Chapter 60: Unlike You, Tough as Leather

As soon as Jiang Chengyan finished speaking, everyone saw a small head peek out from behind him. Qian and Jiang Yuan, who had been waiting to see a joke, were immediately rooted to the spot in shock.

“Isn’t this girl a bit too young? Chengyan isn’t that young anymore—if his wife is too young, it’s not good for bearing children.” Grandma Jiang was most concerned about Jiang Chengyan’s descendants.

Although there was no imperial throne to inherit in their family, children still had to be born—and preferably a boy!

“Mother, please don’t talk nonsense. Our Yanyan is still young. There’s no rush; let the debt collector wait a few more years,” Zhao said, but then a new idea occurred to her, though she dared not voice it aloud.

In her opinion, Jiang Chengyan was indeed getting old. Wouldn’t it be better to marry her to Cheng’an?

Just as this thought flashed through Zhao’s mind, Jiang Chengyan’s gaze turned dark and shot over, as if he could see straight through her heart.

“Let the women talk amongst themselves. Chengyan, I just heard from Chief Jiang that your wife bought thirty acres of wasteland?” Grandpa Jiang called Jiang’s father, Jiang Chengyan, and Jiang You aside.

Jiang Chengyan sat down by himself, while Bai Yan scurried behind Zhao.

Grandma Jiang’s gaze lingered on Bai Yan, who found it uncomfortable and hid behind Zhao.

Since Zhao had moved in, she had been finding ways to nourish Bai Yan’s health, and in just a short time, Bai Yan’s skin had grown even fairer, her delicate face almost indescribably exquisite.

Jiang Yuan glanced at her own sallow skin, then at Bai Yan’s delicate face. Suddenly, she tugged at Qian’s sleeve and whispered, “Mother, do you think this sister-in-law is a bit of a simpleton? She doesn’t look all that bright, does she?”

Grandma Jiang nodded in agreement nearby. “A woman doesn’t need to be too pretty, but she must be clever.” This girl looked so naïve and innocent.

Seeing that Bai Yan had no interest in the conversation, Zhao found an excuse, “Are you sleepy? Why don’t you go back and rest a bit?”

Bai Yan shook her head, stifled a small yawn, and said tiredly, “We have to go to the fields later, so I won’t sleep.”

Hearing Bai Yan’s words and observing her attitude toward Zhao, Grandma Jiang guessed that this young wife probably didn’t do much work at home.

So, as Bai Yan leaned on Zhao and closed her eyes, Grandma Jiang shuffled forward a step and ordered, “Girl, I brought back some greens from Lin County. Go and sort them out.”

Bai Yan followed her gesture and saw a small basket full of fresh, green spinach. It did look quite fresh.

She didn’t refuse, picked up a small wooden stool, and was about to start sorting the vegetables.

But just as she was about to sit, a slender, strong hand grasped her arm and pulled her up.

Bai Yan, still holding the basket, stood there in confusion.

“Give it to her,” Jiang Chengyan instructed, motioning for Bai Yan to hand the basket away.

Bai Yan glanced around, then stuffed the basket into Jiang Yuan’s arms.

“We spent all the subsidy money to buy that land. We’re heading to the fields. Don’t wait for us for lunch.” With that, he took Bai Yan’s hand and started out, and she hurried to grab her new treasure—a little hoe.

“Big Brother, I’m a guest! Why are you giving me the vegetables?” Jiang Yuan protested, tossing the basket of spinach aside in disgust, not wanting to dirty her clothes.

“Our little darling is delicate, not like you—thick-skinned and tough, fit for hard labor.”

Jiang Yuan: “…” She couldn’t help but curse a blue streak in her heart!