Chapter 213 – Ms. Wang’s Frustrations
Just a second ago, she was so agitated about Tian Dazhuang’s marriage to Yan Shujing that she berated Tian Dazhuang severely. Now, after hearing Yan Xiaosi’s words, the excitement on her face vanished, replaced only by the angry look she had when scolding Tian Dazhuang and a deep suspicion in her eyes.
Indeed, why did the Yan family suddenly take a liking to Dazhuang, and why did they suddenly want to marry Yan Shujing to him?
Having lived in Shaoyao Village for decades, she knew the Yan family well.
On the surface, the Yan family appeared kind, but deep down, they looked down upon common folk like them.
She wondered, how could such a hypocritical family willingly marry their painstakingly raised eldest daughter to Dazhuang?
“Yan Xiaosi, don’t spout nonsense and ruin our Dazhuang’s marriage. Just because you’re upset with the Yan family for kicking you out doesn’t mean you should come here and cause trouble for Dazhuang.”
Ms. Wang’s tone softened compared to her earlier firmness.
Yan Xiaosi’s lips curled slightly, “Aunt Tian, if you don’t wish well for the Tian family and insist on making Brother Dazhuang marry Yan Shujing, I won’t stop you.”
After saying this, she pretended to turn and leave.
Seeing her about to leave, Tian Dazhuang reached out to grab her hand but ended up catching her sleeve.
“Xiaosi, don’t go.”
Yan Xiaosi stopped, turning to glance at Tian Dazhuang.
“Brother Dazhuang, if Aunt Tian insists on you marrying Yan Shujing, there’s nothing I can do to help.”
“Just wait, let me try to convince my mother.”
“Alright then.”
Yan Xiaosi had no real intention of leaving; her previous actions were merely to prompt Tian Dazhuang to quickly persuade Ms. Wang. Now that the sun had set, she didn’t want to waste more time convincing Ms. Wang and possibly ruin their plans.
Seeing Yan Xiaosi stay, Tian Dazhuang let go of her sleeve and earnestly said to Ms. Wang, “Mother, we will find out tonight whether there’s something wrong with Yan Shujing.”
Ms. Wang glanced at Yan Xiaosi and then sensed a plot brewing.
“What’s happening tonight? Dazhuang, what are you planning to do? Don’t let this rascal Yan Xiaosi lead you astray.”
Hearing this, Yan Xiaosi felt wronged.
“Aunt Tian, that’s not fair. Why don’t you say that Brother Dazhuang is leading me astray?”
“Tsk, my Dazhuang is honest and straightforward, without a single cunning thought, unlike you, full of bad ideas.”
Ms. Wang’s spit flew as she spoke, and Yan Xiaosi quickly stepped back, fearing Ms. Wang’s saliva might land on her.
Tian Dazhuang said, “Mo,, don’t always think so poorly of Xiaosi. He’s trying to help me. Xiaosi and I have discussed it, and tonight we’ll learn the truth about Yan Shujing. If you don’t believe there’s something wrong with Yan Shujing, come with us.”
Though Ms. Wang didn’t say it, she had already believed much of what Yan Xiaosi said. She too worried that the Tian family might have no descendants and feared Tian Dazhuang might end up being cuckolded.
“How will you test it?”
Tian Dazhuang was about to share their plan with Ms. Wang when Yan Xiaosi shook her head at him.
Ms. Wang was known to be indiscreet; if she learned of their plan, she might spoil it.
Yan Xiaosi spoke first, smiling, “Aunt Tian, you don’t need to worry about how we will figure it out. When the time comes, you’ll know. Just be assured that it won’t involve Brother Dazhuang committing arson or murder.”
Tian Dazhuang’s mouth twitched slightly.
Wasn’t the original plan for him to set a fire at the Yan family’s home?
Ms. Wang was reassured by this.
Seeing that the sun had already set, it was time to prepare dinner.
Tian Dazhuang asked Yan Xiaosi, “Xiaosi, have you had dinner yet?”
Yan Xiaosi’s eyes lit up, and she shook her head, “Not yet.”
While speaking, she glanced toward the kitchen of Tian Dazhuang’s home, her eyes shining even brighter.
“Brother Dazhuang, what delicious food is your family making tonight?”
Seeing Yan Xiaosi’s gleaming eyes, Ms. Wang felt a twinge of concern in her heart.
“What delicious food could there be? Just boiled cabbage.”
“Xiaosi, if you haven’t eaten, stay and eat with us.”
Ignoring Ms. Wang’s glaring eyes, Tian Dazhuang turned and went into his room to take down the piece of cured meat hanging in front of his window.
Ms. Wang’s face turned green with anger, her heart trembling with distress, at the sight of him carrying the piece of cured meat.
Was it necessary to serve such a cunning rascal as Yan Xiaosi with cured meat?
Ms. Wang was about to tell Tian Dazhuang to put the cured meat back when Yan Xiaosi, fixated on the piece of cured meat, had her eyes practically bulging out.
It had been so long since she last ate cured meat.
“Brother Dazhuang, I didn’t expect your family to have such good stuff stored. That’s great, stir-fried cabbage with cured meat sounds perfect.”
Tian Dazhuang handed the cured meat to Ms. Wang, saying, “Mom, let’s make stir-fried cabbage with cured meat tonight.”
“Stir-fry what cured meat? This piece of cured meat was being saved for the New Year.”
Ms. Wang glared fiercely at Yan Xiaosi. She had been reluctant to eat it herself or even offer it to Dazhuang.
Tian Dazhuang frowned.
“Mom, this cured meat is from last year; if we keep it any longer, it will mold.”
Considering that the cured meat had indeed been stored for quite some time, Ms. Wang said nothing more and took the meat into the kitchen to prepare.
Yan Xiaosi, that little rascal, was really getting a bargain.
Tian Dazhuang started the fire, Ms. Wang was responsible for cooking rice and stir-frying dishes, and Yan Xiaosi was tasked with wandering around the Tian family’s courtyard. Half an hour later, dinner was ready.
At Tian Dazhuang’s insistence, Ms. Wang gritted her teeth and cooked three dishes.
A large bowl of stir-fried cabbage with cured meat, a large bowl of shredded potatoes, and another large bowl of stir-fried green beans.
Yan Xiaosi had spent a lot of energy by first going to Tongluo Plain and then coming back to Shaoyao Village. She was quite hungry at this point.
Tian Dazhuang served her a full bowl of rice, and she was just about to dig in, when Tian Dazhuang asked, “Xiaosi, do you want some alcohol? I’ll pour you two ounces.”
She hadn’t drunk alcohol since crossing over, and had almost forgotten its taste. When Tian Dazhuang mentioned it, she was indeed interested, “Corn liquor, sorghum liquor, or rice wine?”
“It’s rice wine, brewed by my mother with glutinous rice.”
Home-brewed rice wine must taste good, and rice wine doesn’t easily intoxicate, so drinking it wouldn’t cause trouble.
Yan Xiaosi put down her chopsticks and said, “It’s been a long time since I last drank rice wine. Brother Dazhuang, can I have three ounces?”
Ms. Wang almost choked on her rice when she heard that.
Was Yan Xiaosi reincarnated from a starving ghost, wanting to eat everything she saw?
“Cough, cough, Dazhuang, we only have so much rice wine at home, don’t pour it all out.”
Tian Dazhuang responded to Ms. Wang and took two bowls to pour the wine, filling a full bowl for Yan Xiaosi, which was definitely more than three ounces.
“This rice wine was just brewed by my mother, it won’t make you drunk. Xiaosi, eat without worry.”
“Thank you, Brother Dazhuang. You’re really good to me.”
Ms. Wang saw the full bowl of rice wine and was so angry that smoke almost came out of her head.
