The Formidable Lady of the Poor Scholar’s Household

Chapter 5: A Woman in the Shi Family

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Not long after Auntie Wan left, Shi Jinhua returned carrying a small cabbage in his hand and lugging a hoe on his shoulder. With his attire, he looked very much like a real farmer.

When he entered the house, he saw Qian Sishui, who was resting with her eyes closed. Thinking that Qian Sishui was asleep, he consciously lightened his footsteps.

Seeing the temperature drop as the sun set, he was afraid that Qian Sishui would catch a cold. He wondered if he should wake her up and let her go back to her room to rest.

“Miss Qian? Miss Qian?” His voice was soft.

“Yeah,” Qian Sishui replied.

“The temperature’s going down. Go back to your room and rest. I’m afraid you might catch a cold.”

Qian Sishui wanted to stand up, but she was too weak to move. When Shi Jinhua saw this, he said, “Don’t mind me.”

He simply did not have any extra money to spare if she were to catch a cold.

His movements were gentle, and his face was red as he carried his wife into the house.

“Rest for a while. I’ll go cook.” As he spoke, he ran out.

Even after entering the kitchen, he was still in a daze. The firewood had nearly fallen out, and he was so frightened that he hurriedly shoved it back in.

Afraid that Qian Sishui would be cold at night, he warmed up the bed. He then carried the food over for the young lady on the bed. Qian Sishui attempted to lift the bowl, but her hands were still weak and she couldn’t do so.

Her eyes glimmered with a killing intent all of a sudden! Shi Jinhua was so frightened that he trembled.

“I’ll feed you.”

The young man then carefully blew on the bowl of warm rice porridge as he gently fed it to his wife.

Qian Sishui had never experienced being taken care of like this before. She felt a little awkward, but she cooperated and opened her mouth to eat.

After feeding her a bowl, Shi Jinhua asked, “Do you want more?”

He was the youngest in the family and had never taken care of anyone. So that was how it felt. It felt pretty good.

Qian Sishui shook her head and thought to herself: His cooking actually tastes good.

Seeing that Qian Sishui really did not need any more, Shi Jinhua picked up his meal and started eating. His movements were gentle, and neither fast nor slow. He didn’t even make a sound while eating. Even the simple dishes gave off a calm and elegant feeling when he ate.

His pair of peach blossom eyes that were filled with love and laughter was particularly irresistible.

After eating and cleaning up, Shi Jinhua came in with a basin of water. “Let me help you wipe your hands.”

Qian Sishui wanted to raise her hand, but it fell limply once again.

Shi Jinhua helplessly said, “Don’t mind me.”

Then, he held the young lady’s hand and carefully wiped it. Then, he washed her face before quickly escaping the room.

Not long after, he entered once again with a basin of water. “I’ll wash your feet.”

Girls liked to be clean. Qian Sishui probably wanted to wash up after not washing for a few days.

“Ok.”

Qian Sishui did not feel burdened at all. She did not understand that the feet of women living in the olden days could only be touched by their husbands.

It made Shi Jinhua nervous. When Qian Sishui’s small feet were exposed in his palms, he felt like he was in a dream.

This time, he really fled. Qian Sishui lay down and heard the sound of Shi Jinhua falling in the courtyard. She was confused.

After a long time, Shi Jinhua walked in. “Since you’re awake, I’ll sleep in the room next door. Call me if you need anything.” As he spoke, he quickly ran into the room next door, shutting the door behind him and picking up his book without looking back.

The book was flipped upside down, yet he was oblivious to it, even flipping through it subconsciously. His mind was filled with that pair of feet. He had to close his eyes and recite mantras several times before he could fall asleep.

Qian Sishui had a good night’s sleep after taking the medicine. Meanwhile, Shi Jinhua, who was next door, dreamed of her feet the entire night. When he woke up the next morning, his legs were a little weak.

After a few days, Qian Sishui could finally walk with her some assistance.

Every day, Shi Jinhua would leave the house early yet return late. He would never forget to feed his wife a boiled egg with her medicine on time, but he never dared to spend too much time with her.

On this day, Qian Sishui walked to the entrance and stared at the endless corn fields in the distance. Shi Jinhua’s family lived at the edge of the village.

Most of the people in this village did not know each other, recognizing only their immediate neighbors. When the villagers suddenly saw a woman appear in Shi Jinhua’s house, they were very curious, especially because of Qian Sishui’s cold temperament. In spite of their curiosity, no one dared to approach her.

“When did the Shi Family welcome a woman? Why haven’t I heard of her?”

“He probably bought one from the government office. I saw him coming back with a cart not long ago when it was dark.”

“No way! This girl’s aura is different from ours. How could the Shi family be so lucky to have met such a beautiful woman?”

“Hua’s not bad-looking either! If not for his parents’ early death, many girls would have wanted to marry into the Shi family!”

“That’s true. I heard that when I was studying in the academy, the young lady from the Headmaster’s family took a fancy to him. I don’t know why nothing came out of that.”

“Well, she was pampered growing up. How could she come here to suffer?”

The group of people looked at Qian Sishui from afar and discussed animatedly about woman, but they did not dare to go forward to greet her.

At this moment, Auntie Wan pushed open her door and came out. “Aiya, Sishui, why are you out? Are you feeling much better?”

The young man glanced at Auntie Wan and nodded. Then, she turned around and held the door frame as she entered the courtyard.

When everyone saw the main character of the discussion enter the house, they surrounded Auntie Wan.

“Sister Wan, who is this girl?” She was quite pretty.

“Hua’s wife,” Auntie Wan replied with a smile.

“Really? This is too sudden. I can’t believe it!”

Another woman nudged the woman who spoke. “What does it matter if you can’t believe it? As long as Hua can.”

“Sister Lan, you can’t say that. Isn’t there going to be a banquet? She just moved in without holding a banquet. That mans she’s not legitimate!” The woman who was nudged said disapprovingly.

Sister Lan replied, “Let’s see what Sister Wan has to say.”

Auntie Wan glanced at the people around her. “It’s not like you don’t know what’s going on in Hua’s family. Miss Sishui is also alone and doesn’t have any elders in her family. It’s fine even if it’s simple. The couple is leading their lives and there’s a marriage certificate. Why isn’t it legitimate?”

“You’re right. Sigh, if his parents had lived a few more years, it wouldn’t have ended up like this.”

“Widow Yao doesn’t know yet. If she did, she would probably cry to death. Haha…” Another newly married wife gloated.

“Widow Yao crying herself to death? I reckon all the unmarried girls around here will be secretly crying.”

The group of people hooted. The more they chatted, the more outrageous it became. Auntie Wan reminded them, “Don’t spout nonsense in the future. Everyone knows that Hua and his wife are living harmoniously. He’s a decent person. Sishui has a cold personality, but she looks like a smart girl. She doesn’t talk much. You guys have to help them out more in the future. They have to live no matter what, right?”

“Of course. We’re all from the same village. If there are any problems, just let me know. How could I not help?”

Qian Sishui lay on the recliner in the courtyard and listened to the conversation outside. Her heart was exceptionally calm. She hadn’t realized just how easy her life could be if she didn’t think about killing people every day.

Shi Jinhua was rushed back as the sun was set past the horizon in the west. He was holding pork in one hand and noodles in the other. When he entered the house, he saw his wife in the courtyard. He said in a relaxed tone, “Let’s eat pork stewed with vermicelli tonight. You haven’t tried that, right?”

Qian Sishui blinked her eyes open to look at the man who was glowing under the setting sun. “Yes.”

Indeed, she had never eaten that before. This family did not seem to be rich, but they were not so poor that they could not afford to eat. She could only say that they were doing just well enough to feed themselves.

“Today, I made 60 copper coins from copying books. I spent 20 copper coins to get the pork,” Shi Jinhua said from the kitchen.

“Ok.”

You could earn money by copying books? After thinking for a while, she realized that the original owner of this body could write!

“I’ll copy too.” Qian Sishui turned her head to look at the busy man in the kitchen.

“What?”

Shi Jinhua was confused. Did she really mean what he thought she did?