The Peasant Wife: The Prime Minister's Beloved

In the past, the village chief always acted as if it was none of his business when it came to trivial matters. Even when he learned about Chen Xi and Xie Tianyi's engagement, he just nodded slightly and didn't say a word.

Since he would have to face the villagers' curiosity and suspicion sooner or later, Chen Xi decided to tell them the truth to avoid future troubles.

"In fact, I have mastered some skills in identifying herbs. Recently, I have earned some silver by digging in the back mountain."

The village chief's eyes suddenly lit up when he heard this, as if he had heard some incredible secret. He asked in disbelief, "What? There is such a treasure in the back mountain? I have lived in this village all my life, how come I have never discovered it?"

The ordinary greenery in the back mountain has become the golden key to improving life, which makes the village chief very excited.

He secretly thought that if he could guide the villagers to participate, perhaps the entire Xianghe Village could get out of its predicament.

However, the reality is cruel. Apart from Chen Xi, there is no one else in the village who can accurately identify herbs.

Seeing this, the village chief changed his mind and tried to make a suggestion in a cooperative manner: "Chen Xi, the back mountain is vast and there are many herbs. Your strength is limited after all. Why don't we participate together and share this wealth together?"

While speaking, he tried his best to make his voice sound sincere, but deep down in his heart, the abacus was clattering.

Chen Xi had no objection to the village chief's suggestion. Her tone was calm and frank: "Whatever you want. The back mountain is not my private land. As long as they are willing, they can try it. As for identifying herbs, I have not promised to teach anyone."

After hearing this, the villagers on the ox cart all had flickering eyes and were eager to try. However, as they had no knowledge of herbs, they could only cast expectant glances at the village chief.

The village chief was so smart that he saw through their greed at a glance. He shook his head helplessly and gently hooked his finger, pointing at Chen Xi who was resting with his eyes closed. His gesture seemed to say silently: She doesn't want to teach, and I can't do anything about it. Who made you treat her coldly all the time?

Although Chen Xi closed her eyes, she was aware of everything around her. She just chose to remain silent and remained unmoved.

She was already accustomed to the calculations and schemes of human nature.

Finally, with the ox cart shaking, the outline of Xianghe Village gradually became clear, and Chen Xi walked to the threshold of his home carrying chickens and ducks.

However, what was waiting for her at home was an angry old lady.

Yesterday, Old Mrs. Chen hurriedly called back her eldest and second sons who were working in the town, and even forcefully invited her youngest daughter-in-law to come back from her parents' home.

The two sons looked at each other, and asked their mother in unison with some confusion: "Mom, why did you call us back so urgently today? Is there something urgent at home?"

"Alas, if these two don't step foot into our house, I'm afraid Xuemei and I will lose even our breathing space under this endless oppression."

She sighed, her fingertips gently brushing across the corners of her eyes.

"It's all because of that girl Chen Xi. The old man from the Li family broke into our house and forced me to return the hard-earned money I had accumulated over the years!"

"Chen Xi, this child, actually gave all the hard-earned money of our Chen family to the weak scholar of the Xie family. I heard that just yesterday, she went on a shopping spree in the town and was very glorious. Your mother and I thought it was time to teach her some social skills and remind her not to forget the grace of giving birth to her. Who would have thought that she would leave us outside without even a crack in the door, like a dead leaf in the cold winter wind."

The needlework in Zhou Xuemei's hands tightened and loosened, loosened and tightened again with the ups and downs of her words.

Chen Zhenwu has always been a somewhat foolishly filial son, so naturally he believes whatever his mother says.

Chen Zhenwen, the second son of the Chen family, put down his bowl and chopsticks: "Mom, the few silver coins in our family have always been carefully kept by you, how could Chen Xi have the opportunity to touch even a cent?"

Talking about the experience of being turned away at the Xie family, Chen Zhenwen sighed and said, "You said that the Xie family would not see us, which was expected. After all, we have completely drawn a line between ourselves and Chen Xi, so how could they welcome us to step into their door?"

In the Chen family, only Chen Zhenwen dares to speak out.

Although his wife Zheng Cuihua often followed the footsteps of her mother-in-law and eldest sister-in-law and participated in trivial family disputes, Chen Zhenwen privately disagreed with the practices of his mother and eldest brother and sister-in-law.

The mother was furious when she heard this and she scolded him, "You are still speaking for that girl at this critical moment. Are you really going to turn your elbow outward? Are you trying to make me, as a mother, feel extremely disappointed?"

Seeing this, Chen Zhenwen quickly comforted her: "Mother, I didn't mean to contradict you, I just told you the truth. We have lost contact with Chen Xi, how could she easily help you if you went to her house?"

Seeing her son's firm stance, Old Lady Chen changed the subject and looked at Zheng Cuihua with gentle eyes: "Cuihua, your decision to go back to your parents' home those two days was a wise one. Otherwise, the old man from the Li family brought his son to your house yesterday and made a scene. The house was in chaos and you would have been scared."

"Alas, that ungrateful thing, he became so heartless just a few days after leaving the Chen family! I raised him for so many years in vain. Now that he is gone without his siblings to help, how can he handle the housework?"

"How about this," Zheng Cuihua said at the right time, with a sly look in her eyes, "From now on, the housework will be shared by me and my sister-in-law. My body is getting weaker and weaker, so I will just do the light work. We are planning to have a child recently, so heavy physical work is not suitable for me."

When Old Mrs. Chen heard this, the worry on her face disappeared and she smiled.

Ever since Zheng Cuihua came into the family, she has been looking forward to holding her grandson day and night. Now that this matter is on the agenda, she naturally doesn't want to let the mother of her future grandson overwork herself.

"Then sister-in-law, I'll trouble you to bear more of the burden during this period. When I recover and give birth to the baby, we will share the housework together, without distinction."

Zhou Xuemei had a sneer on her lips. Although her tone was gentle, it was sharp: "Sister-in-law, you are being too polite. It is a great joy to have children for the Chen family. Your body is precious. If something happens to you, how can I, as your sister-in-law, explain it to you?"

The two sisters-in-law appear to be friendly with each other on the surface, but they are actually competing with each other secretly.

Those gossipers in the village made up a story about this matter in a very vivid way.

At this moment, Old Mrs. Chen added fuel to the fire.

"Meat is indispensable for every meal on Chen Xi's table. It is simply full of oil and water, and every meal is rich and delicious! This matter has spread all over the village."

Chen Zhenwu frowned slightly, "Mom, what do you mean by this?"

Old Mrs. Chen had a sly smile on her face. "You two should be smart, especially you, Zhenwen. Keep a close eye on that girl Chen Xi and see what she is doing every day and where that huge sum of money came from."