"Precisely! The Li family is willing to take them, trouble no more!" said Liu Laoda with a beaming face. "With two daughters going to work as company, we’ll get twenty tales of silver at once, plus save on food and clothing costs. We’re happy."

You should get the girls ready now, we’re leaving in the morning," Lady Liu urged her daughters to start packing their things.

Li Yuzhu chuckled, "No need to pack up, just clean yourselves up and our family will provide clothes and shoes."

We’re going to the Prefect’s house. We can’t show up wearing country clothes, can we?"

Liu Laoda and his wife were even happier knowing they wouldn’t need to gather clothes, just the people, which was definitely good news.

Li Yuzhu added, "Because you’re going to a wealthy family’s house, you need to learn some rules beforehand. Starting tomorrow, Er Niu and San Niu will have breakfast and then come over. We’ll get them prepared."

Lady Liu replied with joy, "Of course, I’m quite pleased with that."

"Thank you so much, Li Yuzhu. Thank you, Li Xingsheng!" Liu Laoda called his two daughters over to express their gratitude.