A Good Country Wife-Chapter 609 - 603_1

"Don’t worry, Village Chief, though I am but a mere woman, I definitely won’t let anyone trample over me," I declared with full gusto. "If anyone doubts that, let them try and see if I am a pushover!" Such firm words were necessary at that moment. Showing any sign of weakness or compliance would have simply invited bullying. Most people will take advantage of the soft and fear the strong.

"Erhu’s wife, don’t be like this," the old villager tried to soothe. "We’re just discussing things. No one’s trying to bully you. Why flare up? Sit down and have some water to cool off. Everyone in the village knows you’re competent. We just want to seek your advice, that’s all."

"Really? Here I am discussing with everyone, but it seems you’re not discussing with me. So, I’ll just head back home now, to avoid being an annoyance," I retorted without giving the old man’s dignity any consideration. My sole purpose for coming here was to discuss a matter with the Village Chief. But seeing him at a loss, clearly unable to make a decision, it was better for me to figure it out myself at home rather than tolerating these elders. I wasn’t someone who’d take a beating and still keep my mouth shut.

"Look at her arrogance! Has her family’s wealth made her too proud to respect her elders? She has no understanding of decorum. It’s infuriating just to look at her!" one of the old villagers complained.

"Enough already," another old villager interjected. "You’re up in years. Why get angry at Erhu’s young wife? Considering how we’re plotting against her, can we really expect her to be amiable? Besides, haven’t you said it yourself? Erhu’s household is not what it once was, and Erhu’s wife has already been more gracious than expected. Dream on if you think she will fawn over you with utmost respect!" It turned out not all the old villagers were so self-righteous; some actually understood their place.

The irked elder felt he had lost face but stubbornly refused to admit it, "So what if Erhu has made some money from his business travels? I’ll see if she dares to show disrespect to her elders!"

"Let’s not talk about this anymore. We should focus on the matter of the displaced people and find a solution quickly," one of them steered the conversation back.

The Village Chief was trying his best, yet he had neither food supplies nor the military power of the Magistrate to suppress unrest. How could he possibly suggest a solution? In the end, the anxious elders had no choice but to leave with heavy hearts.

Once back home, Nurse Xu noticed Lin Yue’s unhappy expression and glanced at Xixi, who had accompanied Lin Yue, questioning her with her eyes. ƒгeewebnovёl.com

Having been by Lin Yue’s side all this time, Xixi was well aware of what had happened but had kept quiet earlier, as it wasn’t her place to speak out, especially in the presence of the Village Chief and the village elders. Speaking up would have been seen as impudence, and she didn’t want others criticizing her mistress for her poor management of servants. So, she had held her tongue, though she was truly irate at the old men for targeting her mistress so unfairly, for thinking her mistress was easy to bully and expecting her to bear all burdens.

When Xixi saw Nurse Xu inquiring so, she rattled off the entire episode that unfolded at the Village Chief’s house to her.

Nurse Xu’s expression turned sour upon hearing the story. Those elders were indeed too much. She had once thought that country folk were simple and honest, not like the devious high-class families. Now, it seemed some were shameless after all, their true colors emerging only when their interests were at stake.

"Our house has always been on good terms with the Village Chief’s. The mistress has often sent nice things over to his place. Didn’t the Village Chief speak up for her?" Nurse Xu inquired after hearing Xixi’s account.

"The Village Chief? Hmph!" Xixi replied with disdain. "To think how good our mistress has always been to his family. When those elders were putting forth that suggestion, the Village Chief didn’t even utter a word. He just sat there watching coldly. It was only after the mistress got angry and pointed out their flawed ideas that the Village Chief came out to say a few fair words on her behalf. What is that if not too little, too late?" Xixi’s words were filled with scorn, as someone who herself was grateful and admired Lin Yue, she had no respect for those who took advantage without contributing and was obviously vexed.

"Xixi, don’t talk nonsense!" Lin Yue scolded, frowning. "The Village Chief is in a difficult position. You think he only considers our family? He’s the Village Chief; he has to think of the whole village. From this perspective, he’s a good Village Chief. If he were selfish and spoke only for his own benefit, then of course he would take our side. That’s why everyone praises him for his fairness." Of all those people, Lin Yue held no grudge against the Village Chief.

Nurse Xu sighed. Xixi’s rashness was a habit that seemed unchangeable, and the mistress probably tolerated it because of Xixi’s loyalty.

"Xixi, what have I always taught you? Why do you still speak without thinking, saying whatever comes to mind?"

Xixi felt wronged, "I’m just upset at how unreasonable they’ve been."

Nurse Xu gave her a stern look before turning her attention back to Lin Yue. "Mistress, those elders are being too presumptuous. Our mistress has always treated them well, and now it seems they don’t remember any kindness at all, acting as if it’s your obligation! They should think about why the mistress is supposed to do all that. No wonder Xixi is so angry. Given the circumstances, I think we should figure out a way to get through the current difficulties on our own and stop worrying about others."

"We have no other choice," Lin Yue agreed. "I had hoped that since we were all from the same village, we could support each other in times of disaster and get through the hard times together. Now, it seems I was expecting too much. We should just take care of ourselves from now on."

Although the situation outside was dire, Lin Yue’s household was still without worries for the time being. Their high compound walls deterred common thieves, and Lin Yue had placed plenty of people to guard the gate. As long as the number of vagrants didn’t continue to increase, her household staff would be sufficient to cope. Not only did she have servants, but also the displaced people they had taken in recently had become either servants or hired workers, so manpower was abundant. This was why no one had managed to break into her house until now.

Meanwhile, the village’s predicament grew more grave. As several days passed, many homes were looted, including that of one of the elders. That elder, I heard, was shoved by the invading vagrants—a fall at his age could have been fatal. I truly did not know whether to sympathize with such a person.

Lin Yue discreetly took in respectable families, increasing the number of people in her service. But Lin Yue wasn’t concerned about the expense of maintaining so many servants; there was plenty of food in storage. Besides the reserves Zhao Erhu had left before his departure, the supplies she had transported from various places were more than enough to feed the servants for many years. And considering it was just the beginning of the year, we had barely used the bountiful crops of sweet potatoes and corn, filling the cellars and granaries to the brim. We were far from the food shortage others believed we faced.