Chapter 1148: Chapter 1146: Returning the Favor
Once the conversation started, the brother and sister became even more at ease. Zhou Xueli glanced at his sisterās belly with some hesitation.
"I am pregnant." Madam Zhou guessed what he wanted to ask just by his look and couldnāt help but touch her belly.
Zhou Xueli pressed his lips together and asked, "Sister, do you really have to go back with that man?"
Madam Zhou lowered her eyes and after a long pause said, "Do you also think Iām foolish? I know what you all mean, but I canāt bear it. This is my flesh and blood."
Zhou Xueli sighed and said, "I didnāt understand before, but now that Iām a father, I know there are few who can harden their hearts against their children. Sister, I donāt want to persuade you. I just have one thing to say: listen to Wufu."
Madam Zhou was surprised and looked up at him.
"Wufu is a wise girl, capable, able to take on great responsibilities, stronger than anyone in our family. So, sister, if youāre ever uncertain about anything, just seek Wufuās advice."
Madam Zhou laughed and said, "You really think highly of this niece, donāt you?"
Zhou Xueli curled his lips and continued, "Older Brother has gone to Huaan, and Eldest Sister-in-law and the others have also moved there."
Madam Zhouās smile faded slightly, and she acknowledged with a nod, having already anticipated this.
Zhou Xueli opened his mouth to speak but said nothing.
"I donāt know if Iāll be able to come back after going to Changan this time. Xueli, with Older Brother gone to Huaan, Mother will have to rely on you from now on," Madam Zhou said.
There was a slight ache in Zhou Xueliās heart, but he nodded earnestly, "Donāt worry."
With nothing left to say, Zhou Xueli stood up, saying he was going to help Lady Liang with the cooking.
In the kitchen, the couple spoke as one tended the fire and the other cooked.
Zhou Xueli said, "Wife, those fields Older Brother has were bought with the silver Wufu gave us. I want to return them to her. Iām not capable and couldnāt watch over Older Brother, and yet they still left. I donāt deserve to manage those fields."
Lady Liang paused in her stirring of the meat and vegetables and said, "Iām afraid even if you return them, Sister likely wonāt accept."
"Whether they accept or not is their business; giving them back is ours. Iām not seeking anything, just a clear conscience," Zhou Xueli said.
Lady Liang was silent for a while and then said, "Since youāve decided, do as you see fit."
Zhou Xueli said, "Donāt worry, Iāll continue to treat you well in the future."
Lady Liang smiled and nodded.
After lunch, Zhou Xueli indeed took the land deeds of those fields to Madam Zhou and explained their origins.
Madam Zhou hadnāt expected there was so much behind it. Wufu had done so much in secret; as she looked at those thin pieces of paper, she did not take them.
"Sister?"
"You keep them!" Madam Zhou smiled and said, "Since she gave you the silver, she naturally didnāt intend to take it back."
"But, that was under the condition that I watch over Older Brother, and I..." Zhou Xueli lowered his head in shame.
Madam Zhou calmly said, "Older Brotherās nature, do you think you can control it? And you are just a little brother, having an elder brother like a father pressing down on you, itās been hard enough for you!"
"Itās because I am not capable." Zhou Xueli shook his head.
Even if he were outstanding, could read and pass the imperial exams, or do business to earn money, could he really suppress his older brother?
Not at all!
If he were truly exceptional, he could have kept the main family under control, but unfortunately, his character was already fixed.
Madam Zhou comforted him with a few words and then said, "You should keep them. In the future, it will be you who must care for Mother. These fields, as a subsidy for you and your wife, are also a token of our goodwill."
"But..."
"No buts!" Madam Zhou pressed down on his hand and said, "Younger Brother Li, just listen to me. Itās not that Iām being generous carelessly; these fields are nothing much. But you, without a proper livelihood, could lean on these fields, especially now that you have a child. You have to plan for Anan and his mother."
Zhou Xueli declined a couple more times, but seeing Madam Zhouās determined attitude, he had to put them away again.