Chapter 15: The Idea

However, plans could never keep up with changes.

Just as Gu Zhuo finished her medicine and was about to return to her room, Yang Xiuzhen walked in from outside.

“Where’s Yinyin?” In her daughter’s home, she never bothered with formalities.

Resigned, Gu Zhuo poured a bowl of cool boiled water for Yang Xiuzhen. “Her aunt took her out to play.”

“You really have a good sister-in-law.” In this weather, even a short walk outside would leave anyone parched. Yang Xiuzhen took a sip of water, then asked, “How’s your health? Do you still have a fever?”

“I just took my medicine.” In truth, she still felt feverish, but Gu Zhuo had no intention of elaborating.

Taking it as a sign that her daughter was almost recovered, Yang Xiuzhen relaxed and turned to her real reason for coming. “Linzi is gone now; have you thought about what to do next?” She didn’t wait for Gu Zhuo to answer before continuing, “Don’t blame me for being anxious, but it’s better to make plans sooner rather than later. I know you and Linzi were close, and I’m not asking you to remarry right away. Lately, many have come to ask about you. I’ve picked out a few with good prospects. You could meet them, and if one suits you, there’s no need to rush. Even if you wait a year or two, no one will say a word.”

“Don’t take this lightly. You have a good reputation, and among those asking, there are some with decent conditions. They don’t mind that you have a daughter—some even said they’d raise Yinyin as their own.”

Gu Zhuo didn’t need to ask to know that the so-called “good prospects” were likely widowers without children or with only daughters.

She pressed her fingers to her brow, not bothering to argue but said directly, “Mom, I’m planning to go to the army.”

In Jiujia Village, many residents were refugees from elsewhere, so the way families addressed each other varied considerably. For instance, Gu Zhuo called Yang Xiuzhen “Mom,” while Xie Ning called Chen Xinwan “Mother.” Others used “Mama” or “Niang,” but the local term for mother was most often “Muma.”

“What are you going to the army for?” Yang Xiuzhen was taken aback, then frowned. “Are you going to collect Linzi’s body?”

The phrase was harsh, and Gu Zhuo was displeased but still nodded.

Yang Xiuzhen deflated like a punctured balloon. She wanted to say that funerals were expensive, that every bit of money spent was less for her daughter. She wanted to suggest saving the cost of the trip and just erecting a cenotaph. She wanted to urge her not to dwell on Linzi, that the dead are gone, and the more she pined for him, the harder it would be on herself...

But deep down, she knew those words were heartless.

When she thought about how Linzi had treated her daughter while alive, she realized she would be callous to say such things.

Yang Xiuzhen’s eyes grew misty. “If you were a son, would you have to suffer like this? With our Qixiu’s abilities, even if his wife died, he’d have no trouble marrying a young maiden again.”

Gu Zhuo: “…” This old topic she’d heard since childhood sounded oddly refreshing today.

“And what about your mother-in-law? Did she say anything? Did she forbid you from remarrying?” Afraid her daughter would start crying with her, Yang Xiuzhen quickly changed the subject.

Why did every conversation circle back to remarriage?

Meanwhile, Chen Xinwan, flustered, hurried to find Aunt Qian and recounted what had happened at dinner, seeking advice. “Help me think of something. If Qixiu really drives us out…”

She was overwhelmed by sorrow at the thought of the dilapidated old house.

Aunt Qian was a bit surprised. Chen Xinwan, this daughter-in-law, had a good reputation outside, but Aunt Qian always thought she was rather foolish. Despite her capabilities and her husband’s support, she let her mother-in-law and brother-in-law take advantage of her, even spending money to send her sister-in-law to school. What good was a reputation if all the benefits went to others?

She hadn’t expected someone like her to be so ruthless as to consider driving out her mother-in-law and brother-in-law.

But given the rumors she’d heard, she could understand. If it had happened to her, she’d drive out not just her mother-in-law and brother-in-law, but even her own mother if she’d nearly killed her child.

“Stop staring into space, help me think of something,” urged Chen Xinwan, nudging her as she saw her lost in thought.

Aunt Qian snapped back, “Qixiu is soft-hearted. Try humbling yourself and saying a few nice words.”

“Do you think I haven’t tried? She just ignores me,” Chen Xinwan said angrily.

So she’s grown a backbone? Aunt Qian was surprised. Reason was on Gu Zhuo’s side, but since she couldn’t benefit from that, she leaned in close to Chen Xinwan and whispered a quick suggestion.

Aunt Qian’s eyes lit up, but then she hesitated. “Will this really work? Don’t be fooled by Qixiu’s mild manner—she never makes a fuss, but when she does, she’s unyielding. If I do as you say, I’ll really be crossing her.”

She’d originally planned, if it came to splitting the household, to shamelessly grab more grain and household goods, knowing Qixiu’s thin skin wouldn’t let her argue. But if she followed Aunt Qian’s advice, it would be a real falling out.

Unless they could truly wrest the house from Qixiu, they shouldn’t expect any benefit at all.

“It’s up to you whether you take my advice. I’ve given you my idea,” Aunt Qian said lightly, never one to push a deal.

To her, it was just worth a try. If it worked, great; if not, she’d lose nothing.

Still, deep down, she doubted it would succeed.

After all, Gu Zhuo was from the Gu family, one of Jiujia Village’s old families. Even if she didn’t fight, her family and the other old families would. The Xie family, on the other hand, was not only outsiders but also small in number.

“Muma, what advice did you give Aunt Chen?” After Chen Xinwan left, Aunt Qian’s son, Shi Zhen, came out from the house.

He’d overheard their conversation from inside.

Aunt Qian replied, “I told her to use the fact that Qixiu has no son to get the Xie family elders to demand the house back.”

Shi Zhen sucked in a sharp breath. “Muma, are you out of your mind? Do you really think Sister Qixiu is easy to bully? She’s been in charge of the work points for years—who’s ever taken advantage of her? And those old folks in the Xie family, not one of them is a pushover. If Aunt Chen goes to them, they’ll eat her alive. Once the Gu family and the old families get involved, if this blows up, do you think you’ll escape unscathed?”

Aunt Qian was unfazed. “I just gave some advice—they can’t do anything to me. If they really bully me, I’m a widow with nothing to lose.”

Shi Zhen wiped the sweat from his brow. “Muma, did you forget I’m about to get married?”

Aunt Qian paused—he was right.

But…

“What’s said is like water spilled; even if I change my tune, Chen Xinwan might not listen.” She was starting to feel anxious.

Shi Zhen gritted his teeth. “I’ll go find Sister Qixiu.”