CHAPTER 1335: CHAPTER 1335: INQUIRING

Of course, the marriage was just brushed aside like that. If anyone asked about the marriage between the two families, Wang Yongzhen would be vague about it, while the girl’s side flatly denied it, saying they had never been in talks, let alone about marriage.

Anyone who heard this would think there must be a story behind it.

When asked, the girl’s family wouldn’t say a word, but the matchmaker gradually let out some words, making it all clear to everyone.

At this point, those who were originally interested suddenly backed off, scared away.

No one dared to talk to Mutou about marriage, no matter how hard Wang Yongzhen tried to find a matchmaker, it was to no avail.

Someone suggested, what if Mutou went to be a live-in son-in-law in someone else’s house?

The matchmaker thought this wasn’t a bad idea. With Mutou’s disposition, being a live-in son-in-law while having an agreement with the family to leave his mother in the Wang Family Old House, and giving some grain annually, it could work.

Mention this to Wang Yongzhen, and it was like poking a hornet’s nest.

Wang Yongzhen cried and cursed while driving the matchmaker away for miles.

Upon returning home, she would cry, saying she would rather have Mutou be a lifelong bachelor than let him become a live-in son-in-law, and so on.

With that, Wang Yongzhen put the thought to rest.

But as soon as she heard that Wang Yongzhu had become the Magistrate’s Lady, her heart started to stir again.

She tossed and turned at home all night and finally came up with an idea.

She knew that she wasn’t well-liked; Wang Yongzhu had made it quite clear back then.

So, she pondered about finding out how long Wang Yongzhu and family would stay when they returned home. If it was just a short stay, then it would be easier to manage.

Once they’re gone, and not coming back to Qilidun anytime soon, she could take advantage of their return by shamelessly visiting a few more times, even if it meant being scolded or driven out; others wouldn’t know anyway.

As long as people could see her frequently visiting the Wang Family, making them think she had mended her relationship with the Wang Family, that would be enough.

Once Wang Yongzhu and family left, she would find a faraway matchmaker, someone who wouldn’t know the local situation, to arrange a marriage for someone not in the know.

Once the rice was cooked, even if they had to move out of the Wang Family Old House, Mutou would have a wife, and the Sun Family would have descendants; there would be no other choice!

However, she dared not share this plan with anyone, not even in front of Mutou.

She usually stayed home and didn’t go out, just staying in the yard, but for the past two days, she’d just sit by the door, listening to the villagers’ passing words.

Especially those who knew about their situation, who would deliberately talk about how well-off the Wang Family was, how grand and prosperous Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang were upon their return, just to provoke Wang Yongzhen.

Typically, when Wang Yongzhen heard such words, she would brood for days, feeling as though fate was unfair, having lost her father early and suffering herself.

But now that she had other plans, she managed to hold her temper and continued to stay by the door daily.

The villagers started to say that perhaps Wang Yongzhen had come to terms with it? Or had resigned to fate, realizing that her sister had become the Magistrate’s Lady and couldn’t be caught up with, hence wasn’t upset anymore?

So when Jinhoo brought Lord Du to tour around the village and escorted him back.

Upon returning to his room, he fiddled around for a bit, and carried a couple of items to the old house, only to see Wang Yongzhen sitting at the door, repairing what seemed like a piece of Mutou’s clothing, her stitches sporadic.

With just a glance, Jinhoo noticed the cuffs were sewn onto the hem of the garment.

He couldn’t help but twitch the corner of his eye: "Aunt, is this your way of mending clothes?"

Wang Yongzhen, lost in her thoughts, was startled by the sudden sound, pricked her finger with the needle, and exclaimed, jumping up.

Seeing it was Jinhoo, she couldn’t help but say, "Child, what are you doing, sneaking around? Speaking up all of a sudden, you scared me half to death!"

Jinhoo rolled his eyes: "Aunt, what on earth were you thinking, to be so engrossed? Just look at the coat you’re holding, and you have the nerve to say I scared you?"

Wang Yongzhen looked down, only to see that in her hands, Mutou’s coat had both cuffs sewn onto the hem.

Her face blushed with embarrassment as she hid the coat behind her and coughed lightly, "What brings you here? Is it to see your mother?"

Jinhoo hummed in response and was about to head into the yard.

But Wang Yongzhen stopped him immediately: "Don’t go, Aunt has something to ask you!"

Feeling a bit impatient, Jinhoo just thought this aunt was not good at reading the situation but held back: "Aunt, what do you want to ask?"

Wang Yongzhen closed the door, pulled Jinhoo into the yard, and whispered: "Is it true that your uncle has become the County Magistrate?"

Jinhoo snorted: "Of course! My uncle was personally appointed as the County Magistrate by the current Emperor! Even this time returning home in glory is by imperial order! It’s an honor unparalleled in the world, that not even the Top Scholar has!"

Wang Yongzhen further asked: "Will your uncle and aunt leave this time? Are they going to serve as the County Magistrate for our county?"

Jinhoo shook his head: "Aunt, this you don’t know living in the countryside, but there are rules in the Imperial Court. A local cannot serve as the County Magistrate of their own hometown. My uncle’s posting will be far away, don’t even think about benefiting or leveraging my aunt and uncle’s influence for any excuse! Aunt won’t stand for it if she finds out!"

Being young and thinking Wang Yongzhen wanted to use his aunt and uncle’s influence, Jinhoo quickly warned her.

Unexpectedly, this was right in line with Wang Yongzhen’s thoughts, and she couldn’t help but show a slight smile, quickly hiding it for fear Jinhoo would see it.

"You kid! What nonsense are you spouting here! I was just concerned about them and asked out of care! Alright, alright, go see your mother!" Wang Yongzhen got what she wanted and quickly pushed Jinhoo, then tidied the things in her hands and went back inside.

Jinhoo scratched his head, stood in front of Lady Lin’s room, and before he could speak, the door opened.

Lady Lin had been listening to the sounds outside, naturally hearing Wang Yongzhen’s questions and Jinhoo’s answers.

Counting the steps of Jinhoo to the door, she hurriedly opened it.

Seeing Jinhoo, tears streamed down her cheeks, full of "My son! My Jinhoo! Mother missed you so much!"

She rushed up, ready to hug Jinhoo.

Jinhoo deftly dodged Lady Lin’s embrace, feeling somewhat embarrassed: "Mother, what are you talking about? Can’t we just talk properly?"

Lady Lin wiped her tears: "You heartless child, you’ve been gone nearly a year. Mother waits for you day and night, missing you! My eyes have almost cried blind! I couldn’t eat or sleep, just worried about you! Finally seeing you back, yet you shun your mother?"

Jinhoo looked at the dishes hastily left on the kang behind Lady Lin, fried eggs, vegetables, and several buns, was this not eating well?

And looking at Lady Lin, in this past year, since she moved out of the Wang Family, she brought with her private and valuable properties worth a fortune, so she had money.

Jindou even delivered grain once during the year, so she didn’t lack food or drink.

She almost didn’t do any hard work in the field, her skin got fairer, she gained a little weight, and even her chin was doubled.

Was that what she called not sleeping well?

The bit of emotion Jinhoo felt was instantly cooled.