Chapter 629: Chapter 631: Mother-in-law and Daughter-in-law

Wang Caiyue smiled and said, "It’s that boy, Le Huan. He just got married and is already talking about rushing back to Shangjing to tend to his shop.

You so rarely come back for a visit, yet he didn’t even think to travel back with you.

As a mother, I can’t help but worry. Since the two of them just started a new family, I thought I’d go over and help them keep an eye on things. It would save the young couple from struggling to manage on their own.

If you’re heading back, that’s perfect. I won’t have to look for an escort agency; I can just travel with you."

The other sisters-in-law present curled their lips in disdain. ’So she thinks she’s the only clever one here,’ they thought. ’As if we can’t see through her little scheme.’

If she made a special trip, both her son and daughter-in-law would resent her for it.

But going with Jin Qianqian was a different story. She was planning to use them as cover to further her own interests.

"Is Second Brother going with you, then?" Jin Qianqian asked with a placid smile, betraying no emotion.

"Your second brother has so much to manage at the estate, so of course he has to stay and watch over things. I’ll go by myself."

Jin Qianqian said, "I don’t have an opinion on the matter. As long as you and Second Brother have agreed on it, it’s fine."

Liu Liu shot her an anxious look, but Jin Qianqian just smiled back before continuing, "However, Second Sister-in-law, you and Second Brother must have saved up some silver over the years. This trip would be the perfect opportunity to help Le Huan find a bigger courtyard.

Otherwise, I imagine you won’t be comfortable living in their two little side rooms."

"What do you mean, two little side rooms?" Wang Caiyue blurted out. Everyone’s eyes immediately fell on her, and it was too late for regrets.

Jin Qianqian’s expression grew stern. "Did Le Huan not tell you about the small courtyard he bought?

It’s not a large place—just barely big enough for the young couple. Even Xu Nuo’s personal maid has to make do in one of the storerooms."

"Doesn’t she have that huge courtyard?" Although Wang Caiyue didn’t mention her by name, everyone knew she was talking about Xu Nuo.

"Second Sister-in-law, listen to yourself. We welcomed a bride into our family; we didn’t send Le Huan to marry into hers. Of course, they should live in a courtyard owned by the Gu family.

Le Huan has worked incredibly hard these past few years to get to where he is. It’s one thing for you not to support him, Second Sister-in-law, but how could you say something like that?"

Wang Caiyue was so angry she nearly clutched her chest. "They’re married now, so why draw such a clear line between them?

There’s a perfectly good, large courtyard, yet they’re living in that tiny place with its side rooms. Are they both fools?"

"I think you’re the fool," Li Cuicui said, walking in just in time to overhear. "Le Huan married a bride into our family; he didn’t marry into hers. How could they live in the bride’s own house? Besides, when Le Huan got married, what did you give him?"

"He’s a grown man, and he hasn’t sent any silver home in years. His father and I need to have some money for our old age..."

"Bah!" Seeing that there were no outsiders present, Li Cuicui didn’t hold back in the slightest, staring at her with undisguised disgust. "You have some nerve saying that.

The moment you married Second Son, you started pushing to split the family. Wasn’t all the silver he’d earned before then given to you as a betrothal gift? How could you have the gall to take family silver from me on top of that?

Are you saying only a bride from the Wang Family counts as a new bride, and all the others who married into this family don’t?"

Seeing her mother-in-law dredge up the past again, Wang Caiyue wanted to fire back a retort, but she knew every word was true.

Even if the younger sisters-in-law who married in later didn’t know the details.

But Eldest Sister-in-law was right here, and she remembered what happened back then crystal clear.

"I wasn’t saying anything, and besides, things are different now..."

"How are they different? It’s all the same. You have a son and daughter-in-law who’ve established their own household, so why don’t you give them their share of the family assets!"

Li Cuicui walked over and sat right down in the seat of honor. "Eldest Daughter-in-law, what kind of scene is this Mrs. Wang causing today?"

Xie Ruyi quickly handed the child in her arms to Xie Yuewei, afraid the little one would get scared.

"Mother, it’s nothing serious. Second Sister-in-law was just thinking of going to live with Le Huan and the others..."

Li Cuicui slammed her palm on the table. "You call this nothing serious? It seems, Second Daughter-in-law, that you’re very keen on the idea of a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law living together, are you?"

Wang Caiyue collected herself. "Mother, there’s nothing wrong with a mother wanting to live with her son."

Li Cuicui nodded thoughtfully. "You have a point. As it happens, I’ve been quite vexed lately. Your father-in-law has been making a fuss in the house day in and day out. This would be a perfect time for me to go stay at your place and get a change of scenery.

I’ve never stayed at that estate of yours. If I get used to it, I might just stay for a while and enjoy being doted on by my son and daughter-in-law."

Wang Caiyue’s face twisted for a moment, and she nearly let a curse slip out.

Luckily, a glance at the finery and jewels filling the room reminded her of her station, and she restrained herself. With a strained expression, she said, "Mother, Father can’t be left alone..."

"I’d almost forgotten, if you hadn’t mentioned it. With so many sons, you think there’s no one to care for him?"

Wang Caiyue could feel the hostile glares of her sisters-in-law and desperately wished she could take back what she’d just said.

"What? You’re not happy about it?" Li Cuicui asked calmly, but her words sent a chill down Wang Caiyue’s spine.

In the past, she never thought of her mother-in-law as someone to be feared. But the woman had given birth to several highly capable sons, every one of whom outshone her own husband.

If she dared to refuse to care for her elders now, the brothers wouldn’t even have to say a word before the rest of the clan cast her out.

"Of course not. I’m overjoyed that you’re thinking of staying with us, Mother."

Li Cuicui said, "If you’re so overjoyed, then stop making that face.

And don’t worry, I’m not actually going to live with you."

Wang Caiyue didn’t even have time to feel relieved before Li Cuicui continued, "However, I’ve grown tired of all these trivial household affairs. You’ve always been so keen to show off how capable you are, so you can take over this whole mess. From now on, you’ll come here every day and help me manage the household."

Jin Qianqian and the others lowered their heads, trying their best to keep from laughing out loud.

’Wang Caiyue really tried to pull a fast one and ended up losing out,’ they thought. ’She dreamed of going to Shangjing to lord it over her daughter-in-law, but now she’s been put back in her place as a daughter-in-law herself.’

Gu Yuanfeng had wanted to step forward several times, but over the years, she had come to understand that her in-laws did not care for her.

Following her husband’s advice, she tried to say and do as little as possible when at the Gu residence.

But this time was different. It was a rare visit from Seventh Brother and his wife, and they were about to leave again. Who knew if it would be years before they returned?

She couldn’t meddle in others’ affairs, but she wanted to secure a good future for her own son.

She looked down at Shi Laiyun, whose mouth was already stuffed with sweets. She gently took a handkerchief, wiped the crumbs from the corners of his mouth, and took his hand, coaxing him in a soft voice.

"Laiyun, let’s stop eating for now. Mommy is going to take you to see your Seventh Aunt. As long as your Seventh Aunt likes you, you can have as many of these pastries as you want in the future."

Shi Laiyun’s eyes lit up as he looked at her. "Really? So I can eat as many as I want? Seventh Aunt will give me however many I want?"

Gu Yuanfeng said, "...Just be a good boy in a little bit and do exactly as Mommy says."

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