Chapter 30
Eat It Themselves
While Zhao Ruifeng and the imperial preceptor were talking about all sorts of things, Jiang Xi had also successfully returned home with Yang Fen. Seeing that Yang Fen’s expression was not good, Jiang Guoyou knew that their plan did not work out. He heaved a sigh of relief, looked at Yang Fen, and said, “It’s the Mid-Autumn Festival today. Our father sent someone to send us a letter, asking us to go over for a meal. It can be considered a family reunion for the holiday. I saw that there was still an old hen left in the courtyard. I’ll bring it to our father.” Jiang Guoyou’s face was sallow. He had stopped eating the wild ginseng after two days, as he did not want to waste the money.
“What are we going there for? Every time we went over, those people wouldn’t allow Jiang Xi to eat at the table. Grandpa said that girls were not allowed to eat at the table, but his other granddaughters ate happily. I don’t want to go anyway. Father, you’re not in good health now. If you go over, they might gossip about you, but you even want to give them a chicken? Let them be!” Jiang Shan had a straightforward personality and spoke his mind. He did not like people from his grandfather’s side, so he naturally did not want to go for dinner.
Jiang Er sat on a chair at the side and did not say a word. He had obviously taken a fancy to the little girl of the Cheng family today, but now there was no hope, and he was depressed.
“It’s a festival. We’ll kill the hen and eat it ourselves.” Jiang Xi said faintly. Then Yang Fen also said, “Well, let’s forget about it today. Don’t go to our father’s place. The children don’t want to go.” Besides, Jiang Si said that he’s bringing his classmates over for dinner today. After we kill that hen, we’ll go to town to buy some good wine and food. Don’t let Jiang Si lose face in front of his classmates.” She was not in a good mood today, so she was not as polite and careful as she usually was when talking to Jiang Guoyou.
Jiang Guoyou paused. He wanted to say something, but he stopped. Jiang Er pouted. He was not convinced when he heard Yang Fen’s words about Jiang Si’s well-being. However, he thought that he could also eat a few more mouthfuls after killing the chicken and buying the vegetables, so he closed his mouth and said nothing more. Since he would not get anything if they gave it to his grandfather, he might as well eat it at home. At least he could have meat.
“The Jiang family! Is there anyone in the house?” Just as the Jiang family was discussing what to buy in town, they heard hurried footsteps outside the door. “Hey, are you all at home? Come on, do you still remember the family Jiang Xi was engaged to for the third time? That woman gave birth today. The child she gave birth to… Tsk, tsk, what a sin. You didn’t see what the child looked like…” The woman who spoke sighed while spittle flew everywhere. She looked a little frightened as if she had seen something incredible.
As soon as Jiang Shan heard the woman mention Jiang Xi’s fiancée, he stood in front of Jiang Xi, eager to protect his sister. He stared at the woman and said, “That family has nothing to do with my sister anymore. No matter what you heard, don’t bring it up in front of my sister!”
Jiang Xi was stunned for a moment. The pregnant woman he had seen in town the last time appeared in her mind.
“I didn’t mean to make things difficult for your family, but this matter is too scary. It’s all over the place now, and the midwife who helped the woman deliver the baby almost fainted from shock!” The woman explained as she watched, her face still filled with shock and fear. When she heard the news, she went to take a look from afar. She heard that the family was about to drown the child!
“Since you want to say it, then say it clearly at once. It’s really worrying to be so vague. After listening, we still have to go to town to buy groceries. In the evening, my family’s Jiang Si will be bringing his classmates back for the Mid-Autumn Festival. We have to hurry and prepare.” Yang Fen was also very curious about what the woman was talking about, so she opened her mouth to urge her.
Yang Fen was an honest and dutiful person who valued her four sons and one daughter more than anything else all her life. When the Jiang family was rich, Jiang Xi was also very doted on at home. However, now that something had happened, she gave different treatment to her children. For example, although Yang Fen doted on Jiang Xi, that was on the premise that it did not affect her son’s interests. It was true that she doted on Jiang Xi, but there was always a difference between the palm and the back of her hand.
“Do you know why that family didn’t want Jiang Xi? I only found out the real reason today. It’s said that the Du family had only one son for three generations and was originally engaged to Jiang Xi, but the woman got pregnant. The old lady of the Du family took the woman to the fortune-teller at the village entrance to read her fortune. He said that the woman might be pregnant with a boy. So, the old lady of the Du family broke off the engagement with your Jiang Xi. Fortunately, the engagement was broken off. Otherwise, your Jiang Xi would not have a good life after marrying.” The woman said, shaking her head.