mtl008 Chapter 784 You're quite open-minded.
Chapter 784 You're quite open-minded.
Huo Lin stared at him intently, his anger still simmering.
Sheng Junyi pressed the tip of her tongue against her left cheek, took out a handkerchief, spat out the blood, wiped it little by little across the corner of her lips, and then threw away the blood-stained handkerchief in her hand.
"Birds of a feather flock together," Huo Lin sneered.
"Likewise." Sheng Junyi, having taken a punch from Huo Lin, didn't hold back and retorted, "If my brother-in-law had a good life at home, he wouldn't have had to suffer the hardships of joining the army. It's quite a coincidence that you and my sister are together. Life is full of helplessness, so please forgive me, brother-in-law."
Huo Lin's expression turned even uglier.
His father favored his concubine over his wife, and his childhood was not easy.
In order to survive, and to avoid being controlled by his family, losing his life for no reason, or being raised as a useless person, he had no choice but to risk his life to find a way to make a living, which is why he went north to join the army.
If his family, a small merchant household, is so corrupt, what about the prestigious Duke Sheng's mansion?
He admired Sheng Junyao's character and was willing to befriend him, even entrusting his life to him.
However, he never intended to curry favor with Sheng Junyao to gain anything for himself. Sheng Junyao was a virtuous man, and if he had such thoughts, he would not only be tarnishing Sheng Junyao's reputation but also despising himself.
Therefore, when Sheng Junyao invited him to return to his residence, he did not have any improper thoughts or consider climbing the social ladder of the Duke of Sheng's family.
Even if she were a concubine's daughter from the Duke of Sheng's mansion, she would still be a noble lady from a prominent family, not someone a mere merchant like him could be worthy of.
In the previous dynasty, merchants were considered lowly, and there was little difference between them and slaves.
It was only during the years since the establishment of the Great Zhao Dynasty that the status of merchants gradually changed. They gradually abolished the status of lowly status, then gradually allowed the sons of merchants to take the imperial examinations, and then deposed the crown prince Zong Que to encourage the development of merchants. People gradually changed their views on merchants. Although there was still contempt, at least they were no longer someone that everyone could look down on.
Even so, they were worlds apart, and he never harbored any delusions of love.
When Sheng Yunruo found him and asked if he was willing to marry her, he actually understood that it wasn't that she had feelings for him, but that she had ulterior motives.
He initially wanted to refuse, but the longing in her eyes made him hesitate, and he agreed to her almost unconsciously.
With Sheng Junyao's help, everything went very smoothly afterward.
But even after marrying Sheng Yunruo, he still found it unbelievable.
She is such a good girl.
She was gentle and learned, while he was just a rough man who hadn't had much schooling. He thought she would get used to him and soon tire of him, but life after marriage was far better than he had imagined. There was no contempt in her eyes, but rather she was very gentle and patient, making it impossible for him not to fall for her.
It's so easy to fall for such a wonderful girl.
However, the more you like something, the more likely you are to become anxious and insecure.
She always had something on her mind.
He had asked her indirectly many times, but all he heard was a few complaints from Madam Yu. She said that her daughter had a hard time living in the mansion, and that the third young lady in the mansion was not easy to deal with, and that the young lady had suffered a lot because of it.
Just thinking about the grievances she might have suffered, coupled with Sheng Yunruo's attitude towards the Duke of Sheng's mansion over the past few years, he could guess her situation and couldn't help but feel disgusted with the people in the Duke of Sheng's mansion.
But no amount of imagination can compare to the shocking scene I heard today.
Such a simplistic calculation, yet no one was willing to stand up for a six or seven-year-old girl and give her justice.
He wanted nothing more than to smash Sheng Junyi's face, but instead, he slammed his fist heavily against the wall beside him.
He resented that the people in the Duke of Sheng's mansion had not treated her well, and that over the years, he, as her husband, had not fully understood her, nor had he been able to help her let down her guard and overcome her inner conflicts. In the end, he was not responsible enough.
Seeing his anger and self-blame, Sheng Junyi stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder: "It's hard to let go of the knot in your heart, but now that your elder sister has met Yangyang, she has spoken out about the unpleasant things of the past, which shows her determination to let go of the past. Things will get better in the future. Instead of blaming yourself, you should be honest with her. There's plenty of time in the future."
Huo Lin raised his hand to slap his hand away and sneered, "You're quite open-minded."
“I didn’t come here specifically to comfort you.” Sheng Junyi got down to business: “You still need to keep an eye on things in Qinghe Village.”
Huo Lin didn't have a good impression of him, but he would never be ambiguous about what he should do, so he nodded.
...
Sheng Yunruo cried and laughed, releasing the pent-up frustration in her heart, and felt much more cheerful and clear-headed.
Originally weak and with little appetite, Sheng Yunruo suddenly felt hungry. Fortunately, Ping'er brought over a stewed tonic soup, and for the first time, Sheng Yunruo felt a great appetite. After drinking the soup, she ate some more, and her energy recovered considerably.
Looking at Lu Yangyang, who seemed to handle everything with ease, she couldn't help but feel envious: "When my elder brother wrote to me about you, he was very proud and said you were very capable. I really envy you. I used to hear people talk about the Lady of Huaguo and the late Empress, such extraordinary women. When I was young, I even saw the late Empress at home and dreamed that when I grew up, I would be like them. But in the end, I couldn't do anything. Now, I can't even stay in the backyard to be a good wife and mother."
She had already heard how Lu Yangyang had saved her life by performing a cesarean section to remove her baby when she was on the verge of death. Before, she was only grateful and glad to have survived the ordeal, but now she was very envious. She envied Lu Yangyang for having such an ability, and she also realized that in many situations, only when a person stands up for themselves and has the ability to make a living can they seek justice for themselves.
Therefore, she felt no jealousy towards Lu Yangyang, only envy.
She once longed to be like that person.
In the end, however, he became a coward who fled in a sorry state.
Lu Yangyang packed up her medicine kit and ate the snacks that Ping'er had specially made to thank her. Upon hearing this, she turned to look at Ping'er and said, "The snacks you made are delicious, even better than the ones I had in the capital."
Ping'er was overjoyed and said excitedly, "Thank you for your praise, Miss. If you like it, I will make you a few more dishes so you can try them all."
Lu Yangyang smiled happily, her eyes crinkling: "Then thank you, Sister Ping'er."
"Oh dear, you flatter me, young lady." Ping'er blushed with joy.
Lu Yangyang then looked at Sheng Yunruo: "Elder sister, you see, everyone has their own strengths. In the past, there were female generals who could protect their country with swords, and there were women whose poetic talents were passed down through the ages, no less than men. But they may not have been as skillful as Sister Ping'er, who made such good pastries, nor could they have been able to support themselves by selling embroidery from a young age like you, elder sister. I am good with a needle, but I can't embroider a handkerchief. Regardless of the size of the achievement, elder sister, would you laugh at Sister Ping'er for not being able to wield a sword, or would you laugh at me for not being able to embroider a handkerchief?"
Sheng Yunruo hurriedly replied, "Of course not!"
Lu Yangyang blinked. "Then who has the right to think that the older sister didn't do a good job?"