Chapter 12: Such a Mother-in-Law and Daughter-in-Law

Fang Yuan felt that this mother-in-law spoke quite pleasantly: “Right now, that immoral woman hasn’t established herself yet. She’ll definitely be willing to flatter and curry favor with you. Just make do for now. Later, if you find her unpleasant to look at, we can discuss it again.”

Then Fang Yuan added, “I’m not one for empty talk. Your son still has to go to school. Right now I’m busy making a living and can’t take care of you. There’s no use trying to flatter me.”

She had real practical difficulties. Hearing this made Mother Lu even more satisfied. Second Son’s wife knew what was what. Very good.

Fang Yuan continued, “When your son makes something of himself in the future and becomes capable, I’ll stand up for you. I won’t let that woman humiliate you. You’re welcome to come stay on my side whenever you want. But there’s one thing we need to make clear in advance. I want nothing to do with Lu Feng and his wife.”

When Lu Er heard that, he was stunned. This girl acted recklessly and spoke even more recklessly, but she clearly knew what she was doing. One could not treat her as if she had no brains. She even knew perfectly well that his schooling would cost money. Most importantly, she did not look down on him.

Faced with Fang Yuan, Lu Er’s thoughts instantly became deeper. He started thinking much more than before.

Mother Lu was moved. “No need, no need. Mom doesn’t need you to take care of us. Just take care of Second Son. Second Son’s schooling will already be a burden on you. But don’t worry, your father and I will help support you.”

As for whose household to live with, Mother Lu truly did not want to look at Li Meng, that immoral woman. In the future, villagers would inevitably point fingers and gossip, and it was all because of Li Meng.

Mother Lu did not know the phrase “enduring humiliation while bearing a heavy burden,” but she felt that enduring life with Li Meng for the time being made her especially noble.

As for living together with Fang Yuan, Mother Lu also felt a psychological burden. The pressure was too great.

Fang Yuan nodded. “That won’t be necessary. Right now you can still work. It’s enough if you live well yourselves. You don’t need to worry about old age support.”

Mother Lu was wiping away tears. It was like a blind cat stumbling upon a dead mouse, a Chinese saying for unexpectedly getting lucky. This daughter-in-law of Second Son’s was excellent. “Alright, Mom will listen to everything you say. Second Son’s wife, what would you like to eat tomorrow morning? Mom will make it and bring it over.”

Fang Yuan thought for a moment. “Those two immoral people have made me so angry I don’t even feel like eating. I’ll just make do with some meat rolls.”

Only then did Lu Er recover his senses. His mouth twitched again. Not feeling like eating? And this was what she called not wanting food in the morning? No matter how sensible she was, it could not hide the fact that this woman was a complete oddity.

Mother Lu did not even hesitate. “That’s good. Mom will go back and knead the dough right now and let it rise on the warm kang. Tomorrow morning we’ll definitely have meat rolls. Second Son’s wife, when the family property was divided, you still haven’t taken your grain share. Remember to divide up the grain tomorrow.”

Fang Yuan nodded as well. The Lu family’s parents were sensible people. They had handled things well.

How had she forgotten to ask for grain? Making such a mistake was unacceptable.

She needed to reflect on herself.

For the first time, Fang Yuan looked at this mother-in-law with genuine approval. “I like your temperament and I’m willing to associate with you, but unpleasant truths still need to be said in advance.”

Mother Lu was especially obedient. “Just say whatever you want, Second Son’s wife. Mom is listening.”

Fang Yuan said, “I’ve observed you two elders. Your tempers are quite good and you’re reasonable people. You just don’t know how to manage your sons very well.”

Mother Lu glanced at her second son and did not dare say a word.

She wondered whether Second Son had done something that displeased Fang Yuan.

Fang Yuan pulled Mother Lu over to sit down and patiently explained, “Look at what Lu Feng turned into. Although it’s true that Lu Feng himself is at fault and lacks self-restraint, you definitely failed to manage him properly. If my brothers behaved like that, my parents would have dealt with them long ago.”

Thinking about Fang Yuan’s parents and her several brothers, Mother Lu swallowed nervously. “Second Son’s wife is right. Eldest Son turned out that way because his parents failed to teach him properly. We don’t know how to raise children.”

Fang Yuan said, “Lu Feng is already beyond help. In the future, just keep a closer eye on Third Son. What I really want to say is that as for Second Son’s affairs, you shouldn’t interfere anymore.”

The implication was obvious. She was afraid they would spoil him and turn him into another Lu Feng.

Mother Lu felt stifled and aggrieved, but she still nodded and accepted it because the other woman was right. “We’ll listen to you, Second Son’s wife. From now on, Second Son is in your hands. You manage him. His father and I won’t interfere.”

This was practically giving her son away. Lu Er’s expression became indescribable. In the entire village, he had never seen such a humble mother-in-law.

Today, his mother had broken two village records. Lu Er did not dare feel proud about either one.

Fang Yuan finally smiled. “I knew Mom and Dad were sensible people who understand reason. I’m the type who says things directly. That’s just my temperament. Don’t worry, Mom and Dad. If Third Son ever starts going astray, I’ll tell him directly too.”

She even had a sense of responsibility as an elder sister-in-law.

Mother Lu drew in a sharp breath. It would be best if Third Son behaved himself. “I like straightforward people. Thank you for your hard work, Second Son’s wife. Mom has a soft temperament and can’t control her children. You’ll have to work harder in the future.”

Listening from the side, Lu Er could not help rubbing his chest. This conversation was difficult to digest.

Fang Yuan said, “Don’t say that. The main thing is that after what happened in our family, we have to pay even more attention to our reputation. It also concerns Third Son’s future marriage.”

Those words struck directly at Mother Lu’s heart. Rough around the edges or not, this girl knew what she was doing and handled things reliably. “Exactly. That’s exactly it. Second Son’s wife thinks further ahead than the rest of us. You’re bringing honor to our family. We’ll do as you say. Your father and I will properly teach Third Son.”

Then she added, “Second Son’s wife, you must be tired. Is there anything else? Go rest first. If you think of anything later, teach me then.”

Fang Yuan said, “It’s all for the sake of giving our family a good reputation in the future and helping Third Son find a good wife. Mom, you should rest early too. Living with that unclean woman, you’ll have plenty of trouble to deal with. You’ve suffered, Mom.”

Those few words made Mother Lu so happy she practically skipped with delight. This daughter-in-law knew how to care about her and knew how to run a household. She even thought about the family’s future. Truly excellent. After this conversation, the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law reached an unprecedented level of harmony.

Among all the surrounding villages, Lu Er had never seen his mother act so humbly as a mother-in-law.

After finishing her conversation with her daughter-in-law, Mother Lu happily said to Lu Er, who had come out to see her off, “Your wife is good. Mom likes her.”

Lu Er had never seen his mother try so hard to please someone. “What’s so good about her?”

Mother Lu did not even need to think. “She’s expensive. She wasn’t cheap.”

Realizing that did not sound very nice about her beloved second daughter-in-law, Mother Lu corrected herself. “Just look at how well your wife knows how to manage a household. Isn’t she much better than that cheap, immoral thing in your elder brother’s room who doesn’t know how to live properly? You’ll never go wrong listening to your wife in the future.”

Then Mother Lu leaned closer and whispered with an expression as though she had picked up a bargain. “Third Granny really has good judgment. When she introduced her, she already said your wife knew how to run a household.”

Lu Er thought to himself, When she made that introduction, she wasn’t finding a wife for me. Aren’t you afraid those words will stab your son in the heart now?

Then again, such delicate thoughts did not exist in his mother’s head, and they certainly did not exist in Fang Yuan’s either. It was a pity that he, a grown man, had to bear the bitterness alone.

Looking at Mother Lu, Lu Er nearly ground his molars to dust. Compared to that immoral woman, Fang Yuan was indeed somewhat better.

But she truly could not be called good.

Especially when it came to whether she matched your second son. Lu Er almost asked whether she had stopped hoping that her son would bring honor to the ancestors.

Lu Er looked at Mother Lu and still knew that some things could not be said. Stabilizing the situation first was the most important thing.