The Comeback of the Charming Farmer's Wife

"All right then, I’ll stop talking." After a pause, she added, "When I get home and tell my brother and sister, they won’t find me noisy at all."

Yang Chuxia thought to herself that those kids simply couldn’t talk yet, and once they could, she’d like to see if they still didn’t mind her chatter.

Shortly after, they arrived at Land Officer Yang’s home. Land Officer Yang was not at home, having gone out to chat with the elders in the village. Conveniently, Yang Dayong was at home while Yang Qingkang was playing in the courtyard.

"Great-granduncle, little uncle."

Upon entering, Yangyang greeted everyone first.

"Uncle Dayong."

"Xiaxia and Yangyang are here, come inside and have a seat," said Yang Dayong, who was in the middle of his carpentry work, his head covered in sweat from just splitting wood.

"Sure, Uncle Dayong, I have something to discuss with you."

"Alright, then. Take a seat inside, and I’ll go wash my face."

With that, Yang Dayong headed to the well, and Yang Chuxia, along with Sister-in-law Li, took Yangyang and Yang Qingkang into the house.

Yang Qingkang was very interested in the snacks that had been brought, whereas Yangyang didn’t care for them and stayed to one side, talking to Yang Qingkang. Just as he mentioned, Yang Qingkang seemed to find him annoying, barely responding to every third sentence Yangyang said.

A moment later, Yang Dayong came in, and Yang Chuxia said, "Yangyang, you and uncle can go play over there."

"Oh."

Yangyang, taking Yang Qingkang by the hand, went out, followed by Sister-in-law Li.

"Xiaxia, what did you want to discuss with me?"

"Uncle Dayong, by all accounts, Grandma should have finished mourning in the first half of the year. Why are you insisting on setting the engagement with Shen Qiu only in the latter half?"

"Ah, about that," Yang Dayong started, tasting one of the snacks on the table before speaking, "I originally planned to set the engagement in June. But Shen Qiu mentioned that my mom had just finished mourning, and as her son, setting an engagement so soon seemed disrespectful. So, it was postponed until October."

Yang Chuxia nodded in understanding.

Then she asked again, "Uncle Dayong, do you really want to marry her that much?"

"Heh, why would you ask that?" Yang Dayong said casually, "Wanting or not, it’s all about living life, isn’t it?"

Yang Dayong’s seemingly indifferent words gave Yang Chuxia the impression that he didn’t value Shen Qiu as much as she thought. If that were the case, the situation might be easier to handle.

"Uncle Dayong, after Shen Qiu moved to the town, have you visited her and Uncle Bo often?" Yang Chuxia continued.

Since Yang Chuxia kept asking about Shen Qiu, Yang Dayong began to wonder, "Why? Are you bringing up something about Shen Qiu? I just visited before the festival to deliver gifts."

"It’s about Shen Qiu."

After a moment, Yang Chuxia decided to speak plainly. "Qingtong saw her in the street being quite close with the young master of the Zhang Family. He brings her new jewelry and clothes every month."

"No wonder..." Yang Dayong murmured upon hearing this.

"You knew, Uncle Dayong?"

Yang Dayong didn’t show the upset that Yang Chuxia expected, and instead replied in a subdued tone, "I noticed she always wore new jewelry and clothes whenever I went to see her in town, things that her family’s situation couldn’t possibly afford."

The salary of County Magistrate Shen wasn’t much, and he had his own large family to support. The amount spent on Shen Qiu’s adornments would equal the County Magistrate’s monthly salary.

"Ah, it’s good you’re aware, Uncle Dayong. With such a girl, you might want to reconsider. In finding a stepmother for Qingkang, it’s better to choose someone kind-hearted and not so materialistic."

"Hehe, I understand," said Yang Dayong, somewhat embarrassed to be reminded of this by his junior.