A Good Country Wife

"How can you come accusing me and Erhu at a time like this, suggesting that everyone here is blind to the truth? As if you could just twist right from wrong with impunity!"

Zhao Quan and Zhao Xing indeed had done such things, and couldn’t refute it. Silenced by Lin Yue’s words, they had nothing to say. The village chief and several elders, as well as the onlookers around them, when hearing Lin Yue’s words, began to reconsider and seemed to realize there was truth in them. They thought that given how Zhao Jingen had treated his son, Zhao Erhu, the fact that Erhu had managed to do so much was commendable. They just couldn’t understand why Erhu, having already contributed so much silver, was unwilling to contribute the two taels today. Could it really be that his wife, Lin Yue, was behind this? Their gaze towards Lin Yue shifted somewhat.

Lin Yue, however, didn’t care in the slightest and continued, "Erhu and I have always been very filial to father-in-law. Our reluctance to contribute the two taels of silver is not without reason. But Erhu has already spent ten taels of silver on a fine coffin made of fir in the city, demonstrating his filial piety toward father-in-law. Younger brother, you shouldn’t have anything more to say now, should you?"

Before Zhao Quan could answer, those around them began to talk. The village chief spoke directly, "What can he say? We’ve always known that Erhu is a good man. Zhao Jingen is fortunate to have such a son in his lifetime."

Everyone there believed that a coffin was a person’s house in the netherworld after death. To have a nice coffin when passing away was seen as respectable and glorious, so they all praised and envied Zhao Erhu’s action.

Zhao Erhu himself wasn’t aware when Lin Yue had arranged for this, but he knew his wife was always methodical in her actions and must have handled it properly.

Lin Yue knew what was puzzling Zhao Erhu, "After all, we aren’t short of a bit of silver, and your dad deserves to leave this world with dignity. You won’t have any regrets later, and those malicious people won’t be able to slander you over this matter. Moreover, there’s a knack to buying coffins. The difference in price between a good and a poor one is substantial. We’ve secured the coffin, so Zhao Quan and Zhao Xing can’t meddle at all. They won’t be able to get their hands on your silver, nor that of your eldest brother and Zhao Cheng. They must be seething with envy."

"You," Zhao Erhu said, tapping Lin Yue’s forehead, didn’t add more. His wife always like this, not saying much but silently caring for him, not allowing others to smear or belittle him. He etched this affection in his heart.

During the arrangements for Zhao Jingen’s funeral, Lin Yue, as a daughter-in-law, couldn’t escape involvement. She was busy helping out in the Zhao family’s old house from dawn to dusk, working longer than she had in a long time. However, Lin Yue didn’t find it too tiring. Whenever there was strenuous work, Liu Family and Li Xiaomei would rush to do it, not letting her lift a finger. She was resigned to minor chores like picking vegetables or boiling water.

Li Xiaomei, usually so lazy, was the same even when making arrangements for her father-in-law’s funeral, indifferent to everything. Since everyone knew about Li Xiaomei’s character, no one asked her to do anything. The Wei Family, knowing they couldn’t command her, didn’t bother to ask for her help and let her idle away her time.