Chapter 776 - 400: Furious Meizi

Chapter 776: Chapter 400: Furious Meizi

Meizi told Juhua she had stormed out of her house in a fit of anger.

"Liu’er’s mother comes over to sit around whenever she has nothing better to do. You know my mother-in-law’s temperament; it’s only gotten a little better these last few years. How could she possibly resist that woman’s influence? When those two get together, they gossip about everything. Changming gets so mad, but there’s nothing he can do. We can’t very well kick her out—after all, she’s Changling’s mother-in-law. So he has to wait until evening to try and persuade my mother-in-law not to get drawn into her idle chatter. But my mother-in-law is no match for her. The next day, after just a few coaxing words from that woman, she’s all turned around again and can’t tell which way is up. It’s not just the gossiping, either—it holds up our work. Whenever I ask my mother-in-law for a hand, that woman makes insinuations about how bossy I am, ordering my mother-in-law around. Juhua, tell me, what kind of person is my mother-in-law? She’s like a millstone—she won’t move unless you push her. If I don’t ask her to do something, she’ll never find any work to do on her own."

Meizi furiously jabbed her needle into the fabric and yanked the thread through with a sharp TSK. "I’m just a straightforward person," she continued. "My mother-in-law might be a gossip, but she’s straightforward too. We’ve actually gotten along quite well these past few years, and she really likes me. Things were going fine until that woman started stirring up trouble and making things complicated. If Changming hadn’t stepped in, I don’t know what would have happened."

Juhua could only offer a helpless smile. It wasn’t her place to interfere in these kinds of family squabbles. As much as she disliked Liu’er’s mother, she couldn’t add fuel to the fire. If she did, any trouble that followed would be blamed on her for starting gossip.

’It’s just that Liu’er’s mother is truly awful,’ Juhua thought. ’It’s already a feat for someone like Granny Hua to get along with Meizi. With that woman stirring things up, their lives are bound to be thrown into turmoil. No wonder Meizi is so angry her eyes are red.’

"Just now, Liu’er’s mother was telling my mother-in-law that Liu’er is about to give birth. She said my mother-in-law shouldn’t show favoritism by only helping the eldest son raise his child; she has to help the second son too. Does she even need to say that? Of course my mother-in-law and I are going to help take care of Liu’er when the time comes. It’s supposed to be a happy occasion, but the way she talks about it makes it sound sour. It’s as if Changming and I have stolen his parents to use as hired hands. And she doesn’t even stop to think! When I got married, my mother was afraid I’d be mistreated, so she specifically made the Li Family agree to let Changming and me live separately, or else she wouldn’t have let me marry him. And now that woman talks as if we’re desperate to have them around. If Changming wasn’t such a filial son, why would he have brought his parents to live with us in the first place? She took something perfectly fine and twisted it into this. Tell me, how could I not be furious?"

Juhua advised, "Just do what you’re supposed to do. Don’t worry about what other people say."

Meizi said, "My mother told me the same thing. I was so angry earlier that I went to find her in the fields. She told me to just ignore them, bring my child over to your place to do some sewing, and let them spout whatever nonsense they want at home. She also said it would be perfect if my parents-in-law went to live with Changling; our house would finally be quiet. If Liu’er’s mother wants to fight for that, let her. Maybe in a few years she’ll be back complaining, ’The two elders are living with Changling’s family, and their living expenses are a huge burden! It’s too easy for Changming and Meizi.’ Then she’ll probably want to send them right back."

Juhua couldn’t help but chuckle at that. ’That Liu’er’s mother,’ she thought, ’she just loves to compete and come out on top. Why is she meddling so much in her daughter’s in-laws’ affairs? It’s a thankless task. Now, Meizi’s mother, she’s the one who’s truly sharp.’

Honestly, Juhua really admired Meizi’s mother. She had more worldly wisdom than the average village woman. When it came to handling people, she was a cut above the Yang Family and He; they simply couldn’t match her cleverness and tact.

Thinking of Liu’er’s personality, Juhua shook her head. "I’m afraid her mother is only making things worse with her good intentions. Liu’er’s temperament isn’t like yours. Once your mother-in-law goes over there, who knows who will end up waiting on whom. Liu’er is in for a lot of grief. Don’t you think she’s just causing trouble with her good intentions?"

Meizi’s eyes widened. "That’s bound to happen. But maybe not... my brother-in-law Changling is very capable."

’Li Changliang is capable, that’s true,’ Juhua thought. ’But he can’t stay at home all the time. He has to go out and work, doesn’t he? Besides, he doesn’t know the first thing about running a household. It’s sure to be utter chaos over there.’

Just then, Pu Pao called from inside the room, "Young Madam, Banli and Cong are awake!"

Juhua put down her sewing and went to see to the two babies.

After a flurry of activity, she came back out carrying Cong, with Pu Pao carrying Banli. She smiled at Meizi and said, "Right now, I’m just looking forward to when these two can run around everywhere like your Li Jingwen. Oh, where is your Jingwen, by the way?"

Meizi had been about to put on a smile and coo at the babies, but her face fell again at the question. "Changming took him out to the fields. He’s worried the boy will overhear those two women gossiping, which wouldn’t be good for him. So he’s been keeping Jingwen with him while he works these days."