The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure

Chapter 1852 - 1840: I’d Rather He Resent Me

Jinhoo was hit so hard that he grimaced; his grandmother was truly vigorous for her age, and even now her strikes were just as painful.

He didn’t dare dodge, knowing Old Granny Zhang’s nature—if you take the beating quietly, the matter ends there.

If you dare to dodge, she could break three feather dusters in the process, and remembering it the next day could warrant another beating.

While enduring the pain and listening to Old Granny Zhang’s tirade, his face alternated between red and white, realizing that all his little thoughts were seen through and exposed.

After all, he was young and cared about his reputation, so he couldn’t help but say, "Grandma, I know I was wrong. Please, save some face for your grandson, can’t you?"

The door was open while she was hitting him and yelling so loudly, while two old women stood at the courtyard entrance. If anyone saw or heard this, it’d be so embarrassing!

How could he face people later?

Old Granny Zhang only got angrier at this, her feather duster moving like a spinning top: "So you didn’t hear a word I said, huh? Reputation? What reputation do you have? You only realize it’s embarrassing now? You should see your scrawny appearance; that’s what’s truly embarrassing!"

Having said this, she paused and flung the feather duster in her hand: "Fine! I know now; you’ve spread your wings and can make money. Outside, you’re praised and think you’re so great, right? This old woman can’t say anything now! Sure, I’m not your parents, I can’t control you—" Saying this, she turned to leave.

Jinhoo was frightened, rushed over, held his granny’s leg with one hand, and picked up the feather duster with the other, trying to put it back into her hand: "Grandma, I was wrong! I know I was wrong! You are right to hit me and lecture me! If you don’t control me, who will? Keep hitting me, hit me as you please! If I so much as whimper, I’m no longer your grandson!"

Jinhoo was so anxious that his words became tangled!

With such commotion, the servants outside looked at each other. What’s with the old woman’s big fire today?

But understanding the rules, they glanced at the two women at the entrance, the granny’s confidantes, who were glaring at them, so they immediately bowed their heads, kept their distance, and didn’t linger nearby.

Inside, after Jinhoo’s tearful pleading and hitting himself several times with the feather duster, Old Granny Zhang finally sat down.

She took a sip of tea and seeing Jinhoo behaving, she opened: "Jinhoo, do you know why your old aunt only values you among your siblings?"

Jinhoo, expecting another lecture, was surprised by the question and was momentarily stunned before saying, "Because, because my aunt favors me—"

Old Granny Zhang sneered: "All are nephews of your old aunt, why does she only favor you? Jindou is older than you, Jinshao is charming, and the younger siblings are even more lovable. Why does she favor you? Because you’re caught in the middle, with your father indifferent and your mother unloving? Then Jinhua is even more pitiful than you!"

"But it’s because you understand the principles more than your siblings, know gratitude, willing to endure hardships, can learn things, with a clear mind! Most importantly, you know what can be desired and what cannot! That’s why your aunt and uncle think highly of you and are willing to support you!"

"Your aunt and uncle didn’t reach this point easily; you see them now looking glorious, but you haven’t seen how they lived in the Capital City. Outsiders see them eating and dressing better, but every day they lived on edge, every word they said had to be thought over several times."

"You only know your uncle’s father is the Duke, but whether in the Capital City or Chicheng County, a misstep by your uncle could make that father crueler than an enemy. All these years, your uncle and aunt painstakingly secured their footing, and now with this business affair, countless eyes are watching your uncle, waiting for his misstep to pull him down!"

"As the saying goes, the shot bird attracts attention; the more glamorous one appears, the more cautious they must be! Now those merchants outside for a single quota have fought to what extent, do you have no idea? For fairness, this old woman doesn’t even dare step outside, afraid to cause trouble for your uncle; and you, just out there causing trouble for your uncle and aunt!"

Jinhoo hurriedly defended himself: "Grandma, I absolutely have no intention of causing trouble for uncle and aunt, if I truly did, let heaven strike me down! Besides, this Boss Zhang had shown both me and the Wang family kindness, and when he approaches me so humbly, how could I refuse? We can’t let people think that the Wang family forgets kindness, right?"

Old Granny Zhang spat at him: "You don’t have that intention! But others might! Whether it’s by chance or design that Boss Zhang encountered you, we’ll discuss when your uncle returns. Let me be clear here: honestly do your business, the Silver is endless to earn! Don’t get fixated on money, to earn it while throwing away both reputation and dignity!"

"Now you’re doing business correctly; those in business are cunning, knowing the relationship between you and your uncle and aunt? Just relying on that, you’re far better off than many, gaining significant advantage! If you still want to leverage your aunt and uncle’s names, to secretly do what they wouldn’t allow, don’t blame your granny for having someone break your leg!"

"I say this not merely to scare you; you know the kind of person I am. The one I cherish most in this life is your aunt, my lifelong support is also your aunt! I would never allow anyone, including myself, to treat your aunt poorly or harm her! Should anyone dare, I’d risk my life and would not spare them!"

"Remember what I said today; think it over! Only go out once you’re clear-headed! If you can’t think it through, then stay put; forget about that quota! If nothing else, as long as I mention it to your uncle, I’ll see who dares to give you that quota!"

After saying this, Old Granny Zhang didn’t bother with Jinhoo anymore, directly signaling the women at the courtyard entrance to half-carry him to the guest room arranged for him.

Reflecting upon it later, her heart softened, so she had some bruise medicine sent over.

Old Granny Wu couldn’t help but counsel: "Since you feel for Master Jinhoo, why be so tough on him? And speaking so harshly, aren’t you worried he might take it to heart—"

Old Granny Zhang snorted: "Am I afraid of that young brat’s feelings? I don’t depend on him to live, nor rely on him for old age support! Besides, my daughter and son-in-law haven’t reached this step easily. Now is the crucial time, if I don’t tighten his skin, and trouble arises, who pays the price if not my daughter and son-in-law?"

"Rather he remembers holding a grudge against me, but as long as today’s lesson makes him tuck in his tail and not cause trouble, it’s fine! This old woman is near the end of her journey; what does a grudge matter? As long as my daughter is fine! Now I can’t help much, if I can save them some concern, let me do that!"