Chapter 22 Zhao's Best Friend
"I'm tired after a long day, I need to take a hot foot bath and rest well."
Zhang said gently.
Zhao nodded, saying that this was the most relaxing time of day, and soaking her feet in hot water could relax her whole body.
Zhao brought hot water, and Qin also arrived.
Qin asked softly, "Have you discussed everything?"
Zhao nodded: "Your brother is smart. He said we should ask around tomorrow morning before going anywhere. With him around, I feel much more at ease."
Madam Qin smiled and said, "That's good."
She came to fetch water for Su Dai to wash her hands and face.
Zhao took the water out, and Qin also fetched hot water to help Su Dai wash his face and hands, and she washed herself as well.
After washing up, I fell asleep easily.
Su Dai snuggled into Qin Shi's arms, closed her eyes, and sweetly said, "I need Mother to lull me to sleep."
Qin's lips curled up, and she patted Su Dai's shoulder while humming a tune.
As soon as it was light, Zhang got up and boiled a pot of eggs for Qin Yulin and Zhao to take on the road.
Go while it's cool in the morning, otherwise it will be too hot and bad for your health.
Since the other party said they haven't had water or rice for three days, it would be more appropriate to buy some gifts.
Watching the couple leave, Zhang clasped her hands together and murmured, "May God protect us, may God protect us, may all demons and monsters stay away from my family, may everything go smoothly, and may the wicked be punished."
Qin Yulin and Zhao walked together toward Xinghua Village.
"Lan'er, have you decided who we should ask for information?"
Qin Yulin asked.
Zhao Lan nodded: "I've thought it through. I'll find Li Laidi. Her older sister was on good terms with me before she got married. Li Laidi is only fourteen years old and still unmarried. Zhao Caiju lives in the village, so she should know if there's anything big going on."
After all, Zhao Caiju had always been a showy person since she was a child. She wanted the whole village to know about any big commotion she made, so that everyone would envy her.
"After Sister Lai Di gets married, she will definitely have a lot of work to do. I know where to find her." Zhao thought to herself, her expression somewhat melancholy.
Knowing the hardships of life, she understood how precious her peace and happiness were. No matter what Zhao Caiju was up to, she wouldn't let her succeed.
Qin Yulin was relieved.
During their rest stop along the way, the two drank water and ate eggs.
The journey took them an hour and a half, and by the time they arrived, it was already noon.
Most people have already gone home to rest and eat.
Zhao led Qin Yulin to the riverbank, where they indeed saw a thin figure washing clothes.
Zhao said to Qin Yulin, "I'll go over there. You wait for me here."
Qin Yulin nodded; it was indeed inconvenient for a man like him to go alone.
Zhao walked towards Li Laidi, who was beating clothes with a washing stick. Hearing the sound, Li Laidi turned around and asked, "Who is it?"
Upon seeing Zhao, Li Laidi paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Sister Xiaolan, what brings you here?"
There was a large pile of clothes next to Li Laidi, so after greeting her, she squatted down and continued washing clothes.
Zhao walked to the side and reached out to help rub it.
Li Laidi quickly said, "Sister Xiaolan, you mustn't do that."
Zhao smiled and said, "Laidi, there's nothing wrong with it. The sun is getting stronger. The sooner you finish washing, the sooner you can go back for dinner. Let's talk while you wash. I want to ask you something."
"Sister Xiaolan, please speak."
Li Laidi smiled and did not continue to stop her.
While washing her, Zhao asked, "Laidi, what's been happening with my cousin these past two months? She's reached the age where she should be getting married. Have you heard her mention anything about marriage? Has she bought anything nice for you to see lately?"
Zhao felt that Zhao Caiju's changes must be related to the past two months, and there was no need to inquire about anything beyond that.
"Well, that's just how she is. I've never heard her talk about marriage, but my mother once said a couple of things, like she's got eyes on the top of her head and looks down on everyone."
Li Laidi answered with a smile.
"As you know, she always said she wanted to be a rich man's wife, but we never believed it. A rich man's wife must come from a rich family."
“A month ago, she got a jade pendant that was said to be priceless. She was very fond of it and even said that she would buy me as a maid, and she would buy several of me. We really thought she was going to marry into a wealthy family, but no one came to propose marriage after that, and that was the end of it.”
"Everyone just treats it as a joke. We don't understand the jade pendant, and it might not be worth anything."
Li Laidi spoke of Zhao Caiju with a sigh, shaking her head at the end.
In her opinion, Zhao Caiju was having unrealistic dreams.
Instead of looking down on this person and that person and trying to build up a great reputation, it's better to choose someone hardworking and not lazy and settle down with them.
"Sister Xiaolan, I haven't seen her for the past two weeks."
Li Laidi recounted everything she knew in detail.
After saying that, she looked at Zhao Lan and asked in a low voice, "Sister Lan, is your husband good to you?"
Zhao Lan nodded.
Li Laidi's eyes lit up: "Many people say you married well, but are your in-laws fierce?"
Zhao Lan smiled and shook her head: "They are all very good people."
Li Laidi looked on with envy: "I really envy you, Sister Xiaolan. I hope I can meet a good person in the future, unlike my sister..."
When her sister was mentioned, Li Laidi looked sad.
"What happened to Pandi?"
Zhao Lan asked with concern.
Li Laidi sighed and said, "My sister's second child was also a daughter. She had to go back to work in the fields right after giving birth. My mother didn't even go to see her. I secretly went to check on her, and I felt very uncomfortable."
Li Laidi envied Zhao Shi even more; she had been married for three years without conceiving and was still doing well.
Her older sister, Li Pandi, gave birth to two children in three years, but both were daughters and did not receive proper care.
Zhao felt a heavy weight in her heart as she listened, but she didn't know what to say.
It seems that this is the fate of many women, and only a very few women like you are lucky.
Li Pandi's fate was like that of many women; even daughters from good families like the Qin family could not escape that fate.
"Sigh, I shouldn't have said these things. By the way, Sister Xiaolan, what are you doing back here? If you ask me, you shouldn't have come back. Your aunt is not good to you."
After Li Laidi finished her sigh, she changed the subject.
Zhao sighed, "She sent me a message saying that she hasn't been able to eat for three days and is dying, and that I must come back to see her. I want to find out first whether she is lying to me."
"Then don't fall for it. If she asks you for money, don't give it to her."
Li Laidi said with concern.
Zhao nodded; she wouldn't give it to him.
After helping Li Laidi finish washing the clothes, Zhao and Li Laidi parted ways.
When Zhao arrived at the place where Qin Yulin was hiding, Qin Yulin immediately stood up and said, "Thank you for your hard work."
Zhao shook her head: "It's not hard work. I've found out some information, but I don't know if it will be useful."
Zhao told Qin Yulin all the information she had gathered.
After listening, Qin Yulin pondered the connection between the two.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com