A Good Country Wife
Chapter 526 - 520_1

Chapter 526: Chapter 520_1

Before Zhao Dahuo and Zhao Anyu went to pick up the guests, Lin Yue took out a new cotton outfit from the inner chamber that Erhu had never worn before. "This is the clothing I made for Erhu, it’s never been worn. If you don’t mind, cousin, please change into it. It’s snowing so hard, and the weather is bitterly cold. You’re wearing so little, how will it do if you catch a cold?"

Zhao Dahuo hadn’t noticed before, besides, the hall was quite warm with several brazier burning, he even felt a bit hot, so he hadn’t thought about it until Lin Yue mentioned it. Only then did he realize how lightly dressed Zhao Anyu was; in such severe winter, he was still wearing autumn clothing, no wonder he was cold. Zhao Dahuo felt somewhat ashamed of his oversight.

"Look at me, such a coarse man, I didn’t even notice how lightly you were dressed, cousin. It’s good that my wife was attentive and noticed. Hurry and change into the cotton clothes, don’t catch a cold," said Zhao Dahuo as he took the clothes from Lin Yue’s hands and stuffed them into Zhao Anyu’s arms.

Zhao Anyu was not too proud to accept help and felt grateful for Lin Yue’s kindness. Taking the clothes, he followed a maid to the inner chamber to change, and indeed, felt much warmer. The cold that had numbed his body seemed to gradually recede, and with a few cups of wine in his belly, his cheeks flushed with a ruddy glow.

As Zhao Dahuo and Zhao Anyu went to receive the guests, Lin Yue instructed Nanny Zhao to tidy up the guest room. Although Zhao Dahuo had said he would take Zhao Anyu to his home, Lin Yue was unclear about the condition of Zhao Dahuo’s household. If Zhao Anyu’s family really moved in with them, it would undoubtedly add a heavy burden on Zhao Dahuo’s family. Knowing Erhu’s character, when he returned and found out, he certainly would not let Zhao Dahuo bear the burden alone; he would surely arrange for Zhao Anyu’s stay in their own home. Instead of all this back and forth hassle, it would be simpler if she directly settled Zhao Anyu in her own guest room temporarily, until Erhu returned to discuss how to properly arrange things for Anyu’s family.

"Nanny, it’s not good for me to keep going out, otherwise Erhu will surely nag me when he returns. I’ll trouble you to go there in person and have the guest room prepared properly. Although Zhao Anyu’s family has fallen on hard times, we cannot neglect them now more than ever. Besides, I see that Zhao Anyu is a sensible man; he may well have a turn of fortune in the future. Even if not, he is still Erhu’s cousin; we must treat him with due respect for family’s sake," Lin Yue said.

"Yes, I understand," the servant replied. "I will see to it right away, and make sure the guest room is properly arranged."

Zhao Anyu’s elderly mother and his wife and children were sheltering in a dilapidated temple not far from the Zhao family village. It didn’t take long for Zhao Dahuo and Zhao Anyu to reach them by carriage. When they arrived, Zhao Anyu’s family was huddled together for warmth, dressed as sparsely as he had been, only in thin autumn clothes. The children were slightly better dressed, clearly because the adults had given their own clothes for them to wear. Despite that, it was not enough to fend off the harsh winter, their lips were slightly purple from the cold, imparting a particular aura of misery and pity. If Zhao Dahuo had not come to fetch them, and they had delayed a few days more, the family might not have survived much longer.

"Anyu, you’ve returned?" After waiting a long time, Zhao Anyu’s elderly mother saw her son finally return, her face showing a flicker of hope. Then, seeing the man standing next to Zhao Anyu, she asked uncertainly, "This, this is nephew Dahuo, isn’t it?"

Zhao Dahuo, deeply moved, felt his eyes redden. "Auntie, sister-in-law, my nephew, my cousin and I have come to pick you up. Let’s get on the carriage quickly; there’s a stove inside, much warmer than out here. My wife also sent clothes and food for you. Hurry and change your clothes, then we can talk after you’ve eaten something," he said.

Zhao Anyu’s elderly mother and his wife and children finally welcomed Zhao Anyu, knowing that he had found relatives to take refuge with, they were also very happy. Following Zhao Dahu’s instructions, they donned their clothes and ate the hot food, feeling as if they were dreaming; they had nearly thought they would freeze to death in the dilapidated temple.

Just as Madam Xu led the servants to tidy up the guest room, the lodge reported the arrival of Zhao Anyu’s family. Lin Yue hurriedly donned her cloak and personally went to the main entrance to welcome them, showing sufficient sincerity and respect, which moved Zhao Anyu deeply.

Zhao Anyu had already been told by Zhao Dahu about Lin Yue’s injury, and he did not want Lin Yue to exert herself so much. Besides, he could see that his little sister-in-law was frail, and with the weather so cold outside, if she were to catch a chill, it would be his fault, especially since Lin Yue was working hard for their sake.

"Sister-in-law, your health isn’t fully recovered, and the weather is so cold outside. You should quickly return to your room. Big brother is with us here; everything will be arranged properly. It would be my fault if you caught a cold from overexertion," he said.

Lin Yue smiled and waved her hand, "Don’t worry, I’m not so delicate. Aunt and sister-in-law and her son have all arrived; how could I not welcome them in person? The guest rooms are all clean now. I will take you there. You’ve been exposed to the elements on your way here, who knows how much you’ve suffered. Settling down is the priority."

The Zhao Anyu family had been driven out and therefore didn’t have much luggage, so they moved straight in. Lin Yue had already anticipated their situation and had prepared everything they needed for their daily lives.

Zhao Anyu’s family had thought that if they could just find a place to stay and survive the winter, they would have a way to live. They were ready to rely on others and face possible disdain, but they did not expect Zhao Dahu to warmly welcome them over, and Lin Yue to arrange everything so well. The servants, probably instructed by their master, treated them with great respect, leaving no stone unturned.

Zhao Anyu was emotionally reserved and didn’t say much, merely engraving the kindness in his heart. However, Zhao Erhu had not returned yet, and he didn’t know what attitude Zhao Erhu would have towards their family, leaving him feeling somewhat uneasy.

Although Zhao Anyu’s family had been settled in Zhao Erhu’s household, after Zhao Dahu went back, he still sent his wife, Lady Liu, to help Zhao Anyu’s family settle in. Although there were plenty of maids and servants under Zhao Erhu to assist, their participation showed their good intentions. Later, Zhao Xinglin of the Wei Family also heard that Zhao Anyu’s family had sought refuge and was now living in Zhao Erhu’s household; they all came over promptly. The great-uncle and Zhao Xinglin talked with Zhao Anyu, while the great-aunt and the Han Family kept company with Zhao Anyu’s elderly mother and wife, exuding familial warmth, which Zhao Anyu’s family felt keenly, especially after enduring the cold treatment of Wei Family mother and son.

Seeing that the great-uncle’s family had all come over, Lin Yue simply invited everyone to stay for dinner at her home. It was uncertain whether Zhao Erhu would return today, and it would be convenient to have them host Zhao Anyu’s family in the evening, saving her some effort. However, Zhao Erhu did manage to hurry back in the evening, and he was somewhat surprised to learn that Zhao Anyu’s family had come to seek refuge. After hearing the full story from Lin Yue and changing his clothes, he headed to the guest room where Zhao Anyu’s family was staying.