Liu pulled her mother-in-law aside and whispered, "Mother, we must not let Chunyan stay. My second aunt must be trying to steal our family's skills. Look at Chunyan, she insists on staying no matter what. My second aunt must have arranged it."
Liang Shuyan had long seen through Zhao's intentions.
"Alright, I have my own plans for this. You just focus on your own business and don't worry about it."
Chunyan handed Liang Shuyan a few potato chips, saying, "Auntie, these are the ones we dried at home. My mother said we have more to dry, so we'll bring them over when they're all dry."
Liang Shuyan raised her eyebrows: "Oh, in that case, take all of these back today and tell them that my aunt said to bring them over once they're dried!"
Chunyan was disappointed and went home carrying a bamboo basket.
Zhao looked utterly desperate and angry: "Sister-in-law, really! It's just a few potato chips! What's the big deal? You have to wait until you accumulate a lot before you get paid? Does that mean you won't get paid if you don't have enough?"
Did your aunt ask you to stay at her house?
Chunyan said with a gloomy face, "It seems that the aunt knows what you are thinking. She said that if I stay at her house, I will have to do all kinds of hard work. After three months, she will decide whether I can stay or not, depending on my performance. If I can't finish a day's work, she won't let me eat!"
Zhao was furious, her fists clenched tightly!
She must have made a lot of money from making cold noodles, otherwise, given her personality, how could she be willing to spend money to hire someone to dry potato slices?
"The aunt bought new clothes for Sanwang, candied hawthorns for Niu Niu, Bei Bei, and Ya Ya, and what about the bracelets on the two sisters-in-law's wrists?"
The meal was even more lavish, with a table full of meat and chicken. Sanwang said that they would have eggs to eat from now on.
Jinwang works like a laborer at the dock, carrying heavy loads all day long, barely earning a few coins. This woman, on the other hand, makes so much money from some food. These people are blinded by greed. Is this cold jelly really that good? They're all acting like suckers, buying it.
The spy sent by Zhao failed, so she wanted to go herself to help her sister-in-law and learn her skills. How could she let her make all the money in such a lucrative business?
As soon as she entered, Li Lanfang glanced at Zhao Shi and said reluctantly, "What's wrong? Your potato slices are dried so quickly?"
"Mom, I just wanted to come and help my sister-in-law. Both of my daughters-in-law are too busy, and I'm just sitting at home doing nothing anyway."
Before Zhao could even speak, the old lady poked her eyes and started scolding her: "Zhao, don't think I don't know what you're up to. You're jealous of your sister-in-law's money, but why don't you think about what you do at home? Look at your sister-in-law, she's busy all day long. I think you're just looking for trouble. Here's what we'll do: tomorrow you and Chunyan will dig up the wasteland on the back hill and plant some potatoes in the fall."
How can I not listen to my mother-in-law?
Zhao glanced at the old lady and muttered, "Mother, my sister-in-law..."
"Hmm?" The old lady lowered her voice a few beats, and Zhao was so frightened that she didn't dare to say a word and quickly slipped out.
Liang Shuyan bumped into Zhao Shi and saw that Zhao Shi had a long face and looked unhappy. She asked, "What's wrong? Did you come to deliver potato chips?"
No, no.
Zhao said something and hurriedly left.
Liang Shuyan lifted the curtain and asked, "Mother, what is the second son's wife doing? She doesn't look too well."
"It's nothing. This second son's wife saw that you were making money from jelly and wanted to steal your skills. I gave her a good scolding and made her go to the back mountain to clear land tomorrow morning. That little rascal, if I don't give her something to do, she'll always cause trouble."
Liang Shuyan had long seen through Zhao's thoughts, but she never expected that the old lady would come up with such a trick to deal with Zhao.
Fifty acres of wasteland on the back hill need to be cleared. How long will that take? Now, Zhao Shi probably won't have time to covet her business anymore. Liang Shuyan silently gave the old lady 100 thumbs up in her heart.
As soon as it was light, Zhao got up and took Chunyan up the mountain to clear the wasteland.
Chunyan grumbled, "Mom, why is Grandma interfering in our family's affairs? She makes us clear this wasteland, but all the good things to make money go to my aunt. Grandma is just biased towards my aunt!"
"Alright, stop grumbling. I've seen it all along. Your grandma is different now. Besides, your dad isn't making any money. If we don't listen to your grandma, our whole family will starve. At least those few acres of land belong to your grandma now. She said that if we upset her, she'll take those plots of land back at any time!"
Chunyan didn't say anything more. She didn't blame anyone but her own mother, Liang Shuyan.
Erniu drove the donkey cart and stopped at the village entrance. Liang Shuyan led Zhang Shi out, her brows furrowing slightly: "So, only the old lady and Liu Shi are left at home. This second daughter-in-law is quick-witted, but she's also easily provoked. If she goes in and stirs things up, maybe Erniu's wife will tell her the recipe for this cold jelly?"
"Chunyan, take this hoe and go back first. Go back and prepare to cook. I'm going to your grandma's house to tell her something."
Chunyan didn't know why, but her mother was about to go to her grandmother's house, so she didn't ask any questions and turned around and went back.
Indeed, no one was home. Zhao went straight into the house and found Liu fiddling with her bracelet.
"This bracelet is so beautiful. If I wear the clothes that Grandma bought me, wouldn't I look amazing? I wonder if Erniu will be very happy when we go to town to see him?"
In the evening, her grandmother called her out and told her to dress up nicely for the day, as she would be taken to see Erniu later that night. Liu was so excited that she couldn't sleep all night.
Ruyan walked in and saw her sister's flushed face. She stepped forward and took Liu's hand: "Sister, have you done something to offend my brother-in-law? Your face looks so red."
Madam Liu hurriedly covered her face: "No, no, what nonsense are you talking about? My sister is so old, how could such a thing happen?"
“My brother-in-law is a very good person. He is good-looking and treats my sister well. My sister must not do anything to betray him while he is away. She must not even think about it!”
Liu was furious and shouted, "Ruyan, what are you saying? Your brother-in-law is not an outsider. How could I have wronged him? How could a young lady ask such a shameful question? I told you that you should practice embroidery at home more often when you have free time!"
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