The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 298: Escape

Chapter 298: Chapter 298: Escape

Lady Lin looked around the courtyard cautiously; it was silent, everyone had deep in sleep.

Then she moved the firewood and crawled out through the hole.

Once outside, she looked around to make sure no one had noticed, and Lady Lin took off running.

She hadn’t gone far when the neighbor’s dog, alerted to her presence, started barking loudly.

Lady Lin was prepared for this; she had given the dog half a vegetable bun every day, which she had saved. The dog took the bun in its mouth and wagged its tail as it walked away.

Lady Lin breathed until she had run out of the village and was on the mountain road back to Qilidun before she let out a sigh of relief.

Tears immediately surged forth; she had finally escaped!

She was going back to Qilidun, back to the Wang Family!

Whether it was to kowtow to Wang Yongfu, admit her mistakes, whatever it took, she would never go back to the Lin Family.

Fearing the Lin Family might catch up, Lady Lin didn’t dare stop; she stumbled through the dark, half walking, half running towards Qilidun.

It wasn’t until dawn began to break that she finally saw the familiar courtyard of the Wang Family.

Lady Lin collapsed at the entrance of the Wang Family Courtyard, catching her breath before reaching to knock on the door, then hesitated.

She straightened her hair and clothes with her hands before attempting to raise her hand again.

But as soon as her hand touched the door, she lost her strength; she did not dare to knock.

She just stood there at the entrance of the Wang Family Courtyard, raising and lowering her hand, psyching herself up and then losing her nerve, until daylight fully broke.

Sounds began to emanate from the Wang Family Courtyard: people getting up, sweeping, the sounds of washing up, and voices talking.

Lady Lin pricked up her ears, pressing them against the door to listen.

There was Jindou calling Jinguan to get up quickly.

There were sounds of Jinguan splashing water on Jinhoo and then Jinhoo scolding Jinguan, pleading for forgiveness.

And then there was also the voice of Wang Yongfu, chastising them, telling them to behave.

Lady Lin trembled, covering her lips with her hand, not daring to let her crying be heard.

It was Wang Yongping who finished sweeping the courtyard and opened the door widely, only to see a woman with crazily tousled hair and clothes that were patch upon patch, looking emaciated, standing at the door, her hand covering her mouth, crying.

"Auntie? Who are you looking for?" Wang Yongping really didn’t recognize her; he mistook her for a beggar who had come to ask for some food.

At the sound of Wang Yongping’s voice, everybody in the courtyard looked towards the door.

Lady Lin suddenly felt so ashamed that she instinctively covered her face, not wanting her sons and Wang Yongfu to see her in such a sorry state.

It was Old Granny Zhang who heard the commotion and came out from the inner rooms, asking as she walked, "Who is it?"

Wang Yongping looked back: "I reckon it’s some auntie with nothing to eat, who’s made her way to our place, looking for a meal, I guess!"

Old Granny Zhang frowned; ever since her household’s fortunes had improved, especially since her daughter had received the empress’ favor, people would come knocking every few days, claiming to be relatives by some far-fetched connection, always asking to borrow silver.

What kind of person was Old Granny Zhang? Once the silver reached her pocket, except for her daughter, she wouldn’t let anyone else take out a coin, so lending money?

What a joke!

Wang Laozhu was still somewhat hesitant, dropping hints about the need to consider one’s reputation.

Wang Yongzhu, however, wasn’t accustomed to such annoyances. If one truly wanted a good reputation, they would use their money to repair bridges and pave roads rather than sustain these people who swarm like flies at the smell of blood.

With his daughter’s words in mind, he would shoo away anyone like Old Granny Zhang who came to scold them, dealing with each visitor or pair as they came.

After a hard-won peace lasting a couple of days, why had another begging old woman shown up?

Old Granny Zhang reached the door, stopped dead in her tracks, rubbing her eyes. After a long while, she finally sneered, "Lin Xinghua, you shameless wretch, how dare you show your face at the Wang Family’s door?"

What?

Lady Lin?

The Wang Family members were all dumbfounded, turning in unison to stare at the doorway.

Wang Yongping disbelievingly took another look at Lady Lin, and after a long while, he began to make out some familiar features.

Jindou and Jinguan rushed to the doorway, with Jindou trembling as he spoke, "Mother, you... how did you end up like this?"

When Lady Lin had stormed over to demand a Divorse from the Wang Family, she was a stout woman, especially dressed in the clothes she had made for a birthday at the Wang Family, appearing even younger than an average woman.

Now, just a few months later, Lady Lin had wasted away so much she was unrecognizable, her hair dry and yellow like straw carelessly tied up, her eyes sunken, her hands thin as chicken claws, her arms and legs so skinny it seemed they could snap with any effort.

Seeing Jindou and Jinguan, Lady Lin finally removed the hand covering her mouth and grabbed Jinguan, wailing loudly, "Jinguan, oh, my Jinguan! Mother almost couldn’t see you again—"

Wang Yongfu slowly emerged from the house, pausing when he saw Lady Lin at the doorway. He wanted to say something, but ultimately stayed silent, his gaze complex as he watched her.

Jinhua moved close to Lady Jiang, grabbing her hand. She seemed to want to say something upon seeing Lady Lin’s current state, but Lady Jiang covered her mouth and shook her head at her.

Jinhua obediently closed her mouth and remained silent.

The only sound in the courtyard was Lady Lin’s crying.

It was Wang Laozhu who finally couldn’t bear it, "What’s all this commotion at the door? If there’s a matter to discuss, come inside and talk about it!"

Upon hearing this, Lady Lin, seeing an opportunity to enter the courtyard, pulled Jinguan to step inside.

Old Granny Zhang blocked her way, "Who gave you permission to come in? Didn’t I tell you when you left that once you go, don’t even think about stepping back into our Wang Family’s threshold? Have you forgotten? Or what, were you so afraid of dragging us and Eldest Brother down that you hastily Divorsed and ran off to marry someone else? Now that didn’t work out for you, you’re running back to our place. Back then, you gave up your husband and children for another man, tut-tut, look at the ghost you’ve turned into now, talk about karma!"

Jindou and Jinguan, feeling pity at the sight of Lady Lin, were once again overwhelmed by the old pain of being abandoned as they listened to Old Granny Zhang’s words.

Jinhoo moved quickly to the door and pulled Jindou and Jinguan inside. Turning coldly to Lady Lin, he stated, "Why are you here? Didn’t you leave everything behind because you wanted a Divorse to remarry? We didn’t stop you back then. Now you’re back because you heard that we have been doing well, while the family you chose is suffering, and you want to return?"

Lady Lin, full of shame, bowed her head and stuttered in explanation, "I didn’t marry anyone. I’m still pure—"

"Whether you married or not, you left to be with another man. If you had any decency, you wouldn’t have come back!"

Jinhoo remained steely and unmoved.

Lady Lin looked around frantically at her son and the members of the Wang Family, each of them eyeing her coldly, their expressions filled with rejection, unwelcoming attitudes, and distaste.

Lady Lin’s pleading eyes turned towards Wang Yongfu standing in the yard. She knew he had feelings for her and had always been good to her; surely he couldn’t bear to see her like this.

After all, she hadn’t married another man; she was still chaste!

But her hope was crushed; Wang Yongfu looked at her with a detached air, as if she were a stranger.

It had been months since their last meeting, and the Wang Family members’ complexions had improved. The sons had grown taller, all dressed in new clothes. Even Wang Yongfu looked healthier, having gained weight, his complexion showing he was well-nourished. Clearly, the Wang Family hadn’t mistreated him. Most importantly, he was on his feet again.

If she hadn’t left back then, could it be that she was now sitting in the courtyard, dressed in new clothes, eating well, living a human life?

Lady Lin drifted into a daze.