Chapter 364 Could it be?

The fourth brother's words made Song Chunxue feel a little down.

Things are different now. They no longer have to wait until the New Year to eat white flour, nor do they have to wear tattered clothes and shoes.

Compared to the past, their lives are so good that they're practically living like local tyrants. They can buy meat whenever they want and drink alcohol whenever they want.

However, as a mother, Song Chunxue didn't care about her children as much as before.

The reason she used to work so hard, like a spinning top, was because she always had her child in her heart.

While harvesting grains in the mountains, she had already decided which kind of pancakes she would make when she got home so that her children would prefer them.

Before her eldest son got married, she always worried about what he liked to eat and whether his clothes had been washed.

Back then, the children got along better. She would remember to sweep the room before her second son came home, as he was very clean and would also wash the sheets on the kang (a heated brick bed).

Sanwa went to the mountains to herd sheep. If she encountered a thunderstorm, it would definitely be very cold. She softened the dried leaves and sewed them into a cloak.

The fourth child is a bit spoiled; the steamed buns she brings to school can't be too dark, the dark ones she can keep for herself...

She used to always revolve around her children.

She used to devote nine-tenths of her attention to her children, but now she has taken back most of it.

They're all grown up now, and there's no point in her worrying about many things. It's time to let them walk their own path.

She didn't understand this principle in her past life, which is why she was so resentful and unwilling to accept it.

It was because she wanted her child to repay her so much that she was in so much pain and so persistent.

She had no one to rely on, thinking she would depend on her children when she got old, but she didn't know how to teach them, and the successful ones didn't know how to be grateful, leaving Sanwa to carry her burdens...

Later, her senior brother told her that one should not seek things from external sources, but rather seek them from oneself and one's own heart; this is the right path.

She is a mother, but she is also a human being.

"Mom, I was just kidding. A stepfather is definitely not as good as a biological father. You don't need to take it to heart."

Seeing that Song Chunxue's expression was off, the fourth son scratched his head and said, "Mother, I'm very sleepy. I'm going to bed now."

He winked at Jiang Hongying, "Mom, I just wanted to make you happy, don't take what I said to heart."

Jiang Hongying glanced at him, blaming him for being so talkative.

She could tell that her mother was different from those women who were eager to find an old man; her mother wanted to rely on herself and found it troublesome.

Song Chunxue returned to her room, not wanting to think about anything, and too lazy to read. She lay on the bed, staring blankly at the white clouds outside the window.

As she watched, she found the clouds fascinating, always reminiscent of deities, their ever-changing forms reminding her of the gods from the myths she had heard as a child.

Sometimes she thinks that perhaps the clouds are the shadows of the gods.

My senior brother also said that the story of mortals ascending to become immortals is just a story. The meaning of their cultivation lies in seeing the facts clearly, facing human nature to restrain themselves, seeking peace of mind, and helping others to the best of their ability.

She felt peaceful and slowly closed her eyes.

As for the children, she should just do what a mother should do; the rest is none of her business.

Her senior brother was her benefactor. Once the fourth brother's marriage was settled, she wanted to take advantage of her remaining mobility and travel to Jiangnan with him.

...

In the evening, Sanwa returned from school and was overjoyed to see Lao Si back.

He put down his books and asked all sorts of questions, listening intently as the fourth brother recounted his experiences and strange tales along the way, and he was quite the flatterer.

In the evening, Jiang Hongying came to help Song Chunxue cook.

When the fourth brother comes back, I'll definitely cook a delicious meal tonight to welcome him back.

Braised pork knuckle, braised fish, stir-fried pork with lamb's quarters, as well as vermicelli and cabbage, chicken and potato, and buckwheat noodles with fermented vegetable broth that the fourth brother wanted to eat.

Jiang Hongying was astonished. "Mom, when did you learn to make dishes that you only see in restaurants? Braised fish and braised pork knuckle, I've only ever heard of such dishes in restaurants."

"The Taoist priest taught him. He traveled all over the country and saw a lot, so he knows how to cook a lot." Song Chunxue said regretfully, "I should have learned more dishes. Although the dishes in the restaurant are a bit varied, they are really delicious."

Jiang Hongying smiled and said, "It's already very delicious."

At the dinner table, the children ate the most heartily, and seeing their satisfied smiles, Song Chunxue felt very gratified.

She discovered that her fourth brother had learned to boast after wandering around for the past two years.

What about confronting bandits and finally becoming close friends over drinks, or meeting a beautiful woman from the Western Regions and almost tricking her into coming back? It's all so amazing!

However, Song Chunxue didn't pour cold water on the idea and listened quietly.

"Mother wants to repair the house?" the fourth son asked curiously after hearing Jiang Hongying's words. "The house is quite nice, where should it be repaired?"

“There are many things to repair. If you’re not in a hurry to leave, come with me to work. There are quite a few places in the front and back yards that need repair. I’m going to tear down the old chicken coop and pigsty, build a shed and a house, move the storeroom to the back, and the houses in the front will be used for living.”

"I won't stop you from going out for a stroll if you want, but you must come home every night. If you take a fancy to a girl, I'll go to her house to propose marriage."

When the girl was mentioned, the fourth brother became hesitant.

"Actually, I met a girl I really clicked with while I was out there. We agreed to go back to her home to propose marriage, but it's a bit far from here, in Ji County."

At this point, the fourth son smiled shyly, "Mother, it's such a long way, would you be willing to come and propose marriage?"

Ji County, what a tragic fate.

In his previous life, the fourth brother's wife was from Ji County, but the fourth brother met her in the far western regions.

Unfortunately, the fourth son ultimately betrayed her, leaving her alone at home while he lived a quiet life with another woman in another county, becoming her stepfather.

The fourth son's wife was left alone in the courtyard where they had gotten married, and she went crazy, cursing at everyone she met.

Is her surname Ma?

The fourth son nodded in surprise, "Yes, how did Mother know?"

"I'm just guessing. I had a dream before that you two weren't meant to be. It's so far away, who knows, by the time you go there next time, she might already be married."

Hearing this, the fourth son was heartbroken and looked at Song Chunxue sadly, "Mother, you're not lying to me, are you?"

“If you think it’s too far and don’t want to go, I’ll go by myself. I really want to marry her.”

Song Chunxue looked up, "It has to be her?"

The fourth brother nodded emphatically, "She's the only one for me. We've already pledged our lives to each other, and I don't want to be a person who goes back on his word."

Song Chunxue sneered inwardly. The promises made in her youth had turned to dust in middle age, easily scattered by the wind.

"Fine, after Sanwa's marriage, if you insist on going, then go, but I won't go." She didn't want to be an accomplice and harm others.

The fourth son hung his head and said, "Mother, you've already been to my sister's house. Ji County is almost the same as Liangzhou. Why are you so unconcerned about my affairs?"

"Do you know her birth chart? If your birth charts are compatible, I'll go." Song Chunxue said earnestly, "You need to think carefully. If you want to marry her, you have to treat her well and be good to her for the rest of your life. We come from poor backgrounds, so don't think about having multiple wives and concubines."

The fourth son was both ashamed and angry. "Mother, are you prejudiced against me? What makes you think I want to have three wives and four concubines?"

Forget it, now is not the time to discuss this.

"It was my fault. I was afraid you'd go astray outside." Song Chunxue suddenly realized, "You mean... you've already consummated your marriage?"