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

Chapter 1030: Chapter 1026: Trouble at the Schoolhouse (Sixth Update)

On one hand, given Mu Xiangxiang’s current situation, having a family willing to take her in marriage is already quite fortunate.

If this marriage falls through all because of these five hundred copper coins, Mu Dashan couldn’t bear it.

On the other hand, Mu Dashan was also considering the respect owed to Mr. Mu and Old Mrs. Mu.

The elderly couple is indeed quite aged; humbling themselves to beg others is unseemly.

Mr. Mu was full of surprise when he heard what Mu Dashan said.

He had thought that his son would refuse the request.

Or that he would go back and discuss it with Shuang, but he agreed so easily?

Mr. Mu cleared his throat, full of gratitude: ”Old Third, today’s matter, I’ll remember. When your elder brother comes back, I will certainly have him repay you the money!”

”It’s nothing! Just consider this money as being given to Xiangxiang from us,” Mu Dashan said.

After seeing off Mu Dashan and Yu Si Niang, Old Mrs. Mu returned. Having heard that Mu Dashan was willing to give money, she was very pleased.

However, when she learned it was five hundred copper coins and not two Silver Taels, she was somewhat dissatisfied.

”Old man, didn’t we agree that since the third branch opened a restaurant, earning more than others, they should contribute more than the other branches, and two Silver Taels are best.

The second branch, fourth branch, and fifth branch only need to contribute five hundred coins each. Did you forget all that? Or do you just not want to ask the third branch?”

The third branch, running a restaurant, is viewed by everyone as a piece of fine meat. Old Mrs. Mu therefore felt the third branch should contribute more silver.

”Enough, Old Third willing to contribute five hundred copper coins is already a blessing hard to find even with a lantern, so don’t think of making him suffer more losses,”

Mr. Mu said.

”Hmph, you only care about him. Can’t you see how much money he has, how much money the third branch has, how much money that little girl has!”

Old Mrs. Mu, with a sour expression, spoke in a way that completely showed how envious she was of the third branch, of Mu Dashan, and of Mu Shuangshuang.

After speaking, she stood up: ”No way, I’m going to ask for a Tael and a half of silver, otherwise there won’t be enough money for Xiangxiang’s marriage.”

”What are you doing? Old Third said he would contribute five hundred copper coins, so that’s five hundred copper coins—you’re not allowed to ask!” Mr. Mu was infuriated.

But Old Mrs. Mu moved quickly and disappeared in a flash.

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Mr. Mu gave chase.

Having left the Old Mu Family, Mu Dashan didn’t return to the third branch but went to the school.

Matters at the school concerning the students were troubling Mu Dashan. Initially, he thought the students didn’t come because they were truly sick, but by afternoon, three more hadn’t returned after going home once.

It was then that Mu Dashan realized something had happened.

This incident was entirely different from before, because it was discussed by those students’ parents.

Mu Dashan couldn’t make up his mind, so he had to wait for Mu Shuangshuang to return.

Storytelling, coupled with business booming at night, meant that when Mu Shuangshuang and Lu Yuanfeng arrived home, it was already dusk.

As soon as they stepped into the courtyard, Mu Dashan came rushing over, exclaiming, ”Shuangshuang, something bad happened! There’s trouble at the school.”

Mu Dashan’s forehead was still sweating up till now, perhaps due to too much stress.

Mu Shuangshuang frowned, looking at Mu Dashan, full of worry: ”Dad, what happened?”

”Shuangshuang, do you remember the kid from Zhang Family Village I mentioned yesterday who hasn’t come for several days?” Mu Dashan asked.

Mu Shuangshuang nodded: ”I remember!”

”Today, more didn’t come, in the morning!” Mu Dashan replied.

”Uncle Dashan, did those kids give you and Mr. Luo Bai a leave request?” Lu Yuanfeng asked.

”Yes, they did! But it’s precisely because they requested leave that it’s strange! One in the morning and then three more in the afternoon, totaling five kids now, and there are only thirty-one kids in the school altogether.”

Mu Dashan’s words were full of anxiety.

At first, Mu Shuangshuang thought the students had caught some contagious disease, but then she realized the parents’ explanations for these children’s absences were so vague.

”Fengzi, let’s head to Zhang Family Village first to see what’s really going on with the kid who requested leave first. Then we’ll come back for some late-night snacks, yes?”

Lu Yuanfeng nodded. ”It’s convenient that we haven’t returned the carriage to Uncle Wang, let’s just ride over, I know the way to Zhang Family Village!”

Barely entering the door, Mu Shuangshuang and Lu Yuanfeng headed back out with the carriage, bound for Zhang Family Village.

By the time they reached Zhang Family Village, it was already quite dark.

With the help of torches and the guidance of villagers, Mu Shuangshuang arrived at Zhang Huzi’s home.

The appearance of Mu Shuangshuang threw Huzi’s parents off guard.

They had seen Mu Shuangshuang and Lu Yuanfeng before and upon seeing them, the couple sighed together.

”You’ve finally come, Huzi’s mother and I have no options left,” Zhang Daquan said.

”What exactly happened? Could you tell me?” Mu Shuangshuang asked.

Seeing Mu Shuangshuang’s good attitude and personally coming over to understand the situation, Zhang Daquan began to open up.

”In truth, it’s not that we won’t let the child go to school; it’s that our son doesn’t want to go.”

”A few days ago, after returning from school, his face was as pale as a ghost, and he refused to go back no matter what.”

”We thought the teacher might have hit him or the lessons were too hard to understand, so we didn’t bother much.”

”Who knew, after all this time, he still doesn’t want to go. We’ve scolded and beaten him, but we’re out of options.”

As Zhang Daquan spoke, he started to wipe away tears.

He’s just a single, precious son, whom they hope to send to school to eventually pass the imperial exams and achieve fame.

Yet, the son refuses even to attend school.

Hearing Zhang Daquan’s words, Mu Shuangshuang became more puzzled in her heart.

However, she still reassured Zhang Daquan: ”Don’t worry, Father Hu Zi. Regarding the teacher hitting students, I dare to assure you that unless absolutely necessary, Mr. Luo Bai wouldn’t hit them.”

”Even if there is beating, it’s only using a ruler to hit the palm of the hand. When Huzi enrolled, we discussed the ruler’s specifications and the force used.”

Zhang Daquan nodded. ”We believe in Miss Shuangshuang’s words. It’s good that you’ve come. Please help us ask our son what’s really going on. We couldn’t get anything out of him.”

After talking with Zhang Daquan, they led Mu Shuangshuang and Lu Yuanfeng to the back courtyard.

Pointing to one of the side rooms, he said: ”This is Huzi’s room. He’s been inside for several days now, go on in!”

With that said, the Zhang couple went to the front courtyard.

Mu Shuangshuang stepped forward and knocked gently on the door.

”Huzi, are you there? Mr. Luo Bai and Uncle Dashan asked me to come and see you,” Mu Shuangshuang said softly.

As soon as Mu Shuangshuang spoke, there was a slight movement of a chair inside, indicating Huzi was listening.

”Huzi, may I come in?” Mu Shuangshuang asked from outside.

Inside, there was silence once more.

Mu Shuangshuang held her breath, listening carefully to any sounds from within the room.

Suddenly, she said, ”How about this: let’s talk through the window. I’ll ask and you answer, and if you answer all, I’ll give you a gift!”