The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family-Chapter 48 - Eldest Grandson Seeks Forgiveness_1

Lady Fang watched him, waiting for him to state his purpose.

They had already moved into the cave to live, and no matter what happened, she would not agree to let them dictate their daughters’ marriages again.

Seeing that everyone was staring at him in silence, Pei Wenli bowed again, “Second Aunt!

Sister Daya!

I have always been studying in the town’s schoolhouse; no one has informed me about family affairs.

Only today did I return and hear about Sister Daya and that Qian Dog issue.

It’s all my fault!

Had I known earlier, I would have never allowed Qian Dog’s family to come and consider Sister Daya!

Nor would I have let Sister Daya marry Qian Dog to take that so-called bride price of two acres of land.”

Lady Fang and San Ya both looked on in disbelief.

Si Ya actually thought that the dowry of two acres of land would allow them, a few women, to live a life where they could eat their fill.

After the disruption, she had some complaints.

Seeing him come to offer an apology, she tugged at Lady Fang.

Living in that cave was no solution at all; they couldn’t even drink a bowl of hot soup.

When it snowed, it was simply impossible to live in the mountains!

There would be wolves and blind bears coming down the mountain!

“Eldest son…” Lady Fang saw that he had actually come to apologize and hesitated, not knowing whether to forgive him or not.

Every winter, wolves would come down the mountain to eat chickens, ducks, and sheep, and wild pigs would come down to wreak havoc on the crops.

It really was not safe for them, a few women and children, to live up in the mountains.

Pei Qin let out a snort, looking at Pei Wenli with a trace of scorn.

His parents had played the villains, and now he was playing the good person.

Pei Wenli said with some heartache, “My mother, a woman of shallow insight, committed this act in a moment of confusion.

The primary cause was my fault for going away to take the exams after the new year.

I have specifically come here to apologize to Second Aunt and Sister Daya!

Please come back home!” He bowed deeply and did not rise.

“What was said the day before yesterday?” Pei Qin looked back at Lady Chen, not far behind, her expression grim.

Lady Chen’s heart clenched with hatred.

Her outstanding son, a scholar, and future Scholar, was actually paying respects and begging forgiveness to these lowly miscreants, imploring them to return home!

Seeing Pei Qin looking at her, she could hardly bear not to rush up and tear her apart.

If it weren’t for this despicable girl, she wouldn’t have lost so much face.

And to think she had the nerve not to go back and made her precious son beg them.

Pei Wenli stood up, glanced at Lady Chen, and said to Pei Qin, “Sister Daya!

My mother has been foolish, but it’ll never happen again!

You’re only fourteen this year and will be just fifteen next year; there’s no need to rush into a marriage.

After I pass the exams with high marks next year, you, Wenlee, San Ya, Si Ya, will all be young ladies of the Pei family, and suitors will beat a path to our door.

You’ll be free to choose whoever you like!”

Pei Qin scoffed.

His sister was Wenlee, but when it came to them, they were just Daya, San Ya, Si Ya.

She was not the same dull Pei Qin as before and could see right through his tactics.

“Sister Daya!?” Pei Wenli called her, looking at her furrowed brow and his own face full of earnest pleading, “I also only found out upon my return that you had all gone up the mountain.

Such a dangerous place, how could it be fit for human habitation!?

A gentleman’s word, as fast as a steed.

After I pass the exams next year, I will find a good marriage match for you!”

Pei Qin made an acknowledging noise, “Better than home!” She signaled to Lady Fang and the others to pick up their belongings and head up the mountain.

Lady Zhu saw her actually intending to leave and came up with a darkened face, “You wretched girl!

The eldest son has already apologized to you, what more do you want!?”

“All right!

We forgive you!” Pei Qin shrugged her shoulders.

Lady Zhu choked for a moment, then furiously said, “Then what are you waiting for, not hurrying back home!?

You actually force the scholar, your eldest brother, to lose face by apologizing to you, you’re really getting above yourselves!”

Pei Qin stopped and looked at her, “Do you know why some people have to apologize and ask for forgiveness?

It’s because they’ve made a mistake!

And when you’ve made a mistake, naturally you have to apologize and ask for forgiveness!

What’s wrong with that?!”

Lady Zhu’s face darkened instantly, and she wanted to scold Pei Qin as she pointed at her.

However, when she saw what Lady Fang and San Ya and Si Ya were carrying, and the fact they had come to call a few people back home, she thought about how the whole village would be talking about it in two days.

If it spread further, it would affect her eldest grandson’s future.

She did not want to invite this little wench back home!

Pei Wenli’s expression also stiffened, “Sister Daya is right!

Today I come on behalf of my mother to apologize!

Please forgive us!

And please come back home!

It’s really no place for people to live on the mountain!”

Pei Qin called out to Lady Fang, “Let’s go!”

“Qinqin?” Seeing her stubborn look, Lady Fang didn’t know whether to embarrass her in front of everyone.

San Ya held tightly onto the things and hurried after Pei Qin, walking quickly with her head down.

Si Ya came up to pull Pei Qin, “Eldest sister!” Their big brother had come to ask for them; they should hurry and take this chance to go home!

That cave was really not fit for a long stay!

Lady Fang wanted to persuade her, but seeing Pei Qin determined to leave, and thinking about the things they had just bought, she followed Pei Qin.

“You dead girl, stop where you are!

You can still get up now!” Lady Zhu yelled and cursed.

Pei Wenli hurried to stop Lady Zhu and came forward to request again, “Sister Daya!

What will it take for you to forgive my mother!?

Forgive me!?”

Forgiving them was not of interest to Pei Qin.

She was thinking about hurrying back to dig up bamboo shoots and slaughter the wild chicken to have meat to eat.

Lady Chen also looked at what they were carrying, clenched her teeth, and came up to say to Lady Fang, “Sister-in-law, the marriage arrangement with Qian Dog’s family was my oversight.

In the future, when it comes to discussing marriage, you make your own decisions.

I won’t impose any more!

You all should go back home!”

Pei Qin curled her lips, glanced at her, then at Lady Zhu, “No one home to do the chores?

No one to cook?

No one to sweep the yard, feed the pig?

No one to pick the corn?

No one to wash the clothes?

No one to boss around?”

Both Lady Chen and Lady Zhu’s faces grew grim and ugly.

Indeed, these past two days, that’s exactly how it had been.

Without Lady Fang and the others, all the household work had fallen on their shoulders, and Pei Wenlee was unwilling to help, fearing her hands would get rough and spoil her chances of a good marriage.

Pei Qin waved her hand at Pei Wenli, “Forgive you!

So don’t come looking for us again!” She didn’t want to resent anyone, it would just affect her mood!

“Sister Daya!

Since you’ve forgiven us, why won’t you come back home!?” Pei Wenli called out, also invoking their aunt.

“Oh!

I’m supposed to go back home just because I’ve forgiven you?

Where’s the logic in that?

Who set such a rule?

I rather enjoy living on the mountain, where I don’t have to see anyone’s face, not fill my stomach with food, or finish my chores only to do someone else’s like an overworked servant!” Pei Qin rolled her eyes and signaled Lady Fang and the others to keep walking.

Lady Fang, hearing what she said, had no choice but to follow her up the mountain.

“Aunt!

Sister Daya!” Pei Wenli lifted his robe and knelt down straightaway.

“Dalang…”