Chapter 179
Yingxiang is confident in herself. She has cash flow and can use the initial promotion to attract customers. It would be best if all the supporting facilities of the park opened at the same time, which would also generate more profits.
She plans to add tea and pastry stalls inside first, so that children can have snacks and drinks while playing, and adults can too.
"Do you all need black cotton cloth?"
"Black is dirt-resistant and easy to clean."
Chunyu nodded, remembering Yingxiang's instructions, and turned to leave.
Liu spoke at length to Shen Chu, but it didn't affect her at all; she thought her mother-in-law was really nice.
From the time she was still a young woman awaiting marriage, she had heard many stories of mothers-in-law tormenting and bullying their daughters-in-law. Yingxiang had never experienced such treatment, and she didn't need Yingxiang's service. She had saved Yingxiang a lot of trouble.
They have a harmonious marriage and a good relationship with their in-laws. If both of them were troublesome...
She certainly wouldn't be living such a good life now. Even though she comes from a higher social class, a married daughter is like water spilled from a cup; she doesn't believe her parents would come to her house to help her.
You'll have to suffer the injustice alone, and it will be incredibly frustrating.
Things are fine as they are now, and she doesn't feel that her mother-in-law, Yingxiang, is unfilial.
Wen Leqian would sometimes tell her about his family's past. He said that the Wen family's success today was not entirely due to his father-in-law, but his mother-in-law also deserves a lot of credit.
That afternoon, Xiuyu brought more than ten eggs and bought two catties of meat to visit her family and elders.
Of course, every time she said that, in reality, she would first go to find Yingxiang, and then make a token visit to Old Man Wen and Liu Shi.
Compared to before, she seemed rather smug this time, her attire was noticeably different, she looked cheerful, and she even had a sparkling gold hairpin in her hair.
"Sister-in-law, how have you been lately?"
After Xiuyu came in, she put the basket on the small table and sat down next to Yingxiang, looking very happy.
"fine."
Where is my daughter-in-law?
"In her yard."
Yingxiang took a sip of tea and stared straight at Xiuyu, not ignoring her attire today.
"Sister-in-law, your hairpin is beautiful."
“This was bought for me by my eldest son. He has made some money in business over the past six months, and he came to give me some gifts and money a few days ago.”
"That's good."
“Before, I was always worried that he would end up like his father back then, but now I’m relieved. This kid does have some talent for business. His wife is pregnant again now, and I’m just waiting to hold my grandson.”
Xiuyu used to be very unhappy with her granddaughter, but when Yuqin's daughter-in-law later gave birth to a granddaughter, her feelings became somewhat complicated.
Now, Xu Yi has more good news; she is also looking forward to holding her grandson.
What kind of business do you run?
Yingxiang asked.
"He rented out a security escort agency and hired several strong men. He went out on several missions this year and made some money."
Yingxiang nodded, "As long as it's legitimate business, that's fine."
As long as you can earn money to support yourself, that's good enough. Besides, the eldest son of the Wen family is a scholar, after all.
She had met this child before; he was indeed smart and quick-witted. If he worked hard, he might not achieve great things in the future, but his life would certainly be good.
"Sister-in-law, I also want to live in the city, but unfortunately their rented house is too small, so it's inconvenient for me to live there with them."
Xu Yi was quite clever. Besides, the business was still in its early stages. She had used her own dowry to support her husband, otherwise it wouldn't have been so successful.
The eldest son of the Wen family made money and returned double to her. With the remaining surplus, after setting aside some money for daily expenses and other needs, he and his wife gave gifts to Wen Chuanzong and Xiuyu.
Xu Yi was in charge of the accounts, and she had no objection to it.
"Sister-in-law, please have the kitchen stew this meat and send it to our parents. It's a token of our appreciation."
Yingxiang smiled and nodded, without saying anything more.
Do your parents still go out often these days?
"It's cold, so we don't go out much. A few days ago, Dad said his legs hurt. The doctor came to see him and said it was a lingering problem that he needed to take good care of. Mom has been chanting Buddhist scriptures lately and has been staying at home, not going out much."
"Alright."
Upon closer inspection, one can see that Xiuyu has already developed some gray hairs.
Yingxiang recalled when she first married into the family. At that time, the two elders were both energetic and had a full head of black hair.
Over the years, the family's life has gotten better and better. The elderly couple can eat their fill and dress warmly, and their health is better than that of other people of the same age in the countryside.
But, well, that day will come eventually.
Wen Shi returned home that day, looking somewhat tired.
"What's wrong?"
"With the end of the year fast approaching, there's too much to do and too few people."
Two months ago, an elder in the Hu family passed away, and Hu Yong'an had to observe mourning. Besides him, there was another colleague, and with the end of the year approaching, there was no new person to take over.
The royal family was supposed to hold a sacrificial ceremony before the New Year, so the matter was directly assigned to Wen Shi and his group.
After sitting down, Wen Shi picked up his teacup and took a big gulp.
"Then take a rest. I'll have someone bring the food over."
He didn't speak when he heard this, which can be taken as tacit agreement.
How are your parents doing these days?
"Everything is fine. Dad is resting in bed and should move around as little as possible. As for Mom, she prays to Buddha when she has nothing to do."
Wen Shi nodded. With servants to take care of him, there was no need to worry too much, but it wouldn't be right not to ask.
He'll go check on things after we finish eating.
"What about over there?"
"Fortunately, everything is proceeding in an orderly manner."
"Very good."
After eating and drinking her fill, Wen Shi went for a walk and quickly fell asleep. Recently, with Le Qian away, Chen Chu was inevitably a little bored. She didn't stay at home every day; sometimes she would go out.
In late November, Yingxiang received an invitation from the Shen family to attend their wedding banquet in two weeks.
The two families are now considered in-laws through their children's marriage, so some interactions are inevitable.
Shen Chu's younger brother, the eldest son of the Shen family, is about to get married, and naturally, he will be marrying a noblewoman from a high-ranking family.
After Yingxiang received the invitation, she informed Chenchu.
Wen Shi definitely wouldn't have time to go that day; the Ministry of Rites was too busy and short-staffed, so he couldn't ask for leave.
Xinxin had a day off that day, so Yingxiang was a little conflicted about whether to take him out.
In the end, she decided to take her son with her. He was mischievous at home, but well-behaved outside. It would be good for him to see the world.
The child was not even ten years old, so there was nothing to be ashamed of about them riding in a carriage together.
Wen Yixin was a little excited as it was her first time attending a wedding banquet.
"Mother, I want to marry one wife and have eight concubines in the future."
Yingxiang was taken aback by these words, and then asked, "Why eight concubines?"
“My husband has one wife and ten concubines to serve him. I don’t need much, eight will be enough.”
Chen Chu sat to the side, taking it as innocent childish talk.
"A wife can only give birth to one child a year, but if there are many concubines, there will be many children."
Yingxiang frowned upon hearing this. She knew that this was the general situation, and that this child was clearly not as mature as Leqian. This idea wasn't necessarily wrong at the moment.
"You should focus on your studies first. Children don't grow up easily. Once you're able to earn money in the future, you can have as many as you want."
“My husband has five sons and four daughters.”
Upon hearing this, Chen Chu couldn't help but glance at her own belly. To this day, she was not pregnant. Her family hadn't pressured her to have a child, but there was definitely pressure.
Ultimately, offspring are what truly matter.
It would be best if she could give birth to the eldest son now, but I'm afraid she won't have one by next year. Then many concubines might be forced into her household. Since the eldest son is born out of wedlock, it won't be very advantageous for her.
As for having offspring, it's hard to say.
The entrance to the Earl's mansion was decorated with lanterns and streamers, and was unusually lively. After being ushered inside, Yingxiang began to look around.
She walked through the corridors to the banquet hall, and soon after she sat down, several other people sat down nearby.
One of them was the wife of Minister Zhu. She looked quite old and was a distant relative of the aunt. She also held the title of a third-rank imperial consort.
If it weren't for the fact that their children were related by marriage, Yingxiang would certainly not be a guest of the Earl's mansion.
Yingxiang greeted her first, and Madam Zhu responded, showing no disdain for him.
"Is this the small one?"
"Yes, I'm eight years old this year."
Wen Shi's backyard was very clean. He was not interested in beautiful women. After he went to the Ministry of Rites, some people felt that his backyard was lonely and said that they could send him a few concubines to have children for him and serve him.
Every time she heard it, she refused without hesitation.
His reasons for refusing each time were always hard to persuade. He said that his family didn't have much property, and he had quite a few brothers and nephews. He also had two sons, and he was afraid that what he had now wouldn't be enough for his children to share in the future.
Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent.
Wen Shi never shied away from his background, nor did he need to; everyone knew that.
Yingxiang was also his wife who had shared his hardships; he wasn't heartless.
To put it bluntly, at his age, and with children already, he has no reason to take a concubine.
With him in the picture, Wen Leqian had little interest in this matter. Right now, he was focused on his studies to prepare for the imperial examinations. After he embarked on his official career, things might change.
Yingxiang wasn't interested in her son's backyard either; she didn't interfere.
To be practical, Shen Chu comes from a prominent family, and once her children get married, they are adults. She neither pressures them to have children nor puts people in her son's room to annoy his wife.
Isn't it better for a family to live in harmony and happiness?
"She looks so good, she looks a lot like you, Madam Wen."
Yingxiang smiled. Speaking of appearances alone, the older one resembles Wen Shi, but this one does look more like her.
This year is almost over, and next year, her son will also be preparing for his next exam.
Before she knew it, she was already a grandmother.
After the food and drinks were served, Yingxiang started eating. The little guy ate a bit fast, but not rudely. After all, he was just a child, so Yingxiang didn't scold him.
Year after year, time really flies.
A few days before Lunar New Year's Eve, Shen Chu approached Ying Xiang, saying he wanted to invite the wet nurse to stay at their home for a while.
Thinking that wet nurses in wealthy families usually raise children to adulthood, Yingxiang readily agreed without any displeasure.
With the Lunar New Year approaching, the Wen family members have all arrived one after another, but this year, compared to previous years, everyone's mood is not as good.
Old Man Wen is still bedridden and hasn't recovered. He's seen many doctors, but there's been little improvement, which is very worrying.
The doctors we consulted were all very famous, and he drank a lot of herbal medicine and had a lot of acupuncture, but even now, my father still needs help to walk, and he can hardly walk independently anymore.
This left him feeling frustrated and upset.
Liu kept changing her mind, saying she would hire someone to perform a ritual, and then she would suggest that Old Man Wen take some kind of elixir, which only made Old Man Wen feel worse.
Xiao Wu and Wen Shi both said that it wasn't good stuff, so naturally he wouldn't eat it.
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