15. The Young Heiress

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In the past, whenever they returned at this time, Precious would be the first to come out to greet them. Today, however, she didn’t even show her face.

“Mother, Ruo Ruo has gone back to her room; she must have fallen asleep, right?” the third daughter-in-law asked uncertainly.

“Asleep?” At these words, Old Liu’s usually loud voice softened considerably.

Under the eaves, Old Jiang, who was washing his hands, paused and turned his head. “If she’s asleep, let her rest a while longer. We’ll call Precious to eat when the time comes.”

“Grandpa, Grandma, I’m already awake.”

Ruo Ruo, who could hear the conversation clearly from outside, opened the door with a bright smile. Following her memory, she walked to the hall’s table and picked up the teapot to pour water for the elders.

“Grandpa, Grandma, why did you come back so late today?”

The clock’s hand was nearly pointing to one o’clock, and even the sun in the middle of the sky had begun to shift.

“Are you hungry?” Old Liu glanced at Precious’s stomach, then turned to the third daughter-in-law. “Suzhen, is the food ready?”

“Mother, it’s done, warming on the stove.”

Wang Xiaocao saw the third sister-in-law enter the kitchen and quickly followed her inside.

After a busy morning, it had been a long time since she had worked so hard. Her stomach was growling loudly. Unfortunately, her mother had also gone to the fields, and since her mother didn’t leave, neither did she or the second sister-in-law’s family. Now, she was so hungry she could eat a whole cow.

Unlike her usual lazy self, she took the initiative to help carry the dishes in the kitchen.

Seeing the sweat on her grandmother’s face, Ruo Ruo couldn’t help but feel sorry. Though they had worked hard all morning, their faces pale, backs nearly unable to straighten, they were still worried about whether she was hungry.

She recalled that among her supplies, there were some potions to improve physical constitution and replenish energy. The Jiang family already owned a pharmaceutical company. When storing supplies, although they mostly kept all sorts of herbs and poisons, they had also stored some potions of this kind.

Looking at the teacup in her hand, Ruo Ruo slightly regretted moving too quickly earlier. She could only wait until after the meal, but it wouldn’t be too late.

“What’s wrong? Did someone bully you?” Old Liu became worried. Precious didn’t answer her directly but instead furrowed her brow. The protective mother hen mode immediately switched on.

“No, no, Grandma. I didn’t even leave the house today. I just worried that you and Grandpa were too tired, your backs barely straightening,” she said, hugging her grandmother tenderly.

Old Liu was comforted by how sensible Precious was. She quickly said, “It’s nothing, nothing. We’re used to the work in the fields. A little rest and we’ll be fine.”

“Grandma, why don’t I go to the fields with you this afternoon? I’m grown now; I can’t not know how to do farm work. Otherwise, people will laugh at me, right?”

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Ruo Ruo thought for a moment, deciding it was a good chance to familiarize herself with their fields.

But Old Liu suddenly became agitated. She looked at the three daughters-in-law with displeasure. “Did you girls gossip in front of my Precious? Otherwise, how could she suddenly want to go to the fields?”

The three sisters-in-law, who had just finished setting the table, looked at their mother-in-law in confusion.

The eldest daughter-in-law reacted quickest, nearly jumping up. “Mother, that’s impossible. We hardly go to the fields ourselves, how could we expect such a thing from the child? Besides, Precious is so adorable, we wouldn’t want to make her work. And she’s too small and fragile for fieldwork!”

The second daughter-in-law shook her head as well, affirming her innocence.

That morning, their mother had already been upset with her. If she were to be wrongly accused again today, she might really go hungry.

The third daughter-in-law shook her head just as quickly but remained the calmest. Among the sisters-in-law, she was the least talkative, gentle and reserved.

Old Liu was anxious for a moment but also realized the daughters-in-law wouldn’t dare say such things.

Ruo Ruo looked at her grandmother with a mix of amusement and helplessness and cast an apologetic glance toward the sisters-in-law who were caught in the crossfire.

“Grandma, no one was gossiping. I just thought that since I’ve graduated now, I should help you as much as I can!”

Hearing this, Old Liu relaxed, relieved that no one was stirring trouble. Yet, looking at her granddaughter’s slender arms and legs, she couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Your intention makes Grandma happy. But with so many people in our family, we don’t need Precious to work in the fields. Just stay home and play when you’re bored. Grandma knows you’re filial, unlike some ungrateful brats who act like their lives depend on going to the fields.”

Ungrateful brat Jiang Dani: “...”

Her grandmother’s favoritism was blatantly obvious, and she somehow got dragged into it.

Exhausted beyond strength, she didn’t even have the energy to retort. Her whole body felt as if filled with lead, aching all over. She just wanted to close her eyes and have a good rest.

As for being teased by Grandma, she suddenly felt that compared to the physical toil, it really wasn’t so bad.

“As for anyone who dares to laugh, I’ll tear their mouth off...” At this, Old Liu’s eyes flashed fiercely. She looked quite formidable, fully expressing her unreasonable protectiveness.

But being so favored, Ruo Ruo thought her grandmother was simply adorable.

“Yes, yes. With Grandma here, I’m not afraid of anything.”

“That’s right,” Old Liu finally sighed in relief.

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After the meal, Ruo Ruo brought the seasoned water to her grandparents, personally watching them drink it all.

“Grandma, I’m going to the town this afternoon. I’ve made plans with Sun Rui to go shopping.” Remembering the issue with the seeds, Ruo Ruo intended to visit the town and had invited her classmate Sun Rui, with whom the original owner had a good relationship.

Old Jiang, feeling a warm sensation in his stomach after drinking the tea, thought it was just from the hot water. Without much thought, he exchanged a glance with his wife and nodded.

“If you’ve made plans, then go. Let Grandma give you some money. Buy whatever you want.”

The child shouldn’t be stuck at home. Old Jiang approved of his granddaughter going out.

He knew his own children well. Though they could be a bit delicate, he understood their hearts—they were just too soft with family. But these past few days, he had seen some improvement. Also, after training with him for several years, she could handle most people.

Old Liu’s reaction was to put down the bowl on the kang table, pucker her lips, and open the chest on the kang. She took out a handkerchief and then ten yuan.

“Take this. If you see any fabric you like, buy some. You tore a lot of your clothes yesterday.”

Mentioning yesterday’s tattered clothes, Old Liu hesitated, looking at her granddaughter.

Though she knew the child wouldn’t lie, something still felt off. But since the child didn’t want to say, she wouldn’t press her.

Ruo Ruo definitely wouldn’t return the money to her grandmother. Pretending not to notice her hesitation, she said, “Grandma, I have money myself, no need to—”

“Are you silly? If Grandma gives it to you, just take it.” Old Liu glanced sideways at her granddaughter and stuffed the money into her hand.

Seeing her grandparents insist, Ruo Ruo didn’t refuse further. Looking at their faded clothes, she thought she could use the money to buy more fabric.

Back in her room, she took out the original owner’s small treasure chest—a heavy, square jewelry box made by her grandfather, locked with a small delicate lock.

Though she knew about it, seeing the bundles of money inside still surprised her.

Counting it, there was a total of two thousand one hundred fifty-seven yuan and thirty-five cents, compensation from her parents and the yearly saved pension.

In an era when ten yuan could feed a whole family, this was a huge sum. Even Ruo Ruo, who had never lacked money, couldn’t help but be impressed.