A Good Country Wife

Lin Yue did this also out of consideration for Zhao Dahuo’s family, seeing that Zhao Jingen’s health was declining day by day, there would eventually come a time when having one more person to support dividing the family would lessen the burden on them, even if Zhao Quan and Zhao Xing, those two brothers, disagreed, with Zhao Cheng’s support for partition, it would be an even two to two, and nobody would have an advantage.

"Sister-in-law, you’re right, I think so too. It’d be better once the family is divided. Oh, I need to head back now, I’ve sent Zhao Cheng and both kids to gather information, who knows what new news there might be by the time I return. I’ll come over to inform you again later. You all just be careful."

"I will be, you better hurry back, or your Zhao Cheng will start worrying about you." Lin Yue teased with a smile. As soon as Li Xiaomei heard Lin Yue mention this, she blushed, a complete turnaround from her earlier hen-like defiance when speaking of the Wei Family. Zhao Cheng had indeed been increasingly good to her these days, something that had never happened before, not even at the height of their honeymoon period. Li Xiaomei attributed this change to the few tricks Lin Yue had taught her and was even more grateful, hastening her footsteps to get home faster and see if there were any new updates.

Lin Yue saw off Li Xiaomei. Zhao Erhu watched with amusement as Lin Yue managed to persuade Li Xiaomei into such devout compliance, just like Zhao Fuquan before, who could only speak highly of Lin Yue, his face wearing a broad smile as he teased, "Ah, I didn’t even realize when my little wife became so kind-hearted. Just look at Li Xiaomei, known in the village for being sharp-tongued and troublesome, now so open-hearted and obedient to you. My little wife is really capable, your husband is thoroughly impressed."

Lin Yue looked at Zhao Erhu with disdain. "Enough, Zhao Erhu. Don’t think I don’t know you’re mocking me. This is capability, and whether you accept it or not is irrelevant. This is called the charm of character, understand? Do you get it?"

"I get it, at least a bit," Zhao Erhu reluctantly nodded, admitting that he didn’t quite grasp what Lin Yue meant. What was character? What was charm? Character he could somewhat comprehend, perhaps it referred to a person’s nature, but as for charm, what was that? Some word his little wife conjured up? It sounded strangely novel; his little wife was like that, often coming up with words he didn’t understand.

Although she had already reminded the couples of Zhao Dahuo and Wu Qiang to be cautious, Lin Yue thought it best after Li Xiaomei’s visit to have Zhao Erhu gather everyone again to reiterate what Li Xiaomei had said. It’s better to be safe than sorry, after all—each detail must be attended to so as not to give Zhao Lingxiang and Chunxi any room to exploit.

"I did not expect that this time, it was Chunxi who did it. Again, this woman! The issue of selling us the bad duck eggs has yet to be settled with her, and now she has done something like this. Such a woman with no moral integrity, it’s no wonder she was abandoned by her husband. Just two words for her, she deserves it! If it were me, I would have divorced such a woman right away, not even considering her as a concubine."