The next day, news of the eldest daughter from Xu Dashu’s family returning after being sold spread rapidly through Daliu Village.
“Cuihua, Cuihua, I heard your eldest daughter has returned?” A slightly plump woman asked Wang Cuihua, who was washing clothes in the yard.
Wang Cuihua looked up and saw it was Zhang Chuncao. She immediately stood up and brought a stool for her to sit. “Chuncao, have a seat. Yes! My Ruyi has returned.” Thinking of her daughter’s return filled Wang Cuihua’s heart with joy.
Hearing it was true, Zhang Chuncao was happy for her friend. “Really?! That’s wonderful!! Now that the child is back, you won’t have to worry anymore! She won’t be leaving again, will she?”
Wang Cuihua nodded, her hands still busy with the laundry. “Yes, she won’t be going back! The child saved up some money herself and seized the opportunity for Redemption!”
“Oh! Truly blessed by the Bodhisattva! It’s just good that the girl Ruyi has returned safely!!” Zhang Chuncao glanced around and noticed Wang Cuihua was alone in the yard. Wanting to see Ruyi in person, she asked curiously, “Why are you alone at home? Where are Ruyi and Niannian?”
Knowing her friend wanted to see the children, Wang Cuihua wouldn’t dream of disturbing her daughter’s rest. “This morning, I brought Niannian to Ruyi’s room. Both children are still asleep.”
Zhang Chuncao nodded, thinking about how Ruyi must have suffered greatly as a Servant Girl. She lowered her voice deliberately. “They should rest properly. These years must have been hard on her. Being a servant, what kind of good life could she have had?”
Upon hearing this, Wang Cuihua instantly burst into tears, her voice choked with sobs. “Exactly! When the child returned, she only talked about the good things, never the hardships. When she left, I was pregnant with Sigui. We finally scraped together enough money to redeem her, but the master wouldn’t let her go. Every time my husband went to see her, he’d say she had gotten thinner. As a mother, I couldn’t sleep night after night, my heart felt as if it were being gouged out!! I was always afraid something might happen to her!! Wuwu…”
Seeing her friend in such a state, Zhang Chuncao’s eyes also reddened. She comforted her, “Alright now, the child is back. She’s home, with you all. That’s what matters. Don’t cry anymore, or the children will feel bad when they see you.”
“Chuncao! My heart aches so much!” She understood the logic, but thinking about her child struggling to make a living in those wealthy households, learning so many skills—it must have taken so much suffering!!
Xu Ruyi had woken up when Zhang Chuncao arrived. After getting ready, she was about to step out when she overheard their conversation and couldn’t help but tear up.
She felt somewhat jealous of the original owner—having such a loving family was truly a blessing!
Waiting until the noise outside subsided, Xu Ruyi pretended to make some sounds and walked out after a moment.
Zhang Chuncao’s eyes widened at the sight of Xu Ruyi. “Goodness, Cuihua! Your daughter is as beautiful as a fairy! There’s no girl more handsome than her in our entire area!”
Wang Cuihua had composed herself and was hanging the clothes to dry.
Seeing her eldest daughter come out, she smiled and introduced her, “Ruyi, you’re awake. This is Auntie Chuncao. Her family lives next door—she’s Uncle Dali’s wife!”
Xu Ruyi greeted politely, “Hello, Auntie Chuncao. I’m Ruyi!”
Zhang Chuncao beamed with a wide smile. “Good, good. Girl Ruyi is truly beautiful. Auntie likes you! I wonder which fine young man will be lucky enough to marry you someday!”
Being praised so directly made Xu Ruyi feel a bit shy.
Wang Cuihua saw her daughter’s flushed face and shook her head with a smile. “Alright, my girl is easily embarrassed. Don’t tease her anymore. Ruyi, there’s food saved for you in the kitchen. Go eat!”
“Okay, then you and Aunt Spring Grass chat, Mother!” With that, Xu Ruyi immediately slipped away.
She had to slip away—these aunties loved to tease people, and some conversations moved at even faster speeds. She knew very well that ancient people weren’t conservative at all; they played even wilder than modern folks.
Don’t ask how she knew—let’s just say she’d had the misfortune of witnessing people fooling around in the Wang Estate’s back garden.
That scene was vivid and sensual!!!
Before, when she read novels, she wondered how big a back garden could really be. But after actually wandering through one, she realized how narrow her perspective had been.
She had been standing right in front of three people, hidden in a concave niche of a rockery, and they completely failed to notice her.
At that moment, she couldn’t leave, nor could she stay, forced to watch the entire scene unfold!!!