The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1650 - 1644

The Lizheng’s Miss Family, everyone in town knows, it’s clear when you ask.

After the Wang Family Brothers went to town to inquire, they tested the youngest son of that family several times before agreeing to the marriage.

Now both families have exchanged marriage documents, just waiting to bring Jinhua over in the second half of the year.

Jinpan is now studying at Changqing Academy, Jinshao has started learning too, Wang Yonggui is determined to nurture a scholar.

After the mourning period, Wang Yongping and Liu Xiaoqiao worked hard and finally reap the rewards.

Liu Xiaoqiao’s belly seemed to be on fast forward, having three children in four years, two sons and a daughter. Now with both sons and daughters, there’s nothing to be dissatisfied with.

Even Jindou and Quan Xiuniang, just a year after marriage, were pregnant and had a plump, fair-skinned boy.

Wang Yongfu is now content with a grandson, slowly handing over the family business to Jindou and Jinguan, while he only manages behind the scenes.

The big house now has Quan Xiuniang, providing hot meals every day, clothes for all seasons are plenty; much more decent than before.

Quan Xiuniang is pregnant again, already four or five months in.

The Wang Family’s status in Qilidun now is hardly different from the Clan Leader and Lizheng.

This time, hearing Wang Yongzhu would pass through Jing County, the County Magistrate sent people to fetch them to Jing County. He even had people teaching them etiquette, got them new clothes, made new jewelry, arranged for them to stay in a mansion, with servants attending, and guards at the gate not allowing easy access.

They nervously waited in the mansion, wondering if this brother-in-law got promoted again? Somehow this setup seems even grander than before?

This big family, numbering over a dozen, and with many children, despite the adults’ reminders, there were still cries and shouts, making it headache-inducing.

Unable to leave the mansion, they could only huddle together, worse than being in the countryside.

Just after two days, the Wang Family was getting restless.

Today, they received news, changed into new clothes, and specially assigned grannies attended to the women’s grooming and dressing, waiting in the courtyard.

Afraid to dirty their clothes, they didn’t dare eat much for lunch, each barely nibbled some buns to get by.

The adults might manage, but the kids couldn’t stand it. Wang Yonggui’s three children and Jindou’s son are all young, usually pampered at home, never stingy with food.

Egg pudding, fish, and meat were never lacking, and suddenly they were only gnawing buns, crying, and fussing around.

Finally coaxed with candies and pastries, the whole family was exhausted.

Seeing Yao Da, it was like seeing a savior, all swarmed around him.

Asking Yao Da eagerly, "Brother Yao, have my mother and sister come back?"

"Brother Yao, how much longer do we have to wait?"

"Brother Yao, is my sister’s Madam really powerful? Why does the County Magistrate listen to her?"

...

Yao Da barely finished answering the Wang Family’s questions and quickly said: "The old lady and Madam are already waiting next door, gentlemen, please follow me—"

As he said this, he led them over.

Eager to see their mother and sister, now just a wall and a door away, the Wang Family Brothers suddenly felt a bit timid.

After exchanging glances for some courage, they took steps to follow Yao Da to the backyard.

Liu Xiaoqiao and Quan Xiuniang were at the back, advising their children: "When you see your grandmother and aunt later, you must behave, bow to them, understood?"

The two-three-year-old kids half-understood, nodding slightly, while the smallest daughter, still nursing, just chewed her fingers, grinning dumbly.

Liu Xiaoqiao, deep breathing, dusted off their clothes, led one, carried another, with another following behind, heading to the inner courtyard.

Entering the yard, the Three Wang Brothers saw the two familiar yet unfamiliar figures under the grape arbor, knowing they were their mother and sister, but felt a bit unsure to acknowledge.

After a few years apart, although their mother and sister weren’t covered in gold and silver, shining all over, they couldn’t explain, just felt their mother and sister emanated such presence, no trace of rural past.

Actually appearing like the authoritative ladies of the county town, bearing an imposing aura, even more than those ladies.

For a moment, they halted.

Wang Yongzhu heard the commotion, turned, saw the Wang Family Brothers standing dazed at the courtyard gate, seemingly wanting to approach but hesitation holding them back.

In only three-four years, Wang Yongfu appeared older, while Wang Yonggui gained weight, resembling a rustic landowner.

Wang Yongping’s previous honest demeanor diminished, replaced by steadiness and responsibility.

Among the brothers, he was the most emotional, his eyes red, words stuck in his throat.

Unable to suppress a smile, she greeted: "Big Brother, Third Brother, Fourth Brother! You’re here!"

This smile, reminiscent of their little sister’s feeling, relaxed the brothers a bit, as they were about to speak.

They heard a familiar scolding voice: "Come now to the door and not enter! Want mother to invite you? Hurry up— "

It’s Old Granny Zhang!

The brothers immediately felt at ease! It’s definitely their mother! That robust sound and presence, identical to Qilidun, the same familiar formula, the same familiar taste!

The brothers’ hesitation vanished instantly, rushing forward a few steps, kneeling before Old Granny Zhang: "Mother, we’ve missed you terribly! You’ve finally returned—"

While saying this, tears flowed down, truly heartfelt.

Old Granny Zhang didn’t respond to it, spat: "Bah! Miss mother utterly or want mother dead? So missing mother, yet for three-four years none visited Chicheng County to check on me?"

"Don’t give me useless talks, get up! Blocking mother’s view of new grandchildren, you’re all grown men and grandfathers, still looking silly!"

She said, looking at the daughter-in-laws and grand-daughter-in-law behind them, with some grandkids.

Jindou, Jinguan, and others including Jinhua, Jinpan, Jinshao quickly advanced to bow to Old Granny Zhang and Wang Yongzhu.

Over there, Lady Jiang, Liu Xiaoqiao, and Quan Xiuniang brought the Little Beans forward for greetings, teaching the little ones to be polite.

The Little Beans, well-fed, chubby and dressed in new clothes, appeared cuter.

Stumbling through the salutations, carried aside.

Old Granny Zhang sighed, glanced more at Little Beans, then at her eldest son Wang Yongfu, half-gray hair, slouched posture, although things are better now, seemed much older.

Unknowing might think he’s older than his mother.

She remembered Song Chongjin’s medicine, though enabling Wang Yongfu to stand normal, shortens lifespan, felt pain when weather changes.

Considering how old Wang Yongfu looked, pain must’ve been continual.

Any resentment faded seeing him like this, mother’s heart softened, voice gentler: "You’re getting old too, hair greying. Time to let go and enjoy life!"

Wang Yongfu hadn’t heard mother speak kindly for years, the grown man couldn’t help but cry loudly.