Chapter 22

Caught off guard, Li Qinghe felt a bit guilty. “Mother, why have you come back?”
Madam Xu was indeed angry, but with the new son-in-law present, even though she had many grievances against the Zhou family, breaking off an engagement without good cause would harm the girl’s reputation. She held back her anger. “You got engaged, why didn’t you tell me?”
Li Qinghe spread her hands. “It’s only an engagement, and I know you can’t easily go out.”
“You could at least have come into town to tell me; before the betrothal let me see who you’re marrying.” She eyed Zhou Chengkang up and down. “You’re the fourth son in the Zhou family?”
Zhou Chengkang hurriedly smiled. “Aunt Xu, your memory is sharp, you remember me.”
Madam Xu raised an eyebrow. “I remember when you ran about the village like a muddy monkey.”
Zhou Chengkang was left speechless, her memory really was something.
“Aunt Xu, we’ve been a bit busy and the engagement was rushed, that’s my fault.” Zhou Chengkang admitted sincerely. “Rest assured it won’t be like this at the wedding. I will take good care of Qinghe.”
Having lived in town, Madam Xu looked down on the Zhou family, any household in town seemed better than one in the village. She had once arranged work in town for Li Qinghe: it would be easier, sheltered from wind and sun, appearance matters for a girl. And she didn’t want to leave her daughter at home to be picked at by Madam Qian.
She had gone to the trouble of sending her daughter to town to get her away from the countryside, only to have her choose a peasant family, one that was especially poor.
Seeing Zhou Chengkang now eased her mind. The young man was tall and handsome; a bit dark, perhaps, but his cautious manner showed he clearly cared for Li Qinghe.
There wasn’t much commotion at the gate, but the carriage gave them away. Madam Qian quickly noticed and, upon seeing Madam Xu, grew slightly embarrassed. “Sister is back? Come in and sit a while.”
She said it like someone receiving guests.
Madam Xu pushed open the courtyard gate and stepped inside, casting her eyes around.
Since she went to town she had not come back; even sending things for her daughter she left to others. It must be that as a concubine she couldn’t come so easily.
Madam Qian looked awkward. “Sister, sit indoors. I’ll go make some tea.”
“No need for ceremony; I know this house better than you do.” Madam Xu waved and looked at Li Qinghe. “Go inside, I've got things to ask you.”
She then glanced toward Zhou Chengkang at the gate. “Go back for now. When you have time, come into town and I’ll help you make some clothes.”
That was her way of giving her blessing to the match.
Zhou Chengkang visibly relaxed. “Thank you, Aunt Xu.”
Inside, Madam Xu looked at her daughter, tall as she was, and sighed. “What were you thinking, getting engaged to the Zhou family? They’re far too poor.”
“I’m choosing a person, not a household,” Li Qinghe said earnestly. “Besides, I bought ten acres of wasteland to the west and I’m raising fish.”
Madam Xu’s eyes widened in surprise.
Li Qinghe spread her hands. “I’ve been very busy. Father and Aunt Qian kept urging me. Wanwan and the Hu family in town are getting engaged, and a few times people said I was holding up Wanwan’s marriage.”
Madam Xu was instantly furious. “Outrageous.” She sprang to her feet as if she were about to go out and demand explanations.
Li Qinghe hurriedly grabbed her. "I don't need you, just take care of yourself and don't give me anything to worry about."
Madam Xu sighed, didn't sit, and stepped toward the door. "If nothing else, go often to the Zhangs' to see me and check on your brother. Let you two grow closer so you can support one another in the future."
She stepped outside and saw Madam Qian coming with a tray of tea. Madam Xu smiled, "Little sister, you truly do know how to tend to people better than I do. But no matter how good you are at flattering men, don't bully my daughter. If I find out you've mistreated Qinghe again... the Hu family can easily be matched with someone more suitable in town. Try me, if you don't believe it!"
Madam Qian went pale. "I didn't, "
Madam Xu, no longer interested in listening to explanations, waved her hand. "I'm leaving."
Li Qinghe watched her climb into the carriage and drive away, feeling conflicted. It wasn't that Madam Xu had been cruel, she had even helped put together a dowry before, but in her eyes, she simply wasn't the most important person.
"Calling for reinforcements now?" Madam Qian's mocking voice rang from behind. "Too bad your mother is a concubine; when she comes back it's always just a brief visit."
Li Qinghe turned. She'd noticed that Madam Qian's gentle, considerate side only showed in front of Li Fu; when he wasn't around she could be vicious. She smiled. "My mother hasn't gone far. Want me to call her back so you two can argue it out?"
Madam Qian laughed coldly and carried her teacup back into the kitchen.
Only then did Zhao Wanwan come out of the room and whisper, "Sister, I haven't wronged you, have I?"
She truly hadn't, this girl had even washed clothes for her and sometimes saved her a portion of food. Li Qinghe nodded. "Is something the matter?"
Wanwan flushed. "Aunt Xu just said..."
"That's not it," Li Qinghe said offhand. "My mother isn't that dramatic."
Zhao Wanwan breathed easier and glanced toward the kitchen. "Sister, what do you think the Hu family meant? They said they'd come tomorrow, but my mother says they probably can't make it then."
Li Qinghe rose and went inside. "The harvest starts in a few days; they might have to wait until it's over."
Yes, the harvest was coming.
Every household in the village was preparing for the harvest, and the weather had been perfect for the past two days. Sure enough, Li Fu came back a little later and said the harvest would start the day after tomorrow. He told Li Qinghe, "You and Wanwan don't need to go out to the fields. Put the house in order and have the meals ready. Your Aunt Qian and I will head to the fields together."
Madam Qian looked up, hesitated, and after a moment said, "I'm not free these two days. Why don't we let Wanwan go..."