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Chapter 837: Chapter 840: Can Only Help This Far
Seeing Almond’s face light up with a smile again, Qiao Duo’er felt relieved.
After all, it was the traditional preference for sons over daughters that haunted them. As soon as their family faced slight hardships, they thought of selling their daughter.
Selling their daughter could keep the family alive, enable them to find a bride for their son...
This really wasn’t fair to the girls.
Everyone was a child; they all should have been the apple of their parents’ eye.
If the little bun from her dream yesterday had been a girl, she would have offered her the best things in the world.
That included finding her a partner even better and more considerate than Tan Zhenghong.
Once in town, Qiao Duo’er was like a fish in water, with countless places to roam.
Initially, Almond thought her madam had important matters to attend to, so she followed obediently.
But they went from Duo Meifang to the Embroidery Room, and then to the carpenter’s shop, finally visiting Lady Qin and Old lady Bai.
A little thought revealed that her madam was intentionally killing time.
Could it be that Madam was serious this time?
"Madam, it’s unsafe when it gets dark, shouldn’t we head back early?" Almond said timidly, suggesting they return.
According to the older generation’s beliefs, pregnant women should not travel at night, as it could attract unclean things, harmful to both the mother and child.
Qiao Duo’er glanced at the sky and nodded, since she had already visited all the places she wanted to.
After a busy day, they went home for dinner, and it was time to sleep.
Upon opening her eyes, it would be tomorrow, and then she’d decide whether to forgive Tan Zhenghong based on his performance.
This could also count as an explanation to the "little thing" in her belly.
Qiao Duo’er had thought she might encounter Tan Zhenghong out searching for her on the road, or see him anxiously waiting at the door.
But until she stepped into the courtyard, she saw no trace of him.
Qiao Duo’er pouted, thinking Tan Zhenghong had presumed she had nowhere else to go.
If only she had known, she would have stayed at Ling’er’s place for a few days.
Or was the shelf life of the love between her and Tan Zhenghong already over?
There was a notion of the "seven-year itch," but they had been married for less than a year; surely it wasn’t time for that.
No matter the reason, Duo’er had only one conclusion in her heart: indeed, no man was good!
Tan Zhenghong always appeared honest but he had deceived her too.
He always said how much he loved her, yet when she ran away from home for a day, he didn’t seem worried at all.
Qiao Duo’er entered the main hall full of thoughts, only to see Tan Zhenghong setting dishes on the table.
A quick count showed there were already more than ten dishes.
Did Tan Zhenghong really think a table full of dishes could bribe her?
No way!
Although she was truly starving, and although Tan Zhenghong’s cooking looked and smelled delicious, she wasn’t someone without principles.
However, she had to admit her mood was much better now than before; what made a woman fussy was whether the man she cared about cared for her in return.
Being human, after all, none could escape such trivialities.
Seeing this scene, Almond knew she would be superfluous tonight.
She’d better check if there was room for her at Sister Lan’s house; it wouldn’t do to witness something that wasn’t meant for her eyes.
As Almond was leaving, she purposely stumbled on the threshold, having done as much as she could.
The rest was up to Tan Zhenghong. She hoped he’d be strong and quickly extinguish Madam’s fury.
Hearing the noise behind him, Tan Zhenghong turned around and said with deep affection, "Duo’er, happy birthday."
Qiao Duo’er shivered with goosebumps, "What birthday?"
Her birthday was still a few days away, and she had planned to burn some paper money for her progenitor on that day.
