Chapter 428: Chapter 428: I’ll Handle the Silver

Zhu Hongyun, in her confusion and excitement, was struggling to articulate her thoughts clearly.

But her central point was made clear: Tong Sanlang was more capable of making money than she was.

Tong Sanlang had the privilege of accompanying Tong Tiehu to the Capital City in the past, an honor not bestowed upon others.

He had spent a considerable amount of silver on his education, which was funded by the family, not by himself. Books were costly, hence over the years, Tong Sanlang had become the biggest spender in their family.

As an unmarried man, he had no wife or children to support, meaning he had minimal expenses.

Therefore, the conclusion was clear – Tong Sanlang, who had enjoyed many special treatments and saved quite a lot of money in the past, should now contribute a hundred taels of silver!

Tong Sanlang was “…”

All he had was a little over twenty taels of silver and a few copper coins given to him by Qiao Xiaomai. He could not produce one hundred taels…

However, only Tong Tiehu knew about Tong Sanlang entrusting his allowance to Qiao Xiaomai. While he didn’t outwardly spend money, everyone present believed he had some savings.

Under Zhu Hongyun’s expectant gaze, he slowly nodded, “I need my savings for my studies. I’ll go hunting and sell the larger game to the Extreme Flavors Inn.”

The original reason Qiao Meipan had taken an interest in him was due to his prowess in hunting wild boars.

The largest beast on Rooster Mountain was the wild boar, but there were even larger animals in the primordial forest nearby. He could hunt there.

In any case, he couldn’t ask Qiao Xiaomai for silver.

It wasn’t right to take back the money he had entrusted her with.

He had the means to solve this problem on his own.

“Oh dear, in this state, you still want to study?!” Zhu Hongyun exclaimed in surprise. Studying was expensive!

“Precisely because of our circumstances, I must continue my studies. Once I pass the Imperial Examination, our family will see better days.” Tong Sanlang calmly stated.

“Is the Imperial Examination easy to pass? Sun Junyan has been studying in the Academy for ten years and hasn’t passed yet!” Zhu Hongyun said, looking incredulous.

Tong Sanlang initially learned to read and write under Tong Tiehu’s guidance and later discreetly studied under a recluse in the mountains.

However, his mentor could not publicly take credit, so to outsiders, it seemed he’d been studying on his own all these years.

If Sun Junyan, who studied under a master at the Academy, could not pass the examination, wasn’t his confidence in his self-learning a joke?

“Let’s follow Sanlang’s plan,” Tong Tiehu intervened, his face expressionless.

Catching game was an easy task for Tong Sanlang.

What grieved him the most was his family’s current attitude.

When their family was wealthy, and he was generous with his money, there were no disputes over finances.

But what about now?

Although their living conditions hadn’t degraded to the extent of not knowing where their next meal would come from, their reactions were disheartening.

Was it their real nature or resentment that made them behave this way?

Tong Tiehu suspected that it was resentment, but something told him this was their true nature.

In times of adversity, everyone takes care of their own self-interest, busily counting every copper coin.

This nature was hurtful.

With a slight sigh, Tong Tiehu made a move to stand, “Okay, it’s settled then. Sanlang will go hunting in the mountains tomorrow. Everyone return to their chambers. Our lives continue as before. Those animals we’re raising at the new residence need caring for. I’ll go and check on them.”

“I’ll come too.” Tong Sanlang also stood up.

“Mhm.” Tong Tiehu responded, walking towards the door.

Outside, the night was dark.

His usually upright back slightly hunched.

Observing this, Tong Sanlang pursed his lips and followed him out.

Tong Xingda furrowed his brows, glared at his wife, Zhang Family, “Stupid woman!”

With a low curse, he too, got up and left.