In the courtyard, Zhang was cooking cured meat in preparation for the Lunar New Year tomorrow.
Tian Sangui called out, "Mother!"
Zhang turned around and smiled happily: "Juan, Acheng, you're back!"
Lanjuan and her siblings immediately congratulated Zhang: "Congratulations on your new house, Aunt! We wish you a Happy New Year!"
After Lanjuan and her brother finished speaking, they both knelt down and kowtowed three times to Zhang, catching Zhang and Tian Sangui off guard.
The mother and daughter rushed over and helped the siblings up, saying, "It's not even Chinese New Year yet, so if you kowtow in advance, you won't get any lucky money!"
Zhang laughed and joked, and the siblings laughed along: "Auntie, you're just saying that. We siblings sincerely wish you and Sister Sangui a happy new house, we don't want any New Year's money!"
"Who said they didn't want any? Tomorrow, there will be no one left out!"
"Come help your auntie chop the vegetables, we're having pig's trotters for lunch!"
"Why!"
Lanjuan, laughing, rolled up her cotton-padded coat sleeves and walked to Zhang's side, placing the cooked meat on the cutting board and cutting it into small pieces.
"San Gui, take your younger brothers for a stroll in the garden, then take them to see their lodgings. If anything is unsuitable, add some more!"
"Why!"
Lancheng had been eagerly anticipating visiting the garden, and when Zhang suggested it, he was overjoyed.
With bright, sparkling eyes, she looked at Tian Sangui and moved her feet in anticipation of his gaze.
After Tian Da came in, he stayed close to Lan Juan, helping her cut vegetables and hand her things.
To avoid disturbing them, Zhang happily gave them a chance to be alone, using the kitchen as an excuse.
Tian was overjoyed, needless to say, while Lanjuan blushed deeply.
When Tian Lao Er arrived at the old house, he helped Qin Shi out of the car and then went to knock on the door of the Tian family.
Wang opened the door again. When she saw that it was Tian Lao Er, whom she hadn't seen for a long time, she originally wanted to mock them. However, she saw that Qin was wearing a jade bracelet, a red cotton jacket and skirt, and fur-lined rabbit fur shoes.
Wang was so jealous she felt like she was going to grind her teeth to dust. But when she caught a glimpse of the silver jade hairpin in the other woman's hair, Wang paled in comparison.
Originally, because her family was well-off, she was always the most conspicuous in the Tian family.
Now that she had been outshone by the Qin family, whom she looked down upon, she was filled with rage.
He turned and went into the main room, unhappy.
Tian Lao Er and Qin Shi exchanged a glance, both wondering what was wrong with their sister-in-law, but thinking that they had to rush to Lao Si's house soon, they instinctively stepped through the gate.
A short while later, the eldest son and the old man came out of the main room and greeted the second son with smiles.
"Just go home, why bring anything? Don't be so polite!"
"Father, what are you saying? As your son, I am not usually by your side to fulfill my filial duties, but I should send you some gifts during festivals to express my respect!"
"Haha, okay, come inside and sit for a while..."
Before the old man could finish speaking, Wang helped Yun lift the curtain and stand under the eaves.
She didn't believe what Wang told her at first, but when she saw the bright and dazzling hairpin on Qin's head, Yun's face turned even darker.
"You spendthrift Qin! My son works as a servant in the county town, and you not only don't care, but you also spend a lot of money on yourself!"
"Look at yourself! Dressed so brightly, who are you trying to seduce?"
"You good-for-nothing slut, I'm going to teach you a lesson you won't forget!"
As Yun Shi spoke, she grew angrier and angrier. She grabbed a broom from under the eaves, raised it high, and was about to hit Qin Shi with it.
Tian Lao Er disregarded the two jars of liquor in his hands, dropped the rope, and turned to protect Qin Shi.
Yun's broom landed heavily on Tian Lao Er's back. Because it was winter and he was wearing a thick cotton-padded coat, the sound was loud, but he didn't actually feel any pain.
"Mother, what are you doing?" Tian Lao Er turned around and shouted at Yun Shi.
Now that he no longer lives under the Yun family's control, he speaks less timidly than before and is no longer afraid of the Yun family.
"Well, now you dare to yell at your mother? You unfilial son, get out of here! Our Tian family has no son like you!"
Despite it being the Lunar New Year, Yun Shi disregarded all taboos and continued to curse incessantly, forcing Tian Lao Er to put down two bags of pastries, ten catties of pork, and one tael of silver before leaving the Tian family home with Qin Shi without looking back.
He knew perfectly well what was going on with Yun Shi. She was just using Qin Shi's better clothes as an excuse to blame him, her son, for not being filial to his mother.
To put it bluntly, the amount of money given was too little.
He didn't even consider that he was running errands in the county town. Although Tian Sangui was generous, a worker could only earn a maximum of five taels of silver a month.
He still has a wife and children to support, and now that Qin is pregnant, he bought her some small trinkets to cheer her up.
Unfortunately, Yun thought he was making a fortune and living a good life in the county town, and that he didn't care about his mother for the sake of his wife, so she staged that scene for him.
Sigh, he's not the fourth son who owns a restaurant; being able to give her an ounce or two is already the limit of his ability.
She used to smile when I gave her 500 coins, but now that life is a little better, I get scolded when I give her one tael.
Forget it, I'll let the fourth son handle it from now on. I won't set foot in the Tian family's house again.
The couple, along with their two sons and daughter, entered Tian Sangui's house.
"Hey, Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law are back. Come and rest in the main room."
"Juan, have some candy and melon seeds. Eat whatever you want. Don't be shy at home!"
"Sanmao, Mutou, you two boys have grown quite a bit taller since I last saw you. Here, have some more candy, so you'll grow strong and healthy next year!"
After Tian Lao Si's hospitality, Tian Lao Er, his wife, and their children couldn't hold back their tears.
When Zhang came in and saw this, she was shocked: "What's going on? Why are you shedding gold beans during the New Year? Juan'er, quickly help your fourth aunt look for them. Gold beans are so precious, you can exchange them for money next year!"
"Pfft!" Tian Juan burst out laughing at Zhang's words, and then the two boys couldn't help but laugh too.
The couple then stopped crying and greeted Zhang.
The atmosphere became harmonious and lively.
The warmth that should have been in the old house was replaced by the feeling of returning to one's hometown at Tian Laosi's place.
"Fourth sister-in-law, your house is so big and impressive; you can finally hold your head high in the village!"
Zhang grabbed a handful of melon seeds and stuffed them into Qin's hand, saying, "Thanks to San Gui, otherwise our family would still be living on scraps!"
Qin's expression changed as she recalled the days when she had bullied Zhang, fearing that Zhang was settling scores with her.
"I was sorry for you before, I was led astray by Mom. I will treat you even better in the future, I just hope you won't take it to heart!"
"Hey, that's all in the past. Why bring it up? It's the New Year, let's all have a happy time together!"
Hearing that Zhang had let go of the past and didn't hold a grudge, Qin felt even worse and blamed herself even more for her past ignorance.
"Children, go play with San Gui in the garden. Your fourth aunt will call you when dinner is ready!"
"good!"
After the children left, Qin could no longer hold back and burst into tears.
Tian Lao Si and Zhang Shi rushed over to ask what had happened, and Tian Lao Er then explained.
"Since Qin became pregnant, she has become more sentimental and troublesome to her younger siblings!"
"Oh my, what a wonderful thing! Why didn't you tell me sooner, sister-in-law? You've been standing here for ages. Come, come, sit down and let's talk!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com