Exile with Storage Space: Family Fortunes in the Barren Lands-Chapter 614 - 0571: Li Xingmao Takes the Opportunity to Make a Request (1)
"You, you, you... so unruly at such a young age, will you still be acceptable when you grow up? Can you even get married?"
"Whether she can get married is not your concern; her family will take care of that." Li Yuzhu walked over, sneering as she spoke.
Mu Yuanxiu scrutinized the newcomers, "What business do you have here?"
The visitors were Old Mrs. Chai and Second Master Chai.
Second Master Chai was holding gifts in his hands.
Upon seeing Li Yuzhu approach, their expressions eased somewhat. Old Mrs. Chai said, "We’re here to see E Ying’s child."
Li Yuzhu smiled, "Old Mrs. Chai, but my sister-in-law didn’t mention inviting you here."
Old Mrs. Chai’s face turned unpleasant, "I am her own grandmother, visiting her is only right, whether she invites us or not, we have to come."
Second Master Chai bowed to Li Yuzhu, "Li San Niang, could you please inform her that her grandmother and second uncle are here to see her and the baby? It’s appropriate for us as her family to visit her."
The words were polite, yet Li Yuzhu still didn’t want to let them in.
However, to make them give up, she said, "You wait here, I’ll go inside first and inform her. If my sister-in-law doesn’t wish to see you, you’ll leave immediately."
"Leave immediately!" Guoguo snorted, ran forward, grabbed Li Yuzhu’s hand, and entered the house together.
Li Jing moved to stand beside Mu Yuanxiu, glaring at Old Mrs. Chai and Second Master Chai with hostility.
When had Old Mrs. Chai ever experienced such treatment?
Having gifts in hand, getting off the carriage only to be scolded by two young brats, now having to wait here at the door.
If not for her second granddaughter still being locked up, needing E Ying’s help, Old Mrs. Chai wouldn’t want to visit the Li Family at all.
With that peculiar temper since childhood, she didn’t like her at all.
It seems the saying is true, kids raised without a mother are of poor character. Look at these two little ones in the Li Family; their mother ran off, no one to teach them, only knowing how to curse. Growing up, they’ll be a menace to the village.
Old Mrs. Chai glared disdainfully at Li Jing, who returned the glare without hesitation.
Making Old Mrs. Chai’s face turn livid.
Li Yuzhu and Guoguo entered the house, heading to the South Courtyard.
It was March, and the weather was nice. Chai Eying was holding her child, sitting by the window of the main room, basking in the sun.
The South Courtyard faces south, and there’s no sun by the door, but sunlight streams through the large southern windows. Additionally, sunlight also comes in through the bright tiles on the roof, warming the inside. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮
The little baby had just been fed and was comfortably nestled in Chai Eying’s arms, listening to her hum a tune.
Of course, he couldn’t understand, only innocently watching his mother.
"Mom!" Guoguo huffed as she ran into the room, "Two bad people came outside."
Chai Eying narrowed her eyes, "Who?"
Li Yuzhu, who walked in after her, said, "It’s Old Mrs. Chai and Second Master Chai. They have gifts, claiming to see the baby."
Chai Eying sneered, "They didn’t come when I was giving birth, and now the baby is nearly a month old? This false sincerity, who are they trying to show it to?"
"The bad people cursed Guoguo and Jingjing, saying they have a mother to give birth, but no mother to teach." Guoguo pouted with indignation.
This made Chai Eying furious.
She scoffed, "Am I not their mother? If anyone is born without a mother’s teachings, it’s my good second sister who’s locked up. Her mother was gone early, and look at the deeds she’s done?"
Li Yuzhu said, "Since the sister-in-law doesn’t want to see them, I’ll drive them away."
Chai Eying placed the baby in the cradle, "Sister, watch the baby. I’ll go and chase them away. If I don’t show face, they’ll think you all are driving them away. Only if I confront them will they back off."
Li Yuzhu nodded, "Alright."
Chai Eying hadn’t completed her confinement yet, she donned a cloak and wind cap, led Guoguo by the hand, and headed to the house entrance.
Li Xingmao arranging temporary farm workers in the fields, upon seeing visitors at the entrance, gave instructions to Li Xingsheng and the workers, then proceeded to the house entry.
As Chai Eying approached, Old Mrs. Chai immediately said, "E Ying, upon hearing you’ve given birth, your father and I are here to see you right away. Oh, where’s the baby?"
Chai Eying didn’t let them past the threshold, but stood on the steps with eyes coldly watching them, "My father is buried in the grave; this is Second Father."
Old Mrs. Chai and Second Master Chai were so enraged their faces turned ashen, yet they were seeking favor from Chai Eying, having to tolerate their anger.
"Is the baby nearly a month old? You gave birth and didn’t even send word?" Old Mrs. Chai said with a stern face.
Chai Eying replied, "My eldest brother and sister-in-law returned to the village, and the news spread fast. Surely the old lady knew?"
Old Mrs. Chai remained stern-faced, "I truly didn’t know, as he didn’t personally inform us."
Chai Eying had not intended to invite Old Mrs. Chai and others from the second family, she said, "The baby is not yet a month old and shouldn’t see strangers."
Second Master Chai pointed at Old Mrs. Chai and himself, "E Ying, we aren’t strangers? This is the baby’s great-grandparent, and I am his grandfather."
Chai Eying looked at Second Master Chai, "If I remember clearly, on Chai Erniang’s wedding day, haven’t we already severed our ties? Our paths don’t cross, each going our separate ways."
Second Master Chai’s face was unpleasant, "E Ying, that was in the past. Why harp on it? We’re family..."
Chai Eying sneered, "Family? You criticize me for having a mother but no teachings? Claim my bad temper is due to lack of maternal guidance? Scold my stepchildren for lack of a mother’s teachings? Am I not their mother?"
Old Mrs. Chai looked somber, "E Ying, since you became their mother, why not guide them properly? Seeing them cursing at people!"
"If you don’t provoke them, would they curse? This isn’t lack of upbringing; this is payback for grievances! They’ve long remembered that Chai Erniang nearly sold them!" Chai Eying sneered, "Speaking of lack of teachings, isn’t my locked up second sister the embodiment of no maternal guidance? Pretending pregnancy when she can’t conceive, stealing children when she can’t produce her own. You criticize while ignoring the atrocious deeds within your own family!"
Her barrage of words had Old Mrs. Chai and Second Master Chai wishing to escape underground.
Li Xingmao approached, supporting Chai Eying, "You haven’t completed your confinement, please return. I’ll speak with them."
Second Master Chai and Old Mrs. Chai were left feeling humiliated by Chai Eying, but they had come with requests.
Though cursed, they still clung, unwilling to leave.
Second Master Chai said, "E Ying, your second sister indeed made a foolish mistake. I’m here to apologize on her behalf, please forgive her?"
Old Mrs. Chai also lowered her stance, "We’re family, connected by blood, not to make enemies over trivial matters. E Ying, we’re your maternal kin. Severing ties with us might lead to future troubles..."
Li Xingmao spoke coldly, "There’ll be no troubles; rest assured, no need to worry."
Old Mrs. Chai snorted, "You can’t be certain; life is long. Can you guarantee E Ying will never suffer grievance?"
"That’s between my husband and me, no need for the old lady’s concern. I need to rest, you should leave." Chai Eying finished speaking, and turned to leave.
"E Ying, wait. Let me be blunt, what condition will make you relent towards your second sister?" Second Master Chai bit his teeth and asked humbly.
Forget it, might as well offer some silver.
Chai Eying was about to speak when Li Xingmao interjected, "Since you’re asking for terms, let us state one. Agree, and I’ll request the County Magistrate to release her. Disagree, refrain from bothering my wife any further!"
Second Master Chai breathed a sigh of relief as Li Xingmao spoke.
He promptly said, "Since you have spoken, kindly state the condition."
