Chapter 132 A Scene of Massive Double Standards
On the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, Sheng An prepared two meals for the neighboring courtyard and then, carrying New Year's gifts, rode a donkey cart with Xu Jinnian to pay New Year's visits to the Zhang family.
When the two arrived, there were four cars parked in front of the Zhang family's gate, indicating that Aunt Zhang and her family had also arrived.
Inside the main room, Zhang Sangu's shrill voice rang out: "Sister-in-law, it's so late, why hasn't your good daughter-in-law arrived yet? Making so many of us wait here."
Before Xu Cuilian could speak, Aunt Zhang retorted, "We just arrived, how are we late for you? We have to treat Da Kui to a meal, we can't let Da Kui come back hungry."
Aunt Zhang's tone remained dissatisfied: "She's not even my eldest sister's daughter-in-law, why are you protecting her like this? She's not even here, why would she remember your kindness?"
Xu Cuilian, having reached her limit, unleashed a bombshell: "If you're willing to wait, then wait; if you're not, then leave. I don't want my daughter-in-law to have to put up with the attitude of a married-out aunt like you!"
Zhang Sangu looked indignant, but tried her best to appear as if she was doing it for Xu Cuilian's good:
“Sister-in-law, it’s not that I’m trying to stir up trouble, but you have to understand that mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law are natural adversaries. It’s either the east wind prevails over the west wind or the west wind prevails over the east wind. If you don’t establish the rules before your daughter-in-law marries into the family, she won’t listen to you.”
Xu Cuilian was speechless and retorted directly: "Don't talk nonsense in front of me! When I married your brother, I had a very good relationship with your parents. Don't think that just because you don't get along with your mother-in-law, all mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law are natural enemies."
Aunt Zhang rolled her eyes, speechless with anger at these words, feeling that her sister-in-law was ungrateful.
"You won't find another mother-in-law like my mother in the world. Otherwise, if she knew you've spent forty or fifty taels of silver on your family over the years, she'd be so angry she'd flip her coffin lid!"
Xu Cuilian exploded upon hearing this, and jumped up to yell:
"Zhang Meihua, are you blind or deaf? I clearly lent out twenty-six taels, but you only actually spent a little over twenty taels. That's the amount spent over the past eighteen years. You don't spend any money when you go back to your parents' home!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Xu Cuilian realized what she meant: "Oh, I had forgotten about it until you mentioned it. You've been married for so many years, and every time you go back to your parents' home, you come empty-handed. You even bring two pounds of meat with you when you leave. How dare you say that I spend money on my parents' home!"
Seeing that her sister-in-law was really angry, Aunt Zhang quickly tried to smooth things over: "Cuilian, it's your sister talking nonsense. Just ignore her and don't take it to heart."
Aunt Zhang was unconvinced and retorted, "Where did I go wrong? A married daughter is like water spilled from a bowl. I would never do something like using my husband's family's money to support my own family."
Aunt Zhang felt a headache coming on and glared at her younger sister: "Shut up!"
Xu Cuilian was no longer angry. She pointed at Zhang Sangu and said, "Fine, it's what you said about a married daughter being like water spilled from a cup. I'll take out the money I've spent on your family over the years."
After saying that, she rushed into the room, rummaged through the drawer to find the account book, and came out just in time to see Sheng An and Xu Jinnian standing at the door, unsure whether they should come in.
Without saying a word, Xu Cuilian pulled Sheng An into the house and shoved the account book in her arms: "You can read, so you tell this pot of water that has been spilled how much benefit it has taken from my family over the years."
Sheng An held the account book in a daze, feeling incredibly fortunate that Xu Jinnian was an only child, so she didn't have the troubles of mother-in-law/daughter-in-law or sister-in-law relationships.
Why do I suddenly feel so lucky, like I've been given another twenty years of life?
Thinking of this, Sheng An looked at Xu Jinnian with unprecedented tenderness.
Xu Jinnian: "..."
I suddenly felt a chill run down my spine.
Sheng An honestly flipped to the first page of the account book and read out the expenses the Zhang family had given to Zhang Sangu, item by item:
"The eldest daughter's full moon celebration cost three qian of silver, two sets of fine cotton clothes cost two qian of silver; the eldest daughter's New Year's money was one hundred wen; the eldest daughter's first birthday banquet..."
As Sheng An read, he silently calculated. He had only read four or five items, and the cost was already nearly one tael of silver, no less than that of Xujiaba.
Zhang Meihua picks on everything, is she perhaps a hedgehog reincarnated?
At this moment, Aunt Zhang's face was like a palette, turning from green to red, but she still stubbornly refused to admit her mistake: "What's wrong with spending money? Da Niu and Da Bao are my nephews, it's only right for their uncle and aunt to spend money on them."
Aunt Zhang and the others were restless and wanted to slap their troublesome younger sister (older sister) a couple of times.
Now it's understandable for uncles and aunts to spend money on their nephews, so why did you start trouble earlier by bringing up the money your sister-in-law spent on her family?
How can it have a face?
Looking at Zhang Sangu, who was stubbornly refusing to admit it, Sheng An clicked her tongue inwardly. This person really had double standards regardless of the occasion!
She read a few entries aloud, then returned the ledger to Xu Cuilian, silently giving her a thumbs-up.
This account is well-maintained; when you dig up old accounts, there's plenty of evidence, making it impossible to refute.
Xu Cuilian put away the account book, glanced at Zhang Sangu, and snorted coldly, "My daughter-in-law is coming soon, so I can't be bothered with you. If you dare to provoke her, you can forget about ever entering the Zhang family again."
Aunt Zhang was both ashamed and angry. She wanted to lash out, but Aunt Zhang and the others stopped her. They were almost about to drag her out the door.
In this awkward and strange atmosphere, Zhang Daikui finally brought Zhang Zhaodi back.
Looking at the crowded main room, Zhang Zhaodi, who was visiting the Zhang family for the first time as their prospective daughter-in-law, felt somewhat intimidated by so many eyes watching her.
Fortunately, she remained composed and, with Zhang Daikui's introduction, greeted Aunt Zhang and the others very politely: "Aunt Zhang, Second Aunt..."
When Zhang Sangu was called, she gave a sarcastic snort, which immediately drew several disapproving glances.
Aunt Zhang's expression stiffened, but a smile tugged at the corner of her mouth: "You're a lucky woman. So many people are backing you up. Your mother-in-law won't dare to make you suffer after you marry into the family."
Zhang Zhaodi had been warned by Sheng An beforehand and knew that Zhang Sangu was not likable. Hearing her sarcastic words, she showed a sincere expression: "It is truly a blessing that I have accumulated over eight lifetimes for you to be my mother-in-law. Ordinary people cannot ask for such a thing."
Before being rejected by the Liu family, Zhang Zhaodi, who had brought several younger brothers and sisters into her family and shed the reputation of having no descendants, was indeed praised by the villagers for her good fortune.
Zhang Sangu's lips twitched, and she turned her face away, ignoring Zhang Zhaodi.
Xu Cuilian laughed heartily, grabbed Zhang Zhaodi's hand and kept praising her: "What a lucky girl to be my daughter-in-law! It seems I, as her mother-in-law, am also blessed!"
Zhang Zhaodi flattered her sensibly, saying, "Even without me, Auntie is a blessed person. Everyone in the village praises Auntie for being generous."
Seeing the harmonious scene between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, Zhang Sangu felt a tightness in her chest, and her face grew long.
However, no one cared about her feelings. Everyone, including Aunt Zhang, was teasing Zhang Zhaodi and Zhang Daikui, making the two unmarried young people blush with embarrassment.
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