Li Meihua, holding tea in both hands, had just come out of the house and carefully approached the old lady.
"Mom, have some sugar water. You've been traveling all day, so drink some to quench your thirst."
Qiao Sunshi glanced at her unpleasant daughter-in-law and said, "You haven't come to see me for so long, and you've gotten quite fat. You're enjoying yourself at home, aren't you!"
"Mom, what are you saying? I've looked the same all these years. When have I ever been fat?" Li Meihua pushed the teacup forward again, but seeing that the old lady was indifferent, she didn't know whether to take it or put it down.
Qiao Xiaoni couldn't stand it anymore. She went over, took the tea in her hand, and then placed it on the stone bench next to her. The hot water she had just poured was scalding hot, and the old lady was clearly making things difficult for her.
"Plum Blossom, is this the kind of girl you raised? How long have you been back? She doesn't even call me 'Grandma'. She has no manners at all." Madam Qiao scolded coldly, "Don't think that just because you've studied a few more days you can become a phoenix. You should learn from your sister Lingling. She's much more well-behaved than you. She even comes to keep me company when she has nothing to do."
"If you like her company, go to her house. What's the point of coming to my house?" Qiao Xiaoni retorted directly. She had a pretty good idea that Qiao Lingling was behind the old lady's return to their house. She should have punished her then and there, and if she ever ran into her again, she would definitely make her pay.
Qiao Sunshi was stunned for a moment, then realized what was happening and pointed her cane at Qiao Xiaoni.
"This is outrageous! How dare you speak to me like that!"
"You can say those things to me, but I can't argue back? Do you think you're Empress Dowager Cixi?" Qiao Xiaoni retorted without hesitation. She would repay kindness with kindness, but if someone treated her badly, then they shouldn't blame her for being impolite.
"You!" Madam Qiao was so angry she could hardly breathe. Who dared to speak to her like that? Because she had given birth to three sons, she had always held the highest position in the Qiao family, practically having the final say. Even her own husband had to give her some leeway. But today, Qiao Xiaoni had dared to talk back to her like this. She turned to Qiao Haisheng beside her and said…
"Aren't you going to do something about this? What will become of this girl who has no respect for her elders when she grows up!"
Qiao Haisheng had never felt that his own mother was so unreasonable. Every time she came to his house, she would cause trouble, as if he owed her something.
"Mom, calm down. Xiao Ni wasn't talking about you. Can't we go inside and rest?"
Qiao Sunshi was furious. "You brat, now you're taking your daughter's side! If I'd known you'd be like this, I should have strangled you when you were born!"
"Mom, you've gone too far." This was the first time Qiao Haisheng had spoken harshly to his elderly mother. He couldn't help but defend his wife and daughter; they were both his family, and they were equally dear to him!
Li Meihua didn't want to make a big fuss, so she went to Qiao Xiaoni's side and said to her, "Stop making a scene, quickly apologize to your grandma. She's so old, what if you upset her and cause her any harm?"
Qiao Xiaoni snorted and said, "What I said was all reasonable, and I didn't say a single wrong word."
Doesn't she like Qiao Lingling? I'll have my second brother take him to Uncle's place right now, so Qiao Lingling can keep her company."
Li Meihua glared at her daughter, then lowered her voice and continued to persuade her.
"What are you talking about? It's getting dark. If we send your grandma away, how will we ever be able to hold our heads up in the village again?"
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