Jeng Ruyue had the same sentiment; though we are country folks, we are not to be taken lightly and cannot suffer in silence.
"Rest assured, Da Ya is a smart child. And I trust Xia Zheng, he’s a good boy." Lady Liu, even though from the countryside, had a keen eye for people. She never favored the match between her daughter and Chen Zhu, and sure enough, fact proved that Chen Zhu’s family was indeed not a good match for Lin Yuan.
While some were whispering among themselves, elsewhere Liu Limin and Lin Yuan were discussing business matters, completely oblivious to the murmurs of the others.
Out of consideration for Jeng Ruyue’s frail health, Lady Fan and the others had her come over by carriage. But even so, her weakened body still began to feel worn out.
Lin Yuan quickly helped her to the room she shared with her two younger sisters, brought out a new cotton quilt, and let her rest well on the heated brick bed.
The moment Jeng Ruyue touched the edge of the brick bed, her body went limp like noodles, allowing Lin Yuan to take off her shoes and cover her with a quilt. She smiled bitterly at herself: "My good-for-nothing body, only your uncle doesn’t mind, ah. Otherwise, I fear I would die an old maid at home."
Lin Yuan tucked in the corners of the quilt, comforting her, "Aunt, I’m truly envious of you. Uncle dotes on you, cherishes you, and on top of that, grandpa, grandma, uncle, and aunt are always thinking of you. How wonderful! You shouldn’t worry so much. Didn’t I tell you? When my little brother reaches a full month old, the Divine Doctor who treated my mother will come to see you. Aunt, I’m not bragging, okay? The Divine Doctor is really amazing. Look at my dad’s leg; it used to hurt just by moving it while lying on the brick bed. Now, it doesn’t hurt at all, and he can even walk on the ground with a cane. The Divine Doctor said by New Year’s at the latest, Dad will be able to walk without the cane."
In order to convince Jeng Ruyue of Lao Fan’s extraordinary medical skills, Lin Yuan spoke with utmost seriousness and earnestness. And because she told the truth, her words were all the more believable to Jeng Ruyue.
"Ah, you must know, before, my parents also invited many famous doctors for me, but..." Jeng Ruyue sighed, speaking to her much younger niece as if she were talking to an adult. She let down her guard, speaking openly, "Yuanyuan, I’ve made up my mind. If my illness doesn’t get better by next year, I’ll find a Little Concubine for your uncle. I can’t let him be childless because of me, nor can I let his parents be saddened."
Lin Yuan was startled, not expecting Jeng Ruyue to have such thoughts. In that era, women had no status, and finding a man like Liu Siqi who cherished his wife was exceedingly rare. Yet Jeng Ruyue did not take advantage of his love to make excessive demands. Instead, she showed understanding and tolerance.
This woman seemed fragile on the surface, but inside, she was incredibly strong.
"Aunt, you needn’t worry, nobody else will come between you and uncle. The two of you will definitely have children of your own." Lin Yuan believed in Lao Fan’s medical skills and also believed that good people will eventually receive good fortune. A couple as loving as them would not be let down by Heaven.
After making sure Jeng Ruyue was settled in for a good rest, Lin Yuan went out to prepare the midday meal. Xia Zheng had already returned, and this time he had caught quite a few small crucian carp. Seeing him sweating profusely in such cold weather, Lin Yuan was moved with pity and took a towel to personally wipe his forehead.
Xia Zheng, who had just been grumbling about being ignored, was suddenly at a loss for words. What a difference between heaven and earth! With Lin Yuan personally wiping his sweat, he’d happily catch two more buckets of fish!