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Chapter 485: Chapter 488: Time to Send Someone Away_1
The matters of men and women are delicate by nature, and when compounded by this era’s harsh scrutiny of women, it’s best not to speak carelessly.
"I understand, but I’ve heard that the Huang Family’s shop has closed down now, and I reckon it won’t get any better."
Sister Lan lowered her voice, believing there might be something to this rumor after all.
Sister Lan had encountered a cad, and Huang Zhong had met a shrew; if their fates were to intertwine and form a pair, they would surely cherish each other and grow old together.
Moreover, Huang Zhong already had two sons; whether Hu’s Clan bore children or not was immaterial.
Most importantly, both Aunt and Uncle Huang were kind-hearted people who would certainly not mistreat Hu’s Clan and her three daughters.
Qiao Duo’er made a meaningful glance at Sister Lan, suggesting she too thought there was a chance, but now was not the time to elaborate.
Hu’s Clan had conservative beliefs, and pressuring her without subtlety might be more than she could accept.
Then Hu’s Clan said weakly, "If you keep making wild guesses, I will have to ask you to leave!"
"Sister Lan, mercy! I won’t dare anymore."
Sister Lan immediately surrendered and hurriedly changed the topic to something else.
At that moment, Er Ya, who was hiding near the kitchen doorway, asked softly, "Big Sister, is Huang Zhong the father of Big Dog and Second Dog?"
Da Ya nodded and said, "Er Ya, would you want our mother to remarry?"
"Of course I do. Mother is so kind; she deserves someone to care for her properly, just like Auntie Four and Auntie Chao Lian," Er Ya lisped earnestly.
As for their father, forgive her for always having little attachment to him.
"Then let’s secretly find out more. If Uncle Huang Zhong is a good man, we’ll ask Auntie Four and the others for help."
Da Ya had made her decision as well.
Although she feared a stepfather might not like them, just as Sister Lan said, they would marry off someday. Who then would be there for their mother?
Seeing Auntie Four’s reaction, she probably supported the idea, which meant Huang Zhong must be decent.
Still, they decided it was best to observe the situation a little longer for caution’s sake.
Having settled on their plan, the two girls sneaked away.
Ever since the topic of remarriage came up, Hu’s Clan had felt uncomfortable. Seeing that Qiao Duo and Sister Lan were lost for words, they had no choice but to take their leave.
"Sister Duo’er, did I mess up again today?" Sister Lan asked with a worried frown.
Her heart was in the right place, but she hadn’t considered how her words might damage Hu’s Clan’s reputation.
Reputation is of paramount importance to a woman. A tarnished reputation could even affect Da Ya and Er Ya.
If that happened, she would be overcome with guilt.
Qiao Duo did not stint in giving a thumbs-up, "You did the right thing, although it was a bit early. But it’s also good to let her digest the idea subtly, so she won’t be shocked when Aunt Huang comes proposing."
Anyway, since the last commotion at the Huang Family’s, she had always felt that Huang Zhong’s wife was bound to leave sooner or later.
The Huang Family owned a vegetable shop, slightly wealthier than most but not by much, hardly enough to satisfy the woman’s vanity.
"Then that’s good."
Relieved, Sister Lan was just glad she hadn’t inadvertently caused trouble.
As mealtime approached, Sister Lan said goodbye and headed home, while Qiao Duo took a detour to Chao Lian’s House to give her the portion of her wages that Chao Lian had left with her.
Providing her with the wages now was timely.
Jiang’s Clan certainly wouldn’t prepare a dowry for Chao Lian, who had to rely on herself.
The wages weren’t much, merely one tael and some change, yet to Chao Lian it was a considerable sum, more money than she had ever held.
With this wage, she could even secretly make two sets of winter clothes for Erhu!
