Chapter 39: By the Riverside, Want to Meet?

In a community, one’s reputation is of utmost importance, especially when it comes to matters of marriage and family. If the reputation of the entire village is tarnished, it affects all the villagers.

If Zhang spreads baseless rumors, she will be the instigator of trouble in the future.

Even though these women may not be highly educated, they are diligent workers and understand these basic principles very clearly.

Since Zhang is speaking without considering the consequences, they have every right to respond and offer a warning.

Unaware of this, Zhang assumes that these families are speaking in support of Jiang Youcheng due to their previous interactions, such as helping to build his house or receiving meat from him.

“Having limited knowledge despite being older, and being so shallow-minded, now that their misfortune has affected my family, they shouldn’t complain when misfortune strikes them in return.”

As those women frowned at her words, Zhang’s voice gained an extra sharpness. “Don’t underestimate them. Every one of them is ruthless! Not to mention what Jiang Mixia did to my Chunhe. Someone saw it with their own eyes. They said that because Sun Ergou and Sun Zhuzi from the Sun family village said a few wrong words, Jiang Mixia tried to drown them in the river. She scared the two kids so much they were wailing. It took someone’s intervention to prevent a tragedy.”

“Who would try to drown innocent children in the river at the drop of a hat? Isn’t that the work of a malicious person? She’s nothing but a source of trouble, causing harm and seeking other people’s lives…”

Before Zhang could finish, she noticed Jiang Mixia and Song Jingyun approaching. The women greeted them with smiles. “Little Xia, where are you and Jingyun headed?”

“We’re going to the riverside,” Jiang Mixia responded, casting a glance at Zhang.

Walking in the shade on such a hot day, Jiang Mixia and Song Jingyun had not walked too quickly, allowing them to hear Zhang’s story about her trying to drown Sun Ergou and Sun Zhuzi quite clearly.

“Auntie, would you like to join us?” Jiang Mixia asked, beaming.

Riverside, anyone?

Just after talking about Jiang Mixia trying to drown someone, she’s asking if they want to go to the river. What’s her intention? Zhang instinctively took a half step back. “What are you planning to do?”

“I didn’t quite catch your drift, Auntie. What else do you do at the riverside besides washing clothes and fetching water? Looks like you’re busy now, so you probably won’t be joining us. No worries. Next time you go, remember to give me a shout. If you forget, it’s fine. I’ll catch up with you,” Jiang Mixia said with an unwavering smile.

“Speaking of which, I bumped into Sun Ergou and Sun Zhuzi at the riverside last time. Those two kids were really misbehaving, but they seem to have improved lately,” she added.

This was no attempt to prevent any mishap; she was actually scheming to quietly tag along and, perhaps, let Zhang have a taste of her own medicine, making it look like an accident due to the slippery riverbank.

Jiang Mixia used to be somewhat naive, and while she appears to have changed, who knows if that naivety might resurface? If she ends up drowning someone without realizing, what would they do? Perhaps even if she did, Jiang Mixia might not face any consequences.

Killing someone due to naivety is an irreversible mistake! The more Zhang thought about it, the paler her face became, and her voice started trembling. “I’m not going to cause any mishaps. Besides, my daughter-in-law Wu is the one managing the household chores. I have no business going to the riverside.”

“Oh, that’s a shame,” Jiang Mixia remarked, looking genuinely disappointed, as if she had lost a hundred taels of silver.

Zhang’s eyelids twitched nervously.

“Well, if you and the other ladies are busy, I’ll take my leave,” Jiang Mixia said, observing how Zhang seemed thoroughly frightened. She didn’t want to waste any more time bickering over such matters and left with Song Jingyun.

The other women exchanged polite pleasantries and watched the couple walk away.

“That girl Mixia is becoming more and more attractive.”

“She’s become quite clever, and naturally, that makes her more beautiful.”

“I have to say, that husband of hers has really grown into his looks. He and Mixia make quite a pair…” The women indulged in playful banter, completely ignoring Zhang.

These gossiping women always have something to say behind people’s backs, loose-lipped as can be, shameless as can be.

Zhang was seething, almost grinding her teeth to bits.

After a busy time by the riverside, Jiang Mixia and Song Jingyun returned home with a plentiful catch. They prepared a delicious stew from the large grass carp, simmering it with tomatoes, creating a sweet and sour delicacy. Song Jingyun made sure to scrape the pot clean of the tomato soup.

Later that evening, as they lay in bed, Song Jingyun nudged Jiang Mixia again.

(End of Chapter)