Capítulo 1316: Chapter 1316: Would Grandma Let You Off?

Lady Jiang listened to these words, and hurriedly waved her hand, saying: “I don’t dare to compare; how can our Jinhua compare to her aunt’s great blessing? I would be grateful to the heavens if she could have even a tenth of her aunt’s good fortune!”

Upon hearing this, the two women exchanged a glance, and one of them laughed: “If you ask me, it’s better to let your Jinhua be under her aunt’s guidance for two years. With her aunt’s skills, she would surely turn Jinhua into a refined young lady.”

“Besides, staying by her aunt’s side would be a chance to see the world. Wouldn’t the sons of good families outside let you choose freely? If she’s lucky, she might end up like her aunt, marrying into the Officials Master’s House, and then a golden phoenix would have flown from the mountains again.”

Lady Jiang couldn’t hold back her smile: “Bless your words! Speaking of which, we have so many children at home, but only Jinhua is a girl, no wonder her aunt dotes on her; we must find her a good family to marry into, right?”

The two women echoed in agreement.

Beside them, Liu Xiaoqiao found these words somewhat inappropriate but felt it was not right to say anything in front of outsiders.

Jinhua, hearing this, felt both shy and embarrassed, stomped her foot, saying: “Mom, what nonsense are you talking about? Shouldn’t you be checking the kitchen for something good to prepare for Aunt’s arrival, rather than idling here chit-chatting?”

Her words reminded Lady Jiang and Liu Xiaoqiao.

Satisfied that the yard was tidied up, they thanked the two women, each giving them two eggs, and saw them out the door.

Lady Jiang’s cooking skill was the best in the Wang Family, so she headed to the kitchen to busy herself.

Liu Xiaoqiao returned to her own yard to fetch the smoked meat preserved since last December.

Jinhua followed Lady Jiang into the kitchen and, seeing there was no one around, couldn’t help but complain: “Mom, why say those things to outsiders? Isn’t it laughable for people to hear?”

Over the past year, Wang Laosan had focused on providing for their two sons’ education, hoping for family glory in the future.

Moreover, since he had to collect mountain goods every day, he truly had no time to go out fooling around.

Lady Jiang had a gentle disposition; as long as Wang Laosan was home, she no longer complained and focused solely on living a good life with him.

The two of them seemed to have the feeling of newlyweds.

With Old Granny Zhang away from home, Lady Jiang managed the household and made money from embroidery, gaining more confidence than before.

Listening to Jinhua’s words, she couldn’t help but scold: “You child, who is Mom doing this for? Isn’t this about marrying you into a good family? Look at your aunt; she married your uncle, was a Graduate’s wife last year, and this year she’s the Magistrate’s Lady!”

“Who around these ten miles has married as well as her? Not to mention anything else, you’re the only daughter in the Wang Family now. Your aunt lending a hand to let you marry well, what’s wrong with that? Besides, as the saying goes, ‘Brothers are united in beating the tiger, sons are soldiers in battle.’ Not to mention, if you marry well, your aunt will also have face and an added helper; isn’t this a great thing?”

“You’re still young and don’t understand these things. Rest assured, your father and I will worry about this for you; by then we’ll surely find a good family for you. You just marry over and enjoy your blessings.”

“If blessed, marrying a Graduate or an Official’s son would be fine. Once you stand firm, your brother will grow up, and by then you can help him out. The good days for our family would truly be ahead. Someday Mom might—”

At this point, she saw Liu Xiaoqiao coming in with several pieces of smoked meat, pig trotters, smoked chicken, and fish, and quickly stopped speaking.

With a bit of embarrassment, she looked at Liu Xiaoqiao: “Sister-in-law, you brought so much? We probably can’t consume all of it in one meal.”

Liu Xiaoqiao had heard all of Lady Jiang’s words but did not show it on her face, “I thought since Sister-in-law and her family are returning, there might be guests accompanying them, so I brought more over. If there’s extra, we can feast on it ourselves.”

This smoked meat, chicken, and fish were secrets of the Liu Family. Living off hunting in the mountains, they had their own secret methods for preserving meats. Once smoked, they hung them on the cool rooftops, safe from rats and without spoilage.

With careful preservation, they could last until the fall harvest of the following year.

Only Liu Xiaoqiao could bring out such items at this time of year.

She and Wang Yongping were well off now, and the hunters from Liu Family and Xiatian Chongzi Gully had goodwill for Wang Yongping, sending lots down through Liu Dasheng and his brother at year’s end.

Both of them had no children, hence couldn’t eat so much.

Liu Xiaoqiao gave some to the elder and third households, and after spring, she occasionally hunted in the mountains, seldom returning empty-handed; thus, these things were stored up.

Now, she had brought them all out.

Lady Jiang felt somewhat uneasy but didn’t say much, only soaking the smoked meat in water first; otherwise, it would be too salty to eat.

After leaving the smoked meat, Liu Xiaoqiao didn’t linger and said it was still early, so she’d go up the mountain to explore and see if she could catch some game.

She then went straight out.

After Liu Xiaoqiao was far away, Jinhua spoke again: “Mom, stop saying things like this. Aunt’s achievement today is due to her fortune and skills. How much hardship did she go through initially? We can’t forget after a few good days, can we?”

“Aunt treats us very well; we shouldn’t keep taking advantage of her. What kind of people would that make us? Mom, listen to me; our days now are heavenly compared to before.”

“I’m very content, being able to eat well, dress warmly, and not needing to work in the fields. Which girl in the village doesn’t envy me?”

Lady Jiang opened her mouth, wanting to say something.

Jinhua used her trump card: “Moreover, Aunt just came back, and you’re already thinking of her. Did you ask Grandma? Aunt came back, so Grandma will surely come back too! If Grandma knows your plan, will she spare you?”

Lady Jiang shivered; how did she forget Grandma’s coming back?

Her freshly risen little thought was instantly scared away, she quickly said: “I was just thinking about it, fine, I won’t mention it again! You mustn’t tell your Grandma!”

Seeing Lady Jiang frightened, Jinhua finally breathed a sigh of relief.

In Shiqiao Town, Old Granny Zhang sneezed: “Who is cursing me behind my back?”

Wang Yongzhu laughed: “I heard the mayor has sent word to Qilidun, the timing should be right now; perhaps it’s your family missing you.”

Old Granny Zhang rubbed her nose: “Bah! That group of ingrates, missing me? Without me at home, how happy they must be! Being masters of their house with no one to scold, living freer than a god! Missing me?”

Just then, the Personal Soldiers beside Song Chongjin came in to report that although the mayor originally wanted to keep Song Chongjin in town a few more days, he knew they were eager to return home.

So he dared not force them to stay but requested that Song Chongjin visit town whenever he had time.

Now Song Chongjin had already bid farewell to the town’s scholars and respected elders, preparing to return home.

Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang hurriedly tidied themselves up, got into the carriage, and slowly drove out of the alley.

As they drove, they saw Song Chongjin waiting at the alley’s entrance, followed by a string of people with the mayor leading the send-off.