Chapter 129: Can’t Open the Mouth

Translator: 549690339

Xiao Xi hurriedly returned from The City after her shopping; it didn’t take much time because she was mainly worried about Miss being home alone. What if she stumbled or bumped into something without Xiao Xi to look after her? Now that Uncle doesn’t know about Miss being pregnant, he might not take extra care of her. It was more appropriate for her to go back and take care of things herself. After the previous encounter with bandits, Xiao Xi dared not take any chances.

Although Xiao Xi was in a hurry, she still managed to get everything needed; her efficiency was impeccable. In addition to the household necessities, she also bought a lot of vegetables, fruits, and meats intended for boosting Su Wenyue’s health.

When Han Yu saw Xiao Xi bringing back so many things, especially the abundance of food, he thought Su Wenyue hadn’t eaten well lately and was now really hungry. Now that he could manage his own household, he wanted to eat his fill to make up for it. Feeling somewhat guilty, he realized that he had gone hunting in the mountain less often lately, meaning there was less roasted meat to bring to his daughter-in-law. He immediately decided that before enlisting, he needed to go to the mountain more often, hunt more prey, whether to stew for his daughter-in-law or sell for extra money. He planned to save up so he could move his daughter-in-law into The City soon, where he could look after her himself. Of course, Han Yu wouldn’t admit that he couldn’t bear to be apart from his wife for too long.

However, even though Han Yu had these plans, he never mentioned his thoughts to Su Wenyue. He planned to surprise her later on, and besides, things weren’t completely settled yet. He didn’t want to tell his wife now only to disappoint her later if things didn’t work out.

Both members of the young couple had their plans and their little secrets, but Han Yu’s cultivation was higher and he didn’t reveal a bit of it, while Su Wenyue let some signs show. However, since Han Yu was young and not quite understanding of certain matters concerning women, he hadn’t guessed what was really going on.

After the division of the family, everything was separated, except the Kitchen, which remained singular. Even if another was constructed, it wouldn’t be ready soon, so they had to share for the time being, taking turns as one family finished before the next one began.

Xiao Xi didn’t have the patience to wait forever, especially since she had bought kitchenware in The City that day. She set up a temporary stove behind the messy Room where she stayed, which would make it convenient to stew nourishing soups for Su Wenyue without always having to go to the Kitchen. Besides being inconvenient, using the Kitchen too often would prompt some people to gossip.

The Room Xiao Xi was now residing in did not originally belong to the Fourth House. Su Wenyue and Han Yu had traded one acre of land for it, and now it was also a part of the Fourth House’s property. From now on, Xiao Xi could live there without having to listen to idle talk.

The dinner that night was particularly sumptuous; there was a celebratory feel to it, with fish and meat, and several seasonal dishes. Xiao Xi’s culinary skills, honed under Su Wenyue’s guidance, were quite good. The meal was made without skimping on ingredients or hesitating to use oil and salt, resulting in a feast that tantalized the taste buds.

Though the household had been divided, they still lived in their original Rooms. Being in proximity to each other, Su Wenyue and her family couldn’t just eat alone. To show her virtue and to let Han Yu see her generosity, Su Wenyue prepared two big bowls, filled with Pig’s Trotters, to send to the Main House and the Second House. As for the Third House, Su Wenyue ignored them completely. Those two scumbags? Not inviting them to the feast was already merciful on her part, let alone expecting to eat meat—heh, dream on!

Han Yu saw Su Wenyue’s actions and a doting smile appeared on his lips. His wife was indeed ‘bad’ in a charming way. Of course, Han Yu remembered everything his wife did and sacrificed for him, keeping it close to his heart.

“Xiao Xi, take one bowl over to the Second Sister-in-law, and bring this as well.” Su Wenyue said as she took a Paper bag from the cupboard, which contained Cakes Xiao Xi had specifically brought back for her, asking her to deliver it to the children as well.

The bowl meant for the Main House was Su Wenyue’s personal errand. When she went over there, their meal was also ready, still the usual dishes; however, fewer people were present, and the dishes were smaller in quantity. It was just a plate of Pickles and a plate of Green vegetables with hardly a trace of oil. Su Wenyue would have lost all appetite upon seeing it.

Mrs. Liu’s face lit up with a broad smile when she saw Su Wenyue coming over with the bowl, overflowing with warmth.

“Fourth Daughter-in-law, you’re here. What’s this?” Mrs. Liu knowingly asked while eyeing the brightly colored and aromatic Braised pork knuckles, almost drooling. Noticing the difference in their lifestyles—what the Fourth House was eating versus her own—she felt the disparity was vast. However, Mrs. Liu wouldn’t act like before, deliberately wasting Oil and Rice, since after the division, everything belonged to her own household, and saving it meant saving for herself.

“Today Xiao Xi went to The City and brought back Pig’s Trotters. I’ve just made these Braised pork knuckles and specially brought them over to add to your meal,” Su Wenyue said with a smile, glancing at Mrs. Yang sitting there silent with a stern face. Was she still angry?

“Mother, try the Pork’s Trotters and see if you like them. I made them specifically to suit your taste. If you like it, I’ll often make it and bring some over,” Su Wenyue continued cheerfully, seemingly oblivious to Mrs. Yang’s anger.

Mrs. Yang felt uncomfortable whenever she saw Su Wenyue. The whole reason behind the family division started because of the youngest daughter-in-law. If not for her, they’d still be sitting together happily for meals, not like the current desolate state!

Although Mrs. Yang often complained about having more people meant more troubles, she actually enjoyed it. Now the sudden division made it hard for her to adapt. Seeing the youngest daughter-in-law, she refrained from saying anything unpleasant, choosing instead to withhold her approval to let her know of her discontent. However, meeting her daughter-in-law’s continuously smiling face, Mrs. Yang felt her resolve deflating.

“This heartless girl, truly raised in the secluded chambers of a Wealthy Family, with no worries at all!” Mrs. Yang inwardly sighed, thinking a few more persuasions might have granted her the satisfaction of saving face.

But Su Wenyue clearly wasn’t attuned enough to Mrs. Yang’s desires, persuading her twice before giving up upon seeing Mrs. Yang maintain her mother-in-law demeanor. At that moment, however, Han Jincai, their father-in-law, returned from his stroll, relishing the scent of the Braised pork knuckles at first sniff. Without any prompting from Su Wenyue, he eagerly picked up a piece with chopsticks, praising its deliciousness.

“Fourth Daughter-in-law, your culinary skills have improved greatly! This is delicious, truly delicious. This is the first time I’ve tasted such delicious pork knuckles. This is braised, isn’t it? From now on, make all pork knuckles this way! Eldest Daughter-in-law, you should learn this too. These Braised pork knuckles make the best drinking dish.” Old Man Han usually didn’t dare to provoke his old lady, directly instructing Mrs. Liu as he spoke.

Which utterly frustrated Mrs. Yang. How could this hopeless Old man be such a glutton! She was craving it too but somehow just couldn’t bring herself to ask; her face grew even longer.