From Folly to Fortune：I Rewrite My Life After Rebirth!

Chapter 574: Chapter 570: The Family Discusses Mu Dade’s Matter (Fourth Update)

The aroma of chicken is inherently rich, and its fragrance grew even stronger with a movement from Old Mrs. Mu.

Mu Dade gradually started feeling hungry.

However, he glanced at the fourth branch and said, ”Mother, this meal was prepared by Xiaxia’s mother, wasn’t it? She’s really been working hard.”

Mu Dade’s compliment warmed Mrs. Liu’s heart, making her view her eldest brother in a better light.

Mu Dajiang felt the same way. He knew his mother cared most about what his elder brother said, and that his brother was helping him. It made him even more determined to follow his elder brother, even if it meant working like a horse or an ox—it was better than watching his wife get scolded by his mother.

”Humph, what’s so hard for her? When I was a daughter-in-law, even in the coldest winter months, I was working. When the river froze, I still had to break the ice shards and continue doing laundry. It’s neither cold nor hot right now, and she’s just cooking, what’s tiring about that?”

Old Mrs. Mu felt now that her son had passed the exam, it was time to boast.

Moreover, Mrs. Liu from the fourth branch was close to the third branch. She couldn’t bully the third branch, but the fourth branch was no match for her!

”Mother, take my advice—it would be great if you could give the chair to Xiaxia’s mother so she can have a proper meal. Consider it me pleading with you, would you?”

With Mu Dade speaking like this, Old Mrs. Mu naturally let the matter go.

”Listen, it’s only because my son spoke on your behalf today that it’s over. If you find trouble for me again in the future, I won’t forgive you!”

Mu Dade settled in his seat with satisfaction; he didn’t necessarily have to help the fourth branch.

He just felt that the fourth branch was close to the third branch. When he needed the third branch to provide some silver for him to take the exam, they refused. Now it’s time to show the third branch how things stand.

After everyone was seated, Old Mrs. Mu scanned the room and suddenly spoke.

”Now that Dade has talents, your father and I can rest assured. It’s time for the young people to take charge of the family’s affairs.”

Several savvy individuals immediately assumed Old Mrs. Mu was about to relinquish power and felt so jubilant they nearly jumped for joy.

Why has the Old Mu Family been poor all these years? It’s because each household had to hand over its income.

When Mrs. Lin first got married, even the blanket she brought from her family was taken by Old Mrs. Mu for communal use, and it’s still under Mu Xiangxiang’s seat.

Mrs. Liu, too, had always been too timid to confront Old Mrs. Mu, but she was no fool. If Old Mrs. Mu were to step down from running the household, perhaps the fourth branch might prosper.

”Mother, what’s the situation here? I think you’re doing a great job managing things, overseeing us brothers, and I’m happy to hand over all my money!”

Mu Danian was the first to voice support for Old Mrs. Mu.

For no other reason than that he wasn’t married yet, didn’t have a father-in-law, and had nothing substantial to gain.

The second and fourth branches were different; they at least had their maternal families, and if they stopped working, wouldn’t all the household chores fall to him?

The saying goes that one ox can be worked to death.

When a herd of oxen is working, some are bound to slack off.

Mu Danian’s words delighted Old Mrs. Mu; she was only saying it for the sake of saying it, as she still had control over the household.

”Fifth brother, what you said isn’t right. Mother is getting old and shouldn’t be overworked. She needs to rest more! Look at these sisters-in-law, they’re more than capable and can help her relieve some of the burden!”

Mu Dazhong shot a glance at Mu Danian. What did his brother mean by what he said? He understood.

But among the various branches, only his wife had a good brain, and when it came time to manage the household affairs, it would certainly be his wife managing them.

In these times, if you don’t manage, you won’t earn money.

Plus, their household contained many valuable items that were gifts; if his mother found out, they would all be seized for communal use.

”Enough, stop bickering. The old lady hasn’t finished speaking!” Old Mrs. Mu cast a dismissive glance at Mu Dazhong.

”Your father and I are getting on in years. In the future, we won’t handle the family’s affairs. You wives will do the laundry and cook, garden, and raise pigs—all tasks cannot be neglected! As for you men, make sure to manage the farm work well!

Those who originally hoped Old Mrs. Mu would relinquish power were instantly dejected.

”Mother, aren’t we going to the city for a better life? Why are we still farming?” Mu Xiangxiang asked.

”Xiangxiang, moving to the city still depends on your uncle settling down. We don’t yet know what your uncle’s plans are, whether to continue taking exams or pursue a government position.”

Old Mrs. Mu hoped her son would quickly find a position so she could become an official’s wife.

Yet she also felt that he should continue taking exams just in case he became the Champion Scholar, bringing even more silver.

On this topic, Mu Dade spoke up: ”Father, Mother, brothers, sisters-in-law, I have plans for my future path. I still intend to participate in the February Imperial Examination. It’s not easy for our family to produce a scholar, and if I don’t continue taking exams, our family might remain the same forever.”

”If I become the Champion Scholar, I’ll take you all to the Capital, where the land is bountiful and truly prosperous.”

Mu Dade began weaving dreams again.

Mr. Mu and Old Mrs. Mu naturally supported him.

”Eldest, if you want to take the exam, then take it. We’ll use the rice from the second half of the year to provide you with the travel expenses!” Mr. Mu said.

But the others were not happy about it.

Though becoming the Champion Scholar was great, and the Capital was amazing, it meant waiting all this time and possibly having to farm for another season.

It’s not even certain he would pass, and if it’s like this scholar business which took thirty years, everyone will definitely miss out on enjoying life.

”Father, I believe it’s good to have both options. While letting eldest brother seek out the official affairs, we choose a favorable place and take a minor official post, bringing in more benefits—no worse than the Capital.

Besides, a strong dragon can’t suppress a local serpent. Once we’ve developed ourselves in the local county, we won’t need to bother with the higher-ups!” Mu Danian urged going to the city; he used to want to wait for elder brother to become the Champion Scholar.

But he knew if elder brother truly became the Champion Scholar, he’d completely disregard these poor relatives, tossing aside even their parents.

The chips he held might secure a scholar status, and if elder brother became the Champion Scholar, he could potentially disown it.

Mu Danian’s words made sense, and the Old Mu Family found it feasible.

”Eldest, consider what Fifth said too!” Mr. Mu advised.

Mrs. Jin and Mu Dade’s face instantly fell.

Mr. Mu’s fickle nature, swinging back and forth, was indeed unpleasant.

”Father, how can Dade have so many thoughts about seeking an official post? Besides, he’s the only one in our family with real potential, so if not prioritizing him, whom else to prioritize?” Mrs. Jin said.

”This...” Mr. Mu hesitated.

Both being officials and pursuing prospects were important, neither path could be mistaken.

”How about this, let’s wait and see. I still feel it’s better for elder brother to go to the exam.” Mu Dajiang, who had remained silent, opened his mouth, supporting Mu Dade.

Perhaps it was because Mu Dade helped the fourth branch earlier that Mu Dajiang was now willing to speak.

But none of it mattered, right now, no matter who spoke, it was useless. Mu Dade was determined to take the exam, and it was just a mere hundred and eighty taels for expenses!