A Good Country Wife-Chapter 635 - 629_1

"Madam, the Lin Family’s old Master and Mistress have arrived," Nanny Xu reported to Lin Youfu and his wife as they entered the courtyard, noticing that Lin Yue seemed lost in thought and gently reminding her.

"My dear girl, we finally see you. You have no idea how your father and I have suffered these days. Those damn refugees have stolen all the food at home, and they even beat us both; we are yet to fully recover. Without food at home and the crops destroyed, your father and I were at our wits’ end and had no choice but to come to you," Mrs. Zhou sobbed as she spoke, though it was unclear whether her tears were genuine since her face was covered and could not be seen.

"Enough crying; let’s get down to business. Even if we’ve suffered a disaster at home, isn’t there still Erhu? Now that Erhu is living in wealth, she surely won’t abandon her own parents. Even if we did something wrong in the past, which parent and child hold grudges overnight? Erhu has always been sensible and wouldn’t do anything to be scorned by others. In fact, she had already planned to send food to us," Lin Youfu’s seemingly casual words were in fact designed to pressure Lin Yue.

Lin Yue was well aware of Lin Youfu’s character, but seeing Lin Qing uncomfortable, she couldn’t be bothered to argue. "For my brother’s sake, I won’t ignore you. There’s plenty of empty space in the house. As long as you don’t cause trouble, you’re welcome to stay here for a while. The Master here happens to have a cousin who is also scholarly and has attained the title of Scholar. He has a good command of knowledge and, like my brother, will take part in the imperial examinations next autumn. Brother could discuss and study with him."

"To discuss and study would indeed be good, but there’s no need for all this trouble. Since there’s food, and our parents have seen that their daughter is doing well, we’ll be heading home. There’s no need for us to stay here; I’ll just come to visit from time to time," Lin Qing knew his sister was only offering to keep their parents for his sake, and he didn’t want his parents to stay—knowing full well what kind of trouble Mrs. Zhou could stir up.

Hearing what Lin Qing said and fearing Lin Yue might take it seriously, Mrs. Zhou quickly suppressed her son’s words. "What are you talking about, you silly boy? Your sister is offering us a place to stay out of kindness; how can we refuse? Besides, now that the crops are gone, there’s nothing much left to do at home. Staying here for a while is just perfect."

"Mother, didn’t you promise me earlier that after visiting sister we would return home? Why have you changed your mind? Sister is so busy every day, where does she find the time to entertain us? Furthermore, it’s not like there’s nothing to do at home. Although the crops are gone, it’s not too late in the season. Crops like sweet potatoes and corn can still be planted; sister has even given us the seeds. It’s better we go home early and get the planting started. Everyone else is doing the same; otherwise, what harvest will we have in the autumn? We can’t always rely on sister’s support! Not to mention, sister is now married and out of our hands, and besides, initially sister was practically sold to my brother-in-law, and a contract was signed that we’d be strangers; why make sister uncomfortable?"

"What’s there to be uncomfortable about? We’re not asking your sister to do anything major for the family. She is so wealthy now that even a single hair from her head is thicker than our waist; she won’t care about such a small matter. Your father and I are old and can hardly work anymore, and you are busy studying. Even if we planted crops, who would tend to them? If you feel remorseful, consider we’re borrowing food from your sister. When you become an official after passing the exams, you’ll pay her back then. Do you have the heart to watch your father and me, at our age, toil to death?"

Mrs. Zhou knew her son’s weak point, which was his filial piety. Even though sometimes he was too honest and naive, he was the most dutiful. By pointing this out to Lin Qing, she knew he wouldn’t retort, but she underestimated his determination to protect his sister.

"Mother, if father and you are tired because of me, it’s my fault. If our family can’t afford my education, then I’ll simply quit studying and return home. From now on, I’ll take care of all the family matters."

Lin Youfu, standing aside and listening, became angry as soon as he heard his son always dragging them back, compounded by previous conflicts and especially upon Lin Qing’s declaration of giving up his studies, he burst out in anger, "Hold your tongue! If you still consider me your father, just stand aside. Your mother and I are talking to your sister, what are you interrupting for? Is this what your teacher taught you at the academy?"

"Father, I..."

"Brother, don’t say anymore. After all, they are your parents and it’s for your benefit. Besides, I do have the means now. You’ve studied for so many years and have already earned the title of Scholar. How could you just stop studying? As for the expenses for the regular allowance and the examination travels, don’t worry, I will have it all prepared for you."

"How could that be!" Lin Qing had never thought about taking Silver from his sister to continue his studies.

"Brother, we are siblings after all. Since we were little, you have always protected me. Isn’t it right that I do something for you? The family isn’t lacking this bit of Silver. If you feel that you shouldn’t take the money, consider it a loan from me, and you can pay me back double after you have made a name for yourself and are able."

Lin Qing still felt he couldn’t accept it, but seeing his parents glaring at him threateningly, and his sister shaking her head, he could only nod his head reluctantly, "All right then, no matter how much I take, I will write a promissory note, and I have agreed to pay you back double in the future."

Lin Yue, having offered it, did not realistically expect Lin Qing to repay it, but she knew the sort of person her brother was and that without this condition, he wouldn’t be persuaded. She nodded, "Let’s do it this way."

Mrs. Zhou had originally wanted to persuade Lin Qing that there was no need to be so formal; why should siblings keep such a strict account with each other? But seeing that Lin Qing and Lin Yue had agreed, she did not want to interfere further. Yet, she was resolved that there would certainly be no repayment—it was ridiculous to expect it, considering it as their daughter’s filial gift to them as parents.

Lin Youfu, however, had another matter on his mind. He thought of how Lin Yue had employed so many workers at home, and recalling how the Manager Liu had displayed his authority in front of the servants, he knew of this so-called Manager Liu’s past. He was just a poor peasant, raised by a widow mother, with a status that wasn’t even comparable to their own. It was only because he gained the favor of Zhao Erhu and Lin Yue that he now had this prestige.

"My daughter, what your brother said isn’t entirely unreasonable. Although you are my own flesh and blood who wants to honor us, a married daughter is like spilled water. We can’t be at ease living in your house without contributing anything. I am getting old and can’t do hard labor, but I can still be a light shop assistant. I can help manage the servants or do the purchasing, at least contributing my part so that we can live without unease."

Lin Youfu’s abrupt change of topic initially confused Lin Yue, but as she listened to the end, she understood what he was getting at. Her adoptive father was indeed sharp-minded and bold; in just a short time, he had come up with such a self-serving plan.