A Good Country Wife
Chapter 293 - 287 Other Worries_1

Chapter 293: Chapter 287 Other Worries_1

"How can you come accusing me and Erhu at a time like this, suggesting that everyone here is blind to the truth? As if you could just twist right from wrong with impunity!"

Zhao Quan and Zhao Xing indeed had done such things, and couldn’t refute it. Silenced by Lin Yue’s words, they had nothing to say. The village chief and several elders, as well as the onlookers around them, when hearing Lin Yue’s words, began to reconsider and seemed to realize there was truth in them. They thought that given how Zhao Jingen had treated his son, Zhao Erhu, the fact that Erhu had managed to do so much was commendable. They just couldn’t understand why Erhu, having already contributed so much silver, was unwilling to contribute the two taels today. Could it really be that his wife, Lin Yue, was behind this? Their gaze towards Lin Yue shifted somewhat.

Lin Yue, however, didn’t care in the slightest and continued, "Erhu and I have always been very filial to father-in-law. Our reluctance to contribute the two taels of silver is not without reason. But Erhu has already spent ten taels of silver on a fine coffin made of fir in the city, demonstrating his filial piety toward father-in-law. Younger brother, you shouldn’t have anything more to say now, should you?"

Before Zhao Quan could answer, those around them began to talk. The village chief spoke directly, "What can he say? We’ve always known that Erhu is a good man. Zhao Jingen is fortunate to have such a son in his lifetime."

Everyone there believed that a coffin was a person’s house in the netherworld after death. To have a nice coffin when passing away was seen as respectable and glorious, so they all praised and envied Zhao Erhu’s action.

Zhao Erhu himself wasn’t aware when Lin Yue had arranged for this, but he knew his wife was always methodical in her actions and must have handled it properly.

Lin Yue knew what was puzzling Zhao Erhu, "After all, we aren’t short of a bit of silver, and your dad deserves to leave this world with dignity. You won’t have any regrets later, and those malicious people won’t be able to slander you over this matter. Moreover, there’s a knack to buying coffins. The difference in price between a good and a poor one is substantial. We’ve secured the coffin, so Zhao Quan and Zhao Xing can’t meddle at all. They won’t be able to get their hands on your silver, nor that of your eldest brother and Zhao Cheng. They must be seething with envy."

"You," Zhao Erhu said, tapping Lin Yue’s forehead, didn’t add more. His wife always like this, not saying much but silently caring for him, not allowing others to smear or belittle him. He etched this affection in his heart.

During the arrangements for Zhao Jingen’s funeral, Lin Yue, as a daughter-in-law, couldn’t escape involvement. She was busy helping out in the Zhao family’s old house from dawn to dusk, working longer than she had in a long time. However, Lin Yue didn’t find it too tiring. Whenever there was strenuous work, Liu Family and Li Xiaomei would rush to do it, not letting her lift a finger. She was resigned to minor chores like picking vegetables or boiling water.

Li Xiaomei, usually so lazy, was the same even when making arrangements for her father-in-law’s funeral, indifferent to everything. Since everyone knew about Li Xiaomei’s character, no one asked her to do anything. The Wei Family, knowing they couldn’t command her, didn’t bother to ask for her help and let her idle away her time.

Seeing Li Xiaomei now eagerly helping Lin Yue with her work, everyone thought it was quite peculiar. Had the woman of the Zhao Cheng family changed her ways?

Aside from feeling grateful and admiring Lin Yue, Li Xiaomei had another motive for her actions—seeking favors. The Zhao family’s old house had been divided, and Lin Yue had mentioned before that after the division, Li Xiaomei and her husband could come work for them. Whether that offer still stood was uncertain.

This was a matter that concerned the future livelihood of their family. What each family got during the division, aside from fixed assets, was just a little over three taels of silver. Now, the funeral expenses for their father had taken two taels, leaving a mere one tael and some. Including the dowry silver that she had saved over the years behind the Wei Family’s back, they had in total just over four taels. A family’s expenses for food and clothing, as well as the yearly support money for the Wei Family, would all cost money. If they didn’t go out to earn money, this small amount of silver would not last long.

"Ersao (Sister-in-law), I have something I want, want to ask you," Li Xiaomei, who usually was quite forthright and spoke her mind, now found it somewhat difficult to speak when asking for help, although her words were often harsh towards others.

"Xiaomei, what are we, if not family? Whatever it is, just say it, I’m listening!" Lin Yue could roughly guess what was on Li Xiaomei’s mind by her demeanor. In fact, she had been keeping track ever since the Zhao Family old house was divided. Lin Yue had been waiting for Li Xiaomei to come to her about this matter, knowing that some things require the person to ask first, which makes the opportunity seem harder won and therefore more valued.

"It’s about, about me and Zhao Cheng coming to work at your place, Ersao, you haven’t forgotten, have you?" Li Xiaomei was getting anxious, fearing that Lin Yue would refuse.

Lin Yue smiled and patted Li Xiaomei’s hand resting on her arm. "Xiaomei, rest assured, I remember what I promised you, but are you really sure you want to come work at our house?"

"Yes, of course, of course I do! Zhao Cheng and I don’t have much to do, and now that we’ve separated from the family, we can’t just idly waste our days anymore. We must earn money to support the family."

"Alright, if that’s what you want, then come work at our house! But, although we sisters-in-law get along well, let me be frank: our wages might be higher than others’, the work is dirty and tiring, and it’s not easy at all. Moreover, we won’t tolerate any shirking or deceit; we do not want such people in our house." Lin Yue was clear-cut in her approach, believing that some matters should be discussed upfront to prevent small issues from causing discord later on.

Although Li Xiaomei could be sharp-tongued and had many little faults, she was frank and endearing, not one to rush decisions. And when it came to people she cared about, she was quite sincere. Lin Yue enjoyed interacting with her, which is why she felt it was even more important to clarify things beforehand and avoid any future unpleasantness.

"Ersao, rest assured, I understand all this. I know people outside are saying I’m lazy, that I don’t do any work at home all day. But that’s because of the Wei Family, I don’t want to end up like my elder sister-in-law, exploited by that thieving old woman from the Wei Family and getting nothing in return. That’s why I’ve been deliberately avoiding work. But once I start working at your place, I will be diligent. You tell me to do something, and I will do it. I absolutely won’t slack off or dodge work, and Zhao Cheng will be the same, we will both work hard and earnestly," Li Xiaomei assured her earnestly.

"That’s good to hear. As long as you both work hard, I won’t let you be treated unfairly. Anyway, you and Zhao Cheng both call Erhu and me ’er ge, ersao,’ which makes you family," Lin Yue replied.

Li Xiaomei was even happier upon hearing Lin Yue say this, but there was still another concern in her heart. She had hesitated, wondering whether to speak up, but now she decided it was best to voice her worries. Otherwise, there would always be an unease within her. Given how kind Ersao was, she shouldn’t disdain them.