Chapter 399 Mulan's Parents

Everyone else went out to play, leaving three women at home.

Mulan was shy and uncomfortable when she first married into the family, and she always tried to find things to do.

"You stay here, it's still early for dinner. I've stewed the rest of the meat in the pot. When they come, I'll stir-fry it a little and then boil water for noodles," Song Chunxue said, sitting at the stone table in the courtyard. "Come and chat for a while."

Jiang Hongying laughed and said, "Yes, that's how it is for new brides. When I first married into the He family, I was also very restless and dared not hide in my room."

She pulled Mulan's hand and sat down. "And what happened? In the afternoon, they made me carry buckets of manure to the fields. I think I remember that scene clearly when I died. Now that I think about it, He Chuan's mother was really a monster."

Xia Mulan sat down quietly, with an awkward smile on her face. Her young face had fine downy hair, and her skin was fair with a pinkish tinge. She also had a slender figure.

Jiang Hongying was already showing signs of aging. Having given birth to three children, coupled with endless labor and oppression, the wrinkles around her eyes could not be erased even now that she no longer had to work so hard.

However, since returning from Liangzhou, Hongying's complexion has become much paler, and she has also gained a little weight.

Back in Liangzhou, she was not only dressed in tattered clothes, but her complexion was also sallow, and she was extremely thin.

Song Chunxue held a needle and thread in her hand, intending to make herself a few pairs of insoles.

“I should have brought my needle and thread too. I’ve been making shoes for the children lately. Autumn is coming soon, and winter will be here in no time. It’s better to make the cotton shoes sooner rather than later.” Hongying looked at Mulan. “Hey, what are you doing?”

"I also do needlework."

Xia Mulan ran quickly into the house and soon returned with two vests.

Just as Jiang Hongying was about to speak, she saw Xia Mulan blush and hand one of the black and red vests embroidered with many peony patterns to Song Chunxue.

“This was embroidered for… Mother. I didn’t know your size might be a bit loose. If it doesn’t fit, Mother can give it away.”

Song Chunxue was taken aback, then reached out and took it. The embroidery was exquisite, the edging was well done, and most importantly, the color scheme suited her perfectly.

She stood up with a smile. "You must be quite busy at home, embroidering such an intricate vest for me. You've even delayed your own wedding dress, haven't you?"

Xia Mulan lowered her head. "Didn't my mother make my wedding dress? My mother said I must have accumulated good karma in my past life. How can a mother-in-law make a wedding dress for her daughter-in-law? My aunts and uncles were all amazed and kept praising me for marrying well."

Although she was a little shy, she still spoke her mind.

Have you accumulated good karma?

She must have accumulated good karma. In her past life, her mother-in-law was so wicked and treated her badly when she was young, yet she still changed her clothes and even fed her when she couldn't hold chopsticks.

Everyone says that the elders in the family are like living gods. Mulan was devoted to her for the sake of her children, but it was also sincere.

After she died, she knew that Mulan would live a good life in her old age.

Song Chunxue never considered herself a good person. She even wondered why God would let someone like her have a second chance. Was it because her childhood was too difficult?

Perhaps it's because God felt that Sanwa and the others had suffered too much, so He made her, the old woman, rich early on so that they could have a better life.

"It fits perfectly. You can wear it when it gets cold. It looks beautiful when you embroider it." Song Chunxue put on the vest and praised it generously. "My embroidery skills are not good. I have never embroidered clothes before. When I buy fabric, I choose fabrics with flowers."

Xia Mulan secretly breathed a sigh of relief, "As long as Mother is happy."

"Mulan's craftsmanship is truly excellent. I also see the beautiful flowers on your embroidered shoes. They'll definitely make great clothes for your children in the future." Jiang Hongying looked at Song Chunxue. "I took after my mother; my embroidery skills are terrible. I'm clumsy."

Song Chunxue said irritably, "I'm just lazy because no one taught me."

Jiang Hongying refused to admit it, saying, "A rat's son knows how to dig a hole, but you don't. No matter how hard I try, I can't learn it."

Song Chunxue raised her hand and pinched her ear, "That's just sophistry. The shoes you made for the child are too ugly. You should learn more from Mulan in the future."

In this respect, she probably inherited it from her. The shoes that Hongying made were not only uncomfortable to wear, but also ugly. Perhaps it was because the child's feet were fat, and the child's shoes were even fatter.

The shoes Xia Mulan made for the children were praised by everyone in the village. She chose beautiful colors, the stitches were fine, and most importantly, the shoes fit perfectly, making them slim and pretty.

During the New Year, when they put on their new shoes and went to visit each other, people would make them stand together. Seeing the four girls wearing pink shoes and pink clothes, some would even vie to propose marriage.

"By the way, I heard your father wasn't feeling well. Has he taken his medicine? How is he now?"

When Jiang Hongying asked about this, Mulan looked disappointed. "It's not good. She's been coughing constantly, and the medicine isn't helping much anymore."

Song Chunxue didn't say anything. At least this time, Mulan's father could watch Mulan get married.

If his illness had been treated a few years earlier, he might have been cured.

"Do you still have enough money for your parents' medicine?" Song Chunxue whispered. "When we go back to your parents' home tomorrow, have Sanwa bring some money for your parents' medicine. If that's not enough, get the medicine and bring it back. Don't leave any for your older brothers."

Although Mulan's parents treated her well, they reserved the best benefits for her older brothers.

If it weren't for her two sons being so disappointing, Mulan's mother wouldn't have taken her own life.

Mulan nodded, then shook her head. "Mother, you left me enough money last time. My father promised to leave some for medicine."

“Then you should go back tomorrow after you get the medicine. Your second brother will be getting married soon, right? Why don’t you build a house outside the yard as soon as possible, so that you can live separately after he gets married?”

Song Chunxue couldn't say anything else. Mulan's second sister-in-law was no pushover. She was tall with triangular eyes and a sharp tongue that was particularly good at subtly slandering people.

Mulan's mother was a gentle and virtuous woman, no match for her daughter-in-law, and was constantly frustrated by her daughter-in-law's temper.

In addition, her second son's weak personality made her even more tormented.

Mulan was unaware of Song Chunxue's worries. She opened her mouth, but couldn't help saying, "That's what I said too, but my mother wants to take care of my second brother, and my second brother also said that he would be filial to our parents and doesn't want to separate from the family."

At this point, her voice lowered considerably. "I've met the girl who's engaged to my second brother. I heard she has a bad temper, and all the boys in the village say she's not someone to mess with. I brought up the idea of ​​building a house outside, and I got scolded."

It's unwise to meddle in other people's family affairs, but Song Chunxue didn't want Mulan to be in tears while pregnant.

She said casually, "You can also pay craftsmen to build houses. The bricks for a house won't cost much money, and the doors and windows can be made of wood. Two taels of silver can build a house."

Mulan remained silent, deep in thought.

“Your parents are not in good health, so it’s good for you to plan ahead for them. Even if the house is built, if your brother and sister-in-law have a fight in the future and want to live in the new house, let them live there. Your parents are used to the old house. It’s a win-win situation.”

Mulan nodded involuntarily.

Jiang Hongying was puzzled, but she could tell that her mother wanted to help Mulan.

“Mother is right. Even if your mother scolds you for paying for the bricks and wood yourself, she will agree, after all, it is your way of showing filial piety.” Hongying gently suggested, “But don’t make a decision too soon. Wait until your second brother gets married and they have a fight before you start building it.”