I'll Raise Pigs to Support You - Chapter 19

Aunt Li lived at the foot of a small earthen slope, neighboring Song Yugui’s home.

She had once lost a baby girl. If that child had lived, she would have been the same age as Shen Xizhi. For this reason, Aunt Li felt deep pity for the young girl’s tragic circumstances and often went out of her way to help her. When Shen Xizhi first arrived, the young women of Song Village avoided her because of her marital status. Only Aunt Li would talk to her and offer comfort. Grateful, Shen Xizhi grew closest to her.

Now, the young couple stood outside the fence.

“Auntie, I’m ready.”

A voice answered from inside, “Ah, coming, coming! These two at home eat so slowly.”

Aunt Li hurried out, wiping her hands on her clothes. Behind her followed two men, their faces sun-darkened, carrying tools on their backs as if preparing to go work in the fields.

It was the busy farming season.

Song Yugui wasn’t sure how to address them. After hesitating for a moment, she tentatively called out, “Uh… big brother?”

The man paused, then walked over and ruffled her head with a large hand. “No respect for your elders! I’m your uncle!”

Song Yugui: “……”

“Oh. Uncle.”

Finally, a normal familial title.

“Are you all going to the market today?” she asked.

Aunt Li nodded with a smile. “Yes, there are a lot of vendors today. We might be able to buy some good things cheaply.”

“All three of you?”

The uncle glanced at Song Yugui and noticed her standing close to her wife, even lowering her head to hold the young girl’s hand.

This was the first time he’d seen her properly together with the girl she’d spent all her silver to marry. Strangely, they looked quite well-matched. But the idea of two women being together was still too absurd.

Uncle Song averted his eyes, unable to fully accept it.

“Ah, didn’t I tell you? Yugui found work in town. We can just go together since it’s on the way.”

Truthfully, she was a little surprised to see Song Yugui. She had assumed Song Yugui wouldn’t bother with Xizhi, but here they were, arriving together.

Uncle Song thought for a moment before remembering. “Oh, right. I forgot. Young people ought to have work. Well, you go ahead. We’re heading to the fields.”

“Ah, today I’ll buy some eggs and make steamed egg custard for lunch. You all need nourishment.”

Two cheerful replies sounded at once, and then Aunt Li set off with the couple.

Song Yugui wasn’t familiar with Aunt Li, and neither was the original owner of this body. The two of them walked quietly on either side while Shen Xizhi chatted softly with the older woman.

“Auntie, what are you planning to buy?”

In the past, she wouldn’t have dared to ask. She had no money, and even though Aunt Li bought inexpensive things, she still couldn’t afford them. But today was different—her wife had given her money!

A lot of it.

“What can I buy? I can’t afford anything expensive. Just some eggs and a few feet of cloth to make shoes for the two at home. With all the farmwork lately, they’ve worn through several pairs.”

“Oh…”

Shoes…

Shen Xizhi’s eyes drifted downward. She thought her wife could use a new pair too.

The three walked together for a while before Aunt Li suddenly asked,

“Ah, right. I only know Yugui works at a tavern, but I don’t know which one. Your wife said she didn’t know either. Why keep it from her?”

The two of them had been chatting the whole way, but now they both turned to look at Song Yugui.

The hand holding hers tightened slightly before Song Yugui shook her head. “It’s nothing worth hiding. I just didn’t think it needed to be said. I’m a server at Shiyue Lou.”

“Ah, what nonsense! You’re hus—ah, no, you’re wives, the closest people in the world. How can you keep things from each other? Whether it’s necessary or not, you should still say it.”

After lecturing Song Yugui, she sighed. “Shiyue Lou is a big tavern in town. I’ve never even had the chance to eat there. Only the village chief’s daughter went once and talked about it for ages afterward. Work hard there, and you’ll save up a bit of money. And don’t treat your wife so poorly anymore. Xizhi is a good girl…”

This was probably just how aunties were—she rambled on for a long time. Song Yugui listened patiently, neither arguing nor showing impatience.

Only when they reached the marketplace did she finally speak gently. “I should head to the tavern now. You two go ahead and look around. If you wait too long, the good vegetables will be picked over.”

After a moment’s thought, she dug out twenty coins from her pocket and handed them to Shen Xizhi. “Buy some meat. We’ll have it tonight.”

Shen Xizhi still refused, fidgeting as she insisted she had money, her ears turning a delicate pink like fine jade.

She already had thirty-two coins, plus what she’d earned from washing clothes. That was more than enough for meat, with some left over for other things.

But Song Yugui didn’t waste time arguing. She grabbed Shen Xizhi’s wrist and pressed the coins into her palm, her tone stern. “What money do you have? Don’t let me see a single coin from your laundry work. If I catch you washing clothes for others again, you’ll regret it. Understand?”

Her slender, pale index finger poked Shen Xizhi’s forehead, making the girl’s head tilt back slightly.

Shen Xizhi had to cling to her arm to steady herself, rubbing her forehead with a pout as she muttered, “I know, I know. Stop scolding me.”

And in front of an elder, too.

The girl felt embarrassed, her eyes reddening slightly.

She was delicate and prone to tears.

Song Yugui had no choice but to drop it. Aunt Li, surprised to hear that Song Yugui forbade Shen Xizhi from washing clothes for others, glanced curiously between the two but said nothing.

As long as Xizhi’s life was improving, she wouldn’t interfere in the couple’s affairs—unless it was something major. She pretended not to hear, turning her gaze toward the market.

“I’m going to Shiyue Lou. If anything happens, come find me there. Got it?”

Song Yugui didn’t want to see her cry, nor did she want Shen Xizhi to resent her over a few sharp words, so her tone softened.

But the girl, already scolded, looked listless.

“Mm.”

In her heart, she thought, I won’t go. What if you scold me again?

Her wife was too fierce.

Logically, this wasn’t the first time Song Yugui had reprimanded her in public. A few harsh words shouldn’t have mattered—they didn’t even hurt. But for some reason, this time, it bothered her. Her chest felt tight.

Seeing that Shen Xizhi still hadn’t cheered up, Song Yugui pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration. After spending so much time alone with her, she’d started speaking without thinking.

All she could do was pat the girl’s fluffy head and bid farewell to her wallet.

“I’m leaving.”

She’d buy something tasty tonight to make up for it.

“Mm.”

Shen Xizhi pressed her lips into a firm line, looking unusually solemn.

Only after Song Yugui left did Aunt Li chuckle and say to the pretty girl beside her, “Yugui only scolded you because she cares. Are you really going to sulk over this? There’s no need.”

Shen Xizhi lowered her eyes, hiding the lingering displeasure in her gaze, and gave a quiet hum in response.