Free Web NovelChapter 361: Chapter 143: Regretted (Part 2)
Xu Su Ying also smiled warmly and said, "Whether it’s our son who becomes a Scholar or our son-in-law, we’re happy either way. Today, Chen Song and I are treating everyone to a feast. The cooks will be in the village shortly, so everyone come join the fun."
She then politely said to the two Mr. Zhaos, "You two mustn’t be upset with my husband and me for not discussing this with you beforehand. We were simply overjoyed. If we don’t spend some silver, we won’t be able to contain our excitement."
"Oh, we couldn’t possibly impose."
"That’s right. We can’t let you go to such an expense."
"If you’ll forgive my bluntness, he’s our family’s child. If Chen Song and I don’t spend the money, who will?"
"Hahaha, alright then! We’ll take you up on your offer this time..."
De’an, putting on a grown-up air, walked into the crowd of Zhaos and started joking around with boys his age. Whatever he said, soon they had their arms around each other’s shoulders, letting out boisterous, rowdy laughs.
After a few more pleasantries, the crowd dispersed.
The men of the Zhao Family went to the ancestral graves, while the women prepared to head to Zhao Jing’s house first.
They hadn’t gone far when the cooks Chen Song and Xu Su Ying had hired arrived in a train of carts.
One of the head cooks called out loudly, "Is this the Zhao Village? The couple Chen Song hired us to cater a feast. Is this the big scholar tree at the village entrance? Can we set up the tables over there?"
"Yes, that’s fine!"
So, the Zhao women abandoned their plans to go to Zhao Jing’s house and hurried over to help.
Some tried to carry a table, others to peel a clove of garlic. But in truth, the professional cooks had already done all the prep work and didn’t need them to organize anything. The villagers were just so happy they wanted to find something to do, a way to channel their festive spirit.
Chen Wanqing stayed behind as well, busying herself with the other aunts and ladies. The scene was bustling with excitement, and peals of thunderous laughter rang out one after another.
In the midst of their chatter and laughter, a few of them spotted a horse-drawn carriage approaching from the intersection.
The carriage was quite elaborate.
For one, it had a proper enclosed cabin, which looked rather respectable. For another, the horse pulling it was exceptionally spirited.
In the countryside, where carts were usually pulled by oxen, donkeys, or mules, the appearance of a horse was bound to draw attention. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm
Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Chen Wanyue emerged from the cabin.
She was dressed head to toe in fine silks and satins, with a gold hairpin in her hair, a gold bracelet on her wrist, and two glittering gold rings on her fingers.
She stepped down from the carriage and, covering her nose and mouth in an affected manner, approached the crowd.
A member of the Zhao clan nudged another, whispering to Chen Wanqing, "Your cousin has really become something else, hasn’t she?"
"She married into the Shi Family, the ones who sell coffins, and now she’s just as caustic as they are. The things she says are just awful." frёewebηovel.cѳm
"Fish swim with fish, shrimp with shrimp, and a turtle finds its... mate. The one she found is worse than a common scoundrel."
"That’s enough out of you. She’s still Wanqing’s cousin, after all."
"Do you think she treats Wanqing like a cousin? She wrecked Wanqing’s maiden family, so much so that Chen Song and his wife cut ties with them in anger. Hmph. She hasn’t been back to our village once since she got married. Why do you think she’s back now?"
When no one answered, the aunt said sarcastically, "She’s definitely here to stir up trouble for Wanqing and Jing. Don’t you all say a word. Watch me handle her."
Chen Wanqing wanted to hold the aunt back and tell her not to get angry. It wouldn’t be worth it if she let Chen Wanyue provoke her into getting sick.
But the aunt was already fuming. She wiped her hands on her clothes, took a large stride, and stepped past Chen Wanqing.
"Well now, if it isn’t Wanyue! Haven’t seen you back home in a hundred years. Did you come all this way to offer congratulations, hearing your cousin and brother-in-law have good news? But you came empty-handed? Not even a little gift? Is that proper?"
Chen Wanyue was hit with a barrage of taunts before she could even open her mouth. The term "brother-in-law" was particularly sarcastic, all but shouting a reminder: ’You, Chen Wanyue, broke your engagement and refused to marry Jing. Now that Jing is successful, you wouldn’t be regretting it, would you?’
The words were sickening, and Chen Wanyue’s face instantly turned pale.
To be honest, she did regret it.
’When Zhao Jing passed the county exam, I regretted it madly, so much that I wished my guts would turn green with regret.’
’But what was done was done. Regret was useless, so I could only vent my frustration, remorse, and the pain of being mocked by fate on the Chen family.’
’Still, I had clung to a sliver of hope that Zhao Jing was only outstanding among the youths of his age, and wouldn’t be worth mentioning when compared to others.’
’Of course, that hope had been shattered too.’
’Day after day, I had waited for news of Zhao Jing failing his exams. But what ultimately arrived was the news that Zhao Jing had become a Scholar, achieved a "triple first," and even caught the eye of the Lord Prefect.’
