Chapter 38: Satisfaction

◎Father, take us to the town to buy some things.◎

Yu Lian had never experienced this before. She thought her mother-in-law was having her meal in the courtyard and wondered why she hadn't come out yet. With Little Guo'er in tow, she first greeted those who were eating, then placed her by the old lady's side to have her eat with her.

The elderly matriarch was wise and perceptive. Even if she wasn't paying attention to what was happening, she could still guess from the situation. A quick glance showed that Mrs. Chen, her daughter-in-law, had not come out, and she knew what had transpired.

She sighed.

Back when her son was young and wanted to marry Mrs. Chen, she had been against it. It wasn't because of prejudice or a desire to control her son's life, but rather because she had seen through Mrs. Chen's incapability from the start. Her delicate nature resembled a fragile white flower that needed constant care and protection. The East Yuan Marquis House could certainly afford such a woman, but as the Lady of the House, one would at least expect some resilience, wouldn't they?

Prosperous times might hide flaws, but in times of crisis, if the head of the family couldn't handle matters, how could the entire clan prosper?

But her son had always been a strong-willed and decisive person. If he liked someone, he would be willing to marry them, and his overconfidence made him believe that nothing bad would happen to his family. He protected her well, but when trouble struck, it became apparent. From the whole family being thrown into prison, Hua'er's execution, and now their return to the countryside, her behavior had only caused disappointment. All she did was cry and shed tears, unable to lend any assistance; she was more of a hindrance than a help. If not for her inherently good nature and concern for the family, the old lady would have urged her to leave and stay in the city, sparing her suffering and sparing herself the headache.

Despite these thoughts, it wouldn't be proper to scold her daughter-in-law in front of so many people. She had to preserve her dignity and find ways to support her. After Yu Lian called for someone, she took Mrs. Chen's hand and led her into the courtyard.

The old lady's lips twitched. Was she crying again? Crying on such a joyous day? Her eyes were slightly red beneath the lids, a sign that would go unnoticed by most, but not by her as a mother-in-law.

Yu Lian felt helpless too.

When she entered, she found her mother-in-law sitting by the bed, chatting with Aunt Mei. As a concubine in this household, Aunt Mei didn't hold a formal position, and her rural upbringing had filled her with grievances. Mrs. Chen, being the legitimate mother, had a gentle temperament, so Aunt Mei would often confide in her. The two women talked in the room, one complaining while the other shed silent tears. Yu Lian quickly intervened, urging her mother-in-law to leave the room and persuading Aunt Mei to come out for some food, lest she go hungry.

As the three women emerged, the other ladies at the table turned their attention, curious and speculative. Some even snorted and turned away, mostly directed at Mrs. Chen, who seemed to look down on them and was thus disliked.

Rural women tended to be more practical. They admired straightforward and capable women, and they didn't take kindly to someone like Mrs. Chen, who appeared delicate and fragile, as if she had never done any manual labor. Even if she tried to engage with them sincerely, few would genuinely warm up to her; it would take time to build a relationship.

Yu Lian gently took her mother-in-law's hand and sat down, while Aunt Mei hesitated for a moment. Back in the capital, she wouldn't have dared to sit beside the head of the household. However, fearing judgmental glances, she mustered the courage and sat down.

Yu Lian fetched a set of chopsticks and a clean bowl for her mother-in-law, placing a half-filled bowl of rice before her and using public chopsticks to pick some vegetables, encouraging her to eat first.

Mrs. Chen looked down at the food, hesitated, then picked up a leaf of vegetable, taking a small bite and chewing slowly. It took her a long time to swallow, but she didn't take a second bite.

The women around the table watched her eat with growing impatience, almost wishing they could finish her meal for her. How could anyone eat so slowly? At this rate, by the time she finished her meal, everyone else would have had seconds. With such a pace, could she even manage the hard work in the countryside?

Yu Lian smiled warmly and greeted each person individually. In the days since arriving in Upper County Village, the family had stayed indoors at Second Uncle's house, and his family, following his instructions, had kept their mouths shut about the family's affairs. Thus, the villagers knew little about them, only that they had once been powerful and wealthy, beyond their wildest dreams.

However, based on her admirable conduct by the riverbank that afternoon, Yu Lian had already made a good impression, laying a foundation for her reputation. Moreover, the fact that she was willing to assist in the kitchen, even if she didn't actively socialize in front of others, earned her additional respect. They perceived her as industrious and less detached, which was certainly a positive trait.

Unfortunately, Mrs. Chen suffered in comparison. In the shadow of her daughter-in-law, she became a tragic foil. Her appearance and temperament were never favored by rural folk, who perceived her as weak and frail. No matter how beautiful she was, no one would consider her as a suitable wife to bring into their home. With such pretenses and inability to work or manage household affairs, what was the point? It was not practical at all.

Under the table, Yu Lian gently squeezed her mother-in-law's hand. She had already spoken to her privately in the room, urging her to behave with grace and not seek praise, but simply to avoid giving the impression of arrogance or disdain.

Mrs. Chen dabbed her lips and managed a smile, having grown accustomed to life as the lady of the mansion in the rear courtyard of the Marquis's residence. Throughout her life, she had been granted every desire and avoided every distaste with ease. She mingled only with influential noblewomen and had often accompanied her husband to imperial court banquets where they indulged in the finest delicacies, wore the most luxurious garments, and socialized with the most reputable figures. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine herself sitting at such a crude wooden table one day, facing a group of uncultured rural women. Yet here she was, striving to present a favorable impression, all in the hope that they would refrain from spreading any ill words about her.

At this thought, Mrs. Chen's nose tingled, and her heart swelled with a sour sensation, accompanied by an inexplicable sense of grievance. She almost lost control and shed more tears, but thankfully, her daughter-in-law gently squeezed her hand, allowing her to barely hold back her emotions.

Her smile appeared strained as she softly spoke, "Today is our housewarming feast. I've troubled everyone to lend a hand. Let's enjoy a hearty meal."

Yu Lian understood that her mother-in-law was nearing the limits of her composure; any further, and she might shed tears in front of everyone. Yu Lian gently smiled and said, "Mother is right. Ladies, please enjoy your meal. When we build our new home, you're all welcome for an even grander feast. For now, let's make do with what we have."

Yu Lian's words immediately redirected the attention of the entire table, and they ceased their focus on Mrs. Chen.

She hastily replied, "Oh no, no need to exaggerate. With meat, eggs, and tofu on the table, it's already quite a spread! Haha, you young one doesn't know, back when we had to make do, our meals were entirely vegetarian, not a hint of meat or even lard. Just plain boiled vegetables, that's all. Today's fare is a blessing!"

Auntie Tofu inquired, "Are you planning to build a house? Could you tell us about the kind of house you'll be constructing?"

The women around the table were all curious but not overly surprised. It was true that this family had returned to the countryside in a state of decline, but they had once been prominent officials in the capital, with great wealth. Even in their current state, they still had some foundation to fall back on. The question was just how substantial that foundation was and what kind of house it could support.

"One of those elegant blue-brick tile houses like the landlord's in neighboring Da Yang Village? When I visit relatives there, I always pass by the landlord's place. Goodness me, every time I see it, I'm filled with envy. That courtyard is tall and spacious, so grand that you can't even see inside from the outside. Not like ours where anyone can glance in and see how many chickens we have or what the women are doing."

"It's said that blue bricks aren't cheap. Second Uncle is an old scholar who has saved quite a bit of money over his lifetime, but he doesn't dare build an entire courtyard with them. He only built half, didn't he, ladies?"

Second Uncle's two granddaughters-in-law blushed and smiled, "Grandfather is used to being frugal. Besides, as long as the house is livable, that's enough for us. We don't have the means for anything more."

Just as Yu Lian was about to speak, Mrs. Chen couldn't sit still anymore. She felt extremely uncomfortable and had reached her limit. Yu Lian had no choice but to explain to the others that her mother-in-law had caught a chill and wasn't feeling well, which was why she hadn't appeared earlier.

The women had lost interest in Mrs. Chen and were now solely focused on the type of grand house the Huas intended to build. They dismissed any concerns and Yu Lian asked Aunt Mei to take the food and Mrs. Chen inside to eat, away from the wind.

Turning back to the women, Yu Lian began to share her thoughts.

She was never one for flamboyance, preferring stability and prudence. She didn't exaggerate, simply stating that they would likely use blue bricks, but the exact size and design of the house were yet to be determined, depending on her father-in-law and grandmother's wishes.

"Our family may have been wealthy in the past, but in our current situation... I hope you won't laugh at us, aunts and sisters-in-law, but we're clueless in the countryside. We don't know how to farm, grow vegetables, raise chickens or ducks, or even do laundry or cook. Everything is new to us. If we don't know how to do anything, how will we survive? Therefore, even though we can manage for now, we dare not be careless. We hope that you all can kindly guide us through these challenges and help us settle into a smooth rhythm of life. As for the size of the house, we haven't really thought about it."

Although they hadn't said it out loud, the women had already mentally separated the Huas from themselves, regarding them as fallen nobles. Even in their adversity, they were still noble, with the means to build a blue-brick tile house, which would still make them appear more prosperous than the humble country folk. Their lives would surely be better.

But upon hearing Yu Lian's words, they suddenly realized the truth in her statement.

They were all accustomed to their luxurious life in the capital, with servants attending to their every need. They knew nothing about rural work. So, even if they lived in a large house, how could that sustain them? They would eventually exhaust their resources. Basic skills like farming, cooking, sewing, and raising livestock were essential. If they couldn't manage these, how could they survive in the long run?

Reflecting on this, they found solace in their own humble abilities. Even without a life of wealth, they at least knew how to farm and wouldn't starve.

This realization brought a sense of superiority mixed with empathy. Human nature is peculiar; once one establishes a sense of superiority, hostility fades, and they offer comfort instead. They began advising Yu Lian and offering to teach her various skills.

Some offered to teach her vegetable gardening, others promised to send their husbands to instruct her father-in-law in farming, while some suggested she learn more about raising chickens, ducks, and pigs – it would always come in handy, and they might even get a few eggs for free.

"As for the house, there's no rush. Although it's a bit worn out, it's still livable. You can clean it up and stay here comfortably for years. More importantly, you should learn the rural way of life. You can't keep hiring servants as you did before, right?"

Yu Lian smiled and replied, "Of course not. Now that we're here, we must embrace the spirit of self-reliance – working hard to provide for ourselves. We should spend less money and be more diligent."

The villagers appreciated such sentiments, valuing industriousness. One asked, "What do you mean by self-reliance?"

Yu Lian explained, "It means doing everything on your own, not bothering others or paying for help. If you can do something yourself, do it. You take care of yourself, just like everyone does here in their daily lives."

The women were surprised. "Huh? There's actually such a saying? We've been doing this for ages... Now that you mention it, there seems to be some logic behind it."

Putting aside other aspects, after one meal, Yu Lian had familiarized herself with the women at the table and gained insight into their personalities. Her humorous and flattering remarks, combined with her patience and humility, won their hearts. By the end of the meal, they eagerly offered to help clean up, chatting with her as they worked.

Mrs. Chen, hidden in her room, listened to the commotion outside and sighed. Her daughter-in-law was so capable, while she felt so inadequate, unable to adapt to the situation... Her feelings were mixed, complicated.

She couldn't help but admire Yu Lian's ability to fit in any situation, conversing easily with people from all walks of life. The food that had been brought in had already grown cold on the table, but Mrs. Chen didn't touch it. She wasn't accustomed to sharing a pot with so many outsiders.

Once the area was cleaned up, Yu Lian stood at the door with Little Guo'er, bidding farewell to the guests. The villagers carried away the tables and chairs, along with their cooking utensils, satisfied after a hearty meal and pleasant conversation.

Turning back, she saw her father-in-law slumped on the table, his face flushed with alcohol. The twins, having had their fill, were chasing ants in the courtyard. Yu Lian lifted them each by the hand and brought them before her father-in-law to rouse him to return indoors.

As the twins struggled and called out "mean sister-in-law," the younger one suddenly remembered something. "Sister-in-law, but we don't have any blankets."

Yu Lian rubbed her forehead, realizing she had been so preoccupied that she overlooked this crucial detail. They could borrow firewood, rice, oil, salt, and furniture, but not bedding. In these times, cotton was expensive, and cotton cloth was no bargain either. Who would have extra blankets to lend? Most families patched and mended their single blanket, adding layers when it became too thin or hard.

Though it was spring, the temperature dropped significantly at night. Moreover, being near the river, the strong winds and dampness made it even colder.

She pondered for a moment before gently rousing her father-in-law. "Father, take us to the town to purchase some necessities."

I've rewritten the previous chapter – the plot remains unchanged, but I felt it flowed better this time. From the beginning, this story was described as depicting the rural life of a fallen noble family, with a focus on daily domestic affairs. I aim to portray an authentic, down-to-earth countryside ambiance with a warm touch. The male lead occasionally reappears unexpectedly, and while the storyline may not have drastic twists, I strive to make it engaging and enjoyable. I'm doing my best.

I apologize for any inconvenience, and I'm grateful for your understanding. Please refrain from disputes; let's read happily. If this isn't to your liking, feel free to choose another book – the most important thing is to enjoy yourself!