She saw her mother’s face darken, and knowing she had revealed the secret between her and her sisters, she stuck out her tongue playfully at her mother, acting cute and obedient. "Mom, I was wrong. I promise I won't keep any more secrets from you in the future."
The scolding words were already on the tip of her tongue, but Zhao Jiaqi swallowed them back. She looked at her daughter, who was no longer a child. Scolding or punishment would have little effect now.
She decided to change her approach, treating her daughter like a best friend, so that her child would share everything with her in the future.
"Mengmeng, Mom isn't blaming you for keeping this a secret. It's just that Mom doesn't want you to hide anything from her, especially something as important as marriage."
Yu Meng knew her mother was right, but her cousin had her own difficulties. She couldn't help her cousin solve them, and she certainly couldn't be a traitor. Her heart was heavy.
"Mom, actually, I think when it comes to marriage, although parents make the decisions, after marriage, it's not the parents who live with the husband, so the choice of whom to spend a lifetime with should be made by the person involved. Don't you think so, Mom?"
Look at that, she's even learned to reason with her now.
Since that's the case, she decided to discuss this issue with her child today, to prevent her from doing anything behind her back later on.
The mother and daughter had a thorough discussion about marriage. The night outside grew deeper, and the atmosphere inside the room was perfect. It was the first time the mother and daughter had talked so openly and without any reservations or resistance.
In their casual conversation, Zhao Jiaqi understood Yu Meng's meaning and agreed that she could choose her future husband herself. Whether she walked down the aisle on her knees or on her feet, as long as she could live without regret and without complaining to her parents, it would be acceptable.
Of course, she also told Yu Meng that it was okay to make the wrong choice. If things didn't work out, they could divorce and start over. She shouldn't sacrifice her own happiness for the sake of reputation, as no one could guarantee that they wouldn't misjudge someone in their lifetime.
"Dad and Mom are your backup. The door of our home will always be open for you. Remember, you are not allowed to mess around before you get married. Do you understand what Mom means?"
Upon hearing this, Yu Meng showed a shy look of a young lady, her face flushing like a red apple, and she playfully pouted. "I definitely won't mess around, Mom. Don't worry."
With her daughter's words, she was no longer worried about her child being deceived.
"Mom, what about cousin and Yan Luo? How should we handle it?" Yu Meng asked Zhao Jiaqi, looking up with a worried expression.
This was the first time her cousin had truly liked someone, and for it to end so abruptly would be too cruel for her cousin.
Zhao Jiaqi shook her head slightly. Once one falls into the river of love, it's like sinking into a quagmire; pulling one's leg out will also bring up mud.
"We only suspect Yan Luo; we have no concrete evidence. It doesn't count for anything. Even if you tell Xueyao now that he is a bad person, a murderer, your cousin won't believe you."
Hearing this, Yu Meng furrowed her delicate brows, her bright eyes filled with worry. "Then Mom, what should I do? I can't let cousin continue to be so infatuated."
She didn't want that either, but who could control matters of the heart?
Zhao Jiaqi gently patted Yu Meng's arm, comforting her. "Your aunt has learned about Xueyao's situation, and she will likely talk to Xueyao. As for you, as her sister, you need to constantly pay attention to Xueyao's emotions and prevent her from doing anything foolish."
Yu Meng understood her mother's meaning. She raised her hand and said, "Don't worry, Mom. I will keep a close eye on my cousin and won't let her do anything that hurts herself. I also won't let them get together before marriage. I'll take on this task."
"Raw rice? Cooked rice?"
Where did she learn these phrases!
"One more thing: you can use this opportunity to get close to Yan Luo and observe his habits. Be careful not to be deceived by his appearance. The main things to focus on are often in the details."
Yu Meng's eyes widened in surprise. Her mother wanted her to spy on Yan Luo, which was like playing a spy game.
Exciting!
"Don't worry, Mom. I will observe meticulously. I will use my peripheral vision to observe him, and he will absolutely not discover it. If necessary, I will use some little tricks!"
Seeing her smug expression, Zhao Jiaqi's worries resurfaced. She repeatedly cautioned her, "Don't be careless. Yan Luo has eaten more salt than you've eaten rice. If he is indeed the mastermind, he is extremely ruthless. Don't get yourself killed in the process."
Yu Meng gave her a smile, raising an eyebrow triumphantly, and said haughtily, "I am your daughter and Dad's daughter. You are both so smart, how could I be a fool? Rest assured, Mom, I will not disappoint you and Dad."
After saying that, she got up and ran out. After running a short distance, she poked half of her body back in and delivered some explosive news: "Mom, as far as I know, your eldest son seems to be very fond of the martial arts alliance leader's daughter, and it seems to have been successful. You're not old yet, and in a few more years, you'll be a grandmother. Congratulations in advance!"
After saying this, she dashed away, afraid her mother would catch her and interrogate her again.
Zhao Jiaqi, who was slow to react, was stunned by the news. Ling Weifeng's daughter, Ling Fei?
Heavens, who would save her? A child who hadn't even grown their first hair, what do they know about liking someone, about love?
And... to be a grandmother? It was still miles away. Not to mention her son was only twelve years old, not even eighteen yet, and he dared to talk about feelings? This was clearly the behavior of a rogue.
They say children take after their parents, but their father wasn't a scoundrel either. How could this child be so undisciplined at such a young age!
Of course, she definitely wouldn't engage in early romance. Although she received many love letters in school, she didn't read a single one and burned them all to ashes.
However, she didn't become a queen of players, but instead became a virtuous wife and good mother, a proper lady suitable for marriage.
The next day, as soon as it was dawn and after breakfast, she asked Su Ya to call her two sons.
What was wrong with children these days? Was it trendy to date so early? Were they trying to secure a wife in advance and then cultivate her themselves?
A typical case of keeping the good things within the family.
Soon, Su Ya brought the two boys. They entered one after the other, and seeing their mother's displeased expression, the two children were a bit at a loss.
Fan Sen was bold. He stepped forward and hugged her arm, acting cute. "Mom, you haven't hugged me in so long. I've almost forgotten the scent of your clothes. Hug me, Mom."
With a bear hug, he burrowed into Zhao Jiaqi's arms, nudging his head forward, sniffing the faint incense on his mother's clothes.
It was still as pleasant as before. It made him want to sleep. If he ever suffered from insomnia, he would come to Mom. A hug would make him fall asleep.
Yao Yao was much smarter than Sen Sen. He was good at reading the room. The flesh on his mother's face was drooping, and the anger in her eyes had already ignited, almost burning.
His elder brother was still carelessly approaching. Was he looking for a beating or praise?
Yao Yao quietly retreated two steps, stopping at the doorway. As long as the situation turned sour, he could bolt.
Soon, Su Ya smiled and pushed him forward. She whispered, "You can run away on the first day of the lunar month, but you can't run away on the fifteenth. If Madam wants to hit someone, who can escape!"
Yao Yao looked at Su Ya with a bitter face and lamented, "You really know how to talk. No wonder my mother likes you so much."
Su Ya dotingly flicked his fair forehead and then closed the inner door. At this point, she had completely blocked the escape route for these two children.
Yao Yao looked back and met his mother's eyes. He immediately lowered his head awkwardly, nervously touching his nose with his small hand, quietly awaiting the impending storm.