Volume 1 Chapter 111 The Cousin Came (Part 1)

  A massive ocean liner sails on the vast, monotonous blue sea, where humans are as small as a speck of dust. The seawater displays various shades of deep and light blue, mysterious and powerful, with an unfathomable depth that seems to have no end.

  The ship was huge and sailed very steadily, and Yao Cunhui's party did not get seasick. Along the way, people didn't talk much, and their movements were cautious, as if they were afraid that if they weren't careful, they would be pulled down by the sea at any moment.

  People who have lived on the mainland for a long time, under their feet is solid land, one step at a time, stepping on it, under their feet is solid and steady, in their hearts they feel secure. But now, under their feet is a boat, sailing in the vast ocean without any support, everyone's heart feels insecure, feeling panicked. Looking out at that sea, it seems even more like an endless abyss that can swallow people up at any moment.

  It's a whole new and unsettling feeling, after the initial excitement and thrill have worn off, this uneasy feeling grows stronger with each passing day.

  If this goes on, it's likely that nothing can be done in the Nanyang countries either, and one by one they will all be abandoned! Yao Cunhui gathered everyone together and explained to them the various phenomena and interesting things about the ocean that he knew, which were not many, and constantly guided and strengthened them psychologically. As the days passed, the crowd gradually alleviated their fears, and their eyes also had a few more sparks, no longer looking like they were staring into an abyss.

  About half a month later, the fleet arrived at and anchored in Mocha Island. According to the captain of the leading ship, Mocha is one of the five largest island nations in Southeast Asia, with vast territory, rich products, abundant spices, precious wood, rice, bananas, coconuts and other fruits.

  Moreover, the island's geographical location is important, and it has close and frequent exchanges with other countries in Nanyang. It is also very convenient to come and go. Under the leadership of a guide specially sent by Xie Fu, Yao Cunhui took a walk around the local market, took a look at the local customs, and decided to continue following the fleet with Xiao Xing, Xiao Li, and two male servants, leaving Lin Zhanggu to lead the rest of the people to stay in this place to start work.

  Along the way, Lin and his entourage had unconsciously taken Yao Cunhui as their mainstay in their hearts, with no objections to her arrangements. Moreover, they didn't have to get on the boat again to suffer from fear, which was just what they wanted.

  Yao Cunhui carefully left the smaller gallbladders behind and took the larger ones with her, resulting in a win-win situation.

  Yao Cunhui continued to sail with the fleet, and two days later arrived at the final destination of this voyage, Lüxinda. This place is the central island of the Nanyang Islands, and around it, the islands are scattered in all directions towards the vast ocean, forming a radial pattern. The port is prosperous, the crowd is noisy, the river flows continuously, and various goods flow in and out without interruption. Merchants from all countries can buy the goods they need here.

  Not only Xiao Xing and Xiao Li were amazed, but Yao Cun Hui also exclaimed in admiration.

  This trip was very smooth, and it just so happened that this year is a bumper harvest year. The new grain will be on the market next month, which is more than a month earlier than the summer new grain in Dashan. With this time difference of more than a month, the grain arrived at Dashan slightly earlier than the listing time of the new grain in Dashan!

  Yao Cunhui was overjoyed in her heart, and as long as she could buy the grain smoothly, her task would be perfectly completed! And the Yao family would also escape this disaster!

  With real gold and silver in hand, and with the help of a captain familiar to merchants from various islands in Southeast Asia as an intermediary, Yao Cunhui's business negotiations went very smoothly. As a young woman who came south alone to handle this big matter, she was even more admired by the businessmen who traded with her. After a round of talks, the contract was easily reached, and they were just waiting for the first batch of new grain to arrive before setting off immediately to Shanghai Pudong Port.

  Yao Cunhui was overjoyed, so the purpose of this trip had to be kept secret. She forbade everyone from buying local specialties and souvenirs to bring back, and strictly ordered that after returning, they could not reveal even a hint about their journey to Nanyang. Although everyone felt a little regretful, with the high silver subsidy, they didn't think much of it.

  Everything was ready, and Yao Cunhui and his party couldn't wait to bid farewell to the captain and others, and took another returning boat back to Dashan.

  After returning to Jinling, Lin Zhang led his men and Ya Cunhui's handwritten letter back to Beijing to report to Mr. Yao, and they had already discussed the matters in advance; Ya Cunhui stayed for a few more days, first to accompany Ya Cun Jia, and secondly, she had to wait until there was some progress on the Huxiang side before setting off, as this concerned the future of the Yao family, and she couldn't be careless.

  It seems she won't be back in Beijing until after Mid-Autumn Festival.

  Yao Cunhui had not yet arrived at the Xie residence, when another group of relatives came to visit: Mrs. Xie's sister-in-law Jiang Shi and her niece Xu Wantong.

  This is Xu Wanzhu, who was highly favored by Mrs. Xie and originally wanted to marry her as his own daughter-in-law.

  Xu Wantong had been following her parents to the Xie family since she was a child, and she was also very familiar with Xie Fu Yun. From childhood to adulthood, there wasn't a single man who could surpass Xie Fu Yun in her eyes. Her heart had long been tied to Xie Fu Yun, and with her parents and Mrs. Xie having intentions, Xu Wantong secretly rejoiced and became even more determined about Xie Fu Yun.

  She didn't want to, but later a legitimate eldest daughter of the Yao family suddenly appeared out of thin air. This was decided by the elders, and Mrs. Xie couldn't argue with her mother-in-law, so she had no choice but to agree. At that time, Xu Wanting was still young, but she cried like a ghost, refused to eat, and shouted that she must be Yun Tuo's bride.

  Mrs. Xie couldn't bear to part with her, and subtly revealed the meaning of Ping's wife. Mr. and Mrs. Xu and Xu Wanting were overjoyed when they heard it. Ping's wife didn't distinguish between old and young, but one was a stranger from afar, and the other was a niece she had known since childhood, so it goes without saying who was closer and more familiar.

  In other words, Xu Wanting will absolutely not be the one who ends up suffering a loss in the future!

  Xu Wantong grew up a bit, and Jiang even secretly told Xu Wantong: "Just treat her as a concubine! Be magnanimous and don't bother to calculate with her!"

  Xu Wantong thought about it and felt that she was the legitimate wife, so she should be in charge of managing the household. As for Yao Shi, wasn't she equivalent to a concubine? With this thought, Xu Wantong's heart felt even more at ease, and she couldn't wait for Yao Shi to enter the house, so that she herself could also enter.

  Yao Cun Jia was arranged by Xie's elder generation. When entering the house, she must be earlier than him, and no one can change this.

  Xu Wantong was expecting Yao Cun Jia's jokes, but unexpectedly after Yao Cun Jia married into the Xie family, she and her husband were deeply in love. Her informants reported that: The master smiles all day with his eyebrows curved, doting on the madam to an extreme degree, even the two concubines from before were chased away to a side courtyard and not allowed to come out, only favoring the madam alone! It's also said that he even helps the madam adorn her hair and paint her eyebrows.

  Xu Wantong felt heartbroken, as if her heart was being clawed by five sharp claws. At home, she was so anxious that she couldn't sit still, secretly resenting her cousin for not being "faithful", and hating Yao Cun Jia for bewitching her cousin with his charming words. She also silently blamed her aunt for not helping her to scold and reprimand, wishing she could immediately go to the Xie family to see for herself.

  The other family has just gotten married, how can the Xus let her go at this time? Isn't this going to make it difficult for Mrs. Xie? After all, the relationship between the two families is still here, and besides, if the Xie family servants who know the inside story see this, it won't look good, it's like our own daughter rushing to get there in a hurry.

  Madam Jiang couldn't help but persuade her with kind words and ordered the maids to keep a close eye on the young lady, not allowing her to have any wild thoughts.

  Xu Wantong had no choice but to be patient and wait, urging her parents every day to hurry up and discuss the matter of marrying her off with her aunt.

  Unexpectedly, just over two months later, news came from the Xie family that Yao Cun Jia was pregnant!

  Xu Wantong was taken aback, her face sinking as she turned back to her room and wept bitterly on her pillow. Mr. and Mrs. Xu were also frightened out of their wits.

  Everyone on that side is pregnant. If a son is born, it will be the eldest son of the Xie family. The mother relies on her child to gain status, and Yao's identity cannot be shaken by anything!

  Even if she wasn't born as a son, with Madam Yao treating her so well, it's likely that even her sister and brother-in-law would look at her differently. In this case, wouldn't her own daughter be considered much lighter in importance?

  Mr. and Mrs. Xu couldn't sit still anymore, so they sent a suitable family member to the Xie's house to congratulate them on their good fortune, and also subtly mentioned the matter of marrying Xu Wanting to Mrs. Xie. Unexpectedly, the family member returned with news that Madame seemed somewhat unclear in her attitude, only giving ambiguous responses and refusing to give a clear answer, which made Mr. and Mrs. Xu even more anxious.

  Just then, Xu Wanting overheard this and became even more furious, clamoring to go to the Xie family to ask her aunt in person, and also to meet that shameless Yao Shi, to see if she really had three heads and six arms!

  Mr. and Mrs. Xu naturally wouldn't agree, and Mr. Xu was so annoyed that he scolded his daughter. The other family had just received the good news, and they rushed over to see what was going on. Is this the kind of behavior a young lady should have? This is clearly making fools of themselves in front of others!

  How could Xu Wantong care about these things? With a huff of indignation in her heart, she secretly harbored the idea of sneaking out of the house on her own. After waiting for more than a month, she finally got her chance. She only brought a personal maid named Taoer, changed into servant's clothes, and quietly slipped out of the door.

  It was also her bad luck that she was discovered by the Xus as soon as she walked out of the door and hadn't even left the alley, and was caught back.

  Mr. and Mrs. Xu were so angry that they couldn't speak, Tao'er was beaten half to death with a board, driven away and not allowed to serve Miss again, Xu Wanting was punished to kneel for a night in the ancestral hall.

  Xu Wantong still refused to give up, crying and saying that if she wasn't allowed to go to the Xie's house to ask and see clearly, she would rather die!

  Jiang was heartbroken for his daughter, and as a woman, she was also very sensitive to the thoughts of others. She felt that Xie's attitude was suspicious and decided to test him out, so she stood on her daughter's side and persuaded her husband.

  Mr. Xu was so nagged by the mother and daughter that he had to stamp his foot in agreement. Before leaving, he repeatedly instructed: be careful not to cause any trouble!

  The mother and daughter agreed, hastily packed up their luggage, and set off for the Xie family with their servants.

  When they arrived at Xie's house, Yao Cunhui had just returned from Shanghai by sea.

  Xu's mother and daughter suddenly visited, Mrs. Xie was shocked, and her heart couldn't help but become a little flustered.