Chapter 036

Chapter 036

Lin Ningfang insisted on giving Tong Sui and Liu Chu each a small ingot. She was almost in tears when they refused to accept them.

Liu Chu couldn't persuade her and looked at Tong Sui, who she had grown accustomed to relying on for decisions.

Tong Sui also found the back-and-forth uncomfortable and said helplessly, "Alright, let's take it for now, Sister-in-Law. If you need anything from us later, we'll return it."

Lin Ningfang smiled gently.

Putting aside the matter of the silver, Liu Chu said to Lin Ningfang, "Now that you don't have to paint specifically, don't stay cooped up in your room all day. You can come here and find us, or do some embroidery with me, or go to Aman's place to read. During breaks, we can walk around the backyard together. I must say, after just seven or eight days of exercising with Aman, I feel much lighter."

Lin Ningfang could also sense the changes in herself and responded, "I hope you won't mind if I visit too often, Sister-in-Law."

Liu Chu laughed, "There's no problem with me. But occasionally, it might be inconvenient for Second Sister-in-Law?"

Tong Sui: ...

In truth, Lin Ningfang and Tong Sui had more heart-to-heart moments, but having Lin Ningfang spend extended periods with Tong Sui did raise concerns. After all, Xiao Zhen could return at any time, and even if she could put past grievances aside, it wouldn't be appropriate for a younger sister-in-law to disturb an elder brother and his wife.

Lin Ningfang: "I'll spend more time with Sister-in-Law. While she does embroidery, I can read aloud to her."

Liu Chu exclaimed in surprise, "Then I'll look forward to your visits every day."

Tong Sui: "...I'll join you too."

She also had times when she did embroidery!

---

That afternoon, Lin Ningfang really stayed in Liu Chu's room until Mianmian was about to finish her lessons before returning to the West Court.

Xiao Yan had just returned from the martial arts training ground and had taken a shower. He was now resting on the bed with his upper body bare.

Lin Ningfang entered, glanced at him briefly, then turned away and walked to the desk to put down the book in her hand.

Xiao Yan sat up and stared at her, asking, "I haven't seen you all day. Have you been in the eastern courtyard?"

Facing the desk, Lin Ningfang replied, "Put your clothes on first."

Xiao Yan chuckled and grabbed his robe to put it on.

Once he was dressed, Lin Ningfang looked at him again, thinking about what happened earlier, and frowned, "Why were you eavesdropping on my conversation with Second Sister-in-Law in the south room?"

Even though they had long been husband and wife in both name and deed, deep down, Lin Ningfang never truly saw Xiao Yan as her husband. Yet within the Xiao family, they were considered one family. Being caught by Second Sister-in-Law while eavesdropping made Lin Ningfang feel embarrassed.

Xiao Yan didn't expect her to notice and rubbed his nose, explaining somewhat dejectedly, "You barely speak five sentences to me each day, yet you talk so freely with her. I wanted to know what you two discuss."

He enjoyed listening to Lin Ningfang speak, even if it wasn't directed at him, because only then did she seem like a living person.

Lin Ningfang was silent for a moment before saying, "Don't do that again."

Xiao Yan: "Okay, will you talk to me more then?"

Lin Ningfang didn't respond further.

---

As night fell, Xiao Zhen finished pouring out the foot-washing water and entered the room to find his young wife laying a small mat on her quilt.

Xiao Zhen paused at the door, not moving.

Tong Sui glanced at him and explained softly, "My period started today. I'm afraid I might dirty the quilt, so I need to use this mat for a few nights."

It had started in the afternoon, not as he might have assumed.

Xiao Zhen had heard about women's monthly cycles and put aside his thoughts, closing the door and slipping into the bed beside her.

Tong Sui quickly settled down, lying flat against the quilt, and unconsciously sighed in relief. After being married for so long, she could finally sleep soundly.

The night was quiet, and Xiao Zhen could hear her long sigh. Turning to her, he asked, "Why do you sound like you've just lifted a heavy burden?"

As he turned, Tong Sui also turned, lying on her side facing away from him, muttering, "You're already heavy enough."

Xiao Zhen stroked her hair, "I'm not weighing you down."

Tong Sui: ...

She pulled the blanket over her ears, not wanting to hear such words.

Xiao Zhen actually moved closer to her, lifting her slightly and holding her face to kiss her. The man, usually rough at night, kissed her passionately, showing none of his daytime composure.

When Tong Sui's arms went limp as she adjusted her clothes, she felt that tonight wasn't much different from the previous nights.

Xiao Zhen went outside to fetch cold water to wash himself once, opened the outer room door to cool off, and only then lay down again.

Not long after, he began playing with her hair again.

Tong Sui was nearly asleep.

Xiao Zhen: "Are you feeling uncomfortable with your period?"

Tong Sui: "...Not too bad. The first couple of days are a bit weak, sometimes with back pain, sometimes not much discomfort."

Xiao Zhen: "Then sleep in tomorrow morning. I'll tell Sister-in-Law."

Tong Sui: "No need, I'm not that delicate."

Xiao Zhen: "If you're really uncomfortable, don't push yourself. Sister-in-Law knows you're not lazy."

Tong Sui: "Got it. Go to sleep."

The next day, Tong Sui still woke up early. As soon as she sat up, the man beside her asked, "How do you feel?"

Tong Sui: "…Nothing."

Xiao Zhen still got up with her, as if once he was awake, he wouldn't linger in bed any longer.

Breakfast was simple, a large pot of porridge and some leftover coarse grain pancakes reheated from the day before. While Tong Sui sat in front of the stove tending to the fire, the warmth on her belly felt quite comfortable.

After breakfast, Tong Sui continued to feed the pigs. Just as she filled two buckets with pig food, a shadow flashed by, and Xiao Zhen walked over without a word, taking the slop bucket away.

Tong Sui looked at Liu Chu awkwardly and whispered, "I’m not very convenient today; he thinks I’m feeling unwell."

Liu Chu smiled and said, "Since you married into this family, I’ve noticed that Second Master is very good at taking care of people."

In the backyard, Xiao Yan, Xiao She, and Xiao Ye were chatting idly. When they saw their elder brother come out with the slop bucket, Xiao Yan deliberately shouted loudly, "Second Brother is too obedient to Second Sister-in-law, doing whatever she says."

Xiao Ye retorted, "How do you know it was Second Sister-in-law who told him? Can’t it be that Second Brother does it out of his own affection for his wife?"

Xiao She added, "Exactly. We’ve also offered to help Second Sister-in-law."

Xiao Zhen ignored them completely.

Xiao Yan glanced at the slop bucket in his brother’s hand and felt envious. He wanted to show off in front of his own wife, but unfortunately, Lin Ningfang had never done such laborious work.

After feeding the pigs and mules, Xiao Zhen called Xiao Ye over. "Bring out all the clothes you wore when you were a teenager. I’ll pick a few to give to Little Mountain."

Xiao Ye was first surprised, then laughed. "No wonder Third Brother teases you. You really treat Second Sister-in-law well."

Xiao Zhen replied, "There are ways to be good and ways to be bad. It all depends on how one chooses."

Xiao Ye immediately thought of Third Brother and his wife. One never looked at the other properly, while the other always tried to please despite being coldly treated. Comparing this to the harmony between Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law, it was truly different.

Xiao Ye suddenly felt fortunate. Luckily, on the day they met Lin Ningfang, Second Brother stopped him from competing with Third Brother for her beauty. Otherwise, even if he had won Lin Ningfang, he would now be living a cold life.

---

After finishing her chores, Tong Sui returned to her room to read for a while. Due to discomfort in her back, she eventually gave up and went to lie down at Liu Chu's place, watching her do embroidery and listening to Lin Ningfang recite the Book of Songs.

By midday, A Fu and the others returned after washing clothes. After hanging the clothes to dry, A Fu came to Liu Chu's place to call Tong Sui. "Second Lady, Second Master wants you to come back."

With the big window open, Tong Sui felt lazy under the sunlight. "Do you know what it’s about?"

A Fu: "I don’t know, but I saw Fourth Master bring a pile of clothes to Second Master."

Clothes for her younger brother!

Tong Sui instantly felt no more pain or laziness, happily getting up to put on her shoes while explaining to her sisters-in-law.

Liu Chu praised Xiao Zhen so much she was almost tired of it, while Lin Ningfang smiled and turned to the next page of the Book of Songs.

In the east wing, southern room.

The southern room was unoccupied, with only a mat laid on the bed. Xiao Zhen had spread out the old clothes worn by the brothers during their teenage years, from ages twelve to eighteen, enough for over thirty sets across all seasons.

"The ones too old weren’t brought over. Choose from these."

Tong Sui: "Are these all for Little Mountain?"

Xiao Zhen: "As long as you don’t mind."

How could Tong Sui possibly mind? At a glance, she didn’t see a single patched piece; some sets looked brand new, and half were made of fine cloth.

She touched them lovingly, reminding herself, "Actually, if we took these to the pawnshop, we could get quite a bit of copper money."

Xiao Zhen looked at her. "We’re not that poor yet."

Tong Sui: "…Then I won’t be polite."

Xiao Zhen: "Tomorrow morning, have A Fu take them to the river to rinse and dry them. The day after, I’ll deliver them to your father and help plow the field."

Tong Sui: "Our family only has two acres. My father and Second Brother can finish planting in half a day. You really don’t need to."

In Taohuagou, there was little arable land, and each household had only a small plot, with the largest being around ten acres.

Xiao Zhen didn’t respond further, likely having already made up his mind.

Tong Sui changed the subject. "How will you go, by cart or riding a mule?"

Xiao Zhen: "Riding a mule. Going early means returning early, and it’s time to plant here too."

Tong Sui lowered her eyes. She missed home.

Xiao Zhen: "This time, I won’t take you. I’ll scout the mountain area first to ensure safety. After the spring planting, I’ll take you along."

Tong Sui understood and wouldn’t insist.

Xiao Zhen: "Or, write a letter to your mother-in-law?"

Tong Sui found the idea appealing and wrote the letter that afternoon, recounting her experiences in the Xiao family and asking about home. She filled three pages.

Xiao Zhen brought an envelope from the study.

Tong Sui: "It’s not necessary. You can just take it directly; it doesn’t need to pass through anyone else’s hands."

Xiao Zhen: "Afraid I’ll peek?"

Tong Sui hesitated for a moment, then silently took the envelope from his hand, sealed the letter inside, and dripped wax to seal it.

Seeing Xiao Zhen staring at her, Tong Sui explained, "I didn't say anything bad about you. It was just some private talk with my mother that isn't convenient for you to see."

Xiao Zhen: "Are you only sharing good news and hiding the bad, or is there simply nothing bad to say about me?"

Tong Sui: "......"

Clearly, the bad things were right there on him.

---

When A Fu finished washing the old clothes and hung them up to dry in the backyard, the rows of differently sized garments caught the attention of Lady He and Xiao Yuchan.

During lunch, Lady He asked Xiao Zhen while holding her bowl, "Second son, why are you washing those old clothes?"

Xiao Zhen: "They're not useful at home, so we're going to give them to Xiaoshan to wear."

Xiao She: "Who is Xiaoshan?"

Xiao Ye: "The only younger brother-in-law of Second Brother, his real name is Tong Shan."

Xiao She understood and stopped paying attention.

Lady He remarked, "You've really earned your status as a son-in-law, more concerned about your in-laws than even Aman."

Xiao Shouyi glanced sideways at his wife.

Tong Sui appeared indifferent on the surface, but she felt uncomfortable inside. She never intended to take advantage of the Xiao family; the clothes were ones that Xiao Zhen's brothers no longer wore, and it was Xiao Zhen himself who suggested giving them to her brother.

The next morning, Xiao Zhen hung two bundles on either side of the saddle, ready to set off.

Tong Sui saw him off all the way to the door, recalling the danger they faced last time when encountering refugees, and she could not hide her worry.

Xiao Zhen patted the cleaver hanging at his waist, signaling for her to be at ease.

Tong Sui: "If you sense someone on the mountain, turn around and run back immediately. After all, those clothes aren't urgently needed."

Xiao Zhen: "What if I can't come back?"

Tong Sui's face changed dramatically, and she glared at him angrily, "Don't say such things."

Xiao Zhen stroked his young wife's head, "Don't worry, I'll definitely be back before dusk."

With that, he mounted the horse by holding the saddle and galloped eastward.

Tong Sui stood outside the back door of the Xiao residence, watching him turn the corner at the village entrance and ride onto the path leading to Taohuagou, her expression now more serious than before.

If Xiao Zhen doesn't return, she will lose a reliable husband in every aspect and owe the Xiao family a life.

If Xiao Zhen doesn't return, it means the area from Taohuagou to Lingshui Village will become dangerous.

So, it's best that he returns safely.