The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1717 - 1711: For What, That He Doesn’t Bathe?

The more Wang Yongzhu spoke, the more ashamed she felt.

Over these years, she and Song Chongjin have loved each other as a married couple, and she had forgotten that Old Granny Zhang was also a woman, who also deserved to be loved and cherished.

But it seemed everyone forgot this; they treated her like an ancestor to be revered, and no one thought whether she wanted to remarry all these years.

Even Wang Yongzhu, who considered herself very filial, only focused on ensuring Old Granny Zhang lived well, and at most thought about having children so that the family could be lively, fulfilling Old Granny Zhang’s wish.

It subconsciously escaped her mind that perhaps someone could stay with her, fan her during summer, and ask her to dress warmer in winter.

Old Granny Zhang was initially stunned, then seeing her daughter’s face full of guilt and sincere excitement, she understood her daughter was moved and felt sorry for her mother.

She couldn’t help but feel warmth in her heart.

To be honest, ever since her daughter married Chongjin, naturally things were different.

Young people, once they experience love, would want to stick together all the time. Having gone through it, she naturally understood.

She was happy too, for her daughter’s good relationship with her son-in-law.

But at night, she sometimes couldn’t avoid feeling a little disappointed, as her beloved daughter, who used to be inseparable from her and often acted spoilt wanting to sleep with her, now had someone else in her eyes and heart.

Though she still showed the same filial piety, it was different from before.

As an elder, sometimes she had to keep her distance; she couldn’t, like a child, compete for her daughter’s attention, right? Wouldn’t that trouble her daughter?

A mother whose daughter is married wishes for her daughter and son-in-law to have a harmonious, loving relationship.

So Old Granny Zhang voluntarily stepped back, avoiding them when they were together, not being a hindrance between them.

When she couldn’t sleep at night and during idle days, she would think of them having a grandchild, so she could help look after the little one, giving her life something to look forward to.

Why else would she start urging her daughter to have a child?

Honestly, Old Granny Zhang never thought of remarrying. She felt at her age, women were waiting to hold grandchildren, not thinking of remarriage. Wouldn’t that be laughable?

But today, Yi Mingshi’s words did stir something within her.

As a woman, being admired at such an age, Old Granny Zhang was no saint and naturally felt a bit vanity happy.

Facing the mirror for half the day that evening, she felt she was still relatively young.

But to say she truly had such thoughts, she didn’t.

Looking at her daughter’s "just pick someone and I’ll bring them to you" attitude, Old Granny Zhang couldn’t help but laugh, her small vexations dissipating in her heart.

Poking Wang Yongzhu on the forehead, Old Granny Zhang lightly grumbled, "Did I give birth to a daughter or a bandit?"

Wang Yongzhu giggled.

Old Granny Zhang lovingly patted Wang Yongzhu on the head and said slowly, "I know your good intentions, but I don’t plan to remarry in this lifetime."

Wang Yongzhu became anxious; she had mentally prepared herself, already imagining a grand wedding celebration for Old Granny Zhang. Why would she say she didn’t want to remarry?

Could there be some concern?

"Mother, do you have any concerns? Are you worried about my and Brother Song’s reputation? Afraid of big brother’s disapproval? Worried about Master Yi’s children being difficult? Or dislike him having a concubine? Mother, tell me your concerns, with me here, these aren’t problems, we can resolve them properly!"

Old Granny Zhang chuckled, "What worries could I have? Honestly, I just don’t want to remarry!"

Wang Yongzhu was about to say more, but Old Granny Zhang continued, "Let me put it this way; at my age, why would I leave a peaceful life to marry an old man? For what?"

"For him not bathing? His scruffy beard? To become a stepmother lending a hand with house chores and family? Or just to be another’s servant, serving the whole house? Though I’m aged, my mind isn’t rotten!"

"Isn’t it just about having someone to care whether you’re cold or warm?" Wang Yongzhu muttered.

Old Granny Zhang snorted, "My present life is better than a deity’s! I have maids and servants tending to me, adding clothes when it’s cold, fanning me when it’s hot. Trying hard to keep me happy, and so worried if I eat a bit less. Why would I need an old man to care for me? Does he fan me all night without complaints? Remind me to add clothes in the cold? Not to say, even with the heart, can Master Yi’s body handle fanning all night?"

Wang Yongzhu was dumbstruck, it made sense.

"Moreover, I’m like an ancestor here in my daughter and son-in-law’s home, not needing to worry about anything. Wanting to do something? You and Chongjin worry I’ll tire myself. If I remarried, without mentioning, as your cousin said, Master Yi hardly manages affairs at home because his concubine’s been sick, even lacks a cup of hot tea, isn’t it expecting me to go over and manage his household?"

"By then, who knows about anyone’s warmth? I’ve served your father over half my life, long tired, now finally able to enjoy peaceful years; why would I want to serve another old man willingly?"

"Moreover, Master Yi’s words, aren’t they clear? While he can’t promise luxuries, he assures a stable life. Hmm, should I leave a prosperous, comfortable life with my daughter and son-in-law to serve another? Live a lesser life?"

"Didn’t you catch that his idea is for mutual benefit; I remarry, he remarries. With your and Chongjin’s nature, do you expect me to marry empty-handed? Regardless of purpose, a grand dowry would be expected. Once married, I serve him and his household, bringing present and future hassles. If I were to pass first, you, your uncle, and others; could you retrieve my dowry without strife? Wouldn’t it all be wasted away?"

"If he passed before me, he has offspring who inherit, the family won’t let a step-outside like me share any part, then why marry? To be their maid? Even bringing a dowry to spend? For what? For marrying again’s reputation? Or to be laid next to him and his first wife in death, feeling unsatisfied even then?"