The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 126 Jade Pendant

Chapter 126: Chapter 126 Jade Pendant

"You think these words would fool a clever old bird like Old Granny Zhang? They might work on a two or three-year-old child."

"This second son of mine came from my own guts, and though I might not fully grasp every little thought of his, I definitely know what kind of stuff he’s made of."

"If I had actually believed his words, who knows if there’d even be a whisper about this so-called next month’s salary by the time New Year’s rolls around."

Rolling her eyes without a hint of courtesy, she snapped, "You better quit pulling wool over your old mother’s eyes! When you first went off to the county city, you brought quite a lot of nice things with you, haven’t those things been enough for your daily expenses? Or has Lady Qian got a grip on your purse strings? If that’s really the case, I might just have to go to the county city myself and ask the Qian Family, what kind of daughter-in-law is this, skimping on her husband’s expenses, unable to bear even a single child, hoarding wealth for some pretty boy? Or is she funneling it to her natal family?"

"How did I give birth to a son as useless as you? You’re a damn Scholar Master, and yet you’re tightly held by a woman’s reins. If Lady Qian dares to demand from you, can’t you just slap her with a big ear swipe? Besides, there’s such a big issue at home, your elder brother is likely to be disabled for the rest of his life, and without labor at home, yet still needing to support him, even a mountain of gold and silver wouldn’t last with such expenditure! You’re well aware of our family’s situation, after your Eldest Brother’s medical bills are paid, the household probably won’t even be able to lift the pot off the stove."

"Do you actually want to see your own father and mother starve to death? By the time that salary of yours arrives, your old mother’s grave will probably be overgrown with grass a person tall! Still claim there’s no money, yet what is that you’re wearing, carrying on your hands, and hanging from your waist? Do you think Old Wang is blind? Fine, you can leave today if you want, but that thing hanging from your waist looks quite decent, probably worth a couple taels of silver. If you cannot fork up the money, just leave that here—when push comes to shove, it can be pawned at the shop for some emergency silver."

With that, Old Granny Zhang reached out to snatch the Ruyi Jade Pendant hanging from Wang Yongan’s waist.

The jade pendant was lustrous and appeared quite moist, indicating high quality. To Wang Yongzhu’s discerning eye, it was of medium-grade jade which, in the era she came from, could easily fetch a few hundred thousand less.

Based on that estimate, this jade pendant was likely worth at least a couple dozen taels of silver.

Given that Wang Yongan could afford such a costly jade pendant, it was obvious that his life in the county city was far from being as straitened and miserable as he had depicted.

Wang Yongan instinctively covered the jade pendant at his waist, his back breaking out in cold sweat.

This jade pendant was the most valuable item he possessed, and if it had been in the past, he certainly wouldn’t have worn it back home. But it happened that he had just donned this outfit yesterday to attend a social function, and before he was even home, the messenger had found him.

In front of a large crowd, to show fraternal affection, he didn’t even return home, and naturally didn’t change his clothes—so in a haste he hired a carriage and hurried back to his family’s house.

And that’s how he ended up being seen by his own mother.

Wang Yongan naturally understood Old Granny Zhang: she treasured money as if it were life itself and was extremely partial. A fine item like this, in her hands, was likely to be secretly passed off to his younger sister as part of her dowry. He could forget about getting it back.

His plan had been to fool his parents until he could return to the county city, where he would have countless excuses not to send any silver back home.

But with Old Granny Zhang making her move, if he didn’t shed some blood, it looked like he wouldn’t be able to return to the county city today.

Grinding his teeth, he had already claimed he didn’t bring any silver with him, so he couldn’t go back on his word now.

But he couldn’t let his old mother get her hands on the jade pendant either. After assessing his options, he reluctantly took off the jade thumb ring from his hand. He had only just acquired the ring a few days ago. Though small, the jade was of high quality. It had cost him almost ten taels of silver and he had barely had the chance to enjoy its warmth.

But apart from that, all he had were the clothes on his body and the jade pendant.

Between two evils, choose the lesser.

Wang Yongan handed over the thumb ring, "Mother, I borrowed this jade pendant yesterday to put on a front when socializing with others, and I have to return it to them afterward, so I really can’t give it to you. However, this thumb ring was awarded to me by the Lord County Magistrate at a poetry assembly he hosted some days ago, because I composed a rather good poem, and it’s worth a few taels of silver. Take it for the time being to address the emergency. Once I receive my salary next month, I’ll have someone send it back to father and mother. Mother, do you think this will work?"

Old Granny Zhang had grown up in poverty and had only seen some of the world after marrying into the Wang Family, especially after her second son became a Scholar.

She might not understand much about this Jade thumb ring, but if it was a reward from the County Magistrate, then it must be valuable.

Upon taking a closer look, she saw it was a lustrous green circle, cool to the touch but not icy, as smooth as touching a peeled boiled egg. Even without understanding, she could tell it was a fine item.

Seeing Wang Yongan’s expression, she knew this was likely all the second son could offer, and nodded without a word, "Since it’s a token of your good intentions, mother will accept it. It’s getting late; you should head back. Second son, with your elder brother in this condition, your father and I are truly anxious. As the second elder, with your elder brother incapacitated, our reliance is upon you—for your old parents and your sister, this whole family is counting on you! Once you return, make an effort to find a good Doctor. We can’t just watch your brother become a useless person."

Wang Yongan, who had originally intended to brush off his family’s concerns and had no thought of actually finding a Doctor, stiffened at her words, understanding the implicit meaning in Old Granny Zhang’s message: if he did not seek out a good Doctor to treat his elder brother and support the household, his parents and younger sister would inevitably turn to him for help.

With this in mind, he broke into a cold sweat and silently resolved to pay more attention, or else if his elder brother fell, he’d be the one to suffer.

He immediately agreed without hesitation, "Father, Mother, don’t worry! I’ve got the matter of finding a Doctor in mind and won’t forget it! Just wait for my news; once I find someone, I’ll have a message sent back right away! As for visiting elder brother, I’d rather not and spare us both the heartache; I ask that you put in some good words for me."

Old Granny Zhang then firmly grasped the thumb ring and nodded, as if to confirm the agreement.

Wang Laozhu witnessed the exchange between mother and son, an indescribable taste in his heart.

This second son, the pride of the Wang Family, was already drifting away from them.

Consequently, when Wang Yongan bid farewell and boarded the carriage, Wang Laozhu did not see him off. He just stayed inside, sullenly smoking his pipe.

It was Wang Yongping who walked Wang Yongan out a few steps.

Old Granny Zhang weighed the thumb ring in her hand, and seeing Wang Laozhu’s dejected look, she huffed, "I told you before that sons can’t be relied on; they’re all ungrateful. What did you say? You accused mother of favoring our daughter and talking nonsense. Now do you see? Your son has long since become someone else’s son! All because we, as his parents, don’t have the money to support his Graduates’ examinations! Resign to our fate—"

As she spoke, she carefully wrapped the thumb ring in cloth and locked it away in a chest.

Then she approached Wang Laozhu, whispering, "Husband, I have a matter to discuss with you—"