condition
After carefully tying Cuo Cuo up in the corridor, the couple went into the house.
Yu Yuelan, upon seeing the two approach, sat in the middle without saying a word. Taishi Zheng, following Cui Zhijun, quietly scanned the room, sensing a tense atmosphere. When she heard Cui Zhijun greet her, Zheng hurriedly followed suit and bowed.
But as soon as the words fell, the room became extremely quiet.
Zheng didn't dare to speak rashly. She thought that Cui Zhijun had lived in this family for decades, so it would be right to follow him.
Uncle Yu stiffened his neck and glanced back at his eldest sister. He thought Yu Yuelan would calm down after seeing her new bride, so he boldly spoke to the younger generation, "Zhijun, Zhijun's wife is here. There are no outsiders in this room, so please make yourself comfortable. Come and sit down, sit down."
Cui Zhijun had just bowed and thanked her when Yu Yuelan said, "Yu Chongguang, you really don't consider yourself an outsider."
Yu Yuelan's words were hurtful.
Regardless of whether it was meant to be pointed or not, it made people feel uncomfortable.
Upon hearing this, the Yu family's uncle smacked his lips. He thought his elder sister hadn't even given him face in front of the younger generation, so he immediately replied, "What are you saying, elder sister? There are only two people with the surname Yu in this house. If I were an outsider, what would become of you, elder sister?"
Yu Yuelan dug a hole for herself to jump into.
She narrowed her eyes and looked at her brother. If her son and daughter-in-law were not there, she would definitely lecture him.
At this moment, Zheng stood aside quietly as a chicken.
She'd been married for over a month, but she still hadn't gotten used to the complex social dynamics of this family. Or perhaps it was the simplicity of Taishi's family that made it difficult for Zheng to adapt and understand their interactions. Previously, even in the palace, she'd always been treated with respect and admiration. She'd never been told to be wary of anything or worried about anything. And no one was constantly trying to find trouble.
Zheng nodded calmly, but her eyes moved left and right in her eye sockets.
She just said: Can't people live a simpler life?
Cui Zhijun walked calmly through the clashing between his mother and uncle. He seemed unperturbed, yet a subtle numbness emanated from him. After placing the food box on the small table beside Yu Yuelan, Cui Zhijun said bluntly, "Mother, this is some noodles made by my wife and sister-in-law. My wife and I came here today to discuss something with you."
Yu Yuelan looked at her son standing still before her and sneered, "See, I told you that no one would come to my Dongli Pavilion without a good reason. My son, you were waiting for me here, but why do I feel that you are not looking for me for good reasons?"
Yu Yuelan remains the same as always.
Uncle Yu, who cared for his younger generation, advised, "Sister, these children haven't said anything, so don't jump to conclusions. Why not listen to them—"
Turning to look at his nephew, Uncle Yu nodded.
Cui Zhijun then looked at Taishi Zheng. Seeing Cui Zhijun's affirmative look, Zheng boldly stepped forward and said to Yu Yuelan, "Mother-in-law, I came here today to ask for your permission... I plan to open a noodle shop in Baohefang."
Before saying this, Taishi Zheng was extremely nervous.
But once these words were spoken, Zheng completely relaxed. No matter what Yu Yuelan said next, she accepted it.
"Open a shop?!" Yu Yuelan's reaction wasn't unexpected. Seeing her attitude, they knew she was going to start another round of nagging. "Wife Zhijun, can't your family afford to support you? Or are they treating you harshly? As the legitimate daughter-in-law of the eldest son of the Pingkang Marquis's family, how could you possibly engage in such low-class activities?"
Zheng didn't panic or get angry when she heard this. She took over Yu Yuelan's angry words and responded respectfully: "Mother-in-law, I know it may be difficult for you to accept what your daughter-in-law did. But before that, can you please listen to me finish my words?"
Yu Yuelan always keeps her word.
Once she makes up her mind about something, it is either black or white, and she can rarely be persuaded.
Look at her immediate retort: "Have you finished? This matter is non-negotiable. I, your mother, will still be living in Bianjing City from now on, and I can't afford to lose face with that person—Oh, wife Zhijun, or... have you made up your mind now and are just here to let me know? You are really capable."
Can't afford to lose face?
Yu Yuelan must be completely clueless. How can the Bo family still have any face left now?
Seeing Yu Yuelan's momentum rising again, the uncle of the Yu family took the opportunity to speak in favor of the younger generation, "Sister, why are you so overbearing? Let me tell you, if the children don't say hello to you, can he not do this? The two children respect you and dare to come to discuss it with you. You have to listen to what the children say. Sister, you are old, can you change your temper? If you are like this, which younger generation will dare to show filial respect to you in the future——"
Uncle Yu emphasized the last word.
He appeared to be speaking for the young couple, but in reality he was helping his elder sister maintain her relationship with the younger generation.
Uncle Yu knew that his eldest sister only had one son and one daughter-in-law. When she got old and needed to enjoy her retirement, wouldn't she still have to rely on them? Now that the children were married and had their own families, why bother trying to show off the strength of their youth? It would only make everyone unhappy...
Yu Yuelan listened to her brother's words and restrained herself a little. Her silence was the biggest expression of her attitude.
Only then did Yu's uncle dare to say to Taishi Zheng, "Speak, niece-in-law. Don't be afraid."
Zheng nodded in thanks, then turned and told Yu Yuelan about what had happened to Bao Nian and the ideas she had expressed to Cang Yi and the others in the courtyard that day. But until Zheng finished speaking, Yu Yuelan was lost in thought and didn't say a word.
She seemed to listen.
Zheng tried to push herself a little harder, "Mother-in-law, these women may be in the same predicament as you were back then. All they need is someone to help them get through this difficult time. What I, your daughter-in-law, want to do isn't for profit, but simply because it feels meaningful."
When Yu's uncle heard Tai Shi Zheng's firm narration, he couldn't help but look sideways. He felt that it was a rare blessing for his eldest sister to have such a daughter-in-law.
Thus, the eldest sister is approaching old age,
He also felt at ease.
Yet, when Yu Yuelan mentioned those days, she felt a certain lingering emotion. She recalled the hardships she had endured. If it weren't for the old master reaching out and pulling her up, she might have never had a chance to turn things around. She knew the feeling of helplessness in times of hardship...
So today, Yu Yuelan changed her mind for the first time because she felt the same way. She looked up at her daughter-in-law and made her request, "Daughter-in-law Zhijun, if you want me to agree to this, that's fine, but I have one condition that you must agree to—"
Seeing that things were easing up, Zheng turned from sadness to joy and shouted, "Conditions? Agree, agree. I'll agree to anything the mother-in-law says. Except asking me to agree... to take a concubine for Erlang..."
Upon hearing this, Cui Zhijun looked at his wife in disbelief.
It's really not easy for her to stick to her principles even in this situation.
Yu Yuelan sneered, "Take a concubine? You two have only been married for a month. Even if I am anxious, I won't do the same thing as that crazy woman of Third Aunt."
"Sister, be careful with your words." Uncle Yu reminded her.
Yu Yuelan rolled her eyes at him and continued to tell the young couple, "My condition is very simple. You two have to have a baby soon. It would be best if you could get pregnant in the spring."
It turned out that she was waiting here.
Cui Zhijun had just taken the tea that Fu Qile enthusiastically handed to him and had only taken half a sip when he suddenly choked after hearing his mother's words.
The atmosphere in the room relaxed. Yu Yuelan turned to look at her son, who excelled in everything, and said deliberately, "My son, you've been hardworking since you were young, and you've never lagged behind others in anything. But your marriage has made me worry so much that my hair has turned gray. Now, the matter of continuing the family line has been preempted by the two unruly third children. Tell me, how can I not worry about you?"
"So, Zhijun's wife..."
Yu Yuelan raised her voice to remind her, and Zheng raised her blushing head in front of the elders, "Grandma, I'm here!"
"Do you agree to this condition?" Yu Yuelan asked.
Zheng also had this idea. After all, having a child with Cui Zhijun was a matter of time, so she agreed and said, "Give birth, mother-in-law, we will go back now——"
born.
Cui Zhijun seemed to have foreseen the word Taishi Zheng was about to utter. He quickly stood up and gently covered half of her face. He turned his head and raised his hand to pick up the remaining food box to take to the third child. Cui Zhijun and Yu Yuelan said incoherently: "Mother, if you are okay, we will give birth right away..."
"I'm going back."
The words Taishi Zheng hadn't spoken were spoken unintentionally. Cui Zhijun suddenly realized he had spoken out of turn, and his face flushed instantly. Seeing Taishi Zheng's response, Yu Yuelan's mood brightened. With a casual wave of her hand, she let the couple go.
Zheng was dragged out of the house by Cui Zhijun, leaving only her cheerful voice: "Mother-in-law, uncle, I'm leaving--"
Yu Yuelan shook her head and reached out to open the lunch box her son had brought. She looked at the decent noodles inside and said to the person next to her, "This steamed noodles looks good, Yu Dazhuang, take some with you when you leave."
At that time, Yu's uncle was still relieved that the matter could be resolved satisfactorily today, but his expression changed after hearing Yu Yuelan's words.
"Big sister..."
"Did I ever tell you not to call me by my nickname anymore..."
-
In the courtyard, Cuo Cuo happily wagged her tail at the arrival of her master. Tai Shi Zheng happily walked over, completely forgetting what she had just agreed to. She just felt that she could finally proceed with the shop business with peace of mind.
My mother-in-law is not that unkind.
Holding Cuo Cuo's hand, he happily ran a few steps. Zheng didn't see anyone catching up, so he turned around and looked at him, "Erlang, why don't you leave?"
Zheng waved to Cui Zhiyun.
Cui Zhijun seemed not to notice and just walked forward.
He walked and thought.
Before spring...
They hadn't even had their wedding night, hadn't even had sex once, so how could they even put having children on the agenda? His foolish wife had the nerve to agree. Look at the other families; who didn't get married earlier than them? Even the eldest brother hadn't had any children in all these years.
The third brother and his wife had been married for two or three years before they had their first child.
Cui Zhijun thought about this and his brows were gloomy. He knew what the consequences would be if he agreed to Yu Yuelan's request...
"Erlang, what's wrong with you? You look like you're worried. Your mother agreed to this matter without making it difficult for you. Aren't you happy?" Zheng saw Cui Zhijun frowning until his eyebrows were facing his eyes. Cui Zhijun looked up in surprise and asked, "Xiao Zheng, do you know what you just agreed to?"
"I know." Zheng said, then reached out and shyly tapped Cui Zhiyun's chest, "Brother Yun, you can have a baby~"
“…”
Cui Zhiyun remained silent.
Zheng then continued, "But isn't this something that will happen between us sooner or later? Doesn't it make all the difference when you agree to Mother-in-law? Ah—or is it that you, Erlang, lack confidence in yourself?"
The more Zheng talked, the more she lost her mind. Cui Zhijun sighed helplessly, thinking that there was no time to rush this matter, so he said, "Let's go."
Zheng replied with an embarrassed look on her face, "Where are we going? Are we going back to give birth..."
“…”
Cui Zhijun wordlessly reached out and pressed Taishi Zheng's head, turning her head around.
"Let's go to Ginkgo Pavilion."
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