The woman stepped forward, trying to take Di Yao's hand to cozy up, but Wei Xunzhou blocked her.
Wei Xunzhou's cold, knife-like gaze swept contemptuously over her face, and she actually felt intimidated.
"Miss, then can you tell us how you'd be willing to lend us some grain? You don't know, most of us have been stuck in this godforsaken place for years, never having a full stomach. It's really unbearable. Sometimes I wish I could die again!"
The woman's words reminded Di Yao. She recalled that on the day of Guyu, she herself had fainted from hunger.
"In that case..." A gentle tug on her wrist—Wei Xunzhou was warning her, advising her not to agree.
Di Yao patted the back of his hand, smiled at him to reassure him, then turned to the others in the yard.
"In that case, one peck of wheat for one tael of silver. Fair and square. If you're unwilling to pay, then I'm truly sorry, but I don't have much grain left at home." Di Yao held up one finger and gestured to the crowd. Her price was firm, leaving no room for negotiation.
Since she was the only one who could grow grain, why wouldn't she make the most of it? Besides, this was a legitimate business—she wasn't afraid of being investigated.
The wealth of ghosts in the Underworld came from the paper money burned by their living relatives, mostly stored in the Offering Pavilion. They could withdraw it when needed.
In the mortal world, paper money wasn't worth much, and during festivals, people burned piles of it for their ancestors. So compared to scarce grain, money wasn't highly valued by the ghosts in the Underworld.
From that perspective, one tael for a peck was a steal!
The crowd exchanged glances, their barely concealed joy evident. They hadn't expected the new family to be so gullible.
Di Yao thought some might leave, but none of them moved. Instead, they reached for their money pouches.
Well, that was good—she could make more money. Di Yao did a rough calculation and instantly felt better.
She told the crowd to line up outside the yard, then went with Wei Xunzhou to the side room to count the grain.
Noticing that Wei Xunzhou hadn't spoken at all, Di Yao wisely closed the ledger and decided to placate him first.
"I'm sorry, husband. I acted on my own without discussing it with you. If you're tired, go rest in the room. I can handle this by myself."
Though she said that, she really didn't want him to leave. She was afraid she might not be able to handle the crowd outside.
But she still had to show a conciliatory attitude. The problem was, she didn't know how to compensate him.
"How about I make you some extra good food tonight?" Di Yao asked tentatively. She knew Wei Xunzhou wasn't a glutton. He seemed to have no weaknesses or particular likes, which made her feel powerless and uneasy.
"Or I'll split the money from selling the grain with you? Seventy-thirty? Eighty-twenty?"
After saying all that, could he feel her sincerity?
Just as Di Yao was agonizing over whether to offer him a larger share, Wei Xunzhou spoke. "You don't need to apologize. This is all yours. You can do whatever you want."
Di Yao brightened immediately. "Really? Then..."
The sudden approach of the person in front of him startled Wei Xunzhou. Di Yao's beautiful, bright eyes blinked above her fair face, as if they could speak.
"Husband, are you really not mad at me?"
Why did she keep harping on this? Wei Xunzhou didn't understand. He looked away awkwardly and leaned back slightly.
"These grains are the common property of us as a married couple, anyway. And you've put in a lot of effort too. I won't let you come out short." Di Yao said cheerfully.
"Then it's settled. Let's split the money fifty-fifty."
"No."
"Oh, husband, just take it. Otherwise, I'll..."
"Otherwise what?"
Be too embarrassed to ask you to help with the work anymore...