Chapter 204 - 201: Mother Is Right, and I Brought Her the Letter from Her Beloved Foster Son—Aunt Will Surely Be Happy
Chapter 204 - 201: Mother Is Right, and I Brought Her the Letter from Her Beloved Foster Son—Aunt Will Surely Be Happy
"It’s good to be back, as long as you’re back safely."
As she spoke, she noticed the rain stains on their clothes and remembered the rainstorm from the previous day, feeling somewhat relieved.
"Did you suffer much on the road last night?"
"Mother, we are fine. See, we’re all back safe and sound? Additionally, our trip to Tunan City was very fruitful."
Not only did we discover the mulberry silkworm farming opportunity, but we also resolved issues at Aunt’s family.
She recounted to Mrs. Zhang the events in Tunan City, who frowned slightly and then sighed long.
"With this outcome, your aunt can finally be relieved in her lifetime. While you were gone, your aunt managed the shops in the garrison. You really ought to thank her properly."
"Mother is right. Moreover, I brought the letter from her beloved foster son, which will surely make Aunt very happy."
Later, Mrs. Zhang led her back to the house, where she saw her sister-in-law sewing diligently by the oil lamp.
It turned out that shortly after she left, her mother and sister-in-law worked tirelessly to make many garments from the patterns she left behind.
All the leftover fabric at home was turned into stylish and practical clothing.
Furthermore, Shaoxi and Cui Zhu made enough nourishing cream for winter, along with sachets and ginseng facial masks, and more.
They packed a whole room full of these items.
They were just waiting for Ruan Mian to arrange the shop and set up the products.
Everyone’s efforts focused together made the work much more efficient.
Ruan Mian felt warmth in her heart and called for Xie Huai’an. Together, they sorted out the items they brought back.
When they came across the mulberry silkworm cocoons, they paused, and Shaoxi was the first to recall.
"Miss, there are many such cocoons in a mulberry silkworm forest not far from here. Did you go to Tunan City because of this?"
Seeing them all present, Ruan Mian decided to share her discovery of the mulberry silkworm business opportunity and her plan to set up a small workshop in the valley, dedicated to weaving silk from the cocoons for clothing.
Moreover, this workshop would be open to all women and children in the village. Any woman who wanted to earn some wage could come find Shaoxi anytime.
She also distributed many of the wild blueberries she bought to the villagers, ensuring every household got some.
Recently, Yuanxi had been getting close to the butcher’s wife, Aunt Gui, and was among the first to taste these fruits.
Aunt Gui knew about the past conflict between Yuanxi and Miss Ruan’s family, so she didn’t inquire much and just kindly offered her some to taste.
Yuanxi outwardly thanked her with a smile, but as she held the fruits, her face darkened. After some contemplation, she decided to put on a smile and present the fruits to Qi Nanfeng to win his favor.
These days, the young master had been neglecting her because her wages weren’t enough to have someone buy more deer antler from the garrison to nourish him.
Moreover, her overspending was causing dissatisfaction in her mother, Liu Family, who constantly reminded her in secret to consider their mother-daughter situation. Her son’s illness wouldn’t be cured by a few deer antlers.
Stuck between the two, Yuanxi felt troubled.
But she truly liked the young master and couldn’t bear to see him suffer.
Back then, with his gentle and refined demeanor, he refused to marry her after Ruan Family entered, fleeing south on their wedding night.
Although the later death was faked, when the news came, Yuanxi cried uncontrollably, almost to the point of following him.
Now finally given the opportunity to stay by his side, Yuanxi just wanted to cherish it, even if the young master’s temper was unpredictable, she had many ways to console herself.
The young master had experienced significant upheaval, and a psychological adjustment was inevitable. As long as she stayed by his side with her whole heart, the young master would surely feel it.
However, when she returned home with the wild blueberries, she saw Qi Nanfeng leaning against a tree trunk outside, glaring darkly in the direction of Ruan Family’s house.
As Yuanxi handed over the fruits, he pushed them away, glaring angrily and questioning her.
"Are these the fruits Ruan Mian and Xie Huai’an brought back? You want me to eat them? What do you mean by this?"
Yuanxi quickly shook her head and explained: "Young master, don’t misunderstand. I just thought these fruits were sweet and wanted to bring them back for you to taste, nothing more!"
"It’s my fault for not considering it. I didn’t expect the young master to be so angry, I’ll throw them away immediately."
She hurried to pick up the fruits, but Qi Nanfeng stomped on her hand with his foot!
In pain, Yuanxi quickly looked up: "Young master..."
And then came a slap across her face!
"You’ve been visiting the Gui family every day recently, have you taken a fancy to their son? Do you think I don’t know what you’re doing behind my back?"
Upon hearing this, Yuanxi’s body trembled, staring at him in disbelief.
"Young master, you’ve misunderstood. I have nothing with Aunt Gui’s son. I just wanted to bring home some good food from her, that’s why I got closer to Aunt Gui. My heart for the young master..."
"No need for excuses! You dress up so flamboyantly every day, going to their house, don’t tell me you have no ulterior motives? I don’t believe you’re unaware of what her son wants from you!"
"Moreover, you’ve always been prone to seducing others. In the past, it was for me, so I turned a blind eye, but now I see..."
"Nanfeng!!"
Before he could finish, Liu Family suddenly appeared, defending Yuanxi: "Xi’er has devoted herself to you, how can you misunderstand her like this? If she had feelings for someone else, would she still be serving you?"
Yuanxi felt extremely wronged, but was glad for Liu Family’s understanding as a surrogate mother.
But she still felt a stab of heartache: "Mother..."
However, Liu Family’s intervention further hurt Qi Nanfeng’s sensitive heart! He lashed out in anger.
"So, in mother’s eyes, am I just a useless cripple now? You side with an outsider and ignore your own son?"
Liu Family thought him unreasonable! She had tolerated him for so long, but as time passed, this son was nothing but a burden! If he was going to drive away the only obedient girl left, Liu Family felt she wouldn’t have good days ahead.
If there was no one to care for herself, how could she live?!
Determined, she stood by Yuanxi: "These are all your own self-deprecations, no one else has ever said a word about you! Xi’er has done so much for us, if you don’t appreciate it, I will take Xi’er and leave this house, and we’ll separate!"
Hearing about the separation, Qi Nanfeng’s jaws clenched with rage, his bulging eyes resembling an enraged beast.
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