Chapter 141

Zhou Wushi had no desire to chat with them for a long time, and when she saw Mu Qing coming over, she started to shoo people away.

"I have things to do at home, and it's getting late, so I won't keep you company any longer."

Aunt Mu and Aunt Qian exchanged a glance, secretly pursed their lips, stood up, and straightened their skirts. "Then, Sister Wu, you go ahead with your work. We won't bother you any longer."

Zhou Wu glared at the departing figures of the two men.

Looking at Mu Qing, his eyes showed little joy. "Where's the second son? Isn't he home?"

The two boys beside Mu Qing, Xiao Suo'er and Xiao Shitou, huddled behind him, terrified of their grandmother, Zhou Wushi.

Mu Qing frowned slightly. Children are the most sensitive; they know perfectly well who likes them and who doesn't.

"As you know, the autumn harvest is coming soon, so while he had some free time, Ah Ming went to town to look for work."

Zhou Wu glared at him, "The eldest son has plenty of work to do, why does he need to go to town?"

Mu Qing looked up and said, "My brother doesn't lack manpower. Besides, Mother, you know that in previous years, A-Ming and my brother had a falling out. How could he have the face to go there and look for work?"

Zhou Wu snorted, "Now you know how to have some shame. Besides, we're all brothers, there's no such thing as holding a grudge overnight."

Mu Qing glanced at Zhou Wu Shi, unsure whether she genuinely didn't understand or was feigning ignorance.

Regardless of Zhou Lin's character, Mu Jin is not the kind of guy who forgets his mistakes easily.

Little Stone tugged at her sleeve. "Little Daddy, I'm hungry."

Mu Qing said, "Mother, it's getting late, I'm going back to cook."

"I haven't even finished talking to you, why are you leaving?! All you do is eat, you money-losing bastard."

Little Stone was so frightened by Zhou Wushi that he burst into tears, and Little Suo'er also started sobbing.

Mu Qing felt sorry for her and was also angry. "Mother, why are you arguing with a child? There are many things to do at home. I'm going back now."

With that, he took Xiao Suo'er and Xiao Shitou and went home.

Zhou Wu was furious. "Well, you've really grown some guts now! You don't respect your mother anymore?! The eldest son is like this, and now you're all like this. What sins have I committed?"

As Zhou Wushi spoke, she slapped her thigh and began to cry.

Mu Qingchong paid no heed and disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Ever since Mu Zhou passed the imperial examination and became a Xiucai (a successful candidate in the lowest level of the imperial examinations), while Zhou Qiang only reached the Tongsheng (a lower level of the imperial examinations) and made no further progress, Zhou Wushi's temper became increasingly eccentric.

Two years ago, Zhou Laosan realized that Zhou Qiang was not cut out for studying.

Originally intending to cut losses and stop supporting Zhou Qiang's education, they brought him back from town and quickly found him a job as a teacher at the village school.

Because Zhou Qiang was a student in his early twenties and young, Mu Genfa allowed him to enter the village school. He was paid two taels of silver a month, which was a respectable job and the envy of the villagers.

This did not delay Zhou Qiang's studies, allowing him to continue his pursuit of official rank.

Zhou Qiang was scolded by the town's teacher for being useless and utterly incompetent, and he had long since given up on taking the exam.

Because Zhou Laosan came to town and told him about it, he went back with him.

Zhou Qiang himself didn't want to continue studying, and he said he wasn't cut out for studying.

Although the Zhou family members were disappointed, most of them had no objections, except for Zhou Wushi and Bai Jin.

Seeing that Wen Zhaoran had become a scholar's husband, and that in two more years he might become a scholar's husband, and then an official's husband.

He felt he was no worse than Wen Zhaoran, so how could he not be an official's husband?

Even if you force Zhou Qiang, you have to make him continue learning.

Unfortunately, her husband was suddenly cut off from his money and was thinking of staying in the village as a lowly tutor.

With his pride, how could he possibly stand it?

In the past two years, she has given Zhou Laosan and Zhou Qiang a hard time, and she often takes her two-year-old son to her parents' home.

She wanted her family to help support Zhou Qiang's education, but unfortunately, they also came to their senses.

Besides, even if they were willing to pay, Zhou Qiang himself didn't want to continue studying, so there was nothing they could do.

Bai Jin ran around making a fuss on both sides, neither of whom wanted to spend any more money.

Today, Bai Jin took her son back to her parents' home. Zhou Laosan went out, Zhou Qiang was at the village school, and only Zhou Wushi was at home.

Zhou Wu cried for a while, but no one was home, which made her even more grief-stricken.

When Zhou Qiang returned from the village school, he saw Zhou Wu sitting motionless in the main room, her eyes slightly red, seemingly lost in thought.

"Mother, what's wrong?"

Zhou Qiang has shed his youthful naiveté, and his features have matured considerably.

What's wrong with being a teacher at the village school? He gets paid every month and doesn't have to study those obscure and difficult scriptures anymore. He likes it very much.

"My little one, go to town to study. I still have money to support you. We can't let that kid Mu Zhou outdo us!"

Zhou Qiang looked at Zhou Wushi, whose eyes seemed to be possessed, and was startled.

“Mother, what are you saying? Isn’t it good to be a teacher in the village? Many families want to be one but can’t.”

Zhou Wushi seemed not to hear, "Come on, let's go to town to find the teacher."

Zhou Qiang was helpless; with his current strength, Zhou Wushi couldn't pull him away.

The two were locked in a stalemate in the courtyard when Zhou Laosan happened to return from outside. Seeing the situation, he angrily exclaimed, "What's all this commotion?!"

Zhou Qiang hurriedly said, "Father, you're back! Quickly go and fetch Doctor Mu. Mother seems to be possessed."

When Mu Jin and Zhou Lin were called back to the Zhou family by Zhou Si, they were preparing lunch.

Mu Bai teased the little papaya and said, "Big brother, you go ahead, Liu Chengye and I aren't hungry yet."

Mu Jin thought for a moment and said, "There are some jujube cakes in the cupboard that you like. You can have some if you're hungry."

Mu Bai nodded, "Brother, you should go quickly."

When Mu Jin and Zhou Lin arrived, Doctor Mu had just finished acupuncture. Apart from Zhou Ming, who was in town, and Bai Jin, who was at her parents' home, all the Zhou family members were there.

Doctor Mu sighed and said, "Her obsession is too deep, her anger is inflamed, and her liver qi is too strong. I gave her acupuncture and prescribed some calming medicine, but if she wants to fully recover, she has to let go of her own mind. Otherwise, I'm afraid she will go insane sooner or later."

Mu Jin was surprised that a woman like Zhou Wushi, who made others uncomfortable, could also harbor resentment in her heart.

Zhou Qiang thanked Doctor Mu, saw him out, and brought the medicine back with him.

Seeing Zhou Wu's state, it would be impossible for Zhou Lin not to feel any emotional turmoil.

Zhou Laosan glanced at him, opened his mouth, and was about to say something.

Mu Jin then said, "Mother needs to rest, so A Lin and I won't bother her here."

After saying that, he pulled Zhou Lin out of the house.

Seeing this, Zhou Si hurriedly said, "Father, there are many things to do at home. Little Grape can't be separated from me now, and Lingyun can't keep an eye on her, so I'll go back first."

Zhou Laosan felt a lump in his throat and almost fainted.

These are the children he and Zhou Wushi raised! A bunch of unfilial sons!

After leaving the Zhou family, Mu Jin said to Zhou Si, "Bai'er came back from town today, and Qi Qiu is also at home. Doesn't Xiao Shizi like playing with Xiao Nan Gua the most? Let's take them over for a get-together."

Zhou Si nodded, "Big brother, Lingyun and I will take the two kids over later."

Xiao Shizi is Zhou Si and Mu Lingyun's eldest son. He is now over four years old and his full name is Mu Qingyang. He is quite mischievous.

Little Grape was born not long ago. Her full name is Mu Feifei. She is an eight or nine-month-old baby. Just like her nickname, she has a pair of eyes as black as grapes, which are very adorable.

On the way back, Mu Jin glanced at Zhou Lin, "Are you worried about Mother?"

Zhou Lin paused for a moment, then shook his head. "When I saw Mother lying in bed, I felt no emotion, only a small ripple. I'm afraid I really am the unfilial son that Mother said."

I'm afraid I'll really become that kind of unfilial person, and that makes me feel bad.

Mu Jin sighed, "Human emotions are like water in a bamboo tube. Once it is hurt, a hole will be formed, and the water inside will be gone. The person who broke the bamboo tube should be blamed, not the person who originally had a full bamboo tube full of water but was later hurt and left scarred."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Lin felt a little better.

"Just do your duty as a son. I'll bring two pounds of meat and a bag of pastries over later to check on Mother. It's just a knot in her heart, not a serious illness."

Zhou Lin nodded, no longer thinking about Zhou Wu Shi.

The family enjoyed a very lavish lunch.

Mu Jin steamed all the lively crabs that Liu Chengye brought. On the table, there was fish, meat, chicken, and duck, but a lone plate of green vegetables sat in a corner, looking rather forlorn.

"Brother, how's your storytelling coming along? I've been looking forward to reading it for five years."

Mu Bai removed a crab leg. He couldn't eat too many crabs, so Liu Chengye only let him eat one crab leg to taste it.

Upon hearing this, Bai Qiqiu laughed before Mu Jin could even speak.

"Haha, Bai'er, you'll have to wait. It's been five years, and our eldest brother has only written two or three pages. I went to take a look yesterday, and the two main characters haven't met yet."

Mu Jin gave him a reproachful look, "Good words should be said in this way, carefully considered."

"Yes, yes, whatever you say, brother."

The promise was given rather perfunctorily.

Zhou Lin chuckled, then, seeing Mu Jin glaring at him, quickly picked up the little papaya.

"Papaya, Daddy will feed you."

Little Papaya, unaware of the turbulent events among the adults, smiled at Zhou Lin, revealing two tiny, milky-white baby teeth.

"Daddy, hey, crab."

Mu Bai laughed and said, "Our little papaya has quite a good appetite."

There are many children in the family, and Little Peach is the most mischievous. She runs around the kitchen with Little Watermelon, Little Persimmon, and Little Pumpkin, making so much noise that Hibiscus gets a headache.

"Zhou Yaoyao! Come and eat! After you finish eating, take your younger brothers out to play in the yard. Don't make a ruckus inside."

Seeing that her father was angry, Zhou Yaoyao didn't dare to cause any trouble and obediently returned to the dining table.

Zhou Si smiled and placed a chicken leg on his plate. Zhou Yaoyao obediently and softly said, "Thank you, Third Uncle."

Bai Qiqiu laughed and said, "Looking at it this way, our Peach is quite a handsome little boy."

Mu Jin sighed, giving Zhou Yaoyao some face in front of so many family members, and refrained from further revealing his shortcomings.

After lunch, the children went upstairs for a nap.

Mu Bai was also very sleepy, so she went to the big room on the first floor with Liu Chengye to rest.

Zhou Si carried Little Grape and went home with Mu Lingyun. Little Persimmon was clinging to Little Pumpkin and playing happily. He didn't want to go home with his two dads, so he stayed with Mu Jin.

Bai Qiqiu simply left the two children there without even calling out, and went home with Mu Zhaoye.

The early autumn sun felt warm on people. Mu Jin put away the dishes and went upstairs to watch over the children.

Zhou Lin wasn't sleepy, so he quickly went to the pepper garden again.