Instigate, instigate, sometimes I suspect that I am instigating my brother-in-law, sometimes I suspect that I am instigating my husband!
In my mother-in-law's eyes, am I a daughter-in-law with ulterior motives?
Moreover, as a mother, don’t I have the right to arrange the life of my own child?
Jiang Yushu was angry, but she didn't know whether to laugh or cry. The smile on her face faded, but she disdained to argue with her mother-in-law. She controlled her temper and replied with a smile, "You're joking. Honglei is not a piece of clay that can be twisted and flattened by anyone. How could a general like him easily believe in instigation? I don't have the ability to instigate him."
"Why be so modest? Anyone who knows him knows that Honglei... listens to his wife's advice very much." Wang's face darkened and she swallowed the word "henpecked".
"No way? In fact, he listens more to his mother's advice."
"If he was willing to listen to advice, he wouldn't have--" The grandchildren were playing not far away, and the grandmother drooped her eyelids and reluctantly stopped talking.
Ji Yingru was caught between her mother-in-law and second sister-in-law. She didn't dare to smooth things over and held the embroidery needle in her hand awkwardly.
"That's strange. Why does Honglei suddenly want to take Ye'er to Yongzhou?" Wang was puzzled. She always treated her grandson with the utmost care, so she became anxious when she heard the words "take Ye'er away." "The child is so young, how can he endure the hardships of a long and bumpy journey? Isn't it better for him to stay at home peacefully? Why make such a fuss?"
Jiang Yushu had been training for many years and had gradually developed the ability to keep her emotions hidden. Even when she was unhappy, she remained calm and answered calmly, "Not only Ye'er, he also wanted to take Yu'er with him."
"What?"
Wang was surprised and displeased. She covered her chest and gasped, "Why did this happen?"
Jiang Yushu patiently explained, "The Tuning Guards defeated the Beijiao this year, wiping out many tribes. The remaining enemies have fled deep into the grasslands. If nothing unexpected happens, the border should be peaceful for a few years. The enemy will be more obedient and less aggressive, and Honglei won't be as busy as before. Therefore, he decided to take time to educate his son and nephew. He took the children to Yongzhou, first to attend his cousin's son's hundred-day banquet, and then to stay in Tuning for a while to broaden their horizons. According to him, boys can't stay in the study all day; they need proper experience."
"Honglei really loves and nurtures his children and nephews. If the old lady objects, how about I persuade him to give up the idea when he returns from hunting?" Jiang Yushu understood her mother-in-law and took a step back to advance. "If you don't agree, he will definitely reconsider."
"this……"
Wang, concerned about the future of her children and grandchildren, hesitated for a moment. She was persuaded, but still unhappy. She frowned and asked, "Yu'er is indeed old enough to experience life, but how old is Ye'er? Isn't it too early to take him out now?"
Jiang Yushu smiled and responded with ease, "I think it's too early, but Honglei believes that 'unpolished jade cannot be made into a useful tool.' If the elders are not strict, the younger generation will find it difficult to become talented. When the children grow up, we must arrange for them to study in the capital and prepare for the imperial examinations. Without experience, how can they become steady? To revitalize the family business, while we still have some ability, we should invest in cultivating our children and nephews as soon as possible and introduce them to more people."
Ji Yingru nodded in agreement and blurted out, "Sister-in-law is right."
Wang glanced at her third daughter-in-law. Ji Yingru timidly lowered her head, not daring to say a word. The old man pondered for a moment, then asked with a stern face, "It's good that you want to cultivate your children and nephews, but Yu'er has been raised by me since he was a child, and Ye'er has always been at home. They are not used to life outside. How long do you plan to take the children out?"
"It's hard to say now. If nothing unexpected happens, we will send them home before the New Year."
"Accident..." Wang's heart was hanging high, "No accidents can happen!"
Jiang Yushu replied sternly, "You'll have to be careful. It just so happens that Mingcheng is going to Yongzhou to study. There will be a lot of people there, and they can help take care of the child. You don't have to worry."
Wang's expression changed again and again, and she asked again, "So, what do you think about resigning?"
Jiang Yushu said without hesitation, "I'm sorry, I really can't resign at the moment. Please understand, Madam."
"snort."
Just when Ji Yingru was getting anxious, fortunately her nephews and nieces were tired from playing and ran into the pavilion, chattering:
"I'm so tired."
“It’s so hot.”
"Mom, I'm hungry."
"I want some water."
…
Ji Yingru felt relieved and said softly, "We've been running for a long time, let's take a break. It's almost time for lunch."
Although they were rarely together, the children naturally loved to be close to their mother, especially since Jiang Yushu always loved her children and found ways to make them happy every day. Therefore, Guo Ye took the lead, and the twins followed, happily running towards their mother.
"Hey——" Wang was lying on the low couch, stretching out her hand, intending to call her grandchildren to come over, but she saw the three little ones running towards her second daughter-in-law. In an instant, she felt very uncomfortable and quickly withdrew her hand.
Guo Yu was a step behind, not noticing his grandmother's displeasure. He naturally sat down on the couch and panted, "Oh, I'm so thirsty. I just flew three kites in a row. Did you see?"
Fortunately, my eldest grandson is so attentive to me. Mrs. Wang was very pleased and lovingly urged her eldest grandson to wipe his sweat, smiling and saying, "I saw it, it's well placed. Quick, bring some tea!"
In the pavilion, Jiang Yushu was busy taking care of her three children, wiping their sweat and hands, feeding them water and cakes, and she didn't notice that her mother-in-law was unhappy. The mother and children were very happy.
Nighttime Bedroom
It was cool in early autumn, and the wind came in through the cracks in the doors and windows, making the candlelight flicker and the gauze curtains flutter.
On the couch, Guo Honglei, his clothes unbuttoned, his broad, strong chest covered in scars. He hugged his wife and whispered, "Did mother scold you again? In front of my sister-in-law and the servants?"
"Well... it's my fault. It's my fault. I haven't done well enough and haven't been able to satisfy my mother-in-law yet." Her husband has always tried his best to protect himself, even at the cost of offending the elders, which makes her moved and satisfied. Therefore, when he is occasionally scolded by his mother-in-law, he will forget it after he calms down and never take it to heart.
"Poor thing, you've been wronged again."
"It's nothing, not really an injustice. After all, the old lady comes from a noble family. Even when she's angry, she maintains her composure and rarely says anything unpleasant. Besides, she's the mother-in-law and I'm the daughter-in-law. It's only natural for her to say a few words to me occasionally."
Guo Honglei felt even more distressed when he heard this. He kissed her hair tenderly and said apologetically, "Mother is old. Sometimes she is unreasonable. She gets angry at others but takes it out on you. Please be more considerate of your elders, Madam."
"It's my duty. It's too narrow-minded to quibble with an old man." Jiang Yushu thought calmly: I will be leaving for Yongzhou in a few days. It's a rare opportunity to visit my relatives. It's so boring to have conflicts over trivial matters.
Guo Honglei exerted force with his arm, pressing her cheek against his chest, and warned her, "Next time your mother gets upset because her grandson is out, remember to say, 'It was all Honglei's idea.' I guess she'll start scolding me instead."
"Hahaha, I can't get away with it. The old lady often blames both of us at the same time. We share the joys and sorrows together!"
The imposing general smiled and hugged her tighter.
After a moment, Jiang Yushu turned over and lay in his arms, holding her chin with one hand, and sighed softly: "But, there is one thing that I really have to blame you for."
"What is it?"
"The old lady is very pleased and proud to have raised a promising young son. She said that since I am a seventh-rank official with a low salary, it would be better for me to resign and concentrate on managing the household and raising my husband and children." She raised her hand and stroked the tiny scar on her husband's left forehead, saying angrily, "It's all because General Xuanwei is so outstanding. I look so worthless."
Guo Honglei raised an eyebrow, grasped her hand, and rubbed her fair skin with his rough fingertips. He said with a fierce face, "Since the founding of the country, you are the only female county magistrate. Your wife is already as capable as any man, yet you still think you are 'unsuccessful'? If you are better than me in every way, where will your husband's face be?"
"Don't worry, you are a brave and skilled general who has made many remarkable achievements. No matter how hard I work in this life, I am afraid I will never be able to achieve political achievements as dazzling as your military exploits."
Everyone knows that military exploits are dazzling, but everyone also understands that dazzling military exploits are most likely achieved at the risk of one's life.
Civil servants, on the other hand, often have to endure and patiently accumulate political achievements. After all, governing a place is not like fighting a war. No matter how brilliant the government policies are, they will not produce results in a short period of time.
Jiang Yushu smiled broadly, resting her elbow on his chest, her chin in her hand. Her eyes were bright and her voice was soft. "The promotion of civil officials and military generals is inherently different. I don't care about the rank of the official. I only serve to facilitate the realization of my ambitions."
"Madam's lofty ambitions make me dare not slack off, lest one day I be ridiculed as a husband inferior to his wife."
"General, do you think too highly of me? Actually..." Jiang Yushu paused, suddenly realizing her belt had been disturbed, and subconsciously lowered her head:
The young and strong handsome general had deep eyes, broad palms, and slender fingers with distinct joints. He hugged her with his left hand, and his right index finger was hooked on the slender belt and slowly pulled it out.
Jiang Yushu's breathing became disordered. She was deeply afraid of his physical strength and energy. She was often unable to resist him. She hurriedly covered her clothes and whispered, "Ahem, I have to get up early tomorrow."
"do what?"
"Mrs. Liu's daughter is getting married, and she invited me to the wedding."
"Hmm."
"Then you still—"
"It's okay, I'll go with you tomorrow." The couple had always been apart for a long time, and it was rare for them to visit relatives at the same time. He couldn't help but turn over and pressed her down so that she couldn't move in an instant.
Afterwards, sounds of intimate playfulness were heard from inside the tent, followed by panting and groaning, which did not stop for a long time.
In late August, the autumn wind becomes cooler and the crops gradually mature.
Guo Honglei led his family, bid farewell to Wang, and went north to Yongzhou to attend the wedding and the hundred-day banquet of Pei Wenfeng's eldest son.
After the banquet, Jiang Yushu and other guests surrounded Ji Yingyue and her baby. The room was full of women and children, and they were very lively and praised the baby again and again.
"I missed the full moon banquet, but I finally made it to the hundred-day banquet." Jiang Yushu was genuinely happy for her cousin. "Congratulations! You've given birth to a big, fat boy! Look at his eyes, they're so bright! My grandmother and aunt must be very happy."
"It's a pity that we live far away, so I can only wait until the child grows up before bringing him home to meet the elders." Ji Yingyue gave birth to a son for her husband as she wished. She was happy and plump, and both mother and son were fair and plump. They entertained relatives and friends with a happy face.
Meanwhile, Banquet Hall
Amidst the clinking of glasses and the festive atmosphere, Guo Honglei raised his glass and said, "Brother Pei, congratulations."
Pei Wenfeng raised his glass, clinked it with the other man's, and drank it all in one gulp. He was drunk, and with so many guests, his narrow eyes etched with a smile as he murmured, "Finally, I have a son. I've finally silenced the nagging elders. Otherwise, the elders would constantly be making insinuations, and not only Xiaoyue, but even I would be fed up."
Guo Honglei was a few years younger, but he was already a father of three. As a man, he could understand his father's secret anxiety about having children. He raised his full glass again and said, "Congratulations!"
"Thank you."
As time goes by, the two men who were once at loggerheads and had quarreled and fought each other, Pei Wenfeng has become gentle and elegant, and Guo Honglei has become handsome and extraordinary. They drink one cup after another, as if they are competing in a drinking contest. To outsiders, their friendship is extremely deep.
——Outsiders had no idea that their dispute had once reached the point of being mortal enemies.
The next morning
Guo Honglei was drunk but still wanted to ride a horse. Jiang Yushu was worried and forced him into the carriage.
The wheels clattered as Guo Honglei leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes to rest. Suddenly, he sighed with relief and whispered, "Brother Pei finally doesn't hate me anymore!"
Jiang Yushu had several official documents on her lap. She looked up after hearing this, lost in thought for a moment, and then said softly, "That's great. I'm relieved that my cousin is living a happy and fulfilling life."
"Me too."
The car was silent for a while. Guo Honglei opened his eyes, turned his head and asked, "What? Haven't you figured it out yet?"
Jiang Yushu calmed herself down and answered anxiously, "I do understand, but I'm afraid I can't do it. The court examines officials with a small test every year and a big test every three years. They test on morality, ability, and achievements. If you count carefully, there are more than a dozen tests. It's very strict."
"I've been in office for a year now, and I'm about to take the exam. I'm really worried I'll be deemed 'incompetent.' Then, without my mother-in-law's persuasion or my own resignation, I'm afraid the court will simply fire me."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
