Chapter 518: Chapter 505: Losing Face

The big issue of his nephew’s engagement, and his uncle left midway through, it doesn’t seem quite right no matter how you look at it.

But that day, Zhuang Yonghe’s expression was normal and Mrs. He didn’t say much either, so Zhuang Qingning assumed there were some private affairs that weren’t convenient to discuss publicly, so she didn’t ask further.

Now, looking back, that day does appear to have been unusual, but…

“Perhaps it was just a coincidence that day. Some people are reading too much into it and they like to gossip,” Zhuang Qingning advised.

Zhuang Yonghe’s character has no doubts after all these years and as for Mrs. He’s side, it is all purely speculation based on what others have told her.

There’s a saying “three people can make a tiger”. Sometimes these rumors are intentionally spread by someone with an agenda, and if you fall for them, it would only give the villains an opportunity to take advantage of you.

“That was what I thought too,” Mrs. He wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes before continuing, “but just now when I was about to go to the tofu shop to fetch some warm liquid to wash the lids and pots in the afternoon, I saw someone’s sheep getting out, going to the edge of the village to nibble on wheat seedlings. I was going to inquire whose sheep it was, and then I saw the Widow Liu, she was in a hurry and looked joyful, walking out from the village.”

“When I saw Widow Liu in Enji Village, I turned and saw your Uncle Yonghe walking towards the tofu shop. It was obvious they had just finished a conversation, and I became extremely stressed…”

” I can’t think straight, I don’t know what to do.”

“If it was coincidental the last time, fair enough. But this time, if it’s again a coincidence, then it’s a bit too much of a coincidence, isn’t it?”

As she spoke these words, Mrs. He started sobbing again.

Zhuang Qingning was suddenly at a loss for words.

After thinking for a while, she said, “Aunt, don’t cry. First, you need to find out what’s really going on.”

“So you’re suggesting I question Widow Liu?” As Mrs. He asked this, a gloomy expression befell her face.

It would naturally be Widow Liu’s fault if she had an affair with someone else’s husband, and it wouldn’t be out of line to confront her about it.

To put it bluntly, it would not only be acceptable to question her, but it would not be unacceptable to rally the family and go to Widow Liu’s house and reprimand her if she was indeed caught.

However, Mrs. He found this task rather demeaning.

Especially when her husband cannot maintain his fidelity and she must confront another woman about it; just the thought of it made her feel diminished.

Upon hearing Mrs. He’s question, Zhuang Qingning helplessly held her forehead.

The belief of eliminating the ‘other woman’ whenever there’s a problem is indeed a concept that has been held since ancient times.

What truly needs to be resolved is her own husband…

“I’m not suggesting that you confront Widow Liu, Aunt. What I mean is that you could ask Uncle Yonghe what exactly happened,” Zhuang Qingning explained.

“Ask Uncle Yonghe?” Mrs. He’s face showed a sudden change.

“Yes,” Zhuang Qingning confirmed with a nod, “Ask Uncle Yonghe.”

“But what if…”

What if Uncle Yonghe avoids giving a clear answer after she asks him, intending to keep deceiving her, wouldn’t she feel ever more suffocated?

Furthermore, what if Uncle Yonghe confesses that he doesn’t care about her feelings and bluntly admits that he wants to spend his life with Widow Liu, what should she do…

Mrs. He did not dare to express these fears in front of Zhuang Qingning, but the apprehension was plainly written on her face, visible to Zhuang Qingning.

“Aunt, it’s essential to ask before you can know the truth. Don’t speculate blindly. If you want to clear up any doubts, make it clear, instead of feeling suffocated. As for what the outcome might be after you find out, you can consider how you can handle the results.”

Zhuang Qingning continued, “If Uncle Yonghe is vague and it’s obvious he wants to keep deceiving you, you shouldn’t be polite with him. Fight if you need to, make a fuss if necessary, anyway let your anger out and do not suppress your emotions.”

“But if Uncle Yonghe admits that he plans to be with the widow in the future… but it doesn’t seem likely. Uncle Yonghe is not that kind of person… but as I discuss this with you we might as well consider this too. If this is true, aunt, you should let out your anger in any way you want, and you should not let Uncle Yonghe and the Widow Liu live a peaceful life.”

“But if there’s been some misunderstanding and the whole thing is not as you thought, and it turns out nothing at all happened after you ask, won’t your past fear and laughter be in vain?”

“Not only would it be in vain, it might even negatively impact your relationship with Uncle Yonghe. If there is nothing wrong, that’s fine, but if you don’t dare to ask and keep guessing, it might give rise to more misunderstanding between you and Uncle Yonghe, which is even worse.”

“You have been with Uncle Yonghe for so many years, as husband and wife, your bond is the deepest. Is there anything that cannot be discussed openly? Aunt, don’t you think this is reasonable?”

Zhuang Qingning earnestly advised.

Upon hearing Zhuang Qingning, Mrs. He remained silent for a while before nodded, “That’s true…”

However, knowing the truth and executing it is another thing entirely…

Mrs. He bit her lips.

She didn’t know if she could speak out at that time.

Zhuang Qingning saw that Mrs. He was still hesitant, but she didn’t push further.

In matters like these, they depend entirely upon the individual’s heart. No matter how much external persuasion is given, it ultimately depends on how Mrs. He feels about it.

While both of them were in silence, the curtain in the hall fluttered, and Zhuang Yonghe walked into the house.

Seeing that Mrs. He and Zhuang Qingning were both there, he cracked a smile, “I called out a few times and there was no response. I thought you weren’t home.”

“So, Qingning is here?”

“Yes,” Zhuang Qingning nodded, “I came to get some shoe soles from Aunt, been talking with her for a while.”

“Oh, right, right, I was so engrossed in talking that I almost forgot to fetch your shoe soles.” Mrs. He was already uncertain about how to proceed, and the sudden return of Zhuang Yonghe made her more flustered, not knowing what to do.

Caught in her thoughts, she decided to fetch the shoe soles for Zhuang Qingning first.

Zhuang Qingning noticed Mrs. He’s flustered expression, so she followed her into the inner room.

Mrs. He searched in the box for a while, but found nothing. After racking her brains for a while and hitting her forehead lightly, she said, “Look at my poor memory, I forgot that I had already given the last of the shoe soles to Sister-in-law Qian a few days ago.I was planning to make more and dry them on the stove…”

As a result, due to being caught up in the matter of Zhuang Yonghe and Widow Liu, she completely forgot about setting the shoe soles to dry.