"Get up first. How did you find your way here?" Tao Wanniang frowned and glanced at Zhou Xiaoyun with some impatience. She really had no feelings for this daughter-in-law.
Not to mention that the original owner was pushed to death by Zhou Xiaoyun, Zhou Xiaoyun has never felt any remorse from beginning to end. On the contrary, she always feels that she will treat her harshly because of this.
“Mother, I went to the restaurant to look for you, but my elder brother and sister-in-law said you were resting at home.” Zhou Xiaoyun stood up, supporting her waist. “Ling Dapeng, that heartless man, has only been working at the Jiaosifang for a short time, and he’s already taking a concubine. He’s blinded by other women. Mother, please help me, for the sake of my pregnant belly!”
"Zhou Xiaoyun, don't take me for a fool. Don't come to me with your marital problems. Whether he takes a concubine or divorces me, I don't care," Tao Wanniang said calmly. "Also, don't try to make a scene in front of me. Weren't you quite tough when you left? What kind of behavior is this, crying and wailing?"
Zhou Xiaoyun was stunned; Tao Wanniang's aloofness and indifference were hard for her to believe.
"Mother, are you abandoning Dapeng?"
"How old are you? Do I still need to tell you what to do?" Tao Wanniang waved her hand. "Ling Dapeng wants to take a concubine. Aren't you very capable? What, you can't control him anymore? Either leave and mind your own business, or stay for a meal. I'll do my duty as a host!"
Hearing Tao Wan's mother's indifferent tone, Zhou Xiaoyun felt a lump in her throat and tightened her grip on her son's hand.
"Ouch!" The child cried out in pain. "Mommy, it hurts, ouch!"
Zhou Xiaoyun quickly released her son, hugging him tightly with heartache. "My poor Er Gouzi, my unfortunate child, will there be any place for us in the Ling family anymore?"
Tao Wanniang didn't feel much when she saw Zhou Xiaoyun crying and shouting.
Zhou Xiaoyun brought it on herself. Originally, she was turning a blind eye. She didn't care much about having another person to support, since she didn't have to see them all the time.
But wasn't it Zhou Xiaoyun who instigated Ling Dapeng to split up the family business? He couldn't make it outside, so he came back to her. It's really just wishful thinking.
"Have you cried enough? If you have, then stop. I won't interfere in this matter," Tao Wanniang said calmly.
Zhou Xiaoyun bit her lip, looked at her son again, touched her belly, and finally said with a wronged look, "Mom, then... then I'll stay and have a meal."
"Heh!" Tao Wanniang scoffed lightly. "Cui Niang, there are two extra pairs of chopsticks in the house today."
“Yes, boss.” Gao Cuiniang replied loudly.
"Rui'er, Xiaofeng, come and meet your second aunt." Tao Wanniang called to the two children who were frightened by Zhou Xiaoyun.
"Second Aunt," Ling Rui said timidly, holding her younger sister's hand. Her second aunt had become rounder and fiercer.
Looking at Tao Wanniang's kind and gentle manner towards Ling Rui and Ling Xiaofeng, and then glancing at her son lying on her lap, Zhou Xiaoyun felt a pang of sadness. For the first time, she felt a sense of regret.
If the family hadn't split up...
Zhou Xiaoyun suppressed this thought. If they hadn't separated their households, she would still be being oppressed by her mother-in-law every day!
"Mother, Dapeng said he's going to marry that woman named Shishi, and that she's a woman from a respectable family, so only he can save her from this hell." Zhou Xiaoyun sobbed to herself, "He also said they... they've already consummated their marriage, why am I so unlucky!"
"Why are you saying these things in front of the children?" Tao Wan's mother scolded. "I kept you here so you could complain to me."
Zhou Xiaoyun paused, looking at Tao Wanniang with a wronged expression. Couldn't she speak up?
"Mother!" Xiao Qiao'er finished her morning lessons and it was almost time for dinner. Not seeing Tao Wan's mother in the main courtyard, she ran briskly towards the living room.
Upon seeing Zhou Xiaoyun and Ling Zhi, he paused, becoming somewhat reserved.
Zhou Xiaoyun glanced at Xiao Qiao'er and called out dryly, "Qiao'er."
"Second Sister-in-law," Xiao Qiao'er called out shyly as she walked to Tao Wan's side.
Zhou Xiaoyun felt a pang of sadness. How could an adopted little girl be raised to be so fair and delicate? Her mother-in-law was really being unfair!
"Boss, lunch is ready! You can eat now!" Gao Cuiniang, who had prepared lunch, had already put all the dishes on the table and then came to greet everyone.
Shen Lian had already come over, and Zhang Liang had also arrived at the dining room. Tao Wanniang stood up and said, "Let's go and eat."
Zhou Xiaoyun stood up, supporting her back. Looking at her son tugging at her legs, she helplessly picked him up. If she wasn't afraid of Tao Wan's mother scolding her, she wouldn't have let Cao'er take them to the door and go back by herself.
Seeing Zhou Xiaoyun's large pregnant belly, Gao Cuiniang stepped forward to help, saying kindly, "Young master, let me hold you."
"Yes, Gao Cuiniang!" Zhou Xiaoyun suddenly remembered. Gao Cuiniang was arranged by her father-in-law; her mother-in-law knew nothing about it. Since her mother-in-law wouldn't help her, she would find someone who could!
During the meal, Zhou Xiaoyun remained quiet and stopped talking about Ling Dapeng. However, because of her, the atmosphere at the table became somewhat tense. After finishing the meal, she prepared to leave.
"Mother, I shouldn't have bothered you. I'll take Er Gou away now," Zhou Xiaoyun said calmly. "It's just my bad luck that I couldn't control Da Peng."
These words made Tao Wanniang very suspicious that Zhou Xiaoyun was up to something again.
"If Ling Dapeng wants to get anything from me, his mother, then let him come to me himself," Tao Wanniang said after thinking for a moment.
"Thank you, Mother!" After having other thoughts, Zhou Xiaoyun's gratitude towards Tao Wan's mother was not so strong. Her gratitude was clearly superficial, which made Tao Wan's mother more wary.
“Going back is inconvenient for you with your big belly and a child. Zhang Liang, you take them there.” Tao Wanniang instructed Zhang Liang, but also winked at him thoughtfully.
“Alright, I’ll go get the carriage right away,” Zhang Liang nodded and said.
Zhou Xiaoyun wanted to refuse, but she was going to the General's Mansion! However, she was patient and thanked Tao Wanniang before getting into the carriage and leaving with a clear conscience.
Not long after, Zhang Liang returned.
"Sister Tao, after your daughter-in-law returned home, she had someone hire a carriage to go to the General's Mansion. I followed her from a distance and saw her go inside with my own eyes."
"Oh, she's quite bold. It seems that after living there, her heart has become even wilder. Let's not worry about her!" Tao Wanniang teased. If Ling Yunzhou wanted to interfere, let him. She was not going to interfere in her second son's family affairs.
Inside the general's mansion, Ling Yunzhou frowned deeply as he looked at Zhou Xiaoyun, whose face was contorted with tears.
"Father, you must help your daughter-in-law! Dapeng is going to marry a prostitute, which is a slap in your face. If one day everyone finds out he's the son of a great general, where will you put your face?"
Zhou Xiaoyun sobbed, "Mother is heartbroken because of the family division and doesn't plan to get involved anymore. Father, you can't just ignore it." Zhou Xiaoyun paused, "That Gao Cui is Father's woman. Neither Dapeng nor I have told Mother about it!"
"Are you threatening me?" Ling Yunzhou frowned deeply. Gao Cuiniang was someone he had placed next to Tao Wanniang. If Tao Wanniang found out... the already estranged two might have their relationship worsened because of this. Ling Yunzhou was furious! This second son and daughter-in-law were really troublemakers!
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