Chapter 201 How Could I Lie to You?
Under Jiuyue's gaze, Wei had a guilty conscience. With a cough, he said, "It's not a big deal. I heard that... your family took in a boy not long ago. Is that real?"
Jiuyue's heart jolted. Before Wei revealed his intention, she had thought of countless possibilities except for this one.
How did he know that they once took in a boy? When Zongyuan stayed in their house, not even the villagers knew about it.
Was Wei sent here by the rebels?
If so, then his official boots, silver headdress, and wealth made sense.
Jiuyue was furious, but she had to fool him. "Uncle, who told you about this? Nowadays, many families are troubled by food shortages. Who would take in a boy?"
However, Wei seemed convinced of what he said and did not believe her words. "Jiuyue, you should tell the truth! Someone told me that you took in a boy some time ago."
Jiuyue glared at him and pretended to be angry. "Look at you! Why do you believe other people rather than your niece? What are the benefits of taking in a boy? How can I raise him? Even I have to rely on the Wu family!"
Wei hesitated over which was the truth.
"Now that you didn't take in a boy, what about other members of the Wu family?" he asked persistently.
However, Jiuyue replied firmly, "Of course not. If they took in a boy, how could I not know? If you don't believe me, you can ask the villagers whether they saw any strange boy! Who told you about this nonsense? How could he spread such a rumor? If we really took in a boy, I would have told you directly. After all, it's a good deed."
Wei looked at her and felt that she had become not only more beautiful but also more eloquent since she married into the Wu family.
In the past, she was stubborn but quiet. But now, she looked pretty confident.
It seemed that she led a good life and became assured in the Wu family.
"You're right. Then do you know anyone taking in a boy?"
When Jiuyue wanted to say "no", she rolled her eyes and changed her mind. "Why do you care so much about this boy? Whose child is he? Is there a bounty?"
Wei grinned and looked around before taking out an ingot of gold from his purse. He showed it before Jiuyue's eyes and quickly put it away.
"See? This is the bounty. If you know where that boy is, then say it as soon as possible, and you may get more money than this!"
Jiuyue revealed a look of due surprise, just like an inexperienced little girl.
"Wow! Uncle! Is it gold?! Let me have a look!"
Pleased by her shocked expression, Wei took out the gold again and handed it to her. "Be careful. Don't drop it."
Jiuyue pouted. "I'll pick it up if I drop it. This is gold, not tofu. It won't be broken."
Wei insisted, "Anyway, you should be careful."
When Jiuyue was about to bite the gold, Wei stopped her immediately. "Hey, hey, hey! What are you doing?"
Jiuyue frowned. "How do I know if it's real if I don't bite it?"
Wei snatched the gold from her hand and pointed at the teeth marks on it. "Look, I already bit it. It's real!"
He stared at Jiuyue's face again, hoping to see a trace of admiration. But to his surprise, Jiuyue pouted in discontent.
"Uncle, you're a big liar!"
Wei stamped his foot and raised his chin. "Nonsense! How could I be a liar?"
Jiuyue took out the two pieces of silver and snorted. "When you gave me the two pieces of silver, you said they were all you had. How do you explain the gold? If I'm right, you have more in your purse!"
Being seen thought, Wei rolled his eyes nervously. "Well..."
Jiuyue put away the silver and said, "If you can invest the gold in my husband's education, I'll tell you anything I know."
Wei refused. "You're so greedy! How dare you ask for an ingot of precious gold?"
Jiuyue muttered, "Why couldn't I ask for the gold? You're my uncle! When you asked my family for money, why didn't you hesitate?"
Hearing that, Wei shrugged his shoulders. "That's all past history."
Judging by his indifference, Jiuyue supposed that she did not hit a nerve.
"Uncle, now that you haven't found the boy, why did you take the money? Aren't you afraid of being blamed?"
Wei snorted. "I'll help them find the boy. You don't need to worry about this."
After saying that, he waved his sleeve and left directly.
Jiuyue watched his receding figure and sighed. Her uncle was such a miser.
How could one get benefits at no cost?
She would never betray Zongyuan. Besides, she could not provide any useful information.
After all, she did not know where Zongyuan had gone.
Feeling the silver against her chest, she was more than elated.
The silver was enough for her to make spring clothing for the children.
.
When Wei returned home and calmed down, it pained him to think of the two pieces of silver. Jiuyue was so bold and shameless to ask him for money as if she had been on intimate terms with him.
After a while, someone came and told him that Maogong wanted to see him.
Wei's face darkened immediately, and his forehead began to sweat.
Hurriedly, he wiped the sweat, bowed, and replied, "That's an honor for me."
"All right, save your flattery. You can say these words before His Excellency."
Maogong had been living in Niu Tou Town these days. In a hurry, Wei rode all the way to Maogong's residence.
After three steps into the study, he knelt with a thump.
"Good afternoon, Your Excellency!"