Chapter 737 - 380: Think She’s a Pushover? (2)

Chapter 737: Chapter 380: Think She’s a Pushover? (2)

Juhua remained silent. Her mother, Mrs. Yang, put on a stern face and said, "It’s only the second day of the New Year, and they drag a whole crowd over? What’s that about? If you ask me, you and Huai Zi shouldn’t go back tonight. Just stay here with me. Let them raise a fuss. Your mother-in-law is there; what more can they do?"

Huai Zi frowned, his good mood completely ruined. Banli gurgled up at him, hoping to be tossed in the air again, but his father didn’t even notice.

Just as he was thinking they should go back and see what they were up against so they could deal with it, Juhua stood up. "Let’s go," she said. "We’re going home!"

With that, she turned and left without another word.

Pu Pao glanced at Huai Zi, then quickly followed after her, holding Cong.

Mrs. Yang watched her daughter’s retreating back with concern and quietly urged Huai Zi, "Keep a close eye on her. Don’t let her get pushed around."

Huai Zi nodded. "Don’t worry, Mother-in-law. They’re just a bunch of nobodies. What can they possibly do?" With that, he strode off to catch up with Juhua.

Back at the house, Mrs. Yang felt her heart pound with anxiety. She knew her own daughter’s temper best. ’Juhua is furious!’ she thought. ’And when Juhua gets truly furious, she doesn’t forgive easily.’

She walked over to the base of the western wall, trying to eavesdrop on what was happening next door, but she couldn’t hear clearly. She then moved to her own courtyard gate, but it was no use. She paced back and forth in agitation for a moment. Finally, she steeled herself, grabbed a handful of melon seeds, and stuffed them into her pocket. After closing her main gate and courtyard gate, she headed toward the neighboring Zhang family’s house, cracking melon seeds as she walked.

When Juhua and Huai Zi returned to the Zhang’s courtyard, they had barely stepped through the gate when they heard a burst of bright chatter and laughter from inside the house. "Auntie, these fried dough snacks are delicious! So fragrant. How did you make them?"

An older voice—which Juhua recognized as Great-grandmother’s—chimed in, "What would you know? Your auntie is a very capable woman. You should learn some of her cooking skills, so this trip won’t be a waste."

He said, "I didn’t make them. Your cousin-in-law did."

The room went quiet for a moment before Great-grandmother spoke again. "Cailian, you should learn from your cousin-in-law. She’s the kindest person you’ll ever meet. If you stay here with her, I’m sure you’ll learn a great deal. Dashuan’s wife," she said, addressing He, "Juhua’s needlework is excellent too, isn’t it?"

"Juhua’s needlework is just average," He said, her voice a little rushed. "It’s presentable, that’s all. It’s fine for sewing clothes and socks for our family, since we’re not too particular." She sounded almost afraid that someone might ask Juhua for lessons.

This was exactly what Great-grandmother had been waiting for. She said proudly, "Well, that’s perfect! Linghua’s needlework is so good, even the madams from the wealthy families at the market praise it. She sold quite a few pieces before the New Year. She’s the perfect person to teach her cousin-in-law..."

Down by the steps of the veranda, Huai Zi looked at Juhua’s emotionless face with a flicker of worry. "Don’t pay them any mind," he urged her, handing Banli over. "Just take Banli and Cong back to our room to rest. I’ll deal with them."

After all these years, that phrase rolled off his tongue effortlessly, as if he needed to shield Juhua from every trouble.

Juhua shot him a glance but made no move to take their son.

’When Great-grandfather and the other men visited, it wasn’t my place to get involved, so of course he handled it. When Great-grandmother and her cronies arrived, He, as the elder, dealt with them. But now a gaggle of girls shows up, and I’m still supposed to hide?’

’Do they really think I’m a pushover? If I stay silent any longer, they’ll be carrying a concubine into the house next!’

She deliberately walked up the steps and planted herself in the doorway. Without a word, she began to quietly size up every person in the room.

She recognized Great-grandmother and Seven-grandmother. There was another married woman she didn’t know. The other four were girls of about thirteen or fourteen—the older ones had likely either been "selected" that year or hastily married off. They were all dressed in festive reds and greens. Some were lively, others shy; some were buxom, others slender. For village girls, they were all considered rather comely.

As she appeared, the chatter and laughter in the room trailed off, and all eyes turned to fix on her.

He felt a knot of anxiety tighten in her stomach when she saw Juhua.

These visitors hadn’t actually come to the Zhang family for a New Year’s call. According to Great-grandmother, she and Seven-grandmother had taken Cailian to her maternal grandmother’s house near Xiatang Market to meet a potential suitor’s family. The other girls had tagged along to offer their opinions. Since a match had apparently been approved, a jubilant Great-grandmother decided to bring them all to see their "Auntie" He. She claimed the girls had been wanting to visit for ages, and this would save them a separate trip for New Year’s greetings in a day or two.

What could He possibly say? She couldn’t just kick them out, so she had no choice but to serve them tea and snacks.

But before He could even offer, Great-grandmother had already announced they would be staying the night. It was, she said, a chance for the girls to get closer to their "auntie." She added that they also wanted to see their older male cousin and his wife, and to pay their respects to the Scholar of the family.

When Zhang Yang returned from his own grandmother’s house, he exchanged a couple of pleasantries with the visitors before retreating to his room. His parents had warned him about these particular relatives, so he wanted nothing to do with them. Great-grandmother, however, was completely unfazed by his curtness.

He felt as if she were being led around by the nose. Before she knew it, her house was full of overnight guests. Great-grandmother had even "thoughtfully" instructed her to just sit and chat while Aunt Liu went to the kitchen to get dinner started. When He tried to object, Great-grandmother insisted they were fine with a simple meal, so there was no need to make a fuss; Aunt Liu could handle it all by herself.

He was already feeling resentful, and now Juhua was back. Seeing her daughter-in-law’s unusually severe expression as she silently scrutinized everyone in the room, He’s heart began to pound. She quickly forced a smile and began the introductions, explaining that they were all granddaughters and grandnieces of Old Zhang’s family, that Cailian was Great-grandmother’s own granddaughter, and that they had just come from Cailian’s grandmother’s place near Xiatang Market.

Juhua simply nodded, offering no greeting.

Great-grandmother and the others, however, were stunned when they saw Juhua. ℯℯ𝑙.

She had heard that Doctor Qin had cured Juhua’s face, but after so many years of that awful skin condition, she’d assumed it could never fully heal. She’d secretly wondered if it would be pockmarked like a hornet’s nest. In fact, she had made this trip partly just to see for herself. Who could have known that not a single scar remained? That Juhua’s face would be so... stunning?

Seeing Juhua blocking the doorway and staring at them all without a single word of greeting, Great-grandmother’s bravado faltered. She had visited several times before, and Juhua had always been silent and withdrawn, never coming out to make conversation while He played hostess. She couldn’t believe Juhua didn’t know about the drama with the concubine proposal. By all rights, the girl should despise Old Zhang’s side of the family. Her docility could only mean she was a spineless creature. That was why Great-grandmother had never considered her a threat.