The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1660 - 1654: Children Don’t Have Waists

As the eldest brother, Jindou was consistently not good with words. Among the three brothers of the eldest household, he was honest and straightforward, not as clever as Jinhoo, nor as shrewd as Jinguan.

But he always had a protective heart towards his two younger brothers. Back when Lady Lin’s incident happened, he traveled tens of miles through the night with Jinguan to rush back.

For all these years after he got married, he hadn’t neglected Jinguan either, taking good care of him.

Jinguan held great respect for his eldest brother Jindou. At this moment, seeing Jindou looking at him so sternly, he couldn’t help but avoid his gaze.

Jindou immediately sensed something amiss. He grabbed Jinguan’s arm with a reverse grip and asked gravely, "Who’s been speaking nonsense in your ear? Are you listening to those people? In your eyes, is Father and your elder brother that kind of person?"

Jinguan lowered his head without responding.

Jindou was almost amused by his anger, staring fixedly at Jinguan for a long while. Seeing that Jinguan was determined not to speak, he couldn’t help but reveal a face of disappointment.

Finally, he let go of his hand in dejection, "You’ve grown up, and have your own thoughts now! Your elder brother can’t control you anymore! You take care of yourself!"

As he said this, he lowered his head, turned around, and went back inside.

Jinguan looked at Jindou’s back with a complicated expression, his mouth opened as if wanting to call Jindou back, but ultimately made no sound.

Jindou returned to the room with a low spirit. Quan Xiuniang approached him, noticing his unhappy expression, handed him a cup of tea, and couldn’t help but ask worriedly, "What’s wrong?"

Jindou took the tea and downed it in one gulp, first inquiring about Brother Rong, "Is Brother Rong asleep? Is he okay?"

He was worried his son might be tired today.

Quan Xiuniang smiled slightly, "He’s asleep. It’s nothing, I just checked. He’s sleeping soundly."

Jindou helped Quan Xiuniang sit down, "Why aren’t you sleeping earlier? You’re still carrying a child! Don’t wear yourself out!"

Quan Xiuniang felt warmth in her heart, her tone becoming more gentle, "I was waiting for you to come back. I can’t sleep without seeing you."

Jindou found his previous frustration almost entirely dissipated with just these two sentences from Quan Xiuniang.

The two of them exchanged a few words, then washed up together before finally resting.

But with something on his mind, Jindou tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

Quan Xiuniang also had something on her mind, so the couple simply stayed awake.

Jindou thought for a moment and ended up telling Quan Xiuniang about the issue with Jinguan, finally expressing his bewilderment, "Xiuniang, what do you think is going through Jinguan’s mind? I’m his real brother; Father is his real father—could we ever harm him? How can he not listen to his family and instead listen to outsiders randomly spreading rumors?"

"Does he really think it’s so easy to take over someone else’s business? Without any ulterior motives, would they really hand over a family fortune and an only daughter to him? This kid is confused!"

Quan Xiuniang pursed her lips, her expression indistinguishable in the darkness. After a long pause, she finally spoke softly, "What do you intend to do?"

Jindou stayed silent for a moment, then sighed, "He’s grown up now, and as his elder brother, I can’t control him anymore."

Quan Xiuniang thought for a bit, having some suspicions in her heart, but as a daughter-in-law, there were things she couldn’t say.

After hesitating for a moment, she said, "You don’t have to worry too much. Traditionally, a marriage is only official with parental consent and the exchange of betrothal gifts. If our father disagrees, no matter how many plans our third brother has, it won’t work out."

She gave particular emphasis to the words "father and mother."

Such a clear implication caused Jindou’s expression to change, as he also realized something.

Their faces were obscured by darkness, and it took a long time before he spoke in a muffled voice, "It’s getting late. Let’s sleep!"

He turned over and lay down.

Quan Xiuniang sighed silently and closed her eyes.

No more words were exchanged that night.

Early the next morning, several cries and wails of Little Bean emerged from the yards of each house.

The few who considered themselves the most masculine members of the Wang Family yesterday woke up today with aches all over, grimacing in pain with every move.

Especially Jindao and Jinfu, who stepped out slowly, holding their waists as if they were six or seven months pregnant.

Everyone couldn’t help but laugh at the sight.

Particularly Jindao, after walking a couple of steps and seeing Liu Xiaoqiao, couldn’t help but whine, "Mom, my back hurts!"

Liu Xiaoqiao replied with merciless coldness, "Nonsense! Kids don’t have backs!"

The supposedly masculine troupe of the Wang Family was momentarily dumbfounded.

Jinfu, being younger, looked down at his little belly upon hearing this and pursed his lips, drawing a circle with his small hand, "Mom, it hurts all around."

Liu Xiaoqiao almost burst out laughing and barely managed to hold it in before saying, "Then you must have been restless in your sleep and fell off the heated bed, hurting yourself. Sleep more soundly tonight."

The conned Jinfu felt something was not right, but he couldn’t pinpoint what.

Brother Rong, slightly older, looked around at everyone and then at his young uncles, unable to hold back from asking, "Auntie, did we all fall off the heated bed last night?"

"Pfft haha—" The Wang Family members couldn’t help it and burst into a chorus of laughter.

The few Little Beans, realizing they’d been tricked, puffed up in anger like blowfish.

Eventually, Wang Yongping couldn’t stand it anymore and picked up two of them, carrying them over to Wang Yongzhu’s yard.

The other two were similarly carried over, tucked under their father’s arms.

Over at Wang Yongzhu’s place, breakfast was already prepared, even more abundant than the day before.

The Little Beans cheered and instantly forgot about their supposed aches and pains.

After breakfast, Wang Yongzhu took Wang Yongfu out, also suggesting everyone shouldn’t just sit around in the courtyard. Since they were in the county town, they might as well go out and explore.

Even the adults were tempted, not just the kids.

When they were brought here, initially settled in the neighboring courtyard, they also wanted to go out.

But the County Magistrate had sent someone, stating that for their safety, they only needed to ask for whatever they needed, and it would be sent over.

If they went out and something happened, he wouldn’t be able to explain to the Noble Patron, asking for their understanding.

Although the Wang Family had someone like Song Chongjin at home, they weren’t used to dealing with officials and were still apprehensive at heart. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

After hearing the County Magistrate’s words, they obediently stayed in the courtyard, afraid to go out and cause trouble.

So when Wang Yongzhu suggested it today, they were overjoyed.

Now that they had some money on hand, visiting the county town wasn’t something they could do often, so they wanted to make the most of it and have something to boast about when they returned!

Hence, once Wang Yongzhu stepped out, they followed suit right after.

Old Granny Zhang was too lazy to go out and preferred to rest at home, aside.

Wang Yongfu joined Wang Yongzhu on the carriage and couldn’t resist asking, "Sister, where are we going?"

Wang Yongzhu replied, "Brother, I’m taking you to meet my master."

Wang Yongfu knew just who Old Doctor Du, Wang Yongzhu’s master, was, leaving no room for confusion.

His eyes reddened with emotion.

Life was getting better and better, and if you could live, who would want to die?

He was so overwhelmed, he could barely speak, "Sister, is there still hope for me?"

Wang Yongzhu set the expectation with Wang Yongfu, "I don’t know either, but as long as there’s some hope, we have to try, don’t we? We’ll know once my master examines you!"

Wang Yongfu nodded repeatedly, "Big brother understands! Sister, don’t worry. Even if there’s no cure, big brother is still grateful to you!"

The carriage soon arrived at the Du Residence.

Yesterday, Wang Yongzhu had informed them beforehand, so Old Doctor Du stayed home waiting in the morning.

At the Du Residence, Wang Yongzhu was as comfortable as at her own place, bringing Wang Yongfu to the front courtyard.

Old Doctor Du was already in the front yard.

Upon seeing Wang Yongfu, he didn’t say much, only a few words, before starting to check his pulse.

He took turns checking the pulse of both hands, observed his tongue and complexion, asked Wang Yongfu to uncover his clothes to check the injury, and pressed several positions.

After asking Wang Yongfu a few questions, Old Doctor Du closed his eyes to ponder.

Wang Yongfu barely dared to breathe, watching Old Doctor Du with hopeful eyes.