A Good Country Wife
Chapter 255 - 246 Like a wolf, like a tiger_1

Chapter 255: Chapter 246 Like a wolf, like a tiger_1

"You! Erhu, Erhu’s wife, now that you’re here, it’s not that I don’t want to save your father-in-law, but we’re simply out of options. With the state of our household, where can we find such spare cash?" Caught talking behind someone’s back was a highly embarrassing matter. Wei Family had wanted to argue back, but upon seeing Zhao Erhu and his wife entering, she had to change her tune, her expression becoming somewhat sheepish.

Zhao Erhu and his wife were not as easy to talk to as Zhao Dahuo; both were formidable. The Wei Family mother and son were somewhat wary of them. Even previously, when they had taken things from Zhao Erhu’s home, it was not by confronting Zhao Erhu alone but by inciting Zhao Jingen to act. Now, they quieted down and stopped arguing with Zhao Dahuo. With Zhao Erhu and his wife present, they definitely couldn’t take advantage.

Zhao Jingen, who usually seemed so carefree, truly cared for the Wei Family. Whatever the Wei Family coaxed him into, he mostly complied with. Yet now, as he lay injured, his life hanging by a thread, the Wei Family refused to spend the silver to get him a good doctor from the city. Zhao Jingen’s profound disappointment was equal to the high regard he had held for the sons the Wei Family had borne him. For the sake of the Wei mother and sons, he had never paid much attention to his other two biological sons.

Although Zhao Jingen was so severely hurt that he couldn’t make a sound, his mind was clear. Hearing the actions of the Wei mother and son, he was so heartbroken that he couldn’t hold back his tears, which streamed down from the corners of his eyes, wetting the pillow—a pitiful sight to behold. Yet, to the bystanders, Zhao Jingen had brought this upon himself, and it was only now that he had ended up in such a state.

"Erhu, sister-in-law, you’re here. You really had someone go to the city to fetch a doctor for father? When will they arrive? I’m afraid father might not have much time left," Zhao Dahuo was naive after all, single-mindedly concerned about saving his father, giving little thought to his own interests. Among these people, the only benefit for him in this situation was that if Zhao Jingen really passed away, no one would manipulate him anymore, and he could lead his own life.

Zhao Erhu also looked at Lin Yue with gratitude. His wife acted for whom? She usually despised the people of the old Zhao Family house the most, but now she could be this considerate—a thought he himself had never had to send for a doctor first.

"They should be arriving soon. I had our family’s servant hurry over with the horse carriage; it saves quite a bit of time."

Doctor Zheng was truly skilled in medicine, and having learned a set of acupuncture techniques from Jiang Ziqi, he managed to barely save Zhao Jingen’s life. It must have been destiny, for despite having his head—a vital part—so badly injured, he survived. Doctor Zheng said the patient’s will to live was very strong, which helped him pull through.

Although Zhao Jingen was resuscitated, with such injuries, he would have to lie in bed for at least ten days to half a month, unable to move. Especially in the first few days, his situation could become critical at any time and required careful attention. Zhao Dahuo did not trust the Wei Family mother and sons, especially after their recent cold attitude, so he and his wife took turns caring for Zhao Jingen in the old Zhao residence. Erhu’s side was not a problem—now that they had hired help at home, the absence of Zhao Dahuo and his wife wouldn’t affect anything.

People have different epiphanies after life-and-death experiences. After this incident, Zhao Jingen seemed to feel more guilt and affection for his brothers, Zhao Dahuo and Zhao Erhu, unlike before when he followed the Wei Family’s directions in everything. Now, he even let Zhao Dahuo and his wife keep their wages instead of handing them over to the Wei Family. Delighted by Zhao Jingen’s change, Zhao Dahuo’s smile became increasingly frequent.

The Wei Family matriarch was inwardly frustrated but powerless. She used to control Zhao Jingen, which allowed her to squeeze Zhao Dahuo and his wife, but with Zhao Jingen now siding with Zhao Dahuo, she could do little about it. After all, Zhao Jingen was the head of the family. Fortunately, she had accumulated over six taels of silver from Zhao Dahuo and his wife’s wages in the previous months. Finding a good match for her third son, Zhao Xing, was now the most pressing matter.

Zhao Jingen seemed to have his life spared for now, but with such a severe brain injury, who knew how long he could live? One day he might just not wake up. Zhao Xing was already eighteen and had yet to marry—all because his standards were too high. He wished to find a girl from the city, preferably one with good looks and an amiable nature, thus the delay. But they couldn’t drag this out any longer; if Zhao Jingen breathed his last, Zhao Xing would have to observe three years of mourning. By that time, he would be well into his twenties, making it even harder to find a match.

Once Mrs. Wei made up her mind, she immediately went out to seek the village matchmaker, Wang. Their current situation ruled out any hope of snagging a girl from the city, for they couldn’t afford the dowry. She tasked Wang with inquiring around the neighboring villages for a suitable girl for Zhao Xing, stressing again the preference for good looks and a sweet disposition since her son wouldn’t settle for less.

"Please do take care of this matter, and make sure to find a good one for my Xing’er. You won’t be left unrewarded once it’s settled," Mrs. Wei said as she handed a hundred coins to the matchmaker as a running errand fee.

Matchmaker Wang weighed the money pouch in her hand, her smile deepened. "Alright, no problem. You know what I’m capable of. I’ll definitely find a good match for you. Just go home and wait for my message."

"She must be good-looking and have a pleasant temperament, or else she won’t be worthy of my son," Mrs. Wei reiterated. In her opinion, her son, being the person he was, deserved better. Since she couldn’t get him a girl from the city, settling for a country girl was already a compromise; of course, he deserved one with both beauty and temperament.

"Don’t worry, I’ve got it in mind."

Matchmaker Wang verbally agreed with enthusiasm but inwardly sneered. Every mother thinks highly of her child, but she knew all too well what Zhao Xing was really like. They were from the same village, how could she not know? Zhao Xing, who couldn’t shoulder a load or lift a hand, relied solely on his family for support, without a proper job to his name. Who would feed his wife and children in the future? It was lucky enough if a girl agreed to marry him, yet they aspired to find one with both looks and temperament. Would such a girl even consider the Zhao family? But with money offered, she wasn’t one to turn down a profit. It would be their own issue if Mrs. Wei and her son were dissatisfied with her choice.

Regardless of what others were doing, Lin Yue was currently troubled by Zhao Erhu’s virility. The old man’s vitality was too overwhelming, and his physical strength was exceptional. Perhaps it had been too long since he had "meat," and he found her fresh and appetizing, unwilling to spare her any night. She felt like she was being squeezed dry and flattened, for crying out loud.

"Wife, what are you daydreaming about sitting here, frowning? Is there something troubling you?" Zhao Erhu wrapped his arms around his little wife, thoroughly satisfied with their daily life.

Lin Yue cast a glance at Zhao Erhu—it was all because of him, wasn’t it? After the wedding night, she had a few good days of rest while Zhao Erhu restrained himself. But once she recovered, Zhao Erhu refused to continue his abstinence. No matter how gentle and considerate he was by day, there was no negotiation once they got to bed. Lin Yue was experiencing a painful pleasure.