The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 43 - I Don’t Want to Marry into the Wang Family
43: Chapter 43 I Don’t Want to Marry into the Wang Family
43 -43 I Don’t Want to Marry into the Wang Family
Zhu Ye’s first reaction was just like that, eyeing Wang Yongzhu warily, afraid that if she took a liking to something, she would insist on taking it—what could she do?
Her parents and brother had all gone to work in the fields, leaving her alone to watch the house.
What if she couldn’t fend off Wang Yongzhu?
The little girl’s mind worked quickly.
“Zhu Ye, hello.
I am Jinhua’s aunt.
Jinhua told me you have especially clever hands and are really good at gardening.
I’ve heard that the gardenias you raise at home are the biggest and most fragrant in the whole village—” When Wang Yongzhu saw the little girl Zhu Ye looking at her with a face full of caution, she instantly understood that the little girl was guarding against her.
Thus, she had no choice but to start flattering, hoping to make the little girl relax a bit.
Zhu Ye indeed felt proud as she heard Wang Yongzhu praising her, mentioning that it was Jinhua who had spoken well of her, and she couldn’t help but curl up the corners of her mouth.
“Of course, this craft of mine was all learned from my grandfather’s home.
You won’t find such flower craftsmanship anywhere else in Qilidun.
Since it’s the aunt’s first visit to our home, I will pick a few gardenias for you to take back later.
Just keep them in clean water, they’ll fragrance your home,” the little girl boasted proudly with her chest puffed out, extremely generous.
“Thank you so much!
I came today exactly for the gardenias.
Our family has a happy event coming up soon, and we’re sprucing up the yard.
We found it to be too bare and unsightly, so we plan to plant some flowers and grass to add to the festive spirit.
Jinhua praised your gardenias highly, so I specially came to ask for a few cuttings to take back.
Here’s a little thank-you gift!” Fearing Zhu Ye might misunderstand that she wanted the cuttings for free, Wang Yongzhu quickly took out a red hair tie she had prepared from her pouch and stuffed it into Zhu Ye’s hand.
Zhu Ye’s eyes lit up—who didn’t love a bit of red, especially a little girl?
This red hair tie had a bright color and was clearly not a cheap item.
She couldn’t help but feel tempted, yet also a bit embarrassed, holding the hair tie in her hand without letting go, while insisting modestly, “Auntie Wang, you’re being too polite.
It’s just a few flower cuttings; they’re not worth such an expense.
Please take your gift back.”
Of course, Wang Yongzhu had no intention of taking it back and gave Jinhua a look.
Jinhua immediately hugged Zhu Ye.
“Why are you being so formal with my aunt?
My aunt is very generous.
Look, she even gave me one too.
It looks nice, doesn’t it?
Go ahead and tie it on—”
Without any further discussion, she took down the tie Zhu Ye was using in her hair and put the red hair tie on for her.
Zhu Ye genuinely liked the hair tie, so she went along with it, allowing Jinhua to tie her hair for her, and her previous prejudice against Wang Yongzhu mostly dissipated.
Since Auntie Wang from the Wang Family was so generous, she couldn’t be stingy herself.
Touching the red hair tie with delight, she said, “Then, thank you, Auntie Wang.
You’re right about wanting to plant some flowers and grass in your yard.
You came to the right person.
I’ll make sure you’re satisfied.
I took a bunch of gardenias from our old tree the year before, and this year they are already shaped up, covered with buds.
In a few days, when they bloom, it’s the perfect time to transplant them to your home.
We also have creeping fig, night blooming jasmine, and little jasmines—would you like any of those?”
Wang Yongzhu was overjoyed beyond expectation—it was an unexpected delight.
She hadn’t imagined that the Li Family in Qilidun would have these flowers; although common, ordinary families wouldn’t bother planting such extravagant things.
She nodded her head eagerly.
Zhu Ye was quite generous too.
Seeing that Wang Yongzhu genuinely liked flowers and was even willing to trade a red hair tie for them, she briskly went inside, brought out a stool, and carried out a cup of water, “Auntie, you can rest your feet here.
Jinhua and I will go to the backyard and dig out the Night Blooming Jasmine, Jasmine, and coral honeysuckle for you.
You can take them with you later to plant.
The Gardenia, though, has grown as high as a person and has deep roots; we can’t dig it out.
When my father and brother come back, we’ll have them dig it up and deliver it to your family tomorrow, would that be all right?”
Her words were both decisive and efficient.
Seeing how straightforwardly Zhu Ye made arrangements, Wang Yongzhu naturally had no objections.
She accepted the water with a smile and gestured, “I’ll just wait here in the yard, then—you go ahead—” freewēbnoveℓ.com
Knowing that Zhu Ye intentionally wanted to have some private talk with her sister Jinhua, she didn’t want to disturb them.
Zhu Ye and Jinhua grabbed hoes, shovels, and bamboo baskets, and set off to dig up the flowers in the backyard.
Since Wang Yongzhu was at someone else’s house, it wasn’t proper for her to wander around, so she quietly moved the stool to sit by the courtyard wall, avoiding the near-noon sun from further darkening her complexion.
After finishing her cup of water and the two young girls still not having returned, Wang Yongzhu could only count the ants on the ground to pass the time.
Then, she heard two low-pitched female voices from the other side of the courtyard wall, “Jinzhi, what’s wrong with you?
Why did you drag me to the backyard?
What can’t be said inside the house?
Ever since the Wang family sent someone to set the wedding date, I’ve seen that you’re not happy, but getting married is supposed to be a joyful event—why the long face all of a sudden?”
Wang Yongzhu’s heart skipped a beat.
Jinzhi?
Remembering Jinhua’s words, the family next to Zhu Ye’s was the Li family, so the person talking on the other side of the wall was her future sister-in-law?
Considering how Wang Yongping had seemed quite satisfied with Li Jinzhi the day before, why did it seem like Li Jinzhi herself was not that willing?
Wang Yongzhu immediately perked up her ears and leaned closer to the courtyard wall.
A low female voice began, tinged with hesitation and irritation, “Mother, I don’t want to marry into the Wang family.”
“You foolish girl, do you even know what you’re saying?” The first female voice suddenly rose, then hushed again, asking, “Foolish child, can you speak so carelessly?
Keep your voice down, be careful someone hears us!”
Li Jinzhi’s voice was also lowered, “Of course I know that no one else should hear, that’s why I pulled you to the backyard.
Only Zhu Ye, a little maid, is left in the neighbor’s house, and I saw her going to the backyard with the Wang family’s Jinhua to dig flowers.
No one will hear us talking here.”
Assured, Li Jinzhi’s mother became irritated once more, “What are you thinking?
Didn’t you always complain before that the Wang family wouldn’t marry you?
Now that they’ve finally set the date, what mischief are you up to?
How can you just refuse this marriage so easily when everything has been arranged?”
Li Jinzhi responded unhappily, “The Wang family is no good household; I was just young and foolish before.
Now I think about it, what kind of good life could I have marrying into the Wang family?
With a sharp-tongued and harsh mother-in-law, and a sister-in-law who’s also a tough character, am I supposed to slave away for the Wang family?
I’m not willing!”
Wang Yongzhu was stunned.
Her future sister-in-law was indeed speaking the truth; if she were in Li Jinzhi’s position, she wouldn’t be keen to marry either.
“Jinzhi, you’re talking nonsense!
Becoming someone’s daughter-in-law is naturally different from being a daughter at home – isn’t every mother-in-law the same?
The Wang family is actually one of the good ones.
Although Old Granny Zhang is verbally harsh, look at the Wang family over the years; all the children have grown up strong, and that’s something commendable!
Though she favors the younger sister-in-law, she can’t stay at her mother’s home forever.
She’s not that young anymore, and at most in two more years, she will get married off.
When that time comes, you make an effort to argue for splitting the household.
You are marrying the youngest son; you don’t even have to take care of the elderly and can manage your own household.
With Wang Family’s Fourth Child’s physique and strength, are you afraid you won’t have a good life?” On the other side of the wall, Li Jinzhi’s mother was persuading her.
