There are readily available resources now, so why not make the most of them?
Zhou Daqing looked at his second son, his expression unreadable, and said, "If Ge Yunzhu elevates a widow to the status of a concubine, it's perfectly normal for a man to have three or four wives. What reason does the village head have to stop him?"
If Ge Yunzhu favored his concubine over his wife, it would be understandable to seek the help of the village magistrate to judge the matter. However, since it was a normal act for Ge Yunzhu to take a concubine, Yang Cui had no reason to object.
Moreover, Zhou Xiaomei and Yang Cui have absolutely no connection. In fact, Zhou Xiaomei even caused some trouble back then because she looked down on the An family for being poor.
Yang Cui seems easy to talk to and kind-hearted, but she is definitely not the kind of person who will meddle in everything.
Zhou Baishi: "Then what can we do? Is Xiaomei just going to be bullied like this?"
“Xiaomei is a member of the Zhou family, and we certainly won’t abandon her. Now that you’re back, if the Ge family doesn’t give us an explanation and doesn’t come to pick you up, then don’t go back. Just stay home and relax,” Zhou Daqing said.
The Zhou family is doing well now, and they have so many scholars. They can also establish a relationship with Yang Cui. Unless the Ge family members are idiots, they won't fail to come and pick up Xiao Mei, and they certainly won't fail to give an explanation.
Zhou Daqing looked around at everyone with a serious expression: "We are all family. We share the same fate. If I hear any more words of sowing discord, I will not let you off easily. Ye Xinghong, did you hear that?"
Zhou Yeshi pursed her lips and reluctantly agreed.
Zhou Daqing's gaze fell on Zhou Baishi, his expression equally serious: "I originally wanted to marry Xiaomei to Xiaohai, but you yourselves were unwilling, looking down on him because he was poor. The marriage with the Ge family was also your own choice, and no matter what happens in the future, you can't blame others! Zhou Baishi, Second Brother, Xiaomei, did you hear that?"
Zhou Daqing was very astute. He could tell from Zhou Baishi's deliberate act of stepping on and breaking Zhou Xiaoli's hairpin that she was upset about it.
Zhou Baishi was also named, and her face turned embarrassed.
“The hairpin needs money to be repaired, Bai, give Xiaoli fifty coins.”
Upon hearing that money was to be given, Zhou Baishi stopped moving. This money meant it would come from the private treasury of their third branch of the family, which was heartbreaking!
"What? My words have no effect?"
"No, I'll give it to you." Zhou Baishi obediently took out fifty coins and gave them to Xiaoli. Xiaoli didn't dare to take them. Looking at her mother, Zhou Qinshi also hesitated.
Zhou Zhuoshi said, "Second daughter-in-law, just take it. The village lady thinks highly of Xiaoli, which is why she gave her such a valuable gift. If you ruin it before you even have a chance to enjoy it, people will think you have a problem with the village lady."
Zhou Bai's face stiffened.
Actually, she did feel resentment towards Yang Cui for a moment, but she dared not say it. She couldn't afford to offend Yang Cui, and if she did, the Zhou family wouldn't let her off the hook.
With an embarrassed smile, Zhou Baishi handed the money to Xiaoli, saying, "Xiaoli, please take it. It was your aunt's fault."
Zhou Xiaoli accepted the money blankly, then turned and handed it to her mother.
Zhou Xiaomei felt something was strange, as if something had happened that she didn't know about.
Privately, she inquired with Zhou Baishi.
"The village lord has returned. Everyone went to Anjia for dinner today to welcome him back. After the meal, the village lord gave Xiaotao a gold bracelet and later gave Xiaoli a pearl hairpin. The two items together are worth at least fifty or sixty taels of silver." At this moment, Zhou Baishi still could not hide her jealousy.
Zhou Xiaomei's expression changed drastically. She suddenly remembered that when Zhou Xiaotao got married, Wen Shi had given Xiaotao a gold leaf. In addition, she now had a gold bracelet. Although Zhou Xiaotao lived in the countryside, she was still the richest girl in her family and the best-married girl.
It would be a lie to say I wasn't jealous, especially since I was the one who pushed this marriage onto her.
Zhou Xiaotao couldn't help but secretly compare An Xiaohai and Ge Yunzhu in her mind:
In terms of resources, although the An family lives in the countryside, they have built a spacious and bright house. An Xiaojiang and An Xiaohe have stable jobs with decent wages. The An family's peaches and plums bring in profits every year. The An family raises chickens, ducks, and pigs, and this year they even started raising sheep. They earn as much money as the Ge family's steamed bun shop. Moreover, the An family has the backing of Lord De'an Township. Even if Cen Xiao dies, Lord De'an Township still has the Su family as a supporter. Therefore, in terms of financial resources and background, the Ge family is at a disadvantage.
Besides, An Xiaohai is better looking than Ge Yunzhu. Ge Yunzhu appears honest on the surface, but he actually seduces widows and has even gotten them pregnant. He's also a morally questionable person.
As for her mother-in-law, Wen gave Zhou Xiaotao gold leaves, but her mother-in-law, Ge Liu, was extremely stingy and always guarded against her. When selling steamed buns and collecting money, she would always send Zhou Xiaotao away, for fear that she would embezzle the money.
The more Zhou Xiaomei compared things, the more heartbroken she became, filled with deep regret after giving birth...
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