Chapter 396: Chapter 389: I’m Just a Face-Lover 31
Most people would try to speak kindly and say nice things when there’s family conflict at someone else’s place, hoping the family could live in harmony, or at the very least, Madam could have some peace.
But Anning is not most people.
Not only did she not persuade Wang Chunhua, she actually poured oil on the fire, eagerly fanning the flames for Wang Chunhua.
"You’re absolutely right, why should you always give in to her? Is it because she’s unreasonable? Or because she’s older? There’s no law that says old people get a pass when they do something wrong."
Wang Chunhua nodded vigorously: "Exactly, exactly, you understand me, talking to you makes me feel so much clearer."
Anning was still stoking the fire: "The Yue family tells you to be filial to his mother, but why doesn’t he be filial to yours? His mother is a mother, and yours isn’t? His mother raised him, but yours gave birth to you, right? And it’s not like you’ve ever taken a single grain of rice or a piece of cloth from their family, so why should you suffer in their home? You brought so much dowry with you, it’s more than enough for your own needs. It’s not the Yue family supporting you now, you’re supporting them. They’re living off you and still making you feel aggrieved; that’s really not right."
Listening to this, Wang Chunhua laughed heartily: "Look at you, that’s what it’s like talking to someone who gets it. If I talked to someone clueless, they would definitely tell me to be more tolerant, respect my mother-in-law and such nonsense—pah, respect has to be mutual. They treat me like a cash cow, with not an ounce of respect for me, why should I respect them?"
As they spoke, Wang Chunhua took Anning by the arm: "The weather’s been getting warmer, let’s go out for a walk. I’ve got a manor back in my hometown, planted with lots of peach trees, and the peach blossoms are perfect right now. Let’s go enjoy them."
"Sure."
Anning, too, has been feeling cooped up at home and wanted to go out for a walk.
She took Wang Chunhua to find Mrs. Xiao: "I’ll let my mother-in-law know."
They went to Mrs. Xiao and Wang Chunhua chatted with her, making Mrs. Xiao very happy.
Anning took the opportunity to mention wanting to go out for a walk.
Mrs. Xiao immediately said: "Do go, you’ve been helping Yuanyuan with his studies every day, and it’s been hard on you. With such lovely spring weather, it’s a good time to have some fun."
Anning, thinking it would be more fun to have more people, sent a servant to the Xu Family to let Xu Bao’er know, and invite her to join them.
Wang Chunhua, who loves lively scenes, naturally welcomed another companion.
After the two got ready, they took a carriage to the Xu Family.
When they arrived, Xu Bao’er was also ready to go, and the three of them set out together in one carriage towards the Wang family’s manor.
Xu Bao’er had been feeling stifled at home too, and the chance to get out made her incredibly happy.
But she did have a moment of awkwardness when she saw Wang Chunhua.
Yet, Wang Chunhua spoke candidly to Xu Bao’er: "Don’t be shy, I know there was a marriage contract between you and the Yue family before, but that’s nothing. Our marriages are never in our own control. Besides, you’re married now, it’s time to let bygones be bygones."
Xu Bao’er smiled slightly: "Thanks for understanding, you’re really kind."
All in all, Xu Bao’er is a gentle, kind-hearted girl.
Wang Chunhua is cheerful and open-minded, and they got along quite well.
The three of them chatted and laughed all the way, quickly arriving at the small manor Wang Chunhua mentioned.
Upon reaching the place, Anning couldn’t help but laugh; this place was really something.
Wang Chunhua, seeing Anning laugh with curiosity, tugged at her: "What are you laughing at?"
Xu Bao’er also looked towards Anning.
Anning explained to the two: "Do you know about the Zheng family’s incident?"
The two nodded together.
Now, Young Master Zheng is the number one topic of interest in Qingyuan County. The incident he caused yesterday was known by everyone, from the county magistrate to the dung collector. During leisure time, everyone talks about Young Master Zheng—if you don’t comment, you’re out of touch.
You could say that Young Master Zheng is incredibly notorious now.
Anning hopped off the carriage and reached out to help Wang Chunhua and Xu Bao’er: "Didn’t Young Master Zheng have an arranged marriage? During the commotion at his doorstep yesterday, his future father-in-law just happened to pass by and saw everything, and he was far from pleased."
Xu Bao’er blinked: "But the girl was sold off, wasn’t she? Why are they still angry?"
Anning explained: "The girl’s father had no idea, he was out of town. We don’t know who the scoundrel is who sold her. Now that her father’s back, I bet he is furious enough to kill someone."
Upon hearing this, Wang Chunhua’s spirit was lifted: "There’s such a matter? How did you come to think of this?"
Anning pointed to the Wang family’s Manor: "Your Manor is right next to that girl’s home."
Eh?
Indeed, it’s quite the coincidence.
Wang Chunhua couldn’t care less about appreciating the peach blossoms anymore, and grabbing Anning, she said: "Do you know what that family is called? Shall we go and see the excitement?"
Xu Bao’er also felt quite sympathetic towards that girl: "Why don’t we take a look? Maybe by saying a few words, we could save that girl’s life. The Zheng family is too heartless."
With both of them saying so, Anning naturally agreed.
Then, calculating with her fingers, she said: "Alright, let’s go to the entrance of the village now. We may just run into someone."
The three of them didn’t enter the Manor but took a carriage straight to the entrance of Jingtai Village.
Sure enough, they bumped into Wu Ping just as they reached the village entrance.
Wu Ping had just returned from the Cuis’ home, where he made a scene, cursing the entire Cui family and threatening to break Cui Zhiren’s legs if he didn’t promptly annul the engagement. Moreover, he criticized Cui Zhiren for his lack of manners, stating that no one with both parents alive would need an uncle to arrange a marriage.
This ruckus scared the living daylights out of the Cui family. Wu Ping further demanded the repay of a significant sum of money the Cui family had owed him over the years or he would divorce Ms. Cui.
But the Cui family was unwilling to repay the debt, not caring at all about Ms. Cui’s life or death.
Seeing such a situation, Wu Ping felt that this family was simply too despicable. To continue being in-laws with the Cuis would surely bring trouble upon his family eventually.
Cui Zhiren’s character, so unkind and unjust, gave Wu Ping the impression that even if he became an official after his academic pursuits, he would likely become a corrupt one. His misdeeds would be severe, risking disaster for the entire extended family.
Wu Ping thought this through thoroughly and became even more eager to divorce Ms. Cui.
Rushing home, he couldn’t wait to divorce her and settle down in peace.
And then, he ran into Anning at the village entrance.
When Anning saw Wu Ping, she clasped her hands in a salute: "Mr. Wu."
Wu Ping smiled: "Mrs. Xiao, good day. You are...?"
Anning pointed to Xu Bao’er and Wang Chunhua: "We came out for a spring outing, heard that the scenery here is splendid, so we wanted to come and have a look. We just don’t know where the scenery is the best."
Wu Ping happened to know about that.
Though Jingtai Village had nothing else, it certainly had some of the best sceneries in the whole of Qingyuan.
"The foot of the mountain behind our village has the best view, with peach trees, contiguous apricot groves, expansive fields of rapeseed flowers, and there’s also a small creek where you can fish and have a picnic by the water."
"Is that so?"
Wang Chunhua was intrigued: "We didn’t bring much with us, could we trouble you to help purchase some things... or we could borrow from your home as well."
Wu Ping’s house was not far from the village entrance, so he thought for a moment: "No need to waste that money, go to my place and take some first, you can return them after you’re done using them."
Wu Ping was able to earn quite a bit of money in just a few years, and it was related to his personality.
He was generous and had a sense of justice, for which he had made many good friends. The owner of the Trading House where he worked was also very fond of his character, hence they promoted him.
Remembering the kindness Anning reminded him of yesterday, Wu Ping thought to help in any way he could.
He led Anning and the others to his house.
Upon entry, Wu Ping didn’t call for Ms. Cui, but his daughter instead: "Ni’er, come quick and help Daddy to greet the guests."
As a man, it would not be appropriate for him to attend to the female relatives; it was better for his daughter to do so.
Wu Ni’er heard the call and hurriedly came out, first seeing Anning and Xu Bao’er, then Wang Chunhua.
Seeing the attire of the three ladies, she knew they were from noble families and briskly approached with a smile: "Please sit down, ladies. I’ll brew some tea for you. I just picked some peach blossoms yesterday, and I’ll make some peach blossom cakes for you to try in a bit."
Anning looked at Wang Chunhua, Wang Chunhua looked at Xu Bao’er, and then, the three of them nodded together.