Chapter 193 - 148 Late Arrival_1
In the afternoon, after Qian Sangui and a few others returned home, they heard what Qian Manxia had to say. Lady Wu sneered, "Big sister always told us that Auntie Die’s in-laws were just a bit stingy, but good in other aspects. She really cares too much about face and suffers for it. Her daughter’s marriage is so distressing, and yet she has the nerve to talk like that... Hmph, everyone knows you should keep your dowry in your own hands. But Auntie Die didn’t listen to her mother-in-law, didn’t get along well with her sister-in-law, and now she’s bound to suffer in her husband’s family. Big sister still thinks everyone is like our Old Qian Family, with kind parents-in-law and a decent younger uncle, indulging her strong will."
The family sighed, thinking that the people from the main branch must be even more upset.
Poor Qian Mandie, so lovely and pleasing, yet married into such a family. Qian Yixiu had always thought Lady Wang to be intelligent; it turns out that even the smartest person can do foolish things if they are too proud and vain.
Thinking about Qian Mandie’s dreadful in-laws, Qian Yixiu suddenly had an epiphany. Compared to Yang Youfu and the other Qian sons-in-law, Wan Dazhong was like Granduncle Li, one of the best economically suitable men of ancient times. And, he was much more handsome than Uncle Li. If his character was truly not bad and he wasn’t lecherous, he would indeed be the best choice for her nephew-in-law.
The next day, Qian Yiduo, who had come to play in the third wife’s room, said that Lady Wang was ill and couldn’t get out of bed.
She also whispered to Qian Yixiu, "I think Grandma was angered by my uncle-in-law. Yesterday, after my aunt and uncle-in-law left, Grandma started crying and then couldn’t get out of bed."
Lady Wu then took fifty eggs to visit Lady Wang.
A few days later, shocking news descended upon the Qian’s third wife’s family. A government official from the county government office came to Wang Lizheng’s house, confirmed the situation of Qian Manjiang’s disappearance, and asked Qian Sangui to go to the county government office to collect ten taels of silver as consolation money, while also waiving his family’s taxes for three years.
Grateful for the Emperor’s great kindness, Old Man Qian was moved to tears, and Second Grandpa, who was no longer nimble, and Old Wang, the seventy-year-old father of Wang Lizheng, specifically came to Qian’s Main Courtyard with their walking sticks. Several elders loudly praised the Emperor’s compassion and kowtowed northward, thanking the Emperor for his consideration of the common people.
Qian Sangui returned from Wang Lizheng’s house, closed the door of the hall, and told the story to Lady Wu, Qian Manxia, and Qian Yixiu. They dared not tell Cheng Yue, fearing it might trigger her illness.