The Peasant Wife: The Prime Minister's Beloved

"You took the things without paying, are you bandits?" Old man Chen asked angrily, with disappointment in his voice.

"Dad, Tianyi and Xiaoxi have said that. Two pieces of cloth are not worth much money. Let's forget about it!"

Zhou Xuemei quickly interrupted, trying to ease the tense atmosphere.

"Not valuable? Even if it's worthless, why are you scrambling to get it? When has the Chen family ever treated you badly in terms of food, clothing and other daily necessities?" Old man Chen's question left Zhou Xuemei speechless for a moment.

Indeed, the Chen family had never treated them badly in life, but such fine fabrics were unprecedented and it was impossible not to be tempted. Who wouldn't want to have this luxury?

Looking at the insignificant daughter-in-law in front of him, as well as the village chief and Pingzheng who came to mediate, Old Man Chen hardened his heart and turned around and walked into the house where he and Old Lady Chen lived together.

At first, Old Mrs. Chen thought that Old Man Chen was so angry that he didn't care about anything. Unexpectedly, not long after, Old Man Chen came out with a piece of red cloth wrapped in silver.

Oh no, Old Mrs. Chen thought to herself, hidden under the red cloth was the silver they had saved over the years.

"Master Pingzheng, you are very knowledgeable. Please give me an estimate."

Pingzheng traveled all over the country when he was young and had a lot of experience. He walked forward and gently touched the half piece of cloth that Zhou Xuemei was holding tightly. The cloth was as smooth as silk and of extraordinary quality.

"In my opinion, a piece of cloth like this is worth at least ten taels of silver."

"Ten taels? Isn't this blatant robbery?" Zheng Cuihua was so anxious that she jumped up and down when she heard it.

When Xie Tianyi heard Ping Zheng's valuation, he did not show much surprise on his face.

He knew very well that the Jiang family was in the cloth business, and the cloth they sent must be of the best quality. Ten taels of silver was also within his expectations.

"Xiao Xi, here are twenty taels of silver. Keep it and pay your aunt back first. Don't forget to buy medicine for Tianyi with the rest."

Chen Xi was startled at first, a hint of surprise flashed across his brows, then he slowly turned to Xie Tianyi, his eyes lingering on his calm face for a moment.

Seeing that he looked normal and without any disturbance, Chen Xi slowly reached out his hand and took the heavy silver.

"How can this be! Old man, you are pushing us into a dead end! This is all the savings we have worked so hard to accumulate, but you gave it all to this little girl. How are we going to live, eat, and drink in the future?"

Old Mrs. Chen's voice was sharp and urgent. Her eyes were fixed on the twenty taels of silver. Her eyes were red with resentment and anger. Almost subconsciously, she stretched out her hand and tried to snatch the silver back from Chen Xi.

Old man Chen was quick-witted and quick-handed. He gently blocked with his broad palm and steadily stopped Old lady Chen's almost out-of-control movement.

Chen Xi's eyes flickered slightly, and she seemed to have made a decision in an instant. She lightly picked up ten taels of silver from the twenty taels.

"Grandfather, these ten taels of silver can be regarded as money for the eldest and second sisters-in-law to buy cloth. As for the remaining ten taels, Xie Tianyi and I really cannot accept them."

Her voice was gentle. "Although we have separated, I naturally want to honor you first when I have good things. Grandma's portion of cloth is our filial piety to you. If you need anything in the future, just tell me. Don't let me misunderstand that our family is in trouble."

"Girl, who wants your things? Give me back the money!" Old Mrs. Chen's tone was full of disdain and anger, as if she couldn't hear Chen Xi's explanation.

Those twenty taels of silver really meant all the property of the Chen family, and old man Chen couldn't help but feel a pang of pain in his heart.

But after listening to Chen Xi's sincere words, he still took the ten taels of silver with trembling hands, and a complex emotion flashed in his eyes.

As soon as the silver fell into Old Man Chen's palm, it was snatched away by Old Lady Chen, who was watching him eagerly. She held the silver tightly in her arms.

"You are such a sensible and filial child!"

Old man Chen looked at Chen Xi, a trace of relief and emotion flashed in his eyes, and then he waved his hand casually, indicating that they could leave, "Okay, okay, take Xie Tianyi back if you have nothing to do, the two boys at home are still waiting for you."

"No! We can't just let the ten taels of silver go like this! Chen Xi, you little girl, get it back for me right away!"

Old Mrs. Chen's voice sounded behind him, with a hint of reluctance and anger.

Chen Xi gently supported Xie Tianyi and walked out of the Xie family's gate step by step. She just smiled faintly at the shouting coming from behind and didn't take it to heart at all.

Once they stepped out of the Chen family's threshold, the two of them parted ways with the village chief and others. Along the way, they successfully obtained money and earned enough face. The joy in their hearts was brilliant and bright.

"Xie Tianyi, you are really smart, but why do you insist on silver and not cloth?" Chen Xi asked in confusion as he walked, with a hint of curiosity between his brows.

Xie Tianyi simply uttered one word: "Dirty!"

Chen Xi couldn't help but recall the scene of the cloth being repeatedly rubbed by Old Lady Chen, her mother-in-law and her daughter-in-law. She suddenly felt an indescribable discomfort. She found it unbearable to imagine wearing clothes that were stained with someone else's scent.

At this moment, she completely understood the deep meaning of Xie Tianyi's insistence on silver instead of cloth.

After returning home, Chen Xi handed the silver in his hand to Xie Tianyi without hesitation as soon as he entered the door.

It was getting late and there was still a lot of work waiting for her in the kitchen, so dinner preparation could not be delayed.

When Xie Tianyi saw Chen Xi turning around and trying to leave, he became anxious and reached out to pull her away hastily. However, he used too much force, causing Chen Xi to stagger and fall directly into his arms. He also fell on the bed, and the two of them had an unexpectedly close contact.

When their eyes met, Chen Xi secretly admired in his heart: "Your eyes are so beautiful, deep and bright."

Just when the atmosphere was becoming subtle, a clear child's voice broke the silence.

"Oh, shame on you, Dad and Mom!"

Xiaoyang and Xiaochen's laughter was pure and innocent, but it instantly made Chen Xi's cheeks flush. She quickly struggled to get up and explained awkwardly: "Well, I didn't mean to do that. Did I hurt you?"

"It's okay, I was the one who pulled you first." Xie Tianyi explained softly.

Chen Xi suddenly realized that if Xie Tianyi hadn't pulled her like that, she wouldn't have lost her composure like this.

She handed the remaining silver to Xie Tianyi and said seriously: "Please keep this silver. It is my way of repaying your debt."

"Mom, why were you lying on Dad just now?" Xiaoyang asked curiously.

"Mom, your face is so red!" Xiaochen also echoed, his eyes clear and transparent without any impurities.

Chen Xi knew in his heart that the two of them had no ill intentions, but the scene was indeed easy to arouse people's imagination.

"The room is a bit stuffy. Mom will go make you something delicious." She made an excuse, trying to escape from this slightly awkward atmosphere.

"Is it stuffy?" Xiaoyang touched his head puzzledly. The sky outside was gradually darkening and the sun was about to set. How could there be any sign of stuffiness?