Chapter 39 - 39 0039 Uncle and Aunt 3_1

Chapter 39: Chapter 0039: Uncle and Aunt 3_1 Chapter 39: Chapter 0039: Uncle and Aunt 3_1 Uncle Wang was simple in character but astute, serving as the backbone of the Wang Family. He was also the secretary of Wanglou Production Brigade where the Wang Family lived, and he concurrently held the post of brigade captain. He was able to hold two posts because he had been a companion reader for the landlord’s son in his younger years—he could read and do accounting. Combined with his positive personal qualities, impartial and just character, the local people greatly supported him since the founding of the country. If it were not for his love for the Wanglou Brigade that made him unwilling to leave, he would have been promoted to the commune a long time ago. According to the original owner of Feng Qingxue’s body memory, her second and third uncles, as well as her aunt, deeply respected Uncle Wang. Many times, they would consult him before making any decisions. “Uncle, please speak up if there’s anything,” Feng Qingxue initiated the conversation due to Uncle Wang’s silence. “Younger sister, you should speak,” Uncle Wang suggested, surprising Aunt Wang. Aunt Wang nodded, took Feng Qingxue’s hand and said, “Xue, would you let your uncle and me introduce a potential marriage partner to you?” “What?” Feng Qingxue was stupefied. The original owner was just eighteen. Was it time to discuss marriage already? Being not from this era, she didn’t realize that girls of this time usually got married at the age of seventeen or eighteen. Eighteen was the legal age for marriage. “Your uncle hesitated for a long time, fearing that you would not approve of this marriage proposal. But I insisted that we should at least ask for your opinion,” Aunt Wang went on to express her concern. “Despite being thrown out, I still don’t trust your brother and sister-in-law. They were the ones who came up with the idea of marrying you off to a bachelor in exchange for food. If they were ever reduced to extreme poverty, they might even sell you and Qingyun. Even if you live separately, I fear it won’t help you keep your house safe. After all, we commonly say that the elder brother is like a father and his wife like a mother. Since your parents are no longer around, they have the right and means to interfere in your affairs,” Aunt Wang warned. Feng Qingxue was taken aback upon hearing these words, something she had not previously considered. “So, the priority is to get you married off so that you and Xiaoyun can leave this place, the further the better and the less troublesome,” said Aunt Wang, straightforward as a machine gun. “If you don’t agree with the person your uncle has in mind, I will look around for you. It’s just that times are tough now, and many families don’t want an extra mouth to feed.” “Aunt, what kind of person is Uncle referring to?” asked Feng Qingxue curiously. “Xue, don’t get mad at your uncle. His name is Lu Jiang, ten years older than you. He’s handsome, good-natured, a man of talent, and a military man for twelve years. It’s just that his family background isn’t good, his father was a landlord, who now has nothing left. That’s why his marriage got delayed,” whispered Aunt Wang, her tone not as cheerful as before, but still insisting on revealing the information. Feng Qingxue had thought of many possible suitors, but never someone from such a family background. “Landlord? Is he connected to the landlord’s son who studied with Uncle?” asked Feng Qingxue as she had a spark in her mind. Aunt Wang cast an appreciative look on her. “Lu Jiang’s father is the young landlord Lu Zhiyuan who your uncle used to accompany in his studies. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, their lands and properties were confiscated by the state and distributed among the poor and middle peasants. The landlord and his wife couldn’t bear the taunts of the emancipated serfs and both passed away after experiencing such great changes. Their eldest son and daughter-in-law, who had lived pampered lives and couldn’t bear hardships, didn’t survive either. The two younger sons were left behind to fend for each other. Only their youngest son, Lu Jiang, had joined the army before the founding of the People’s Republic of China and hence was not greatly affected. But it doesn’t bode well for his future prospects,” said Aunt Wang, concluding her narrative.