Chapter 76: Fight for Mother's Honor
Lin Shiqi also laughed.
Zhou Yaogu was spoiled by Mrs. Zhou, but she was also very straightforward.
Frank people speak their mind, which makes communication effortless and easier to get along with.
"Then make it for us according to the latest fashion."
"Okay! Fourth sister-in-law!" Zhou Yaogu, who was once so arrogant, now completely lowered her posture in front of Lin Shiqi.
Lin Shiqi was filled with emotion for a moment.
…
In the afternoon, Zhou Qinan returned home.
Today is the month-long holiday in Longquan School.
Wang was feeling sulky in the house. When she heard that her son had returned, tears of grievance suddenly burst out of her eyes.
"Mom, what's wrong with you?"
Zhou Qinan came in and greeted.
The young man had a smile on his face, looking calm and gentle.
"My son! You're back? It's okay, mother is fine..." Wang said while wiping her tears.
She didn't want to tell her son all the troubles at home, for fear that it would distract him and make him lose concentration in his studies.
Zhou Qinan said calmly, "Mom, my son doesn't come back for ten days or half a month. If there is anything, you can tell me. But my father did nothing, which made my mother angry?"
After hearing what her son said, Wang couldn't hold it anymore.
He told the Zhou family about what had happened recently.
"Now your fourth uncle and fourth aunt are in high positions. In the eyes of your grandparents, they are the most powerful. They bully our eldest branch, just like beating tofu to prevent thieves. Not only that, they are protecting themselves from me. I do all the housework. I even use fine cloth to make the cloth for that cheap girl. I, your mother, have given birth to three sons for the Zhou family, but we don't have a single piece of fine cloth. I wanted to help the family and sell tofu and bean sprouts, but your grandmother wouldn't let me go. She said that I was restless in the Zhou family and asked your father to divorce me and send me back to my parents' home..."
The more she talked, the more aggrieved Wang felt.
"Da Lang, mother is hoping that you will study hard and pass the imperial examination as soon as possible. When the time comes, you can take me out and stop suffering in the Zhou family. Your grandma is too partial. The second and third wives stole the family's money, but your grandparents just beat them up and let it go. When it comes to good things, they are still given priority. No matter how we behave in the first wife's house, your grandma will always have something to say to control us. Da Lang, mother is hoping that you will study hard and fight for me in the future."
…
Zhou Dalang's expression remained unchanged, with a smile in his eyes.
"Mom, living together as a family means all kinds of conflicts and contradictions. Five toes are still squeezed in shoes! Mom, don't take it to heart. It's not good for your health if you get angry and get sick."
Wang sighed, "Well, Dalang, you are too kind-hearted. You are a scholar and a person who understands the truth. Mother is worried that you will suffer with such a character. Your father is a person who doesn't care about anything, and you are so kind and generous. That's why they can bully our eldest wife and don't take me, the eldest daughter-in-law, seriously. I don't have any other thoughts. I just want to earn some money so that you can study in the future and save a little money. You still have to ask them for money everywhere. You have never seen their faces when they ask for money. Every time you pay tuition, they look reluctant..."
Zhou Dalang said gently, "Even if you manage to sell tofu and bean sprouts, it's still a small business and you won't make much money. You won't make much money from it. If grandma doesn't allow you to sell, then you don't have to sell. It's not a big deal. Mom doesn't have to worry about my tuition money anymore. I've found a way to make money now..."
As he spoke, he took out two silver ingots from his sleeve.
It was about five taels of silver each, ten taels in total.
Wang's eyes almost fell out.
"Son! Where are you from?"
Zhou Dalang smiled and said, "Mother, recently there are nobles who appreciate my calligraphy and painting. I copied calligraphy and painting for them. The wages they gave me have saved up ten taels of silver. I brought it back to ask you, should I give it to grandpa and grandma, or give it to you for safekeeping?"
Wang immediately put the silver away and said, "You must give it to me for safekeeping. Don't tell anyone else, not even your father or your brother. They are big mouths. If your grandparents find out, they will definitely confiscate it. I will keep it for you. When you need it for your studies in the future, we can take it out secretly."
"Then just listen to mother." Zhou Dalang said in a very caring tone.
Wang was both happy and proud.
"Your grandparents have praised your fourth uncle countless times because he learned the recipes for bean sprouts and tofu from books and was able to earn a little money for the family. But compared to my son, he is far behind. My son earns the money that a scholar should earn, just by copying calligraphy and paintings. The little money they earn by doing small business is nothing compared to that. My son is still a student, but he can make money. In the future, he will pass the imperial examination and become an official. Even if they sell tofu all their lives, they can't make even a little bit as much as my son."
The more I talk, the more comfortable I feel.
Her son is really outstanding.
How could Wang be so worthy of giving birth to such an outstanding son?
She will definitely be able to enjoy a peaceful and comfortable life with her son in the second half of her life.
It was worth it that she always thought about her son and trained him with all her strength...
Not only is her son good at studying, he also has a good personality and is very caring towards her.
God has been kind to her. Although she had an unhappy life in Lao Zhou's house and was restricted in every way, God gave her such a good son. What else could she be dissatisfied with?
It's all worth it.
Holding Zhou Dalang's hand, the mother and son talked for a few more words.
They were all words from Wang praising Zhou Dalang.
Then Zhou Dalang asked, "Did your uncle really learn the recipes for bean sprouts and tofu from books?"
"Yes, he must have read miscellaneous books. Don't learn from him. What's the point of reading miscellaneous books? Don't let it affect your imperial examination."
"Okay, Mom."
Wang chatted with Zhou Dalang in the room for a while, then got up happily and went out to cook dinner.
Only when her eldest son comes home will she willingly go to the kitchen and take the initiative to help.
Try every possible means to make him something delicious.
Lin Shiqi and the others were busy until dinner time. Making tofu seems simple, but one has to consider the different degrees of heat. If the orders get bigger in the future, she certainly can't do it all by herself, so she has to teach someone capable to take charge.
The first person she wanted to teach was Liu. Liu looked small and not very strong, but she worked efficiently and seriously. Whenever Lin Shiqi gave her a few instructions in advance, she would take note.
Mrs. Zhou is old, but that doesn’t affect her love of learning.
While Lin Shiqi was teaching Liu, she watched from the side. Sometimes, before Liu could react, Mrs. Zhou would already understand.
One can imagine how capable Mrs. Zhou was when she was young.
The Zhou family can be in its current situation thanks to the efforts of old couple Mr. Zhou and Mrs. Zhou.
She gave birth to so many children, but not one of them starved to death, nor was any given away. She also married off her sons, raised her daughters as treasures, and even afforded the money to send her grandson to school and get him passed the imperial examination.
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