These people are truly ruthless.

Madam Liu watched helplessly as they carried the soybeans back home, her face swelling with anger. What was the meaning of this!

"Hey, what are you doing? Didn't you say you were going to sell the soybeans to my family? Why are you taking them back now?"

"You can't do this. Isn't this going a bit too far! How can you just go back on your word after an agreement was made!"

Madam Liu was so furious that her face flushed green and red. Just as she was shouting, Gu Xiaoyao happened to walk out of the mountains and reached the courtyard entrance.

The women who were carrying their soybeans back home felt a pang of guilt when they saw Gu Xiaoyao's expressionless face.

"Oh, Chengjin's wife, I was thinking we could actually use these soybeans ourselves. We only have this little batch, and it's nice to have some for the kids to snack on."

"That's right, let's wait until next year. If I grow plenty of soybeans next year, I will definitely come and sell them to you. Rest assured, I certainly will."

Looking at their guilty faces, Gu Xiaoyao did not mind at all. If the soybean sprouts they grew could actually make them some money, she would be genuinely happy for them.

After all, Lotus Flower Village was a poor mountain village. If the villagers had no way to sell anything, they would only grow poorer by the day.

"If you don't want to sell your soybeans, just take them back. There's no need to make up excuses here. I know what you're thinking in your hearts."

Everyone naturally wanted to make money. If they had the ability to earn it, good for them.

"No, no, you've misunderstood. It's really not like that..."

Though the women protested otherwise, their hands moved swiftly to gather their soybeans, and they quickened their pace out of the courtyard.

Madam Liu cursed incessantly under her breath. Though not shouting openly, her veiled remarks made it clear she thought these people lacked integrity.

"Are these few aunts here to sell soybeans? Little Shu, bring the scale over and weigh these soybeans. Mother, go get the money box."

The golden rule of doing business was settling accounts immediately on the spot; one should never attempt to buy on credit, as common folk felt uneasy with such arrangements.

After all, ten catties of soybeans were only worth a few copper coins and were not particularly precious. Gu Xiaoyao believed that the poorer the village, the more important it was to keep accounts completely clear.

"Understood, sister. Aunts, please come over here, and I'll weigh them for you."

Gu Xiaoyao led them to the weighing area, and Gu Xiaoyao picked up the scale with practiced ease to weigh the goods for them.

Madam Li came out holding the money box, and Madam Liu's eyes followed it closely until Gu Xiaoyao blocked her line of sight.

As Gu Xiaoyao called out the weights, Gu Xiaoyao handed the money directly to the women. Once the coins were safely in their hands, those who had felt a twinge of regret earlier beamed with joy.

They had no idea whether sprouting their own soybeans would bring in any money, but this cash right now was real and solid in the palms of their hands.

"Chengjin's wife, can these soybean sprouts of yours really be sold for such a high price? Won't you make a fortune then?"

Some of the women finally failed to suppress their gossipy curiosity and asked about the soybean sprouts.

Madam Liu somewhat regretted her loose lips. If she hadn't made such a fuss, would these people have taken their soybeans back?

"I happen to have some sprouted beans right here. Would you like to take a look? I'm not trying to hide anything. If you can also earn a hard-earned living by selling sprouts, I'd be more than happy."

With that, Gu Xiaoyao led them toward the utility room, opened the wooden door, and revealed the plump, vibrant soybean sprouts standing stout and fresh inside.

"I figured you'd want to know what dozen-copper-coin soybean sprouts look like. Well, here they are."

When the women caught sight of the soybean sprouts, their jaws dropped wide open as they exchanged bewildered glances, completely at a loss for words.