The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 422 Make a Decision

Chapter 422: Chapter 422 Make a Decision

Apart from anything else, these past few days, whenever Wang Yongzhu spoke and acted, it was almost as if what she said would be done, and no one in the Wang Family opposed her.

Liu Xiaoqiao considered that her parents did not favor sons over daughters, and her own standing at home was not bad, with both brothers yielding to her and her parents showing her love.

Compared to the other girls in the village, she was already much better off.

But in comparison with Wang Yongzhu, she discovered that a girl could live even more comfortably and have a better life.

Why did Wang Yongzhu have such confidence and her words carry weight? Because she could make money.

These last two days, she had also heard that the Wang Family’s mountain goods business succeeded thanks to Wang Yongzhu. Furthermore, Wang Yongzhu knew how to dye fabrics, and she had made quite a sum of money selling the dye recipes. It was said that even the noble ladies in the palace liked the fabrics she dyed and had given her rewards.

For a young lady, this was such a great honor.

The Wang Family’s prosperity nowadays relied on Wang Yongzhu, no wonder she could take charge and run the family.

Watching Wang Yongzhu, Liu Xiaoqiao’s eyes shone brightly, she too wanted to earn her own money like Wang Yongzhu, not having to look at other people’s faces, standing tall, and being listened to by everyone when she spoke.

Thus, after only a moment of hesitation, Liu Xiaoqiao nodded her head and agreed.

Why did Wang Yongzhu take a fancy to Liu Xiaoqiao? Because she saw in her a tenacity uncommon among other girls, an unwillingness to accept defeat or fate, and a decisiveness in her own opinions.

Seeing Liu Xiaoqiao agree, her heart filled with joy, and she took Liu Xiaoqiao by the hand. The two of them chatted warmly as they walked.

Mother Liu, seeing this from behind, also felt happy. She took Old Granny Zhang’s hand, "Sister Zhang, I won’t say too much of the pleasantries. Please rest assured and let Yongping stay at our house. I’ll treat him like my own son. And about your family’s business, you can also rest assured. With our whole family keeping an eye on it, I guarantee nothing will go wrong!"

Old Granny Zhang had been waiting for Mother Liu’s words and happily agreed, exchanging a few polite remarks.

Back in the Liu Family Courtyard, Father Liu and Wang Laozhu had drunk a bit too much and had been assisted back by their sons, then immediately went to sleep.

Wang Yongping had also drunk quite a bit and went to lie down.

Liu Daming and Liu Dasheng, the brothers, didn’t dare drink too much. They helped people back home and then went about cleaning up the wolf meat left in the courtyard.

The wolf pelts had been skinned and prepared by the hunters and were now hung up in the courtyard to air dry.

The wolf meat, mostly consumed during the village’s midday banquet, was now being made into jerky and paste by Mother Liu, Old Granny Zhang, along with Liu Xiaoqiao and Wang Yongzhu.

Mother Liu knew how to make jerky but hadn’t seen meat paste being made. She helped Old Granny Zhang and picked up a couple of techniques in the process.

She thought to herself that she would also make some meat paste in the future. When the men and her sons went hunting in the mountains, they could bring some along with dry rations, which would be better than just chewing on jerky alone.

Song Chongjin, although he had drunk quite a bit, still had a good tolerance for alcohol and was sober.

He pulled Wang Yongzhu aside in the courtyard, where they were drying the meat, and discussed, "I heard you say you’ll be collecting mountain goods early tomorrow morning?"

Wang Yongzhu threw some cypress branches into the fire and stood up to pour a bowl of water for Song Chongjin. Mother Liu had also added some honey into the water before handing it to him, only then did she reply, "Hmm, I plan to gather a batch to take back first and let Fourth Brother stay here to continue collecting mountain goods, coming once every half month. Even though my elder brothers are at home, I’m still a bit worried."

If it was just Wang Yongfu and his family, Wang Yongzhu wouldn’t worry. But wasn’t there also Wang Yonggui?

Although Wang Yonggui had become much more well-behaved recently because of what happened to Sun Ahfu, without her and Old Granny Zhang at home to keep an eye on him, Wang Yongfu couldn’t keep him in line.

Moreover, Wang Yongzhu was preoccupied with the matter of the Yellow Pine Mushrooms. These past few days, she hadn’t been idle and had inquired about them indirectly. Yellow Pine Mushrooms were rare, and the hunter families in Chongzi Gou didn’t have many of them either.

Therefore, she still needed to find a way to cultivate Yellow Pine Mushrooms herself.

But now the house was crowded, and with eyes everywhere, it was probably not possible to continue growing them in the firewood shed. She would have to find another place.

That’s why she definitely couldn’t stay long in Chongzi Gou.

Song Chongjin nodded, "These wolf pelts can be stored at the Liu Family for now. I see their tanning skills are quite good. When I return next time, we can take them together."

Wang Yongzhu nodded, and after discussing a few more things, they set their itinerary.

In the kitchen, Mother Liu watched Song Chongjin and Wang Yongzhu discussing things together amicably, filled with envy.

She couldn’t help bringing up the old topic again, "Sister Zhang, please keep my Xiao Qiao’s matter in mind. She’s my only daughter, and I can’t bear the thought of her marrying a hunter and living in fear all her life like me. I just want to find her a down-to-earth son-in-law, so she can have a peaceful life."

Old Granny Zhang actually had a plan in mind as soon as Mother Liu brought this up.

Having observed the Liu Family in the past few days, she found them to be a decent family, and Liu Xiaoqiao was a fine girl. Skilled, though not much of a talker, she seemed to have her own opinions and was not one of those who chattered incessantly.

A thought struck her that Laosi, her own son, was not the sharpest tool in the shed and needed just such a girl to manage him. Moreover, from what she had seen these past days, Liu Xiaoqiao had a good heart and was generous, not petty or short-sighted.

Among the current Wang Family daughters-in-law, Eldest Brother’s wife was shallow and liked to take advantage. Laosan’s wife was too meek to stand her ground.

And as for Laosi’s spouse, well, there was no need to mention that.

Later on, if the family prospered and Laosi married a wife that was shallow or difficult, then the household would truly become lively.

Old Granny Zhang had been on the lookout for some time and hadn’t found anyone suitable.

It was only upon seeing Liu Xiaoqiao that she felt assured.

She had observed her carefully these past days, growing more satisfied as time went by.

Hearing Mother Liu mention this again only strengthened her resolve, but she wanted to hear Wang Yongzhu’s opinion on the matter first.

Nevertheless, arranging a marriage for Laosi meant that, first and foremost, her own daughter had to approve. Otherwise, if the new bride failed to get along with her daughter after the marriage, that would not do.

Therefore, she replied in agreement, "Don’t worry, dear sister, I have it in mind."

That evening, as soon as she entered the room, she pulled Wang Yongzhu onto the bed and whispered, "Zhuzhu, your mother has been pondering over something these past days and wants your advice on it."

Seeing Old Granny Zhang was serious, Wang Yongzhu asked anxiously, "Mother, what is it?"

Old Granny Zhang laid out her plan and then explained, "The Liu Family’s reputation seems good to me, and Liu’s parents appear sensible. Having quietly observed the character of Miss Liu these past days, I believe she’s alright, and she gets along with you too. Should she marry into our family, it might prevent some unnecessary trouble."

"Moreover, if our family becomes in-laws with the Liu Family, won’t they be eager to help with our business affairs? With the Liu’s as in-laws, what do we have to worry about with our goods trade?"