Picking Up a General to Plow the Fields

ehind your back! Why would I do that? Besides, Fang Zhou would not necessarily agree to save my face!”

“You are still a sensible person!” Aunt Zhang laughed.
Her tone softened and she said: “Don’t blame me.
Ah, it’s not easy for us or for Fang Zhou, so don’t make things more difficult.
As for your brother and sister-in-law, I will still say the same thing.
Help if you can, I won’t argue.
Just remember that you and San He will still need money in the future.
After all, you are still young.
I have almost prepared Ah Juan’s dowry, so what do I need money for?”

Madam Zhao was convinced in her heart.
She lowered her head and agreed, unable to help blaming her sister-in-law for being selfish.
But—

“Mother.” Madam Zhao said suddenly, looking up at Aunt Zhang hesitantly.
“San He is a shopkeeper now and will only be promoted in the future.
He, will he… there are so many women outside, after all—”

“What did you say?!” Aunt Zhang’s expression darkened as she interrupted Madam Zhao sternly.
Staring at her coldly, she said: “You’ve never worried about this before and it’s impossible for you to say thing without reason.
Who taught you these kinds of words?”

“I…” Madam Zhao froze, suddenly a little guilty and flustered.
She was unable to speak.

After a long pause, she bit her lip and said stubbornly: “I’m not thinking nonsense.
He usually only comes home after a month or two outside.
I, why wouldn’t I worry?”

Aunt Zhang frowned.
“Nonsense! You might not know what kind of man your husband is, but I have a clear understanding of my own son! How could he do such a thing? Besides, didn’t he say to wait a year? When things are stable and not so busy, he will take you to the city to live together.
You, what are you thinking about all day long?” She glared.
“Did your sister-in-law instigate you?”

“I…” Madam Zhao lowered her head guiltily, not daring to look at Aunt Zhang.

Angry and annoyed, her mother-in-law snapped: “Your own sister-in-law, what the hell is she thinking! Don’t listen to such provoking words, does she have a grudge against our family? Why does she have to disturb our house and make our family restless? And you, you are also stupid! You believe her after just a few words!”

Sneering, she said: “I understand.
She must have told you to take care of them and help them find a good job.
If they have good life, you will have a backer and will have more confidence in your in-law’s family.
In case we wrong you in the future, they will help you out, right?”

Madam Zhao’s head lowered even further, wishing to bury into her chest.

Seeing that it was as she guessed, Aunt Zhang was so angry she couldn’t speak.

It took her a while to calm down.
Coldly, she said: “When your sister-in-law comes in the future, entertain her in the main room and don’t talk to her alone.
You have been married for three or four years! When did we make things difficult for you? What did we do to wrong you? Your sister-in-law is stretching her hands too far!”

Madam Zhao couldn’t help it, she burst into tears.
“Mother, I, I know I was wrong! I, I won’t listen to her! Mother, you, you, you must not be angry with me!”

Aunt Zhang felt a little dumbfounded.
She sighed.
“You are a family, why should I be angry with you? You just need to understand.
I will tell you, San He doesn’t have those kind of thoughts, so don’t be suspicious and pester him.
If you don’t trust him and secretly check him, it will be self-defeating.
Huh, don’t blame me for not reminding you! Men care about their face and he is charge of a business.
You can’t hurt his face and make people laugh!”

Madam Zhao agreed in a low voice.

“Okay, go wash your face and tidy up.” Aunt Zhang said.
“Check on the dishes and set the table with Ah Juan.
I think Fang Zhou and the others will be here soon.”

“Should we go and invite them?” Madam Zhao asked.

“No need.” Aunt Zhang shook her head.
“There is no need to be like that.
Fang Zhou and the others are not such people who like to put on airs!”

Turning, Aunt Zhang walked a few steps and then stopped.
Without looking back, she said: “Our family is small and I only want us to live in harmony.
There will never be such a thing as concubines.
If San He becomes confused one day, your father and I will naturally make decisions for you!”

These words touched Madam Zhao’s heart and a big stone fell off her chest, lifting her spirits.
Joyfylly, she said: “Thank you, mother!”

Aunt Zhang smiled and left.

Not long after, Lian Fang Zhou’s family arrived in a lively matter.
Aunt Zhang opened the door to welcome them with a smile.
“I said you should come later! Come in and sit down, the food will be ready soon.”

“We’re just a little early! It’s just enough time to pinch a little food and not help at all!” Lian Fang Zhou laughed.

The rest of the group laughed with her.

Lian Fang Qing sniffed the air and pulled on Aunt Zhang with a big smile: “Aunt Zhang, Aunt Zhang, what are you cooking? It smells so good!”

Aunt Zhang loved this little girl the most.
Holding her little hand, she laughed and said: “I made a lot of good things, you should eat more later!”

Lian Fang Qing nodded seriously and hummed.
Blinking her eyes innocently, she asked: “Aunt Zhang, if we can’t finish everything, can I take some back and eat it slowly?”

Everyone roared with laughter again and Lian Ze teased her, saying: “You’re so embarrassing!”

Aunt Zhang seemed to like this and smiled happily: “Yes, yes! Of course, Qing’er! If you like something, you can bring it back with you.”