The Foolish Husband of the Landlord's Family (GL)

Chapter 9: Into the City

Jiang Yuan rose early, as usual, before Lin Kong awoke. The sky was still dim, and the weather was growing colder, hinting at snow. Lin Kong, still deeply asleep, clutched the quilt tightly as if fearing someone might pull it away.

Watching Lin Kong sleep, Jiang Yuan chuckled inwardly at how Lin Kong still guarded herself as if protecting a secret that was already known. After tucking the quilt around her, Jiang Yuan headed out to fetch water for washing, encountering Lin's father in the courtyard, smoking under the tree with a sullen expression. Upon seeing her, his face darkened as if she owed the family a fortune.

Lin's father had managed a decent hunt recently, but had injured his ankle on the way home. With no farm work to distract him, he brooded over various matters. Jiang Yuan, noticing even the typically gentle Lin's mother seemed off, knew something was amiss.

Maintaining a composed demeanor, Jiang Yuan approached. Though she had adapted to the slow pace of ancient life, she hadn't truly integrated into the family.

Lin's mother, noticing her, said, "A'Yuan, don’t deliver grapes to the Liu family anymore. Let them handle their own."

"I already finished yesterday," Jiang Yuan replied, having not only completed the task but also deflected Liu Wangcai’s inquiries about her preservation method with vague remarks about sincerity and luck, knowing superstitions would lead him to experiment with other fruits.

Lin's mother appeared slightly relieved, but Lin's father bluntly scolded, "You’ve tarnished Kong'er's reputation. You’re our family’s child bride; without us, who knows where you’d be."

Slightly mollified after venting, he continued, "Stay home, avoid trouble. Kong'er may not be bright, but she’s not foolish."

Unfamiliar with the rumors, Jiang Yuan listened as Lin's mother explained, learning that gossip accused her of cuckolding Lin Kong.

Jiang Yuan stated flatly, "Don't worry, I won’t betray my husband."

Having never considered romance, especially in this foreign world, the notion of infidelity was absurd.

"Wife, what’s this about a green hat?" Lin Kong entered, having overheard, and touched her head. With winter approaching, Lin's mother had crafted a warm, albeit mottled, hat from fox fur Lin's father had hunted.

Confused, Lin Kong asked, "Mother, my hat’s white, not green. Wife, do you want a hat?"

Jiang Yuan: "..." She had no need for any green hats!

"Kong'er, we weren’t discussing hats. You misheard," Lin's mother said, opting for simplicity over explaining.

She trusted Jiang Yuan’s character, but knew how damaging rumors could be in their village.

"Oh, I see," Lin Kong nodded, then turned to Jiang Yuan, "Wife, when are we going to the city?"

Lin's parents were alarmed, echoing, "Going to the city?"

"I promised my husband we’d sell goods for the New Year," Jiang Yuan explained. "With no farm work, it’s a good time to go."

Noticing how Lin Kong sometimes intuitively understood her intentions, Jiang Yuan had been planning the trip.

"A'Yuan, I know you mean well, but the nearest city, Xuzhou, is a day’s walk. Even hiring transport takes half a day, and we have nothing to sell," Lin's mother worried.