The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1546 - 1543: So Bad It Made Her Cry

Then Old Granny Zhang asked a question that left Lady Shen dumbfounded: "So are you planning to divorce Zhongbao?"

Lady Shen stared at Old Granny Zhang in a daze, not understanding why the topic was so suddenly changed.

Seeing Lady Shen’s naive expression, Old Granny Zhang was amused and frustrated. The young often only consider the present, thinking little of the future.

So she began to analyze the situation for Lady Shen.

If she couldn’t resolve her issues with Wu Zhongbao, what would happen when the mourning period ended and Lady Wu and Zhongbao expected her to have children?

You can postpone it for a while, but not forever.

The guilt that Lady Wu and Zhongbao feel now will likely fade in a few years.

By that time, it won’t be about divorce. Out of conscience, Lady Wu and her son probably wouldn’t abandon Lady Shen, but taking a concubine would be inevitable.

After all, they can’t let the Wu Family lineage end, can they?

Right now, Lady Shen holds the initiative. If she doesn’t want a divorce, she needs to think carefully about her future.

Finally, Old Granny Zhang said, "Let me tell you, dear niece, this world is unjust to women. They say a widow’s doorstep is rife with gossip, but a divorced woman living alone is in even more danger. You’re like a piece of prime meat hanging outside, watched by many men! Even with us protecting you, this is not a long-term solution. Surely, you won’t be alone all your life after a divorce, right?"

"Divorce, remarry, to put it bluntly, finding a man like yours again is out of the question. You’d likely end up as a stepmother or a concubine; what good days could you have? Wanting a peaceful mother-in-law and husband like now? That’s not happening. Believe it or not, this is how the world is."

"Men remarry and can still find young maidens, not to mention Zhongbao’s current status. After the divorce, do you know how many would cry and beg to marry him?"

"When the Wu Family was in decline, you suffered through hard times. Now that the Wu Family is rising and life is getting better, you’re foolishly giving it away to others? Even a fool wouldn’t do this! Moreover, if you become a stepmother or a concubine, while he climbs higher in office, marrying a wise wife, having children, living a sweet life - would you be content?"

Lady Shen remained silent.

"The mistakes of the past were your husband’s fault, acting like a fool. Now, if he regrets and wants to change, and you can accept it, then seize this opportunity, take your stand, and properly teach him a thing or two. Men are like that; the more you cater to them, the less they appreciate you."

"Look at now, you’re too busy to bother with him and yet he’s suddenly interested. If you don’t want a divorce but still feel wronged, vent your anger however you want—hit him, scold him, whatever it takes to get it out!"

"Let me tell you, those talks of love and affection, what’s the use? You’ll understand when you’re old that a woman needs some practical things. You’ve done so much for the Wu Family, and their future prosperity should be yours to enjoy! It’s what you deserve, don’t stupidly give it up just for pride."

"Given Wu Family’s current situation, if you show him some kindness from time to time, have a child after the mourning period, your position will be secure! Nobody will be able to shake it! In the future, the wealth of the Wu Family will be yours, and the child will be yours. Why worry about the rest of your days? As for men? They’re less dependable than your children!"

"This is heartfelt advice from me. Think it over carefully! Isn’t this the truth? A woman has to live well for herself, the rest is all fluff!"

Old Granny Zhang truly put in all her effort trying to guide Lady Shen.

What needed to be said, has already been said; what needed to be done, has already been done. It’s now up to Lady Shen to decide.

No one had ever spoken to Lady Shen like this before, and all her previous views got restructured.

Her mind was in chaos, but she still managed to thank Old Granny Zhang and take her leave. That already counted as showing a strong mental resilience.

Even though she bumped into walls and doorframes several times on her way out, almost tripping over the threshold, she eventually made it back to their small courtyard safely.

Wu Zhongbao and Lady Wu were in the courtyard discussing the New Year festivities when they saw Lady Shen returning in a daze and got startled, quickly rushing to meet her.

They asked repeatedly, "What happened? Did something scare you?"

Lady Shen muttered some explanations and went back to her room.

Lady Wu hastily nudged Wu Zhongbao, "What are you standing there dumbly for? Your wife looks like she’s frightened. Go in and comfort her!"

She was truly worried about raising such an oblivious son.

Like waking from a dream, Wu Zhongbao quickly followed Lady Shen inside. He saw her lying on the kang with her clothes on, facing away from him, her thin back looking pitiful.

He couldn’t help but feel guilty and remorseful; since marrying him, Lady Shen hasn’t had a good life.

In Shiqiao Town, due to his father’s situation, life at home was hard, and she even had to embroider to supplement their income.

After moving to Chicheng County, he had to establish himself, often staying out for days at a time, leaving Lady Shen to manage the household and help the Wang family girl with the shop. She was so busy that even in her winter clothes, she looked thin.

Thinking it over, he went out to the kitchen to personally prepare a bowl of brown sugar egg soup for Lady Shen, remembering that his mother once said it was good for women.

He carried it into the room and quietly said, "Wife, get up and have some brown sugar egg soup to warm yourself."

Lady Shen didn’t move for a while, and Wu Zhongbao’s eyes dimmed as he placed the bowl on the table, saying, "I’ll leave it here for now. I’ll go out and you should drink it soon before it gets cold."

Before he could finish speaking, Lady Shen suddenly turned over, snatched the bowl, and began eating aggressively with tears falling into the bowl.

Wu Zhongbao was both surprised and heartbroken, feeling regret as he rubbed his hands, "Wife, is the brown sugar egg I made that bad? Maybe you shouldn’t eat it then!"

He wondered to himself, it shouldn’t be that bad. During the years when Old Man Wu was sick, he had to cook, and though he wasn’t great at it, it was at least edible. Could it really be that bad? His wife was eating and crying at the same time?

Lady Shen defiantly said, "Why shouldn’t I eat it? I want to eat it every day! You have to make it for me every single day!"

"Huh? Oh! Okay, okay, I’ll make it for you every day! As long as you want it, I’ll make it," Wu Zhongbao was first startled, then delighted, nodding repeatedly, almost incoherent.

Not to mention just brown sugar eggs, if she asked him to prepare a whole banquet, he would gladly do it!

Does this mean she’s willing to forgive him?

Wu Zhongbao felt so happy he could jump for joy, but fearing he might scare Lady Shen, he controlled himself as best as he could.

He stayed by Lady Shen’s side until she finished the brown sugar egg, then took the bowl from her, "You must be tired. Rest well, I’ll call you when dinner is ready!"

With the empty bowl in hand, finding no one in the courtyard, he happily did two somersaults, releasing some of the joy from his heart.