A Good Country Wife
Chapter 369 - 363_1

Chapter 369: Chapter 363_1

"I’m not sleeping anymore, isn’t the village chief inviting us over for the pig-slaughtering feast today? I want to go over early," Lin Yue was wrapped tightly in the quilt by Zhao Erhu. She wriggled a few times, signaling for Zhao Erhu to let her go.

"Look at how anxious you are. The pig killing isn’t that early, and besides, this is our men’s business. You, being a woman, wouldn’t be of much help. I’ll head over early, and that’ll be enough. You always get cold easily. It’s better to sleep a little longer. Bring the children over later, just in time for lunch. Even if it’s with the kitchen work, the village chief’s house will surely have plenty of helpers. They won’t miss one person." Zhao Erhu was unwilling for Lin Yue to endure the cold. Although it was snowing and very cold outside, with so many guests at the village chief’s house today, there would be a lot to do in the kitchen. For tasks like washing vegetables, where could there be so much hot water? They would definitely be using cold water. With his petite wife not being strong and afraid of the cold, how could she do such tasks?

"I should get up. I’m worried about it and can’t sleep anymore. I’ll go with you," Lin Yue said with enthusiasm, having been eagerly anticipating this. She did not want to listen to Zhao Erhu’s advice.

Zhao Erhu knew he couldn’t persuade her when he saw Lin Yue like this, so he reluctantly said, "Alright, you can come with me. But it’s so cold outside right now. You stay in bed, and I’ll go light a basin of charcoal fire. When I’ve warmed your clothes, you can get up and dress."

Lin Yue was indeed afraid of the cold. Hearing Zhao Erhu suggest this, how could she disagree? Besides, she knew his temperament well; his tone clearly indicated a decision. So she nodded, "Okay, I’ll wait for you."

After Zhao Erhu got the fire going, he brought the basin inside the room. He warmed Lin Yue’s clothes, making the room much warmer. Only then did he dress her in her usual amount of clothing. Seeing that it was just as much as she normally wore, he said, "It’s really cold outside. You should wear more clothes when you go out, let’s add another layer." Saying this, Zhao Erhu also took out a cotton-padded jacket and a large cloak from the wardrobe. He had bought this large cloak specifically for Lin Yue because he knew she was susceptible to the cold, spending a full sixty taels of silver.

Lin Yue, already wearing quite enough due to her cold sensitivity, said, "No need to wear more. I’m going to help, and too many clothes will be inconvenient for moving. Besides, we’re just going to the village chief’s house for the pig-slaughtering feast. Why wear such fine clothes?"

"No, it’s freezing cold outside. If you get sick, it would be terrible. Be obedient, wear a little more." As he spoke, Erhu added another garment to Lin Yue without further discussion.

After eating, Lin Yue and Zhao Erhu, along with a few children, went to the village chief’s house. Some people had arrived even earlier than they had. Lin Yue handed over several kinds of ingredients she was carrying in the basket to the village chief’s wife. "Auntie, these are the ingredients we prepared. Considering there aren’t many vegetables available at this time of year, I brought some to add to your dishes. I hope you don’t mind."

"Look at what Erhu’s wife is saying, how could I mind? I was actually worried about having too few vegetables. The ingredients you’ve brought are just perfect," the village chief’s wife said cheerfully, genuinely pleased as she took the food ingredients from Lin Yue.

"Auntie, with so many guests today, the kitchen must be really busy. I came over early to see if I could be of any help to you?"

"No need, no need. With so many people in the house, all the kitchen work is arranged. We can’t have you, our guest, help out. Go sit outside, talk and chat with the others," said the village chief’s wife, flatly refusing. Erhu treasured his wife, and she was well known in the village for it. Everyone had warned her to treat Lin Yue well, even in a not-so-obvious way. She clearly understood the implication and naturally would not let Lin Yue do any work.

"Auntie, I’d rather help you. I’m not much of a talker and I’m afraid I won’t be able to make conversation with others," Lin Yue insisted.

"There’s no need for that; you go warm yourself by the fire. I really don’t need your help in the kitchen. Look at you, dressed like a fairy today; it would be a shame to get your clothes dirty." Once the village chief’s wife said this, Lin Yue finally understood why Zhao Erhu insisted on her wearing this new outfit—it was for this reason. Lin Yue found it somewhat amusing, yet she also marveled at Zhao Erhu’s thoughtfulness.

Lin Yue had wanted to help in the kitchen, but since the village chief’s wife had sent her away and forbidden her from working, and Zhao Erhu was discussing the pig slaughter in the hall with a few men, laughing and chatting, it was not appropriate for her, a woman, to join them. She had no choice but to wander around outside.

"Mom, you’re here."

"Yes, are you all setting off firecrackers?"

In the yard, a few children were setting off firecrackers, and Dalang was there too. Lin Yue, caught up in her childlike spirit, actually joined the children in their play and started setting off firecrackers herself. Sanlang and Silang were thrilled to see Lin Yue willing to join them. However, Dalang and Erlang, being older, were more aware of the dangers and felt it was somewhat inappropriate. Although Lin Yue was their mother, she was still a woman, not as agile as them, and they were worried she might hurt herself playing with the firecrackers.

"Mom, you’ve never played with these before, have you? Better just watch us. Don’t do it yourself. These firecrackers are very dangerous. What if you got hurt?"

"No, I have played with them before. What, you children can play with and I cannot? Or is it that you don’t want to play with me?" Lin Yue looked accusingly at Dalang and Erlang, who were no match for her and obediently handed over some firecrackers from their stash.

"Then be careful, Mom. As soon as you light the firecracker, you need to run away quickly," Dalang still couldn’t help but fuss, influenced by Zhao Erhu to be more solemn and nag Lin Yue more.

"I know, my little grown-up. You all stay back now, I’m going to light the firecrackers," Lin Yue said playfully, smiling cheerfully.

Zhao Erhu, without Lin Yue’s knowledge, had come out from the living room. Seeing Lin Yue playing with the children, he started to walk over, but saw Lin Yue holding a firecracker and lighting it. She ran away a bit too slowly and nearly burnt her hand, which gave him such a fright that he rushed over with a darkened face, snatched the remaining firecrackers from Lin Yue’s hand, and threw them on the ground.

"You’re an adult, how can you still play with such things like a child? Is this something fit for a girl to play with? If you got hurt, what then? Really, you’re such a worry."

"Don’t worry, look, I’m fine. Nothing happened, so stop fretting for no reason. Something that the kids can play with, of course, I can too. How could I hurt myself?" Lin Yue frowned, somewhat dissatisfied with Zhao Erhu’s domineering behavior. Although she knew that Zhao Erhu was concerned about her, doing so in front of the children embarrassed her.

Seeing Lin Yue’s nonchalant attitude made Zhao Erhu even more upset, but he couldn’t scold her too harshly, or else his young wife would definitely rebel. This little demon was surely sent to vex him. However, he knew his wife wasn’t unreasonable either. She was indeed unusually lively today, which showed she must be really happy to join this pig feast. Zhao Erhu, worried about Lin Yue returning to play with dangerous firecrackers, decided to keep her close to him, only then could he feel at ease.