Xuehan’s heart sank. The last time she visited the county government, her mother told her to always be on guard against people. She knew that people have two sides, good and bad. Different levels have different positions, and they have different effects on human life. Her understanding was also different, and the lives of the people at the bottom were not valuable. “Make sure all Wang Ru’s belongings are lost, leaving only enough to send letters.”
Zhulan showed satisfaction in her eyes, and continued to ask, “Do Wang Xin and Wang Rong have anything in their hands? What should she do if she doesn’t have enough money?”
Xuehan was silent for a few seconds, “Take everything from them.”
Zhulan smiled, “If I were Shi Gongzi, I would keep the money of these two people.”
Xuehan didn’t understand, “Mom Why?”
Zhulan took a sip of tea, “Because the three of them are currently living together, but Wang Ru obviously uses the two sisters as servants, and Wang Ru has the reputation of implicating the two sisters. The conflict between the three of them is already big, leaving money for Wang Xin and Wang Rong can be a direct warning to Wang Ru that he can take back as much as he gives her. Secondly, it can stimulate conflict between the three of them and threaten Wang Rong and Wang Xin that their money will be gone at any time. The only way is to be obedient, thereby bribing the two of them to monitor Wang Ru.”
Anyway, this was what she would have done if she were Shi Qing, and Shi Qing was the winner of house fights, so he wouldn’t be worse than her.
Xuehan hissed. She had always thought that physical harm was the most severe. After listening to her mother’s words, attacking the heart was the most severe. She learned a lesson from this lesson.
In the evening, Zhou Shuren came back from the county office. After dinner, he went back to the house and said to Zhulan: “The day after tomorrow, Madam Dong and Miss Dong will come to visit. You have to clean up the house and prepare what vegetables you need to buy in advance. Write me a list, I will bring them back from the county town tomorrow.”
Zhulan was surprised, “Why are they coming here?”
No, they were official family members, and wouldn’t even go to to homes of many people in the county even if they invited them. This was the first time for their two families to visit, even if it’s been half a month since the return visit, wasn’t it a bit late?
On the way back, Zhou Shuren had been contemplating the county magistrate’s intentions and had some understanding in his heart. “The eldest daughter of the Dong family became a widow after her first marriage, which was a high-status one. Her life was not good, and if it weren’t for her husband’s death, it would have been even more difficult. In the beginning, to break away from her in-law’s family, the Dong family sacrificed a lot of benefits. The Dong family’s willingness to invest in the marriage of their daughter shows good character. I guess, having learned from the experience with their eldest daughter, the Dong family is now looking for a son-in-law they can control.”
Zhulan, “You have inquired about the Dong family’s affairs clearly enough.”
Zhou Shuren said: “These are not secrets. I didn’t inquire about them before. After I went to the county last time, I inquired about what I should inquire about. “
Zhulan asked, “The Dong family has also inquired about our family clearly. Which son of ours does Master Dong like?”
“That’s why Madam Dong coming to see them in person. As for which one she likes, they will tell us when the time comes.”
Zhulan said quietly: “I was still thinking about getting engaged in two years, but it seems impossible now.”
Zhou Shuren chuckled, “Don’t think too highly of our son. Changlian is selfish and crafty, and Changzhi is not knowledgeable about common affairs. There’s no guarantee that any girl would be interested in either of them!”
Zhulan thought the same, “Dong Chuchu is a little girl, the Dong family must love her very much, and her opinion is very important.”
Especially after the eldest daughter’s lesson.
Zhulan and Zhou Shuren did not oppose this matter. Considering it from another perspective, they had also done the same for Xuehan back then. It was a parent’s understanding, and, of course, there were reasons why opposition would be futile due to the difference in status.
Zhulan was contemplating what dishes to prepare. She took a pen from Zhou Shuren and began writing a list. Their family didn’t have the Dong family’s capability to buy rare ingredients, so she could only prepare what the Li Shi was good at cooking. She hadn’t considered showing off or pretending to be extravagant; it would be too deliberate, and she didn’t want to leave a bad impression by overdoing it.
Zhulan wrote it and handed it to Zhou Shuren, “You go to the county tomorrow to buy some seasonings and pastries. Yes, don’t forget the wine. We don’t have good wine at home. Whatever seasonings you buy are on the list.”
Zhou Shuren glanced at it and said, “Why did you not write meat in the list?”
Zhulan shook her head, “Tomorrow the butcher’s house will kill the pigs. I’ll ask Li Shi to watch them early in the morning. Just buy the ones prepared in advance. There are also fish in the fish village. You can use them the day after tomorrow. You don’t even need to go to the county to buy it.”
Zhou Shuren folded the list, “As long as you know it well.”
Zhulan added, “You don’t need to ask for leave for your two sons the day after tomorrow. That would be too deliberate.”
Zhou Shuren said, “There is no need to ask for leave.”
Zhulan put on her shoes and went to the ground, “I’ll go find Li Shi and ask her to buy something to cook tomorrow.”
“Yes.”
Zhulan found Li Shi in the kitchen, “Why are you boiling water?”
Li Shi put down the fire stick, “It’s summer, the children feel uncomfortable with the heat, and they feel comfortable even if they take frequent baths. Mom, do you have something to discuss with me?”
Zhulan felt she had overlooked something. The eldest grandson was not so young anymore, and the second grandson had also grown up. Having the entire extended family in one house seemed a bit cramped. Additionally, Yushuang had also grown up. Unfortunately, the Zhou family didn’t have any vacant rooms. She decided to think about how to arrange the grandchildren later.
Zhulan motioned to Li Shi to sit down first. She looked at her mother-in-law’s face, which was very kind, and felt relieved.
Zhulan said: “The butcher is killing pigs tomorrow. Go buy two kilograms of pork belly, two pork knuckles, half a pig’s liver, and four pig’s trotters.”
Li Shi was surprised, “Mom, are guests coming to our home?”
Zhulan nodded, “Well after you buy the meat, you can go to Orion’s house to find out if he has wild rabbits and buy two.”
Li Shi took note of it, “Mom, when will the guests come tomorrow?”
“The guests will come the day after tomorrow. The water is boiling. I’ll go back while you’re busy.”
Li Shi hurriedly turned off the fire. When she wanted to ask her mother who to invite to dinner, her mother had already left. She was wondering who would be the guest. After thinking for a while, she didn’t want to guess who.
Zhulan returned to the house and said, “The grandchildren are not so young anymore. It’s time for them to move out of their parents’ rooms. What do you think about Yushuang moving in with Xuehan, Mingyun, and Rongchuan sharing a room, and Mingteng moving out next year? How does this arrangement sound?”
(End of Chapter)
Xuehan’s heart sank. The last time she visited the county government, her mother told her to always be on guard against people. She knew that people have two sides, good and bad. Different levels have different positions, and they have different effects on human life. Her understanding was also different, and the lives of the people at the bottom were not valuable. “Make sure all Wang Ru’s belongings are lost, leaving only enough to send letters.”
Zhulan showed satisfaction in her eyes, and continued to ask, “Do Wang Xin and Wang Rong have anything in their hands? What should she do if she doesn’t have enough money?”
Xuehan was silent for a few seconds, “Take everything from them.”
Zhulan smiled, “If I were Shi Gongzi, I would keep the money of these two people.”
Xuehan didn’t understand, “Mom Why?”
Zhulan took a sip of tea, “Because the three of them are currently living together, but Wang Ru obviously uses the two sisters as servants, and Wang Ru has the reputation of implicating the two sisters. The conflict between the three of them is already big, leaving money for Wang Xin and Wang Rong can be a direct warning to Wang Ru that he can take back as much as he gives her. Secondly, it can stimulate conflict between the three of them and threaten Wang Rong and Wang Xin that their money will be gone at any time. The only way is to be obedient, thereby bribing the two of them to monitor Wang Ru.”
Anyway, this was what she would have done if she were Shi Qing, and Shi Qing was the winner of house fights, so he wouldn’t be worse than her.
Xuehan hissed. She had always thought that physical harm was the most severe. After listening to her mother’s words, attacking the heart was the most severe. She learned a lesson from this lesson.
In the evening, Zhou Shuren came back from the county office. After dinner, he went back to the house and said to Zhulan: “The day after tomorrow, Madam Dong and Miss Dong will come to visit. You have to clean up the house and prepare what vegetables you need to buy in advance. Write me a list, I will bring them back from the county town tomorrow.”
Zhulan was surprised, “Why are they coming here?”
No, they were official family members, and wouldn’t even go to to homes of many people in the county even if they invited them. This was the first time for their two families to visit, even if it’s been half a month since the return visit, wasn’t it a bit late?
On the way back, Zhou Shuren had been contemplating the county magistrate’s intentions and had some understanding in his heart. “The eldest daughter of the Dong family became a widow after her first marriage, which was a high-status one. Her life was not good, and if it weren’t for her husband’s death, it would have been even more difficult. In the beginning, to break away from her in-law’s family, the Dong family sacrificed a lot of benefits. The Dong family’s willingness to invest in the marriage of their daughter shows good character. I guess, having learned from the experience with their eldest daughter, the Dong family is now looking for a son-in-law they can control.”
Zhulan, “You have inquired about the Dong family’s affairs clearly enough.”
Zhou Shuren said: “These are not secrets. I didn’t inquire about them before. After I went to the county last time, I inquired about what I should inquire about. “
Zhulan asked, “The Dong family has also inquired about our family clearly. Which son of ours does Master Dong like?”
“That’s why Madam Dong coming to see them in person. As for which one she likes, they will tell us when the time comes.”
Zhulan said quietly: “I was still thinking about getting engaged in two years, but it seems impossible now.”
Zhou Shuren chuckled, “Don’t think too highly of our son. Changlian is selfish and crafty, and Changzhi is not knowledgeable about common affairs. There’s no guarantee that any girl would be interested in either of them!”
Zhulan thought the same, “Dong Chuchu is a little girl, the Dong family must love her very much, and her opinion is very important.”
Especially after the eldest daughter’s lesson.
Zhulan and Zhou Shuren did not oppose this matter. Considering it from another perspective, they had also done the same for Xuehan back then. It was a parent’s understanding, and, of course, there were reasons why opposition would be futile due to the difference in status.
Zhulan was contemplating what dishes to prepare. She took a pen from Zhou Shuren and began writing a list. Their family didn’t have the Dong family’s capability to buy rare ingredients, so she could only prepare what the Li Shi was good at cooking. She hadn’t considered showing off or pretending to be extravagant; it would be too deliberate, and she didn’t want to leave a bad impression by overdoing it.
Zhulan wrote it and handed it to Zhou Shuren, “You go to the county tomorrow to buy some seasonings and pastries. Yes, don’t forget the wine. We don’t have good wine at home. Whatever seasonings you buy are on the list.”
Zhou Shuren glanced at it and said, “Why did you not write meat in the list?”
Zhulan shook her head, “Tomorrow the butcher’s house will kill the pigs. I’ll ask Li Shi to watch them early in the morning. Just buy the ones prepared in advance. There are also fish in the fish village. You can use them the day after tomorrow. You don’t even need to go to the county to buy it.”
Zhou Shuren folded the list, “As long as you know it well.”
Zhulan added, “You don’t need to ask for leave for your two sons the day after tomorrow. That would be too deliberate.”
Zhou Shuren said, “There is no need to ask for leave.”
Zhulan put on her shoes and went to the ground, “I’ll go find Li Shi and ask her to buy something to cook tomorrow.”
“Yes.”
Zhulan found Li Shi in the kitchen, “Why are you boiling water?”
Li Shi put down the fire stick, “It’s summer, the children feel uncomfortable with the heat, and they feel comfortable even if they take frequent baths. Mom, do you have something to discuss with me?”
Zhulan felt she had overlooked something. The eldest grandson was not so young anymore, and the second grandson had also grown up. Having the entire extended family in one house seemed a bit cramped. Additionally, Yushuang had also grown up. Unfortunately, the Zhou family didn’t have any vacant rooms. She decided to think about how to arrange the grandchildren later.
Zhulan motioned to Li Shi to sit down first. She looked at her mother-in-law’s face, which was very kind, and felt relieved.
Zhulan said: “The butcher is killing pigs tomorrow. Go buy two kilograms of pork belly, two pork knuckles, half a pig’s liver, and four pig’s trotters.”
Li Shi was surprised, “Mom, are guests coming to our home?”
Zhulan nodded, “Well after you buy the meat, you can go to Orion’s house to find out if he has wild rabbits and buy two.”
Li Shi took note of it, “Mom, when will the guests come tomorrow?”
“The guests will come the day after tomorrow. The water is boiling. I’ll go back while you’re busy.”
Li Shi hurriedly turned off the fire. When she wanted to ask her mother who to invite to dinner, her mother had already left. She was wondering who would be the guest. After thinking for a while, she didn’t want to guess who.
Zhulan returned to the house and said, “The grandchildren are not so young anymore. It’s time for them to move out of their parents’ rooms. What do you think about Yushuang moving in with Xuehan, Mingyun, and Rongchuan sharing a room, and Mingteng moving out next year? How does this arrangement sound?”
(End of Chapter)
