After Transmigration, I Picked Up A Husband and Daughter-Chapter 65 - Healing Ointment
Chapter 65: Chapter 65: Healing Ointment
Chapter 65: Chapter 65: Healing Ointment
Gently sprinkled in a pinch of salt, then slowly stirred in cold water, before lightly cracking in a few eggs.
She meticulously mixed until the dough in her hand gradually formed a soft and elastic mass.
Tonight’s dinner was hand-shaved noodles, and to achieve that chewy texture, she had to knead the dough continuously, a task that undeniably tested both her strength and patience.
The noise from outside faintly drifted into her ears, the person she once was.
In the face of injustice, she would always stand up first to defend what was right.
But things change, and since Xie Xinghua had chosen to keep her distance, Su Yu had lost the reason to intervene.
Perhaps only when Lady Zhao’s actions touched the deepest pain in Xie Xinghua’s heart would it prompt her to truly reflect and awaken.
A doubt couldn’t help but rise in Su Yu’s mind, on what grounds did Lady Zhao consider herself so high and mighty?
Did she think that without her, the whole family would fall into despair? Behind that proud posture, was there a secret unknown to others?
So, she turned to Jiang Ziling beside her, her gaze carrying a hint of curiosity, “Why does your stepmother act so arrogantly and domineeringly? Logically, the major decisions in the family should be made by the male head, yet why do I always see your father heeding her every command?”
Jiang Ziling gave a wry smile and slowly unveiled the reason, “I heard that when she first married into the Jiang Family, she brought a rather generous dowry.”
Upon hearing this, the corners of Su Yu’s mouth couldn’t help turning up in a sarcastic arc, “How generous could a dowry from a country girl be, really?”
“That’s because her previous husband once worked for a wealthy family, and when he unfortunately passed away, that family, to quiet the matter, gave her a sizeable sum as compensation.”
Jiang Ziling further explained.
“With that said, it makes sense now.”
Su Yu suddenly realized, Lady Zhao’s assertiveness and refusal to compromise was the most troublesome issue to wealthier families. To quell disputes with money was indeed a common practice.
Thinking of this, Su Yu couldn’t help but joke, “No wonder your father doesn’t have a say at home anymore; turns out he’s been basking in the ‘glory’ of soft rice.”
In her words, there was a bit of jest, as well as a subtle jab at the traditional family power structure.
Jiang Ziling remained silent, the atmosphere seemed to freeze for a moment, his gaze deep, as if hiding endless stories.
Su Yu realized there was something inappropriate in her words, as they touched upon the most sensitive part of someone’s innermost feelings.
The image of a father, even in jest, was an unbearable lightness for Jiang Ziling.
A twinge of regret flashed through her heart, her eyes conveyed an apology, and she lightly bit her lower lip, unsure of what to do next.
However, Jiang Ziling responded to her in an unexpectedly candid manner, his voice carrying a weight that was hard to detect, “You are right, he truly is incompetent; otherwise, my brother’s and my childhoods wouldn’t have been filled with so much hardship.”
This revelation was like a ray of light suddenly lighting up the night sky, illuminating each other’s worlds, allowing Su Yu to see his open-mindedness and helplessness.
Seeing this, Su Yu quickly changed the subject, hoping to breathe some life into the heavy air, “I’m a bit tired; you go wash your hands first, then come to the kitchen to help me knead the dough. I’m going to Aunt Wang’s vegetable garden to pick some fresh vegetables, bringing a touch of green to our dinner.”
Her tone was light, trying to alleviate the atmosphere with action.
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“Sure.”
Jiang Ziling briefly agreed, a glimmer of gratitude in his eyes.
He stood up and walked toward the well, the cool well water washing over his hands, as if also cleansing the gloom in his heart.
Just as Su Yu stepped out the door, the little girl Xixi, like a cheerful deer, eagerly followed behind her.
Her eyes sparkled with curiosity and longing for the outside world.
Su Yu tilted her head slightly, her gaze as tender as water, “Do you want to come with me too?”
Her tone was full of surprise.
Xixi nodded vigorously, her little hand stretching forward eagerly, and Su Yu extended hers with a smile.
The warmth of a large hand enveloped the tiny one, and the figures gradually moved away, leaving a trail of tinkling laughter echoing in the air.
Jiang Ziling watched this intimate scene from the half-opened window, feeling a complex mix of emotions surge inside him, both tender and tart.
On the other side, Lady Zhao, under the dim light, pulled out a jar of golden sore medicine that had been gathering dust in the depths of a cabinet.
It was a treasured heirloom, passed down through generations in the family.
The jar was covered with the marks of time, caked with dust, and when the lid was removed, an ancient and slightly pungent medicinal scent assaulted the senses, and the ointment was a deep brown, clearly aged.
She applied it carefully to the wound, and instantly, it felt as though her skin was being licked by flames.
The pain was piercing, causing her to furrow her brows involuntarily; yet, Lady Zhao endured, believing it to be a sign of the medicine’s efficacy.
In her heart, she recited a silent chant, her resentment towards Da Ya spreading wildly like weeds in a field.
Indiscriminate in its target, even when facing an innocent child, her eyes were filled with icy resoluteness.
Meanwhile, Su Yu and Xixi had arrived at the doorstep of Xie Qifen’s home. The tranquility of the small village was broken by Su Yu’s gentle words, “Big sister, I was thinking of picking some fresh vegetables; I wonder if it’s convenient for you?”
In this small village that was not rich in resources but self-sufficient in vegetables, kind-hearted and enthusiastic people like Xie Qifen were naturally willing to share.
“Of course, it’s convenient. Just wait a moment, I’ll go inside for a basket and take you to select some from the garden myself.”
Xie Qifen’s smile was as warm as the spring breeze; she turned and went into the house while Su Yu and Xixi waited obediently at the threshold, with Xixi’s little head looking around curiously, fascinated by her surroundings.
Soon enough, Xie Qifen appeared with a bamboo-woven basket in hand.
She led them down a narrow path behind the house to her own vibrant vegetable garden.
“Look at this, my carefully tended little patch of earth, see how lush everything grows!”
Xie Qifen spoke with pride, her gaze like that of a parent showing off their child to a visitor.
Su Yu looked around to see the orderly array of various vegetables, vibrant and dripping with freshness.
The vines of cucumbers and bitter melons coiled around the trellises, with yellow-green fruits hanging midair, plump and tempting.
On the ground, bright red tomatoes and glossy chili peppers set each other off, with heavy eggplants dangling below.
The water spinach was a lush green, the entire garden like a painting meticulously arranged by nature, delighting the heart and refreshing the mind.
Su Yu couldn’t help but silently wish in her heart to have such a little piece of land herself.
But the fields on the mountain, far from water sources, presented a significant challenge for vegetables that required frequent irrigation.
“It’s really wonderful, big sister, you have taken such good care of your garden.”
Su Yu sincerely admired it, her words conveying her deep love for the garden and her respect for Xie Qifen’s hard work and dedication.
A brilliant smile blossomed on Xie Qifen’s face.
Her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm, like the brightest sunshine on a summer day.
She moved through her vibrant garden, selecting each vegetable with care.
