Chapter 253: Chapter 153: Yunniang’s Regret
253 Yunniang’s Regret
Zhao Cai, for one, could bear it no longer. She was fed up with her current life. She wanted to return to her former good life, learning to play musical instruments and dance; no more exhausting and filthy farm work!
This is so unfair! Thinking this, she grabbed Zhao Chun’s sleeve and cried out anxiously, "Dad!"
Zhao Chun glared at her, then turned back to Lady Zhao. "Your husband’s family is prospering. In the future, you mustn’t keep using their money to subsidize our family. If the Niu Clan were to discover this, how would you maintain your standing in their household?"
Seeing her Third Brother’s concern for her, tears welled in Lady Zhao’s eyes. She sighed and said dejectedly, "Third Brother, it’s alright. Even if I don’t subsidize our family, I’m not faring well in the Niu Clan these days."
At these words, Mrs. Wang grew anxious and hurried forward to ask, "What’s wrong? Lady Zhao, are you being mistreated in your husband’s family? Have you suffered some grievance?"
Lady Zhao dabbed the corners of her eyes, sighing in exasperation. "Mother, I’m old and my looks have faded; I can no longer hold my husband’s heart. Recently, he’s been frequently going out to carouse with those harlots in the pleasure houses. I live in fear that one day he’ll simply bring one of those wretched women home..."
The more Lady Zhao spoke, the angrier and more aggrieved she became.
She then sighed and looked at Zhao Chun. "So, Third Brother, our maternal family is my greatest support now. Please, take this money and manage the business well!"
Understanding dawned on Zhao Chun. He accepted the jewelry box, assuring her, "Very well, Fourth Sister, rest assured. Your Third Brother will definitely stage a comeback and ensure you can hold your head high in your husband’s family!"
Still worried, Mrs. Wang clasped Lady Zhao’s hand. "Lady Zhao, this situation can’t continue. You must devise a way to secure your husband’s heart."
Lady Zhao replied helplessly, "Mother, I’m no longer young. Niu Baishun is already captivated by those vixens outside. How can I possibly tie him down now?"
Mrs. Wang patted her daughter’s hand, pondering for a moment before suggesting, "I have an idea—why don’t you find a concubine for him?"
Lady Zhao was aghast, her face etched with disbelief. "A concubine? Mother, have you lost your mind? If I find him a concubine, wouldn’t that be pushing him directly into another woman’s bed?"
Mrs. Wang said earnestly, "You foolish girl! Look at your husband’s behavior. Sooner or later, he’ll bring one of those little vixens from the brothels home anyway. Wouldn’t it be better for you to take the initiative, find him a concubine yourself, and thus guide his heart back home?"
"Firstly, this would demonstrate your virtuous and magnanimous character as the principal wife. Secondly, if you select a manageable young woman to be his concubine, your husband will still be someone within your own courtyard. Isn’t that far better than those vixens from the brothels outside, who are much harder to manage?"
Mrs. Wang’s words sent Lady Zhao into deep thought. Finally, she clenched her jaw and nodded. "Mother, you have a point. But where am I to find a young girl who is attractive, obedient, and easy to control?"
Just then, Xiao Wang, after a moment’s thought, stepped forward and offered an idea, "Lady Zhao, it seems to me that quite a few young ladies in our own clan have come of age. Several of them are rather comely, and being from our own clan, they would be easier to manage..."
Hearing this, both Mrs. Wang and Lady Zhao found the suggestion plausible. And so, within the Zhao Family Old House, they began to secretly plot and plan the selection of a concubine for Niu Baishun.
「 」
Zhao Family.
Prince Liang and Boss Feng had just been seen off by Zhao Dong, each carrying a basket of fruit as they departed.
Zhao Dong, Sun Mei, and Zhao Cheng lingered at the doorway for a moment before heading back inside, chatting and laughing.
Just as they closed the main door, they heard a gasp from the courtyard, where Zhao Ya and Yunniang were embroidering.
Following the sound, they saw Yunniang sitting on the ground, with Zhao Ya attempting to help her up.
Startled by the scene, Sun Mei rushed over to assist in pulling Yunniang to her feet, asking with concern, "What happened? Did you fall and hurt yourself?"
Yunniang waved her hand, laughing. "HAHA, it’s nothing, it’s nothing! It’s just these eyes of mine; they truly get less useful with age. I was so engrossed in Yaya’s embroidery that I didn’t notice the Shi Tou under my foot and tripped. It’s nothing serious."
Yunniang’s eyesight was indeed poor; she had previously suffered from night blindness.
After Yunniang became Zhao Ya’s mentor in the Zhao Family, Sun Mei ensured she ate fish regularly for a period. Combined with the medicine prescribed by Sun Kang, Yunniang’s eyesight gradually improved significantly.
However, she still suffered from some presbyopia, and with advancing age, her vision grew increasingly blurry. Whenever she looked at anything, she had to hold it at a distance and squint.
But this was the first time she had fallen like this.
Given her age, Sun Mei was worried about broken bones and insisted on taking her to Sun Kang for an examination. Fortunately, there was no serious injury.
On their way back, Zhao Ya continually admonished Yunniang.
Zhao Ya’s face was filled with worry. "Master, you must be more careful in the future. If you wish to look at my embroidery, please sit down first."
Now twelve years old, Zhao Ya had grown considerably taller. Naturally quiet and a student of embroidery, she exuded an aura of gentle grace.
Listening to her disciple’s earnest words, Yunniang’s heart warmed. In her three years with the Zhao family, she had experienced their kindness; they had been genuinely good to her.
However, the more Yunniang interacted with Zhao Ya and her family, the deeper her guilt became.
She now regarded Zhao Ya as her own child, and so, for three years, she had never uttered a word about the feud of her school in Zhao Ya’s presence, thinking, I should just let it go. I can’t push such a good child into danger for the sake of revenge.
But Zhao Ya had never forgotten. She studied diligently every day, hoping to one day avenge her master’s family.
She was naturally talented and, being diligent, learned very quickly.
The more outstanding Zhao Ya became, the more Yunniang’s heart ached. She was filled with regret time and again. I never should have planned to involve such a young girl in this family vendetta.
Seeing Yunniang staring at her in a daze, Zhao Ya said with a sigh of resignation, "Master, are you listening to what your disciple is saying?"
Yunniang then gave a laugh. "HAHA, yes, yes, I’m listening."
Afterward, she jokingly remarked to Sun Mei, "Look at Yaya, she’s becoming quite the chatterbox, isn’t she?"
Sun Mei smiled. "She’s just worried about your health. But Yaya is right; you really should be more careful."
Yunniang sighed in her heart, "Yaya is a good child."
Sun Mei remarked meaningfully, "Indeed."
Then she smiled and changed the subject.
The three of them walked back home, talking and laughing, only to encounter Zhao Zhitong, who came rushing over.
She had just heard from Zhao Cheng what had happened at home and immediately rushed over, fussing over Yunniang with concern and even insisting on taking her pulse.
After three years of living together, Zhao Zhitong already considered Yunniang family.
Looking at the young girl, a smile spread across Yunniang’s face. These three years with the Zhao Family had been the most wonderful years since she had left her hometown.
Sun Mei caught hold of Zhao Zhitong and chuckled, "You silly girl, your grandfather has already examined her. Are you saying you don’t trust your grandfather?"
"Alright, let’s go. Let’s all head home."
With that, they all returned home together.
Zhao Zhitong also learned that Yunniang had presbyopia, which was difficult to treat effectively with medicine.
Zhao Zhitong asked with some disappointment, "So, there’s nothing that can be done?"