Chapter 744: Chapter 619: Are We Really Going Back to the Village Today?

Early the next morning, after Zhang Guoqing and Zhou Jiao returned from a run, Ping’an was already in the courtyard practicing horse stance, with Mother Zhang watching intently.

“Mom, isn’t Dad back yet?”

“He should still be at the small square. He’s having lots of fun playing Tai Chi with those old men all day.”

Zhang Guoqing immediately understood. His mom meant his dad was practicing Tai Chi, and wasn’t it just like pushing watermelons? He laughed out loud.

“Does our Ping’an practice this every day?”

Zhang Guoqing chuckled and nodded, “It’s been a while. Later, he’ll practice a set of punches too.”

“My grandson is so capable! Just like you when you were little, takes after you. Are you really heading back to the village today?”

Zhang Guoqing nodded, “I’m going to visit the elders in the village and take the kids to my grandparents’ graves. I’ve already hired a carriage; we’ll leave after breakfast.”

“Can all your nephews and grandsons fit in?”

“No other way, even with money, you can’t find a carriage. I’ll first send you and Dad with the things, and then come back for us. Mom, let’s eat at the old yard for these few days; I won’t be cooking at home. It’s awkward with outsiders around.”

Mother Zhang nodded, “Why don’t we also sleep at the old yard? The two rooms in the west wing are quite clean.”

“We’ll still stay at home, otherwise Old Yougong might have thoughts. Does Third Grandpa plan for them to live in my house forever, or what?”

Mother Zhang frowned and said, “After the canteen dissolved last year, there are several rooms at the ancestral hall. It was discussed that they would guard it, but for some reason, they didn’t go. Your Dad and I feel awkward to bring it up. We can’t just let them live in, use them, and now speak up.”

Zhang Guoqing was quite displeased with strangers living in their house. But it is what it is, so he has to go to the village to see what the Old Captain says.

He truly doesn’t believe anyone would dare to move into an empty house. His dad still thought Uncle was kind-hearted. Kind-hearted, my foot! It’s not like he’s dead, and the courtyard isn’t without an owner. Especially after hearing Uncle wanted to buy his courtyard. Are you kidding me? Let them go ahead, just afraid they won’t!

Zhou Jiao mischievously added, “Mom, do you think they might believe our family’s feng shui is good? Otherwise, why would Uncle want to buy our courtyard.”

Mother Zhang had long thought this but couldn’t discuss it with her husband, as it’s his brother. Finally, finding a kindred spirit, she felt why Jiao Jiao was so in tune with her.

At this, she clapped her thigh, “You think so too, right? I feel that’s what they mean. Initially, your dad took the land closest to the mountain foot, and look what good days we’ve had. Uncle knows there’s no hope with the second courtyard, so he’s eyeing yours. When you were building the house, your uncle even said he was the eldest, and the first house on the east should have been his.”

Zhou Jiao, feeling guilty, glanced at Zhang Guoqing. Is she going to tear Old Zhang’s family apart?

Zhang Guoqing looked at her amusedly and told Mother Zhang, “Maybe Uncle unintentionally said that. Besides, he chose first back then. How could he shamelessly regret it?”

Mother Zhang waved her hand, “You don’t get it! Your big cousin-in-law isn’t easy to deal with and is incomparable to your big Aunt. If she stirs things up, there’s no guarantee Uncle won’t have ideas. That’s why I can’t stand these narrow-minded young women.”

Zhou Jiao laughed, “Is Big Cousin-in-law that formidable?”

“Every family has its struggles. She’s a bit like your elder sister-in-law. Your Aunt is a wonderful person, but she’s driven to want to divorce her. If not for birthing so many sons, she’d have gone back to her parents long ago.”

Zhang Guoqing raised an eyebrow in surprise, “Why didn’t you mention it in the letters?”

“I asked the second ones not to write about it to spare you worries. In the recent years, in the villages below, women were frequently beaten and sent back to their parental homes, leading to several deaths. Women are considered worthless, a young maiden goes for ten jin of cornmeal, kicked away one day, married anew the next. That’s why your sister-in-law doesn’t know how to value her blessings.”

Compared to this, is it possible his big brother might actually divorce? Zhang Guoqing hurriedly shook his head.

“Nine cents a jin for cornmeal, ten jin is ninety cents. Ninety cents can buy four and a half bottles of soda; it’s quite pricey…” Ping’an, having finished his practice, stood quietly at the side, muttering as he listened.

Zhang Guoqing grabbed him and laughed, “What’s pricey? That’s people, once you drink the soda, it’s gone. She can earn work points doing household chores, and even carry on the family line.”

Ping’an clung to his dad’s neck, blinking his eyes, thinking deeply about the complex topic.

Seeing her grandson’s adorable expression, Mother Zhang laughed, “When our Ping’an marries, he better make a good pick.”

“I want to find someone like my mom.”

“Oh dear, that’s going to be quite a search.” Mother Zhang laughed heartily.

“No problem, I’m still young. Grandpa says once I’m capable, every girl will be vying to be my wife, and then I can make a good choice.”

“Haha… Listening to your Grandpa is a good choice.”

Zhou Jiao dared not listen any further, unsure what ideas her father was putting in the child’s head. She quickly retreated to the kitchen to prepare breakfast; her mother-in-law had already prepared it.

Seeing the porridge in the pot and the circle of cornbread beside it, she couldn’t help but giggle. She thought Zhang Guoqing must regret mentioning eating at the old yard.

After breakfast, the family hurled themselves towards the village. Being away for long, the previously remote North Mountain Foot was now filled with courtyards up to the village entrance.

Zhou Jiao noticed an interesting phenomenon. As they entered from the village entrance, the courtyards were made of rammed earth, while toward the North Foot, the courtyards were made of blue stone with either thatched roofs or tiled ones.

Those dozens of families who relocated from the foot of Daqing Mountain certainly benefitted. Now blasting stones is something one could only dream of. The Old Captain was indeed bold.

The village was quiet at the moment, but in the nearby fields, a crowd was bustling, and the Old Captain’s voice echoed through a loudspeaker. He seemed to notice the Zhang family approaching, paused momentarily, then urged everyone to give it their all!

When Zhang Guoqing arrived at his courtyard, Mother Zhang had already opened the gate. Upon entering, he found it clean, not filled with random clutter, which eased Zhang Guoqing’s heart, otherwise, he’d always feel like the nest had been invaded by cuckoos.

He sympathized with the old couple of Old Yougong; no denying that. But letting them live their entire lives here, even to pass away in his house, made him uneasy.

This was to be the ancestral home for his children and grandchildren, not a place to add two more ancestors. If it were Mr. Zhang, he’d accept, having promised his grandfather, that if Fifth Master had no one to care for him, he’d take the responsibility.

Even if Zhang Family Village is of the same clan, it’s divided into several branches. Old Yougong’s branch not only lacks capable descendants, but the most dreadful part is their dwindling lineage. If speaking in terms of superstition, they are considered ominous.

Since receiving his father’s letter about who moved into the courtyard, Zhang Guoqing had apprehensions. Moving in is one thing, but if they’re to live there for life, it means he would bear the burden of elder care, which was a definite no!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep