Splendid peasant girl busy farming

Chapter 11990

"He's a man. Don't let his academic achievements fool you; he's still just an ordinary, mundane man. As a man, he's capable of making the same mistakes that any man in the world might make."

“As his wife, although I was hurt, in order to maintain this family, to consider the children’s feelings, and for our elderly parents, we can’t completely cut off his path home and leave the children without a father just because he made one mistake. I think… we should give him a chance to make amends, okay?”

Ten years ago, when she was in her twenties, Yang Ruoqing might have thought differently. She might have said, "Once unfaithful, always untrustworthy." Betrayal is either zero times or a hundred times, so she would never forgive, preferring to break rather than surrender!

But now more than ten years have passed, the children have grown up, and the elderly have grown old.

For middle-aged couples, after more than ten or even twenty years of marriage and family life, amidst the mundane details of daily life and the mutual support within the family, Yang Ruoqing gradually realized that no one is perfect, and even she herself is not absolutely perfect.

In my youth, I longed for perfect love and couldn't tolerate even the slightest imperfection.

When you get to middle age, you start to think that you should focus on the big picture and let go of the small details.

Don't place all your hopes and expectations on anything or anyone. Focus more on yourself. Sleep when you're tired, eat when you're hungry, treat yourself well, and use high-quality, sophisticated clothing that reflects your personality.

Don't settle for cheap skincare products when applying them to your face; every penny you spend on yourself is worthwhile.

Take good care of yourself and your children. If the elderly treat you well, then take good care of them as well.

As for men, enough is enough. Often, when does a man truly begin to love you?

The answer is: when you stop revolving around him and start caring less about him, he'll start caring about you...

Isn't this logic absurd? But the fact is, this is the truth, and the truth of this world is far more absurd than you can imagine!

After a long silence, Xiaohua finally spoke slowly.

"Sister, actually, I'm still very grateful to Da'an."

Yang Ruoqing thought she had misheard Xiaohua's words.

What's going on? Da'an clearly did something wrong and hurt Xiaohua, so why is Xiaohua's first word... gratitude?

"Hua'er, are you so angry you've gone mad? What are you grateful to him for?" Yang Ruoqing asked.

Xiaohua gently shook her head, "I may be angry, but I understand everything in my heart."

Yang Ruoqing didn't dare interrupt her and let her continue.

Xiao Hua continued, "Flowers don't bloom for a hundred days, and people don't stay good for a hundred days. I know my own limitations. I lack talent and learning, and I cannot be his wife, with whom I share a harmonious and loving relationship."

"I don't have stunning looks or a figure that men find irresistible, nor do I have a personality or a romantic, intimate relationship with him."

“I am a mother of three, and I am 28 years old this year. I am no longer a beautiful young woman of seventeen or eighteen.”

"Da'an is only thirty years old and is the governor of Changhuai Prefecture. He is young and promising."

"He was not only extremely learned and a top scholar, but also exceptionally handsome, like the kind of 'immortal banished to heaven' often sung about in operas."

"If it weren't for my advantageous position in the water, and the encouragement from you sisters, a woman like me, let alone marrying him and becoming his legal wife, would probably be lucky to even become his concubine!"

“He and I grew up together, childhood sweethearts, and he gave me more than ten years of stable marriage and respect.”

"I have given birth to three lovely children for him, both sons and daughters. I am already very content and grateful to him!"

"So?" Yang Ruoqing asked softly.

"He has not taken a concubine for more than ten years, which is a breath of fresh air in the circles of the powerful and officials."

"Of course, my brother-in-law is even more so." Da'an added, but his eyes were full of envy for Yang Ruoqing, because his sister and brother-in-law's marriage had lasted for more than twenty years, and it was still as fresh as yesterday.

She originally thought that her marriage with Da'an would be like that of her sister and brother-in-law, but now she realized that Da'an was not as steadfast as her brother-in-law, and she was far less charming and skillful than her sister in terms of holding onto her husband's heart.

"Hua'er, so you mean... you're willing to give Da'an a chance to turn back?" Yang Ruoqing didn't want to discuss with Xiao Hua whether Luo Fengtang and Da'an were a breath of fresh air, or how long this breath of fresh air could last.

All she wants to know right now is what Xiaohua thinks.

Xiao Hua looked up at Yang Ruoqing and forced a helpless smile: "Sister, I admit I was really upset yesterday. In a moment of impulse, I destroyed the sachet and handkerchief I made for Da'an. When he came over to take my scissors, I even accidentally hurt his hand."

"His hands were bleeding a lot, those hands of his... but I didn't even say a word of concern, and just left with a heavy heart."

"Last night, I had nightmares all night long..." As for the content of the nightmares, Xiaohua didn't want to talk about it. Anyway, when she woke up this morning, her clothes were soaked with cold sweat.

She lay in bed thinking for a long time, and she knew that she was the only one who could compromise on this matter.

For the sake of her children, her parents, and even Da'an's career... she couldn't divorce him!
"Sister, I don't care how Da'an handles this matter, my stance is... to turn a blind eye!"

hiss!
Yang Ruoqing breathed a sigh of relief.

While feeling relieved, I also felt even more guilty.

After such an incident, although the family beat and scolded Da'an, demanding that he sever his ties with Xiaohua, didn't they also hope that Xiaohua would forgive and forgive them?
It can be said that this is a lose-lose situation.

"flower……"

"Sister, I haven't finished speaking yet," Xiaohua said again.

"Alright, alright, please continue."

"Sister, if Da'an is still willing to let me sit in this position of the principal wife, I will continue to sit in it, so as not to give his opponents in the court and the censors the opportunity to impeach me."

These days, favoring a concubine over one's wife is a solid crime that can be used as evidence for impeachment, enough to give Da An a severe dressing down.

"Flower, you've gone through so much trouble." Yang Ruoqing couldn't hold back any longer. She walked up to Xiao Hua, held Xiao Hua's hand tightly, and was moved and grateful to tears.

I never imagined that Hua'er would think of so much for Da'an!
"Flower, I have something to tell you."

"What's up, sis?"

"After the morning banquet, Da'an will be heading to Changhuaizhou..."

Squeak!

The half-open door to the woodshed was suddenly pushed open from the outside, and Da'an appeared in the doorway against the light.

"Sister, let me talk to Hua'er!" His voice was hoarse and weary.

"Alright, alright, then you tell me, I'll take Jun'er out to play." Yang Ruoqing said, then came over and prepared to take Jun'er away from the woodshed, so as to leave some space for the young couple. "Sister, don't go."

"Sister, you stay."

Behind them, their voices rang out in unison, each saying the same thing.

Yang Ruoqing stood there awkwardly, then turned to look at them and said, "Well, I guess I won't stay. Jun'er wants to go out and play with the kids, and I also want to get some fresh air."

After saying that, without giving them any time to respond, Yang Ruoqing picked up Jun'er and left the woodshed.

As for Jun'er, although he was young and couldn't understand other things, he understood perfectly when his aunt said she would take him out to play.

So he immediately and very cooperatively put his arm around Yang Ruoqing's neck and excitedly followed her out of the woodshed.

When they left the woodshed, Yang Ruoqing thoughtfully closed the door behind them.

A group of children were playing near the woodshed and the gate of the yard. Not only Tuantuan and Yuanyuan, but even Mailier came over.

Yang Ruoqing waved to Mai Li'er, who immediately ran to Yang Ruoqing and asked, "Aunt Qing'er, what's up?"

"Maili, can you keep an eye on Jun'er for me? I have something to do and can't leave," Yang Ruoqing said.

Mai Li didn't ask any more questions, nodded, and led Jun'er back to the group of children.

In Mai Li'er's opinion, herding one sheep is the same as herding a flock of sheep. Moreover, when she read the novel, the author described Jun'er, the third son of the Da'an family, very little.

Taking this opportunity, Mai Li'er also wanted to see what Jun'er, the little boy who was only briefly mentioned in the novel, looked like in the real world.

And you know what? When she was watching these children playing just now, there were the two little brothers, Xiao Sanzi, Xiao Shunzi, Yongxiao, and the siblings from Yang Yongqing's family...

Mai Li'er observed with great interest, because they were no longer just lifeless words, but lively and unique children, which was interesting.

Yang Ruoqing was quite at ease entrusting Jun'er to Mai Li'er's care for the time being; as for the reason, those who know, know.

Yang Ruoqing herself did not leave the vicinity of the woodshed; she stood almost right near the entrance. Of course, she didn't have the habit of eavesdropping.

She could have stayed in the room and listened, or even participated in their conversation, without any hesitation or reluctance.

She was standing there to keep watch for Da'an and Xiaohua who were talking inside, so that no one would accidentally barge in and disturb their conversation. It would be a small matter if someone accidentally walked in and overheard what they were saying, but that would be a much bigger problem.

Time passed by, and people came and went outside the courtyard, making it quite lively.

Some relatives and friends who were even remotely related to Yang Ruoqing saw her standing there and wanted to come over to say hello, but Yang Ruoqing just smiled or nodded from afar, showing no intention of having any in-depth conversation with them.

Perhaps it was her perfunctory attitude that made the other party feel cold and distant, so she was not harassed while she was on duty.

During this time, she also successfully intercepted several groups of people who were heading to the woodshed.

Time continued to pass, and Yang Ruoqing estimated that almost ten minutes had passed when the door to the woodshed opened and Da'an came out.

Yang Ruoqing couldn't discern any change in his expression from his profile; he remained as calm and composed as ever.

This kid has spent so many years navigating the officialdom outside; he's honed his skills to a high level in managing his emotions and expressions.

Yang Ruoqing was about to go over and ask him a few questions when Yang Yongqing came out of the main room, looked around a few times, and then strode towards Da'an.

Yang Ruoqing then gave up the idea of ​​going to find Da'an. She turned her head and glanced at Jun'er not far away. Jun'er and Tuanyuan were playing happily, with Fuwa, Da Niu Niu, and Xiao Niu Niu all around.

Moreover, like a qualified bodyguard, Mai Li stood silently to the side the whole time, keeping the children within her sight.

Noticing Yang Ruoqing's gaze, Mai Li'er turned her head and raised her finger to give Yang Ruoqing an "OK" sign, meaning to reassure Yang Ruoqing that she could do whatever she wanted, as she would keep an eye on things.

Yang Ruoqing nodded, then turned around and pushed open the door to the woodshed.

In the woodshed, Xiaohua stood by the table, holding ingredients in her hands, her eyes lowered as she continued with what she was doing.

Yang Ruoqing immediately noticed the tear stains on Xiaohua's pale cheeks.

Why are you crying again? Did the two of you not reach an agreement? What did Da'an say this time that broke Hua'er's heart?

Yang Ruoqing frowned slightly, but still pretended not to notice anything as she approached the table.

"How did it go? What did Da'an say to you?" she asked.

Xiao Hua looked up at Yang Ruoqing. This time, Yang Ruoqing could see clearly that although Xiao Hua had tear stains on her face and her eyes were red, it was obvious that she had been crying.

However, Xiaohua's eyes changed slightly, no longer the deep, dark desolation they had before, but like a pile of ashes that had been burned out.

At that moment, in Xiaohua's eyes, amidst the ashes, faint sparks and light appeared...

"Sister, Da'an said he's going back to Changhuaizhou after the banquet today."

"And then?" Yang Ruoqing pretended not to know about Da'an's decision and continued to ask.

Xiao Hua raised her hand to wipe the tears from the corner of her eyes, and continued, "He said he's figured it out. He's going back to Changhuaizhou to persuade Ruan Xiaowei to abort the child, then give her a sum of money to send her back to her ancestral home so she can live a life free from financial worries. This would also be a way of repaying the kindness that Lord Ruan showed him back then..."

"I see. That's good. That means Da'an's heart is still with you and your children. He was just confused for a moment. Give him a chance to turn over a new leaf, okay?" Yang Ruoqing pleaded for Da'an again.

It's so difficult! My younger brother can't control his lust and makes mistakes, and in the end, it's always me, the older sister, who has to apologize...

"Sister, I told you before, I was just angry for a while, but after that I realized, what have I done to deserve someone as outstanding as him to stay with me for the rest of his life?"

"Flower, don't say that. Loyalty between husband and wife is a virtue in itself!"

“No, sister, it is also a virtuous wife’s duty to take concubines for her husband, to please him, and to let the concubines bear children for him and continue the family line.” Xiao Hua continued, “In the capital and in Changhuaizhou, all the ladies I met did this. Anyone who did not do so was considered unvirtuous.”

"Hua'er, how did you get your head swayed by those kinds of thoughts? What about your brother-in-law and me? Aren't I virtuous too?"

"Sis, that's not what I meant..."

"Hey, whatever you mean, I'm just telling you, rules are rules, but people are flexible. Just because other families take concubines doesn't mean we have to follow suit. There's no such logic!" Yang Ruoqing stepped forward and put her arm around Xiaohua's shoulder, trying to persuade her with a very serious tone.

"Furthermore, those wives who take concubines are, frankly speaking, unable to bear sons themselves, so they have no choice but to do so."

"If they are capable of bearing children and have both sons and daughters, they have every right to refuse to let their husbands take concubines!"