Chapter 37: What Right Did He Have?

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

In the evening, when the sky turned dark, Second Uncle and the others returned.

After only one day, the younger Dong Xing and Dong Jing were so tired that they cried out.

When they came back, they wiped their tears and said that they would not go tomorrow.

Unfortunately, if they did not go, their own father would have to go.

Second Uncle still had a way out. If Dong Jing really did not go, he would not be able to use it.

Second Uncle also felt sorry for his son. At the dining table, he asked Dong Sanchun shamelessly, “Third Brother, Brother Jing is still young and can’t take the strain. Why don’t you go on his behalf tomorrow?”

Dong Sanchun looked honest on the surface, but in fact, he was not honest at all.

Hearing his second brother’s words, he smiled foolishly and said, “They’re all my nephews. Originally, it was fine for me to go in their place, but I might have to replace my father to set up some farming land on the mountain in the winter. At that time, I’ll have to ask Brother Jing help me with my quota.”

Hearing Dong Sanchun’s words, Second Uncle’s face turned green. He smacked his lips and was about to say something when he heard his wife straighten her neck and say, “Oi, I say, Third Brother, you said that they’re all your nephews. Even if you don’t care about your brothers, you have to care about at your children. They went to dig a river ditch for two days, and now you’re scheming against them. What kind of brother are you?”

Dong Nuan was so angry that she laughed. Although she did not like her father, she could not allow Second Aunt to bully him like this.

Therefore, before Dong Sanchun could speak, Dong Nuan said with a smile, “Second Aunt doesn’t think it’s tiring to dig rivers and ditches? Then go on behalf of Brother Jing. It’s not like there are no women in the village digging too. I’ll help you apply for leave from Grandpa and allow you to dig rivers and ditches. You can quit your work in the fields.”

“Why are you interrupting when adults are talking?” Second Aunt’s heart ached at Dong Nuan’s entrance. Now that she was rebuked by Dong Nuan, she was so angry that she jumped up and almost punched Dong Nuan’s face.

Dong Xing had not eaten anything for the past two days and felt extremely aggrieved. At this moment, she also put her hands on her waist and jumped up and down. “Unfilial daughter, you should be beaten to death!”

“Alright, shut up!” Old Master Dong shouted coldly.

Second Uncle and his wife, who had already jumped up, were frightened like quails returning to their nest. They instantly shrank back and did not dare to speak.

At the dining table, no one spoke much. After the meal, Old Master Dong knocked on the table, which meant that he had something to say. Everyone, do not leave yet!

Second Aunt was unhappy. When she saw the old man knocking on the table, she thought to herself, Could it be that my plea really worked? Do I really have to replace Brother Jing?

Eldest Aunt and Eldest Uncle exchanged glances. If substitutes were really allowed, they had to think of a way to substitute Dong Xing. The child was still crying out. It was obvious that he was very tired.

Everyone’s expressions were complicated. They each had their own plans.

Seeing that everyone had quieted down, Old Master Dong said in a low voice, “From tomorrow onwards, Lil Nuan will officially study with Scholar Liao. The tuition fees will be paid by the clan. The clan leader has agreed to it and personally begged Scholar Liao to accept her. From now on, Lil Nuan will not have to do any farm work.”

After they heard the first half of the speech, the sisters-in-law could no longer sit still.

Why?!

What right did he have to let a girl study?

If they really let this girl study, then the other girls in their family could go too, right?

Otherwise, if this matter was unfair, everyone would be unhappy.

Moreover, the boys at home were not even in school yet. Why should he let the girl go?

The sisters-in-law could not wait to rub their palms together, including Madam Dong Wu. They really could not wait to roll up their sleeves and tear a piece of meat off Dong Nuan.

Then, they heard the second half of the speech.

The tuition fees were paid by the clan, and the clan leader had agreed. Furthermore, the other party personally came forward and asked Scholar Liao to accept Dong Nuan.

At this moment, those who were angry did not dare to flare up anymore. Those who had rolled up their sleeves had to be quietly put back.

Would they dare to disobey the chief’s words?

Did he not want to live anymore? Did he want the entire clan to spit at him?

Moreover, the expenses were not paid by their families, and they had no right to interfere.

Everyone was discouraged. Aunt was smart and wouldn’t take the initiative to say anything at this time. Madam Dong Wu wanted to say something, but she did not dare to.

Fourth Aunt really did not care about the Dong family’s matters. Her mind was filled with thoughts. Should she hold back and go back to her mother’s house to poop tomorrow?

On the other hand, Fifth Aunt was thinking that since Dong Nuan could go to school, then the matter of Fifth Uncle, this idiot, should be over, right?

If the little girl could read, why could not her boss go?

Only Second Aunt was unhappy, but she did not dare to contradict Old Master Dong. In the end, she could only say sarcastically, “You’re really lucky. What a worthy girl.”

Bah!

Her last two words were unclear, and no one could hear them clearly. Old Master Dong glanced at her coldly but did not say anything.

However, Dong Nuan did not have so many scruples. She smiled and said, “It’s alright. I’m just a little luckier than Dong Xing.”

Dong Xing was instantly furious when she was called out. She put her hands on her waist and said, “Just you wait. I’ll get Grandpa Chief to send me to school tomorrow!”

Dong Xing thought that Dong Nuan had begged the chief for help, so she felt that she could do the same. She was sweet-talking and definitely knew how to coax people better than Dong Nuan.

Dong Nuan looked at her with a faint smile but did not say anything.

After Old Master Dong glared at her, he did not scold her. Instead, he turned around and said to Second Aunt, “Second Uncle, take care of the children in your family.”

Second Aunt shrank her neck and answered honestly, “I understand, Father.”

As for whether it was real or fake, who knew?

However, if Dong Xing really dared to go, Dong Nuan would respect her for being so bold.

At that time, she would lose face with the entire clan. How interesting would that be?

Anyway, Dong Nuan did not care. As for the rest of the family…

Especially Dong Xu, who was studying in the county school. When the time came, he would lose face. Just the thought of it was exciting.

After talking about Dong Nuan, Old Master Dong talked about the big show tomorrow. “I’ll take Brother Chang to the big show tomorrow.”

Hearing Old Master Dong’s words, a smile appeared on Aunt’s face, but it was not obvious.

Second Aunt was dissatisfied, but she had just been reprimanded, so it was not appropriate for her to say anything.

However, he definitely had to mutter a few words in his heart.

The other sisters-in-law would more or less have some thoughts. Even if they knew in their hearts that Old Master Dong was biased towards the eldest branch, it would be a lie to say that they did not feel uncomfortable when it was really put out in the open.

Who wouldn’t want their children to go to town and take a look without working?

Moreover, Old Master Dong felt sorry for his grandson. If some of it leaked out from between his fingers, he could let the child eat snacks or something.

Unfortunately, no matter how many thoughts they had, they had to hold them in.

Now that the big matter was over, the family should go take a shower and rest.

When Madam Dong Wu returned to her room, she could not help but say, “Lil Nuan, what’s the use of a girl like you studying? Why don’t you give this opportunity to Lil Yao? Tomorrow, tell your grandfather to let Lil Yao study while you work in the fields.”