Chapter 557: Chapter 557 Pork Chapter 557: Chapter 557 Pork Chuner’s eyes widened as she gazed at the Walnut Crisp in Madam Ruan’s hand, swallowing hard before she pitifully asked, “Auntie, where did you get that Walnut Crisp from?”
“Took it from your grandfather’s room, of course. Your family is living the good life now, even the snacks are so fancy. It’s my first time trying them! Delicious,” Madam Ruan said while stuffing the last piece of Walnut Crisp into her mouth before striding into the house to deliver clothes to Old Master Mo.
Chuner watched her enter the house, dumbstruck, and it took her a while to realize what had happened. Turning her head, she said, “Mother, it turns out Auntie is the one who’s been stealing our cookies and candy.”
Without Chuner’s explanation, both Xuexue and Madam Xie understood what was going on.
Xuexue’s gaze drifted towards Madam Xie as if to say, “I was right, wasn’t I? Old Master Mo is nothing but trouble.”
Madam Xie, feeling a twinge of regret for her decision, guiltily looked at Chuner and said, “Be good, Chuner, we won’t have any today. In a few days, we’ll have your sister go to town to buy some more.”
“Okay! Alright then,” Chuner replied, her little face drooping, resigned to her fate.
And just like that, Old Master Mo settled into living at the Xie Residence.
Madam Xie took great care of him.
Madam Ruan, meanwhile, took the opportunity to come around every day asking for a handout.
One day, when both Madam Xie and Xuexue were out, only Old Master Mo was at home.
Madam Ruan came again, under the pretense of visiting that old master.
Xuexue couldn’t help but wonder why Madam Ruan had never been this dutiful before, but now that Old Master Mo was staying at their place, she came to visit him every day.
“Eunuch, do you think they’re looking down on you?” Although no one else was around, Madam Ruan sneakily glanced to the left and right before asking Old Master Mo in a low voice.
“Don’t talk nonsense. They have been good to me.” Old Master Mo felt like he had gained several pounds from eating well every day.
“These past few days, I haven’t seen them offer you any snacks or cookies. Isn’t that because they are guarding against you?”
Having come over to visit several days in a row without seeing any cookies or candy, Madam Ruan felt as if she were being scratched by a cat inside—she really enjoyed those snacks, and now there weren’t any. She was too stingy to spend her own silver to buy such expensive treats, more costly than meat; she couldn’t bear the expense.
“How dare you say that! That day you took all the cookies and candies, and Chuner was left wanting some without having any,” scolded Old Master Mo, giving her a stern look.
“A worthless girl! Back when she was in our house, she could barely get enough to eat, and now she’s acting all high and mighty,” Madam Ruan said with a disdainful curl of her lip.
“Don’t say such things anymore. If mother and daughter hear you, they won’t be happy.”
“You’ve been paying them more and more attention,” Madam Ruan observed with jealousy in her voice. In the past, Old Master Mo had only cared about her son, looking down on Madam Xie and her daughter, but now he was all in favor of them.
“We’re all family, after all,” Old Master Mo said, before asking, “Speaking of which, I’ve been here for a few days; has your mother-in-law said anything about it?”
“Nope!” Madam Ruan’s eyes were evasive; Old Lady Mo was busy with her own matters and had no time to worry about Old Master Mo.
“Really nothing?”
“Really, nothing. Ah! I can’t talk now; I have things to do at home. I must get back,” Madam Ruan hastily got up to leave, clearly trying to avoid further discussion on the topic.
Perplexed by Madam Ruan’s unusual behavior, Old Master Mo was baffled. What on earth was that old woman up to?
Madam Ruan reached the courtyard and was about to step out of the main gate and head home when, as if suddenly remembering something, she veered towards the kitchen.
Once in the kitchen, she rummaged around and to her delight found a large piece of pork in the pot, weighing about three or four pounds. She could not help but rejoice, grabbing it and leaving. The meat for that evening’s meal was sorted; the trip had not been in vain after all.