Splendid peasant girl busy farming

Chapter 11971

Regarding the thoughts and rules of other families in the village, Yang Ruoqing said that these are their family matters, and even an upright official cannot easily settle family disputes.

Unless it's an excessive abuse of children like the Mai family, which is so outrageous that people can't stand it anymore, people generally respect each other when it comes to normal family matters.

However, the Luo family also has its own rules and regulations, but all of this is based on one premise: respecting Luo the blacksmith's wishes.

We will not go against the old man's wishes, but will try our best to satisfy him and make his later years more fulfilling.

The beatings and scoldings that other families in the village gave to the woman who wanted to visit and take care of her daughter, as mentioned by Wang Cuilian, ultimately stemmed from their own lack of wealth.

When people are struggling to make ends meet and are barely able to survive, their survival instinct becomes even more pronounced, prioritizing those who are closest to them and those who are most at risk.

Only when people are well-fed and have some left over will they set their sights on more distant places and pursue emotional needs beyond mere survival.

When you are poor, you should cultivate your own virtue; when you are rich, you should help others. If you want to extend your help to other places, the prerequisite is that you have enough strength and conditions.

……

That afternoon, Yang Huazhong went to the pasture to pick up Madam Sun and Madam Da Sun, but they had not yet returned. However, several carriages had already been parked in front of the courtyard of the third house next door.

"Why is he locked up and not home in broad daylight? That's strange!"

"Don't say anything yet. Didn't Mom and Dad give us a spare key? Open the door quickly and let the children in to rest!"

"Okay, I'll open the door."

Indeed, the people talking at the door of the third room were Da'an and Xiaohua, a couple who had just returned from Changhuaizhou.

Just as Xiaohua took out her key to open the courtyard gate, the curtain of one of the carriages behind them was lifted, and Fuwa's little head peeked out, her voice clear and pleasant: "Mom, I want to go to Auntie's house to play first!"

"I'm going too." Behind Fuwa, another little head wearing a tiger-head hat peeked out—it was Jun'er.

When Da'an saw that the two children had arrived at the door but hadn't gone inside, and were already thinking about going out to play, he frowned slightly.

Seeing Da'an's furrowed brow, Xiaohua gently tugged at his sleeve, signaling him not to make things difficult for the child.

Because she knew how much the two children, especially Fuwa, were looking forward to visiting their aunt's house.

On the way back in the carriage, the two children got tired of looking at the scenery and fell asleep. When they woke up, they asked when they would get home and if their aunt knew they were coming back today.
Jun'er is slightly better off, mainly because of Fuwa. Fuwa will be 7 years old by the New Year, and she has the best relationship with her aunt. Jun'er, on the other hand, doesn't understand anything, but he is his sister's little shadow. Wherever his sister goes to play, he likes to follow her.

"Let's not rush. Let's go home and put our things down first. Then you two can take the gifts you brought for Auntie and go to her house to give her a surprise, okay?" Xiaohua coaxed them.

Fuwa thought for a moment, "Okay, I'm going to sneak in and give Auntie a surprise!"

Jun'er nodded, "I want to give Auntie a shock!"

"Speak properly. You can scare anyone you want, but you're not allowed to scare our aunt, because she's our aunt!"

"Oh, I was wrong, I'll listen to my sister."

Hearing the conversation between the siblings, Xiaohua's face was full of smiles, and Da'an's brows relaxed.

He had been frowning over the children's playfulness, but now, hearing their heartfelt conversation, he felt quite gratified.

Soon the courtyard gate opened, and everyone led the carriage into the courtyard to begin setting up their belongings.

Meanwhile, in the backyard of the Luo family, separated by only a wall, Yang Ruoqing had finished lunch and was originally in her bedroom looking through the accounts of several restaurants for this quarter, checking the turnover and profit and loss, and then personally doing the accounting with an abacus.

What kind of accounting? Haha, naturally it's the year-end bonuses distributed to the managers, supervisors, and chefs of various restaurants for two years!

The managers and chefs at Tianxianglou not only receive a monthly allowance, but also a year-end bonus.

Of the three restaurants this year, the Wanghai County restaurant performed the best, so the managers and supervisors of the Wanghai County restaurant will receive higher dividends.

Yang Ruoqing had already made it clear to the staff at the restaurant that as long as they worked diligently for her, she would definitely not shortchange them on their wages.

But if they cheat, neglect customers, or do things carelessly, causing problems for the restaurant, then I'm sorry, not only will they not pay you, but they will also hold you accountable, and they won't give you any face, even if you are a relative!
While Yang Ruoqing was keeping accounts, Luo Fengtang was studying military books beside her, occasionally taking out maps to compare and study them.

The room was very quiet and cozy, with the occasional crackling sound of sparks from the charcoal brazier. After that, this little space was filled with only peace and warmth.

Every day after lunch, the children would go back to their rooms for a midday nap, and this was the case all year round.

Even though the days are shorter in winter, the habit of taking a nap is not interrupted, only the nap time is shortened. They take a short nap of half an hour and then get up, which ensures that they are energetic in the afternoon and does not affect their sleep at night.

After looking at the account books for about an hour, Yang Ruoqing gradually became sleepy, so she went to the soft couch for a short rest.

Luo Fengtang put down the military treatise and map in his hand, came over to pick up the velvet blanket that had slipped off, covered her up again, and returned to his seat to continue studying military strategy...

Meanwhile, the children woke up from their afternoon nap and headed towards their dormitories. Luo Fengtang went out ahead of time and stopped them at the entrance of the courtyard.

"Let your mother sleep for a while, you go play somewhere else."

“Little brother, let’s go play with Sister Mai Li’er. She said this morning that she’ll play chess with us this afternoon.”

Hearing about the chess match immediately ignited Yuanyuan's competitive spirit. "I want to compete with her too! Whoever loses has to bark like a dog!"

Watching the two boys strut away with their heads held high, Luo Fengtang frowned slightly, his gaze deep and complex, because if nothing unexpected happened, the two brothers would soon unlock a new language—'dog language'.

When Luo Fengtang returned to his bedroom, he saw Yang Ruoqing lying on her side on the soft couch, fast asleep. Luo Fengtang couldn't help but walk over, squat down beside the couch, gently brush the strands of hair from her cheek to one side, and carefully trace her eyebrows and facial features with his eyes.

His eyes grew increasingly intense, and his throat bobbed slightly.

Yang Ruoqing, who was fast asleep, seemed to sense something, her eyelashes trembled slightly, and she slowly opened her eyes behind her ears.

Then, he took in the fascinated look on the person in front of him.

Yang Ruoqing was stunned for a moment, then her mind raced, and she smiled faintly, unsure of what to do.

"You idiot, why aren't you studying your military strategy book? What are you doing peeking at me?" She gently tapped his forehead with her slender finger, her tone carrying a hint of coquettishness and a touch of teasing.

Luo Fengtang took her hand, kissed it lightly, and leaned in, saying, "You are my wife, and I want to look at you openly and honestly."

Whether it was because she had drunk two glasses of fruit wine at lunch, or because the charcoal fire beside the soft couch was a bit too hot, Yang Ruoqing felt an inexplicable restlessness in her body when she woke up.

Especially when the world outside the window is a frozen winter wonderland, people are more likely to feel a strange excitement and anticipation in such an extreme environment.

She wrapped her arms around his neck like a serpent, her breath sweet as orchids: "General, how about... coming up and having some fun?" Luo Fengtang's head went blank. He had only wanted to scratch an itch without thinking much more.

As a result, Yang Ruoqing's invitation shattered his last line of rational defense.

"Since you wish to invite me, I dare not refuse!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he took off his clothes and leaned in.

I grow thinner and thinner, yet I have no regrets; for you I have become haggard and worn...

……

After washing up and changing into clean clothes, the two came out of the bathroom. Yang Ruoqing sat in front of the dressing table, holding her hair in her hands and combing it methodically with an elephant comb.

Luo Fengtang stood not far behind her, adjusting his corset. The two figures reflected in the bronze mirror were striking: the man was tall and slender with broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and long legs, while the woman was young and beautiful with fair and delicate skin, her black hair accentuating her delicate features.

Especially after experiencing the nourishment of love, her complexion was as radiant as the peach blossoms on the branches in the spring rain of March.

"Huh?" Suddenly, Yang Ruoqing tilted her head, her hand movements pausing slightly.

"What's wrong?" Luo Fengtang asked, turning his head to the side.

"I think I heard some noises coming from my parents' yard next door!" she said.

"Perhaps my parents-in-law have returned!" Luo Fengtang said.

“It should be,” Yang Ruoqing said, but then she had a doubt: “No, there are also children’s voices.”

"Could it be one of the girls from Duo'er's family who came to play?" Luo Fengtang asked again.

Yang Ruoqing thought for a moment, "That's unlikely. It's already dark. Unless we're staying here overnight, wait, could it be that Da'an and the others have returned?"

Thinking of this, Yang Ruoqing put down the comb and was about to get up and leave when Luo Fengtang stopped her.

"Qing'er, you don't need to comb your hair, but you need to wear your cotton-padded coat properly, it's very cold outside," he said, and then deftly helped her find a cotton-padded coat and a cloak.

Yang Ruoqing saw that her hair was disheveled in the bronze mirror, which didn't look good. So she gathered two strands of hair from her ears, twisted them between her hair, and coiled them into a bun on top of her head. She then took a gold hairpin inlaid with emeralds and inserted it into the bun to secure it. The rest of her hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall, with the ends reaching her waist.

Luo Fengtang had already brought out a lotus-colored, peony-patterned, cross-collared jacket for Yang Ruoqing to wear. The collar and cuffs were trimmed with white rabbit fur. Her long, slender neck made her look very fresh and natural, and the outfit made her skin tone even more radiant.

After getting dressed, Luo Fengtang accompanied Yang Ruoqing out the door and headed to the courtyard of the three houses next door.

As a result, when they reached the front yard, they saw a group of children coming towards the Luo family's house.

"Mom, look! My older brother, older sister, and younger brother are here!" It was Tuantuan's voice.

Then Yuanyuan shouted, "They brought so many good things!"

Yang Ruoqing looked closely and exclaimed, "Wow, it's Feng'er, the boy in the blue robe!"

The Fuwa mascot has two small braids, wears a red silk jacket, and has a face that symbolizes peace and prosperity for the country.

Next to the Fuwa mascots is Jun'er, who looks just like Da'an and has a pair of bright, blinking eyes.

"aunt!"

"Auntie, we're back!"

"aunt."

The last one, a little shyly, was Jun'er. Compared to Feng'er and Fuwa, Jun'er wasn't very familiar with Yang Ruoqing. The reason for this was that, for the past two years since his birth and growth, he had basically lived with Da'an and Xiaohua in the capital and Changhuaizhou.

But it's okay, blood is thicker than water, we'll get to know each other sooner or later.

"Children, is it really you who are back?" Yang Ruoqing was so happy that she couldn't express it in words. She stretched out her arms and ran quickly towards them.

I don't know which one to hug first, and I don't know which one to look at first either. At times like this, I wish I had three heads and six arms.

……

Da'an and Xiaohua also came to the Luo family later.

By this time, Yang Ruoqing had already been kissing and cuddling with Feng'er, Fuwa, and Jun'er for quite a while.

To be precise, it should be said that it was mainly Yang Ruoqing and Fuwa, the aunt and niece, who were being affectionate.

Feng'er is already 12 years old. He is a well-mannered young man. His studies have made him more self-disciplined and polite. Whether he is standing or sitting, every gesture and every word he makes has gradually taken on the demeanor of Da'an.

It was good, but ultimately it gave Yang Ruoqing the feeling of being a 'bookworm'.

From her aunt's personal perspective, Yang Ruoqing still misses the boy who used to rush back to the village during holidays to climb trees to raid bird nests, fish and shrimp in the river, and watch Mrs. Sun feed the pigs and chickens in the backyard.

She was innocent and mischievous back then, but now that she has studied the classics and is being disciplined by Da'an, she is under academic pressure. Her thin appearance makes Yang Ruoqing feel a pang of heartache.

However, Yang Ruoqing couldn't say anything in front of the children, because that would undermine Da'an's reputation and affect Da'an's educational policies and prestige.

At the same time, there's nothing we can do about feeling sorry for him. Doesn't Da'an feel sorry for his own child?

It's all because of the state of the world; for a family to continue to prosper, it needs a male heir who can inherit the family business.

Similarly, as a boy, even if you don't have a family business to inherit, you still bear responsibilities on your shoulders.

Supporting the elderly, providing a safe haven for one's wife and children, ensuring they have enough to eat and wear... So any young man with ambition will eventually have to shoulder this responsibility, force himself to mature, and learn many things, and this process is painful.

There is no such thing as joyful learning in this world. Whenever it comes to learning, if you want to learn well, it is a painful and arduous process.

Feng'er is like this, Chen'er is like this, and Dazhi is like this too.

Zuo Jinling is no exception! Even Tuantuan, Yuanyuan, Jun'er, and Niuniu in the future will not escape this fate, unless they admit to themselves that they are good-for-nothings, spoiled brats, and useless.

"Sister, you look amazing after half a year!" Xiao Hua was shocked by Yang Ruoqing's condition the moment she saw her. She grabbed Yang Ruoqing's hand, looked her up and down, and kept exclaiming in surprise.

(End of this chapter)