"Sister-in-law, is something wrong at home?"

Aunt Jiang was not a clueless housewife. Having managed her husband's business for so many years, she had some ability to read people, if not a pair of discerning eyes.

"Waaah..."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Lan could no longer hold back her tears and was on the verge of wailing.

"Aunt, my sister-in-law got divorced. Today, my father took her to get the divorce papers."

Jiang's wife spoke quickly and harshly, as she was just looking for someone to confide in.

"Divorce? Who, Jiang Qi? When did this happen? How did they get divorced? Why? Because they don't have children?"

Aunt Jiang was also very surprised and asked a series of questions.

"They said the Fan family wanted to take a concubine, and the woman had already come and had a physical relationship with him. So my father-in-law made the decision to divorce my sister-in-law."

Jiang's sister-in-law spoke quickly, not even bothering to look at her mother-in-law's expression.

"Eldest daughter-in-law, aren't you going to cook? What time is it?"

Jiang's mother was really angry. She knew that the family had different opinions about her eldest daughter's divorce, but she shouldn't have acted so coldly.

"Mother, I'm just concerned about my sister-in-law. Your eldest sister-in-law is your daughter, and so is your younger sister-in-law, isn't she?"

Sister-in-law Jiang wanted to stay and listen, but it was getting late, and she would be too late to cook if she didn't go soon.

Looking at her youngest daughter, who had been crying since yesterday, and her eldest daughter-in-law, who had been stirring up trouble, Jiang's mother really wanted to curse.

“Aunt, I can’t make that decision myself. Let’s discuss it again when your brother comes back. As for Jiang Qi’s divorce, if they mind, there’s nothing we can do.”

"mother……"

Jiang Lan's eyes were red, and she looked at her mother in disbelief. Did her mother really not want her to be well? Was she going to abandon her for her sister's sake?

“Lanlan, I know this isn’t fair to you. But your father also said that you’re not a good match for Qi, so you can’t be too ambitious. Besides, no one expected what happened to your sister, but it’s already happened, so please try to understand.”

Jiang's mother knew that her youngest daughter would resent them, but those conditions were really not appropriate.

"Sister-in-law, I didn't expect Jiang Qi's situation. My brother was the same; such a big thing, and the Fan family isn't far from us, why didn't he say anything? You should reconsider the Zhou family's matter; this is a rare opportunity."

As for Jiang Qi, there's always a way. We can't let her situation hinder the other children in the family. Wait until your eldest brother comes back, then you can discuss it further.”

Aunt Jiang had the servants unload her belongings. She didn't plan to stay for dinner; this whole mess had caused her trouble, and she'd have to find a reason to back out. She wasn't sure if it would even work out in the end. Jiang Qi's timing for the divorce was terrible; many families were concerned about that.

Aunt Jiang was leaving when Mu Yi'an came out of the inner room and, together with Aunt Jiang, saw her off.

Aunt Jiang was preoccupied and didn't greet Mu Yi'an. This second niece-in-law had a very low profile and a quiet, unlikable personality.

After seeing Aunt Jiang off, Jiang's mother took Jiang Lan, whose eyes were swollen from crying, back to her room.

"Lanlan, you never thought about marrying into a wealthy family. You're still young, and you only see the good side of wealthy families. They have fine silks and satins that our family doesn't have, servants to wait on you, and endless delicious food."

But have you considered whether you could adapt to that kind of family? Those families have many rules, many members, and complex interpersonal relationships. What makes you think you can thrive in such a family and gain their approval and respect?

Jiang's mother spoke earnestly, expressing her wish that her younger daughter wouldn't suffer the same fate as her older daughter. In families with some means, how many men would stay with only one woman?

"Mother, why can't I? My sister married into a prestigious family, and if she can do it, why can't I? I don't think I'm any worse than my sister, so why can't I?"

Jiang Lan's red and swollen eyes were filled with resentment. What was wrong with wanting a good life? Was it better to live like her sisters-in-law, doing housework and cutting grass for the sheep every day, keeping herself busy like a spinning top?

“When your sister married into the Fan family, their family wasn’t as well-off as they are now. Even so, your sister didn’t have an easy life. Her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law looked down on her.”

"That's because my older sister can't have children, which is why she's not doing well. If she were like my older sister-in-law and had several children, would the Fan family still look down on her? Would they still be able to get a divorce?"

"Mother, you can't be so biased. You can't abandon me for my sister's sake. I'm your daughter too. What have I done wrong? If I have to marry into the village and live like my sisters-in-law, I'd rather never marry."

After Jiang Lan finished speaking, she ran out crying, without even noticing that her mother was so angry at her words that she almost fainted.

"What a tragedy! What a tragedy!"

At noon, Jiang's mother did not come out for lunch, saying she had no appetite. Jiang Lan also did not come out; she had no appetite either.

Mu Yi'an had a good appetite; dinner was late today, and she was hungry. The children were also hungry, so Mu Yi'an served everyone rice, and they ate with relish.

"Second sister-in-law, how come you're not worried at all?"

Jiang's wife didn't really have an appetite; her heart felt like it was being fried in oil. The image of the three-story Yingkeju restaurant, bustling with people, its antique and grand decorations, kept flashing through her mind. With so many people coming and going every day, did they make a fortune? These were the only words Jiang's wife could think of to explain the Zhou family's good fortune.

"What are you worried about? Will your sister-in-law's affairs affect Chuyue?"

"No, it's my sister-in-law's marriage. The Zhou family is really well-off; they're one of the best in the county."

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