Chapter 171: The Hardworking Wife

Mrs. Niu consoled herself, attributing her husband Zhang Yaosheng’s diligence and studious nature to his ambition. Yet, as she glanced over at the courtyard of Mrs. Jiang’s house, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of frustration about her own situation.

Lost in her thoughts, Mrs. Niu heard faint footsteps outside. Peering out, she noticed Song Jingyun passing by her doorstep, hurrying home with an anxious demeanor.

Both coming from farming backgrounds, with their husbands studying at the Wende Academy, neither considered themselves nobler than the other. So why was she struggling to make ends meet while Mrs. Jiang seemingly had no shortage of variety in her meals, purchased creatively from the restaurant?

Mrs. Niu’s mind raced as she crossed her narrow courtyard, stepping out of the gate to intercept Song Jingyun.

“Master Song.” Mrs. Niu offered a polite greeting.

“You are…” Song Jingyun pondered for a moment. “Mrs. Niu?”

He remembered Mrs. Niu as Zhang Yaosheng’s wife, although they rarely crossed paths. His memory was faint, recalling that she had a daughter, but he sensed a lack of affection in her gaze towards the girl, perhaps even a hint of disdain.

Accustomed to the affection shown by Jiang Youcheng and Liu shi towards Jiang Mixia, Song Jingyun believed that as parents, they should love and protect their children. Even in strict teachings, the eyes of love couldn’t be concealed.

Mrs. Niu, however, seemed to lack this quality.

Song Jingyun couldn’t comprehend how someone could not love their own children. This lack of affection for Mrs. Niu also left him with a negative impression. He subtly took a step back and asked, “May I ask why Mrs. Niu has stopped me?”

“It’s nothing urgent.” Mrs. Niu observed Song Jingyun intently.

Though she had seen Song Jingyun before from a distance, she hadn’t paid much attention. Now, as she scrutinized him up close, she noticed his youthful appearance, around twenty years old, with rosy lips, white teeth, and well-defined features. His face was even more handsome than most women’s. Moreover, his tall and lean stature exuded a calm and reserved scholarly aura, evoking admiration.

Illiterate and unable to remember flowery words, Mrs. Niu found herself wanting to come up with a few words of praise when she saw Song Jingyun at that moment.

Thinking about her husband, Zhang Yaosheng, although he was also a scholar who had passed the provincial examinations three years ago, he had a chubby face and large ears. If he didn’t wear a long robe regularly, easily distinguishing his status, one might mistake him for a butcher at first glance.

Both being from farming families, Mrs. Niu couldn’t fathom how Song Jingyun could exude such grace. This thought left her feeling bitter, and her tone carried a hint of sarcasm as she said, “There are a few things I’d like to remind Master Song about.”

“I wonder what advice Mrs. Niu has for me?” Song Jingyun’s tone grew more distant.

“It’s not so much advice as a reminder to you, Master Song, to manage your wife properly.”

Upon hearing Mrs. Niu mention Jiang Mixia, Song Jingyun felt a hint of nervousness. “What’s wrong with my wife?”

“What’s wrong? Your wife, as a spouse, stays at home all day, doesn’t sew, doesn’t cook, doesn’t light the fire, and just keeps going out to buy food and drink in various ways. Where is the slightest hint of being a virtuous wife?”

Mrs. Niu’s words were filled with frustration as she vented, “As the husband of Mrs. Jiang, you should properly restrain her and teach her the meaning of frugality and managing a household.”

“My husband is older than you. Since you’ve addressed me as ‘sister-in-law,’ don’t be surprised by my candid words. Even if the family has a solid foundation, it can’t withstand such extravagant spending like water flowing away. It’s better to maintain a modest lifestyle, rather than realizing the consequences of overspending only when the money runs out and regret sets in…”

Listening intently, Song Jingyun nodded vigorously. “I understand what you’re saying, Mrs. Niu.”

“It’s best that you’ve understood, Master Song.” Mrs. Niu felt relieved to see Song Jingyun’s response.

“My wife truly works hard,” Song Jingyun sighed.

Due to his love of good food, she made daily trips to buy various dishes from different places, walking long distances and going through the effort of choosing them. It was indeed a burden for her.

Song Jingyun remarked, “I should consider hiring a few servants to assist my wife.”

In the past, with parents around and the help of their assistants, there were others to assist with household tasks. He was also able to share the responsibilities. However, now that they lived alone and he was busy with his studies at the academy, all the household matters fell on Jiang Mixia’s shoulders. It must have been quite challenging for her.

If he could find a few suitable servants, he thought of keeping some in the county town home and sending a couple back to their family home to ease the burden on his parents.

Initially not considering this, Song Jingyun heard discussions at the academy about mothers managing households and the troubles caused by incompetent servants, which reminded him of this matter.

With Mrs. Niu’s reminder, Song Jingyun became more determined about this idea.

Having recently earned some money from poetry competitions at the academy and selling copied books from calligraphy practice, he estimated he could afford to hire three or four servants, which should be sufficient.

While Song Jingyun pondered this plan, Mrs. Niu stood there in shock.

Men often care a lot about their reputation. Typically, hearing others speak ill of their wives would be embarrassing and might provoke a defensive reaction.

However, Song Jingyun not only didn’t feel embarrassed but also sympathized with his wife’s situation. Going to restaurants daily to buy food, how could Mrs. Jiang be considered toiling?

“Master Song, you’ve misunderstood, I meant…” Mrs. Niu hurriedly tried to explain.

Song Jingyun waved his hand anxiously, “Thanks to Mrs. Niu’s reminder, I know what to do.”

“My wife is waiting for me at home for lunch. If you have no further business, I’ll take my leave,” Song Jingyun said before hastily heading back into his courtyard.

Mrs. Niu stood there dumbfounded for a while. When she snapped out of it, she stomped her foot in frustration.

What was going on?

Was Song Jingyun not understanding properly due to a lack of intelligence, or were his ears failing him? Or maybe…

Men value their reputation and are cautious about openly criticizing their wives in public. Even if they are unhappy, they may just nod along and then address the issue at home.

Yes, that’s right. Just wait for Mrs. Jiang to face some consequences.

With this thought, Mrs. Niu felt much better and turned to head back home.

In the county town, the entrance gates to courtyards often had thresholds, and since moving in, Mrs. Niu had specifically raised the threshold at her gate a bit higher than usual.

In Zhang Yaosheng’s words, it was about being grand and imposing. If their family wasn’t of high status, at least the threshold should be high.

Every time Mrs. Niu stepped over the threshold, she would think about this, envisioning their home becoming a grand estate in the future.

Lost in these thoughts, her mind wandered…

Thud!