The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 179: Provocation

Chapter 179: Chapter 179: Provocation

Wang Yongan stood in the courtyard, feeling a bit at a loss. Although this was his home, he hadn’t spent the night here outside of the New Year festivities in many years.

Previously, he would return with Lady Qian, and she would prepare everything well for the morning. Suddenly coming back like this, without bringing anything, he didn’t know what to do.

Old Granny Zhang pretended not to see, and went straight to the well with a basin to wash up.

It was Wang Yongzhu who kicked the bewildered Wang Yongping, who was standing aside, and gave him a meaningful glance towards Wang Yongan.

Wang Yongping was stunned for a moment before he realized what he meant and passed his still-damp handkerchief to Wang Yongan, "Second Brother, you didn’t bring anything back with you, use mine, I’ve already washed it—"

Wang Yongan looked at the already yellowing handkerchief in Wang Yongping’s hand and suddenly felt nauseated.

Back in the county town, every day, it was Lady Qian who prepared warm and comfortable washing water for him. The handkerchiefs were always snow-white, complete with fragrant soap, everything was provided.

He had gotten used to it. Otherwise, why didn’t he divorce her and remarry given that Lady Qian had only borne him a daughter after so many years? It was clearly because of the care and tenderness she provided.

Even before their marriage, Lady Qian’s fingers never touched cool spring water, but after, she would diligently cook and make soups. Especially as the years went by without bearing a son, she became even more attentive in her care, making it hard for him to part with her.

Suddenly faced with such a simple environment, using well water, and even a yellow, sweat-smelling handkerchief—who knew if it was used for washing face or feet?

Asking him to wash his face with that was worse than killing him!

Wang Yongan glanced at Wang Yongping with disdain and waved his hand, "Never mind, I’ll just wash up casually."

He reluctantly walked to the well, scooped up water from the bucket with his hands, and washed his face a couple of times.

Old Granny Zhang couldn’t stand seeing the second son like this. In the past, wasn’t he just like the rest of the family? From childhood, the whole family shared one handkerchief to wash their faces, and no one ever complained about anyone else.

So, he had only been in the county town for a few years, and now he had picked up all these bad habits, looking down on this and that?

Feeling angry, she finished washing her face and casually splashed the water from the basin, hitting near where Wang Yongan stood, splattering countless little spots of mud onto his shoes, socks, and the hem of his robe.

Wang Yongan’s face darkened, for last night Old Granny Zhang had spared him no dignity in front of the whole family.

Wasn’t she implying that he hadn’t contributed money to the family since going to the county town?

But did she ever consider that he was living in the Qian Family’s home, with all his meals and lodging provided by Lady Qian? How could it be proper to accept the salary without offering something to the Qian Family? Otherwise, wouldn’t they think he was living off a woman?

Occasionally, he also had to buy Lady Qian a couple of new dresses, makeup, and hairpins, right? Other Scholar Masters’ wives had them, so he couldn’t let Lady Qian be seen as shabby, could he?

Moreover, amongst colleagues, gatherings were held from time to time. Today if someone else hosts, wasn’t it his turn tomorrow? Otherwise, how was he to mix in these circles in the future?

Didn’t he need to acquire a few new outfits for himself? And when new books came out, didn’t he have to buy a couple?

The salary was simply not enough to cover his expenses. He hadn’t asked the Wang Family for money, which was already commendable.

Having passed the Scholar examinations, he had added fields to the family. His parents had also received quite a few gifts which were worth a considerable amount of silver, right? This money could have funded his studies for another two years, but the family, claiming they were out of funds, refused to support him any further.

That could be overlooked, too. If they wouldn’t provide the funds, he would find his own way. By marrying Lady Qian, he naturally had someone to support his studies!

Moreover, I had already been magnanimous enough. When I was in the county town, I didn’t even ask my parents to give me back those lands and gifts, considering it repayment for all the silver they spent on my education over the years.

Getting married is like leaving the household; my family cannot help me, and yet they expect me to support them? Isn’t this just pulling me back?

I managed to become a Scholar and brought so much prestige to the Wang Family. Why don’t they ever think to give a little extra to their son who has brought glory to his ancestors? Don’t they understand how difficult it is for me to live in the county town?

All day long, it’s nothing but silver, silver!

Indeed, just like a peasant’s wife with no vision at all, she can only see what’s right in front of her, no bigger than the palm of a hand.

Wang Yongan felt that he had already tried his best to be patient and accommodating towards his family since returning home.

It seemed that none of my own people realized that I had become a Scholar. Even if father did, all he knew was to ask me to look out for my brothers and the little sister. Which one of them is of any use?

Eldest Brother seemed honest, but he was crafty inside; Laosan was a good-for-nothing, trying to spend one coin as if it were two; Laosi was slow-witted; the little sister was both stupid and fat, without any merit to pave the way for a good marriage alliance.

How am I supposed to look out for them?

To Old Granny Zhang, it made no difference whether I became a Scholar or not. She still favored the stupid, fat maid over me. When I returned home, she still bossed me around without considering, which Scholar Master still has to do chores?

None of the brothers and sisters in the family were worth my help, and I had had enough of it.

Granny Zhang’s actions had now pushed my anger beyond its limits.

"Mother, is this how you show disdain for me? Not willing to spare me a second glance, you splash dirty water on me and rush me away after just one night at home?" Wang Yongan’s face turned livid as he spoke through clenched teeth.

Granny Zhang didn’t splash the water on purpose; it was just something she did out of habit. The ground in the courtyard was all dirt, and with the sun blazing and the weather dry lately, people would usually just toss the wash water into the yard to settle the dust.

It had nothing to do with splashing dirty water or driving anyone away.

Hearing her second son making such accusations, Granny Zhang was like a lit firecracker: "I do disdain you, so what? Just look at yourself. After a few days in town, you’ve forgotten your own worth, haven’t you? Disgusted by how dirty our home is? When you were a child, running around the yard naked, playing in the mud and eating chicken poop, you didn’t seem to mind the dirt then. If it’s so dirty, why’d you come back? Why do you still want silver from home? If it disgusts you so much, why bother returning? Go find that clean silver from the Qian Family, our Wang family’s silver is scraped out from the soil, it’s not fit for such a Scholar Master like you—"

"Fine! Since you put it that way, Mother, let’s just say I don’t have a home. Just don’t regret it later!" Wang Yongan, now enraged, flung his sleeves and prepared to leave.

Wang Yongzhu and Wang Yongping stood to one side, exchanging bewildered glances.

Just a few words and mother and son have already come to a breaking point?

The situation changed too suddenly, didn’t it?

Old Granny Zhang was not about to back down. She jumped up and said: "If you have the courage, leave through that door today, and never come back! Regret? The biggest regret I have is giving birth to a bunch of debt-collecting ghosts like you!"

"Good! Mother, remember what you said today. It’s fine as long as you don’t regret it!" Wang Yongan coldly glanced at his family who had rushed over upon hearing the commotion and then, shaking his head, he strode away.

Wang Yongping wanted to follow him.

Granny Zhang halted him with a sharp rebuke: "Dare to go and see if I don’t break your legs—"