Jiang Ersao was in a bad mood after being slapped like that.

However, seeing her mother-in-law's furious expression, she dared not say anything, fearing the old woman would slap her again. After all, she was the head of the household; how could she dare to disobey?

Jiang Ersao glared resentfully at Gu An'an, then strode away with a brisk pace, completely devoid of the imposing manner she had displayed upon arrival.

Grandma Jiang wasn't in a hurry to leave. She looked at her youngest daughter-in-law, who was standing there serving Ma Shunmao.

To be honest, the main reason we chose Gu An'an as our third son's wife was because we figured she was easy to control. After all, she was a very independent and easygoing person in her own family, so wouldn't she be the one making the decisions after marriage?

But some things seemed to be different from what she had expected.

For the first two years, Gu An'an acted like a shrew, constantly finding excuses to cause trouble at the old house.

Now the tables have turned. Gu An'an is too lazy to go to the old house anymore, but she and her mother-in-law often come here.

"The old clan chief is too old to be bothered by all this. Don't bother him with trivial matters all the time."

The reason why Old Lady Jiang rushed over to drive Second Sister-in-law Jiang away was, of course, because Gu An'an asked Jiang Mingyi to go to the old clan chief and exaggerate the situation, saying that Old Lady Jiang was not going to live much longer.

As a member of the clan, the old clan chief hurried over and, seeing the lively and energetic Granny Jiang, quickly understood what had happened.

It seems there's a lesson to be learned from Old Lady Jiang.

Jiang Mingyi completed the task very well, which greatly pleased Gu An'an. Looking at Old Madam Jiang, who was lecturing people with the air of an elder, she sighed, "You're right, but we are always being targeted by people as orphans and widows. We have to ask the old clan chief to support us."

You say what you want, I'll do what I want, as for next time...

She still dares.

Who's afraid of whom?

Grandma Jiang was so angry when she heard this that she knew Gu An'an was really not afraid at all.

This person really does what they say!

They gained nothing and were even deliberately ignored.

Grandma Jiang left in a huff, but didn't see her second daughter-in-law when she got home.

"Where is Xiaofei's mother?"

Jiang Lao Er said he didn't know, which made Jiang Lao Tai even angrier. "You good-for-nothing."

How could she have raised such a useless son?

Jiang Lao Er wasn't angry at all, and said with a grin, "Big brother is successful, now he's working in the government and never comes back. Third brother was also successful, he went out to make his way in the world but he died and was never found. It's better that I'm so useless, I can stay at home and take care of Mother in your old age."

Upon hearing this, Old Lady Jiang seemed to lose all her energy. After a long while, she finally said, "Don't talk nonsense. How could you curse your brother to die?"

Jiang Lao Er was displeased upon hearing this. "Mother, what are you saying? Lao San has been disobedient since he was a child. He ran away from home against your and Father's wishes, which angered Father to death. Later, he came back with that woman he was keeping outside. Surely I'm not wronging him?"

Grandma Jiang remained silent for a moment, then sighed softly.

"Besides, it's not like I spread rumors that he's dead. Didn't you ask someone to deliver a message, and that person said that the man in that family had passed away recently? People can't come back to life, Mother, you should try to think more positively."

Jiang Lao Er has always been eloquent; otherwise, why would the second oldest brother be favored by his parents?

He didn't dwell on his brother's affairs for too long, and after a few words he started joking around to make his mother happy, which made Old Madam Jiang smile and completely forget the bad mood she had been infuriated by her two daughters-in-law.

Naturally, he didn't even think about why his daughter-in-law hadn't come home.

Jiang Ersao left Gu An'an's house in a huff, intending to go home, but halfway there she turned around and headed out of the village.

That was the direction she was heading towards her parents' home, but she hadn't gone far when a north wind suddenly picked up, and the burning pain on her face made her realize that she shouldn't have gone any further towards her parents' home.

Should she go and cry and complain about her grievances? Even if she did, she'd probably be ridiculed by her sister-in-law, and she couldn't bear that embarrassment.

When she got home, she heard her husband chatting and laughing with the old woman as soon as she entered the courtyard. Jiang Ersao pursed her lips and went inside.

Wasn't she thinking of bringing Gu An'an's carriage over for the sake of this family?

The old woman slapped her just to save face; did she ever think about how she should behave?

Even clay figures have a touch of earthiness.

Jiang Ersao picked up the basket but didn't want to continue making shoes, which made her so angry that she kept poking the soles of the shoes with a needle.

"What's wrong with you? Why are you so desperate to cause trouble for the third brother's family? You know what kind of temper that woman has."

Being beaten by her mother-in-law was bad enough, but even the men were criticizing her. Jiang Ersao picked up a needle, wishing she could poke Jiang Lao Er.

Fortunately, Jiang Lao Er reacted quickly and dodged away.

Seeing his wife so angry, Jiang Lao Er leaned over again and said, "Why do you insist on getting involved in this mess? I have an idea for you."

His voice was so low that it barely reached Jiang Ersao's ears.

Jiang Ersao's disdain gradually disappeared, replaced by a smile, though she was still somewhat uneasy. "Will this work? I think she's really reckless, fearless, and before..."

"You're such a woman, all talk and no action. She's already completely offended her husband's family, and now she's going to offend her own family too? Will she really cut off all ties with her own family in the future?"

Jiang Lao Er sighed softly, "How else could you have been tricked by that woman again? Does it hurt?"

Jiang Ersao was initially somewhat angry, but upon hearing this tender and gentle tone, she gave him a reproachful look and said, "It hurts, will you help me hit him back?"

This is quite a challenge, but Jiang Lao Er is very good at sweet-talking women.

A few words were enough to make Jiang Ersao laugh, and the two of them rolled around in a ball.

...

Gu An'an enjoyed a few rare days of peace and quiet, and in a few more days it would be New Year's Eve. The first day of the Lunar New Year was Jiang Mingzhu's tenth birthday, which was definitely worth celebrating.

Gu An'an asked Jiang Mingzhu what birthday present she wanted.

"Gift?"

"Yes, the gift conveys our blessings to you." The girl truly had fair skin and delicate bones; after using the scar-reducing cream for less than half a month, the marks on her face had disappeared without a trace, and now there was no sign of any problem, as if she had never been injured.

This kind of skin that doesn't leave scars is truly enviable.

The girl smiled shyly upon hearing this, "I'm fine now, and I don't particularly want any gifts."

The little girl wasn't very good at asking for gifts, after all, she was quite reserved.

"Alright, remember to tell your mother if there's anything you want."

Gu An'an thought she should prepare a gift herself so she could surprise her.

As she was pondering this, someone outside suddenly spoke loudly, "Oh my, I never expected our little aunt to be so capable. She actually bought a carriage! This is great! Mother, if you ever have a headache or fever and need to go to the city for medical treatment, we can borrow our little aunt's carriage."

The second sister-in-law of the Gu family spoke in a very clear and open voice, "Mother almost went blind from working day and night to make shoes for these grandsons. How about we borrow a carriage? You wouldn't disagree, would you, little sister?"

In a single sentence, the Gu family was placed on a moral high ground.