Mu Yi'an, a teacher at an agricultural school, in her thirties, unmarried, nearly expelled from her family by her biological mother.
Jiang Shuyun, a high school political teacher, in her ...
Jiang's parents truly let go, no longer interfering in or asking about Jiang Shuheng's family affairs.
In the beginning, the couple really struggled a lot, and something would happen every day.
Gradually, the problems decreased, and things became easier and easier.
After Sister-in-law Jiang took charge of the household herself, she also realized that running a household was not so easy.
The Lin family came over to ingratiate themselves, knowing that Jiang Xiucai and his wife had relinquished power. They assumed Lin Wanru was now in charge and would naturally offer some financial assistance to her family.
Jiang's wife was also very straightforward, saying directly that in her family, Jiang Shuheng managed the finances, and she didn't have any money.
As for the items, even though she didn't say anything, her family assumed that her husband had taken them all away.
"Sigh, what kind of household do you think you are, what kind of master do you think you are? You have no money, no things."
Your eldest nephew is over ten years old, but he couldn't attend school, so you sent him home. Now, you want him to learn something, but you, his aunt, won't give him a single penny. You're truly useless.
Lin's mother pointed her finger at Lin Wanru's forehead, very angry. When her father-in-law was alive, Wanru was very pampered at home and had never done any farm work before she got married.
I had hoped that if I raised her well, she would marry into a good family and be able to help her own family.
Unexpectedly, Jiang Shuheng, who seemed promising, only managed to pass the county-level imperial examination after more than ten years of study, while Jiang Shuyun passed the provincial-level imperial examination and her family continued to acquire property.
“Sister, your mother feels sorry for you. You’ve been married for over ten years and have always lived under your mother-in-law’s thumb. Now that you’re finally in charge, you can’t make any decisions. We feel sorry for you.”
Sister-in-law Lin spoke with great emotion, and even raised her hand to wipe away non-existent tears.
"Mother, sister-in-law, if I disregard my own family's survival and give all the money and possessions in the house to my mother's family, will my nephew be able to take care of me in my old age and see me off when I die?"
“You have two sons of your own, so why would you need your nephews from your maternal family to take care of you in your old age and see you off in your final days? The more you love them now, the more they will stand up for you if you suffer any grievances in the Jiang family in the future.”
What kind of good idea is it to take care of one's own parents in old age and see them off in death? One's own son will have to take care of his own parents in the future, how can he have the energy to take care of his aunt who has married out of the family?
“Mother, sister-in-law, I have no money to help you. My husband manages all the money in the house, and I can't make the decisions.”
After seeing off her mother and sister-in-law, who were still grumbling and cursing, Lin Wanru felt very sad.
She knew her family couldn't be relied on, but before things turned ugly, she still held onto a sliver of hope. Now, she has nothing left; her family has completely abandoned her.
From now on, Lin Wanru can only be Jiang Linshi.
"Shuheng's wife, take it easy. A woman, once she gets married, can only rely on her children. You have sons and daughters, raise them well, that's your last resort."
The woman from the clan who had been helping with the cooking was older than Sister-in-law Jiang, and after so long, she had a clear understanding of many things.
"I understand, sister-in-law. I've lived for over twenty years and I feel like I've lived in a daze."
Sister-in-law Jiang knew that many people in the village were laughing at her, thinking that she didn't know how lucky she was and was wasting her good life.
"It's good that you can figure it out. All four of your children are quite good. Raise them well, and you'll have a bright future ahead of you when they grow up."
The women in the clan only said what they meant; saying too much of anything would only annoy people.
She works here now, cooking two meals a day, and can earn a few hundred coins a month. This allows her family to eat meat more often and her children to have more clothes made.
Life is built up little by little, isn't it? There's no such thing as instant success.
Whether it was her family members causing trouble or the persuasion of her sisters-in-law in the clan that worked, Sister-in-law Jiang is now able to live her life in peace.
Apart from Shao Qin being away, the other three children in the family are also well taken care of.
Jiang's mother breathed a sigh of relief, fearing that her eldest daughter-in-law would get stuck in a rut and not be able to get out, and then the family would fall apart, and the children would suffer.
Since the eldest son and his wife were doing a good job, Jiang's parents wanted to visit Jiang Qi, who was due to give birth in a few days.
Shuqi drove the two elders and Granny Xing to the county town. Because he was worried about Jiang Qi, he went directly to the clinic. If she didn't give birth within half a day, he would go check on Yi'an, the children, and Jiang Lan, wondering how they were doing and whether she was pregnant.
Jiang Qi hasn't left the house for the past few days, and her belly is getting heavier and heavier. Dr. Chu is worried about her, so he doesn't go far himself.
During those days, my second brother-in-law passed the imperial examination and became a scholar. The village was celebrating, and he went and returned on the same day, just in case Jiang Qi suddenly had an attack at night.
When Jiang's father and the others arrived, Jiang Qi had just finished breakfast. She hadn't been sleeping well at night and had been getting up late in the mornings for the past few days.
"Father, Mother, when did you arrive?"
"I just arrived. I figured you were due to give birth in the next few days, so I came to check on you."
Jiang's mother held her daughter's hand, looking at her large belly, and felt sorry for her.
"My husband said it'll be in the next couple of days. I'm fine, nothing's wrong. Father and Mother, you came directly from the village, did you visit my second brother's house?"
"I haven't gone yet. I wanted to see you first, and then go see your second sister-in-law and the others."
As they talked, they entered the courtyard.
“My second sister-in-law came over yesterday and brought a lot of food and supplies. Now, Qiu Niangniang and her two sisters are also staying at my second sister-in-law's place. With so many children at home, it's very lively.”
"Your second sister-in-law is worried about you. She knows you're about to give birth and she's concerned."
Jiang's mother was pleased. Qi'er and her second daughter-in-law got along well and looked after each other, which put their minds at ease.
Jiang's father watched the mother and daughter talking, unable to get a word in edgewise, and slowly went to the clinic in the front yard.
Doctor Chu was seeing patients when he saw his father-in-law come in, so he asked his apprentice to go and greet him.
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