Chapter 67 The Eldest Sister-in-law Returns Home

Chapter 67: The Sister-in-Law Returns Home

After breakfast, the entire family gathered in the main room to pay their respects to Madam Li, then settled down to drink tea and chat.

Old Lady Wang from the main kitchen had boiled a large pot of water caltrops with scallions, ginger, and Sichuan peppercorns. They had cooled by now and were perfectly ready to eat.

Water caltrops are tricky to peel, so Second Young Master fetched a pair of nutcrackers. A quick pinch at the base of each caltrop made it easy to crack open. With swift, efficient movements, he soon had a pile of shelled caltrops, which he placed in an empty plate Jian Ru had specially brought over, making it much easier for everyone to enjoy.

With his hands occupied, Jian Ru peeled a water caltrop, took a bite, then fed two bites to him.

Eldest Sister Jin Hui noticed this and leaned close to her mother’s ear to whisper something, then burst out laughing. Madam Li responded with a playful pinch on her arm.

Zhao Pin used the excuse of getting up to fetch more water caltrops to gently rub the spot on Jin Hui’s arm where she had been pinched. Jin Hui impatiently pushed him away, but Zhao Pin didn’t mind and just sat back down with a smile.

Jin Hui suddenly remembered something, her eyes lighting up with a gossipy gleam, and said to everyone, "By the way, have you all heard about what happened to the Zhang family these past few days?"

Jian Ru paused in peeling the water caltrops and glanced at Second Young Master, who smiled back at him without a word.

Madam Li asked, "Are you talking about Zhang Yufu from the back street? His wife used to come to our clinic for medicine, but unfortunately, she didn’t make it through the winter two years ago and passed away early."

Jin Hui nodded, "That’s the one. That old man may be getting on in years, but he’s not settling down. I heard he quietly married a young new wife as his second wife not long ago. But it didn’t take long for them to realize she was after his wealth and his very life! If they’d found out any later, he would’ve fallen prey to her scheme and lost his life!"

Madam Li exclaimed, "Such a thing happened?"

Jin Hui said, "Absolutely! It’s the talk of the clinic. They also say the young new wife had a lover, and it was this lover who put her up to it. After the truth came out, the new wife somehow died in prison, and now the lover has been thrown in jail too."

Madam Li clutched her chest and said, "To think we have such vicious people in our town!"

Jin Feng, who was nearby, nodded and said, "It’s true. That person came to our clinic for medicine once, and the constables even came specifically to investigate."

Madam Li quickly asked, "Will this cause any trouble for us?"

Jin Feng shook his head, "It has nothing to do with us. Don’t worry, they investigated and left, and haven’t been back since."

Jin Hui said, "I heard that in a few days, that person will be taken to the prefectural city. Who knows how they’ll be sentenced?"

Jin He, holding a medical book, snorted, "What else? At the latest, they won’t live past this autumn."

Jin Hui clicked her tongue and said, "So young, why would they do such a thing?"

Madam Li said, "At least Zhang Yufu can finally settle down now."

Jin Hui laughed, "Settle down? He came to our clinic just yesterday to see a doctor."

"What was he there for?" Madam Li asked.

Jin Hui said, "He just promoted a maid in his household to be his concubine and wanted some, you know, medicine to help him have a son quickly, so no one else would covet his family fortune."

Madam Li shook her head upon hearing this and said, "Let’s not talk about such unpleasant matters first thing in the morning."

She turned to Jin Feng and asked, "Is everything at the clinic all arranged?"

Jin Feng would be leaving for the prefectural city to purchase medicinal herbs in three or four days. He nodded and looked at his younger brother and his younger brother’s husband, saying, "While I’m away, I’ll have to trouble you two to take on more responsibility."

Jian Ru said, "Don’t worry, big brother. If there are too many patients and we can’t handle it, I’ll ask for help from eldest sister. You’ll be back in about ten days anyway."

Jin Feng nodded.

Jin Hui asked, "How are things with you and Qing Lan? I see you running to your in-laws' place every day. Aren’t they annoyed enough to chase you out with a broom?"

Jin Feng looked somewhat embarrassed. "Qing Lan said she’ll come back tomorrow to help me pack for the trip."

Jin Hui’s mouth fell open, and she looked at her mother with delight.

Madam Li lowered her head, wiping away tears, and complained, "Why didn’t you say so earlier!" She then quickly called for Granny Jin, "Go tell the kitchen to prepare extra dishes tomorrow—two more, no, six more dishes, all of Qing Lan’s favorites!"

Granny Jin happily acknowledged and went out.

Jian Ru was also grinning from ear to ear and said, "Sister-in-law loves watermelon. I’ll go pick out a big, sweet one from the market tomorrow!"

It was clear that Jin Feng was in high spirits, the gloom from the past few days completely gone.

Jin Rong put down her medical book, glanced at him, and reminded, "What are your plans regarding children? If this issue isn’t resolved, there will still be trouble in the future."

Jin Feng said, "Qing Lan and I have agreed to adopt a child."

Madam Li nodded upon hearing this and said, "That’s fine too."

Jin Hui said, "Then I’ll make some time to look around the old neighborhood to see if there are any suitable children."

Jin Feng said, "Thank you for your trouble, eldest sister."

The next morning, Li Jinfeng didn’t go to the clinic but instead took a carriage to his in-laws' house to pick up his wife. Madam Li had prepared many gifts for him to bring, much like when he had taken his wife back to her family home after their wedding.

After sitting and chatting for a while at his in-laws' house and giving all the gifts, Qing Lan packed her belongings and left with him.

She had only told her father that she was staying at home for a short while and hadn’t mentioned the argument between them, but her father wasn’t foolish—he could tell, though he didn’t bring it up.

Now that his son-in-law had come to pick her up, he advised, "Have a good life together."

Jin Feng bowed and said, "Yes, I’ve caused you and my mother-in-law much trouble these days."

Qing Lan’s father shook his head, "We’re family, no need for such formalities. But," he turned to his daughter, his expression stern, "you must have children. There are three offenses against filial piety, and the gravest is leaving no descendants…"

Before he could finish, Qing Lan’s expression had already changed.

Jin Feng stepped in front of his wife, and said seriously, "Father-in-law, please don’t bring this up with Qing Lan again. Whether or not we have children is not her fault. If you must pressure anyone, pressure me."

"Besides, we’ve already decided to adopt a child from the countryside. It’ll just take some time to find the right one."

Qing Lan’s father initially looked angry, but upon hearing this, his expression softened slightly. "I’m not unreasonable. Hmph, your affairs are none of my business from now on!"

With that, he turned and strode back into the courtyard, clearly upset.

Jin Feng turned and put his arm around his wife’s waist, lowering his head to check her expression. Qing Lan shook her head at him, indicating she was fine.

Li Qingzheng said, "Sister, brother-in-law, don’t mind him. Just go back. He’ll come around in a couple of days."

Jin Feng and his wife bid farewell to Qingzheng. Jin Feng helped Qing Lan into the carriage and sat beside her. Xiao Ning called out, and the carriage began moving with a clatter.

Noticing that Qing Lan’s belongings were light, Jin Feng said, "This summer, the family had two sets of thin inner and outer clothes made. I gave the tailor your measurements from before and had yours made too. They’re in the wardrobe in our room."

Qing Lan was surprised and asked, "You know my measurements?"

Jin Feng nodded, "Yes."

Qing Lan looked at him, her eyes shimmering. Jin Feng held her hand and said, "I was in the wrong before. I actually remember everything about you, but I always thought there was plenty of time. I was too concerned with saving face, maintaining relationships, and other matters, and ended up neglecting you. I’ll change from now on."

Jin Feng reached up to wipe the tears from the corner of Qing Lan’s eyes. Qing Lan said, "That incident at the old house last time—I hurt you. I apologize too. Will you forgive me?"

Jinfeng said, "Okay."

They kept holding hands tightly until they separated at the entrance of the Li family home.

During dinner, the whole family came to the main house to eat.

When everyone was almost finished eating, Madam Li rose and said, "I'm getting up in years and can't handle both the house and the medical clinic anymore. From now on, Qinglan will run this household."

Qinglan stood up in surprise and called out, "Mother."

Madam Li said, "Qinglan, I will turn over all the household duties to you in the next couple of days. From now on, you will be in charge of everything—what to eat, how many clothes to make, what items to purchase, and distributing the monthly stipends."

Qinglan anxiously replied, "But I'm worried I might not... do it right."

Madam Li reassured her, "Don’t be afraid. I'll show you the ropes for a bit, and you will learn everything."

Jinfeng also encouraged her, "Since Mother has entrusted this to you, give it a try."

Jianru said, "Sister-in-law, I’m sure you’ll do just fine."

Jinghui joked, "From now on, it seems I’ll have to butter up my sister-in-law."

Qinglan blushed, and she finally nodded, saying, "Alright, I will work hard to learn how to run this house properly."

……

A few days later, Jianru heard that Jiang Maocai would be taken to the county magistrate's office the next day.

The Second Young Master asked if he wanted to go see him, but Jianru shook his head and said, "There’s nothing worth seeing."

The affair between Jiang Maocai and Zhang Jiao must have spread through the whole village, and Jianru wondered what kind of rumors the villagers were spreading and whether he had been dragged into it. However, he didn't really care anymore.

He also had no concern for what would happen to Jiang Maocai’s parents.

Since hearing the news of his arrest, Jianru had completely let go.

His heart had moved on, with no room for the messy affairs of the past. He no longer concerned himself with the lives of irrelevant people.

Jianru was like a small hedgehog, soft on the inside with spines that weren't too sharp. Fate had dealt him hardships, but with resilience and optimism, he had overcome one difficulty after another.

He did not wallow in self-pity or become resentful. Instead, he stood at this point in his life, looking toward the future with anticipation.

"He is a person full of vitality," thought the Second Young Master. Gently stroking Jianru’s forehead, he said, "Do you want to go out for a walk? Tomorrow, let’s go to Lingming Temple in the western suburbs."

Jianru asked, "Won’t we go to the medical clinic?"

The Second Young Master nodded, "Elder Brother is leaving the day after tomorrow. Tomorrow, we can snatch some free time. Shall we go?"

Jianru happily nodded and said, "Let’s go."

The Second Young Master smiled and said, "Alright, I’ll make the arrangements."