Ugly girl only wants to farm

Zhang Yueniang stood there, stunned, not reacting for a long time. Qi Yu thought she hadn't heard clearly, so he repeated it again.

After hearing this, Zhang Yueniang looked embarrassed. To cover up her embarrassment, she quickly waved her hand and said, "Never mind, it's just a formality. You must be tired. I'll go get you some warm water to wash up."

As she spoke, she got up to leave, but it was too late for Qi Yu to stop her.

He and his sister usually only exchanged a few words, and they rarely saw each other after they got engaged.

After the two bumped into each other that time, Zhang Yueniang reduced her chances of leaving the house and even avoided him. Her mother said that it was unlucky for them to see each other too much before marriage, and now that they were in the same house, everyone was a little nervous.

Xu Chaoyan rubbed her aching back; she was exhausted after a long day. She had helped Aunt Qi see the neighbors off at their doors.

She breathed a sigh of relief. She had been sitting with Zhang Rongrong, drinking one glass after another, and now she was feeling dizzy and lightheaded.

Zhang Rongrong had probably been upset at home again. When she came over, although she tried her best to hide it and appear cheerful, I could still tell that something was off about her expression. After sitting down and drinking several glasses of wine in silence, I finally managed to get a few words out of Zhang Rongrong.

It turned out that her husband had developed a gambling addiction lately. He would spend most of his afternoons gambling, lured away by his cronies, and neglect the restaurant.

Her mother-in-law came back without even asking what happened and berated her, saying she couldn't even keep her own husband. What was the point of marrying her? Was she just there to be a decoration?

She was furious. Those legs were his own, and besides, she had to watch the shop. Her father-in-law was clearly with him, but he disappeared after noon. How could it be her responsibility?

After Zhang Rongrong finished rambling about this matter, she brought her more bad news. As a result, Xu Chaoyan is still frowning.

Aunt Qi came over and said to her, "You've worked hard today, we'll take care of the rest." She told her to go back and rest, but she noticed that her expression was a little off, and she didn't say anything even after being asked several times.

Finally, after much effort, Xu Chaoyan managed to coax her into speaking, and she said helplessly, "Today was supposed to be Qi Yu's special day, and I didn't want to spoil the mood by talking about this. But if I don't say it today, I guess I'll have to tomorrow."

Uncle Zhang and his family, along with Aunt Qi, looked at her with a nervous expression.

"Has something happened?" Everyone looked anxious.

Meng Jiuhe and Zhang Xuyang were still sitting not far away, talking about something. She hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"I was just chatting with Shen Siheng's sister-in-law for a while. We asked her to inquire about the situation in Fucheng. She just came over and said that it's a bit difficult to enroll in schools there."

After listening to her, the three elderly people fell into deep thought. At that moment, none of them spoke.

Meng Jiuhe, who was not far away, suddenly asked, "Wife, what are you busy with? Do you need me to help you? It's getting late. I'll boil some hot water for you when we get back so you can soak your feet."

"It's alright, you two chat first."

Time seemed to stand still at that moment, and everyone looked worried. Just when Xu Chaoyan thought no one would say anything, Aunt Qi suddenly spoke up.

"Let's just let things take their course and do our best. By the way, tomorrow I'll go to my former master's family to ask for help in restoring Yu'er's identity. We'll figure out the rest later, so don't be too anxious."

Given the current situation, this was the only option. Xu Chaoyan comforted Uncle Zhang and his companion again and urged them to go back and rest. Ya Ya leaned against a stool and nodded her head like a chick pecking at rice.

"Auntie, don't worry about so much, leave everything to us. Look, Yaya has been bitten by mosquitoes several times."

Seven days passed in the blink of an eye, and their lives continued as usual. They packed up everything they could and made preparations.

The next day, Zhang Rongrong came again in person to say she would find someone to inquire on their behalf. She said not to rush, but to mention that her father was going to the prefectural city in the next couple of days to meet the owners of several silk shops, one of which had a sister who was a concubine in the household of the magistrate. Perhaps someone could put in a good word for them, but they would need to wait patiently.

The turning point came on the eighth day. That day, Aunt Qi returned from outside, her face beaming with joy. Before she even entered the courtyard, her voice could be heard.

"Little Meng's wife, Little Meng's wife, I have good news for you."

The weather has been getting hotter these past few days, making it hard to stay indoors, and everyone has lost their appetite.

Xu Chaoyan prepared a variety of delicious dishes for them, including various side dishes. She also bought watermelons to chill and made some ice jelly, planning to make watermelon ice jelly to cool everyone down in the summer heat.

Just as she was about to make ice jelly with a gourd ladle in her hand and was about to scoop water, she heard Aunt Qi's voice and forgot to put down the ladle before running out.

"Xiao Meng's wife's hard work has finally paid off, and she's gotten this matter sorted out. With Yu'er's career resolved, those few rascals were just looking for him to take the blame when things were about to fall apart."

Xu Chaoyan asked in surprise, "Aunt Qi, what did your former master do that gave him so much power that he could talk to the county magistrate?"

Aunt Qi was taken aback by her question, her eyes flickered, and she casually brushed it off.

"When I was young, I was very much loved by the old lady of my master's family. By chance, I saved the young master once. So, out of this favor, she helped me this time. Isn't that a coincidence? The academy happens to have some connection with my former master's family. This time, they can also enroll smoothly. Are you so happy that you're crazy? Hurry up and go back to pack. You'll set off tomorrow or the day after."

Xu Chaoyan was somewhat excited when she heard the earlier part of the story. At least she was about to leave this place of trouble. A slight smile appeared on her lips as she suddenly heard, "You'll be leaving tomorrow."

She asked again, somewhat puzzled, "Aunt Qi, aren't you coming with us?"

“I still have some things to take care of back in my hometown. You should set off as soon as possible so that the three of them can enter the prefectural school and not be delayed any longer.”

Xu Chaoyan didn't think much of it. After all, Aunt Qi still had a house and land in the countryside, and these things definitely needed to be taken care of first.

After nightfall, the three families sat down together again to discuss their trip to the prefectural city.

Qi Yu looked over with a puzzled expression: "Mother, what do you need to deal with when you go back? The house is empty, but the fields and land have already been rented out, haven't they?"

Qi Niang glanced at her son and daughter-in-law with some lingering affection and replied with a smile, "You and Yue Niang take Ya Ya first. The house over there needs someone to tidy it up, right? I'll go back and check on the house, and I should also offer incense to your father to tell him that you've gotten married."

When Yue Niang heard her say this, her face flushed, and she spoke shyly.

“Mother, how about Qi Yu and I accompany you back to our hometown to offer incense and kowtow to Father?”

Aunt Qi panicked for a moment: "No way, you have such filial piety. Your father has already received it. I will say a few words to him later. The weather is hot, and it will take several days to get to the prefectural city. You go and tidy up the house first. I will come over and enjoy my life."

Zhang Yueniang wanted to say a few more words of persuasion, suggesting that she come along, as they were worried about leaving her alone.

Qi Yu shook his head at her, telling her not to try to persuade her anymore, as he knew his mother's temperament.

Since she wants to go back to her hometown, let her go. Indeed, he should tell his father about such an important matter as getting married, since they haven't been back for a long time.

Qi Yu then went back into the house, took a money bag, and stuffed it into his mother's hand.

“Mother, go back and stay for a couple of days, then come back as soon as possible. Keep this money; it will be more comfortable to hire a carriage later. The weather has been hot lately, so be careful not to catch a heatstroke. There's a carriage shop in the east of the city that offers fair prices. Didn't you used to help them with laundry? You can hire a carriage there; it will put my mind at ease.”

Aunt Qi patted his hand and said seriously, "You are a real man now that you have a family and a career. Remember to take good care of your wife and daughter, and don't let them suffer any grievances."

Qi Yu nodded: "Mother, I understand."

They packed everything up and hired three cars from a car dealership, heading towards the prefectural city. In summer, it gets light relatively quickly.

They got up around 3 AM, had a simple breakfast, and set off in their carriage. The morning was cooler than usual. They planned to travel early and find a place to rest when the sun was high in the sky.

They had paid a year's rent for the house, and the landlord was a very easy-going and kind person. After hearing their plans, they returned all the remaining rent.

This was something Xu Chaoyan and her companions never expected; they were the ones who broke the contract first. The landlord's magnanimity deeply moved them.

Seeing her like that, the landlord joked, "I'll do a good deed this day. One of the three of them is bound to be successful. What if he passes the imperial examination with flying colors? Wouldn't my courtyard become even more famous? Because the top scholar once lived here."

Xu Chaoyan laughed along. After the old woman took a few steps, she glanced at the courtyard one last time, looking back every few steps, muttering to herself as she walked away.

"I really can't bear to leave this courtyard where I've lived for almost half a year. Look at the vegetables I planted, so green and lush, and the things in the plot behind the house. The bamboo shoots on the mountain and those peaches, I really can't bear to leave them."

Xu Chaoyan chuckled, "Auntie, what's there to be reluctant about? You can't catch a wolf without risking your cub. Next time, we'll find you a yard and clear some land for you to do whatever you want."

The group, traveling in three carriages, mostly set off at dawn and after sunset, and it wasn't until the fourth day that they arrived in the prefectural city. Before even entering the city gates, they were drawn in by the lively sounds coming from the surrounding area.

Xu Chaoyan lifted the curtain and glanced at the endless stream of people outside who were planning to enter the city.