CHAPTER 79: CHAPTER 79: SHE’S COLD-HEARTED

Yun Jiao didn’t speak.

She knew a bit about Sun, too. Despite being a bit too shrewd, she wasn’t mean-spirited, otherwise she wouldn’t have lent silver to Mrs. Chen.

The implication of her words, however, was a concern that Yun Jiao might empty her natal family’s belongings, which would be unfair to her future daughter-in-law, Gu Mei.

She couldn’t be bothered to respond to that.

Although young, Gu Chuan could sense something off in those words too.

This morning, he heard from Liu Er that the family next door was engaged to his eldest sister. This must be his elder sister’s future mother-in-law.

He couldn’t help but say, "These are all books, along with my clothes and luggage."

"My eldest sister sold all the family land, saying she needed the silver to prepare her dowry. I had no food to eat, so I had to come to my second sister for help."

Sun opened her mouth, "Ah... this... "

"How can that be? Isn’t the family land supposed to be left to the male heirs? How did she get the right to sell it?"

By this time, the carriage had already stopped in front of the Jiang Family residence, and Gu Chuan jumped off the carriage, shouting, "She’s heartless, taking advantage of my young age to bully me."

Sun’s face alternated between red and pale upon hearing this, and she went inside.

Next door, Liu Er was helping Yun Jiao carry things inside.

Members of the second and third branches were peering from the windows, some stood at the door and others in the courtyard, still unaware that Gu Chuan would soon be living there.

Everyone was thinking the same as Sun; such a big box and large bundles—this must be emptying out the natal family.

Yang stared at the big box and began to regret; if she had just gritted her teeth and paid five taels of silver, she could have married Yun Jiao to Erlang. She quickly calculated that the money would have returned soon, considering how resourcefully Yun Jiao gathered for her in-laws.

San Ya ran over to help Yun Jiao sort out the belongings.

The box of books was all placed in the side room where Yun Jiao and San Ya slept.

Gu Chuan’s clothes and luggage were also organized by Yun Jiao.

She pointed to Liu Er and said to Gu Chuan, "From now on, when Brother Sanlang is in good spirits, you will study with Liu Er under Brother Sanlang."

"Next time I go to the county, I’ll buy some paper and pens for you both."

"After learning the words, you should also practice writing, otherwise you will forget them in a few days."

"Also, you’re not familiar with the children in this village, so it’s best to play with Liu Er to avoid being bullied."

Gu Chuan nodded vigorously, "I understand."

Liu Er gleefully put his arm around Gu Chuan’s shoulder, "Don’t worry, sister-in-law, no one can bully Xiao Chuan as long as I’m here."

After tidying up the luggage, Yun Jiao hurried into the kitchen to prepare dinner.

Today, there was beef, and Yun Jiao found this a bit troubling.

In her previous life, she lived in a province that ate a lot of spicy food, and in her recipes, beef always had to have chili.

But now, Jiang Youzhi was still ill and couldn’t eat spicy food.

She suddenly didn’t know how to cook it.

She tried hard to recall the beef dishes she’d had: salt-fried beef—needed dried chili pepper.

Cumin beef—forget it, there was no cumin here.

Stir-fried beef—no, it required fresh chili peppers.

Salivating and counting on her fingers, just as she was contemplating, she saw a few potatoes on the ground.

These were brought over by Guihua.

Yun Jiao quickly decided to make braised beef with potatoes, which could be tasty even without chili.

She swiftly cut the beef into pieces and marinated it with cooking wine and soy sauce.

Once marinated, she started cooking the rice.

After the rice was done, she sautéed ginger and garlic until fragrant, then stir-fried the beef before transferring it to a clay pot to simmer slowly with water.