The next morning, Chang Lian and Chang Zhi dressed in their finest clothes, presenting themselves immaculately. They looked handsome enough that, regardless of their background, one might think they were two young gentlemen from some affluent family. Watching her two sons, Zhulan sighed, “Fortunately, most of their looks take after me.”

Zhou Shuren said, “…”

This body’s appearance was indeed not high, and he felt a little stuffed.

Li Shi waited for her father-in-law to leave with her xiǎo shūzis. She felt more and more strange in her heart. She intuitively told her that her father-in-law was definitely not innocent when he took her xiǎo shūzis to see the County Magistrate. When she went to the backyard to see her mother-in-law, Li Shi pulled the head of the house and said, “Why do I feel weird?” Head of the house, do you also feel this way?”

Boss Zhou tugged at his clothes but did not pull them out of his wife’s hands. He looked down at his wife’s fat fingers and was silent. Why did he feel that his wife was getting stronger, “I don’t think so. Just let go. I’m going to hitch up the car and have to go up the mountain for a while!”

Li Shi let go of her hand with an ooh and murmured, “I’m only confused to ask you this. You’re not smart either. I’d better go and ask dìmèi.”

Boss Zhou said, “.”

This life was unbearable. Now even his wife despised him and stared at him. She was clearly the bottom one in the family, okay? What right did she have to dislike him?

Second Zhou patted his older brother on the shoulder, “You chose your own wife; you have to bear with it for a lifetime, even if you have to kneel.”

Boss Zhou said, “Shut up.”

The thing Boss Zhou disliked the most was his younger brother. When they were kids, he would blame his brother for mischief and let him take the fall. Even after getting married, he still pushed him out to face scolding. Now, things had taken a strange turn. He didn’t know what was going on with his younger brother; his mouth had become even more malicious. He would occasionally stab him in the heart with words. Suddenly, he envied his son. Look at how well-behaved Mingteng was. If he could start over, he would definitely apply all the tricks he used on his son to his younger brother!

Boss Zhou felt uncomfortable. He put on the cart and shouted angrily, “Li Shi, come out quickly, it’s time to go up the mountain.”

Li Shi and Zhao Shi went out together. Li Shi was in a daze until she left the village in an ox cart. She then came back to her senses, “The head of the family, my dìmèi said, my father actually brought Chang Lian and Chang Zhi to the County Magistrate to show them.”

Boss Zhou said oh, then realized, and looked sideways at his younger brother, seeing that he was calm. The two of them were really at the bottom of the family. Look at the appearance of the second brother, this guy had already seen it.

Second Zhou gritted his teeth, thinking to himself that ever since he discovered how amusing it was to tease his older brother, he couldn’t control himself. “Brother, stay calm. Nothing is set in stone yet. The outcome depends on today.”

Li Shi looked at her siblings, covering her heart. Fortunately, they hadn’t separated their households. Thankfully, everyone in the family was afraid of their parents. Otherwise, she and the head of the family would be sold off, and they would still have to pay the buyer, as Mother-in-law often says!

In the Zhou family, Zhulan was holding her little grandson. The little guy was almost eight months old. He had not lacked nutrition since he was a child, and his body had grown well. Zhao Shi was also good at raising children. Mingrui was very strong, holding her hand, the little guy was trying to stand on his own!

Zhulan was smiling brightly. This child was very easy to take care of. Apart from crying when he was hungry, he would laugh when he was teased. “Why are you laughing? You are so happy?”

Mingrui shouted loudly and then opened his mouth as if he was about to say something.

In modern times, Zhulan had not had much contact with her younger siblings, knew little about children, and was not good at raising children. In ancient times, Zhulan never expected that she would be so patient in taking care of children without being annoyed at all. She loved teasing Mingrui and talking, “Call grandma, grandma.”

Zhulan had heard about the late speech of noble children. As she watched Mingrui grow bit by bit, she felt that the notion of late speech for nobility was somewhat inaccurate. Children needed guidance as they grew, and in Zhulan’s family, with many children and adults engaging in conversation, the children learned through imitation. Mingrui was still young, and his mouth would occasionally seem like it was about to speak.

As for why noble children might speak late, it could be because they were taken care of by wet nurses or maids, and who would dare to engage the young master in conversation? If no one encouraged the child to speak, and they lacked role models to imitate, it was natural for them to start speaking later.

Outside the gate, “My in-laws, are my in-laws at home?”

Zhulan picked up Mingrui and went out to see Jiang Sheng’s mother, who was very surprised in her tone, “When did my in-laws come?”

Jiang Wang Shi carried the basket, “This morning. As soon as I arrived, I came to see my in-laws. Oh, this is my in-laws’ little grandson. This child is so well-raised.”

Her own children had never been fatter. When she compared them, she felt even more envious. The Zhou family’s conditions were really good. Look at the clothes her in-law was wearing, just like the ladies in the county. And look at herself, not to mention her appearance, she was not dressed decently, and there were inconspicuous patches on her clothes!

Zhulan held her grandson with one hand and extended the other, she never hit a smiling face. No matter how she used to argue with Jiang Wang Shi, she always considered the face of her eldest daughter and son-in-law. She smiled and said, “Dear in-law, come inside quickly. The sun is scorching today. It’s much cooler indoors.”

Jiang Wang Shi carefully exhaled. She was somewhat afraid of her mother-in-law. She truly feared not giving her enough face. If it weren’t for the old man urging her, she would have stayed at her son’s house for a while longer. “There’s nothing special at home. These are some wild chicken eggs that the old man gathered in the mountains. I’ve saved half for Xuemei and the two children, and the remaining half is for you, dear in-law. Please don’t be offended.”

Zhulan glanced at the basket containing about a dozen wild chicken eggs. She placed Mingrui on the kang to play and took the basket. “Look at what you’re saying, dear in-law. Wild chicken eggs are quite hard to come by. These are precious. Please have a seat.”

Then she said to Xuehan, who was standing up to show respect, “Quickly go and fetch some snacks for your shěnzi.”

After saying that, Zhulan poured herbal tea for Jiang Wang Shi, “My in-laws were on the road all morning and came over to see me. They must not have had a good rest. Please drink the tea quickly.”

(End of chapter)

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