"This must be Shuangshuang, she’s all grown up now."
Upon seeing Mu Shuangshuang, Mu Dade was montarily stunned, then affectionately called out her na.
Mu Dade had been studying in the town for years and seldom ca back. Even this ti, it was because the Mu family’s eldest aunt was expanding her store, renovating, and hiring people, making it too noisy and affecting Mu Dade’s studies. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have co back.
"Uncle." Mu Shuangshuang obediently addressed the man in front of her, but in her heart, she was waiting to see how Mu Dade would handle this situation.
"Da De, it’s good you’re here. Your wife is no good, full of deceit, lying every other day. Just a few peaches, and she hides them, saying she won’t give them to Mom.
And today’s rabbit, a whole pot of rabbit at—how can one person eat it all? No, today I must teach her a lesson, or else this woman will think she’s above us and that it’s easy to bully Mom."
Old Mrs. Mu listed the grievances against Mrs. Jin, who stood trembling beside her. Everyone thought she was scared, but only she knew how long she’d endured this old hag.
Mu Dade didn’t even glance at Mrs. Jin. Instead, he took Old Mrs. Mu’s rough hand and spoke gently.
"Mom, Mrs. Jin has been with your son for many years, taking care of my daily needs. I’ve beco accustod to her. If she’s hurt, no one will take care of , and I won’t have the heart to focus on my exams."
Old Mrs. Mu’s face changed, and she quickly supported Mu Dade, calling him her sweetheart, making Mu Shuangshuang’s skin crawl with goosebumps.
A man in his thirties still being called sweetheart—Old Mrs. Mu didn’t find it annoying. But on one note, since Mu Dade’s arrival, Mrs. Jin finally had so relief. Everything was settled, and she even didn’t have to empty the chamber pot now.
"Grandma, what about the wrong done to my sister by Aunt? Are we just letting it go?" Xiao Han stepped forward, eyeing Mrs. Jin angrily.
"Scram, scram, scram. What’s it to you, brat? The little girl just knows how to stir trouble, and you bla soone else for it."
Such a biased remark was said straightforwardly by Old Mrs. Mu. Mu Shuangshuang knew she wouldn’t get justice. She stepped forward and took Xiao Han’s hand.
"Xiao Han, let’s go ho so we don’t annoy Grandpa and Grandma here."
Old Mrs. Mu couldn’t wait for Mu Shuangshuang to leave. When she heard Mu Shuangshuang say she was leaving, she didn’t even lift her eyelids.
Seizing this opportunity, Old Mrs. Mu naturally wanted to bond with her son. As for Mr. Mu, there was a mont of unease on his face. He knew the matter wasn’t handled fairly, and Shuang had been wronged, but what son wouldn’t need Mrs. Jin?
The most important thing for the family right now was the son’s imperial exam. As a mber of the Old Mu Family, no matter what grievances he suffered, he should prioritize the future of the Old Mu Family and Da De’s affairs.
Thinking this way, Mr. Mu’s last bit of guilt dissipated. He joined Old Mrs. Mu in gathering around Mu Dade, listening to him talk about how he was about to take the imperial exam and his thoughts and plans.
"Dad, Mom, don’t worry. If I pass this ti, I’ll go to the capital for the exam. Once I succeed, I’ll bring you out of Er Gui Village and let our Old Mu Family raise our heads high."
Mu Dade confidently told Old Mrs. Mu and Mr. Mu.
Upon hearing that Mu Dade wanted to take the two elders of Mu Family away without ntioning herself and her husband, Mrs. Lin felt a surge of displeasure. She quickly squeezed her way to Mu Dade’s side.
"Uncle Gou Dan, when you make it big, don’t forget about our second branch. Our family Da Zhong has been saving up every bit for you.
All these years, we’ve suffered a lot so that you could study. Even our Gou Dan, at six years old, has never tasted a bite of at."
Mu Dade’s face turned various shades, green and white, as Lin brought up the at from between their teeth, clearly trying to use this opportunity to secure her family’s future.
"Big Brother, what Gou Dan’s mother said is right. We’re brothers, and even if our bones break, our tendons are still connected.
You’re about to take the exam. If you pass, you should rember our kindness. Otherwise, we won’t let it go." Mu Dazhong chid in, his face full of ingratiation.
In his heart, he still wasn’t satisfied with this elder brother. The elder brother hadn’t passed yet but was already boasting about taking their parents away without ntioning the second branch at all, probably planning to leave them and enjoy life alone.
"You thankless wretch, what’s this ’if’? Your big brother is sure to pass this ti." Old Mrs. Mu slapped Mu Dazhong aside, speaking forcefully.
"Exactly, second brother, what nonsense are you spouting? If our big brother passes, would he do sothing so disloyal?
We, several brothers, have endured hardships for years to support his studies. Look at —I haven’t even married yet. How can big brother not care about ? And third brother, his face was half ruined for big brother’s schooling money..."
Mu Danian knew about Mu Dade and Mrs. Jin trying to buy exam papers, so he was more certain than others. His words forced Mu Dade to promise him sothing first.
When Mu Dade was selected, he could use these words to pressure him into taking him along.
"Da De..." Mrs. Jin opened her mouth, wanting to make her husband refuse. She didn’t want to bring along a bunch of relatives to enjoy life with them.
"Sister-in-law, you’re a woman, so don’t ddle in our n’s affairs," Mu Danian’s eyes shone sharply, staring straight at Mrs. Jin.
"Exactly, sister-in-law, this is between us brothers. You don’t need to worry," Mu Danyan echoed his fifth brother.
With such pressure, Mu Dade knew he had to make a statent today.
"Brothers, rest assured, the Old Mu Family has always been together."
Mu Dade didn’t dare to speak too decisively. He knew that trouble might co constantly in the future. But if he didn’t speak today, the money promised might really disappear.
"Good, good, good. You’re my good son. Tell whatever you need. For your exam fare, once the third brother and others finish the fieldwork, it should be about ready. Don’t worry about the money."
Mr. Mu’s eyes shrunk into a straight line with joy. He was imnsely pleased that the son he raised hadn’t forgotten his origins and wouldn’t abandon his brothers.
"I naturally trust what Dad says. But this ti is different from before. Previously, it was just the exam, needing so fare. This ti I want to go to the county to find a good teacher to teach ."
"Oh, just that? You go ahead and hire soone. But how much silver does your father need to prepare?"
Mr. Mu never opposed his son’s affairs, and he asked the amount of silver simply to be prepared.
"This ti it might be a bit much—I need fifty taels!"
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