The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 890 - 889: Clear-Hearted and Sharp-Eyed

Having made up his mind, Yang Zaizhao also didn’t sleep and first got out of bed swiftly to clean the room thoroughly, neatly folding the quilt, and then opened the door.

Old Granny Wu was helping Old Madam Ding prepare the face-washing water, and as she stepped out of the kitchen, she heard the sound of sweeping.

Lifting her gaze, she saw Yang Zaizhao holding a broom taller than her, diligently sweeping the courtyard.

She couldn’t help but smile, feeling satisfied; it seemed the newcomer was perceptive, not someone who would cause trouble relying on past connections with the family.

Once Yang Zaizhao had finished sweeping the courtyard, everyone started to get up.

Following old customs, Old Granny Zhang, Wang Yongzhu, and Song Chongjin ate in the room, while Old Granny Wu, Old Madam Ding, and Yang Zaizhao ate in the kitchen.

After Song Chongjin finished breakfast and went to the Academy, everyone got busy with their own tasks.

Old Granny Wu had laundry to do, and Old Madam Ding went to buy groceries.

Yang Zaizhao looked around, finding nothing to do, and cautiously approached Wang Yongzhu.

Wang Yongzhu had already guessed Yang Zaizhao’s intention based on the morning’s performance.

Seeing her approach, he didn’t tease her intentionally, but got straight to the point, asking, "Have you made up your mind?"

Yang Zaizhao nodded, her face full of determination: "Scholar’s Lady, I’ve thought it over! Please buy me, from now on, I’ll be yours. Whatever you want me to do, I’ll do it!" freewebnσvel.cѳm

Wang Yongzhu exchanged a glance with Old Granny Zhang before replying slowly, "Are you sure? You must understand that by selling yourself with a permanent contract, even if something happens to your family in the future, if the master doesn’t agree, you won’t be able to go back. You can’t put the master behind your parents and siblings! From now on, your heart should be only with the master, only with our family—do you understand?"

Yang Zaizhao nodded without hesitation: "I understand! Scholar’s Lady, I’ve thought it through! Please, both you and the old lady can rest assured. Although I’m a woman, I know the words spoken and the water spilled are irrevocable!"

Wang Yongzhu was satisfied deep down, but still asked again, "Perhaps I should send someone to inform your third sister, see what she says, and then make the decision—what do you think?"

After all, she was still just a young girl; it’s better to consult an adult for such an important life choice.

Yang Zhaodi is straightforward and good-natured, and considering Yang Zhaodi’s sake, she was willing to give Yang Zaizhao another chance.

Upon hearing this, Yang Zaizhao quickly shook her head: "I beg you, Lady, don’t tell my third sister! She’s pregnant now, and if she hears I’ve been sold by our parents, she might run to my home to argue with them. What if it agitates her pregnancy? My third sister has always been the one to care about me the most. If anything happens because of me, how would I face her?"

This was entirely for the sake of Yang Zhaodi.

Wang Yongzhu thought to herself it was no wonder Yang Zhaodi cared for Yang Zaizhao the most; Yang Zaizhao was quite conscientious.

Just as she was about to speak, Old Granny Zhang interjected, scrutinizing Yang Zaizhao from head to toe: "I heard from Yongzhu that your third sister married into Yingzi Gully, and these days, people there are pretty well-off. Why don’t you have your sister buy your freedom? If you’re worried about your third sister, we can talk to your brother-in-law too! Being a maid means your life and death are controlled by others—how could it compare to being at home? Though it’s tough, at least your life is your own, isn’t it?"

Yang Zaizhao, just a small girl, showed a bitter smile: "Dear old lady, not to mention whether my third sister’s family has that much silver, even if they do, there’s still my brother-in-law, isn’t there? Now that my third sister is pregnant, she’s about to give birth, which is exactly when money is needed. If she uses that money to buy me back, then what about the expenses for the newborn nephew?"

"My third sister married someone who cares for her with difficulty; if it’s because of me that my brother-in-law becomes resentful towards her, wouldn’t that be my fault?"

"Besides, even if my brother-in-law doesn’t mind and really buys me back, could I live at my third sister’s place forever? Surely, I’d be sent back to my own family eventually. When I’m back, what good outcome would I have? I might even be sold again. How could I have such good fortune next time, meeting such a kind person as Scholar’s Lady?"

Wang Yongzhu looked at Yang Zaizhao with a newfound respect; she was quite perceptive.

Old Granny Zhang was satisfied but still maintained a serious tone: "You seem quite heartless, child? After all, they are your parents who raised you, and you don’t care about them at all?"

Yang Zaizhao gritted her teeth, kneeling before Old Granny Zhang: "Old lady, let me speak frankly with you; ever since I can remember, I’ve been helping with work in the family, and I’ve never complained about it. My parents often scold us sisters as burdens, saying we’re meant for others’ houses in the future and that we’ve been raised for nothing, unable to care for them in old age."

"Then came my brother, and the Yang family finally had an heir. My parents have someone to carry on the family name, and none of us sisters were unhappy about it. I thought my parents would have someone to care for them in old age now. We sisters could at least fulfill our filial duties, ensuring their future wouldn’t be difficult."

"But from the eldest sister to the third sister, they were called burdens by my parents yet were sold off with high dowries, without even a set of new clothes. Each sister contributed significantly to my parents both inside and outside the home, and even after marrying, they still earned a lot of silver for my parents. Even so, they were labeled burdens, and my parents often said that even if a woman marries, her parents and maternal family are still the closest, and she should always think of her younger brother, otherwise if bullied at her husband’s house, the maternal family won’t stand up for her."

"Initially, I believed it, but my third sister secretly told me not to listen to my parents. She said even if we were to empty the husband’s house and return to the maternal family, if something truly happens, the maternal family—our parents and brother—would treat us like outsiders, tighten their turtle necks, and wouldn’t say a word in our defense."

"Gradually, I came to see it clearly. In our parents’ hearts, only our brother matters. We were born to be sold for money to support them and our brother. Now, being sold by our parents for silver, that’s fine—I reckon I’ve repaid their nurturing grace."

"I dare not say my heart will solely belong to the master in the future, but apart from my third sister, I... I’ll consider myself without any relatives!" Yang Zaizhao ultimately squeezed out these words.

"No matter if the old lady thinks I’m heartless, or if I’m a thankless wretch—this is how I feel, and I won’t deceive Scholar’s Lady and the old lady!"

After speaking, Yang Zaizhao closed her eyes, not daring to look at Wang Yongzhu’s and Old Granny Zhang’s expressions.

After a long pause, she finally heard Old Granny Zhang’s voice: "You’re a good child, get up!"

Yang Zaizhao then opened her eyes to look up, finding Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang gazing at her with smiling eyes.

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