After being mother-in-law and daughter-in-law for so many years, Zhang Linghui didn't dare to say that she could fully understand Mrs. Xu's thoughts, but it was undeniable that Mrs. Xu doted on her youngest son.
Therefore, Zhang Linghui has been very doting and indulging Xu Ying over the years. Before she had children, she almost raised her brother-in-law as her son.
This was also the reason why Madam Xu looked up to her in the first place.
But now, she felt something was wrong - her mother-in-law was too calm, but Xu Ying was her lifeblood! If anything happened to Xu Tongzhou or Xu Tongji, she would not be able to survive.
She observed Mrs. Xu's expression with trepidation and called out "Mother" carefully.
Mrs. Xu didn't say anything. She looked at Zhang Linghui, who was in a mess after being soaked in the bird's nest porridge, and said calmly, "Tongzhou and Tongji are both good kids."
This sounded quite normal. Zhang Linghui saw hope and said hurriedly, "This is all thanks to you."
"No, you did teach them very well." Madam Xu raised her eyebrows, and her tone was still light when she spoke of this, and she said in a deep voice: "So I like them very much."
Is it because Xu Ying died that Mrs. Xu pays more attention to her grandson
Zhang Linghui felt a little relieved, thinking that her mother-in-law might really forgive her for the sake of the children.
After all, her dignity is also the dignity of her children.
But the next moment, Mrs. Xu's words were like a sharp knife, piercing her heart steadily and ruthlessly: "Such a good child, it's a pity that you ruined it."
Just this simple sentence made Zhang Linghui's face as pale as gold paper.
She couldn't even utter a complete sentence and clenched her fists in pain.
"Think about it. With such a reputation on your shoulders, how will the two of them hold their heads up in the future? Forget whether they can become officials or win the support of the people. They are about to go to school. With a mother like you, which teacher would be willing to teach them?" Madam Xu said ruthlessly, "Also, Tongzhou is about the same age as the Ninth Prince. Logically, he should become the Ninth Prince's companion in the future. But with you around, how can this be possible?"
Each of these words was like a knife, stabbing Zhang Linghui to pieces.
She finally realized how powerful her mother-in-law was. She showed weakness, thinking that she could use the child to make her mother-in-law forgive her for what she had done before, but her mother-in-law used the child to threaten her in return.
"In the past, you liked to bully others and clean up the mess for your relatives from your mother's side. I turned a blind eye to it. That's fine." Madam Xu picked up the cup and poured a cup of tea herself: "You like to take power, and your dowry is not generous. I think you are doing it for the sake of the children, so it's fine."
Madam Xu's face was indifferent. When she said this, she put down the teacup with a thud, which startled Zhang Linghui so much that she almost jumped up. Then she raised her eyebrows and said, "But since you are going to do this, you should be smarter. Either you control those idiots in your mother's family and prevent them from being too greedy and crossing the line to covet things they shouldn't covet, or at least you should clean up your mess after doing something bad and don't let others catch you, right? But you didn't do either of them well, and made our Xu family a huge joke. How can I face people in the future? How can your two children hold their heads up from now on?!"
Zhang Linghui completely collapsed and wished she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.
Mrs. Xu was not moved at all, her face was cold and her attitude was almost indifferent: "You have such a thing, I don't need to tell you, you know how serious it is, tell me, what are you going to do."
This is the key point. Zhang Linghui raised her head uneasily and looked at Mrs. Xu pleadingly.
"Think it over carefully. For the sake of my two grandsons, I can let you continue to be the wife of the prince." Seeing hope suddenly flashing in Zhang Linghui's eyes, Madam Xu smiled again: "As long as you can face your two sons in the future with dignity."
As soon as these words came out, Zhang Linghui's face lost all color, and she finally understood what Madam Xu meant.
She became quiet, even her tears stopped falling, and after a while she asked in an almost inaudible voice, "Then what can I do?"
Mrs. Xu looked at her with some pity and smiled gently.
The weather was just right, with clear skies for several days in a row. The scent of flowers was everywhere, and the birds in the cage hanging under the porch were still flapping their wings, making annoying cries.
Xu Tongzhou and Xu Tongji were reviewing their lessons. Their grandmother's return was absolutely good news for them. It also meant that the recent chaotic days at home could finally come to an end, and their father should be back soon.
Thinking of this, smiles appeared on the faces of the two brothers.
Zhang Linghui walked into the house holding Nanny Zhang's hand, and saw the two brothers Xu Tongzhou and Xu Tongji huddled together. They were so well-behaved that they didn't look like children of their age at all.
She smiled, but tears fell from her eyes.
Xu Tongzhou heard the noise and turned around, just in time to see her. He quickly stood up in surprise and called out "Mom".
Xu Tongji also shouted happily, ran over quickly and rushed into Zhang Linghui's arms.
Zhang Linghui was so weak that she stepped back before she could stand firmly with the help of Nanny Zhang.
"Why are you still so reckless?" Zhang Linghui gently scolded him, squatted down, looked at her son's furry little head, touched his head, and asked with a smile: "What are you doing?"
"Are you better now?" Xu Tongzhou also came over and looked at her worriedly: "If you are not feeling well, you should go back and rest. My brother and I will come to see you."
"It's okay." Zhang Linghui shook her head, a cheerful smile on her face: "Your grandmother is back. She makes all the decisions. I feel more at ease now, and my health is better now."
After hearing this, Xu Tongji smiled brightly in her arms: "That's great, Mom is well now, and she can play with me in the future. Please don't get sick again. You have to take bitter medicine when you are sick, and it's very hard."
Children are always so innocent and simple. Zhang Linghui agreed seriously: "Okay, I understand. I won't get sick in the future. Then you shouldn't get sick either, okay?"
Xu Tongji nodded heavily and patted his chest proudly: "My body is the strongest. Even my grandfather praised me as a calf. I will never get sick. I want to ride a big horse and become a general like my grandfather in the future!"
He was talking enthusiastically and excitedly, his little face flushed. Zhang Linghui also laughed and looked at Xu Tongzhou: "It's almost time, take your brother to rest early. There is a funeral in the mansion, you two should not walk around randomly."