In Zhulan's memory, her original self and her son-in-law seldom talked. Today, Jiang Sheng came to visit her and said a few words to her. This was their second conversation. Zhulan was satisfied with her eldest son-in-law's appearance and stature. She had sharp eyes. Jiang Sheng had just changed the child's clothes very skillfully. He was considerate in his parent work and his gratitude was sincere. Zhulan smiled, "Why are you being polite? Son-in-law is half my son. This is not only Xuemei's home, but also yours."
Jiang Sheng had mixed feelings. The better the Yue family was, the more he bent his shoulders. He had spent his wife's dowry on Xiucai and now moved to Yue family for the sake of his children. But there was nothing he could do as his parents had abandoned him. Yue family was the only one he could rely on now. He was even more grateful to Yue family for loving his wife and being willing to help their family. He could only tell himself again and again in his heart that he would never let his wife down and would win back face for her.
Seeing her daughter settle the child, Zhulan whispered, "The child won't wake up for a while, go eat first. I have something to tell you two after dinner."
Xuemei and her husband looked at each other and knew that they were going to talk about the Jiang family.
For dinner, there were the leftover meat and dishes from lunch, freshly steamed mixed noodles as a staple, and millet porridge, which Zhulan had specially taken out when she left. The grandchildren had always been hungry and had weak stomachs, so they had to be nourished with millet porridge first.
After dinner, Li and Xuemei cleared the dishes. The others went back to study, and the eldest and second child went back to their rooms. Zhulan went to check on the two children. The children had gotten up early in the morning and had been frightened for most of the day, so they slept soundly and could sleep for a while longer. Zhulan then went back to the main room to wait for Xuemei to come.
Zhou Shuren sat on the kang while Jiang Sheng stood on the ground. He did not talk about the Jiang family but instead tested Jiang Sheng's skills.
Jiang Sheng had beads of sweat on his forehead. His father-in-law had tested him in the past but he never put so much pressure on him. Today, not only was the difficulty higher, but he also skipped questions. He was so nervous that he was afraid of making mistakes.
Zhou Shuren was satisfied. Jiang Sheng was indeed talented and had a solid foundation. His daughter's words were true. If it weren't for the Jiang family's trouble that put Jiang Sheng under a lot of pressure this year, he would have definitely passed the exam this year.
Xuemei cleaned up the kitchen and looked at the children before coming over.
Zhulan motioned for her daughter to sit next to her and said to Zhou Shuren, "Let's talk business first."
Zhou Shuren motioned for Jiang Sheng to sit down as well, and then he told them what he had said at the Jiang family, and the matter of the separation. After the two of them accepted it, Zhou Shuren continued, "The conflicts in the Jiang family cannot be resolved, so it's better to cut the Gordian knot. Almost all the debts owed by the separation have been repaid, and the fundamental conflicts are gone. You don't have to live on cockfighting anymore. You can live your own lives in the future. Without any troubles, Jiang Sheng can study with peace of mind."
Moreover, since she didn't get any land, my daughter didn't have to work in the fields. The Zhou family's daughters-in-law didn't go to the fields, so my daughter shouldn't work too hard. Women still need to take good care of themselves.
Zhu Lan continued, "This is all we can do to help you. It's up to you two to decide how you'll live in the future."
Whether in ancient times or modern times, it is not good for the Yue family to interfere too much. This time they have their reasons and the Jiang family is in the wrong, and their son-in-law does need their help, but it is not right to interfere for a long time. The degree must be controlled well, and it must be made clear in advance to avoid the habit of relying on them for everything.
Jiang Sheng knew that his father-in-law and mother-in-law would make a scene when they went to Jiang's house. He was not a pedantic and bookish person. This year made him, who was already very clear-headed, see things even more clearly. He felt guilty when his sister-in-law made trouble for his parents. Later, he failed the exam, but he endured it for the sake of his parents. However, his tolerance became worse and worse. His parents' indifference made him feel disappointed, but he did not split up the family business. He worked most of the time. If it were not for his wife's encouragement, he would have given up.
Now his parents-in-law not only stood up for him, but also solved the problem. He won't be bullied in the future. A man doesn't cry easily, but his eyes turned red. "Dad, Mom, I'm sorry to trouble you, your son-in-law is incompetent."
Zhulan was choked by the two elders and forgot what she was about to say.
Xuemei shed tears of joy. She wouldn't have to suffer in the future and her father had found her a way to make money. That was great, great.
Zhou Shuren stared at Jiang Sheng with sharp eyes, "You are my son-in-law, it is my duty to consider you, live a good life in the future!"
Jiang Sheng was stunned. His father-in-law was scolding him, telling him that he helped because of Xuemei, and making him understand that he loved his wife and didn't feel uncomfortable with the scolding. "I understand, and I will never let you down in the future."
What Zhulan thought of instantly was promotion, wealth, and her dead wife. Now the couple were helping each other in times of need, but who knew what would happen in the future? She didn't believe in oaths.
Zhou Shuren didn't listen carefully. He believed that time will tell a person's true character. If he really let his daughter down, he would not be polite. "Okay, now you know what's going on, you can live in peace. Tomorrow I will go to the clan to get the pens, ink, paper and inkstone, so Jiang Sheng can copy the book. Your mother and I are tired all day, you can go back to look after the children!"
Xuemei saw that her parents looked tired, "Mom and Dad, let's go back."
Zhulan nodded, "By the way, don't let the child eat too much at night, or he will feel uncomfortable if his stomach can't digest it."
Xuemei: “Yes.”
Zhulan waited for her daughter and son-in-law to go out, then went to the kang and made the bed. She was extremely tired today, so she quickly took off her clothes and got into bed. By the time Zhou Shuren changed his clothes and lay down, Zhulan had fallen asleep.
Zhou Shuren turned his head to look at the distance between their quilts and was very satisfied. The distance between them went from being separated by one person to not being separated anymore, and he fell asleep contentedly.
When Xuemei and her husband returned home, the child was still asleep.
Jiang Sheng was grateful to his father-in-law for giving him the job of copying books. He was thankful for his father-in-law's consideration for them, but he was also worried. "Father-in-law takes care of us, but copying books is a good income. I wonder if my brothers will think too much."
If Xuemei hadn't heard about the family situation from her eldest sister-in-law in the afternoon, she would have been worried. It was because she knew that her brothers would not covet the money from copying books. She knew her brothers well, and her eldest sister-in-law only knew the surface. Even if their parents didn't explain, the brothers could guess something. They said with certainty, "No."
Jiang Sheng was surprised by his wife's affirmation, but when he thought of the engagement jade pendant and the jewelry his mother-in-law gave her, he remained silent and didn't care. It seemed that his parents had not asked enough questions from the beginning, and the Yue family had a strong foundation.
The two children woke up, and Jiang Sheng and his wife were all focused on them. Xuemei went to the kitchen to get some warm porridge with diced sausages in it, which her mother had specially asked her sister-in-law to prepare.