Chapter 121 - Chapter 121: Chapter 121: Seeking County Magistrate Wu 1 (1/2)

Chapter 121: Chapter 121: Seeking County Magistrate Wu 1

Translator: 549690339

The mule cart quickly entered the county town, winding through a maze of streets before stopping at a household’s front door.

The door to the house was wide open, and Xiu, Yanru’s maternal aunt, was eagerly awaiting their arrival at the front door. Seeing the cart pull up, she immediately rushed over. “Oh my, Yanru is back!”

Jiang Erlang helped his young niece off the cart, assisted his wife to dismount, and then began to unload the gifts.

Two bolts of fabric, four boxes of pastries, two jars of wine, and eight kinds of gifts in total — all neatly packed, not one too many or too few.

“Auntie,” Yanru paid her respects to her aunt, and introduced Yingbao, “This is

Uncle’s daughter Yingbao. She is here with us, and later she will be visiting the

County Government to meet the official.’

Yingbao bowed to the inn’s matron, “Hello, Auntie.”

“Good, good.” Xiu, seeing her smile spread across her face, hurriedly took her

hand and said, “Let’s go inside and chat.”

“We can’t, Auntie. We must return back,” said Yanru. As it was a visit back to her home, she had to visit her maiden family.

Although Yanru’s biological mother had passed away, her elderly father and stepmother were still at home.

Xiu didn’t insist. She just whispered, “If they don’t keep you for a meal there, bring your husband to my place.”

“Okay.” Yanru softly responded. She picked up the eight gifts from the cart and, accompanied by Jiang Erlang, headed towards her mother’s family’s home.

The Lu Family house was not far from Auntie Xiu’s, separated only by four or five houses.

As Yingbao, Lu Yanru, and Jiang Erlang walked into the Lu Family courtyard, they saw several people standing under the eaves of the main house.

In the center stood a man in his forties with a weathered face and long beard. He was dressed in lake silk with a brightly colored silk flower in his hair presumably Yanru’s father.

Next to him stood a middle-aged woman dressed in a light blue summer cloth dress. She didn’t say a word as they entered, her expression cold.

Next to the woman stood a girl about fifteen or sixteen years old. The girl’s face was fair, her eyebrows similar to Yanru’s, but her thin lips gave her a severe look.

There was also a boy about thirteen or fourteen years old, with a devil-may-care look. Seeing Jiang Erlang bringing in the presents, he shouted out loud, “New brother-in-law, what gifts have you brought? Did you bring anything for me?”

Jiang Erlang didn’t say anything. Yanru’s father, however, glared at the boy, rebuking: “Nobody would think you’re mute if you didn’t speak!”

The boy snorted and said carelessly, “I’m just asking, what are you glaring at me for, dad?”

The man paid him no further mind, took a glance at Jiang Erlang, and then frowned at Yingbao.

Jiang Erlang paid his respects to Yanru’s parents, and Yingbao did the same.

Then they heard the stepmother say in a sarcastic tone, “Oh, unable to have your own children, you bring someone else’s child to the house. Don’t blame me, the stepmother, for saying it, Yanru, you seem destined to raise children for others.

Yanru’s face turned red with anger. She was about to argue with her stepmother but was stopped by Jiang Erlang.

Jiang Erlang calmly said, “Auntie, you have misunderstood. This is my niece. We have brought her here because we had some business in town. If we have disturbed you, we will leave immediately.”

The stepmother huffed and went back to the room, followed by the girl next to her.

Yingbao felt as if the whole family was rather sick.

No wonder Yanru was so eager to get married and leave her family. With such relatives, every extra day spent there was a drain on one’s life.

Yanru’s biological father was very distant from his daughter and son-in-law. He left his son-in-law sitting alone in the room, then walked away.

Yingbao and her Uncle Jiang exchanged glances.

Yanru went back to her room to pack up her things, intending to take them away.

After a while, Yanru came out with a large bundle, telling her husband, “Let’s go.”

“Okay,” Jiang Erlang stood up, took the bundle from his wife, and asked, “What’s inside?”

“My old clothes, from when I was a little girl until now. I’m going to use them to patch up the soles of shoes,” Yanru casually said, “It also includes some of my mother’s old belongings.”

The three of them left the Lu house and headed straight for Auntie Xiu’s house.