Chapter 190: Song Jiayue’s Return

Translator: Atlas Studios  Editor: Atlas Studios

The pouch was made of fine cotton with peony patterns embroidered on it. It was exquisite and small.

It was worlds apart from the one Shen Yijia had given Song Jingchen.

Shen Yijia liked it, so she did not refuse. She took it, thanked An Xiu’er, and went back to the An family.

With Furball guarding the house, there was no need to lock the door.

“Sister Shen.” An Xiu’er asked curiously, “The medicine you gave my father last time was quite effective. It must be very precious, right?”

Shen Yijia nodded. “Yes.”

“Then why don’t you treat Brother Song’s legs?” An Xiu’er said after holding it in for a long time.

Shen Yijia looked at her as if she was an idiot. “I only had one pill. If I gave it to my husband back then, what would have happened to your father?”

An Xiu’er choked.

Shen Yijia continued, “My husband isn’t sick. How can he recover from eating a medicinal pill?”

“I didn’t mean—”

“Why are you so concerned about my husband?” Shen Yijia interrupted her unhappily.

“I just thought that Brother Song was pitiful, so I asked. Sister Shen, don’t misunderstand. There’s nothing between Brother Song and me.” An Xiu’er was stunned for a moment. She clearly didn’t understand why Shen Yijia suddenly became like this. She had been quite easy to talk to in the past.

Upon hearing the word “misunderstanding”, Shen Yijia rolled her eyes. “Don’t call me Sister Shen. Call me Miss Song from now on.”

Da Hua had told her that a woman who told you not to misunderstand meant that she wanted you to misunderstand.

No wonder she felt that something was wrong with An Xiu’er. It turned out that she had designs on her husband.

With that, she threw the pouch into An Xiu’er’s arms.

The banquet had already begun. The An family’s banquet was considered a luxury for the villagers. There were plates full of meat and vegetables. Everyone was busy eating, so no one noticed the two of them.

The next day, Auntie Tian brought her new daughter-in-law to the house.

This was the first time Shen Yijia had seen He Xinci. She was a very shy girl. When she smiled, there were two dimples on her face. Shen Yijia’s first impression of her was not bad.

Auntie Tian also smiled. It was obvious that she was very satisfied with her daughter-in-law.

Apart from farming on their own land, the villagers of Xiagou Village also rented farmland.

Especially after the harsh winter, everyone wanted to plant more crops for money.

Today, a luxurious carriage stopped in front of the Song family’s old residence.

Ever since Song Maolin died, Song Dajiang and his wife did not come out much. If not for the fact that they could see Song Dalin from time to time, the villagers would have forgotten about this family.

The arrival of the carriage made the silent old residence come alive, attracting the attention of many villagers who were working in the fields.

The curtain of the carriage was lifted by a slender hand, and a girl dressed as a maidservant alighted.

After getting out of the carriage, the maidservant looked at the Song family’s courtyard in disdain. Then, she smiled obsequiously and reached into the carriage. “Madam, I’ll help you get out of the carriage.”

As soon as she said that, the coachman immediately knelt down and propped himself up with his hands.

A wealthy-looking young woman slowly alighted from the carriage with the help of a maidservant.

The villagers working in the fields frowned when they saw this scene.

The woman was wearing makeup and had gold hair pins around her head. Everyone found her familiar, but they couldn’t remember who she was.

Song Dalin, who heard the commotion, recognized her and said in disbelief, “Song Jiayue, why have you become like this?”

“How dare you speak to our Madam like that!” Although Song Jiayue was only a concubine, she was beautiful and young.

Old Master Liu doted on her in the Liu residence, and she didn’t let her maidservants call her a concubine in private.

After the maidservant finished reprimanding him, Song Jiayue pretended to be unhappy and said, “Xing’er, how can you say that? He’s my big brother after all. Be polite.”

“Yes, I’ve made a mistake.” Xing’er bowed to Song Dalin perfunctorily. “Uncle, I’m sorry.”

The pretense between the two was obvious. Even a fool could tell. Song Dalin frowned and asked, “Why are you back?”

Ever since Song Jiayue got married, she had never returned. During the disaster, Song Dajiang had instructed him to go to the Liu residence once.

Song Dalin braved the cold wind and snow, but he wasn’t able to meet anyone from the Liu residence. When he returned, he was injured and almost died.

“I heard that Third Brother is gone. I couldn’t come back during the disaster, so I specially came back to offer incense to him today,” Song Jiayue said with a smile.

Seeing that she was dressed in red, Song Dalin believed her.

Although Song Maolin’s death made him heave a sigh of relief, there was no reason for anyone to step on him when he was dead. After all, they were biological brothers.

He glanced at the courtyard and warned in a low voice, “You’d better not act rashly. Ever since Third Brother pa.s.sed away, Mother has been seriously ill. Father hasn’t been in good health recently. If anything happens to us, I’ll deal with you…”

Song Jiayue was impatient to hear this and interrupted him. “Big Brother, it’s fine if you’re stupid, but don’t think that I’m the same as you!”

Thinking back to when she was forced to marry a man older than her father to treat Song Maolin’s injuries, she hated him to the core.

Knowing that she couldn’t escape, she forced Song Maolin to hold a big banquet. She wanted to embarra.s.s Song Maolin and the entire Song family.

However, it was still not enough to vent her anger. She did not expect the heavens to have eyes. The person who was doted on by her parents was gone.

When she heard this news, Song Jiayue hid in her room and cried happy tears. She wanted to see her parents regret it.

“Oh, it’s Sister-in-law. Come in quickly. Aunt has been talking about you these past few days.” Little Madam Liu suddenly walked out and interrupted the siblings.

Little Madam Liu was chased back by her family. During the snow disaster, everyone’s food was precious.

Her family had three older brothers. If her parents wanted to take her in, they would have to see if their sisters-in-law agreed.

After returning, Little Madam Liu had been criticized by Madam Liu a few times. Now, she only dared to keep her head down and work.

Song Jiayue glanced at Little Madam Liu in disdain and avoided her hand.

She placed her hand on Xing’er’s and turned to walk into the house.

“Oh my, did you see what that girl was wearing on her head? Isn’t that too heavy for her neck?” Widow w.a.n.g’s spittle flew as she spoke. She even clicked her tongue because she was so excited.

“As soon as she left, Song Dalin rushed to find the barefoot doctor in the village. I reckon Song Dajiang and his wife are furious.”

“Especially Madam Liu. Ever since her son Song Maolin pa.s.sed away, I heard that she’s been sick. Could it be that she’s been angered by Song Jiayue?”

No matter how ridiculous the incident at the old residence was, Shen Yijia no longer found it strange. Everyone just treated it as a story and continued working on their tasks while listening to the gossip.

However, this did not affect Widow w.a.n.g’s ability to gossip.

“Speaking of Madam Liu, she doted on Song Maolin and Song Jiayue the most.

In the end, Madam Liu has grown old. Meanwhile, Song Maolin has died, and Song Jiayue became an ingrate. If I were her, I would have been angered to death.”