Chapter 170 Increasingly Impatient_1
"When you go into the mountains, be careful," warned the shopkeeper Wang to Zhao Erhu. "If you encounter danger and can avoid it, do so. Don’t recklessly try to display your bravery as a man, for your young wife awaits your support at home. What would she do if something happened to you, not to mention the children?"
In the past, Zhao Erhu might have dismissed Wang’s caution, but after the recent events that had nearly cost him his life, he now truly appreciated the meaning behind Wang’s words. Grateful, for even his own father and brothers had never spoken such words to him, he replied, "Brother Wang, you’re right. I’ve taken your advice to heart."
Seeing that Zhao Erhu took his words seriously, Wang felt pleased. He knew that the final decision on picking out cloth would rest with Erhu’s wife, so he turned to Lin Yue, "What kind of fabric would Erhu’s wife like? Just tell me and I’ll fetch it for you to choose from."
Lin Yue had always thought highly of shopkeeper Wang. She smiled and listed the fabrics she needed, "My sister-in-law is expecting a baby, and I want to buy some fine cloth to make a few little garments for my nephew. The outer clothes should be of silk brocade, preferably in festive colors, while the inner garments that touch the skin should be made from fine, soft, breathable cotton. Brother Wang, please show me what suitable fabrics you have; I want the best quality. Additionally, I need a piece of dark blue fine cotton, a piece of light brown coarse cotton, and a piece of sky blue fine cotton."
"Alright, little sister, I understand what you’re looking for. Just wait here, I’ll go fetch them for you." Lin Yue had clearly stated what she needed for her own use, there was no need for further selection. Shopkeeper Wang went straight to get them and set them aside, then brought several suitable rolls of silk brocade and fine cotton for Lin Yue to choose from, for making the baby’s clothes.
Lin Yue picked a few she was satisfied with. For a moment, uncertain which to buy, she decided to just take a yard of each design she liked. Altogether, it was enough for her to make two or three dozen sets of little garments, with plenty to spare.
Lin Yue planned to gift a few sets when her nephew was born, and a few more as a full-moon present, giving her time to work without rushing. However, since the full-moon celebration was more formal and required a more substantial gift, she planned to visit the silver shop later to have a small silver lock and bracelet made. Combined, it would be a sufficient gift.
These days Lin Yue was busy. She needed to finish the small garments quickly and also embroider the unfinished Embroidered Picture she had promised to the Magistrate’s wife. She was so overwhelmed with work that she decided not to sell food in the market for the time being, and just let Zhao Erhu deliver the regular orders to the Government Office. With all this bustle, she had lost several pounds from her already slender frame, which distressed Zhao Erhu deeply. But he had no other solution; these were not tasks he could take over. Even the foods prepared for the Government Office only tasted right if made by Lin Yue. All he could do was help with small tasks.
Zhao Erhu had initially felt proud and arrogant about having such a capable and skilled wife, but as time went on, his male ego began to cause him distress and depression. He felt useless, a man unable to match his wife’s abilities, reliant on her to support the family. But Zhao Erhu was not one to sulk; he saw his wife’s efforts and toil, and he knew that picking a fight over this would be truly despicable. He resolved to work even harder, to ease her burdens.
Seeing no other way and unwilling to simply watch Lin Yue lose weight, Zhao Erhu tried every day to prepare delicious food to encourage her to eat more, including goat’s milk, which he had only recently learned from Jiang Ziqi was excellent for one’s health, insisting that Lin Yue drink a bowl morning and evening.