Font Size:
“I didn’t bring much, but please don’t refuse…”
Jiang Chunhe grinned like a sycophant, not waiting for Jiang Mixia’s response before swiftly departing.
Jiang Mixia, “…”
Was he delivering gifts or acting like a thief?
Moreover, Jiang Chunhe had mentioned that the gifts were not for Jiang Youcheng and Liu Shi, but for her and her husband? Were they being treated as deities or lucky charms?
Before Jiang Mixia could dwell on this, Song Jingyun’s eyes lit up at the sight of the plump rabbit. “It’s been a while since I’ve had stewed rabbit. How about we stew it for lunch?”
“Ohh, and let’s add some chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns for a spicy kick,” Song Jingyun suggested.
Jiang Mixia rubbed her nose.
Well, as long as Jiang Chunhe wasn’t causing trouble, she decided to let him be. Besides, it seemed like her husband enjoyed the various items Jiang Chunhe brought.
Putting aside her thoughts, Jiang Mixia called for Ma Shi and Zhucui to tidy up the gifts. She instructed them to prepare the rabbit for lunch, making a spicy Sichuan-style rabbit stew.
After delivering the gifts, Jiang Chunhe practically bounced his way back home.
“Have you delivered everything?” Feng shi inquired.
“Yes, everything’s been delivered and received,” Jiang Chunhe nodded vigorously, looking pleased. “I even stayed outside for a while to listen. Jingyun said they’re making spicy Sichuan-style rabbit stew for lunch. He seemed quite happy about it.”
“Great,” Feng shi nodded with a smile.
Gifts delivered and well-received, happiness all around. The upcoming hunting season promised a bountiful harvest.
Jiang Chunhe and Feng shi exchanged a knowing glance, sharing a smile.
Meanwhile, inside the house, Jiang Youcai and Zhang Shi, eavesdropping through the window, exchanged puzzled looks, furrowing their brows in confusion.
“Spring River doesn’t know what’s gotten into him nowadays, always trying to please the third house and not even willing to listen to us,” Zhang Shi expressed with frustration. “Look at how plump that rabbit is. With some vegetables, it could have stewed into a large pot, enough for our family for two days. But no, he just handed it off to the third house.”
“And those wild chicken, those eggs…” Zhang Shi’s tone became pained as she continued, finding it difficult to articulate her feelings.
Despite her annoyance, she couldn’t bring herself to criticize Jiang Chunhe too much. After all, his recent success in hunting had been beneficial, bringing in additional income to support the family.
It seemed that Jiang Chunhe’s increasing success in hunting had made him more confident and assertive. If pushed too far, he would become aloof and even refuse to go hunting.
Due to the expenses incurred from Jiang Chunbao’s injury and illness, the family had been relying heavily on Jiang Chunhe’s hunting expeditions to make ends meet, as they were left with little money and had to depend on the yields from their fields for sustenance.
Moreover, since Jiang Chunbao went missing, leaving only Jiang Chunhe as the sole son in the family, any conflict with him could potentially disrupt the household even further.
Therefore, Zhang Shi had no choice but to keep her frustrations bottled up and vent to Jiang Youcai.
At that moment, Jiang Youcai remained silent, head bowed low.
After Zhang Shi’s lengthy tirade, seeing Jiang Youcai’s continued silence, she grew more agitated. “Can’t you say something?”
“I was just thinking…” Jiang Youcai paused, then continued, “It’s good that Chunhe gets along well with the third house.”
Good?
How could that be good!
In the past, the rivalry with the third house was one thing, but their selfishness and cunning nature, going as far as arranging marriages to prevent the family property from falling into the hands of the second house, was truly despicable.
With the third house gaining influence, showing favor here and there might not necessarily benefit their family, but rather publicly humiliate the second house in front of the entire village.
By cozying up to the third house now, Jiang Chunhe was inadvertently legitimizing their power, further tarnishing the reputation of the second house. Zhang Shi couldn’t tolerate this.
However, she was somewhat afraid of Jiang Youcai and dared not argue too vehemently. Instead, she asked discontentedly, “How could that be good?”
“Song Jingyun excels in his studies and is bound to pass the imperial exams, ensuring a bright future. When he rises to a prominent position, being blood relatives, we can benefit from our closer relationship with him,” Jiang Youcai explained.
“Our strained relations with the third house make it impossible for us to handle certain matters without losing face. Chunhe can help mend these relationships without making us look bad and potentially bring some benefits.”
“And besides…” Jiang Youcai paused. “I truly believe that there might be something worthwhile from the third house.”
Since Jiang Chunhe began ingratiating himself with the third house, he always returned from his hunting trips laden with games, leaving no empty-handed moments.
Jiang Youcai started to think that perhaps the third house truly was as fortunate as others in the Jiang family village claimed, believing that those who associated closely with them could benefit.
Upon hearing Jiang Youcheng’s remarks, Zhang Shi couldn’t help but sneer.
Something worthwhile?
What could it possibly be, something unsavory?
She realized this man was easily influenced, lacking in independent thought.
Despite her inner grumblings, Zhang Shi refrained from arguing with Jiang Youcai.
Jiang Youcheng, after pondering for a while, advised, “In the future, don’t meddle in Chunhe’s affairs. Let him be, don’t nag him, and don’t cause trouble.”
“I understand…” Zhang Shi reluctantly nodded.
The Lunar New Year was always a busy and swiftly passing time.
In the blink of an eye, the twelfth day arrived.
Before the fifteenth day, traditionally marking the end of the New Year festivities, although shops had gradually opened since the eighth day, everyone’s hearts and conversations still revolved around the Lunar New Year.
Initially planning to stay at home until after the fifteenth, Jiang Mixia and Song Jingyun found themselves boarding a carriage bound for the county town.
The reason behind this sudden departure was a message from the county magistrate, informing Jiang Mixia and Song Jingyun that a series of thefts had occurred in the alley of their residence, affecting several neighboring households who had lost significant amounts of property.
Therefore, the magistrate requested Jiang Mixia and Song Jingyun to return to investigate, to determine if they too had experienced losses like their neighbors, inspect their home for any signs, and possibly uncover clues related to the thieves.
Upon their arrival at the county town residence, Jiang Mixia and Song Jingyun meticulously inspected both the interior and exterior of the house, finding no signs of missing valuables or any evidence of tampering.
“This is quite peculiar,” Li Zhongan furrowed his brow. “The households that were robbed were all staying here during the New Year, but they were out visiting friends and relatives during the day, leaving their homes unattended and vulnerable.”