Transmigration: A Farm Girl’s Brocade
Chapter 193 - 148 Late Arrival_1

Chapter 193: Chapter 148 Late Arrival_1

In the afternoon, after Qian Sangui and a few others returned home, they heard what Qian Manxia had to say. Lady Wu sneered, "Big sister always told us that Auntie Die’s in-laws were just a bit stingy, but good in other aspects. She really cares too much about face and suffers for it. Her daughter’s marriage is so distressing, and yet she has the nerve to talk like that... Hmph, everyone knows you should keep your dowry in your own hands. But Auntie Die didn’t listen to her mother-in-law, didn’t get along well with her sister-in-law, and now she’s bound to suffer in her husband’s family. Big sister still thinks everyone is like our Old Qian Family, with kind parents-in-law and a decent younger uncle, indulging her strong will."

The family sighed, thinking that the people from the main branch must be even more upset.

Poor Qian Mandie, so lovely and pleasing, yet married into such a family. Qian Yixiu had always thought Lady Wang to be intelligent; it turns out that even the smartest person can do foolish things if they are too proud and vain.

Thinking about Qian Mandie’s dreadful in-laws, Qian Yixiu suddenly had an epiphany. Compared to Yang Youfu and the other Qian sons-in-law, Wan Dazhong was like Granduncle Li, one of the best economically suitable men of ancient times. And, he was much more handsome than Uncle Li. If his character was truly not bad and he wasn’t lecherous, he would indeed be the best choice for her nephew-in-law.

The next day, Qian Yiduo, who had come to play in the third wife’s room, said that Lady Wang was ill and couldn’t get out of bed.

She also whispered to Qian Yixiu, "I think Grandma was angered by my uncle-in-law. Yesterday, after my aunt and uncle-in-law left, Grandma started crying and then couldn’t get out of bed."

Lady Wu then took fifty eggs to visit Lady Wang.

A few days later, shocking news descended upon the Qian’s third wife’s family. A government official from the county government office came to Wang Lizheng’s house, confirmed the situation of Qian Manjiang’s disappearance, and asked Qian Sangui to go to the county government office to collect ten taels of silver as consolation money, while also waiving his family’s taxes for three years.

Grateful for the Emperor’s great kindness, Old Man Qian was moved to tears, and Second Grandpa, who was no longer nimble, and Old Wang, the seventy-year-old father of Wang Lizheng, specifically came to Qian’s Main Courtyard with their walking sticks. Several elders loudly praised the Emperor’s compassion and kowtowed northward, thanking the Emperor for his consideration of the common people.

Qian Sangui returned from Wang Lizheng’s house, closed the door of the hall, and told the story to Lady Wu, Qian Manxia, and Qian Yixiu. They dared not tell Cheng Yue, fearing it might trigger her illness.

Their eyes were red with grief, yet at the same time, they were somewhat relieved. Not because of the extra ten taels of silver or the three-year tax exemption, but the title "family of a missing soldier" was unpleasant to bear, and now they could finally shed it. Especially Qian Yeejin, who had been deeply hurt by his schoolmates’ taunts, accusing his father of deserting the battlefield, to the point that he did not dare return to his hometown.

On the morning of May 10, Qian Sangui and Qian Yeejin went to the county government office, accompanied by Huang Tie, and collected the ten taels of silver for the fallen soldier’s family, as well as completing the procedures for the three-year tax exemption.

After returning home, the family gathered around the ten taels of silver they had received and wept together, of course excluding Cheng Yue. They did not dare tell her that Qian Manjiang had been officially declared as fallen in battle by the Imperial Court, and that the "life-selling" silver had already been distributed.

As they wept, Cheng Yue stood alone at the doorway, eagerly hoping for Brother Jiang’s return with the blossoming and withering of the seasons.

In the afternoon, Qian Sangui felt unwell again, and Qian Xiaoyu went to invite Doctor Lin to visit and treat him at home. Qian Yeejin and Qian Yixiu were going to pay their respects to Qian Manjiang, and since the servants were busy with the winter wheat in the fields, Qian Manxia took them.

The three of them walked out the door with swollen, doleful eyes, carrying a basket which held offerings and some paper money for the dead.

Cheng Yue, who was embroidering in the east wing room, called out to them from the window, "Auntie, where are you taking Jinwa and Yixiu? Why are you carrying all these things?"

The usually oblivious mother-in-law was unexpectedly sensitive. Seeing that Qian Manxia did not answer, she added, "Don’t let Jinwa and Yixiu burn paper for that fake grave. It’s empty inside. Brother Jiang is still alive, and burning paper for the living is not good."

Qian Manxia had no choice but to respond with tearful eyes, "It’s almost the anniversary of my great-grandfather’s death, and I’m taking them to burn some paper money for him."

Convinced, Cheng Yue sat back down at her embroidery frame.

The spring afternoon sun was already very strong, making it difficult to keep one’s eyes open. Tiaotiao also sensed that its masters were upset and followed behind them, tail tucked, as if understanding.

Upon entering the large graveyard, the sunlight seemed to dim, and the air was filled with the cawing of crows circling overhead and the wind blowing much stronger than outside the mountain.