Yuan Huiniang was stunned when she saw Yan Qingqing come out with so many things.
Although she knew that Yan Qingqing being invited into the inner courtyard must mean something good, she didn't know that the Ding family would actually bestow so many gifts upon them.
Yuan Huiniang quickly stepped forward to take the things from Yan Qingqing's hands and said, "Mother, these things are quite heavy, let me carry them."
Yan Qingqing nodded. After all, she was now a mother-in-law and pregnant, so she naturally wouldn't try to be strong.
After the two left the Ding residence, Yan Qingqing originally planned to have Yuan Huiniang take the things back to the city gate and wait for her, as she wanted to inquire about Li Xiangping and the others.
Yuan Huiniang originally thought Yan Qingqing was lying to the villagers, but she didn't expect that her mother-in-law really cared about her husband and the others.
Come to think of it, ever since they separated their households, my mother-in-law has been extremely good to all her children, and she even cherishes her daughter-in-law. My husband and his family are also my mother-in-law's own children, so how could she not care about them?
Not to mention Yan Qingqing, even Yuan Huiniang herself was worried about her husband and two younger brothers-in-law.
Of course, Yuan Huiniang was also worried about her mother-in-law going alone, so she insisted on going with her.
Yan Qingqing couldn't refuse Yuan Huiniang, so she had no choice but to let her come along, and also took some of the things from her hands.
In fact, Yan Qingqing didn't know where Li Xiangping and the others worked, but she heard while eating at the Ding residence that a batch of goods had recently arrived at the docks, and they had hired quite a few people.
Yan Qingqing wanted to try her luck, so she took Yuan Huiniang straight to the dock.
Looking around, there were many ships docked at the pier, and workers were unloading cargo back and forth.
One of the supervisors shouted, "Hurry up, hurry up, give it your all! There's still a lot of work to be done today."
What are you guys doing, herding sheep? If you can't do it, get out of here.
"This twenty coins a day isn't just given to you for nothing."
Yan Qingqing was a little worried. How was she supposed to find so many people? Besides, Li Xiangping and the others might not even be working here.
Looking at so many people, Yuan Huiniang said with a headache, "Mother, how are we going to find so many people?"
As soon as Yuan Huiniang finished speaking, a cry of surprise came from ahead, as if someone had fallen.
Then a group of people swarmed around them in a chaotic manner.
Yan Qingqing's heart clenched, and she stuffed the food box in her hand into Yuan Huiniang's hands, then followed her as if possessed.
As soon as I approached the group, I heard someone say, "You're too young. This is all hard labor. I told you you couldn't do it. I'll talk to the foreman and get you paid for today. Hurry up and go."
A slightly immature boy's voice replied, "Sixth Master, I can do it. Please give me another chance. I just tripped by accident."
At this moment, another equally young voice rang out: "Second brother, you can't keep pushing yourself like this. Your body can't take it. Go home. I'm strong. I can do it here by myself."
Yan Qingqing's heart sank upon hearing this. Although she had never met Li Xiang'an and Li Xiangjian, she recognized their voices.
Yan Qingqing pushed through the crowd and walked forward; sure enough, it was the two children.
Although they are twins and look alike, the differences between them are quite obvious.
Li Xiang'an was physically weak from a young age and had a fair complexion, while Li Xiangjian had dark skin and looked very strong.
Yan Qingqing recognized the two children at a glance; they were dressed in tattered clothes and covered in dust.
In particular, Li Xiang'an's clothes on the shoulders were obviously torn, revealing red marks underneath, which was quite shocking.
Although Li Xiangjian seemed to be in a better position, he wasn't much better off.
After all, he was only thirteen years old, which was truly heartbreaking. Yan Qingqing sighed and said, "Erlang, Sanlang, come home with your mother!"
Li Xiang'an and Li Xiangjian stared at the person in front of them in disbelief, and everyone around them was also looking at Yan Qingqing.
Yan Qingqing bent down and helped Li Xiang'an up, then brushed the dust off his clothes and said, "Erlang and Sanlang, come home with your mother. Your mother can support you and your brother."
Just those words almost brought tears to Li Xiang'an's eyes. Was this still the timid and submissive mother he remembered?
Seeing that there were many onlookers, Yan Qingqing cupped her hands in greeting and said, "I am Xiang An and Xiang Jian's mother. Thank you all for taking care of the two children."
I know these two kids have caused you a lot of trouble, and I apologize to you all here.
The child is just too young, and it's a time when he needs to grow.
This kind of heavy work is really not suitable for them.
I'll be taking them home today. Thank you all for your help.
Those who work as porters at the dock are usually ordinary people from poor families, so they can understand Yan Qingqing's family situation.
Moreover, Yan Qingqing, being a woman, spoke to them with neither servility nor arrogance, which made them admire her a bit.
The man called Sixth Master said to Yan Qingqing, "That's what I meant too. You should take the two of them back."
"I'll pay you for today's work," he said, then took out thirty coins from his pocket and gave them to Yan Qingqing.
Yan Qingqing glanced at the money in her hand and knew exactly what it was. She cupped her hands in thanks to Sixth Master again.
Sixth Master was even more pleased to see this. These two lads did not meet the recruitment standards, but he took pity on them and they urgently needed a job.
He pleaded with them at length before they agreed to stay with a daily wage of fifteen coins.
Seeing the crowd disperse and Sixth Master leave, Li Xiang'an became anxious and said, "Mother, this is a job that Sanlang and I finally found. What if we lose it and go home? How will we explain it to Grandma?"
Yan Qingqing patted his injured shoulder and replied domineeringly, "I've already asked the village chief to make the decision, and you've separated from your grandparents. From now on, you won't need to answer to anyone except your mother."
Of course, after I get married, I might have to explain this to my wife.
Li Xiang'an blushed slightly upon hearing this, after all, he was almost at the age where he should be getting married.
Li Xiangjian exclaimed in surprise, "Mom, what did you say? We've separated from Grandpa and Grandma? Does that mean we don't have to give Grandma any of the money we earn anymore?"
Yan Qingqing looked at her loud-voiced son and laughed, "Of course, I'll save all the money you earn for your weddings."
Yan Qingqing originally thought that Li Xiangjian would blush like Li Xiang'an. But to her surprise, Li Xiangjian nodded in agreement and said, "Yes, I will give all the money I earn to my mother. Mother, you must help me find a beautiful wife. She can't be like Er Gou's wife, who is so ugly."
At this moment, Yuan Huiniang's teasing voice came: "Oh, third brother is missing his wife."
Yuan Huiniang, carrying her things, couldn't keep up with Yan Qingqing at all and could only stand outside the crowd, anxiously waiting.
After waiting for the crowd to disperse, he finally came over.
When Li Xiang'an and Li Xiangjian saw that Yuan Huiniang had also arrived, they quickly called out in unison, "Sister-in-law."
Yan Qingqing suddenly felt that Yuan Huiniang seemed to hold a heavier place in the hearts of the second and third sons than she, their biological mother.
Come to think of it, the original owner was afraid of her mother-in-law and never stood up for her child when faced with injustice.
However, Yuan Huiniang, as the eldest sister-in-law, did argue a few words in their defense.
It seems she still has a long way to go to solidify her position as the head of the family.
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