Jiang Ling watched Jiang Suihe, who was engrossed in picking mushrooms, and wanted to say something several times, but in the end she kept her mouth shut.
Jiang Ling was also worried about Jiang Suihe's condition these past few days. She was always depressed and had lost all interest in reading and writing, which she usually loved. She would just sit at the door and stare blankly at the sky every day.
Jiang Ling was anxious and worried, but there was nothing she could do.
That day, Zhao Erleng's wife went to Jiang Ling's house to do chores as usual. Seeing Jiang Ling's unusual appearance, Zhao Erleng's wife kindly asked, "Sister-in-law Jiang, what's wrong?"
Jiang Ling glanced at the other busy village women, then pulled Zhao Erleng's wife aside and whispered, "Isn't it all because of Zhang Dazhuang from the Zhang family?" Jiang Ling then told Zhao Erleng's wife everything about Zhang Dazhuang and Jiang Suihe.
After hearing this, Zhao Erleng's wife smiled and said to Jiang Ling, "Sister-in-law, there's something I'm going to say, but please don't get angry. Although I can't compare to your business acumen, I'm completely helpless when it comes to educating children."
"It's normal for a young girl to have feelings for someone, but if she sees something more attractive, how could she possibly still be so attached to a man?"
Jiang Ling was a little confused by Zhao Erleng's wife's words. Jiang Ling shook her head and said sincerely, "Sister-in-law, please speak frankly!"
"Have you really gotten to know Suihe? This little girl is usually so quiet, but she's actually very sensitive. If you let her see more of the world, I think she won't stay like this forever!"
Zhao Erleng's wife's words enlightened Jiang Ling, and an idea immediately popped into her mind.
As night fell, Jiang Ling brought Jiang Suihe to the back mountain. Jiang Ling took out a bottle of fruit wine from her bosom, which she had secretly bought at the mall earlier.
The clear moonlight shone on the mountaintop. Jiang Ling took out the fruit wine and said to Jiang Suihe, "Suihe, I've been neglecting you lately because of my business. Tonight, it's just the two of us. Shall we have a heart-to-heart talk?"
Jiang Suihe paused for a moment, then looked up at Jiang Ling without saying a word for a long time.
"Mother knows you still can't let go of Zhang Dazhuang, right?"
These words made Jiang Suihe shudder. Her eyes darted around unsteadily, and she said in a voice barely above a whisper, "No...no, it wasn't me..."
"Suihe, it's just the two of us today, mother and daughter. Aren't you going to tell me the truth?" Jiang Ling adjusted her tone, making it sound less intimidating.
These words became the last straw that broke Jiang Suihe's back. She trembled all over and suddenly burst into tears.
Jiang Ling gently pulled Jiang Suihe into her arms, stroking her back as she softly said, "My darling, it's all my fault. I've neglected your growth all this time."
Jiang Suihe choked up and said, "No...no, it's my fault. I promised Mother that I wouldn't think about him anymore, but Mother, I just couldn't control myself!"
Jiang Ling continued to comfort her, "Suihe, don't be too sad. People can't control their emotions. The more you act like this, the more upset you'll be!"
As Jiang Ling spoke, she took out a bottle of fruit wine and placed it in front of Jiang Suihe, saying, "Suihe, have a taste."
Jiang Suihe wiped away her tears and asked with a puzzled look, "Mother, what is this?"
"This? It's like fine wine and jade dew. Anyway, drinking it will make you forget your troubles!" Jiang Ling smiled mysteriously.
Jiang Suihe took the fruit wine with some skepticism, took a sip, and immediately stuck out her tongue, saying, "Mom! Mom! Why is this so spicy!"
Jiang Ling smiled and encouraged Jiang Suihe to continue. Although Jiang Suihe was unwilling, she heard her mother say that it could help her forget her troubles, so she gulped down the whole bottle of fruit wine while pinching her nose.
Not long after drinking it, Jiang Suihe felt as if her brain was filled with lead, everything she saw was double, and her hands and feet seemed to be out of her control.
She lay on the grass and mumbled to Jiang Ling, "Mother, what... what's wrong with me?"
"It's nothing, it's nothing, you're fine! How are you feeling?" Jiang Ling quickly reassured her.
Jiang Suihe felt dizzy and shook her head vigorously, only to find that the scenery in front of her was spinning. She frowned, and her face was flushed due to the alcohol.
"Mother, will I really forget Zhang Dazhuang?" Jiang Suihe asked Jiang Ling, her eyes unfocused.
"Of course! This boy has no sense of responsibility at all. He's ambiguous with you and unclear with the daughter of the Sun family. How could such a boy become your husband! Suihe, are you sleepy? Go to sleep. Tomorrow morning, Mom will take you to a good place!" Jiang Ling gently patted Jiang Suihe and said.
Jiang Suihe wanted to say something, but at that moment she only felt that her eyelids were very heavy. After a while, she lay down on the grass and began to snore softly.
Jiang Ling gently patted Jiang Suihe and called out softly a few times, but the only response was Jiang Suihe's snoring.
Jiang Ling smiled and gently picked up Jiang Suihe, carefully walking towards home.
"Mother... Sister, what is this..." Jiang Ling had just pushed open the door when Jiang Yaojie's voice reached her ears.
Jiang Ling looked up and saw Jiang Yaojie walking towards her anxiously.
"It's nothing, she's just asleep! You know what's been going on lately!" Jiang Ling said.
Jiang Yaojie nodded, gently took Jiang Suihe from Jiang Ling's arms, and then placed her in the bedroom.
"Why aren't you asleep yet so late?" Jiang Ling asked Jiang Yaojie curiously.
"Nothing, I just wanted to review the arithmetic my uncle taught me this afternoon!" Jiang Yaojie said, starting to fiddle with the abacus in his hands.
The sound of the abacus was particularly pleasant. Jiang Ling looked at Jiang Yaojie, who was looking very serious, and quietly asked, "Yaojie, what do you want to do in the future?"
"In the future?" Jiang Yaojie put down the abacus in his hand and turned his eyes to think.
"Hmm... I don't know either, but right now I just want to study hard. Actually, there's something I haven't told you, Mom..." Jiang Yaojie scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed.
"A while ago, I helped Magistrate Duan find a water source, and my clothes were accidentally torn on the mountain. Magistrate Duan rewarded me with a new set of clothes, but when I came back, everyone's attitude towards me didn't seem to have changed. I thought everyone treated each other like that, until..."
"After my uncle came, everyone seemed to change their attitude towards him. Although they weren't as respectful as when Magistrate Duan came, they were at least very respectful. So I felt that I had to study hard, because only by being knowledgeable could I earn people's respect!"
Jiang Yaojie's words left Jiang Ling speechless for a moment, but it was a fact that scholars were indeed respected in ancient times.
"However, Mother, I actually still want to do business in the future. I was really happy when I went with you to buy grass jelly the other day. You said I could do well in my studies and run a good business at the same time?"
Looking at Jiang Yaojie's bright eyes, Jiang Ling smiled slightly and said softly, "To do a good job in business, you also need to be good at arithmetic and literacy. If you study well, you will definitely do well in business. While your uncle is here, you should work even harder!"
Jiang Yaojie nodded. Looking at Jiang Yaojie's expression, Jiang Ling suddenly had an idea. She said to Jiang Yaojie, "Yaojie, is there something you'd like to consider trying?"
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