Splendid peasant girl busy farming

Chapter 11938

In the servants' circle of the Prince's mansion, there was no such thing as "you give way to me" or "I'll let you have your way." Everyone was openly and secretly competing for things. They wouldn't even blink an eye if they were to tear you apart and eat you whole, let alone eat a bowl of your noodles.

In that kind of environment, even if they were a family, like her, who was born into the household and had parents, brothers and sisters-in-law, and an older sister, the whole family was serving as servants in the mansion, and no one could take care of anyone else.

Even between parents, even if they have several children, there is no marital bond, because their marriage is simply a matter of the master's word.

For example, I have a female cat and you have a male cat. Our two families are on good terms right now, and I think your male cat is of decent quality. So, we can put the two cats together and have them bred in a human. It's the same principle.

Marriage is always a matter of a master's word or a thought, yet it can influence the lives of servants and slaves, as well as their descendants.

When they came together, they began to follow their primal instincts, becoming husband and wife and having children one after another.

This was a behavior that was highly encouraged in the master's household. If a concubine became pregnant, the mistress of the house might try every means to get rid of the child, so as not to give birth to a son who would seize the family property, and not to let the concubine gain status through her son.

However, if the maidservant who was betrothed to the master becomes pregnant, it is a good thing for the master's family, because the children born to maidservants are called 'domestic children'.

Once the servants born into the household grow up, they are considered domesticated servants because they are rooted in the household. They are more loyal than servants bought from outside. Moreover, they only need to be fed, so there is no need to spend extra money to buy them. They also have more manpower to do the work!
Xiao Huan grew up in that kind of environment, and now, after so many years in the village, she has long been integrated into the ordinary yet most authentic family life, and has come to understand what it means to be a family, relatives, and neighbors.

"Don't laugh at me, Qing'er, but I love watching my aunt, uncle, and my mom get together and eat something. The way they politely offer each other food is so heartwarming!"

Xiao Huan scooped the noodles out of the pot while talking to Yang Ruoqing.

Yang Ruoqing nodded with a smile: "It's the same. My family and my husband's family are separated by a wall. I see this kind of scene every day."

I must say, although it's noisy, I never get tired of watching it.

Moreover, these hospitality practices were probably more common among people of the same generation as Sun and Wang Cuilian.

By the time it comes to Yang Ruoqing's generation, things might not be like that anymore. People are less comfortable entertaining guests that way, always feeling that it would backfire. Most of the time is spent entertaining or dealing with the guests, and it's tiring to eat like that.

As they were talking, Zhou Wang went into the kitchen again, this time with Luo Fengtang following behind him.

"Oh my god, hurry up and pack the noodles, they're about to start fighting in the main room!" Zhou Wang joked.

Xiao Huan glared at him and said, "Don't talk nonsense. That's just elders being polite to each other."

Zhou Wang chuckled. Of course, he knew this was the proper way for the older generation to entertain guests. He was just joking because he found the scene funny!

Because Luo Fengtang also came, this group brought four large bowls of noodles to the main room.

"Sister-in-law Xiao Huan, where are your two boys? Why aren't they back for noodles?" Yang Ruoqing noticed that only Zhou Wang had returned earlier, while the two boys she had called for him were nowhere to be seen.

Xiao Huan glanced at Luo Fengtang and said to Yang Ruoqing, "They stayed at the chicken farm. I'll take the noodles there later, and I'll also bring a bowl for Zhou Quan."

Yang Ruoqing noticed Xiao Huan's earlier look, instantly understood, and couldn't help but chuckle.

"You still need to coax them back for lunch, and tell them that their uncle isn't mean," Yang Ruoqing said.

Xiao Huan laughed, "Don't say it out loud, hahaha, you're really afraid of Tang Ya Zi!"

Xiao Huan came to the main room to greet Wang Cuilian and Luo the blacksmith, and then went to deliver noodles to the chicken farm.

Before leaving, Luo Da'e reminded her, "Don't forget to invite Zhou Quan to our house for lunch too!"

Xiao Huan looked at Zhou Wang, her gaze somewhat hesitant.

Are we calling Zhou Quan back since we have guests today? Won't that upset the Luo family? You know, Zhou Quan's mother, Zhou Xia, and Qing'er were mortal enemies back in the day!
Zhou Wang was also a little embarrassed. He turned to Luo Da'e, who was sitting at the table with a big smile and in a good mood, and suggested, "Mother, there's a lot going on at the chicken farm today, and I have to stay home to entertain guests. Let's not call Zhou Quan. Let him do his work."

Xiao Huan quickly added, "Yes, yes, at worst I'll just bring him extra dishes when I deliver his food!"

Luo Da'e thought for a moment and said, "Alright, then remember to put more meat and vegetables in Zhou Quan's bowl. That child is at the age where he is growing."

Zhou Wang said, "Mother, don't worry. When have Xiao Huan and I ever mistreated him these past few years?"

Xiao Huan just smiled awkwardly, said nothing, and turned to leave.

After Xiao Huan left, Luo Da'e sighed and turned to Luo the blacksmith and Wang Cuilian, saying, "Zhou Quan is a poor boy. I want to be good to him, but I'm afraid Xiao Huan might have some ideas..."

As a result, Zhou Wang became unhappy before he could finish speaking.

"Mother, if Xiao Huan hears you say that, she will be heartbroken."

“Wang’er, I didn’t say Xiao Huan was bad, but I was just telling the truth. What aunt would dote on her nephew like that? Especially since Zhou Quan is the kind of nephew who can’t be seen in public.”

What? Aunts in the world don't care about their nephews?
Yang Ruoqing was engrossed in drinking the old duck soup, and to be honest, the old duck soup was really delicious.

Originally, Yang Ruoqing had no intention of getting involved in other people's family affairs, but after hearing Luo Da'e's words, she almost choked on her duck soup.

She looked up, her gaze sweeping over Luo Da'e with complicated emotions, as if she were looking at an NPC. She wondered if Aunt Da'e's bag had somehow transferred into her head. How could she say such a thing? Didn't she see Wang Cuilian sitting right there?
Sure enough, Wang Cuilian's expression became noticeably unnatural upon hearing this, but she pretended not to hear and lowered her head, pretending to slurp her noodles...

Luo the blacksmith pretended not to hear, but his brows furrowed slightly. Clearly, it wasn't just Yang Ruoqing who felt this way; everyone thought that Luo Da'e's words were very inappropriate.

At the very least, you should avoid Wang Cuilian!
“Mother, you’re really confused. Everyone in this world is different,” Zhou Wang said, his face flushed with anxiety. “At least among the people I know, there’s no one like the one you’re talking about.”

“My own aunt-in-law really likes me, her nephew.”

"Xiao Huan also likes Zhou Quan, everyone can see that!"

"Mother, please don't talk nonsense anymore!"

As Zhou Wang spoke, he gave Luo Da'e a meaningful look. Luo Da'e's mind went blank for a few seconds before she finally realized what was happening. She secretly glanced at her sister-in-law Wang Cuilian beside her, and was so annoyed that she wanted to bite her own tongue off.

Seeing this, Yang Ruoqing became even more interested. She simply put down her chopsticks, looked up and smiled at Luo Da'e, waiting to see how she would take back her earlier words. Then, she saw Luo Da'e put down her chopsticks, reach out to support Wang Cuilian's arm, and force a smile on her face, but that smile was more painful than crying.

"Sister-in-law, I was talking about someone else, not you. Please don't take it to heart!"

Wang Cuilian originally intended to pretend she hadn't heard and let the matter drop, but unexpectedly Luo Da'e came to apologize and explain, so Wang Cuilian was bound to say something too.

Wang Cuilian also took Luo Da'e's hand in return, glanced at the others at the table, and smiled as she spoke.

"Da'e, don't worry, I won't take your words to heart."

"Why? Because I'm just like my Qing'er."

"In our lives and in our work, we always act according to our conscience and integrity. Take myself for example. Although I dare not boast that I am the best aunt in the world, I can say with a clear conscience that as an aunt, I have never been a narrow-minded or stingy person. No matter how others see me, I know in my heart that I have a clear conscience in my life and in my work."

"Auntie is right!" Yang Ruoqing put down her chopsticks and gave Wang Cuilian a thumbs up. "Let others judge right and wrong; we just need to have a clear conscience."

Yang Ruoqing knew that the older woman probably wouldn't have said these words under normal circumstances.

But today, Auntie was definitely going to speak up. After all, Uncle had devoted almost all his energy to the Zhou family these days, and Auntie felt a little wronged, especially after Luo Da'e's earlier remark, which didn't take into account the occasion or the identities of those present...

"Auntie, I'll be your witness. Anyone who dares to say anything bad about you, I'll be the first to disagree. Haha..."

Yang Ruoqing added a joking remark, further increasing her support for Wang Cuilian.

Wang Cuilian looked at Yang Ruoqing with affection and nodded.

Luo Da'e's face was burning hot, and she was already secretly biting her tongue.

"Sister-in-law, you are the best sister-in-law. My brother and I have praised you a lot!" Luo Da'e said, forcing herself to speak.

"I'm not good with words, I don't think before I speak, especially lately I've been so sick my head is spinning, please don't take it to heart," Luo Da'e apologized to Wang Cuilian.

Seeing that the other party's attitude and sincerity were genuine, Wang Cuilian didn't continue to make things difficult for Luo Da'e. She patted Luo Da'e's hand and said, "It's alright. I was just clarifying things. Don't take it to heart."

Luo Da'e nodded repeatedly.

At this moment, the blacksmith Luo also spoke up: "Da'e, let me also say something fair. No matter what other people's aunts and uncles are like, when it comes to your sister-in-law, you really can't find a single fault with her!"

"Yes, yes, brother, you're right. My sister-in-law is the best sister-in-law. She's my blessing!"

“You’re absolutely right,” Luo the blacksmith said, glancing at Wang Cuilian again. The old man’s gaze was gentle, showing no displeasure whatsoever for Wang Cuilian’s earlier slight rebuke of Luo Da’e.
The old man even added, "These days, every household is busy preparing for the New Year, and I should have been staying home and busy with things too."

"Because you're sick, I've left all the household chores to your sister-in-law and the others, and I keep coming over to see you every now and then,"

"To be honest, if it were any other woman, she probably would have started arguing with me long ago. But what about your sister-in-law? Not only did she not, she even brought Qing'er and the others to visit you. Seriously, your sister-in-law is truly a virtuous and good woman!"

After Luo the blacksmith finished speaking, everyone at the table fell silent.

Yang Ruoqing and Luo Fengtang exchanged glances, they could hardly believe that the old man could say such a thing!

That's so damn emotional, and so damn well said!

Let alone whether Wang Cuilian can be moved, Yang Ruoqing has already been moved!
Yang Ruoqing quietly went to check on Wang Cuilian, and sure enough, the old lady's eyes were moist; she was so moved that she was about to cry.

Yang Ruoqing breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that Luo Da'e's thoughtless words today weren't all bad; they had inadvertently helped to improve the relationship between her uncle and aunt.

See, it's far better for the uncle to say these words himself than for Yang Ruoqing to comfort the aunt.

At least it made the old woman understand that the old man appreciated her efforts and tolerance, and was even very grateful.

For this middle-aged woman, it's worth it!

"My uncle and aunt have such a good relationship, I'm so envious. I really hope that when Xiaohuan and I reach that age, we can be like that too!" Zhou Wang said, looking at the two elders.

Luo Da'e also looked envious and said, "If my father Zhou Wang were still alive, he would probably treat me the same way..."

But when her husband was alive, she didn't know how to cherish him. She was always around Zhou Xia, completely fooled by Zhou Xia, making herself a nuisance to everyone, without even realizing it...

Luo the blacksmith turned to Zhou Wang and said seriously, "A couple needs to be tolerant and understanding of each other. You and Xiao Huan can definitely do that!"

Luo Da'e instructed Zhou Wang: "You must remember what your uncle said, and learn from him how to be a good husband!"

Zhou Wang nodded solemnly: "I will learn from my uncle! After all, I am his nephew. It is only natural for a nephew to follow his uncle's example!"

"Yes, yes, that's well said!" Luo Da'e nodded with satisfaction.

The blacksmith Luo was so flattered that he felt a little embarrassed. Wang Cuilian's knot in her heart was untied, and she was in a great mood. Luo Da'e was no longer awkward. Yang Ruoqing and Luo Fengtang saw that their aunt's knot in her heart had been untied, and their uncle also appreciated their aunt's virtue and tolerance. The young couple no longer worried about their elders.

"Let's eat noodles first, and drink the duck soup while it's hot. After that, we can have a good slurping session," Yang Ruoqing said, taking the initiative and inviting everyone to join in.

"Qing'er is right. Look, I've almost finished drinking." Luo Fengtang smiled slightly and said.

Zhou Wang said, "There's still some in the pot, I'll go get it for you..."

Luo Fengtang shook his head: "That's enough, save room for lunch."

For a period of time, Yang Ruoqing accompanied Wang Cuilian to the backyard to use the outhouse.

Wang Cuilian said to Yang Ruoqing in private, "Qing'er, after thinking it over, I think we should not tell your uncle what we discussed when we came here."