A Good Country Wife
Chapter 585 - 579_1

Chapter 585: Chapter 579_1

Moreover, Dalang and his brothers seemed to have a harmonious relationship with Lin Yue, getting along with her just like a biological mother and her children. There was not a hint of pretense, especially the warmth and respect in the children’s eyes. Lin Yue had completely won over the hearts of the children. Lin Hai and Lin Quan had watched Lin Yue grow up. Seeing the once frail and meek young girl transform into what she was now, they too were happy for Lin Yue. Having a mother who favored her so, it certainly wasn’t easy for Erhu to live the life she had now.

After meeting each other, Lin Yue settled down with the children. Xixi stayed in the same room as Lin Yue. Xixi had intended to sleep on the floor, but Lin Yue noticed that although her aunt’s rooms were clean, they were just rural mud houses. The ground wasn’t paved with bluestone and was very damp. Sleeping there would surely be uncomfortable, and besides, the bed was quite large, easily big enough for two people. Thus, Lin Yue suggested that Xixi share the bed with her.

Xixi was initially unwilling, as under the guidance of Madam Xu, her sense of the servant-master relationship had grown stronger. Even though she might be a bit careless and impulsive in her speech, not thinking before she spoke, she dared not break the rules. "Madam, I am perfectly content sleeping on the ground. There is no precedent for a servant sharing a bed with their master. If Madam Xu finds out, she will certainly teach me a lesson," she protested.

"I am the one who’s giving the order. Madam Xu won’t blame you. Besides, if you don’t tell and I don’t tell, who will know? Enough, stop being stubborn. I am the master, and you will listen to me." Lin Yue had been running ragged these past few days and was truly tired; she couldn’t be bothered to haggle over such a trivial matter and gave the command directly. Seeing that Lin Yue’s mind was made up, Xixi did not dare to say more. She remembered Madam Xu’s most important rule: never go against the master’s orders.

However, the quilts at her aunt’s house, although they were newly changed and clean, were quite old, thin, and not warm enough. Lin Yue was particularly sensitive to the cold. Even though she allowed Xixi to share the bed, Lin Yue had no intention of sharing a quilt. After all, she had her personal habits and preferences. Zhao Erhu was her husband, and she was used to him, but anyone else was a different story. She did not wish to sleep together, and the quilts were not sufficient. Thus, she asked Xixi to bring in the quilts from the carriage, a large one for Dalang and his brothers to share, and a smaller one for her own use.

Lin Yue settled down with the children and Xixi at her aunt’s place, while the others stayed next door at Lin Genfa’s house. Lin Yue had initially intended to pay for the lodging, but Lin Genfa’s family was well-liked by their neighbors and good at fostering relationships. Since they were only staying for a few nights, their neighbors were willing to help without accepting any payment for the lodging.

Lin Yue did not want Lin Genfa to owe anyone favors over the lodging, so she gave some of the food and Fragrant Soap she had brought from home, more than enough to offset the cost of lodging. The neighbors, because of this, became even more enthusiastic in their hospitality, taking the affairs of the Lin Genfa family to heart. The people in the village were mostly honest and did not like taking advantage of others. They would say, "How could the lodging be worth so much? It’s just a shabby house for people to rest in, not an inn in the city. Even the most expensive lodging would only cost a few dozen to a hundred coins per night. The gifts from Mrs. Lin are worth far more. Since we’ve accepted her gifts, we should do more to help, not waste the kindness she has shown us."

Among them was a family who once worked at Lin Yue’s. Lin Yue’s wages were higher than others, and she treated her servants well, so they were grateful and eager to help Lin Yue with anything. It was just that Lin Yue had brought servants with her and didn’t need any help at the moment.

"Knock, knock, knock, Erhu, are you still awake?" Lin Yue had just finished tidying up and was ready to lie down to rest when she heard her aunt knocking on the door.

Lin Yue gestured to Xixi to open the door. As the door opened, they saw her aunt come in with a tray, bringing them a late-night snack. "Aunt, we’ve already had our dinner. What’s this about?"

Lin Yue remembered that when she arrived, her aunt had clearly asked if they had eaten dinner, and she told her aunt that they had eaten. Perhaps her aunt had misunderstood, so she made something delicious and brought it over.

"I know you’ve had dinner, but the atmosphere at your aunt Lin Genfa’s place wasn’t great, what with so many people there, how could anyone eat well? Besides, after all this time, you must be hungry. We don’t have much fancy food at home, so I just made some egg noodles. Have some before you go to bed."

As Auntie spoke, Lin Yue, smelling the fragrance, really did start to feel hungry. Just like Auntie said the atmosphere at Lin Genfa’s house was, and with so many people crowded together, she really didn’t have much of an appetite. She hadn’t had her fill at lunch either since she was interrupted midway, but when you’re away from home, you just have to endure all sorts of inconveniences.

"Auntie, how could I trouble you like this, keeping you busy in the kitchen so late at night?" Lin Yue personally went to get the noodles, feeling even more grateful for Auntie’s kindness.

"What’s the trouble? I’ve said it before, being at Auntie’s home is like being at your own, so please don’t be polite. You have yours first. There’s still a few bowls in the kitchen; I’ll take them to Dalang and his brothers. You can’t let growing boys like them get hungry; they’re still growing."

"Then I must trouble Auntie." With things as they were, Lin Yue was no longer polite with Auntie and decided in her heart that she would be even closer to Auntie in the future. After meeting so many top-grade relatives, Auntie’s kindness became even more precious. Plus, her family was very harmonious, and even though Auntie’s daughters-in-law each had their little flaws, they were generally good people.

As soon as Auntie left, Lin Yue and Xixi began to eat the steaming bowls in earnest. The fragrant egg noodles, made from the finest white flour at home, not only had strips of meat in them but also boasted an egg on top, sprinkled with chopped green onions, which really appealed to the appetite. Auntie didn’t differentiate in her care; even Xixi’s portion was as full as Lin Yue’s, a detail that showcased Auntie’s character even more.

"Madam, these noodles are really delicious, just as good as what Uncle Wang makes." Xixi was hungry too and ate her bowl with gusto.

Lin Yue smiled and said, "Indeed, they might use less ingredients than Uncle Wang’s, but they have a unique flavor that feels comforting."

Zhao Erhu had been traveling late into the night. Entering the village on horseback, the sound of hooves had stirred up the local dogs, causing quite a racket. When he arrived at Lin Genfa’s doorstep, Zhao Erhu tied his horse to a tree outside and ran straight to Zhao Yunxiang’s room. Since Lin Genfa didn’t want to inconvenience Lin Yue and the others by locking the courtyard door, and there was nothing worth stealing in the house, Zhao Erhu was able to enter directly.

Seeing that the courtyard was bereft of decoration, no white hangings, Zhao Erhu breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, all his rushing day and night had not been in vain; he had arrived in time for his eldest sister’s final farewell.

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