Chapter 1147: Chapter 1145: Persuasion to Stay
Zhou Xueli received the message that Madam Zhou had arrived, sent by his wife, and hurried home carrying farm tools. As he entered, he indeed saw Madam Zhou, but her face looked a bit off, and her eyes were red, as if she had been crying.
"Second Sister," Zhou Xueli called out.
Madam Zhou looked over and managed a smile: "Youāre back!"
Zhou Xueli put down the farm tools, realizing he was all muddy, and noticing the two young girls beside Madam Zhou, his face turned red. He quickly said, "Iāll change my clothes before coming to chat with you, Second Sister."
Madam Zhou, having been reprimanded by Old Lady Zhou, felt embarrassed to stay longer and said, "No need, I just came to see you all. In a few days, Iāll be moving to Changan with Wufu to settle there, and I donāt know when Iāll be able to return. Just wanted to let you know. Now that Iāve seen Mother, I should be going."
"Leaving so soon?" Zhou Xueli was stunned, glanced at the sun and said, "Second Sister, itās already noon, the sun is at its highest. Rarely do you come back, you should at least stay a night. At the very least, have lunch before leaving." Saying this, he called out loudly for his wife.
Lady Liang hurried out from inside, smiled at Zhou Xueli and said, "Youāre back."
Zhou Xueli didnāt bother to chat and said, "Quickly start the fire and cook, Second Sister says she wants to leave."
Lady Liang was taken aback, thinking she had just arrived, and now wanted to leave?
She was skilled at reading people, noticed Madam Zhouās red eyes, and, taking her arm, said with a smile, "Second Sister, you canāt leave, how can an auntie return to her family home and not even eat a meal? Just as well, Anan has just fallen asleep, Iāll go cook now. Could you watch over him, Second Sister? He wakes easily." As she spoke, she led her into the house, adding, "Youāre with child, you must be tired, rest awhile too."
Purple Jade watched from the side, noting that smart people werenāt limited to one, and this Lady Liang was even more so. It was said she was also the daughter of a scholar, yet she married a mud-stained fellow.
She glanced at the embarrassed Zhou Xueli and lowered her eyelids, thinking that this muddy family was not completely ruined. At least one household was decent, unlike Zhou Xuennianās house. No wonder the young lady asked her to watch over things.
Madam Zhou was persuaded into Lady Liangās house, looked at Ananās sleeping face, and sat there dumbfounded, touching her own abdomen, with Old Lady Zhouās words running through her mind.
Had she really been wrong? Was she selfish?
She wanted this child, wanted it to be legitimate, how could that be wrong?
Silently, Madam Zhou wiped her tears, and Qiu Xiang stood by, also sighing.
Zhou Xueli came in silently and called out.
Madam Zhou managed to smile, moved from the bedside to sit at the table, and looking at her younger brotherās dark face, said, "You are a father now, more mature in temperament. Teach your son well, and thereās hope."
Zhou Xueli followed her gaze, his expression softened a bit, saying, "His mother and I have thought, once he turns three or four, and can begin his education, weāll send him to his maternal grandfather."
Madam Zhou remembered that Lady Liangās father was a scholar and nodded: "That would be good. He looks clever, teach him well, and in the future, passing the imperial exams will surely be better than toiling in the mud all his life."
Zhou Xueli scratched his head foolishly, agreeing, "I think so too, I have no talent for study, but if he takes after his mother, maybe he will."
"Our father was also a scholar. Perhaps it skipped a generation, and since his maternal grandfather was also a scholar, who knows, this talent might have passed to him!" Madam Zhou quickly added.
This reminded Zhou Xueli that though he himself hadnāt inherited his fatherās scholarly skills, perhaps this skipping-a-generation theory held some truth. Anan, having both Zhou family and Liang family bloodlines, raised well, might indeed earn a reputation in the future.
Thinking of this, he gave a sincere smile, feeling a faint sense of anticipation in his heart.