A Good Country Wife

"So it is, I can manage the home affairs, and you can handle the business negotiations, but the money we earn must be managed by me," Lin Yue leaned against Zhao Erhu and said cheerfully. Ever since their wedding night, Zhao Erhu had handed over the management of the household money to her. He only kept the silver coins needed for daily expenses, which is why Lin Yue could state such terms, agreeing to Zhao Erhu’s proposal.

"Alright, I’ll leave the money management to you," Zhao Erhu finally understood. All women had something in common: that tendency to worry needlessly. In the past, he would have promised his little wife solemnly, but now he simply skipped these pointless conversations and went straight to the point. After all, Lin Yue was his wife, and he, Zhao Erhu, had no intention of having another woman in his life. It made no difference who managed the money.

Meanwhile, Jiang Ziqi left Zhao Erhu’s home, clutching the precious embroidery close, not trusting it to anyone else’s hands for fear of damaging it. When the carriage was halfway to its destination, he suddenly remembered that he forgot to give Lin Yue the silver for the embroidery. It was rare for him to be so absent-minded. The embroidery and the business negotiation with Zhao Erhu had distracted him so much that he forgot such an important matter. Lin Yue did not remind him either. Well, he would make another trip to Zhao Family Village tomorrow to deliver the payment. After all, Xiaoyue needed to rest and recuperate; it would be a good opportunity to have a chat with her. With this thought, Jiang Ziqi once again dismissed Zhao Erhu from his mind.

Zhao Erhu would not even dream of allowing other men to get close to his wife!

"Axin, do you remember what I instructed you to do earlier?" At this moment, Jiang Ziqi remembered another matter and worried that Axin might also forget it in a moment of absent-mindedness.

"Rest assured, young master, I remember everything. I will attend to it as soon as we’re back," replied Axin.

"Be careful, and don’t leave any traces. Don’t take it lightly just because it’s a minor matter. I do not hope to hear even the slightest hint of unusual gossip," Jiang Ziqi said, his face calm. Gone was the warmth and comfort he showed when with Lin Yue, and the delight in matching wits with Zhao Erhu. His words, though spoken lightly, easily decided the fates of two lives. This was another side to him, the side he showed in public.

"Understood, young master. The medicine you’ve provided works wonders — no one will notice anything amiss, nor will they find any evidence," Axin replied respectfully, then, as if something occurred to him, he added, "Young master, you are really good to Miss Lin. If Miss Lin knew about all the things you’ve done for her in secret, she would be very grateful."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ziqi neither confirmed nor denied, merely saying, "Those who conspire against Little Yueyue and attempt to take her life, with such brutal intentions, I cannot allow them to continue living. It’s better to rid of the trouble completely. However, Little Yueyue, despite being lively and daring, is still a girl at heart, and such a bloody affair might frighten her." He looked towards Axin as he spoke.

"Do not let Little Yueyue know about this, and don’t let any traces show in her presence. I just hope she lives a simple, happy life every day, unaware of the dark and dirty dealings. Her lively and cheerful nature is well-suited to a life with that big fool Zhao Erhu, and it’s said that he is unworthy of such a fine woman as Little Yueyue. But who else would cherish his wife like him, loyal to Little Yueyue alone for all his life? Even I can’t do that," he said.