Chapter 71: Chapter 071: Getting Into Trouble
Translator: 549690339
“This is ultimately a matter between your two families, it wouldn’t be right for me to get too involved,” Zhuang Jingye contemplated for a moment before declining, “A simple apology should suffice.”
In this way, no matter what, it was Zhuang Ruman’s affair alone, no one could argue that his role as the village chief was in any way improper.
“Uncle, you’re aware that because of Mrs. Song’s foolish actions, Miss Zhuang Qingning and Miss Qingsui have started to see me in a negative light, even bearing resentment towards me.”
Zhuang Ruman said, “After the scuffle earlier, they now likely despise the sight of me even more. If I were to go there now, they would surely chase me out before I have a chance to apologize and instead, I would get a tongue-lashing. All things considered, it is not a good situation.”
“Uncle, if you could mediate, I am sure Miss Zhuang Qingning will respect you and calmly exchange a few words with me. If our two families could live in harmony without squabbles, wouldn’t that bring some peace to the village and give you peace of mind?”
He continued, “Earlier, when my son Yuanren returned home, he had mentioned his wish to invite you over, but there was simply not enough time. Once Yuanren finishes his exams and returns home, we will ensure that he pays you a visit to share the good news and we ask that you kindly enjoy a cup at our place.”
The last few sentences were subtly aimed at pleasing Zhuang Jingye and fostering a closer relationship.
Although Zhuang Yuanren might not necessarily succeed in the exams, he was, after all, a studious young man with chances of success. It would not be a bad thing to establish good relations early, especially if Zhuang Yuanren were to become successful and qualify as a student or even an imperial scholar in the future.
One must always leave open multiple paths in life, so the road can widen and not lead into a dead end.
Zhuang Jingye thought it over and then nodded, “Alright, for Yuanren’s sake, let’s make this visit.”
“Thank you, Uncle.” Seeing Zhuang Jingye agree Zhuang Ruman gave a beaming smile and then asked him to wait for a moment before going into the house to get some eggs.
He picked out around ten eggs, put them in a small bamboo basket, and lined the basket with soft wheat straw to prevent the eggs from breaking.
“What are you doing?” Mrs. Song saw him gathering eggs and desperately asked. “These are fresh eggs, laid by our hens over the last couple of days. Weren’t you planning on saving them to sell in town so we have money set aside for Yuanren?”
It is worth mentioning that in order to preserve the eggs for selling, Zhuang Ruman had been counting them over and over again, afraid that they might be secretly eaten.
“Why do you meddle in everything? Finish making the meal.” Zhuang Ruman didn’t bother answering Mrs. Song, simply loaded the eggs into the small bamboo basket and then left with Zhuang Jingye.
“Ah.. “, Mrs. Song, startled by yet another confrontation, was about to speak
out, but fearing she might get scolded, she shut her mouth and hung her head, going back into the kitchen to continue cooking and calling Zhuang Qinghe to prepare the fire.
“Mom, I heard dad’s planning to go to Zhuang Qingning’s house,” Zhuang Yuanzhong snuck into the kitchen, blinking his eyes, he said, “From what dad said, it sounds like he plans to send the eggs there as a peace offering.”
“What?”
Zhuang Qinghe, who was kindling the fire, suddenly screamed, “Why should we give eggs to that wretched girl? Why is it fair?”
“She shuts everyone out and eats all the good food, ignoring us completely. Even if we beat that wretched girl to death, it wouldn’t be too much and we’re actually going to give her eggs? Has dad lost his mind?”
Mrs. Song too was too upset to stem her tears.
Even if she failed to reclaim any belongings, even if Zhuang Qingning had chased her halfway across the village – and yes, it was quite embarrassing – but wasn’t she doing all of this for the sake of the family? Zhuang Ruman not only failed to stand up for her but was also planning on apologizing?
Wouldn’t that only make Zhuang Qingning look down on her even more?
People in the village were likely to say that she was someone even her own husband despised.
“Mom, it’s too much for dad to behave this way, he is not holding onto any shred of dignity. How will we show our faces in the village after this?” Zhuang Qinghe was exasperated.
“And those eggs, dad is so generous with them, giving away ten or so. When was the last time any of us ate an egg at home, yet he’s so keen on giving them all away…”
Why does that damned girl, who doesn’t even care for them, get to eat what she doesn’t have?
“Exactly, I think so too, we can’t even cat eggs, but those girls get them…” Zhuang Yuanzhong agreed, nodding earnestly.
“You two, quiet down.” Mrs. Song quietly wiped away her tears, “Your father must have his reasons for doing this, it must be something beneficial. It could be that the village chief said something and your father had no choice.”
With this thought in mind, she felt a bit better.
“What do you mean he had no choice?” Zhuang Qinghe’s face was flushed with anger, “Isn’t brother going to pass the imperial examination to become a student next year? Students don’t even have to kneel when they meet a county governor. Is there any need to such an extent that we have to lower ourselves to a village chief?”
“It looks like dad is letting his soft heart get the best of him, forgetting what he should be doing, resulting in him creating such a situation now.”
“Unacceptable!”
As Zhuang Qinghe kept talking, she stomped away from the stove, went to another room, grabbed four or five eggs, and began cracking them into the pot without a word.
The pot was simmering with sweet potato noodle pie. The eggs quickly solidified into a poached egg shape as soon as they went in.
“What are you doing?” Mrs. Song exclaimed, hurrying to stop her, “If your father sees this, won’t he break your legs?”
“So what if he beats me?” Zhuang Qinghe stood her ground, her face turning red, “Why is it that those two dead girls can eat our eggs, but we can’t? Today, I must eat an egg!”
In the past, she had always bullied Zhuang Qingning and Zhuang Qingsui, making them eat what she had leftover. She dressed them in her hand-me-downs, but now they were eating pork and chive dumplings and eggs, while she could only eat sweet potato pie?
This is not right!
Zhuang Qinghe was getting angrier the more she thought about it and threw all the remaining eggs into the pot.
Mrs. Song was not able to stop her.
“Oh my god, isn’t this asking for trouble…”
Mrs. Song was so anxious that she didn’t know what to do at the end.
When Zhuang Ruman came back and saw so many eggs in the pot, he would definitely get furious, definitely scold them, and definitely chastise her for being incapable and not keeping things under control….
Mrs. Song was anxious like an ant on a hot pan, pacing around the kitchen.
At least there are eggs to eat now.
Zhuang Yuanzhong broke into a smirk.
After days of living hand-to-mouth, not even getting a glimpse of any oil, the food cravings in his belly were now going to be satisfied. Finally, it was time to enjoy a feast..
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