Yun Shi was a little surprised, her mouth slightly open, was this okay?
Da Zhang Shi took her hand, "Sister, just listen to Mother about this. Your second sister-in-law has a lot of people on her side, and she's someone who misses her own family."
"You must remember what I told your eldest sister-in-law, and tell Zhen Zhen about it later," said Old Mrs. Lin. "Fortunately, the two families are far apart, and she's quite busy at home, so there's no fear of her causing any trouble."
Rustling sounds were heard from outside, and Yu Shi naturally shifted the topic to the children.
Xiao Zhang Shi pushed the door open and came in. Yu Shi enthusiastically pulled her onto the kang, "Second sister-in-law, you've come at the right time. We were just talking about your Linzi, he's grown so strong."
Xiao Zhang Shi was full of anger. She had been wondering if these people were gathered here to speak ill of her. Now that the topic had turned to her son, her displeasure lessened considerably. She followed Yu Shi's words and started talking about Linzi, "He's interested in everything from climbing mountains to crossing seas. He eats well and moves well, of course he's strong."
This daughter-in-law was a bit short-sighted. However, she was filial to the elders. Old Mrs. Lin couldn't always embarrass her. Now, talking about her grandson, she was very pleased. "A group of boys from the village went up the mountain together and found several nests of bird eggs. The boys immediately started a fire and roasted them, sharing a few with each person. They ate happily. Linzi, this boy, missed us and didn't dare to eat any. He put them in his arms and ran home, giving one to me, one to his eldest aunt, and one to his mother."
Xiao Zhang Shi picked up the conversation, "We didn't think much of it at the time. We thought it was the child's filial piety, so we ate them. After eating, we realized he was staring at us, swallowing. When we asked, we found out there were only three bird eggs. His grandmother was so heartbroken that she steamed him an egg custard, and he even shared it with his elder brother."
When it came to children, there were many words. They talked one after another, forgetting the time until Lin Jia Laoda called from outside.
Everyone except Lin Rui Xue got off the kang. Old Mrs. Lin said, "I'll stay here and look after Rui Xue for a few more days. You two sisters-in-law take care of the household. Don't neglect the food and clothing for the men, especially the eldest and second ones, who are running around all day."
Who wouldn't care about their own husband? Da Zhang Shi and Xiao Zhang Shi nodded in unison, "Mother, don't worry."
Qi Zhen Zhen was already busy outside. She packed a lot of the household's cured meats and some of the small snacks she usually made for her two younger brothers. The two little ones were so happy their mouths couldn't close. They had never eaten these things at home before.
After the Lin family left, Song Li Zheng and Yu Shi Song Ming Yue, the three of them also prepared to go home.
Qi Zhen Zhen packed another set of things for the Song family. The two families were close, but it wouldn't be good to let people leave empty-handed today.
As they were leaving, Song Ming Yue winked at Qi Zhen Zhen, "Zhen Zhen, I'll come find you to play tomorrow."
This was their agreement. After returning home, Song Ming Yue would talk to her mother about the Ge family's affairs.
Yu Shi smiled and chided, "Look how close they are, wishing they could stick together every day."
After seeing them off, Qi Zhen Zhen linked arms with Yun Shi and went into the house. Qi Yi and Li Hu also returned to their rooms.
Yun Shi took Qi Zhen Zhen's arm and talked about what Old Mrs. Lin had told her about Xiao Zhang Shi.
"Mother, Grandma specifically instructed you, so just listen to her," Qi Zhen Zhen smiled. "Second Uncle's wife, she does have quite a few little schemes, but it has nothing to do with us. The two families are far apart, she can't just come whenever she wants."
Song family.
Song Ming Yue pulled Yu Shi back to her room, and the mother and daughter sat on the kang.
"You girl, what's so secretive?" Yu Shi asked, puzzled.
Song Ming Yue took a deep breath, "Mother, do I have to marry cousin?"
This question stumped Yu Shi. This matter had never been hidden from her daughter from the beginning. Her daughter and nephew had a good relationship since childhood, so she hadn't objected. What was wrong today?
"Isn't your cousin good?" Yu Shi asked.
Song Ming Yue shook her head, "No, cousin is very good. It's, it's, it's Aunt..."
Yu Shi remembered the message her sister had sent. Her daughter was also present at the time. Perhaps those words made her daughter feel that her aunt was a bit harsh?
Yu Shi took Song Ming Yue's hand and said earnestly, "Your aunt doesn't have any bad intentions. What she said, a daughter-in-law should naturally know how to do. It was Mother who misunderstood before. Fortunately, there is still plenty of time, and Mother can teach you slowly. Your aunt doesn't demand you to be outstanding, just capable."
Song Ming Yue looked distressed, "Mother, you know me. I can use needles, but using a cleaver, it's really... Besides, wasn't it agreed that when I get married, I'll hire a cook? With a cook, why would cooking be my responsibility? It all comes from my dowry. What Aunt said..."
Yu Shi frowned, "Ming Yue, that's your own aunt, Mother's own sister. We are all family. As long as the family lives harmoniously, there's no need to hold onto your dowry so tightly. It's always women who have a bad time in their in-laws' families who value their dowry."
Thinking of what Qi Zhen Zhen had said, Song Ming Yue subconsciously asked, "Mother, how do you know I will live harmoniously as Aunt's daughter-in-law? Being a niece and being a daughter-in-law are completely different things. All the good things I do as a niece look different when I become a daughter-in-law. As a niece, my innocent and lively nature is likable, but as a daughter-in-law... Mother, tell me yourself, if you had a son, what kind of daughter-in-law would you choose? Not to mention anything else, you all say cousin will be successful in the future, perhaps even become an official. Can someone who becomes an official fancy someone like me with such a simple mind? People say that being an official's wife is very glamorous. Can I handle this glamour?"
Yu Shi followed Song Ming Yue's train of thought. No, there was no need to think about it. If she had a son and were choosing a daughter-in-law, she naturally wouldn't choose her own daughter. How could she manage a household without any foresight? If her son were successful, it would be even more so. He would interact with many people. With her daughter's personality, speaking straightforwardly, she wouldn't even know how she offended people.
Looking at her daughter's pleading eyes, Yu Shi suddenly realized, that's not right. Given her daughter's personality, how could she think of these problems? If she could see through these things, she wouldn't really worry about her daughter handling the mother-in-law relationship poorly at the Ge family.
"These are all things Zhen Zhen said, aren't they?" Yu Shi chided. "Mother was wondering why you suddenly thought of so many things."
"Mother, I didn't tell you this, you guessed it," Song Ming Yue stuck out her tongue. "Zhen Zhen said that if my personality were like yours, marrying cousin would be fine. Mother, who do you think my personality takes after?"