Unmarried Men and Women: Daily Life of Raising Children in Ancient Times

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 ...

Chapter 31 The Sister-in-Law's Marriage

Mu Yi'an had just finished eating and went back to the room to pour goat milk for the children.

Shao Yun followed along. Chu Yue hadn't woken up yet; they would eat later.

"Goat milk? What goat milk?"

Jiang Lan also smelled a milky aroma. She had gotten up late and hadn't seen Mu Yi'an cooking goat milk.

“Your sister-in-law and her family bought a ewe to nourish the child. Every morning they milk the ewe and cook the milk for the child to drink.”

Although Jiang's mother was a little angry that her youngest daughter couldn't see reality, she had spoiled her for so many years and didn't want her to lose face or be looked down upon by her sisters-in-law.

"The goat milk doesn't have a goaty smell! Mom, I want to drink it too. My aunt says that drinking goat milk makes your complexion better."

Seeing that her mother was no longer so angry, Jiang Lan started to act coquettishly again.

“There isn’t that much goat milk. There are many children in the family. Your second and third sisters-in-law will send some to your father and me. You can drink my share.”

Jiang's mother couldn't possibly ask her daughter-in-law to give up her share of the child's share, so she decided to let her have her share, since she was in good health.

"How can I drink your share? Or, how about you have your sisters-in-law each share some with me? It's such a hassle. There are so many people in the family. Why don't you buy a few more ewes? How much money does a sheep cost?"

Jiang Lan felt a surge of inexplicable anger as she thought about her aunt's life, and her tone became rather harsh.

"A sheep costs a few taels of silver. Have you ever earned a tael of silver in your life? How come you don't even know which way the front door faces after staying at your aunt's house for a few days?"

Jiang's mother's anger, which had subsided, suddenly flared up again; this child really needed to be taught a lesson.

"Mom, I, I didn't. I just felt that we were living too frugally at home."

Seeing that her mother was getting angry, Jiang Lan didn't dare to say anything more.

The three daughters-in-law of the Jiang family listened to their mother-in-law and sister-in-law's conversation without saying a word. Mu Yi'an and Li Qiuniang weren't close, and Jiang's eldest sister-in-law was afraid that if her sister-in-law asked her to give up a portion, she wouldn't know how to respond.

If I give it to my own child, there isn't enough for them to drink; if I don't, I'm afraid my sister-in-law will be unhappy. I'm really torn.

Mu Yi'an didn't have these concerns. If she wanted to drink, she could earn the money herself; her sister-in-law wasn't her responsibility.

After Shao Ming and Shao Yun finished drinking goat milk and rinsing their mouths with water, one went to school and the other went to play with Shao Kun. Chu Yue woke up in bed, and Mu Yi'an was busy again.