Chapter 154 "I'm On Your Side"...

The sweltering heat was alleviated by the continuous rain, making Meng Qing's postpartum period much more comfortable. She ate and slept all day long, undisturbed by any worries, and without the need to care for the baby, her body recovered quite quickly. Before the postpartum period was even halfway over, she could already walk and move around freely. Except for not being able to go out in the wind, she was almost the same as before her pregnancy.

That afternoon, Meng Qing was leaning against the couch eating a peach while listening to Du Li read to her when she suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside. She asked, "Who is it?"

"Second Sister-in-law, it's me," Yin Caiwei replied in a low voice. "I wanted to talk to you. Are you free right now?"

Du Li had already opened the door. "Sister-in-law, please come in. I'm going to check on the children next door."

“Second brother, there’s no need to avoid it,” Yin Caiwei said.

Du Li could guess why she had come. He couldn't control Du Laosan, but as the elder brother, he couldn't stand up for Yin Caiwei after hearing her complaints. It was better to avoid her to avoid putting himself in a difficult position.

"Go talk to your second sister-in-law first, I'll go brew a pot of jujube and ginger tea." Du Li left under this pretext.

"Caiwei, come in," Meng Qing said.

Yin Caiwei left her maid outside, walked up the steps, took off her mud-covered wooden clogs, and went inside wearing only socks.

"You walked here? You didn't take a carriage?" Meng Qing asked. "Come sit on the couch."

"I went to the abandoned granary east of Heyang Bridge to find Du Min first. That's where I got the mud on my feet." Yin Caiwei sat on the couch with her body turned to the side. She turned her face away and remained silent for a few moments before apologetically saying, "Second sister-in-law is still in her postpartum period. I shouldn't have bothered you with such a distressing matter, but... but I was really angry. I have no relatives or friends in Heqing County to talk to, so I could only come to you to talk."

"What happened? Did you have a fight with Lao San?" Meng Qing asked curiously. "Lao San hasn't come over these days. Wang Zhou told me that his third uncle moved to an abandoned granary to guard the bridge."

Yin Caiwei was too ashamed to speak. She wanted to argue, but Du Min completely ignored her. Today was the ninth day since Du Min moved out. For the first seven days, it had been raining, and she could comfort herself by thinking he was guarding the bridge and the embankment. But these past two days, the weather had cleared up, yet he still didn't come home day or night. She had endured it all, and today she took the initiative to go to him, offering him a way out. But that jerk didn't get it; she had even brought him food, and he still didn't give her a kind look.

“We didn’t argue, we just had a few words of disagreement, and then he moved out.” Yin Caiwei took out a handkerchief to wipe the corner of her eyes, and said with a sob, “Second sister-in-law, I’m just not happy that he never consults me about anything and always makes decisions on his own. It’s one thing for him to do things on official business, but he doesn’t even ask for my opinion on private matters in the inner quarters. It’s like I’m dispensable in his eyes.”

Meng Qing thought to herself that Du Min was just like that; he would only consult with others when he needed their help.

“He left home to study at a young age, returning only two or three times a month. You could say he’s been used to making his own decisions and handling his own affairs since childhood. He’s used to being independent and doesn’t like to consult with others. You’ve only been married a short time, and he hasn’t adapted yet. If you’re not satisfied, just tell him.” As for whether or not to change, that depends on Du Min’s wishes, Meng Qing added in her mind.

“I told him, but he completely ignored me.” Yin Caiwei became angrier the more she thought about it. She tugged at her handkerchief in frustration and muttered, “I threw a little tantrum at him, and he just stopped coming back.”

Yin Caiwei was so angry that she tore her handkerchief to shreds. She was just throwing a little tantrum, but Du Min went straight for the kill. How could she dare to argue or quarrel with him again?

"I never expected him to be this kind of person."

“You two are newlyweds, neither of you really knows the other, it’s normal to have disagreements.” Meng Qing pushed the peaches in the dish towards him, “Eat something, and leave your handkerchief alone.”

Yin Caiwei glanced at her, picked up a silver fork, poked a piece of peach into her mouth, and said, "Second sister-in-law, you look great. It seems like you're recovering well."

Meng Qing nodded, "Sister Wang is good at taking care of new mothers. She makes excellent soups. I eat well, so I recover quickly."

"It's mainly because I'm in a good mood. When you're in a good mood, you have a good appetite." Seeing that she didn't respond and seemed unwilling to get involved in the matter between her and Du Min, Yin Caiwei could only plead, "Second sister-in-law, Du Min values ​​you and listens to you. Please talk to him for me and ask him to go home first."

Meng Qing laughed, "Didn't you realize he's angry with me too? How long has it been since he returned to the government office, and how long since he visited the Meng family?"

"You two had a fight too? What happened?" Yin Caiwei was genuinely unaware of the situation.

“He told me he planned to hold a full moon celebration for Wangchuan at the government office, but I refused. I told him to let Caiwei talk to me about such things, and I would only agree if she agreed.” Meng Qing lifted her eyelids to look at Yin Caiwei, but Yin Caiwei avoided her gaze, looking embarrassed.

"That's what caused my argument with him." Only then did Yin Caiwei dare to reveal the reason for the argument. She explained nervously, "Second sister-in-law, please don't misunderstand. I was just dissatisfied with his attitude, not that I didn't want to hold a full moon banquet for Wangchuan at the government office."

Meng Qing gave an understanding "Oh," and said, "No wonder he was so angry this time. In his opinion, I was taking sides and siding with you."

Yin Caiwei was extremely pleased. She moved to Meng Qing's side, hugged her arm, and said happily, "Thank you, Second Sister-in-law, for favoring me. You are so kind. You always think of me and never try to make things difficult for me."

“Why would I make things difficult for you? I’m your sister-in-law, not your mother-in-law. I don’t think you’re trying to steal my son. As a woman myself, I was once a new bride and know how difficult it is for a woman to enter her husband’s family for the first time. Instead of showing understanding, you’re making things difficult for her. Wouldn’t that be like bullying your past self?” Meng Qing looked down at the hand on her arm, then raised it and took it, saying, “I wish you and Lao San’s husband would get along well. If you two get along well, I won’t have to drag me into mediating your conflicts. If you two are happy, I’ll have peace and quiet. If you two are unhappy, I won’t benefit either.”

Yin Caiwei pondered Meng Qing's words, feeling even closer to her. She leaned on Meng Qing's shoulder and said, "Now I understand why Du Min respects Second Sister-in-law so much. She's truly like a second mother to me. It's my blessing to have a sister-in-law like her."

Meng Qing smiled slightly.

The sound of a child crying came from next door, but stopped after a while.

"Is the child hungry?" Meng Qing asked through the window.

"No, I've woken up," Du Li replied from outside.

"Second Brother is in the yard? Is the jujube and ginger tea ready?" Yin Caiwei teased. She said to Meng Qing, "I told Second Brother he didn't need to avoid me, but he insisted on avoiding me."

“Bring the child in and let his third aunt see him. Go to Heyang Bridge and see if you can get your stubborn donkey here,” Meng Qing said.

Yin Caiwei was amused by the word "stubborn donkey" and said affectionately, "Second sister-in-law, when the stubborn donkey comes, you can scold him for me."

Meng Qing shook her head and advised, "The third brother is like a donkey that's easily swayed; you have to coax him to talk to him properly. If you disagree with him, he'll kick you up, and no one can argue with him. I don't dare to argue with him either. He passed the imperial examination at a young age and is a protégé of the emperor. Under his governance, the people of Heqing County live in peace and happiness. You could say he is both learned and capable. Such a person is very opinionated, and he trusts himself the most. It's not easy to get him to change himself to adapt to others."

Yin Caiwei fell into deep thought.

When Du Li pushed open the door and heard these words, he glanced at Meng Qing. That damned Du Laosan was about to come and kowtow to her again.

Meng Qing winked at Du Li, then reached out and took the swaddled second son from her arms, saying, "Go and invite your third son to come here for dinner. Tell him Caiwei is here too."

Du Li nodded, handed the child over, and went out.

*

In the evening, Du Min was brought back by Du Li. He came, but his face was expressionless, and he looked unhappy. Unhappy as he was, he didn't argue anymore. After dinner, he went back with Caiwei.

The next day, Yin Caiwei came again. In front of Meng Qing, she formally invited, "Second sister-in-law, let's hold Wangchuan's full moon banquet at the government office. You can also move back to the government office that day so that Wangzhou doesn't have to run back and forth every day."

"Okay," Meng Qing agreed. "Moving back will be a hassle for you."

"Oh dear! Second sister-in-law, don't say such things. There are servants at home, I don't have to do anything, how could I trouble myself?" Yin Caiwei pretended to be unhappy. "Don't say such polite things. If we're really talking about it, I'm the one who troubles you more often. With you as my backer, Du Min wouldn't dare to bully me."

Meng Qing smiled, stretched her limbs, and asked, "Did the third brother go back and make a statement last night? Have you two made up?"

"I'll take a step back, and that'll be considered a reconciliation." Yin Caiwei looked hesitant, but in the end, she didn't say anything. She smiled and said, "As he said, I'll live my life happily, not interfere in his affairs, and let him be."

“He doesn’t know what’s good for him. Let him live on his own. You come and live with me,” Meng Qing joked.

“Okay.” Yin Caiwei nodded. “I can’t wait for you to move back as soon as possible.”

"Soon, in another half month I'll be out of confinement," Meng Qing said.

"Second sister-in-law, let me handle the full moon banquet. I have nothing to do anyway," Yin Caiwei said. "Give me a list of your guests, and I'll send out invitations later."

“I don’t have any relatives here, just my parents and my brother, and not many guests,” Meng Qing said. “I think it’s enough for us family to have a lively gathering; there’s no need for a big celebration.”

"Let his third uncle do his best. Wouldn't it be a waste of his anger if we didn't let him have his way?" Yin Caiwei said sarcastically. "I'll go back and prepare first, and then I'll discuss it with my second sister-in-law."

Meng Qing thanked him.

For the next two weeks, Yin Caiwei would visit the Meng family every few days. Du Min came once and caught Yin Caiwei and Meng Qing chatting happily inside. He left without saying hello and never showed up again.

*

On June 22nd, Wangchuan celebrated its full moon, and Meng Qing also finished her postpartum confinement.

Meng Qingtian got up before dawn. Without her mother's restraint, she took a thorough bath from head to toe.

Emerging from the bathroom, she put her hands on her hips and let out a long sigh of relief. "I feel so light! I feel like I've come back to life."

"Second Sister-in-law." Yin Caiwei came out of the hall. "Second Sister-in-law, we've come to take you back."

Meng Qing was surprised. She walked to the entrance of the hall and peeked inside, where she saw Du Min sitting at the table, pretending to drink tea. She led Yin Caiwei in and greeted him, "Lord Du, it's rare to see such a busy person as you. What have you been busy with lately? You've been so busy that we haven't seen you around much."

"I'm not that busy, but I thought my second sister-in-law wouldn't have time to see me, so I didn't want to bother her," Du Min said calmly. "It's getting late, let's go."

"Where's your second brother? Is he packing his luggage?" Meng Qing asked.

“Wangchuan vomited and soiled his clothes, so he took the baby back to the room to change.” Yin Caiwei continued, glancing at Du Min and subtly adding, “Second brother is such a good father, he’s good at taking care of children in every way.”

"When I see my father-in-law another day, I'll ask him how he takes care of the child," Du Min snorted.

"You!" Yin Caiwei gritted her teeth, "Why don't you learn from your second brother, but from my father? You weren't born to my father."

“I can pretend he gave birth to me,” Du Min said shamelessly, raising an eyebrow.

Yin Caiwei was impressed by his shamelessness and couldn't do anything about it.

Meng Qing suppressed a laugh as she watched the commotion, when she suddenly noticed Du Min staring at her. She shrugged and said, "You two chat, I'm going to find your second brother."

"I'm outside." Du Li heard the choking coming from inside again, so he didn't dare go in.

Du Min put down his teacup and said, "Let's go."

Wang Zhou wasn't home; he had already run away. Today, Yin Caiwei had invited the clerks and their families from the government office, and Wang Zhou's classmates would also be coming. He went to the government office early to wait.

Meng's parents and Meng Chun were waiting in the next courtyard. When they heard the voices, the three of them went out.

"Have you taken all your luggage out?" Meng Qing asked.

"Are you in such a hurry to move out?" Meng's mother was displeased.

"My third brother told me to come back this afternoon to pick it up," Du Li said.

"We'll just have the servants deliver it then," Yin Caiwei replied.

“You should come and get it yourself. I’m off today, so I’ll come with my second brother and sister-in-law,” Du Min said.

Meng Qing looked at him strangely; he wasn't a diligent person.

-----------------------

Author's Note: There will be another update at 12 o'clock.