Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 348: Lesson (2)

Jiang Shaohua’s expression was indifferent, her words showing no mercy: "Tao Da doesn’t want to get married; I, as the Commandery Princess, won’t force him to take a wife. Moreover, who would want to marry into the Tao Family with a mother like you?"

Tao’s mother moved her mouth, wanting to defend herself, but after considering Jiang Shaohua’s expression, she didn’t dare utter a sound.

The elderly around chimed in, one after another: "The Commandery Princess is right. Tao Da is a good young man, but his mother is too fierce and formidable. Who would dare send their daughter to marry over?"

"With such an evil mother-in-law, how could a daughter-in-law have peaceful days? If it were me, I wouldn’t be willing to marry either."

"If you want Tao Da to marry, first change this temper! Otherwise, Tao Da will remain a bachelor for life."

Tao’s mother became anxious upon hearing this, forgetting the Commandery Princess was present, and pointed at the old man who spoke harshly, cursing: "Bah! You dare speak of me! What good are you? Just because you served as a trusted aide at the Prince Mansion when young and got injured for the Old Prince, you flaunt about acting like a merited minister, meddling in others’ business."

"Whether I’m good or not, it’s not for you to say. I’ve at least raised a son who, in the future, I can rely on. Look at you, your wife ran off early, leaving you with only a daughter who never returns after marrying. In the future, no one will care for you; you might die from a fall in your house someday and no one would know..."

The fifty-something old man with a crippled right leg was greatly offended, and if not for the Commandery Princess’s presence, he would have jumped up to fight Tao’s mother.

Jiang Shaohua’s face darkened.

Chen Jinyu immediately shouted: "Stop talking! The Commandery Princess is here; neither of you should quarrel!"

Only then did Tao’s mother begrudgingly quiet down.

The old man, face reddened with anger, said lowly: "As the Commandery Princess has heard, this woman is entirely unreasonable. No one can convince or talk sense into her. She constantly mocks and ridicules me, saying I have no sons to care for me and that one day I’ll die in my house alone with my corpse being ignored..."

These words were truly extremely harsh.

Jiang Shaohua gently consoled: "You have a daughter; she can also take care of you. If your daughter can’t manage, I, as the Commandery Princess, will certainly not ignore it. Rest assured."

Old Ding wiped his eyes with his sleeve, thanking repeatedly.

Jiang Shaohua turned to look at Tao’s mother again, her gaze growing colder: "It’s not easy for a widow like you to raise a son. However, that’s not an excuse to insult and bully others everywhere!"

"If it happens again, you’ll be moved out from the Family Camp and find another place to settle."

Tao’s mother was as quiet as a mouse, merely nodding, not daring to open her mouth.

Jiang Shaohua spent some time in the Family Camp before leaving half a day later.

Tao’s mother held back her words for half a day, and once the Commandery Princess and her entourage departed, she sat on the ground defeated, crying aloud.

Unfortunately, her reputation was genuinely terrible. Even though she cried fiercely in the courtyard, no one came forward to offer a word of comfort.

Tao’s mother cried for a while, feeling increasingly disheartened, and climbed up from the ground.

Tao Da was often in the military camp, leaving her alone at home. Her meals were simple and casual, three times a day. Today, she was in no mood to cook, handling a meal with some cold water and buns.

After eating, the sky turned dark.

Tao’s mother left the house alone, wandering on the relatively narrow road. Occasionally, she met those out with their children and grandchildren for a walk after dinner. She shamelessly tried to strike up conversations, but few were willing to engage; they quickly left after exchanging brief pleasantries.

Typically, Tao’s mother would be cursing up a storm, but after the day’s consecutive blows, she was devoid of spirit and strength, just shuffling slowly.

Unknowingly, she reached the door of a small house.

The house was lit by an oil lamp, and a crippled old man was pleasantly humming a tune. It was Old Ding, who had exchanged harsh words with her earlier in the day.

Tao’s mother’s pent-up irritation from the day surged forward.

She pounded on the door vigorously, shouting angrily: "Open the door!"

Old Ding recognized the voice, and relying on the Commandery Princess’s support during the day, he arrogantly opened the door: "What are you here for!"

Tao’s mother glared maliciously at Old Ding: "Faced with the Commandery Princess, what nonsense were you talking today! I can’t swallow this anger; I must clear things up with you properly."

Old Ding and Tao’s mother were long-time adversaries; he wasn’t afraid of her and retorted with a sneer: "What’s left to say? You’ve really disgraced Tao Da thoroughly. Is there any of what you’ve done that you can stand up and say openly?"

"I was just being honest, and now you hold a grudge. If you have the guts, go talk to the Commandery Princess."

Tao’s mother had never been verbally bested and immediately sat down, prepared to make a scene.

Old Ding promptly said: "If you dare roll on the ground, I’ll go to the Personal Guard Camp and report it to the Commandery Princess. By then, not only would you be kicked out, but Tao Da would be expelled too. You’ll regret it then!"

Tao’s mother dared not cause a ruckus further, her face flushed, silently getting up and leaving.

Old Ding laughed heartily.

At least, now there’s a way to deal with this unreasonable shrew.

Old Ding, full of joy, continued humming, went to the kitchen to make a cold dish, grabbed some peanuts, poured a cup of wine, and began eating and drinking contentedly.

...

At that time, Jiang Shaohua had already ridden back to the Personal Guard Camp.

Chen Jinyu murmured: "I’ve truly been enlightened today. Even in front of the Commandery Princess, Tao’s mother is so fierce. Imagine what she’s like behind closed doors."

"Miss Kong is gentle and refined; how could she handle such a mother-in-law? It’s fortunate the marriage didn’t go through! Had she really married Tao Da, Miss Kong would have been tormented till life was worse than death."

Jiang Shaohua, having reprimanded Tao’s mother, was not in a great mood and said lightly: "She, as a widow, finds it hard to raise a son; being fierce is somewhat inevitable. But she really lacks any sense of restraint!"

"Isn’t that so?" Ma Yaosong rarely had the chance to interject: "Speaking of what Old Ding said, it’s very cutting."

To say in front of the Commandery Princess that Old Ding has no sons for support is akin to pointing at a monk and calling him bald. From this, it can be seen that Tao’s mother is actually quite witless, purely unreasonable and difficult.

Jiang Shaohua turned to Song Yuan and asked: "Over at the Family Camp, someone sends food every month, right?"

Song Yuan nodded in acknowledgment.

"Look into how many are like Old Ding." Jiang Shaohua instructed: "For those without sons or daughters, provide fifty percent more grain. For those like Old Ding, with only a daughter and no son, provide thirty percent more grain."

Song Yuan agreed: "Yes, this matter will certainly be handled thoroughly."

The loyalty and courage of the Personal Guard Camp largely stem from the proper arrangement of the Family Camp. They serve the Prince Mansion and the Commandery Princess with dedication, with compensation in case of death and support in case of injury.

Just a little more grain can ease the minds of the elderly in the Family Camp, and it’s very worthwhile.