The Noblewoman's Carp

Chapter 3

Xu Dasa said she was leaving, and Cheng Jinyue couldn't stop her.

Watching Xu Dasa's rare impulsive departure, Cheng Jinyue felt a bit dumbfounded. She didn't mean it that way, really! The eldest daughter-in-law had three young daughters, and she had no intention of hiring child labor. And just now, did Dasa mean to support her in the future?

Although they shared the same name and surname, she was really different from the original owner. She was willing to work with her hands, even farming. She could do it, really.

Cheng Jinyue opened her mouth, wanting to explain herself. However, Xu Dasa's figure had already disappeared outside the door.

With a disappointed sigh, Cheng Jinyue had to admit that she didn't seem suitable as the "trusted sister." She felt like her attempts to counsel Xu Dasa had backfired, completely veering off course from her original goal and direction.

"Daughter-in-law, have you eaten? Quickly feed milk to the eldest and second grandsons," came Xu Granny's excited voice from outside the door before she entered the room with her grandsons in her arms.

Seeing Xu Granny holding a grandson in each arm, Cheng Jinyue couldn't help but smile. "Mother, why are you carrying them all? Don't tire yourself out."

"Tire? Nonsense! An old lady carrying her own grandsons won't get tired no matter how many," Xu Granny said proudly while carefully handing the eldest grandson to Cheng Jinyue. "Here, feed the eldest. He must be very hungry with his loud cries."

Cheng Jinyue reached out her hands, hesitated, then withdrew them, looking pitifully at Xu Granny. "Mother, I don't know how to hold him."

"It's your first time being a mother, of course you don't know how to hold a child. It's okay. Look at me and take it slowly, no rush," Xu Granny said patiently. When the previous three daughters-in-law gave birth, not only did they not know how to hold a child, even the adults would cry in front of Xu Granny. But now, with Cheng Jinyue, Xu Granny was patient. She not only explained in a gentle voice but also carefully taught Cheng Jinyue step by step, paying attention to every little detail.

With the experienced hand of Xu Granny, Cheng Jinyue still stumbled, but she finally learned how to hold the child properly, ensuring that both sons could have their fill.

Seeing both chubby grandsons well-fed, Xu Granny was overjoyed and generously said, "Do you want anything to eat, daughter-in-law? I'll have your sister-in-law prepare it for you."

"I'm fine, I'll listen to you, Mother," Cheng Jinyue said. She hadn't raised children before and didn't understand much. Her sole focus now was to do what was best for the children. She absolutely believed that on this matter, Xu Granny and she were on the same side.

"Good, I will make arrangements. Later, let your father go to the river and try to catch a few fish to bring back for you. Don't be put off by the smell; fish soup is good for lactation, both for you and the child," Xu Granny said, surprised at how obedient Cheng Jinyue was. Nonetheless, a sensible daughter-in-law was better than causing trouble. As long as Cheng Jinyue was willing to peacefully raise their grandchildren, Xu Granny had no other demands.

In the past, Xu Granny wouldn't have bothered to explain so much to Cheng Jinyue. At this moment, all these words were undoubtedly meant to placate Cheng Jinyue and prevent her from getting upset.

Thinking about the many complaints the original owner had about the Xu family, Cheng Jinyue fell silent, nodded seriously, and promised, "Mother, I will definitely drink the fish soup."

"Mm." Whether Cheng Jinyue had truly changed or not, Xu Granny was pleased with her attitude. Consequently, Xu Granny's tone softened, "I've already sent a message to your husband. If all goes well, he should come home before the provincial examination."

Hearing Xu Granny mention Xu Mingzhi, Cheng Jinyue couldn't help feeling uneasy. After a moment's thought, she replied, "His studies are important, and the county exam is approaching. It's fine if he doesn't come back."

"Of course, the exam is important, but it's also right for him to come back and see you and the two children. Don't blame him for not staying at home to witness your childbirth. Your due date was still at least half a month away. It came earlier than expected! We were all so worried," Xu Granny explained, fearing that Cheng Jinyue might have other thoughts.

If Cheng Jinyue had given birth to a daughter, Xu Granny certainly wouldn't have bothered to send a message to Xu Mingzhi. The Xu family was too poor, and Xu Mingzhi had been delayed for too long. Now, having finally saved enough silver to participate in the provincial examination in Yuzhou, Xu Granny naturally didn't want Xu Mingzhi to be affected.

However, childbirth is a joyous event, and her daughter-in-law had given birth to two chubby boys. In Xu Granny's eyes, she wanted to call back Xu Mingzhi to share the joy, hoping that he might pass the exam and return as a scholar.

"If he can come back in the next few days, it would be best. It won't affect the upcoming exam," Cheng Jinyue suddenly changed her tune for a simple reason. She had found from the original owner's memories that the Xu family was struggling to prepare the silver for Xu Mingzhi's provincial examination. Despite having dowry money, the original owner hadn't used it to support Xu Mingzhi.

So Cheng Jinyue couldn't understand the original owner's actions. If she wanted to climb the social ladder with Xu Mingzhi after he passed the imperial examination, she shouldn't have hesitated to invest. If Xu Mingzhi was delayed in the provincial examination due to insufficient funds, how could the original owner become an official's wife? It was short-sighted and lacked foresight!

"If he can come back, it's definitely better to come back early rather than late. Coming back in the next few days would be ideal without affecting the exam," Xu Granny also attached great importance to Xu Mingzhi's upcoming examination. Saying this, she sighed deeply. "Our family has burdened Xu Mingzhi. We have let him down!"

Xu Granny had five sons, and only the fourth son, Xu Mingzhi, had the potential for studying. Unfortunately, the Xu family's life was too difficult, and they couldn't afford to support him. Other children in the village started learning at four or five years old, but Xu Mingzhi had to wait until he was nine. Even the opportunity to start learning at nine wasn't given by Grandpa Xu and Granny Xu; Xu Mingzhi fought for it himself. Just thinking about it made Xu Granny feel ashamed.

"Don't say that, Mother. It's said that a nobleman emerges from a humble family. My husband's present situation is entirely reliant on the support and help from you and all my brothers and sisters-in-law. He has been aware of our family's difficult situation for so many years and is grateful for the hard work of our whole family," Cheng Jinyue said, lacking the original owner's disdain for poverty and love for wealth.

She genuinely believed that the Xu family had it tough. Grandpa Xu and Granny Xu worked very hard, and her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law were indeed very supportive. With such a large family to support, even though they were barely making ends meet, Xu Mingzhi could still continue his studies. Just considering the dedication of the Xu family members to Xu Mingzhi was already precious.

Of course, Xu Mingzhi was also truly remarkable. Despite the difficult conditions, he was able to maintain a single-minded pursuit of knowledge, and his academic achievements were indeed impressive. He had smoothly excelled in the county and provincial examinations, demonstrating that he was truly exceptional. In Cheng Jinyue's view, Xu Mingzhi was a potential stock about to soar and a rare high-quality asset. It was a pity that the original owner didn't know how to cherish it, selfishly only focusing on the present hardships and poverty.

"Daughter-in-law..." Xu Granny had always known that Cheng Jinyue was different from the other daughters-in-law in the family. Initially, it was because she was attracted to Cheng Jinyue's background that she hastily arranged the marriage without informing Xu Mingzhi, fearing she might lose such a good daughter-in-law.

At that time, being able to marry Cheng Jinyue into the family made Xu Granny incredibly proud and joyful. She thought she had accomplished a great feat, securing an exceptional marriage for her son and relieving him of worries. Little did she know it wasn't the case at all!

Only when Cheng Jinyue married into the family did Xu Granny regret it. She felt that she had been blind and deluded, thinking that even picking a modest and honest girl from the village would be better than marrying such a proud and haughty scholar's daughter.

Yes, the country girls couldn't read and had little in common with Xu Mingzhi, but at least they were modest, hardworking, and could manage household affairs efficiently, weren't they? Unlike Cheng Jinyue, who was so delicate, although she knew many words, she couldn't connect with her husband!

Thinking about how Xu Mingzhi, who rarely came home for two days a month, was always disturbed by Cheng Jinyue, Xu Granny was secretly resentful.

Today, for the first time, Xu Granny heard a long string of reasonable and flattering words from Cheng Jinyue's mouth. It made Xu Granny greatly surprised and almost reconsider her opinion of Cheng Jinyue.

Under Xu Granny's scrutinizing gaze, Cheng Jinyue inexplicably blushed. After some thought, she took the opportunity to make a clear statement to Xu Granny, "Mother, in the past, I was ignorant and made you and Father angry, making my brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law and younger siblings very unhappy. It was my fault, and I apologize to you. I hope you can forgive my mistakes and I promise to correct them in the future."

"Do you really understand your mistakes?" Xu Granny didn't know how to put on a pretense. Upon hearing Cheng Jinyue's apology, she immediately suspected that her daughter-in-law was up to no good again.

"I really understand my mistakes." Cheng Jinyue certainly knew that the original owner had no integrity in this family, and she didn't expect to change the bad impression the Xu family had of her immediately. She had to start by clarifying what needed to be said. As for the rest, it would depend on her future behavior.

Cheng Jinyue's tone was sincere enough that Xu Granny was about to nod in agreement when they heard Xu Third Sister-in-law shouting from the yard, "Mother, Auntie from the village is here!"

Glancing at the bed where Cheng Jinyue lay, Xu Granny hesitated to say more and then turned and left.