Shirley was stunned for a mont, not understanding why Xifeng suddenly brought this up again, with no clue as to what she ant. She sized Xifeng up briefly, her thoughts racing. Her current happiness and future prospects all owed themselves to Shen ng’s blessings. If anyone dared to lay a hand on her benefactor, she would fight to the death for her.
Xifeng realized she had set off alarms and quickly waved her hands.
"What are you thinking? Am I the type to be jealous of you? I hope nothing but the best for you, so that those dogs of the Xu Family will regret their actions. I brought this up because, heh, it’s about finding a way out for my sister-in-law. You know what she’s like. Sigh, even during the festive season she was berated and beaten yesterday; I was so scared listening to it in my room."
"Why were you just listening from your room? Why didn’t you go help her?"
Xifeng glared at her. In the middle of the night, she did want to go, but Daqing’s father shalessly ca out half-naked once, so she never knocked on their door late at night again—she only sent her own husband.
"Xifeng, you have good intentions and a kind heart. You wish well and you want your sister-in-law to have a life like mine. But just now, when Xiao ng ntioned it, you should have seen her. She didn’t say anything, and if she had just said sothing, Xiao ng wouldn’t have remained indifferent."
Xifeng hesitated with a mutter, then sheepishly said, "You know what my sister-in-law is like—always fretting. It’s still because she can’t bear to leave her three sensible kids..."
"Exactly because the kids are sensible, as their parents, they should be more resolute. Otherwise, watch—the constant turmoil at ho, how can it be good for the children? Initially, I didn’t want to keep Dezi; that child has the sa temperant as his father and is unchangeable. I only hope that in the future, he will stay far away from and never see him again."
How could one not feel pained for a child born of one’s own flesh? But she had two sensible daughters, and she could never let one rotten child ruin her other children’s lives.
Seeing Xifeng not responding, Shirley turned to leave. After a couple of steps, she turned back.
"Xifeng, Xiao ng saw how pitiable my mother and us three were, begged her ancestors, and got so laborious work. She’s just a countrywoman without much ability. If Wang Lianhua herself is determined, everyone is willing to lend a hand. If she’s not, even if you kneel before Xiao ng, she can’t help. Moreover, she’s been good enough to you. Don’t trouble her anymore."
Afterwards, Xifeng sighed deeply and nodded. Shen ng seed formidable, but she was spending favors, which are the hardest to repay. Forget it, if the emperor isn’t worried, the eunuch shouldn’t be anxious. If her sister-in-law isn’t worried, she should calm down too!
The second day of the Lunar New Year was the traditional day for visiting one’s maternal family. Early in the morning, Lu Zhenping had placed the gifts to be brought over at the entrance of the main hall. Outside, the wind was strong, but fortunately, there was no snow or rain.
Uncle Guai arrived, and Shen ng and a couple of kids had just finished packing. He wore a thin cap, wrapped himself in a sheepskin waistcoat over his cotton-padded jacket, and rubbed his hands together with a beaming smile.
"Zhenping, are you ready? When are we leaving?"
"Uncle Guai, why are you dressed so thinly? It’s so windy, driving the cart will freeze you!"
Uncle Guai waved his hand. He had eaten a stead egg cooked in grape wine made by his daughter, even added with sugar, which was delicious and kept him warm. He didn’t feel cold at all.
"It’s not that cold. I’ve always been fine like this. You’re getting an early start. If you waited another day to use the ox cart, you wouldn’t have gotten a chance."
Lu Zhenping furrowed his brow and didn’t speak. He turned and went back indoors, leaving Uncle Guai puzzled, thinking he had said sothing to upset him, feeling a bit lost.
After a while, Lu Zhenping brought out an old hat and an old military coat from the house.
"Uncle Guai, put this hat on and wear the coat. It’s old, but it’s good for keeping warm. You can’t afford to catch a cold during the New Year, Xiangxiang would be worried sick."
Uncle Guai’s perplexity turned to surprise, but he didn’t reach for them. He pushed the items back towards Lu Zhenping.
"I don’t need these things. I’ve been driving ox carts all these years, when have I ever been bothered by the heat or cold? No need, no need, you keep them for yourself!"
Shen ng ca out at this mont, her expression somber as she looked at Uncle Guai. To deal with such a stubborn old man, one must resort to extraordinary asures.
"Uncle Guai, you should head back. We won’t be visiting relatives anymore. If you catch a cold, Xiao Bin would bla us, and then Xiangxiang would hassle him. Wouldn’t that hurt the feelings of the two children?"
Upon hearing this, Uncle Guai snatched the clothes from Lu Zhenping’s hands and quickly put them on himself. There was no need to endure hardship unnecessarily; it was about hitting the snake at its vital spot and talking about what he cared about, otherwise there would be endless bickering!
Shen ng carried two thick quilts, spreading one on the ox cart and covering the top with another. She climbed on first and nestled inside, with Lu Zhenping worrying about her getting cold. He poured hot water into a water bottle and placed it at her feet. Uncle Guai looked on, lips curling disdainfully— it wasn’t a long journey, so why all the fuss? Nevertheless, wearing the clothes did feel warr than not.
Lu Zhenping lifted the children onto the cart, one by one, each burrowing into the quilts. Then he finally jumped on, and the whole family set off neatly toward the Shen Family.
The ox cart jostled about, lulling Shen ng into a drowsy state. By the ti they arrived at the Shen Family’s place, she was nearly asleep.
Shen Xiaobin had been waiting at the doorstep early in the morning. Seeing Uncle Guai driving the ox cart, he warmly greeted him and took hold of his pigtail.
"Uncle, are you cold? We’ve prepared brown sugar ginger tea inside. Co in quickly and warm up, Sister, Brother-in-law."
Shen ng: "...."
Lu Zhenping: "...."
Look at that blatant favoritism. How unsightly you are!!!
Shen Xiaobin, still chuckling cheerfully, tied the ox cart to a tree by the door, where there happened to be so straw. The old ox nestled against it and wouldn’t be cold. Uncle Guai was relieved to see the old ox well settled.
"Don’t worry about . Your sister and brother-in-law rented an ox cart to visit relatives during the holidays. Hurry up and help bring the stuff inside. The kids were nestled in the blankets; they’ll be cold when they co out!"
"Alright, Uncle, you head inside first!" After escorting Uncle Guai into the courtyard, he turned back with a smile to greet Shen ng and Lu Zhenping. Both were looking at him sideways, and Shen Xiaobin sheepishly smiled.
"Don’t be mad, Sister and Brother-in-law. We are all family now, no need to be so formal, are we? Mingyang, Mingliang, Ming Fang, Ming Kai, hurry inside. Little Uncle has roasted sweet potatoes for you, and the ginger tea is already poured. Go in quickly and warm yourselves."
After ruffling the kids one by one, he turned back to Shen ng and Lu Zhenping with a sly grin.
"Do you think Xiao Bin has beco quite slick?"
"It seems so. When did he ever speak so smoothly?"
"Now that he has a partner and a job, he’s completely different. Look at the airs he puts on; he doesn’t pay us much attention anymore. Ha!"
"Don’t worry, wife. The most important thing for you on this trip is to check on Xiao Bin’s studies, right? Later on, let him demonstrate properly for you—no, for everyone to see."
Hmm???
You are indeed the ruthless one, Lu Zhenping.
Shen ng wholeheartedly agreed with his suggestion and happily pulled him into the yard, leaving Shen Xiaobin frozen on the spot.
What was that story "The Blue Leaves" from the Chinese textbook about again? How many chickens and rabbits are there in the math problem "Chickens and Rabbits in the Sa Cage"... how many legs were there? And in moral education, what does the four modernizations refer to....
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