A Good Country Wife
Chapter 579 - 573 - _1

Chapter 579: 573 Chapter_1

Li Family listened to Lin Yue’s words and initially didn’t understand; she hadn’t heard that Erhu had children, let alone several. But as the thought turned in her mind, she remembered that she had heard Erhu’s husband had visited two previous wives, and those children must be left by Erhu’s husband’s former spouses. Given their ages, they should be about the same age as these two children. Her heart found the prospect pitiable, aware that being a stepmother was a challenging role. However, from the look and tone of Erhu, it seemed she was quite fond of those children, treating them as if they were her very own.

Li Family then inquired in detail about the situation at Lin Yue’s husband’s home and found out that Zhao Erhu’s former wife had left not just children, but four sons, all capable of inheriting the family property. Her worries grew, and her smile lessened considerably.

"Erhu, I know being a stepmother is hard, and you’re too kind and soft-hearted. Although we mustn’t treat the previous children unfairly, you also need to be more vigilant and think for yourself. Don’t give everything of yourself. After all, you should bear your own son for your husband soon, for you’ll need someone to rely on when you’re old. Children not borne by you can’t be relied upon."

"Aunt, I am keeping track of it, rest assured. My husband says I’m still young and that having children isn’t easy. He’s thinking of waiting a couple more years. The children at home are quite decent, sensible, and respectful. They wouldn’t be any different if they were my own flesh and blood." Lin Yue knew her aunt meant well, but the more she lived with Dalang and his brothers, the more she saw them as her own children. When it came to the family property, she thought it fair for the brothers to divide it equally in the future. Besides, she had her own skills and properties; even if Dalang and his brothers turned out to be ungrateful in the future, she had nothing to worry about.

Li Family wanted to say more but held back since Lin Yue was a niece by marriage, not by blood. There was a boundary, and after all, it was someone else’s domestic affair; saying too much wasn’t appropriate. All she could hope for was that Lin Yue’s stepsons knew what’s right and wrong, otherwise, they might be a source of headache in the future. It was common even among blood brothers in the village to have disputes over inheritance.

Li Family chatted with Lin Yue for a while, and when it was almost noon, she asked Lin Yue to stay for lunch. Lin Yue thought that eating was necessary wherever she went, and seeing that her aunt was someone who valued cleanliness, she could eat with assurance and not worry about an upset stomach from unclean food, so she readily accepted. "Then I’ll be troubling you at Aunt’s home, but please don’t fuss too much, just prepare a few ordinary dishes. It would make me uncomfortable if you made a whole table of dishes, preventing me from visiting often."

Li Family agreed in front of Lin Yue but went on with the preparations as usual. It wasn’t often that Lin Yue came to visit, bringing so many things with her. If Li Family could not manage to lay out a good meal, it would indeed be laughable. But since both daughters-in-law were out today, she was quite busy by herself.

Li Family, busy in the kitchen, naturally couldn’t look after the two grandsons, so she admonished them to only play nearby and not to run around. The two boys quickly agreed, "Granny, rest assured. We won’t run off."

The boys spoke truthfully, as with such a pretty sister visiting their home and bringing so many tasty and fun things, they had no desire to play outside. Besides, the pretty sister was kind and did not disdain them; they wished only to stick close to her.

"Aunt, don’t worry. It’s quite boring just sitting here by myself. Let them stay here and keep me company," Lin Yue reassured.

Hearing Lin Yue say this, the two boys eagerly responded, "Granny, we’ll keep Sister company and play with her."

Li Family went to the kitchen, and Lin Yue did not wish to stay in the yard, as it was still somewhat chilly at this time. Especially since there was no brazier inside the house, and as most rural households aimed to save, they had long ceased burning charcoal fires. Sitting idle was still somewhat cold. With the sun shining nicely outside, she took the two boys to play in the yard.

Before long, they heard the sound of laughter coming from outside. It turned out to be the wives of Li Family’s two sons, who had returned home with their children. The two daughters-in-law had not gone to the same place—one had visited her parental home the day before while the other had been to the city. By coincidence, they met on their way back to the village and decided to return home together. Although there were minor conflicts between the two sisters-in-law on regular days, they got along quite harmonically, chatting and laughing all the way. Upon reaching the house and seeing a grand carriage parked at the entrance, they were quite surprised.

"Whose carriage is parked at our doorstep? It looks very grand. It couldn’t possibly belong to some rich master stopping here, could it? I haven’t heard of any relatives nearby who are so wealthy," Lin Hai’s wife said with curiosity as she saw the strange carriage.

"Other families’ relatives wouldn’t park their carriage at our doorstep. Could it be that we have some wealthy guests? But I’ve never heard of such relatives," Lin Quan’s wife also expressed her puzzlement.

Upon hearing Lin Quan’s wife’s words, Lin Hai’s wife suddenly remembered something. The day before, her mother-in-law had gone to Lin Genfa’s house to look for her great-niece, the second daughter of Lin Youfu’s family. They said that girl was quite fortunate, having been sold as a wife to a widower said to bring misfortune upon his spouses. Everyone had thought that she would be unlucky, but against the odds, not only had she survived, but her husband’s family had also grown wealthy. Many villagers had even gone to her house to do odd jobs, telling stories of good treatment. Her own husband had been tempted to join, but they had already hired enough hands. In addition, with relations like theirs, the mother-in-law had not allowed it.

"Could it be the great-niece of the mother-in-law who has come? When I went to the city, the mother-in-law specially instructed me to bring back some delicacies, saying that we might have guests over these next few days. Let’s not guess anymore; let’s go inside and see for ourselves."

Both sisters-in-law, curious and eager to know, entered the yard with their children and saw an elegantly dressed woman talking and laughing with the two boys from Lin Quan’s family. Lin Hai’s wife and Lin Quan’s wife had both seen Lin Yue before and, despite the great change in her appearance and her increased beauty, recognized her immediately and approached with smiles.

"Erhu has come! I had no idea you were coming; otherwise, I wouldn’t have gone to the city today and would have stayed home to wait for you," said one.

"Yes, Erhu, you haven’t visited us for a long time. You’ve grown even prettier," said the other. "Ever since you got married, we haven’t seen you, and the mother-in-law is always worrying, afraid that you might be having a hard time. Now seeing your complexion and your dress, it’s clear you’re faring quite well in your marital home, and that will put the mother-in-law’s mind at rest."

Lin Yue greeted the two aunts with a smile, "Have the two aunts returned? I hope my presumptuous visit hasn’t caused any trouble. If my aunt and aunts were worried, it’s my fault. Our family has started some business, and life has improved. My husband is very good to me. When you have time, I would also like to invite my aunt and aunts to visit for a few days so I can host you properly as thanks for the care I received from my aunt and aunts when I was at my parental home."

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