In recent tis, Mrs. Lin’s actions have made it impossible for Mu Dashan to be close to her.
Especially after Mu Dashan heard from Mu Shuangshuang the full story of what Mrs. Lin did to Mu Xiangxiang.
Even though Mu Xiangxiang is gradually returning to normal, the resentnt still remains.
Not only did Mrs. Lin fail to help and care for her closest family, but she did sothing utterly depraved to them as well. No matter how honest Mu Dashan is, he cannot overlook such things.
"Si Niang, let’s eat our own and ignore others!"
Since Mu Dashan had spoken, Yu Si Niang, regardless of her thoughts, wouldn’t say anything more.
As for Mu Shuangshuang, she couldn’t be happier.
Mrs. Lin is like a frozen venomous snake; whoever helps her will get bitten once she recovers.
Peeking from outside the window, Mrs. Lin watched the third branch’s people, not letting her in for dinner, and she was getting restless!
Just as she was about to remind the third branch’s people, from a distance ca Old Mrs. Mu’s loud curses.
"Second daughter-in-law, did you fall into the outhouse while relieving yourself? You haven’t co to wash Xiangxiang’s clothes yet.
Second daughter-in-law... Hurry and get your old hag self out here, second daughter-in-law..."
As the voice that chased like a harbinger of death drew near, Mrs. Lin was startled and slipped, falling face-first into muddy ground.
Afraid Old Mrs. Mu might find her, Mrs. Lin quickly left the yard of the third branch.
Just as she headed toward the main house, she bumped into Old Mrs. Mu coming her way.
"Mom, why did you co out? It’s so slippery; what if you fall?" Mrs. Lin said ingratiatingly, trying to hold Old Mrs. Mu.
But Old Mrs. Mu brushed her off and spat at her.
"Pft, Lin Xiaozao, if you keep being lazy, you’ll go back to your Lin Family Village. We, the Old Mu Family, don’t want such a vile daughter-in-law and certainly not soone who’s barely human."
Old Mrs. Mu cursed with spiteful words.
No matter what Mrs. Lin said, she’d be retorted by Old Mrs. Mu.
On the surface, Mrs. Lin seed obedient and sensible; even if humiliated or beaten by Old Mrs. Mu, she’d never retaliate, but she still tried to drag soone down with her.
"Mom, just earlier, do you know what I saw outside the third branch?" Mrs. Lin spoke mysteriously.
"Hmph, I don’t want to hear the dirt that your eye-boogered eyes saw. Whatever you say is useless today; don’t think of being lazy!" Old Mrs. Mu dismissed Mrs. Lin’s words and scolded her again.
"Mom, inside the third branch’s house, they’re feasting on at and fish, even invited that little brat Zhao Yun and that Zhao Gouzi.
These people are always close to Yu Si Niang, it must be her idea. Mom, Yu Si Niang is really siding with outsiders.
She’d rather invite outsiders than let our family have a good bite, mom, we ought to..."
"Lin Xiaozao, even the ss in your own pocket isn’t clean, and you think of dragging others down? Let tell you, you’d better drop that thought.
What the third branch eats is their freedom, I won’t interfere. But what you eat is under my old hag’s control!"
This is the first ti Old Mrs. Mu didn’t make it difficult for the third branch.
Just because the words ca from Mrs. Lin’s mouth, Old Mrs. Mu hated her more.
Mrs. Lin’s sche failed, and she was forced to stick by Old Mrs. Mu, enduring her curses and sudden slaps.
...
...
After the al, everyone was so full they were immobile, clutching their stomachs, exclaiming in comfort.
Because the al was had in the kitchen, cleaning up was convenient.
Yu Si Niang, Zhao Yun, Mu Shuangshuang, the three won huddled together, assigning tasks to each other.
Mu Shuangshuang washed dishes, Yu Si Niang cleaned the table, and Zhao Yun was responsible for boiling water and making tea for the rest.
A cup of tea after a al, live to ninety-nine.
In Er Gui Village, most households drink a cup of tea after als; the wealthy use good tea leaves, while the less fortunate drink plain water.
The third branch occasionally receives so tea leaves due to Yu Liulang’s tea garden, and the quality is quite good, almost ranking among the best in Er Gui Village.
Thus, it’s common for villagers to co by for a sip of tea, which is normal.
Mu Shuangshuang took up the dishwashing chore, scooping up the leftover sweet potato rice from the pot, adding two ladles of cold water into the pot. Lu Yuanfeng stood at the hearth, stuffing pine twigs into the stove.
In this way, the water Mu Shuangshuang used for washing dishes would be warm.
After finishing the kitchen work, everyone had their second cup of tea.
Zhang Yutou coincidentally chatted with Mu Dashan about sending his son Da Long to school.
As parents, they almost thought of the sa thing.
"Dashan, let be frank with you, Yun’er and I have only one son. We’ve already planned to send Da Long to the academy.
Should Da Long achieve a scholar’s rank or beco a scholar it would be fabulous for Da Long and the Old Zhang Family.
However, the town’s academy is too far; Yun’er and I cannot fetch Da Long daily. Dashan, isn’t your Yuanbao and Xiao Han also preparing for school?
Why don’t we pool so money to hire Wang Fugui’s ox cart in the village to transport our three kids daily, what do you think?"
Zhang Yutou directly included Yuanbao in the Mu Dashan Family.
First, the relationship between Shuangshuang and Lu Yuanfeng is bound for marriage, making them one family.
Second, Yuanbao is also closely affiliated with Shuangshuang’s house, and changing the address is only a matter of ti.
"Yutou, we, too, were worried about sending our kids to school. But Shuangshuang found a friend who’s a teacher, willing to teach in our village. Shuangshuang and Fengzi’s idea is to set up a school in the village. It would make things convenient for us and also for everyone else."
As soon as Mu Dashan finished speaking, Zhang Yutou gave him a thumbs up.
"Shuangshuang and Fengzi are two individuals with ideas. Since you’re starting a school, I’ll just send Da Long to your academy. As for the gift, whatever it costs in town, we’ll pay the sa." Zhang Yutou said with admiration.
He envied Mu Dashan having such a sensible daughter and an excellent son-in-law.
"Let’s not discuss money now. Shuangshuang said we should wait till the academy is built, calculate all costs, then decide the gift amount for each student.
Of course, it’ll be cheaper than the town academy, and the teacher is a scholar reportedly of good character."
The more Mu Dashan spoke, the more Zhang Yutou looked forward to the spring of next year.
He even thumped his chest and said, "Dashan, if you’re short of manpower for building the academy, be sure to call . I’m not skilled at much but I know how to dig a foundation."
Mu Dashan was delighted too.
The recent heavy snow had delayed a lot, and he was worried about not finding help.
"Yutou, if you’ve got no other commitnts, I’ll count on you to dig the foundation. Let’s start as soon as the snow lts, shall we?"
User Comments
0 comments from readers