Chapter 37: Chapter 24: Liu’er’s Mother’s Scheme

While they were busy, Qingmu came running back, his face covered in sweat and his expression one of utter panic!

Juhua, understanding exactly how he felt, rushed to meet him. She carefully explained their father’s condition, assuring him that his leg would be fine with proper rest and care, and told him not to panic.

Qingmu finally let out a sigh of relief and went inside with Juhua to see his father.

After questioning Qin Feng in detail and confirming that Zheng Changhe’s leg wouldn’t be permanently disabled, Qingmu was finally able to relax. ’It will cost some money, but as long as he’s okay, that’s all that matters.’

While everyone was fussing over Zheng Changhe, Juhua went to the kitchen to cook. ’Mom will definitely have them stay for dinner; they’ve been such a huge help.’

A short while later, Zhang Huai and his father, Zhang Dashuan, also came over to visit Zheng Changhe, carrying a chicken and dozens of eggs.

Zhang Huai had been shocked to hear from Shi Tou’s mother that Qingmu’s father had broken his leg. He rushed home to tell his parents, and Zhang Dashuan immediately dropped his work and hurried over with his son.

In their minds, this was a very serious matter. If Zheng Changhe’s leg couldn’t heal, the Zheng Family would lose an able-bodied worker, which would be an absolute tragedy. Therefore, anyone with any sort of relationship with the Zheng Family would come to check on them at a time like this, to say nothing of the bond between the two generations of Zhang Dashuan and his son, and Zheng Changhe and his son.

When they heard from Qin Feng that Zheng Changhe wouldn’t be disabled, Zhang Dashuan and his son both sighed in relief, their faces finally breaking into smiles.

Zheng Changhe, lying in bed, glanced sideways at Zhang Dashuan and said, “What are you worried about? Afraid I’ll die and you’ll have no one to drink with?”

Zhang Dashuan spat. “What kind of nonsense are you spouting, you old coot? Aren’t you afraid of upsetting the kids, talking such rubbish!”

Zhao San laughed. “Being able to talk nonsense means there’s nothing seriously wrong with him. If the injury were beyond treatment, do you think he’d still have the energy to banter with you like this?”

Everyone laughed together.

The Yang Family said gratefully, “My husband fell while he was out hunting with Third Brother. Although they caught a few things, we’ve also troubled Third Brother and caused all of you to come visit. Please don’t leave tonight. We’ll treat you with the game we have. Doctor Qin, you’ve never had a meal at our home before!”

The men hurriedly declined.

Zhao San said, “Normally, Aunt Zheng, I’d stay the second you asked and wouldn’t stand on ceremony. But with Brother Changhe laid up in bed, a meal like this wouldn’t feel right, would it? Let’s wait until Brother Changhe is better. Then you can have Juhua cook up a feast and invite us over.”

Zhang Dashuan nodded repeatedly, saying that when the time came, he’d have Changhe drink with him.

Yang Family was helpless and could only say to Zhang Dashuan, “Brother Zhang, since you came all this way to see my husband, I’ll keep the eggs. But please take the chicken back home—look, it’s still laying. It would be such a waste to eat it!”

Zhang Dashuan’s eyes widened. “I brought it all the way here, and you want me to carry it all the way back? How can you say that? It’s just one chicken! Is my decades-long friendship with Changhe not even worth a chicken?”

Qin Feng laughed. “Stop arguing! Aunt Zheng, don’t be so polite—this is a token of their kindness. Let’s get going so Uncle Zheng can get some proper rest. I’ve written a prescription. I’ll go back and prepare the medicine, and Qingmu can bring it back later. Brew it for Uncle Zheng to drink in the morning and evening. I’ll come back tomorrow at this time to change his dressing!”

Having no other choice, Yang Family and Qingmu saw them out.

Zhang Huai secretly glanced toward the kitchen but didn’t see Juhua, feeling a pang of disappointment. He had come expecting to find her in tears and had even been thinking hard about how to comfort her, but he couldn’t come up with a good idea.

But when he arrived, he didn’t see a crying Juhua. While he was relieved, his heart also felt terribly empty.

’Sigh! I must be going crazy lately!’

Qingmu said to Zhang Huai, “Tomorrow, help me ask the master for a day off. Just say my dad broke his leg!”

Yang Family quickly stopped him. “Nonsense! You just started school, how can you ask for leave already? That’s just messing around. You can’t help much by staying home, so don’t make a fuss. Otherwise, your father will get angry.”

Qin Feng smiled at Qingmu. “Qingmu, just focus on your studies. I’ll be looking after your father! You won’t be much help at home anyway.” He was very supportive of these children going to school.

Zhao San instructed Yang Family, “Aunt Zheng, if you need anything, just send word to the village, and Brother Dashuan and I will come help. Qingmu, don’t add to the trouble. Focus on your studies. And while you’re at it, keep an eye on that boy Shi Tou for me. Don’t let him cause any trouble at school!”

Qingmu had no choice but to agree.

「In the following days」 the Zheng Family home saw a constant stream of visitors.

Many people from the village came. Some were genuinely concerned and came to visit, some were just fulfilling social obligations and making an appearance, some were idle and came to join the commotion, and some, like Liu’er’s mother, had ulterior motives and came to probe the Zheng Family’s financial situation. Most who came brought things like eggs or noodles; country folk didn’t really have any precious items to give, after all.

This kept Yang Family so busy that she had no free time, spending all day dealing with these visitors.

Juhua, of course, was cooped up in the kitchen, thinking of things to cook for her father to help him recuperate.

A few of the visiting women sat in the Zheng Family’s courtyard chatting. Liu’er’s mother sighed. “Sigh! No wonder they say ’fortune and misfortune are unpredictable.’ Tell me, in past years, when did Brother Changhe ever go hunting and not come back with a string of pheasants and rabbits? But this time, he had such bad luck. How could he fall and break his leg! Just lying there like that, isn’t it just pure suffering?”

Gou Dan’s mother chimed in sympathetically, “Isn’t that the truth? When a person’s luck is bad, even drinking cold water will get stuck in their teeth! Qingmu’s mother, I think you’d better go to Cloud Sky Temple to offer some incense. It might give you some peace of mind.”

Li Changxing’s mother, Cheng, laughed. “That sounds great, I was just thinking of going too. We should go offer incense together someday!”

Yang Family said awkwardly, “I’m afraid it’ll have to be in a few days. I have no free time right now! Qingmu is at school, and with my husband like this… if I leave, Juhua will be home all by herself. If something happens, she won’t even have anyone to call for help.”

Gou Dan’s mother said enthusiastically, “If you want to go, I’ll have my Meizi come over to keep Juhua company. Just tell me if you need help with anything at home. We’re all neighbors here, no need to be so polite. Every family has its difficulties sooner or later!”

Everyone else chimed in with agreement.

Liu’er’s mother gave Gou Dan’s mother a strange look, wondering why she was being so enthusiastic today.

But she didn’t dwell on it. Instead, she sighed and continued, “That’s right. Your Qingmu and Juhua are both such obedient, sensible children. You’re bound to have a comfortable life in the future. Things are a bit difficult right now, but it’s not impossible to get by. If you run into any trouble, you must speak up. I imagine treating Brother Changhe’s leg must cost a lot of silver, right?”

Yang Family was genuinely touched. After all, they meant well, and as the saying goes, ’you don’t slap a smiling face.’ Since she was asked, she answered honestly, “Isn’t that the truth? We’ve used up all our savings and even had to borrow some from Zhao San. And we’ll still have to buy good food to help my husband recuperate, not to mention the medicine costs will be high.”

Hearing this, Liu’er’s mother was secretly delighted. She quickly said, “Don’t you worry. How about I lend you some? You still have to get by, don’t you!”

Yang Family quickly thanked her, “Oh, that won’t be necessary—we can still manage for now. I’ll trouble you if we need money later!”

After a bit more idle chatter, the women took their leave.

Liu’er’s mother and Gou Dan’s mother walked together. She said to Gou Dan’s mother with a sly smile, “That boy Qingmu is really something. He’s got the looks, he’s got the character. It’s just that family from Liujiatang that has no foresight, passing up such a good son-in-law to pick on his sister instead. You think Juhua can’t get married? What a joke! There’s a right match for everyone in this world. As the saying goes, ’dragons pair with dragons, phoenixes with phoenixes, and a rat’s son knows how to dig a hole.’ Of course there will be someone willing to marry Juhua. For that family to pick on this point before marriage talks even began, it’s just ridiculous!”

Gou Dan’s mother’s eyes lit up when she heard this, but then she said, “That may be so, but Aunt Zheng dotes on Juhua. Didn’t Matchmaker Wang say she found someone for Juhua, but Aunt Zheng rejected them all? In the end, it still affects Qingmu’s marriage prospects. Poor Qingmu, such a good boy.”

Liu’er’s mother laughed. “They raised a daughter, of course they’re going to treasure her. That old Wang must have picked someone terrible for Aunt Zheng to refuse. I actually know a good family and was thinking of proposing a match for Juhua. You’re so concerned about Qingmu… don’t tell me you want him as a son-in-law? Your Meizi isn’t a little girl anymore.”

Gou Dan’s mother said quickly, “Don’t be ridiculous! My Meizi’s second uncle is arranging a match for her somewhere else! It’s not good for in-laws to be from the same village, it’s too close—it’s easy for disputes to arise. But I do have a niece on my mother’s side who would be a great match for Qingmu! You can really find a good family for Juhua?”

She looked at Liu’er’s mother in disbelief, her eyes filled with surprise and anticipation.

Liu’er’s mother laughed smugly. “The match I propose is guaranteed to satisfy Aunt Zheng. When the time comes, even you will have to thank me—that is, if your niece can marry Qingmu!”

Gou Dan’s mother was overjoyed and hurriedly asked whose family the boy was from.

Liu’er’s mother gave an unnatural laugh. “It’s not set in stone yet, so we shouldn’t spread it around. From now on, you’d better keep that mouth of yours shut. I heard that the other day, Li Laoda gave Granny Hua a good thrashing. I certainly don’t want my old man to beat me.” She chuckled as she said this.

Gou Dan’s mother laughed too, agreeing completely. She then reminded her to let her know if the match for Juhua was successfully arranged.

Liu’er’s mother agreed.

Liu’er’s mother returned home, feeling quite pleased with herself.

’A few days ago, the news about Matchmaker Wang’s failed attempt to find a match for Juhua had made me hesitant to approach the family myself. But who would have thought that yesterday Zheng Changhe would fall and break his leg? This is perfect. The Zheng Family is now saddled with debt and has nothing to their name. When they try to find a wife for their son, people will look down on them because of that ugly daughter.’

’Under these circumstances, if I arrange a match for Juhua where the groom’s side is willing to offer some betrothal money, wouldn’t Yang Family be overjoyed? I can earn a matchmaker’s fee, and I’ll even be seen as doing a good deed—marrying off that ugly girl who couldn’t find a husband. It’ll make me look good, won’t it!’

She savored the thought, completely unaware that she was plotting something despicable.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep