Zhulan had reasons for saying this. Jiang Wangshi was a talkative person. She came over immediately as soon as she saw that she had just arrived at Xuemei's house. Even though Zhulan disliked Jiang Wangshi, she came over immediately towards Jiang Wangshi. Zhulan also had to give her face.
Jiang Wangshi really couldn't figure out Yangshi. When she was looking for a wife for her son, she found out that Yangshi was very straightforward. Years ago, Yangshi showed her power and hurt her with her soft knife. She was ready to be ridiculed, but Yangshi acted as if nothing had happened. She dared not to look down on Yangshi anymore. "Oh, why do you need the in-laws to pour tea for me? I can do it myself."
Zhulan didn't want to pour a second cup either. Xuehan also came in. There were several scholars in Zhulan's family. They would read for a while in the evening. They were all growing young men. There were always snacks in the house, and there were several kinds of snacks. There were several categories for the guests.
Xue Han took the most expensive snack, a soft little cake. Yes, two months ago, Shi Qing’s snack shop opened in the county. It was very popular and everyone in the surrounding area knew about it. Being able to eat the cake was something worth showing off.
Xue Han put down the cake and said with a smile: "Aunt, have some snacks."
Mrs. Jiang Wang knew about pastries. Last time, her youngest son went home and brought back half a pound. It was said that a pound cost eighty cents. She tasted a bite and saw that six pieces were served. This plate weighed almost a pound, and eighty cents. While feeling sorry for the money, she had a deep understanding of the Zhou family. The family background of her in-laws was really solid.
Jiang Wang's eyes moved to Xue Han and she was stunned for a moment. "The last time I saw Xue Han, she was only a little girl. I haven't seen her for a few years. She has grown up now. This girl is really beautiful."
As he spoke, his heart ached. A little girl, wearing a light green dress, with a silver bracelet on her wrist, a pair of gold earrings on her ears, and a head flower on her head that was only available in county shops. She was good-looking, and her every frown and smile was like that of a young lady from an official family, but her back was a few centimeters shorter. The Jiang family was incomparable to the Zhou family, and his son could only work as an assistant in the county government thanks to his wife's family. He felt less confident and his tone became even weaker.
Zhulan's eyes softened as she listened. Mothers all like to hear words praising their children, so she smiled and said, "My dear relatives, please try some. We can talk while we eat."
Jiang Wangshi, "Hey!"
Zhulan wondered why Jiang Wang came here, but she couldn't ask, as if she was controlling her son-in-law's family. The relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law has been a problem since ancient times. In modern times, the relationship between grandmother and mother is not good. This was a small part of the reason for her parents' divorce. After she graduated from college, her family was worried about her future. Her grandmother told her many times why she didn't get involved in her mother's affairs. It was because the more her parents' family got involved, sometimes small problems would become big problems for the sake of face.
Jiang Wangshi ate a piece of cake and then stopped moving. She was smart. Her grandson and granddaughter were plump and white. It was obvious that they often went to their grandmother's house to eat delicious food. If she ate one less piece, the children would eat more. "You have been sitting for a while. Why are you alone at home?"
Zhulan explained, "Shuren went to the county, the eldest and second sons went to the mountains to collect firewood, and the eldest and second daughters-in-law went to collect fungus and wild vegetables. I am the only one left to look after the house."
When Jiang Wang heard about the vegetables, she said worriedly, "Jiang Sheng and his wife are living alone. The vegetable seedlings in the backyard have just grown up and are not very big. We have to wait for a while before we can eat the vegetables. I was thinking about them, so I discussed with the old man to come and live here for a while. I thought he would help me get some firewood, but when I walked in, I saw a pile of firewood as high as a person. Xuemei told me that it was Changli and Changyi who helped pick it up. Jiang Sheng's little family depends entirely on his in-laws to take care of it. As a mother, I can't help at all. I am so ashamed!"
Jiang Wangshi really felt ashamed. After her son left home, she and her old man reflected a lot and realized that not only were they disappointed in their son, but her son had also given up on them. That's why she panicked and spoke to her son in a soft voice. She came to help, but found out there was nothing she could do. When she compared her own parents with her in-laws, she felt very embarrassed.
Zhulan didn't want to guess what was in Jiang Wang's mind. As long as the Zhou family was doing better and Jiang Sheng relied on the Zhou family, she was not afraid that Jiang Wang would bully Xuemei. It was fine as long as the two families lived in peace. There was no need to be serious about life, and there was no need to force Jiang Wang to admit her mistakes. Sometimes it was good to be a little confused. "Look, what my in-laws said is a bit unorthodox. Xuemei is my daughter, and it is only right for her two brothers to help. Besides, who said that my in-laws can't help? Xuemei's vegetables haven't come down yet. If you want to eat green vegetables, they are all wild vegetables. Xuemei has to take care of the children and has no time. My in-laws can come and pick wild vegetables. Pick more and dry them in the winter to change the taste. Look, there are bracken and fungus drying in my yard!"
When Jiang Wang heard this, the heat on her face subsided a lot. "Then I'll pick more and bring them back. My dear, can you go with me tomorrow?"
Zhulan, “… … ..”
No, she didn't want to. She didn't want to go to the mountain at all. She even asked Zhou Shuren to buy anti-snake medicine and spread it at home. She heard more than once that snakes were caught in the firewood pile. When spreading the medicine, she even used her grandchildren as an excuse!