The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 558 - 556: Newly Wed and Returning Home

Chapter 558: Chapter 556: Newly Wed and Returning Home

As soon as Wang Yongping heard that his wife had made the entire breakfast table, how could he not show his support?

After taking a sip of congee, he would exclaim how delicious it was, and after having a bite of the side dish, he’d praise its excellence and how well it accompanied the meal.

Even for the steamed buns that were ready-made, he claimed they were fluffy and soft because his wife made them.

With such flattery, others might let it go, but although Lady Lin wanted to say something, seeing that Old Granny Zhang kept silent, she dared not speak up.

The one who felt the most awkward was actually Liu Xiaoqiao—she had never seen anyone so foolish! Was he really praising her or actually causing her trouble?

If it were a sister-in-law with less generous thoughts, wouldn’t she grumble, suspecting that he meant only his wife’s cooking was delicious while everyone else’s was fit only for pigs?

Without leaving any traces, she glared at Wang Yongping several times, but as he was so busy tucking into his food and showing such support after praising his wife’s skills, he ended up not catching any of her rolling eyes.

Liu Xiaoqiao couldn’t bear it any longer and, amidst Wang Yongzhu’s teasing laughter, she kicked Wang Yongping under the table, finally stopping his awkward praise.

After breakfast, Lady Jiang helped Liu Xiaoqiao gather the dishes and take them to the kitchen. Liu Xiaoqiao then apologized to Lady Jiang in private, "Third sister-in-law, I’m apologizing on behalf of Fourth Brother for you. He’s just not good with words. He didn’t mean it that way, but it came out all wrong. Please don’t take it to heart!"

She vowed to herself that as soon as they got back to their room, she would give Wang Yongping, that idiot, a good talking-to.

Lady Jiang was flattered and quickly waved her off, "No need, no need."

Liu Xiaoqiao was clever—during the meal, she had noticed that this third sister-in-law was timid and meek, although not harboring any ill intentions.

Compared to the eldest sister-in-law who, even though she was suppressing her displeasure, still couldn’t hide her snide remarks, Lady Jiang was much more agreeable.

So, Liu Xiaoqiao lowered her stance even more, which gained her a few points of affection from Lady Jiang.

After cleaning up the kitchen, the two emerged able to chat together, even agreeing to spend some time with Lady Jiang to learn needlework.

After breakfast, the Liu brothers were ready to take their leave. Seeing that their sister’s complexion looked good and the Wang Family was acting cordially, the Liu brothers felt reassured.

Liu Xiaoqiao held back her tears as she bid farewell to her brothers, feeling a deep emptiness in her heart for a moment.

Seeing Liu Xiaoqiao’s spirits were low, Wang Yongping hurriedly put on a smile, utilized his skills honed at Chongzi Gou, and kept apologizing until he finally coaxed a smile from her.

He froze for a moment; too happy the day before, he had drunk too much and missed their wedding night.

Today, there she was in front of him, smiling like a blooming flower. How could Wang Yongping hold back anymore?

Like a starving tiger pouncing on its prey, he pressed Liu Xiaoqiao down onto the bed...

※※※

After handling Wang Yongping’s wedding, the family, busy for several months, finally could take a breather.

With Liu Xiaoqiao joining the household, there was an extra pair of hands, and Old Granny Zhang had completely let go of the kitchen duties, only having the three daughters-in-law take turns cooking.

Wang Yongzhu also found herself with some free time to settle down and make new clothes for Old Granny Zhang, Wang Laozhu, and Song Chongjin to wear for the New Year.

Now the house had plenty of cotton, and there were even a few furs specially kept back from when they collected mountain goods, enough to make several fur coats.

There was not much to do during the winter days, and Lady Lin was impatient with needlework. Her mind was wholly focused on finding suitable matches for Jindou and the others, often spending her free time seeking out matchmakers for information on good families with eligible daughters.

Lady Jiang’s handiwork was already excellent, and now that the Wang family was living better, with plenty of helping hands, she found herself with free time during the day and would take Liu Xiaoqiao with her to Wang Yongzhu’s room to do needlework.

Wang Yongzhu’s room, where she usually rested and lived, was specially made with windows in both the front and back covered with white paper, making the light inside stronger than in other rooms.

The heated kang was situated by one of the windows; sitting atop was both warm and well-lit.

A few kinds of dried fruits and chestnuts were laid out on the kang table, and on a table in the room sat a big white porcelain basin, housing two lively black fish that swam to and fro.

Not only was it pleasant to look at, but it also kept the room from being as dry as others heated by a kang, making it exceptionally comfortable.

Liu Xiaoqiao observed attentively, noticing that this young lady’s furniture was not plentiful, yet it was arranged in a way that made the room comforting to the eye.

Her own needlework was only average; following Lady Jiang and Wang Yongzhu in their work, she was practically dumbfounded.

Especially Wang Yongzhu’s attire, which was just common cotton cloth, but was tailored so uniquely that it made her waist appear dainty and her legs long when worn.

Not to mention looking at the fur coats Wang Yongzhu made, which were covered in cloth. At first glance, they appeared to be mere cloth coats, but upon closer inspection, one would realize the ingenuity within, as the fur was meticulously contained. From the outside, it looked just like a cloth coat embroidered with dark patterns.

It made one look spry and fitted the body snugly.

Liu Xiaoqiao also admired the beautifully embroidered flowers on the clothes Lady Jiang made for the children.

Compared to the two of them, Liu Xiaoqiao felt she was simply rubbish.

Immediately, she let go of the shyness typical of a new bride and eagerly asked to learn from them.

Lady Jiang, naturally, would not refuse and taught her earnestly. With the sisters-in-law working on needlework together, and with Lady Lin not around often, the Wang family was peaceful and harmonious every day.

Even Wang Laozhu, who had harbored some discontent deep down, couldn’t help but nod in approval; Laosi’s wife was a good catch, not a home-wrecking wench.

After observing for a few days, Old Granny Zhang saw that the new bride had her head screwed on right. Besides cooking and cleaning, once she finished the household chores, she would arrange to join Laosan’s wife at their daughter’s place for needlework.

She didn’t stir up trouble, nor did she cause any commotion. Seeing that Wang Yongping was cheerful every day, with a change of clothes daily, and appearing altogether revitalized, Old Granny Zhang also set her mind at ease.

When the time came for the three-day return visit after the wedding, she generously added a bit extra to the traditional return gifts.

Wang Yongping and Liu Xiaoqiao happily visited the bride’s parental home and returned to the in-law’s home early the next morning. Just as they reached the threshold, about to enter, they heard someone behind them inquiring, "Excuse me, is this the Wang family that buys up the mountain goods?"

Thinking it was someone coming to the mountain goods store, Wang Yongping turned around enthusiastically to reply, "Indeed, this is the place. Young brother, are you here to sell mountain goods? We—"

He cut himself off mid-sentence and eyed the newcomer with suspicion.

The inquiring person was a young man of about eighteen or nineteen, tall and slender, with a cotton-padded jacket covered by a burlap garment and a white cloth band tied around his forehead; this was someone in deep mourning, wasn’t it?

Especially since the young man looked vaguely familiar, it took Wang Yongping a long while before he hesitantly asked, "Are you Mutou?"

The young man also stared blankly at Wang Yongping, trembling as he called out, "Fourth Uncle!" and then knelt on the ground.

Wang Yongping was taken aback, and without a second thought, he stepped forward to help Sun Mutou up, "Mutou, what’s happened? Who in your family has passed? Why have you come to bring the news?"

A stream of questions poured out.

"Fourth Uncle, I need to see Grandpa and Old Aunt, I need to see Grandpa and Old Aunt..." Sun Mutou wept as he could only repeat this phrase over and over again.