A Good Country Wife
Chapter 551 - 445_1

Chapter 551: 445_1

"I’m not going to the Capital City, rest assured. Last time was an accident; I’ll be extra careful in the future and won’t be careless again. That scared me too. Besides, even if you take me with you to the Capital City this time, what about later, when you set out to sea for Southeast Asia? Are you going to be able to take me with you then?"

Lin Yue hadn’t dismissed the idea of accompanying Zhao Erhu to Nanyang, but with the children still young and the journeys lasting months, she couldn’t bear to leave them. Moreover, her career was in an ascending phase. There were many matters in the family business that the manager couldn’t decide on, needing her to call the shots. And if Zhao Erhu could successfully bring back the craftsmen capable of making colored glaze this time, she would have to immerse herself in her glass-making venture. She was too occupied for accompanying Zhao Erhu overseas.

Given the current circumstances, Lin Yue could only stay at home for the time being. Once the children grew up, and she could put family affairs aside, it would not be too late to follow Zhao Erhu in seafaring pursuits to Nanyang. After all, this business was meant to last for a long time, and there would be plenty of opportunities in the future. For now, taking care of her family and her career was the priority.

Zhao Erhu was rendered somewhat speechless by Lin Yue’s questions. He had been initially intrigued when he first heard her suggestion, but after brief consideration, he dismissed the thought. The conditions at sea were too harsh, and Zhao Erhu couldn’t bear to watch his wife suffer. Besides, her health wasn’t robust enough to endure such rigorous travel, risking her well-being.

With Nurse Xu taking care of her these past two years, and considering her age, Zhao Erhu also planned on having Lin Yue bear him a son. He had made up his mind when his uncle spoke heart-to-heart with him. Although their sons were obedient to their stepmother, having her own child was still essential ‒ blood ties guaranteed more reliable support and peace of mind. First, though, he needed to ensure her health improved. Only after the doctor’s reassurance that she could have children would he want her to bear his child.

Lin Yue hadn’t expected Zhao Erhu to think so far ahead, assuming that although he doted on her, he was still a man of his time and likely harbored reservations about his wife being too publicly visible, hence his silence.

"Why don’t you say anything? If you’re reluctant to bring me along, just forget it. I’ll go by myself when there’s a chance," Lin Yue said with a touch of annoyance, though she wasn’t truly angry inside. After all, Zhao Erhu had already treated her well enough. But if she didn’t seize the opportunity to properly educate him and change his old-fashioned views, how could she accompany him to sea in the future?

Zhao Erhu found the puffed cheeks of his annoyed little wife adorable; they made him want to pinch them, but he resisted and instead began to explain.

"Wife, what are you talking about? It’s not a matter of unwillingness. You just don’t know how tough the conditions at sea can be. Like when I was voyaging, at first, everything seemed novel. I had never seen such scenes before: the sky so blue, the vast expanse of water all around, also blue. It was truly beautiful. But after some time on the ship, those feelings faded. Seeing the same view became tiresome, especially during days when we couldn’t dock, continuously sailing. It was exceptionally dull and monotonous. How could I bear to let you endure such hardship?"

Lin Yue’s eyes turned red in an instant. She had only thought of traveling overseas one day, to see what foreign lands at the time looked like. She had neglected the fact that Zhao Erhu’s sea voyages were incredibly strenuous, making her feel unworthy.

"Zhao Erhu, the sea is so taxing. Why haven’t you ever mentioned it to me? I noticed you became darker and thinnner when you returned. We’re already living well enough; there’s no need for you to strain yourself so much. And besides, the sea is dangerous. Let’s not do this anymore. The silver we earned last time is more than enough to spend," Lin Yue said with genuine concern. She always felt that anything could happen at sea; the weather can change without warning. But considering Zhao Erhu would likely disagree, she hadn’t broached the topic previously. Now she couldn’t help but speak her mind after hearing his words.

"How could that be possible? There’s no quitting just like that. Enduring hardship is nothing for a man like me. Look, I’m perfectly all right. Moreover, even if I agreed now, neither the Emperor nor the Princely Heir of Marquis of Zhenbei would consent. At the very least, a suitable replacement must be found. Before then, it’s impossible for me to withdraw. And I’m not willing to pass up this opportunity!" Zhao Erhu chuckled as he spoke, expressing his wishes more forcefully than ever before. His little wife’s concern pleased him profoundly, but the matter had become too complicated now. With the Emperor’s edict to enter the Capital City, there was no turning back. He thought his wife was smart, surely understanding this too, only not wanting to ponder it too deeply.

Lin Yue knew this man had ambitions and a thirst for revenge, so it was normal that she couldn’t persuade him otherwise. Zhao Erhu was right; it was too late to withdraw. They could not defy the Emperor’s wishes. Besides, for Zhao Erhu, this represented an excellent opportunity for fame and profit should he perform well.

"Ah, I was being self-willed. I just felt sorry for you," Lin Yue confessed once she realized her sentiments for Zhao Erhu. She was quite willing to flatter him with kind words, keeping him in high spirits. Of course, she meant it sincerely; if not, Zhao Erhu would have sensed the insincerity.

Affectionately, Zhao Erhu declared, "Wife, my dear wife, the best fortune of my life has been marrying you; with you, my life is fulfilled."

"Alright, let’s not be so mushy. We’re an old married couple now. By the way, did you pack that book I gave you? Even if you go to the Capital City, remember to study it daily. Don’t slack off. Once you’ve learned it, you won’t have trouble speaking with people from the Foreign Tribes and won’t have to resort to gesturing to express yourself. It’ll be much more convenient."

This so-called book was written by Lin Yue herself. Since Zhao Erhu inadvertently mentioned the difficulty in communicating with the foreigners from the barbaric countries, Lin Yue came up with the idea to have Zhao Erhu read her a few foreign phrases he knew. Noting that their pronunciation wasn’t too different from English, she took it upon herself to compile a booklet containing the Chinese pronunciations for various common English expressions.

In the days leading up to bedtime, Lin Yue consistently encouraged and taught Zhao Erhu, who had already learned a great deal. She hadn’t expected him to have such a gift for languages. Even with no prior knowledge, he managed to learn after just a few lessons, retaining the new information well. He was indeed a good student, which motivated her even more to teach Zhao Erhu diligently. She hoped that before setting out to sea, he could learn all the content in the booklet and apply it effectively.

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