The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 160: Regret

Chapter 160: Chapter 160: Regret

Jinhua was still moved and said, "Yesterday, thanks to Auntie! Auntie, rest assured, we’ll never tell anyone how strong you are. You saved my mother and Jinshao, you are our great benefactor. Don’t worry, Auntie, from now on, you don’t have to do anything at home, just tell me and Jinpan, and we’ll handle it. You should just focus on resting and taking care of your health, and don’t overexert yourself!"

She quickly finished her speech and swiftly began gathering the bowls and chopsticks to take them to be washed.

Wang Yongzhu didn’t know how Old Granny Zhang had brainwashed Jinhua and the others, but why did it seem to her that in their eyes, she was some kind of porcelain doll that couldn’t be touched? Were they trying to put her on a pedestal?

Sure enough, the following day confirmed Wang Yongzhu’s suspicions.

From the moment she woke up, Jinhua had been by her side, lavishing her with undivided attention. Every time Wang Yongzhu moved, Jinhua would ask, "Auntie, do you want some water?"

Every time she stretched, Jinhua would leap up, "Auntie, are you tired? Would you like me to massage your back?"

Even when Wang Yongzhu wanted to visit the privy, Jinhua would eagerly offer her arm for support, "Auntie, are you heading to the privy? Let me help you, be careful not to slip—"

It was as though she was a paper lantern, delicate enough to be ruined by a mere gust of wind.

Wang Yongzhu was utterly annoyed. No matter what she wanted to do, the girl was always watching her, almost ready to drag her onto the bed to lie down even if she just yawned.

Eventually, just before noon, Wang Laozhu and Wang Yongping returned.

Wang Yongzhu hurriedly instructed Jinhua to fetch some water for the two to wash their faces, as they were covered in sweat.

After Wang Laozhu and his son had washed up, they went to check on Wang Yongzhu’s complexion. Seeing that she was full of life and had no issues, they felt relieved.

Wang Laozhu had returned late the previous night and hadn’t rested even for a moment before being dragged away by the Li Family early in the morning. At this point, he felt every bone in his body ache and sighed inwardly about how old he was becoming, no longer as robust as he used to be. Then he went back to his room to rest.

That left Wang Yongping, who looked Wang Yongzhu up and down for a while before asking, "Little sister, are you really all right?"

This morning, our mother had scolded everyone, saying that yesterday you overexerted yourself, injured your body, particularly your arms. You couldn’t even lift them last night, and she spent half the night massaging you before you fell asleep.

She told everyone not to disturb you and to let you sleep well, so you could recover your vitality.

She also specifically admonished us not to let you work these next few days, to take care of your arms, or else who would be responsible if they cause you trouble when we get old?

If Wang Yongzhu hadn’t shown tremendous courage yesterday, some of the weaker ones in the family could have been harmed. Everyone was too busy being grateful to her to even think about making her work.

Especially since there really wasn’t much for her to do on a regular day, let alone now.

After lamenting over her daughter, Old Granny Zhang berated every male member of the family, starting with her father, Wang Laozhu, and ending with Jinshao, sparing none from a thorough scolding.

Especially herself, saying she was useless. At the critical moment, the men were hesitating, not nearly as capable as her little sister.

Wang Yongping felt so wronged. He had been tangled up by Jinguan, alright? He had wanted to kick his nephew away, but it was Jinguan, that darned boy, who was clutching at his waistband.

But as his uncle, being scolded, he couldn’t just push the blame onto his nephew, so he had to bear it.

Enduring a scolding from Old Granny Zhang that lasted a whole mealtime.

That damned boy, Jinguan, just kept his head down, gulped down his vegetable porridge, tossed his bowl aside, ducked his head, and ran off.

Wang Yongping was so angry that, had it not been for pressing matters, he would have dragged that kid back and given him a thrashing.

When Wang Yongzhu heard Wang Yongping’s complaints, she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, and it was not appropriate to explain further—wouldn’t that betray Old Granny Zhang’s good intentions?

She had no choice but to acknowledge it, saying that she felt much better and would be fine after resting for two more days.

Wang Yongping seriously advised her, "Rest for a few more days. Girls have fragile bodies, and although you are stronger than most, using too much strength can lead to exhaustion. In the future, as you grow old, it’s easy for your arms to dislocate, and I’m not kidding. You have to be careful."

Wang Yongzhu hurriedly nodded in agreement.

Only then did she ask how matters with the Li Family were progressing.

When it came to this subject, Wang Yongping’s face became animated.

It turned out that early in the morning, someone from the Li Family had called for them, and they had arrived at Li Dagui’s doorstep.

Li Dagui and his son Li Jinlong had already been loaded onto the Ox Cart, with blankets sloppily thrown over them. The Ox Cart was also piled with a few bundles, haphazardly packed, revealing a few articles of clothing.

Wang Daxiu was bound and dragged out to the doorstep as well. After a night, she had woken up but must have said something unsavory, as the Li Family had stuffed her mouth with a rag they found somewhere.

Seeing her husband and son lying in the cart, Wang Daxiu struggled and made muffled sounds.

When the Li Family Patriarch made a decision, he was very decisive—after only a few brief words, he pulled out ten taels of silver from his bosom and let his wife stuff it into Wang Daxiu’s arms. He announced that this was the remainder of the silver from selling their house and lands to compensate the Wang Family, and they should take this money and go wherever they wanted, just not to return to Qilidun.

He also instructed the driver of the Ox Cart to deliver them to the town or the He Family, and asked them to consult Li Dagui halfway there and come back once they were delivered.

Wang Daxiu was far from willing, struggling as if her eyeballs might pop out.

Unfortunately, she had been knocked unconscious by a table before, bound in the ancestral hall, left lying on the ground all night, and was now at the end of her strength. Her struggles were futile against two strong women who grabbed her roughly, and in pain, she broke into a cold sweat and nearly collapsed to the ground.

Li Dagui and Li Jinlong were groggy, dragged out of bed and dumped onto the Ox Cart. The morning chill gently revived them.

Now, hearing the Li Family Patriarch declare with no room for sentiment, Li Dagui struggled to climb down from the Ox Cart but was held down by the Li Family clansmen watching by.

After a few words of instruction, the Li Family Patriarch gestured to remove the people quickly for peace of mind—the sooner, the better.

Neither Li Dagui nor Wang Daxiu was willing to accept this. In these times, being expelled from the clan meant a complete loss of reputation; they would be looked down upon wherever they went and no one would take them in.

Moreover, all their family’s land was gone, leaving only those ten taels of silver. With two of the three family members sick, how far could that silver last?

They feared this spelt doom for the entire family!

It was only at this moment that Li Dagui truly began to feel regret and fear!

If only he had known earlier, if only he had been aware of the consequences, he definitely would not have been greedy to marry his daughter off to a richer family, nor would he have indulged his son in scheming against her!

No! He should have realized even earlier, much earlier, that he should not have given birth to Laosan, that rebellious child! Back when he noticed the child was born with six toes on a foot, he shouldn’t have listened to his wife and that unknown wandering Taoist who claimed it was a sign of born wealth and great fortune, and doted on Laosan.

In the end, he hurt both his sons and brought ruin to his family!