After Xie Yushu finished explaining the situation, Xiao Zhengde said to Old Madam Xiao and Old Man Xiao...
"Since the child bought those things to improve his health and cure his leg, it's fine if you parents aren't happy for him, but why are you causing trouble here?"
Old Man Xiao said unwillingly
"I don't believe this girl's story about the donkey cart!"
Besides, even if the donkey cart belongs half to the girl surnamed Qu, it still belongs half to my Xiao family. Why can't I take it back?
"Yes, village chief, and that widow Liu, we parents don't even have anyone to take care of us, and these two have people to take care of them. Aren't they afraid of shortening their lifespans!"
"That's what Grandma Xiao said."
"That's right, even if Second Brother is getting treatment for his leg, he doesn't need Widow Liu to take care of him! There are so many chores around the house, and Father and Mother are so tired they can't even straighten their backs!"
Xiao Zhengde looked at Xiao Yan and Xie Yujiao, who were talking non-stop, and thought to himself...
"You bunch of lazybones have been spoiled. It's no wonder you can't have an easy time! Besides, it's Xiao Dayong's family who's been working hard! Old Man Xiao occasionally goes to the fields, but when has Old Lady Xiao ever been in the fields?"
However, Old Man Xiao and Old Lady Xiao insisted that Xiao Yi and his wife were unfilial, so even if Xiao Yi was in the right, he would still suffer the consequences!
Being filial to one's parents is a matter of course.
Logically speaking, Xiao Yi should also assume his share of the responsibility of supporting his parents.
Eight acres of land, plus the filial piety gifts during festivals, how could that be considered unfilial!
Xie Yushu was the same. Although she was a new bride, she took good care of Xiao Yi and the two children at home. Outside, she even led everyone through a disaster. If it weren't for her leading people into the mountains to find water and hunting so many animals, it's hard to say how many people in the village would still be alive!
He really couldn't say what was wrong with Xie Yushu.
However, dealing with Old Man Xiao and Old Lady Xiao, who were never satisfied no matter what, really gave him a headache, hence his words carried a hint of anger.
"Don't go too far! Didn't we just give you ten taels of silver a few days ago?"
I heard that while you were out there, Xiao Yi's wife gave you an ounce of rice to buy grains, and when you came back she gave you some cloth as well. She also gave you some chicks and goslings just now!
The second son and his wife are already doing great! What more do you want?
Don't even think about the donkey and cart. Even if you don't have a Miss Qu, you should at least leave something for the second son's family to eat!
If you don't listen to what I'm saying, and if Miss Qu goes to the yamen to sue you, I won't bail you out!
I can't bear the shame!
Old Mrs. Xiao, still unconvinced, wanted to say something more, but Xiao Zhengde cut her off.
"It's alright if you get sued, but don't regret it if it affects Lao Si's reputation. If the parents of a scholar are sued for robbing someone, then Xiao Yuanhang won't be able to continue his studies!"
At that time, to take the imperial examinations for the lowest degree (xiucai) or the highest degree (juren), one needed to be jointly recommended by the village to prove that the candidate's family had a clean and upright character and excellent academic performance; otherwise, they would not be eligible to take the exam.
Sure enough, as soon as the village chief said that, Grandma Xiao immediately fell silent, like a chicken with its neck choked!
Seeing that the donkey cart was out of the question, Xiao Yan and Xie Yujiao began to work hard on their food and clothing.
Xie Yujiao said
"Then my second brother and sister-in-law can't just ignore our parents and eat and drink the best food themselves!"
Xiao Yan echoed.
"Even if my second brother needs to have that surgery, Xie Yushu can take care of him, right? Widow Liu should at least be sent to the old courtyard to take care of my parents!"
My second brother and sister-in-law have such a leisurely life; shouldn't someone step forward to fulfill their filial duties for them?
Xiao Zhengde looked at Xiao Yan and said
"Yanzi is fifteen this year, right?"
This young lady is even learning to help her mother with some housework!
The girls in this village who are younger than you are already helping with laundry and cooking!
Xiao Yan blushed and her neck turned red from the words. She wanted to refute but dared not. She secretly resented Xiao Zhengde for meddling in her affairs. She thought to herself, "This young lady is going to marry into a high-ranking family and become a lady. How can she be the same as these village girls?"
Seeing that she remained silent, Xiao Zhengde ignored what she was thinking and spoke to Xie Yushu again.
"If you have the capacity, please have Widow Liu go to the old courtyard to help out more often. As children, we should always take care of the elderly's feelings!"
Xie Yushu replied
"The village chief is right. It is only natural for children to be filial to their parents. I am not rich enough to hire someone to take care of me. It's just that Sister Liu just came back from outside with three children. She said that she was having a hard time and asked Xiao Yi for help. Xiao Yi thought that since we are neighbors, he should help her if he could, so he hired Sister Liu to work."
Since my parents are too busy, I should naturally go to their place!
As for the food, I had planned to send some to my parents, but I got back yesterday and it was almost dark. This morning, someone came to buy chicks, so I didn't have time to come!
I'll go pack it for my parents right away!
Xie Yushu agreed so readily and decisively! She turned around and went to the kitchen to pack things.
"Wait! I'll go with you!"
Xiao Yan called out.
Xie Yushu didn't care at all
"OK!"
Anyway, most of it was stored in the cellar by Xiao Yi. There was only enough rice and food for five or six days in the kitchen. Even if she packed it all up, there wouldn't be much left. It would only enhance Xie Yushu and Xiao Yi's reputation while ruining her own!
Sure enough, Xiao Yan went into the kitchen and unceremoniously picked up two jin of millet, two jin of rice, and two jin of flour, put them into the basket she was carrying, and also packed all twenty eggs!
Xie Yushu saw this but didn't stop him. She just said symbolically, "Your brother needs to replenish his strength, so you should leave some for him!"
Xiao Yan glared at her but ignored her!
Seeing that Xiao Yan was putting on a good act, Xie Yujiao assumed the village chief was there. Xie Yushu didn't dare to stop her and stubbornly followed.
"Second sister-in-law, I heard you bought a lot of fruit! You're not hiding it from Mom and Dad, are you?"
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