Chapter 71 - 71 Old Zhou's Family Begins to Have Incessant Troubles
71 Old Zhou’s Family Begins to Have Incessant Troubles
Zhou Xiaoli could not help but raise her eyebrows.
Yuan Zhengchun stroked his beard and chuckled. “Why? It can’t be that you’re the only one allowed to set tests.”
“As your master, can’t I find out more about you?”
Zhou Xiaoli smiled. “Of course.”
“Then let’s make a deal. I’ll wait for you.” After saying that, Yuan Zhengchun stroked his beard and left in satisfaction.
After Yuan Zhengchun’s figure disappeared from sight, Zhou Xiaoli turned around and returned home.
Everyone in the courtyard heard their conversation at the door.
Lin Xiujuan became curious. “Little Li, who is that old man? Why did he take you in as his disciple?”
Zhou Xiaoli pursed her lips and thought for a moment before saying, “It’s just what you said. He’s a fortune-teller. He saw that I had a unique face and wanted to take me in as his disciple.”
Hearing this, Liu Yan’s expression turned serious. “He’s a fortune-teller. Did you agree to acknowledge him as your master?”
Seeing Zhou Xiaoli nod, Liu Yan looked at Zhang Lan and Zhou Yu, who did not say anything.
“I say, as her parents, why don’t you persuade her? How can this young lady learn such things? How can she get married in the future?”
Lin Xiujuan also said, “That’s right. Although Little Li has a big mind and you’ve always listened to her, it’s not a small matter to become a disciple. It would be just fine for a girl to learn some embroidery. Why would she learn fortune-telling? If her reputation is sullied, it would be hard to find a marriage for her in the future.”
How could Zhang Lan and Zhou Yu not know about this? The two of them had not slept well the entire night.
Not to mention a girl, even if it was a boy, very few parents would let their child learn about Feng Shui.
The more the child came into contact with spirits and ghosts, the more unlucky it would be.
Not to mention if the person is a girl. If she had this reputation, no one would want to marry her.
However, last night, Zhou Xiaoli had spent the entire night explaining to the two of them.
Zhou Xiaoli carefully analyzed the situation for them.
Although the two of them were still worried, they accepted it.
Zhang Lan looked conflicted, but she supported her daughter and said, “Li’er said that the old man is an accomplished person, not an ordinary charlatan. He’s very capable.”
Although he did not agree deep down, Zhou Yu also said, “I heard that he’s a powerful figure. Many people are fighting to be his disciple. It won’t ruin Li’er’s reputation.”
This was what Zhou Xiaoli had said when she convinced the two of them. Her original words were, “Many children from reputable families are fighting to become his disciple.”
Zhou Yu actually did not believe it.
However, this was actually true.
Ordinary people’s contact with metaphysics would usually come from the blind fortune-tellers who set up stalls by the roadside.
Therefore, in their hearts, when it came to fortune-telling, most of them were scammers.
However, the richer the family, the more they wanted to believe in these things.
Therefore, they respected the people who have truly mastered metaphysics.
If any family has a child who was a disciple of a metaphysical master, the family would definitely prosper.
Not to mention, Yuan Zhengchun had a great reputation. Based on the title of being his disciple, even if that person was not capable, he or she would still have a good social standing in society.
Seeing that Zhang Lan and Zhou Yu had agreed, as outsiders, they could not say anything else.
Zhou Xiaoli glanced at the beetroots and changed the topic.
“We’re halfway through the beetroot pile. We’ll go to the county city tomorrow to sell the sugar. We should also discuss who we should send to purchase more beetroots tomorrow.”
Hearing this, everyone’s attention instantly shifted to making sugar.
“That’s right, that’s right. We were just saying that the beetroots would be gone in two days.”
Liu Yan nodded. “It’s time to buy some more beetroots.”
Liu Liangcai was the first to suggest, “Why don’t I go out to purchase beetroots tomorrow? Yesterday, I heard that Fengfeng’s grandmother’s village harvested a batch of beetroots.”
Zheng Yongfu nodded repeatedly. “I think it’s fine. You go tomorrow and I’ll go the day after tomorrow. Let’s try to purchase more when the beetroots have just been harvested.”
Hearing this, everyone agreed.
Lin Xiujuan said, “I think that’s fine. After these few days, we’re very familiar with the sugar production process. We don’t need your help anymore.”
“Yes, I agree.”
“I agree.”
“Just, who would be the one to sell sugar?”
At this moment, Zhou Xiaoli said, “It’s our first time selling sugar tomorrow. I’m more familiar with this. I’ll go.”
Liu Yan thought for a moment and said, “You’re a girl. It’s not safe on the road. How about this? Let your brother go with you!”
Upon hearing the nomination, Zheng Yongfu immediately patted his chest. “No problem. I will definitely ensure Sister Zhou’s safety and not let Sister Zhou lose a single strand of hair.”
Everyone could not help but laugh playfully. “Then when we come back, we have to count how much hair that little girl Li has lost.”
Everyone burst into laughter.
Now that everything was settled, Zhou Xiaoli was ready to face Yuan Zhengchun’s test in the afternoon.
At this moment, there was another knock on the Zhou family’s door.
“Madam Zhang, Madam Zhang, open the door.”
Hearing this familiar voice, it was Lai Jinniang.
However, this was the first time she had knocked on their door and spoke in such a kind tone.
“What is this ruffian Madam Lai doing here?”
Lin Xiujuan cursed and hurriedly moved the pot of sugar into the kitchen with everyone.
After hiding everything, Zhang Lan went to open the door.
The door opened, and sure enough, Lai Jinniang and Zhou Guihua were standing outside.
However, this time, the two of them were clearly pale and in low spirits. They were clearly thinner as compared to when they saw them four days ago.
Zhou Xiaoli poked her head out from behind Zhang Lan to take a look. She could not help but nod in satisfaction. This time, their faces were really pale.
The formation she set up would consume their health. However, it had only been four days and they were already so weak?
The effect was really impressive!
“Well, Little Li, we thought about it. Since the Dragon King gave the pearl to you, it’s better that you keep it.”
As she spoke, she handed the pearl over.
Lai Jinniang’s tone was anxious and afraid.
Zhang Lan did not move. Instead, she subconsciously turned to look at Zhou Xiaoli.
Only then did Zhou Xiaoli walk out from behind Zhang Lan. She pretended to be surprised and shouted, “Ah! Madam Lai, what’s going on? It’s only been four days since I last saw you. How did you become so thin!”
She was deliberately provoking her. Sure enough, Lai Jinniang and Zhou Guihua’s faces turned even pale. At the same time, they trembled, looking very afraid.
At this moment, many villagers had already come over to watch the commotion. When they heard this, someone started talking.
“Did you know, I don’t know what the old Zhou family has been doing in the past few days. They’re always wailing in the middle of the night. They don’t sleep every day. It would be strange if they weren’t weak!”
The person who spoke was Lai Jinniang’s neighbor. She had been woken up every night by the Old Zhou family in the past few days. It was obvious that she was unhappy.
Hearing her neighbor discuss what happened at night, Lai Jinniang became even more agitated. “Pearl, here, I’ll give it back to you!”
As she spoke, she stuffed it into Zhou Xiaoli’s hands.
When she heard that Lai Jinniang had come, Zhou Xiaoli guessed that she was here to return the pearl.
In the past four days, many things had happened in the old Zhou family.
Zhou Xiaoli was very confident in her formation and did not deliberately inquire about the old Zhou family’s affairs.
However, everyone on the street was talking about it, and she had heard a little about it.
It was said that yesterday, Madam Lai’s eldest grandson, Zhou Anfu, fell into the well. Fortunately, someone saw him and saved him in the nick of time. However, he was frightened and had a high fever. He had yet to wake up.