Grandma Qi saw her daughter capable of understanding and nodded slightly; knowing her daughter could plan for herself, she didn't have to worry so much for her.
Now aged and at ho taking care of her grandson, she had no ability to help her daughter further, only hoping she could rely on her own strength to live a better life.
"You're thinking right by doing this. If you had been kinder to yourself before, life wouldn't be so hard now."
"Yes, it won't be like this in the future," Mrs. Li said as she placed the small purse in Grandma Qi's hands.
Grandma Qi opened the small purse and her hands trembled when she saw the coins inside. She exclaid in surprise, "This...this is so much."
"Yes, I've taken my monthly salary back ho separately. These were given to by Madam during my last two visits, and the children were also given so items."
"Well then, I'll hold it for you. Rember not to tell your husband about this, nor anyone else. Since you've decided, don't think too much about it."
"Don't worry, Mother. I have to return ho swiftly as I can't linger here too long after noon. Take care of yourself," Mrs. Li reassured.
"Alright, it eases my worries to see you co ho. Knowing you're doing well is enough for . Go back now!"
Mrs. Li spoke a few more words of concern for her mother's health, inquired about her brother and older brother's life, then left the room with her mother.
The children were savoring their treats, each nibbling on a piece of pastry slowly, treasuring each bite—a poignant testant to their sensible nature.
"Auntie, co visit us more often..."
Grandma Qi and the children saw Mrs. Li off as she stepped onto the carriage, standing and waving as the carriage departed...
"Mrs. Qi, the person you just saw off was..."
The neighbor Granny next door, with her fading eyesight, looked into the distance. In their village, even the arrival of a plain carriage was a curiosity, as they only had ox carts, and the families who had ox carts for business were the substantial ones.
"Third Granny, that was the carriage taking my auntie back ho. My Second Miss went to work in a wealthy family in the county and ca back to visit today," one of the children announced eagerly.
"Oh, impressive indeed! No wonder she looked familiar to , dressed so richly. Truly, one is unrecognizable even after a short absence!"
"Haha"
"Third Sister-in-law, I never realized you had such a way with words. We farrs may be poor, but we are free. Working for a wealthy family isn't so easy!"
Grandma Qi felt a pang of pain for her daughter and grandchild in her heart, sighing to herself. She had once set her hopes on that family, thinking that having a skill would ensure her daughter a better life. Alas... she had misjudged the person.
Mrs. Li gave the money she brought with her to her mother for safekeeping. With this bit of money, she felt sowhat relieved. As the carriage neared her ho, she peered through the carriage window at the familiar village that no longer felt familiar after many years.
The village had a small population; every household could build a large courtyard for a house, provided they were willing to clear the land; as long as they had the ability, they would never starve.
In the village, where the population was sparse but land abundant, most of the fertile fields were owned by rich n. Only sowhat better-off families would have one to two acres of land, like their family with two acres—rest was arid land ant for clearing.
Those who were poorer could only rent land from the rich n to cultivate or clear so arid land for planting.
Approaching her ho, their courtyard gate was closed tight, with Mrs. Lai's nagging voice coming from within: "Hongji, as a father, why do you keep wandering into the room? Concentrate on making furniture. You should be as diligent as your father and make more furniture."
"Yes, big brother, hurry up and finish the furniture with father. You even said you would make a dowry for ."
"Mother, with the young children in the room, I need to check on them regularly to be at ease. If you and sister don't care for them at all, how can I focus on making furniture?"
Hongji had grown accustod to feeling a sense of responsibility since Mrs. Li started working outside and he had to play both the roles of father and mother. No matter what his parents or sisters said, he was determined to take good care of the child.
Mrs. Li's biggest worry had been that the child wouldn't be well cared for at ho, but when she heard her husband's words, tears swirled in her eyes. It was difficult to get by in this family, but at least she had a supportive husband.
She pushed open the courtyard gate but didn't imdiately close it, instead allowing the driver to bring the carriage inside.
"Father, Mother, husband," she greeted.
Hongji, who had been working on the thatched cottages in the courtyard, and his father turned their gaze toward the entrance of the courtyard. The sight of Second Miss and Third Miss, who had seen from the window, running out greeted them.
Mrs. Lai made her way over, running through the courtyard and starting to chatter as she approached:
"Mrs. Li, you're back just in ti. There are clothes to wash, and lunch to prepare; I've been rushed off my feet while you've been away. Did you get your monthly salary? You'll need to hand it over."
"Mrs. Li, what's in the bundle? Is it sothing nice from the wealthy family you've been working for?" Third Miss also ran out to inquire.
"Mrs. Li, I'm in need of so items for my dowry; let see if there's anything good," Second Miss also joined in, rushing out with her mother and younger sister to snatch the bundle from Mrs. Li.
"Mother, here's the monthly salary, and as for the nice things Second Sister and Third Sister ntioned, there aren't any. All these are gifts from Madam for the daughter-in-law, for making clothes and shoes for the children."
Mrs. Li wasn't so foolish as to just stand there. She tossed the two taels of monthly wages to Mrs. Lai and ran away when Second Miss and Third Miss tried to grab her bag.
Their family's courtyard was quite spacious, and these two sisters, who usually did little work at ho, weren't as nimble as Mrs. Li. They couldn't catch up to her in that mont.
Over the past month, Mrs. Li had eaten well while in the service of the wealthy family, had little to do in the way of strenuous activity, and although carrying a child of over two years was quite a task, it was clear she wasn't to be outdone by two indolent sisters.
"Mrs. Li, don't run. You've got so nerve!"
"Stop... believe or not, I'll hit you!"
Third Miss and Second Miss, with sweat on their foreheads and gasping for breath, could not catch up to Mrs. Li and resorted to shouting and screaming.
"What is..." The driver got down from the carriage and saw the scene. It wasn't appropriate for him to address the won, so he spoke to Hongji and his father.
"What is all this noise about?" Hongji's father, who was used to such scenes, really didn't think about the presence of outsiders for a mont until he intervened to stop his daughters.
"What are you staring at? Haven't you ever seen guests before?"
Mrs. Lai had initially wanted to snatch the money as well, but upon receiving the two taels of silver, she pocketed it, glanced outside the courtyard, saw people looking in, and hurried to close the gate.
Mrs. Lai, though fiery by nature, was also concerned about her two unmarried daughters. One was engaged, and she feared a damaged reputation could lead to the engagent being broken off.
The other was yet to be betrothed, and she had hopes of marrying her youngest into a wealthy household.
Chastised by their father, Second Miss and Third Miss stopped in their tracks and stamped their feet on the spot.
Hongji sternly observed Mrs. Li, who had been away for a month. Seeing that she looked fairer and plumper with bright eyes, he felt a man's desire, thinking about holding his wife in his arms to sleep that night.
"Hehe, my apologies for the scene. Please, co have so tea,"
Hongji's father put on a smile, stopped his work to wash his hands, and invited the driver to the table on the side of the thatched shelter to drink tea. The autumn wind brought a slight chill, and sitting in the courtyard to enjoy the cool air and entertain guests was quite pleasant. When the weather turned cold, they would draw the curtains to block the chill.
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