61: Chapter 61 Uncle Advises Mother
61 -61 Uncle Advises Mother
The Zhou family had Madam Zhou as their calming needle; even Zhou Xuennian, being the eldest son, could only obey.
The whole family was resentfully and silently eating their dinner before heading off to rest.
Old Lady Zhou summoned her youngest son to instruct him on what to pay attention to when meeting the Liang Family.
âMother, about second sisterâŠâ Zhou Xueli hesitated before speaking up.
Old Lady Zhouâs face darkened instantly, her gaze turned sharp as she looked at her youngest son and said, âYou donât need to concern yourself with your sisterâs affairs nor is it your place to do so.
You just need to do what youâre supposed to do, and do it well.â
Zhou Xueli pursed his lips and nodded.
Since he was her dearest youngest son, Old Lady Zhouâs expression softened a bit when she saw his obedient demeanor.
She called him by his childhood nickname, âXueli, you are your motherâs precious child; I wouldnât harm you.
This marriage arrangement with the Liang Family can only bring good things for you.
Their young mistress is also someone who understands propriety and honor, and their father is a scholar.
With such in-laws, you will certainly be stronger in the future.â
Upon the mention of his own marriage prospects, Zhou Xueliâs face flushed slightly.
Looking down, he mumbled, âMother, you also said itâs a scholar familyâs young lady.
Iâm not like my older brother, who at the very least had the title of Child Student.
Iâm just farming at home; will they really think highly of me?â
Old Lady Zhouâs face turned stern again upon hearing this and said, âItâs all because of your fatherâs neglect that you ended up this way.
Otherwise, why wouldnât you have succeeded in your studies?â
âMother!â
âDonât talk.â Old Lady Zhou, her temper rising, continued, âYour father is so biased.
He dotes on the eldest and middle child, but what do you get?
And the booksâyou said youâd stop reading, and that was it.â
Zhou Xueli said, âMother, itâs not fatherâs fault.
I truly lack the talent; reading just gives me a headache.â
Old Lady Zhou huffed.
It was precisely for this reason that she was even more affectionate toward her youngest son, always feeling like he had been shortchanged.
She had to prioritize his interests, no matter what.
âIf you canât study, so be it.
Farming doesnât mean you wonât achieve anything.
Manage it well, buy some more land in the future, and become a landlord.
Then, not only a scholarâs daughter but even a Jurenâs daughter will be suitable for you!â Old Lady Zhou proudly proclaimed.
Zhou Xueli gave a bitter smile.
âDonât interfere with your sisterâs affairs; they donât deserve your concern!â Old Lady Zhou warned him again, âLetting them live in that house is already giving them enough face.
If they really canât tell right from wrong and cause trouble, they can just get out!â
Zhou Xueli couldnât bear to listen and said, âMother, donât talk like that.
That house was also given to my sister by father.
Besides, itâs not her fault for how things turned out.
If thereâs really blame to be cast, itâs the man who deceived her first.
If, just if, that man comes back one day, whoâs to say that my sister hasnât been waiting for the clouds to clear?
Mother, always leave some room; it makes it easier to face each other in the future.
Who else would live in that house anyway?â
Old Lady Zhou snorted, âI know that well enough, but if they dare ruin your marriage or bring shame to the Zhou family, I will never tolerate them.â
âMother, times are tough, and itâs not easy for my sister and them either.
If we drive them away, what would people think of our family?â Zhou Xueli, who might not have excelled in his studies, understood the world well and tried to persuade her once more.
Old Lady Zhouâs face changed several times as she said, âWhat will they think?
I donât care.
The Old Zhou family has already lost face, and if we were to drive them out, who could say anything against it?
It would just be severing ties for the sake of justice!â She paused, then continued, âIn a wealthy household, they would have lost their lives a long time ago.â
Zhou Xueli sighed, knowing that this was already the limit for his mother.
He just hoped that the situation on the other side would stabilize; otherwise, if his mother truly drove them out, where would his sister, a woman alone with a child, go?