A Good Country Wife

Lin Yue’s expression was neutral; she didn’t seem unwelcoming, but she was far from enthusiastic. With a questioning look, she asked Zhao Erhu, wasn’t he just supposed to deliver the festival gifts? She hadn’t invited Zhao Yunxiang over for a meal, so why had he brought her back, and without giving her a heads-up? Was this man asking for a beating? Did he think she wouldn’t be angry? Now that the guests had arrived, she couldn’t very well send them away, especially in front of the children. She would settle the score with Zhao Erhu later.

Zhao Erhu had only been polite when he said they should come over for lunch if they had time. He thought that given the distance between their two homes, they wouldn’t actually come. Besides, he’d said such things before, and no one had taken him seriously. He hadn’t expected Zhao Yunxiang’s family to really come over for a meal. What was he supposed to say now? There was no need for such politeness! Zhao Erhu thought to himself, but now that they were here, he had no choice but to play host. He just hoped his little wife wouldn’t be too angry.

The eldest sister had had issues with his wife not just once or twice. His wife held a grudge against the eldest sister in her heart, so how could she be in a good mood seeing the eldest sister’s family come over? He had wanted his little wife to enjoy a happy Dragon Boat Festival. Didn’t he know Niuniu too well? Look at her, clearly upset. Zhao Erhu looked at his little wife with embarrassment and apology, hoping she would calm her anger.

"Sister-in-law/Auntie," Zhao Yunxiang greeted Lin Yue with an all-smiles attitude this time. Zhao Yunxiang’s three children all sweetly called out, improving Lin Yue’s mood somewhat. However, she remained vigilant inside; Zhao Yunxiang was not an easy person to deal with. She was only more amiable when she needed something from others. Who knew what she was plotting now?

"Eldest sister, brother-in-law, you’re here. This is my first time seeing the three children; they all look quite neat. Come inside, there are treats in the house. Let your uncle get some for you," Lin Yue said as she returned to the kitchen. She should have been prepared to greet the children since it was their first meeting, and in the past, she had indeed given gifts to Zhao Dahuo’s children. But this time, she let it be. As for Zhao Yunxiang’s children, she couldn’t be bothered.

Seeing Lin Yue’s lukewarm attitude, Zhao Yunxiang cursed her in her heart for not recognizing kindness. She had already lowered her stance, yet the Lin Family didn’t know to flatter her. What kind of woman had her brother married? She had no tact at all!

Forget it, she wouldn’t stoop to Lin Yue’s level. She had come today because her brother’s house had good food. After eating a few meals here, she knew that Lin Yue was generous with her cooking, and since it was Dragon Boat Festival, the food would definitely be even better. Free food shouldn’t go to waste; better to benefit from it than let others have it. It was her own brother’s house after all. If her brother indulged this woman in wasting Silver Coin, she might as well bring her children to eat well at his expense.

She also wanted to borrow another thirty taels of silver from Zhao Erhu. The fifteen taels he had given her previously were meant for buying land from the village chief. However, she was dissatisfied with the two plots he showed her, and fifteen taels could only buy one of those two. She had her eye on a better piece of land.

It was several plots of prime farmland, connected together and quite close to their house—eight acres in total, costing forty taels of silver. The seller insisted on selling them all together, and she couldn’t persuade the seller to let her buy just two or three acres. With no other option, she turned to Zhao Erhu to borrow the silver. She had heard that her brother made a tidy sum selling rice dumplings this time, so he would certainly be able to lend her thirty taels of silver.