Chapter 73 A Good Woman Brings Prosperity to Three Generations
The day before the provincial examination, it started to drizzle, and the weather finally cooled down.
Lin Anyuan didn't return, so Ye Wan naturally didn't give away the hairpin she bought.
Before that, she went home to take the chickens to town so that Aunt Cai could feed them, and then she and the old man with cough would go to the prefectural city to wait for someone.
"Ye family, where have you been these past few days? The village chief has already had that empty courtyard in the village cleaned up, just waiting for you to come back and move in."
Aunt Wang came twice and finally ran into Ye Wan.
"I've been quite busy lately. I'll ask him when he gets back. He's always the one who makes the decisions at home," Ye Wan said, offering an excuse.
She wants to do business, so it's more convenient for her to live in town, but she can't let the villagers' kindness go to waste.
"That's true, women can't really make decisions for men." After exchanging a few pleasantries, Aunt Wang suddenly lowered her voice, "Has anyone from the Zhang family come by?"
"The Zhang family?"
Ye Wan didn't react for a moment, and then someone arrived at the entrance of the courtyard.
It was Zhang Erniu's family.
Aunt Wang said in a low voice, "Look, here we are, just like that."
The Zhang family has come several times; she's run into them twice.
"Ye Niang, you're finally home. Where are Lin Anyuan and the maids?"
As soon as Zhang Erniu's mother entered the courtyard, she looked him over with a smile on her face, carrying this basket in her hand.
"I'm not home, I've gone out," Ye Wan said to Aunt Wang. "It's not convenient at home, I'm busy, so I won't keep you any longer."
Aunt Wang knew she was talking about the Zhang family, so she said, "Oh, you're busy, I'm going back to work too."
After Aunt Wang left, the Zhang family felt awkward, especially Zhang Erniu, who lowered his head and dared not look at Ye Wan.
"Well... we've come today to apologize. We're sorry for what happened to your daughter, Da Ya. We've also come to formally propose marriage."
As Zhang Erniu's father spoke, he gestured to his wife to open the basket, which contained two jin of smoked meat and the rest of eggs.
"These are some things from home, to help Daya recover."
Ye Wan glanced at her indifferently, "No need, let's forget about the marriage proposal. Da Ya isn't getting married."
She could never marry into the Zhang family. Zhang Erniu was such a spineless man; she would only suffer endless grievances if she married him, not to mention that Daya was still young.
Upon hearing this, Zhang was displeased and spoke in a tone that seemed to be for Ye Wan's good, "Ye, to put it bluntly, you are the stepmother. You should at least ask Daya what she thinks about this matter. What if Daya wants to get married? If you just stop her like this, she will inevitably resent you."
Da Ya has shaved all her hair off. Who else can she marry besides Er Niu?
Even well-off families are particular about their children's appearance; they can't possibly marry a thug or a rogue, can they?
Compared to these, the Zhang family is not bad in the village; at least they have a few acres of land and can afford to eat their fill.
She only agreed to marry Daya because she was going along with her son's wishes, and also because that girl Lamei was really...
"Then let her resent it. You yourself said I'm a stepmother. Why should a stepmother care about her thoughts? I'll just marry her off to anyone else and not care whether she's happy or not!"
Ye Wan looked at Zhang Shi with an air of self-righteousness.
Zhang choked. Even if a stepmother is pretending, she should at least pretend to have a good reputation. How could Ye Wan be so blatant?
"If there's nothing else, you can go back now. I need to get back to work." Ye Wan gestured for them to leave.
Zhang Erniu, who hadn't spoken until now, suddenly walked over and knelt down in front of Ye Wan with a thud.
"Auntie, I know you look down on me and have a problem with me. I was wrong before, but don't worry, I will definitely prove myself. My feelings for Daya will never change."
"Also, my engagement with Lamei has been called off. From now on, I will only be devoted to Daya. Auntie, please grant us our wish!"
"It's none of my business." Ye Wan sneered, feeling disgusted. "Besides, mutual affection is what makes things happen. One-sided love is coercion! Why are you forcing me? Go ahead and coerce Da Ya's father if you're so capable!"
Go tell Lin Anyuan and see if he'll beat Zhang Erniu to a pulp.
Zhang Erniu shrank back and remained silent.
"If there's nothing else, go back now, and remember to take your things with you," Ye Wan said, directly telling them to leave.
That's really giving that idiot a hard time.
Zhang was furious. "Erniu, look at the attitude of Da Ya's stepmother. She looks down on you at all. Why don't you find someone else? I don't think Da Ya is that good either."
"Father, Mother, please stop talking. I've already decided on Daya." Zhang Erniu said in a low voice, his head down.
Zhang Erniu thought Da Ya was good; she was both beautiful and virtuous. Everyone says that marrying a virtuous wife brings prosperity to three generations.
A woman like Daya, if married, would surely be filial to her parents, have a harmonious marriage, and be good at raising children.
Ye Wan, who hadn't gone far, heard these words and her brows furrowed so deeply they could have trapped a fly.
The saying "a good woman brings prosperity to three generations" is just a euphemism for the saying that a good woman is exploited by three generations of her family. That's the real truth.
She couldn't change everyone's fate, but at least a smart girl like Daya shouldn't have married someone like Zhang Erniu.
Ye Wan was feeling a bit down because she was having her period. As soon as she arrived at the gate of the town, she saw a man acting suspiciously.
"What are you doing? Trying to steal in broad daylight?!"
Ye Wan called out, and Chu Qi turned around. "I'm here to find someone. Where are the people who used to live in this courtyard?"
Unexpectedly, this woman had rented the courtyard where they had lived.
"I don't know, but you look kind of familiar to me," Ye Wan muttered.
"Oh... I remember now, you and that tall guy with the sideburns ate noodles at my stall."
Ye Wan looked Chu Qi up and down. "My godparents have already rented this courtyard. As for the person you mentioned, we've never seen him before we moved in. Is there anything else you need?"
These people are probably looking for someone. She has already given the ring to Lin Anyuan, and how Lin Anyuan deals with it is none of her business.
Moreover, she did indeed save people, so she didn't feel guilty.
As for Lin Anyuan, he's utterly immoral and has no conscience whatsoever.
Chu Qi remained expressionless. "You went to the prefectural city with an old man, were you looking for...?"
Halfway through her sentence, Aunt Cai suddenly opened the courtyard gate. "Girl, why aren't you coming in when you're at the gate?"
"Godmother, I met someone asking for directions." Ye Wan finished speaking and went straight into the courtyard without giving Chu Qi a chance.
"Could it be a coincidence?"
Chu Qi felt as if she had overlooked something.
Lin Anyuan also felt that he was being ignored.
Looking at the steamed buns and bok choy in front of me, I couldn't help but wonder what delicious food Ye Wan had made.
"Brother Lin, eat up! You're so weak, you should eat more. There's even oil in this cabbage today."
Officer Li, munching on a cornbread bun, urged Lin Anyuan on. Seeing that no one was around, he approached Lin Anyuan and whispered, "Did the magistrate order you to collect grain and medicine?"
Lin Anyuan looked up at Officer Li.
Officer Li's voice was barely audible, "I knew it was true. I heard that Prince Jing's men are coming soon, and the higher-ups are giving advance notice..."
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