Chapter 98: The Peasant Girl’s Splendid Manor
Chapter 98: Lantern Festival (Part 1)
If these people had approached her politely and reasonably to discuss the matter of the eighty taels for building the ancestral hall, Mo Yan wouldn't have been reluctant. However, her family's money didn't just fall from the sky. Anyone would feel uncomfortable being the last one to know about such a matter, only to be pressured by a group of people to cough up a large sum of money. If people got used to this kind of behavior, who knew how many troubles they would ask her family to solve in the future?
Helping others should have its limits. People like these couldn't be indulged, or else they would come to her family for help whenever they encountered difficulties. Were they asking for help or not? If their appetites were catered to, there would be countless troubles in the future!
Fortunately, Mo Fang, the clan chief, wasn't completely foolish and knew when to stop. Otherwise, Mo Yan would have established a separate family shrine, only honoring their own direct ancestors and cutting off ties with these people as an independent entity. Such a thing was not impossible.
In the blink of an eye, it was the seventh day of the first lunar month, and the market reopened. Not only could businesses open their doors for business, but even small vendors could set up stalls on the streets and alleys, and Mo's vegetable business resumed.
After eating rich foods for this period, many families grew tired of them and wanted to eat more plain vegetables to cleanse their palates. Moreover, with the addition of several new types of vegetables from the Mo family, business improved compared to before the lunar new year, with total daily income reaching more than eighty taels. Every time they returned home, the family gathered around the table to count the money, truly getting hand cramps from counting.
"Dad, tomorrow is the Lantern Festival. I heard that Quanshui has a lantern festival every year, and it's very lively. Let's go and see!" Xin'er said excitedly, sharing news she had heard from the neighbors.
Before Mo Qingze could speak, Zhen'er asked eagerly, "Second sister, is what you said true? Will there be acrobatics and riddles at the lantern festival?"
"There should be. I heard it's very lively, with people everywhere!" Xiner said uncertainly.
At this moment, Li Yan chimed in, "My hometown also has a lantern festival every year. Wealthy families would invite opera performances, and there would be acrobatics on the streets. People from all over would come to see, and it would be so crowded that you could barely move. It's indeed very lively."
Hearing this, Mo Qingze frowned. "Crowds can lead to accidents. It's better not to go. If you want to have fun, wait a couple of days, and I'll take you around then."
Mo Yan nodded in agreement and said to the disappointed siblings, "I've also heard that children get abducted at the lantern festival every year. You two are still young and good-looking. With the crowds and chaos, it's possible for abductors to target you. Let's not join in the excitement."
This wasn't meant to scare the siblings. After a few months of drinking from the Spirit Spring water and their natural good looks, the two kids were tender and attractive, making them easy targets for abductors.
Although Dad and big sister disagreed, the two kids couldn't resist the temptation of the lantern festival. Xin'er tugged at Mo Qingze's sleeve and pleaded, "Dad, let's all go tomorrow. We'll stay close to you and won't run around. Abductors wouldn't dare to snatch people openly, right?"
Zhen'er also clung to Mo Yan's arm, blinking her big eyes and pleading, "Big sister, dear big sister, please agree this time. If not, tie a rope to Zhen'er, and Zhen'er won't get lost."
The two kids were usually well-behaved and never made excessive demands. This was the first time they begged so earnestly, making Mo Yan and Mo Qingze unable to bear refusing. In the end, they agreed to their request.
Since the whole family was going, they naturally couldn't leave Li Yan, a little girl, at home.
Therefore, Mo Yan repeatedly warned, "It's settled then. Tomorrow, you three must stick close to the adults and not wander off. If you can't do it, you won't be allowed out again in the future."
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