Carefree Farmwife: Training the Husband, Raising the Bun - Chapter 77

Ying Su put down her chopsticks and nodded.

“I’m not in a rush, and you don’t need to take it to heart either. When the cart reaches the hill, there’ll always be a road; when the boat reaches the bridge, it’ll straighten itself out.”

Beside her, Li Zhen tugged on her mother Wei Ying’s sleeve and whispered, “Mother, what’s going on?”

Before Wei Ying could answer, her second daughter Li Shuang spoke up first. “Elder Sister, you married early, so you don’t know what happened afterward.”

Li Shuang cautiously stole a glance at Ying Su, then leaned close to whisper in Li Zhen’s ear, “Second Cousin married Sister-in-law Cuihua, but he passed away on the very night of the wedding. They say he didn’t even enter the bridal chamber. Yet, after Second Cousin died, Sister-in-law Cuihua somehow got pregnant. Everyone in the village says she was unfaithful behind Second Cousin’s back and…”

“Ow!”

Wei Ying suddenly slapped Li Shuang hard on the back, cutting her off. She scolded in a low voice, “Mind your tongue! Such outrageous talk, have you no manners?”

Just then, a male voice called from the courtyard, “I’m back!”

Feng Qiufang immediately leapt to her feet, her face full of joy. “Our Yin-ge’er has returned!”

Li Yin, reeking of wine, strode into the house. He first bowed deeply to Old Man Li, offering birthday wishes of long life and good fortune, then greeted Elder Zhang and the village head. His polished manners and respectful tone made a fine impression.

Old Man Li beamed so broadly that his teeth were hidden by his grin. He grabbed hold of Li Yin, proudly boasting to Elder Zhang and the headman:

“Yin-ge’er studies well, his teachers often praise him. They say this year’s county exam for tongsheng should be almost certain!”

Most tongsheng candidates were nominated by respected tutors or scholars in town. Since Li Yin studied at the largest academy in Shili Town under reputable masters, their recommendation practically guaranteed it.

Village Head Zhang smiled broadly.

“Yin-ge’er is looking more and more like a true scholar, different from the rest of us. I daresay our village may soon have an official among us!”

These words filled Old Man Li and Li Zhi with delight. Li Yin only smiled faintly, showing neither arrogance nor overjoyed pride at the praise.

Elder Zhang chuckled. “The sea of learning is boundless. Yin-ge’er must continue to work hard.”

At this, Old Man Li’s smile froze a little. Elder Zhang commanded respect in the village because he himself had once been a scholar in his youth, though he never passed even the tongsheng level. Still, villagers held scholars in innate reverence, so his words carried weight.

“Yes, Elder Zhang speaks true. Yin-ge’er has taken your advice to heart.” Li Yin bowed politely, his face composed and humble.

Old Man Li clasped his grandson’s hand with affection. “And where have you been off to? Coming home so late?”

Li Yin smiled. “A classmate’s family acquired a fine pot of ink orchids. He invited a few of us to drink and admire the blossoms. That’s why I returned late. Please don’t be upset, Grandfather.”

Though Old Man Li had no idea what “ink orchids” were, it didn’t matter, just the thought made him feel proud. The earlier dark clouds on his face lifted, his wrinkles deepening with his broad smile. 

“Not upset, not upset at all!”

Seeing everyone’s attention on her son, Feng Qiufang felt her own heart swell with pride. She smiled brightly and said, “Yin-ge’er, quickly greet your eldest aunt!”

Following his mother’s gaze, Li Yin turned and was stunned. Standing beside Madam Li was a young woman of breathtaking beauty, eyes bright and lively, lips like red blossoms, teeth white as jade. Such a dazzling face! How had he never noticed her before?

For a brief moment he froze, then quickly regained his composure. Without a trace of awkwardness, he bowed gracefully to Madam Li as though nothing had happened.

“Greetings, Eldest Aunt.”

Although Madam Li disliked Feng Qiufang, she bore no ill will toward the children. Li Yin was not only handsome but also well-mannered, making it hard for her to feel any dislike.

Li Yin soon took his seat at the men’s table. He seldom spoke, but whenever he did, his words were eloquent and insightful, earning constant praise from the men around him.

In contrast, the women’s table was much quieter. Li Shuang gazed with some envy at her third cousin, so poised and admired among the men. She whispered to her elder sister Li Zhen,

“Third Cousin is really stealing the spotlight tonight. You don’t know how much Grandfather dotes on him, he saves all the best food for him and even slips him private money.”

Li Zhen gently patted her sister’s head and replied softly, “He’s a boy. Of course Grandfather favors him more. And it’s not like this partiality started only recently, he’s been like this since childhood. You’re a grown girl now, nearly ready to marry after the New Year. Don’t let such things get to you lest you get into trouble with Aunt.”

Li Shuang sighed a little, answering with a subdued, “Oh.” Then she asked quietly, “Sis, when I get married, will you come back to visit?”

Li Zhen smiled. “Of course. Your brother-in-law already bought me a donkey cart. I’ll be able to come back often.”

Hearing that, Li Shuang’s eyes brightened. “Sis, does Brother-in-law treat you well?”

Wei Ying, sitting right beside her two daughters, had heard their entire exchange. Though she hadn’t interfered, this question instantly pricked up her ears, and her gaze turned to her eldest. She too cared about the answer.

Li Zhen’s face flushed pink. She tapped Li Shuang’s forehead and shyly nodded.

“That’s good, now Mother can rest easy. Thinking that I’ll be married after the New Year too, leaving only Li Qiao at home, I really can’t help worrying about her.” Li Shuang’s voice carried genuine concern.

At the mention of her name, little Li Qiao looked up, hurriedly swallowed her food, and asked in a small voice, “Big Sister, Second Sister, are you talking about me?”

Her innocent, confused expression was so endearing that both elder sisters burst into laughter. Li Shuang picked up some food and popped it into Li Qiao’s mouth.

“Yes, we’re talking about finding you a husband soon and marrying off, our little glutton!”

Cheeks puffed with food, Li Qiao chewed and mumbled, “But I’m still little!”

Her sisters laughed again, and even Wei Ying’s face softened with a smile. Then Li Zhen suddenly thought of something. She lowered her voice and asked, “Mother, is Second Sister’s dowry ready? Dachui and I still have some silver. If it’s not enough, please use ours.”

Hearing this, Wei Ying’s eyes grew moist. She shook her head gently. “It’s ready. These past two years, your father has risen early and worked the fields diligently. The harvest has been good, and we’ve managed to save some money. Your grandfather knew Shuang’er was to be married soon, so he hasn’t demanded much from us.”

When Li Zhen had married, she had almost no dowry to her name. The family had been desperately poor, and her husband’s grandmother had still been alive, hoarding every coin, refusing to part with even the smallest sum. Worse, she disapproved of the family Li Zhen had chosen to marry into. No matter how Wei Ying pleaded, the old woman refused to contribute anything. As a result, Li Zhen’s wedding had been pitifully shabby, only a few coarse homespun garments and fifty coins of secret savings.