Chapter 147
"Big brother, you're back."
Inside the house, several children were playing in the yard. Bai Qiqiu, seeing that the sun was about to set, got up and was about to go to the Zhou family's door to take a look when Zhou Lin and Mu Jin went home together.
Mu Jin nodded gently, her face showing signs of fatigue.
Seeing this, Bai Qiqiu quickly said, "I just started cooking the porridge. Brother, have some water and rest for a bit."
Zhou Lin put the wooden stick back in the back room and didn't come out; it was unclear what he was busy with inside.
After drinking a bowl of warm water, Mu Jin felt much better.
Wen Zhaoran sat to the side, still looking somewhat angry. "Big brother, how did things go?"
Mu Jin put down her bowl and sighed, "It's getting late. Tomorrow, my uncle will have those people who lied and gossiped apologize to me in front of the villagers."
"Just let it go like that?! That's letting them off too easily!"
Bai Qiqiu said angrily, "Even in our Northern Frontier, where the people are known for their fierce nature, this guy who cheats on his wife will be criticized and vilified until he can't lift his head."
Aunt Mu and Zhou Wushi exchanged a few words, and it was quite simple. Poor Mu Jin was splashed with such a big bucket of dirty water.
Wen Zhaoran felt even more indignant. "What kind of mother is she! I can't swallow this!"
Mu Jin smiled and shook her head. "When I was there, I never let them off so easily."
Bai Qiqiu and Wen Zhaoran immediately perked up their ears and listened carefully to what Mu Jin was going to say next.
The stalemate continued in the main hall of the Zhou family, so Mu Genfa called over the eldest male member of the Zhou family in charge, and they went outside the main hall to discuss the matter.
The Zhou family elders, including Zhou Lin, were eager to help the younger generation of the Zhou family and improve their lives, so they were unwilling to sever the marriage ties.
This time, however, Zhou Lin was determined and unwilling to acknowledge Zhou Wu Shi.
The grandfather of the Zhou family frowned so deeply that he could trap a fly in his brow; he was also annoyed by his third daughter-in-law.
However, both Zhou Laosan and Zhou Wushi were getting old, and whether they divorced or were to be divorced, it would be a laughing stock if word got out.
After discussing for about half an hour, the group decided that the marriage could not be broken off, and the wife could not be divorced.
Zhou Wushi went too far, so she was confined to her home for a month to reflect on her actions and was not allowed to leave the house.
Aunt Mu spread rumors and apologized to Mu Jin in front of the whole village, offering to pay her five taels of silver in compensation.
When the group returned and the arrangements were made, Mu Jin looked at the Zhou family members with a half-smile.
"After all this negotiation, this is the only result we get? Ridiculous."
Zhou's grandfather said with a stern face, "Jin'er, don't act rashly. Blood ties cannot be severed. Even if bones are broken, tendons are still connected. Be forgiving when you can. After all, she is still your mother-in-law and Lin's biological mother."
Mu Jin snorted and laughed, "This slander against an innocent young man for adultery, according to the laws of our dynasty, should be punished with twenty strokes of the cane and exiled to the northern frontier to build city walls. Since the village cannot speak out for me, then I beg the upright and just judge to decide!"
Mu Genfa hurriedly asked, "Jin-ge'er, what do you intend to do?"
He also felt that the matter had been handled too lightly, but even an upright official cannot settle family disputes. As the village head, he could not interfere too much. Getting five taels of silver for Mulan was already a favor to him.
After all, once the matter is cleared up and everyone in the village knows, from an outsider's perspective, it won't cause much harm to Mu Jin.
He had only been the village chief for a short time, and if this matter went to court, he, as the village chief, would inevitably be punished by the county magistrate.
Mu Jin's eyes immediately reddened, and she looked pitiful, on the verge of tears.
She said, "I didn't want things to get so ugly, but my son's reputation is of utmost importance. If it weren't for A-Lin trusting me, and if I had married a petty and suspicious man, I would have no way to survive!"
Zhou Lin looked at him with pity in her eyes, unwilling to let Mu Jin suffer any more grievances. She raised her head and said in a deep voice, "I am determined to break off this relationship today!"
At this moment, Zhou Ming spoke up, "Brother, you've had a tough time these past years. When the family divided the property, you only had a few dilapidated thatched huts. You should let him live a peaceful and stable life. I'm willing to support our parents. Don't worry, brother, I won't bother you with family matters anymore."
Zhou Qiang added, "Big brother, my second brother and I will take care of our parents in their old age together. You don't need to worry about the family anymore. Our brotherhood will remain unchanged."
Mu Lingyun sneered, "The way you two are talking makes it sound like your elder brother is unwilling to support his parents, as if he's the one who's wrong."
Zhou Ming hurriedly said, "Third brother-in-law, you know that's not what I meant, I just..."
Grandfather Zhou sighed deeply, and before Zhou Ming could finish speaking, he waved his hand and said, "Alright, Lin'er, if you still consider me your grandfather, I will make the decision today. Our kinship will not be broken. Just as your two younger brothers said, your parents will not need you to support them in their old age. The family division agreement from earlier will be rewritten. You will not have to pay the two qian of silver you were supposed to pay each month. Just send ten jin of meat every year to complete the bond between mother and son, and father and son in this life."
This was practically tantamount to severing ties with a family. Seeing that Zhou Lin still hadn't spoken, Mu Jin tugged at his sleeve and nodded gently.
Zhou Lin finally relented. Zhou Laosan wanted to say something, but after being glared at by his grandfather, he shut his mouth in embarrassment.
After the new family division agreement was drafted, Mu Jin had her uncles, great-grandfather, and grandfather, who were witnessing the process, put their fingerprints on the agreement.
After carefully putting away the new family division agreement, Zhou Lin didn't even glance at Zhou Wushi sitting on the ground before leaving the Zhou family with Mu Jin without looking back.
After listening, Bai Qiqiu sighed, "This can be considered a severing of ties. Ten pounds of meat a year is nothing. I just didn't expect that Zhou Qiang would be so responsible and not try to back down by refusing to support them."
Zhao Ran was still a little angry. "I still feel that they got off too easy, especially that Aunt Mu. I really want to put a sack over her head and beat her up. She can make up anything and she's not afraid of creating bad karma. When she gets old, she'll go to the eighteenth level of hell."
Mu Jin smiled, smelled the aroma of porridge in the pot, quickly got up, and cooked the dishes for dinner.
After planing three pieces of wood, Zhou Lin felt relieved and stopped thinking about the old couple in the Zhou family.
Early the next morning, the village gong sounded. Aunt Mu's face turned red. She had lost money and face, and had barely left the house for the New Year.
Zhou Lin was unwilling to see Zhou Wu Shi again. According to the family division agreement, the ten catties of pork that should be delivered this year were still delivered to the Zhou family by Lin Huzi.
Before they knew it, it was New Year's Eve. Zhou Yaoyao and Xiao Mugua were dressed in bright red, looking round and chubby.
Mu Jin specially chose red hair ties to tie their hair. Their little faces were fair and rosy, looking very festive.
Firecrackers are popping outside, another spring has arrived.
During the Chinese New Year, no one is happier than the children.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Mu Jin, carrying Xiao Mugua, and Zhou Lin, carrying Zhou Yaoyao, went to Master Zhou Lin's house to pay their respects early in the morning.
Mu Heng now has three grandsons. His sons can't have daughters, so he no longer hopes for a fair-skinned and adorable granddaughter. But his own son and husband have had three sons in a row, and now when he sees a son, he is extremely envious.
Over the years, the love he has shown for Zhou Yaoyao is no less than the love he has shown for his own grandson.
He immediately picked up Zhou Yaoyao and exclaimed, "Oh my, our Peach has gotten fatter again."
Zhou Yaoyao immediately pouted, "Grandpa Heng, peaches aren't fat."
Mu Jin smiled and said, her eyes crinkling, "This little guy is most afraid of people saying he's fat."
Uncle Mu smiled and said, "Your grandpa is wrong. I'll help you beat him up." He then gently patted Mu Heng. "Our peach is a soft, juicy peach, not fat at all."
Zhou Yaoyao grabbed the hand that Mu Shumo had hit, "Grandpa, don't hit Grandpa. Peach, blow on Grandpa, and Grandpa won't feel pain anymore."
Mu Heng'er's husband laughed and said, "No wonder Father dotes on Little Peach so much, she's such a lovely girl."
He had three sons in a row and was very fond of Zhou Yaoyao.
They had heard a bit about the Zhou family's affairs, but since it was the New Year, they didn't want to say anything unpleasant. Instead, they chatted about funny things.
The three mischievous kids at home were unusually well-behaved today, obediently wishing Mu Jin and Zhou Lin a Happy New Year.
With a smile, Mu Jin took out the red envelopes she had prepared and handed them to the three of them.
The three brothers said in unison, "Thank you, Uncle!"
Mu Jin smiled and patted their little heads. The three boys were chubby-cheeked and incredibly cute.
After exchanging New Year's greetings with Mu Heng, Mu Jin and Zhou Lin took Zhou Yaoyao and Xiao Mugua to Zhou's grandfather's house.
Zhou Chuxue is truly amazing; she gave Zhou Fengnian three children in five years—two sons and a little boy. When they arrived, they were obediently kneeling down to kowtow and wish their grandfather a Happy New Year.
"Jin-ge'er, you've arrived! Oh, Peach, you've become even more beautiful than I've seen in the past month or two."
As Zhou Chuxue spoke, she gently pinched Zhou Yaoyao's fair and radiant cheeks.
Zhou Yaoyao dislikes being called fat but loves being called good-looking. Hearing this, she said softly, "Grand Uncle, Peach wishes you a Happy New Year."
Zhou Chuxue smiled, took out a red envelope from her bosom, and stuffed it into his little red jacket.
Zhou Yaoyao and Xiaomugua were busy collecting New Year's money, while Mujin and Zhou Lin were busy handing out red envelopes. Even Xiaoshitou, Xiaosuo'er, and Zhou Qiang's son were not left out.
There were many younger members of the Zhou family, and even more elders. After visiting all the relatives and friends, Zhou Yaoyao and Xiao Mugua were so full of New Year's money that they could hardly contain it all. They returned home with a bounty of good fortune.
By the time I carried them both back, it was already broad daylight.
Zhou Yaoyao said in a clear voice, "Dad, aren't we going to Grandpa and Grandma's?"
In previous years, on the first day of the Lunar New Year, Mu Jin and Zhou Lin would take the two of them to the Zhou family to pay New Year's respects to Zhou Laosan and Zhou Wushi.
Zhou Lin hugged Zhou Yaoyao tightly to prevent him from falling, and whispered, "I won't go anymore."
Zhou Yaoyao didn't say anything. Although he was young, he knew that Zhou Wushi didn't like him, so he was happy that he didn't have to go.
When the group arrived home, Bai Qiqiu and Mu Zhaoye, along with Mu Zining and Xiao Xigua, were chatting and eating melon seeds with Wen Zhaoran in the yard.
Seeing them return, Bai Qiqiu teased them, "It looks like Taozi received a lot of New Year's money. Her little jacket is almost bursting. I wonder if Uncle Qiu can still fit her in the red envelope."
Zhou Yaoyao was put down by Zhou Lin and ran to Bai Qiqiu, tugging at his red cotton-padded coat, "Yes, Uncle Qiu, I can still do it."
Mu Jin chuckled. They were very familiar with each other, unlike other families in the village who were not so polite. When giving out New Year's money, the adults would politely decline and even pull off each other's sleeves.
"Peach, you haven't even paid your New Year's greetings yet, and you're already asking for your Uncle Qiu's lucky money?"
Wen Zhaoran cracked sunflower seeds, his eyes crinkling with joy. He had given the two children their New Year's money on New Year's Eve.
Zhou Yaoyao pulled Xiao Mugua to obediently offer New Year's greetings, while Mu Jin had also prepared red envelopes for Mu Zining and Xiao Xigua.
For a moment, the courtyard was filled with the innocent voices of children wishing each other a Happy New Year, creating a joyful atmosphere.
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