Chapter 31 The Mother-in-Law's Gentle Touch: Sang Ji: ? How come I didn't know that...

Zhu Ming, Sang Mansion.

The rain has just stopped, and the sky is clear.

After passing through the long, winding covered walkway, Liu Jiao followed the maid in the front courtyard until she arrived at a waterside where a pavilion was built.

She directed the maid to hand her over to Granny Song, who had come to greet her, saying, "Young Madam, please come with me to the cool hall. The mistress is waiting for you there."

So this pavilion is actually a cool hall?

She had heard a storyteller mention that the cool pavilion was supposedly used for escaping the summer heat.

Is this what a wealthy family looks like?

She also had a way of staying cool in the summer: she carried a palm-leaf fan.

Liu Jiao's worries deepened.

The difference between myself and Sang Ji seems to be too great.

Granny Song glanced at her, noticing that she seemed a step behind in thought, but didn't wait for her.

By the time Liu Jiao realized what was happening, Granny Song was already gone.

She hurried to catch up, but the further she went, the more uncertain she felt.

Will Sang Ji's parents hate her?

After all, before Liu Jiao arrived, Wangyoujun had told her about the past deeds of Sangji's parents.

Even someone as unreliable as Wangyoujun scoffed and commented on Sangji's parents, saying they were difficult, mean, opportunistic, and selfish.

Liu Jiao then exclaimed "Ah!"

"Won't they have some complaints about me?"

Wangyoujun chuckled twice: "Except for when you returned the betrothal gifts and when you moved the dowry to the Sang family, they couldn't help but laugh. At other times, they had nothing but complaints."

That was practically a direct insult to his face.

"Take care of yourself, there's nothing I can do to help you."

Forget-Worry Lord sighed.

The cool hall was surrounded by gauze, which spun and billowed in the wind, blocking out the dampness and the way out.

Liu Jiao was about to lift the covers and go inside when Granny Song suddenly stopped.

Immediately afterwards, two servants lifted the long, sheer veil that trailed on the floor of the pavilion—

Liu Jiao was almost hit by the arm of the servant on her left, but fortunately, she was used to catching chickens and was quick-witted and dodged it.

Just as she was about to marvel at her own skill, the next instant, a soft, breathable long veil covered her entire face.

Liu Jiao: "..."

Do you wealthy families even have servants to lift the veil?

So rich, waaaaah!

There are two seats inside the pavilion.

Liu Jiao glanced at the people sitting on the seats; there was a man and a woman.

On the left, a noblewoman with a gold armlet, wearing a bright red jacket, and possessing sharp features and a high nose, is sipping tea and instructing someone.

Behind them. A middle-aged man in a dark blue round-necked robe, with one hand draped in prayer beads, and a kind face with his eyes closed, was reciting Buddhist scriptures and turning the glass prayer beads, appearing to be in a state of tranquility.

"Mistress, Lord."

“Sang Ji’s bride has arrived.”

Granny Song reports.

Upon hearing this, Liu Jiao politely smiled and greeted her in return.

"Mother-in-law, father-in-law." After greeting them, Liu Jiao realized that the woman with the high nose in front of her was her mother-in-law, Xiao Shi, and the middle-aged man holding prayer beads was her father-in-law, Sang Hong.

I felt a little uneasy.

How will the mother-in-law and father-in-law make things difficult?

Will he just curse her to death?

Liu Jiao is quite aware of her own character.

She, a rough and unsophisticated village girl, was fortunate enough to marry Sang Ji, the handsome and accomplished heir of the Sang family. Not to mention Sang Ji's parents, even she felt that she was not a good match for him.

It's normal to get scolded.

Forget it, let her just take the insults.

Let them vent their anger.

Anyway, it doesn't hurt or itch.

Liu Jiao had been scolded since childhood and was completely used to it, so she didn't care at all.

etc,

Will he hit her...?

Liu Jiao suddenly felt a chill run down her spine, considering the possibility of her running away...

As long as you don't hit her, she promises to stay still like a quail and listen to your scolding!

Even if a real fight breaks out, I hope she won't be crippled, and that she can hold on until Wangyoujun comes to her aid.

Hearing the sound, Madam Xiao stopped talking to the servant and looked over.

Sang Hong opened his eyes at the same time, but his eyes were not kind. They lacked the gentleness on the surface and instead had a stern and fierce look. He glanced at Liu Jiao with an extremely solemn and very uncomfortable gaze.

"Are you Liu Jiao?" Madam Xiao asked.

Liu Jiao nodded eagerly.

Xiao and Sang Hong exchanged a glance.

They were naturally angry that Liu Jiao married Sang Ji.

I'm so angry I haven't been able to eat for the past few days.

Before Liu Jiao arrived, the two of them had already planned how to make things difficult for her.

Now that Liu Jiao has finally arrived, it's time to give her a good dressing down.

They planned to make fun of Liu Jiao, this wild girl.

They interrogated her from every angle and belittled her in every way.

How dare they covet her son?

In the couple, Xiao was always the one who took the lead.

Then, glancing at Liu Jiao, her smile concealing a sharp edge, she smiled despite her arrogant and aggressive demeanor, and said first:

"Please take a seat."

Liu Jiao was shocked.

oh?

This mother-in-law is a really nice person. Not only does she not hit or scold me, she even gives me a seat!

Then I heard my mother-in-law ask, "Where do you live?"

Liu Jiao obediently replied, "Mother-in-law, your daughter-in-law lives in Caocun, Yangzhou."

Xiao feigned surprise without showing any emotion:

"Oh? What kind of remote place is this? I'm in Beijing, and I've never even heard of it."

Hehe, you wild girl.

Quickly feel the huge difference between you and my son.

What's wrong? You must be feeling really bad.

Just thinking about it made Xiao feel good.

The next moment, Liu Jiao explained seriously: "Go east from Yangzhou city gate, cross the mountain, cross the river, and then pass through a deep forest, and you will arrive at Caocun."

"It is indeed not well-known."

As she spoke, Liu Jiao chuckled and scratched her head, showing not a trace of humiliation or inferiority.

Xiao choked.

Why does this country girl look so dull?

Aren't you feeling uncomfortable?

It seems we shouldn't speak too deeply.

Xiao's expression remained unchanged, but she intensified her attack, becoming even more direct in her words:

"I heard that the other girls in your village are all from the countryside?"

This clearly indicates that Liu Jiao is marrying above her station.

Originally, Liu Jiao was also going to betrothed to a villager.

They secretly said she was scheming, a pheasant trying to climb the social ladder, not a phoenix.

Upon hearing this, Liu Jiao had a slightly distorted thought.

etc,

This scene looks just like those old ladies chatting idly at the village entrance.

The women in her village would sit on small stools all day, asking each other all sorts of questions.

They chatted, cracked sunflower seeds, and drank tea from enamel bowls, their conversation flowing freely and enthusiastically.

Now, my mother-in-law asks all sorts of questions, and just like the old ladies at the village entrance, she sits opposite me, only now she's replaced the stool with a chaise lounge.

Liu Jiao instantly understood the meaning behind her mother-in-law's endless questions:

She's just chatting with her!

No wonder!

You should have said so earlier!

Wow, city folks do enjoy chatting too.

Liu Jiao had just been worried that her mother-in-law's lack of scolding or beating and her offering her a seat and tea meant that she was planning something big.

Now I realize that they were just pure and kind!

Liu Jiao looked at her mother-in-law with a mixture of affection, emotion, and excitement.

So Liu Jiao immediately adopted a gossipy expression, lowered her voice, and whispered furtively:

"You've come to the right person! The people in our area are known for their boldness and openness, and this kind of thing happens all the time... Take Zhao the widower, for example. He used to be poor, but three years after his wife died, he suddenly became rich... Until one day he went mad, saying he saw his wife's ghostly aura, resenting him for not dying with her..."

"And there's more..."

A crack appeared on Xiao's face for a moment.

She listened to Liu Jiao's incessant chatter without showing any sign of humiliation.

He was so angry that his chest trembled violently.

Is this wild girl stupid?!

However, Xiao refused to give up humiliating Liu Jiao.

A young girl of this age, if her self-esteem is hurt, might even try to commit suicide.

Liu Jiao was just too stupid to realize it.

She'll try again.

After consoling himself, Xiao rallied his spirits.

The words spoken this time were frighteningly sharp.

Madam Xiao: "How much did the clothes you're wearing cost?"

You can use something that looks worthless as an excuse to cause trouble.

Upon hearing this, Liu Jiao immediately replied with a smile:

"Half a tael of silver for twenty pieces! Made by that auntie in our grass village, Grandma, let me tell you, it's a great deal..."

She thought to herself, "My mother-in-law really does want to chat."

Xiao Shi: "..."

Undeterred, she opened her mouth, wanting Liu Jiao to guess how much her outfit cost. Then, she took the opportunity to reveal that the outfit she was casually wearing cost fifty taels, making the naive Liu Jiao feel the difference in price.

Before Xiao could ask, Liu Jiao, who knew the art of back-and-forth conversation, asked the question for her:

"Mother-in-law, what about this one you're wearing?"

Xiao Shi: "..."

Suddenly I don't want to go back.

She waved her hand weakly, signaling Liu Jiao to leave.

Then, with his last bit of strength, he gritted his teeth and sneered, "You really are something, always eager to share."

Liu Jiao was happy and waved her hand generously:

"Oh, what's the big deal? Everyone's a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law!"

Xiao Shi: "..."

Watching Liu Jiao walk away gracefully, her figure skipping and jumping with joy, she deeply wondered if she was getting old and no longer understood the young girl's mindset.

*

"Since you've married into the Sang family, you may stay here."

Liu Jiao was left at the Sang residence and was led by Chunliu to live in Sang Ji's courtyard.

She lived in the main house, sharing a room with Sang Ji.

It's unusual for Sang Ji to return home before dawn today.

It was a little earlier than usual, and it was the first time I had dinner with Liu Jiao.

Sang Ji simply picked some vegetables and lean meat. As a martial artist, he ate a lot, but everything was light, simple, and easy to eat.

He doesn't have much of a appetite.

Unlike him, Liu Jiao, upon arriving in Beijing, wanted to try everything, especially desserts.

"How did you feel when you saw my father and mother today? Did you feel uncomfortable?"

Sang Ji said briefly.

He looked up and glanced at her indifferently.

He was waiting for Liu Jiao to give in and beg him.

After all, people only listen to advice when they have suffered setbacks themselves.

She learned a lesson from the setback she suffered at the hands of her father and mother today.

Liu Jiao was eating with great relish, with a few grains of rice still stuck to the corner of her lips, looking extremely happy.

Upon hearing this, she paused, narrowed her eyes, and nodded firmly:

"My father-in-law and mother-in-law are such wonderful people, especially my mother-in-law, who is incredibly gentle and kind."

Sang Ji: ?

Sang Ji frowned:

"Now that you've married me, I can take on this responsibility. If you encounter difficulties, don't try to be brave."

He knew exactly what kind of people his own parents were.

His mother, in particular, was completely unrelated to the phrase "gentle as water."

Liu Jiao: "You're being shallow."

"Don't judge a book by its cover. Although my mother-in-law may not look very approachable, she has a gentle heart."

She married a village girl to her son, and she didn't say a harsh word to her. She even gave her water, smiled at her, and chatted with her about everyday things.

She's absolutely gorgeous!

What Wangyoujun said about all crows being black is indeed true!

Even the matriarch and patriarch of the first family, like her second aunt who always sat under the big tree eating melon seeds, loved to chat.

Sure enough, no one can escape Kool-Aid.

Trying to find a trace of feigned loneliness on her face: "..."