A Good Country Wife-Chapter 625 - 619_1

"Dalang and Erhu have really grown a lot; the task you two took care of was well done. It seems you’ve truly grown up. Dalang will be able to marry a wife in a few more years," Lin Yue said with a cheerful heart, teasing the boys after seeing how well they handled the matter. But mentioning that Dalang was soon to marry made her feel how swiftly time had passed—it had been more than two years since she arrived here.

Dalang felt a bit uncomfortable being teased by Lin Yue, especially since he was at the age where he was just beginning to understand such matters and found them particularly sensitive. "Mother, why do you speak of these things? A man should establish himself before starting a family; let’s leave these matters until after I have achieved success," Dalang said earnestly, trying to appear composed, though his ears had turned red. Lin Yue found Dalang’s reaction even more amusing.

"Mother, you can’t just praise the eldest and second brothers; Asan and I can help you with tasks too. We are not that young anymore, don’t underestimate us," Xiaosi, who was still holding a piece of cake and eating it, said somewhat indignant upon hearing Lin Yue’s words.

Erhu looked down on Xiaosi with a skeptical sneer and shook his head, clearly in a teasing mood, "Xiaosi, I’m not trying to belittle you, but look at you, a foodie, even now not forgetting to eat a piece of cake—tsk, tsk, you don’t look at all like an adult. Better not boast in front of mother."

"Second Brother, don’t underestimate others. The Master says that food is as important as the sky. It’s perfectly normal for me to like eating. Who says those who love to eat are foolish? Mother, don’t listen to Second Brother; he’s no good. He loved to bully me back at the academy. Mother, you must stand up for me," said Xiaosi, who was now over seven years old and had been well-nurtured by Lin Yue to the point of red lips and white teeth, very much like a little darling. Remembering the times at the academy, Xiaosi accused Erhu and chattered incessantly to Lin Yue.

Lin Yue found it even more amusing to see the children bickering with each other, a pleasure in its own right. She was about to say something when suddenly someone came running in, in a great hurry, without even announcing themselves before entering and gasping for breath.

"What’s the matter, has something happened?" Lin Yue, furrowing her brows, asked the hurried figure, guessing that something must have occurred outside. After all, she had taken in refugees and villagers to work outside, and where there were many people, squabbles were common.

"Madam, they’ve started fighting, the refugees and the people from the village. The Manager sent me to inform you and asked you to come over," gasped the young servant in one breath.

"What, they’ve started fighting! What about?" Lin Yue’s frown deepened. Normally, Liu Aniu could handle minor incidents himself without escalating to her. That he had dispatched a servant so urgently meant the situation must be serious.

"Never mind that, don’t waste time talking; let’s go," said Lin Yue, rising to leave, fearing the villagers and refugees were causing an uncontrollable commotion. Seeing Lin Yue so concerned, Dalang and Erhu hastily followed her, and Asan and Xiaosi trailed behind as well.

Seeing that the children had all followed her, Lin Yue had to stop; she was uncertain of the situation outside. With refugees and villagers creating a disturbance, the scene was bound to be chaotic, and she couldn’t hazard what else might transpire, so she couldn’t allow the children to accompany her to risk. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

"Dalang, things are chaotic outside, and I’m not sure what it might turn into. It’s not safe for you to follow. Take your brothers back to your courtyard. Don’t follow me," Lin Yue commanded Dalang before resuming her journey, but before she had gone far, Dalang was following her again. She felt a bit helpless and had to stop once more.

"Dalang, didn’t I tell you to take your brothers back to your courtyard? Why have you followed me again? It’s not safe outside, and I’m not sure what will happen. If things get out of hand, I might not be able to look after you. Obey me, go back quickly; this is not something you can handle!"

"Mother, I sent Erhu to take Asan and Xiaosi back to the courtyard. Let me go with you," Dalang insisted, and seeing Lin Yue about to refuse, he continued, "Mother, don’t say no. I’ve been helping you with affairs these days; I know what it’s like outside. It’s precisely because it’s dangerous that I must go with you. Before father left, I promised to protect you. As a man, I have to keep my word. Moreover, I’m the eldest son, and at such dangerous times, I should take responsibility."

This was the moment Lin Yue realized that the master had taught Dalang and his brothers a bit too well. Regardless of whether it was for Zhao Erhu’s sake or because she genuinely cared for the children as if they were her own, she would not allow Dalang to take such a risk at any cost. "Dalang, I’m your mother, you should listen to me, listen to me, go back quickly!"

"Mother, there’s no use talking. I’m definitely going," said Dalang, the normally obedient child, now stubbornly insistent.

"Ah! Dalang, why are you being so stubborn with me now!..." Lin Yue, seeing Dalang like this, simply had no time to reason with him further, so she directly ordered the servants to hold Dalang back and hurriedly left.

On the way there, the servant who came to report filled Lin Yue in on what had caused the trouble. She formed an idea in her mind; she had already suspected that the villagers and refugees would not get along well, especially after the previous incidents of refugees looting the village. No one could feel kindly toward those who had robbed their grain. It was for this reason Lin Yue had instructed Liu Aniu to separate the villagers from the refugees and assign them different tasks, but a conflict had erupted regardless, and she wasn’t sure over what matter.

"Kill him! Kill him!" Lin Yue hadn’t even reached the worksite when she heard the tumult from afar, with many people shouting this phrase.

"This damned fool, doesn’t he know this is Zhao Family Village, our territory? We’re already doing you a favor by letting you stay here, and yet you’re causing trouble; I’ll thrash you to death!" A brawny man sat on top of a young man, pummeling him fiercely while others egged him on and shoved one another around.

"You’re going too far; Asan has done nothing wrong. You started with the insults. We’ve been patient because we feel guilty about our past misdeeds, but you can’t push us too far. Insults are one thing, but now you’ve started hitting us too; don’t go over the line!"

"So what if we bully you? I’ve been itching to teach you thieving scoundrels a lesson; yes, I’m going to beat you up!"

Liu Aniu tried to intervene and break up the fight, but the number of agitators was increasing, and even with all his men helping, he couldn’t separate the brawling individuals. Fortunately, Lin Yue arrived just in time.