Resolving the Emergency

"This is?" First Uncle was surprised and momentarily lost his bluster. They didn't notice this girl as the tall brothers blocked her from sight.

It suddenly became quiet. The girl slowly moved forward to where the Jin brothers were standing.

Although she was pale and thin, she still had a beautiful face and fair skin. Her beauty was not the kind that would topple down cities, but she gave off a calm and elegant feeling with a hint of allure that attracts people to take a closer look.

Her long black hair was loose and tumbled down her shoulders. Fu Mei Li just got up from bed after all and didn't have the time to tie her hair back.

As the soft breeze blew some of her hair up, the villagers couldn't help but admire that pleasing face and noble eyes. Add to that her calm and confident demeanor and the people there couldn't help but think that she was no ordinary woman.

"Greetings to the two uncles." Fu Mei Li was calm and composed. She had appeared on stage for lectures with hundreds of attendees and sat for TV interviews. Facing a few rowdy villagers was nothing.

"My name is Fu Mei Li and I am the Jin brothers' wife." Her soft smile and clear voice got everyone's attention.

"We apologize that this debt has been dragged on for too long and has troubled the uncles. We will pay 60 taels now and the rest will be paid at the end of the sixth month. Will these be okay, uncles?"

Her calm and polite manner somehow made the troublemakers feel it was awkward to continue shouting.

The first uncle looked at her with piercing eyes. "This arrangement is not impossible, but how do we know you won't default on the remaining 60 taels later?"

Jin Weimin was anxious and came next to her. "Wife, what are you saying? We really do not have the money now." He then looked at Mingyu, "First brother, you say something to the wife."

Jin Mingyu kept quiet for a moment. He seemed to have an idea what the woman was trying to do. He turned to her and asked her with that cold voice of his, "Are you sure about this?"

Fu Mei Li nodded at him. She brought a hundred taels with her as her dowry. This was all the savings that her mother managed to put away for her before she succumbed to illness.

Mei Li didn't think it was wise to spend all of it in one go, so she proposed the 60 taels. This can also be considered as her contribution to the Jin household. She'll be sleeping and eating here from now on, so think of it as paying the rent. She planned to keep the remaining 40 taels as her backup plan just in case the brothers are unkind to her.

Mei Li answered the first uncle's question, "We can sign an agreement and have the village head witness it. If we default on the 60 taels later, we will give you 20 mu of farmland."

The villagers gasped in surprise. The original debt was 120 taels and that can already buy 12 to 15 mu. This time, if the Jin family failed to pay 60 taels, they'll give away 20 mu? That's a very good deal for the Sheng family!

The two uncles also agreed in their hearts. It is true that their mother Mrs. Sheng was sick and they needed the silver. They didn't think the brothers would be able to pay later either, so they would get 20 mu by then. Definitely a good deal!

"First brother, you can also agree to this right?" Fu Mei Li asked Jin Mingyu with trepidation. She didn't discuss anything with him and just decided things for them just now. Would he get angry?

Jin Mingyu stared at this newly acquired wife of theirs. His face remained devoid of expression and everyone was just waiting for him to open his mouth.

"Fine. Let's go to the village chief." He finally agreed. To be honest, their family didn't have much of a choice at the moment. He was aware of Fu Mei Li's silver but he didn't want to ask her for it. He was surprised that she actually volunteered for them to use the money.

Fu Mei Li secretly sighed in relief. At least they now have a grace period. And the ruckus can finally stop and she can find food to eat.

She quickly went back to the room she woke up in, took 60 taels of silver from her small money chest, and handed it to Jin Mingyu.

She didn't bother accompanying them to the village chief's house. Let the brothers settle the matter.

The crowd finally dispersed and Mei Li appreciated the quiet. She turned to the elderly woman who was left there with her.

"That...I heard them call you Aunt Li?" She politely smiled at the woman who returned to her senses and suddenly grasped Mei Li's hands while smiling warmly at her.

"Madam, thank you so much! Those uncles have been pestering the brothers for many months now! They've really made the Jin family lose so much face."

Fu Mei Li was stunned. Did Aunt Li just call her madam? Awkward!

"Aunt Li, just call me Mei Li." She really wasn't used to it. Her colleagues called her by her first name and her professors and bosses called her Miss Fu. Never has she been called Madam or Mrs. in her life!

"How can I? You're the lady of the Jin family now." Aunt Li was insistent.

"That…then just call me Mei-er. Madam is too polite. I'll be in your care from now on."

Aunt Li was dazzled by the girl's smile for a moment and couldn't help but agree.

"Aunt Li, can I trouble you for something to eat?"

She was famished!