The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 116 Second Brother’s Doubts

Chapter 116: Chapter 116 Second Brother’s Doubts

If this were the old Wang Yongzhu in the past, she would definitely have pestered Fourth Brother Wang Yongan for rouge and face powder.

But the current Wang Yongzhu, touching her remaining double chin, wondered what use would rouge and face powder be, to become a demon?

So she just courteously thanked him, "Thank you, Second Brother!"

Wang Yongan’s gaze shifted, and he studied Wang Yongzhu carefully, asking in a gentle voice, "Little sister, what’s happened to you? You seem much thinner than the last time we met, and even speaking doesn’t seem as energetic as before. Have you been treated unfairly at home? I’ve heard some rumors that your marriage arrangement with the Song Family has been called off? Did the Song Family wrong you? Tell your Second Brother all about it, and I’ll go vent your anger for you. If you still like Song Chongjin, I can also help you to reconcile?"

In a flood of words, he showed nothing but full-hearted indulgence for his sister, seemingly agreeing unconditionally with whatever she did, even offering to help achieve it for her.

With such a pigheadedness, the former Wang Yongzhu had been easily swayed by Wang Yongan, unable to keep anything to herself -- she would spill everything about herself and the household affairs after just a few words.

Wang Yongan was also prepared for this, firmly believing his sister was a fool! Spoiled into arrogance and disdain by their mother, lazy and gluttonous, she had grown as fat as a pig.

But she had one good quality: being such a fool, she spoke without reserve, not hiding anything.

With just two malt candies, he could find out everything about the household, big or small.

He had expected that his words would lead to this fool crying and whimpering, clinging to him for half the day, accusing and disliking this and that. She had managed to offend the entire family with her all too unrestrained mouth.

Having waited for a long while, he realized Wang Yongzhu hadn’t come over. Instead, she lifted her head, revealing a dumb and ignorant smile that was painful to look at, "Second Brother, I stopped liking Song Chongjin long ago. That’s old news, why bring it up now?"

"You don’t like Song Chongjin anymore?" Wang Yongan couldn’t believe it, as this little sister, apart from being foolish, was also stubborn; once she set her mind on something, she hardly ever changed her mind. How could she have suddenly stopped liking him?

What had happened at home recently? Coming back this time, he felt that the atmosphere was somehow different from before.

But he couldn’t quite pinpoint what exactly was different.

Wang Yongan lowered his head, concealing his inner thoughts.

Looking up again, he was the warm brother once more, "Ah, Fourth Brother is far away, and so much has happened at home. I didn’t even know. Is my little sister mad at Second Brother because of this? Why don’t you tell your brother what has happened at home these days?"

Wang Laozhu only roughly told him that they had caught the real culprit and mentioned your family’s situation, without going into much detail.

Wang Yongan was very surprised that they had caught the culprit so quickly. Who had helped the family, or was there some other reason?

Originally he hadn’t wanted to come back, as it was a critical moment in his own affairs. If everything worked out, wealth and honor would be within easy reach, so who would want to rush back at such a time to clean up a mess? But the person who relayed the message, a grown man with a particularly big mouth, spread the news in less than half a day, and all the neighbors knew that something had happened to Eldest Brother and the household was in disarray, expecting him to return and take charge.

Since everyone outside knew about it, Wang Yongan had to return, even if reluctantly, and had to show great enthusiasm as well.

He hired a carriage and rushed back to Qilidun overnight.

Upon arriving home, he had expected to see a family in distress and disarray, but instead, everything seemed so calm that he felt somewhat uneasy.

Having inquired of Wang Laozhu, I found out that Eldest Brother and Eldest Sister-in-law were still in town receiving treatment for their injuries. Last night, our family found the culprit who had harmed Eldest Brother, and now the biggest worry at home was how to deal with this perpetrator and the Li Family.

Is that all, such trivial matters? Are they worth having someone send a message to me? To delay my promising future?

Wang Yongan was both angry and hateful!

Was it easy for me to get to where I am now? These family members, one by one, do nothing but hold me back. They are of no help at all and at this critical juncture, they even disturb my affairs.

But having already returned, I couldn’t just turn around and leave, could I? Scholars pay utmost attention to their reputation, otherwise why would I have hurried back overnight? It was because I was afraid that word would get out, that people would say I was heartless; that even when Eldest Brother was in trouble, I did not go back to see him.

I had hardly been home for a moment when my own father hit me with several bolts from the blue. That idiot of a little sister had her engagement broken off, and Laosi, that brainless one, was cuckolded and had his engagement broken off as well!

Wang Yongan was dumbstruck. Had the house really spawned so many problems with my mere half-year absence?

However, the fewer worries one has, the better. Since the matter had already passed, there was no need for me to ask further. Judging by what father implied today, he seemed to want me to come up with an idea, didn’t he?

Isn’t that simple? One must establish authority! In my position at Qilidun, I am a notable figure, and my family here represents my status.

If we have been bullied like this and I do not strike back hard, beating the perpetrators until they can no longer fight back, what prestige would I have left in my hometown?

So, with little effort, I cut off any future prospects Li Jinlong might have had, condemning him to grovel in the mud for the rest of his life.

Now looking at this foolish little sister, I wonder if she has become even more stupid after having her engagement called off, or perhaps a bit smarter? She seemed somewhat different compared to before.

Is it her figure? Her hair? Her clothing?

Yes! It’s her eyes! The way she looked at me no longer had that haughtiness. Wang Yongzhu used to be spoiled rotten by our mother, Old Granny Zhang, thinking herself second only to the heavens, and precious in the Wang Family. Although she would obediently listen to me, when her temper flared up, she was unbearable to everyone.

Yet today, looking at me, her eyes were filled with curiosity and inquiry?

Furthermore, she seemed to have tightened her lips. Before, Wang Yongzhu would have blurted out everything by now, not simply standing aside with a goofy grin.

Wang Yongan lowered his eyes, his demeanor as gentle as a spring breeze, "Ah, little sister, is it because Second Brother hasn’t been back for so long that you feel estranged from him? Whenever Second Brother used to come home, you, little Maid, were always the most eager to cling to Second Brother, asking for this and that, never quiet for a single day. Why so quiet today? Are you trying to make Second Brother upset?"

Wang Yongzhu did not wish to continue this tiresome conversation with her hypocritical brother who didn’t actually like her yet could pretend to be the closest of siblings.

With only a smile: "Father, Second Brother, I’m going to my room to wash my face. Call me when it’s time to eat." Saying this, she returned to her room.

With Wang Yongan’s cunning, I know I should be cautious, better to not linger in front of him lest he detect any flaws in my facade.

The moment I turned to close the door, I saw the puzzlement in Wang Yongan’s eyes as he watched me leave.