Of her four nephews, Huang Xiaosi was the one she valued the most.
Huang Yi is also good, smart enough, but no matter how good he is, he is not a member of the second wife's family, he only has the title of adopted son, and when he grows up and becomes successful, it is the ninth wife's family who will benefit.
To be honest, Sister-in-law Huang felt that Jiang Nuan's way of raising Huang Yi was not as good as raising her own son, but she couldn't say it outright.
If you were to really talk about her little scheme, it would only make her a laughing stock.
My son has both a father and a mother, what's the point of relying on my aunt?
However, I still felt a little regretful.
“You can’t say that,” Jiang Nuan strongly disagreed with Sister-in-law Huang’s words. “In my opinion, as long as you are down-to-earth and work hard to support your family, you can bring honor to your family. It’s not that you can only succeed by studying.”
Moreover, Xiao Si himself is the one who benefits the most from studying.
Jiang Nuan didn't say the last sentence aloud, because she felt that Sister-in-law Huang wouldn't agree.
"What can compare to studying? If Xiao Si can become the top scholar in the imperial examination, that would be an incredibly auspicious event, like the smoke rising from the ancestors' graves."
Jiang Nuan neither confirmed nor denied this, and simply changed the subject.
Putting aside the absurdly small chances, even if the child did pass the exam, in her heart, every child is the best, and she wouldn't accept any arguments against it.
"Sister-in-law, please keep an eye on Dashan's movements lately. If he goes out, let him know so that the two of them can follow and observe him."
The word "stalking" was a bit lewd, and after thinking about it, Jiang Nuan decided it was pointless.
“That’s right, I can’t stay any longer,” Sister Huang immediately realized. “What if Dashan slips away while I’m not here? That would be troublesome.”
After saying this hastily, he left with hurried steps.
After Sister-in-law Huang left, Madam Xie breathed a sigh of relief, "Auntie went a bit too far today."
Why should the first wife get involved in their second wife's affairs?
"She meant well."
"This kindness can stay with the eldest son's family," Xie said somewhat uneasily. "As for our second son's family, only Mother's word counts."
Xie couldn't stand how much Huang's sister-in-law fawned over Huang Xiaosi.
Xiao Si is smart, but the others are not bad either. Why should only he bring glory to the family? This kind of talk is unpleasant to hear.
The Xie family couldn't accept that the boy they had cared for since childhood, who was disliked by everyone and even dogs, had suddenly become the crowing rooster standing above the family.
“Your aunt didn’t mean that. She just paid more attention to Xiao Si’s studies.”
Jiang Nuan could completely understand this feeling, but she herself would not do it.
“Yes, I know all this,” Xie said sullenly. “I just find what you said, Auntie, a bit harsh. If Xiao Si is like this when he’s just starting school, what will happen when he achieves success? Will we just treat him like a statue?”
Although she found these words unpleasant to hear, that wasn't the only reason she was angry.
It's fine if it happens once in a while, but what if the aunt seizes every opportunity to instill this idea in the mother, and she gets convinced?
Our home is so nice now, we can't let Auntie ruin it.
“What are you saying?” Jiang Nuan laughed. “Even if he really becomes the top scholar in the imperial examination, he’ll still be our fourth son. You dare to make offerings to him? Do you think he’ll dare to accept the incense? You’d beat him to death!”
"Mother," Xie Shi said, her worries lessening slightly upon hearing this, and she rushed towards Jiang Nuan with a smile, "I knew you were the best."
Sure enough, Mother hasn't changed at all.
That's right, those stinky men, none of them are as lovable as these girls.
After figuring it out, Xie stopped worrying and showered Xie with compliments. Before long, laughter echoed from the hall.
When the four brothers, Huang Laoda and Jiang Chao, returned home and heard the laughter, they assumed something good had happened at home.
"Little Four," Huang Lao Er said sourly, "Your return home has made your mother so happy. It's been a long time since I've seen her smile so contentedly."
Sure enough, only Xiao Si is their biological child; the others were adopted from outside.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Si's face darkened. "If only it were like that!"
He thought that since he had been away from home for so long, he would be treated well when he finally came home, but he was wrong. It was no different from before.
My mother practically had the word "disgust" etched on her forehead!
It's heartbreaking that he's still a child and has encountered such a difficult life.
"What?" Huang Lin chuckled, covering his mouth with a smug grin. "Did your mother dislike you again?"
The use of the word "again" is quite subtle.
"Nonsense! I'm the most capable kid in Huangjiakou, how could my mother possibly look down on me!"
Huang Xiaosi resolutely refused to admit that he was being disliked.
What a joke! Doesn't he have any pride?
"Oh," Huang Xiaosan said knowingly, "I knew this would happen. So, tell me, what stupid thing did you do this time?"
"No," Huang Xiaosi insisted, "How could someone as clever as me do something stupid?"
"Really not?" Huang Xiaosan didn't believe it.
"No!"
"Twenty coins," Huang Xiaosan raised an eyebrow, "explain the matter once and I'll give it to you."
"make a deal!"
Xiao Si didn't hesitate and quickly recounted the whole story, emphasizing how innocent and pitiful she was and how heartless her mother was.
He didn't mention a word about being forced to do his homework.
"So it was my cousin who made a fool of himself!" Huang Xiaosan suddenly realized. "That makes sense. Only my cousin could make my usually shrewd aunt lose her composure."
Normally, the old lady would never be so flustered, even thinking of having someone follow her.
"Is that the key point?" Huang Xiaosi said, heartbroken. "The problem is she won't pay!"
It really hinders his ability to make money.
If he had known it would end like this, he would never have joined in the fun.
"You've become obsessed with money?" Huang Xiaosan slapped his younger brother. "No wonder Mother dislikes you."
We're not strangers, why should I ask for money for helping out? What will others think?
That Xiao Si is so clueless!
As if knowing his brother's thoughts, Huang Xiaosi explained with a bitter face, "I didn't want to either, but my brother is too short of money. He only has two hundred coins of pocket money a month, and the consumption of writing materials is getting bigger and bigger. He won't be able to make ends meet soon."
The clever Xiao Si decided to sell some bitter herbs first, hoping to squeeze some money out of his brother's fingers.
However, upon hearing the three complaining, their expressions immediately changed drastically.
"Well," Huang Xiaosan stammered, "Third Brother is also short of money, I'm afraid he can't help."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Si immediately turned around, "Second Brother~"
"Little Fourth," Huang Lao Er said with a bitter face, taking out two copper coins from his pocket. "Your second sister-in-law only gave me this much. Studying is the most important thing. You can use it first."
He had saved up these two coins for a long time, and planned to save up three more coins to buy his wife a silk flower.
Never mind, I'm the older brother, let the younger one use it first.
Huang Lao Er handed over the copper coin, then turned his face away in pain.
Although it was only two coins, Huang Xiaosi didn't mind, happily putting them into his pocket, then turned to look at Huang Laoda with expectant eyes, "Big Brother~"
"Well," Huang said somewhat awkwardly, "I've already spent all my allowance for this month. How about I ask your sister-in-law for some money?"
"Never mind, I'll think of another way."
Huang Xiaosi really wanted to agree, but he knew his sister-in-law well; she would definitely question him thoroughly before taking the money.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com