Chapter 229 onwards are all good days
In her previous life, Cheng Wanwan didn't have a big appetite; one bowl of rice was enough for her at each meal.
But ever since I came to Dahe Village, I've been doing farm work every day. When I'm tired, I get hungry easily, and my appetite has gradually grown.
The dumplings were delicious today, and eating them with so many people made it even more special. She ate almost twenty in a row, and her belly became quite round.
“Auntie.” Cao Yingying sat down next to her. “The Cao family caused trouble today because of me. Tomorrow I will go back to the Cao family and persuade my stepmother to come and apologize in person.”
Cheng Wanwan put down her chopsticks and said seriously, "Your stepmother is worried about not being able to catch you. If you go back now, it's like a lamb entering a tiger's den. Listen to your aunt, just stay in Dahe Village and wait for your father to come back. I will personally take you back."
“Now that Granny Xu has had an accident in Dahe Village, my stepmother won’t let it go so easily. I don’t want to implicate my aunt, nor do I want to implicate so many people in Dahe Village.” Cao Yingying lowered her head. “This is everything I have to face. I should go back now. Thank you for taking care of me these past few days, Aunt. I’ve been very happy here…”
Zhao Ergou appeared out of nowhere: "I'll go with you. If we encounter danger, I can pull you away with me..."
"Hey, Zhao Ergou, when did you get so close to Cao Yingying?" Shen Zheng's eyes darted around. "Tell me quickly, what have you been doing behind my back?"
Zhao Ergou's face suddenly flushed red.
A blush crept onto Cao Yingying's fair and pretty face.
Fortunately, night had fallen, and Shen Zheng did not see it.
But Cheng Wanwan took in both of their expressions and could only exclaim, "Wow!"
That bastard, he's too quick. In less than a month, he's already won the girl's heart.
The Cao family... was a prominent family in the nearby counties and towns, extremely wealthy, so much so that even the county magistrate was wary of them.
It seems this guy's love life is going to be full of ups and downs.
Cheng Wanwan looked at her second son with great sympathy. Although she was quite old, she had never been in a relationship and was really no help.
Whether he can marry the young girl depends on this guy's abilities.
but--
If that day ever comes, it will be inappropriate for Cao Yingying to continue living at home, as it could give people something to gossip about and damage the child's reputation.
Shen Zheng sized up Zhao Ergou, then suddenly realized: "Damn, you wouldn't happen to like...?"
"Xiao Zheng," Cheng Wanwan interrupted him, "go and bring me a bowl of dumplings. I want to eat two more."
Shen Zheng immediately forgot what he was going to say and hurriedly nodded, saying, "Okay, I'll go right away."
He obediently followed instructions, took the bowl, and went to the big pot over there to scoop out dumplings.
Cheng Wanwan pulled Cao Yingying aside and said, "Hui Niang is about to give birth. I'm going to the city tomorrow to find a reliable midwife. You can come with me to find out how yesterday's events were handled and then see if we should go back."
Cao Yingying's tears streamed down her face instantly.
She was actually afraid to go home alone, but she had to go back; she couldn't let anyone in Dahe Village suffer any more.
It was only by chance that the imperial decree arrived today. If it hadn't come, someone in Dahe Village would definitely have been injured... No, Auntie was injured. She had a small cut on her arm. If the knife had been used any harder, her arm might have been ruined... She dared not take any more risks. She didn't want to put those who were kind to her in danger.
"Yingying, don't cry..." Cheng Wanwan wiped away her tears. "As long as you stand up for yourself, no one will dare to bully you anymore. The hard times are over, and every day from now on will be a good day for you."
"Auntie..."
Cao Yingying broke down in tears and rushed into Cheng Wanwan's arms.
The women and old ladies who had been gossiping in the courtyard fell silent instantly.
Because of the imperial decree today, they all overlooked one thing: the niece that Da Shan's mother mentioned was actually the daughter of the Cao family in Hekou County!
No wonder I felt Cao Yingying was different the first time I saw her; she really is a lady from a prominent family.
Although they envied the Cao family's wealth, they also sympathized with Cao Yingying's plight. Wealthy families had many women in their inner quarters, and there were too many schemes and tricks. The people in their village were much more honest and simple. If they didn't like someone, they would just say a few sarcastic words, and at most they would have a fight. They would never persecute someone in secret.
Aunt Wang asked Zhang Po-niang curiously, "The Zheng family must be a wealthy family, right? If Xiu-hong marries into the family, there will be a bunch of women in the courtyard. Will these women be constantly trying to harm each other?"
Granny Zhang twitched the corner of her mouth and said, "Young Master Zheng only has three concubines, don't overthink it."
Big Head Granny said, "If two women can cause such a ruckus, imagine how lively the backyard would be with three women."
"Hmph, I think you all just can't stand to see my niece doing well!" Granny Zhang snorted. "When Young Master Zheng passes the imperial examination and becomes a high-ranking official, my niece will be an official's wife. At that time, you'll all have to kneel down when you see an official's wife!"
"Tsk!" The village head's wife came over and said, "Aunt Dashan is now a proper official, and we don't need to kneel down to her. When will your niece have an official position before she talks such big words!"
“Exactly!” Madam Sun scoffed. “My sister-in-law is far more capable than your niece. My sister-in-law was personally bestowed the title of Lady Sui by the Emperor, a ninth-rank court lady. My sister-in-law isn’t even showing off, so what are you bragging about…”
Sun kept referring to her as "my sister-in-law," leaving everyone speechless.
In the past, Sun would often speak ill of Da Shan's mother and frequently make things difficult for her; the whole village knew about this.
Now that Da Shan Niang has become a court lady, Sun Shi's attitude immediately changed, and everyone was at a loss for words.
However, Old Mrs. Zhao was quite pleased. She took the opportunity to give her a gentle reprimand: "It's good that you know how good your sister-in-law is. It means you're not completely stupid. If you dare to cause trouble and sow discord again, get out of the Zhao family. The honor of the Zhao family has nothing to do with you..."
"Oh, Mother, so many people are watching. Let's talk about this when we get back." Sun smiled and hugged Old Mrs. Zhao's arm. "I'll definitely be a good girl from now on and try my best to give our Zhao family a grandson!"
Aunt Wang asked, "They say sour foods indicate a boy and spicy foods indicate a girl. Do you prefer sour or spicy foods lately?"
Sun licked her lips. Although her mother-in-law forbade her to eat spicy snails that day, she still asked Zhao Youcai to secretly save three for her. The spiciness was so refreshing, three were not enough at all... She likes spicy food so much, could she be carrying a girl?
"I...I like sour things!" Sun said dryly, "I especially like the sourest hawthorns!"
Zhu Huzi took out a hawthorn from his pocket and handed it over: "There aren't many left on the mountain. I finally found two. Aunt Zhao, these are for you."
Sun took a bite, and oh my god, it was so sour it almost killed her. She wanted to spit it out, but she managed to hold it in.
In order to have a son, she had to eat sour foods, no matter how sour they were.
Grandma Zhao really didn't know what to say. This third daughter-in-law was gossipy, annoying, shameless, and petty. She hoped that having a son would make her daughter-in-law a little more magnanimous...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
