Chapter 55 Disagreements
For several days in a row, Wan Qiqi followed Chen Yongnian up the mountain. Being by Chen Yongnian's side always brought unexpected surprises.
She discovered that Chen Yongnian was truly blessed with good fortune; although they were all small items, they still brought him a great deal of wealth.
What frustrated Wan Qiqi the most was the rosehip. It was delicious, had many uses, and could sell for 30 coins a pound, so why was it covered in thorns, making it impossible for her to get her hands on it?
After getting pricked several times, she decisively sewed herself a pair of gloves and happily picked rose hips.
Chen Yongnian looked back and couldn't help but shake his head, but a smile appeared on his lips.
"Wife, why are you picking these? They're covered in thorns." He said as he took Wan Qiqi's gloves and basket and quickly began picking the thorns.
Wan Qiqi stood to the side, watching Chen Yongnian's actions, and replied, "Eat it! This stuff is delicious!"
Chen Yongnian glanced back at her, without stopping what he was doing, "Doesn't it prick your mouth?"
Wan Qiqi laughed and said, "Are you silly? Just remove the thorns." With that, she snatched the gloves and basket, "Go, go, you do your thing, I'll pick mine."
Chen Yongnian watched for a while, said nothing, and went back to chop wood!
The two would go up the mountain at sunrise and return home under the blazing sun, living a very pleasant life.
However, before they even reached their doorstep, they encountered Chen Lizheng, who was in a hurry.
"Lord Village Head, where are you going?"
Chen Lizheng turned around and saw Wan Qiqi and Chen Yongnian. He stopped in his tracks and said, "I was just about to look for you."
"Hmm, what's wrong?" Wan Qiqi had a feeling that it wasn't anything good.
"Um... the reward I promised might not be available..." Chen Lizheng lowered his head, looking somewhat disappointed.
"It's okay." Wan Qiqi didn't care about these things.
But she discovered that Chen Lizheng's troubles seemed to be more than just this matter. "Lizheng, what's troubling you? Tell us, and we'll all help you find a solution."
Chen Lizheng looked at Wan Qiqi, hesitated, and finally sighed, "Even if I said something, it would be useless!"
Judging from his expression, Wan Qiqi knew something important had happened. She glanced at Chen Yongnian and gestured for him to come forward.
Chen Yongnian was completely baffled and could only stare at Wan Qiqi, not knowing what to do.
Wan Qiqi sighed inwardly, took two steps forward, and said, "Chen Lizheng, just a few more steps and we'll be at my house. Let's talk as we walk!"
After thinking for a while, Chen Lizheng, who was also heading in that direction, agreed.
Before even entering the courtyard, a group of people were gathered at Aunt Zhao's door, and the air was filled with the strong smell of mugwort.
Wan Qiqi stopped and frowned, a bad feeling rising in her heart.
Sure enough, she spotted Dr. Sun in the crowd.
"Qiqi, you're back." Doctor Sun dusted himself off and walked out. "Old Chen, what's wrong with the Zhao family? They're ruining themselves and others." He sighed heavily as he spoke.
At this moment, Chen Yongliang came out of the Chen family. After seeing Wan Qiqi and Chen Yongnian, his troubled expression eased a little. "Big brother, sister-in-law, you're finally back!"
Chen Yongnian was a little confused, but the scene seemed very familiar. He asked, "Third brother, what happened?"
Chen Yongliang was about to speak when Wan Qiqi interrupted him, "Chen, you speak!" If Chen Yongliang were to speak, who knows how long he would ramble on before getting to the point!
Chen Lizheng glanced at the Zhao family's house again and sighed, "The plague is not over yet; it has spread to Guanshi Village!"
really!
Judging from Chen Lizheng's expression, Wan Qiqi had already guessed what was going on. If she was right, this was related to Zhao Dagen's family.
Chen Lizheng continued, "On the day Zhao Dahu beat An'an, Zhao Dagen had already contracted the plague but did not report it. He even fled the village overnight with Zhao Qianshi and Zhao Dahu and went to Guanshi Village. Now, the plague has broken out in Guanshi Village."
Are you an idiot?
Wan Qiqi couldn't help but complain.
She thought Aunt Zhao and Zhao Dahu were already the worst, but she never expected that Zhao Dagen, whom she rarely saw, was the worst of the worst!
People who are clearly infected with the plague but not only fail to report it but also run around aimlessly are the scum of society!
After mentally grumbling for a while, she asked, "So how does the county government plan to handle this matter?"
Chen Lizheng sighed again, wishing everyone were as intelligent as Wan Qiqi.
"The plague in Lianhua Village was mishandled and spread to Guanshi Village. Lianhua Village is required to fully assist Guanshi Village in treating the plague. If it cannot be controlled and its spread is not allowed, not only will the culprit Zhao Dagen's family be held accountable, but also Sun Langzhong and I will be held accountable."
After Chen Lizheng finished speaking, he exchanged a glance with Sun Langzhong and lowered his head.
Wan Qiqi understood why the county government handled things this way, and even belatedly realized that it was due to their negligence. They should have conducted another investigation at the end to eliminate those who concealed information, so as to prevent problems from arising in the first place.
Now that it has happened, there is no going back; we can only try to deal with it.
“Chen Lizheng, do you need any help? I can…” Chen Yongnian was interrupted by Wan Qiqi before he could finish speaking.
“Yongliang and I will go with Physician Sun. You and your second brother will stay at home.” Wan Qiqi looked at Chen Yongnian. “Chongniang is heavily ill, and Pingping is injured. Your second brother probably can’t manage alone. It would be better if you stayed.”
Chen Yongnian countered, "Why wasn't it you who stayed?"
Wan Qiqi stood there, stunned.
She never imagined that Chen Yongnian would refute her like that, and so confidently.
Sun Langzhong really wanted Wan Qiqi to come and help, but he also felt that Pingping was injured and needed her, putting him in a dilemma.
Seeing that the couple was about to argue over this matter, he immediately stopped them, saying, "Yongliang is now an apprentice at the medicine shop. He can come with me to help out. As for who of you wants to come along, you can decide for yourselves."
“Master Sun, there’s no need to discuss it. I’ll go. Tell Yongliang when we’re leaving, and I’ll go with him.” Wan Qiqi didn’t look at Chen Yongnian and continued talking about the plague with Master Sun and Chen Lizheng.
Chen Yongnian lowered his head and silently entered the courtyard.
Chen Yongliang noticed that his elder brother was in a bad mood, so he patted Wan Qiqi's shoulder and whispered, "Sister-in-law, why don't you let your brother go? You are a woman, and this kind of thing that requires you to show your face in public should be done by a man."
"Are women only allowed to stay at home to be good wives and mothers?" Wan Qiqi suddenly raised her eyes, staring at Chen Yongliang with a firm and unquestionable gaze.
Chen Yongliang suddenly choked on the words he was about to say.
Isn't it always been like this?
In his mind, women should stay at home to take care of their husbands and children and manage household affairs properly, while men should go out to earn money. Naturally, such dangerous things should be done by men!
But he felt that his sister-in-law was very angry after he said those words, which made him somewhat afraid, as if his sister-in-law had reverted to her old ways.
Chen Lizheng and Sun Langzhong exchanged glances and decided not to get involved in this family feud, both leaving under the pretext of being busy.
Chen Yongliang swallowed hard and said in a very soft voice, "Sister-in-law, please don't be angry, I...I..."
He wanted to apologize, but didn't know what to say. He felt he hadn't said anything wrong, but seeing his sister-in-law's attitude, he felt like he had done something wrong.
Wan Qiqi glanced at him sideways, said nothing, and turned back to the courtyard.
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