From Folly to Fortune：I Rewrite My Life After Rebirth!-Chapter 827 - 823: Liu Zian Is My Daughter’s Betrothed! (Second Update)
Although Mrs. Lin disdains Mu Xianxian’s behavior, it’s hard to directly criticize her. After all, Mu Xianxian owns a shop in town, so if there’s any scolding to be done, she has to do it indirectly.
Mrs. Lin chuckled and asked, "Big sister, how could you say that? Isn’t your in-law’s family wealthy? How could they allow Miaomiao to marry someone without money? Surely you’re joking!
I heard that your mother-in-law, Old Mrs. Cao, despises the poor and favors the rich. This simply can’t be true!"
Mu Xianxian listened with a displeased expression.
The old lady at home might be stingy, but no matter how stingy she is, she treats herself better than Lin Xiaozao does, right?
Everything Mu Xianxian eats and uses comes from the Cao Family, and has nothing to do with Mrs. Lin.
"Second daughter-in-law, whether my mother-in-law despises the poor and favors the rich is something for us Cao Family members to determine! You’re not a member of the Cao Family, nor have you interacted with my mother-in-law, so what makes you say such things about her?"
Mu Xianxian replied sarcastically.
Speaking of Old Mrs. Cao, Cao Miaomiao put down the sweets in her hand, pouted, and said to Mrs. Lin, "My grandmother is very kind. Second aunt, don’t tarnish my grandmother’s reputation!"
Surrounded by Mu Xianxian and her daughter, Mrs. Lin rolled her eyes and continued, "Big sister, this isn’t the way to talk. When you came in the afternoon, you claimed you’d be part of the Old Mu Family your whole life. Now, suddenly, you’re part of the Old Cao Family?
Are you trying to butter up my brother because he passed the exams, saying nice things to make dad, mom, and my brother happy?"
Mrs. Lin and Mu Xianxian exchanged sharp words, which grew increasingly unpleasant. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮
Mu Xianxian’s face twisted with anger.
If she weren’t holding a trump card, she would’ve already fought with Mrs. Lin.
Mrs. Lin’s foul mouth was infuriating.
"Second family’s, what are you talking about? How could I say one thing and do another just because of brother’s success?
Let me tell you, although my Miaomiao is marrying into an average family, that man has great abilities!
He’s the champion of this year’s Autumn Examination in Qingshan Town and the top scholar of Qianzhou Prefecture—Liu Zian!"
The mention of Liu Zian’s name stunned many in the Old Mu Family.
The teacup in Mu Dade’s hand nearly spilled; if Mrs. Jin hadn’t steadied him, it would’ve already scalded his hand.
Mu Dade had an impression of Liu Zian.
After the Lu Ming Banquet, all the scholars, including him, left Qianzhou overnight, except for Liu Zian, whom the Qianzhou Prefect personally retained.
According to tradition, he’s a strong candidate to become the Scholar in next year’s Imperial Examination.
He’s the only scholar to rise in all of Qianzhou.
Mu Dade felt both admiration and jealousy, but there was nothing he could do; Liu Zian was truly capable. Mu Dade, who passed by buying test questions, couldn’t compare to him.
But that’s fine; he’ll continue buying exam papers in the upcoming Imperial Examination to secure a position as a Capital Official, which shouldn’t be a problem.
Others equally shocked included Mrs. Lin and Mu Qingqing.
A few days ago, Mrs. Lin visited the Liu Family and gave some local specialties to Mrs. Song. Though Mrs. Song didn’t treat her warmly, she inquired about her daughter.
Mrs. Lin had plotted to set up her daughter Mu Qingqing with Liu Zian, but now Liu Zian was to be Mu Xianxian’s son-in-law?
"Big sister, are you talking about Liu Zian from Liu Family Village?" Mrs. Lin asked persistently.
"Yes, exactly the Liu Family. Mrs. Liu personally arranged the marriage with us, and we just need to wait for Liu Zian to head to the Capital for the exams, and once he becomes the Champion Scholar, he’ll come back in a grand procession to marry our Miaomiao!"
Before Mu Xianxian had finished speaking, there was a loud crash in the main hall as Mu Qingqing suddenly collapsed.
Everyone rushed to help.
"Qing, what’s wrong with you?" Mr. Mu asked.
Supported by Mrs. Lin, Mu Qingqing steadied herself and shook her head. "Grandfather, I’m fine... just have a bit of a headache!"
Mu Qingqing said with a pale face.
Mu Qingqing wasn’t truly ill; she simply felt unfair after hearing Mu Xianxian’s words. Why should ugly and foolish Cao Miaomiao, whose belly was as big as a pumpkin, have such luck?
And it’s not even worth mentioning appearances; almost any girl in Er Gui Village would be prettier than Cao Miaomiao.
But why her?
Mrs. Lin understood her daughter’s distress, as this matter would greatly affect her future status and prospects.
This fueled Mrs. Lin’s distaste for Mu Xianxian even further.
"Speaking of which, big sister, you haven’t given Da Lang and Bita, the newlyweds, a red envelope yet. Yesterday was their wedding, and as their big aunt, you didn’t show up; even the villagers asked.
I’ll call Bita and Da Lang in to pour tea for their aunt, and sister, see if you can provide them with a red envelope, okay?"
Mrs. Lin’s words were somewhat shameless.
But Mu Xianxian’s shamelessness preceded hers.
Since leaving the Old Mu Family, Mu Xianxian hadn’t attended the family events, not even for Mu Dashan’s and Mu Dajiang’s weddings; she didn’t participate in them.
Everyone had grown accustomed to Mu Xianxian’s absence.
But this time, Mrs. Lin couldn’t let it go.
Not waiting for Mu Xianxian’s response, Mrs. Lin left the hall and shouted toward the kitchen where Huang Bita was cooking dinner.
"Da Lang’s wife, why are you still cooped up in the kitchen? Are your eyes blind? Your aunt is here, and you haven’t come out to serve tea. Are you waiting for your aunt to drop dead?"
Huang Bita tossed the winter bamboo shoots in the pot and shouted to Yu Si Niang outside, "Mother, can you please wait a moment? I still have a stir-fry here, and the fire hasn’t gone down yet..."
In farmhouses, the kitchen is typically a mud stove, using long firewood. When fires reach the stove’s edge, logs can fall and ignite the grasses and pine branches on the ground.
So generally, when leaving the kitchen, whether just going outside or done cooking, people maintain the housework appropriately.
Huang Bita’s words were reasonable, yet they angered Mrs. Lin.
"Oh, you Huang Bita, it’s just the first day, and you’re already defying me? Quickly bring me hot tea and come out. If you delay, I’ll skin you!"
Mrs. Lin’s rebuke was particularly harsh and was reminiscent of how Old Mrs. Mu once reprimanded Liu Shi from the fourth branch and Yu Si Niang from the third.
Huang Bita trembled the hand holding the spatula, which fell into the iron pot with a clang.
Mrs. Lin’s shouting was like a death toll.
Huang Bita reached out, picked up the spatula, and hurried outside the kitchen.
"Mother, please watch the winter bamboo shoots for me in the pot, while I go pour tea for Aunt, and also the fire in the stove..."
"Are you going to rebel or what? I’ve told you, go quickly!" Mrs. Lin urged again.
Huang Bita had no choice but to return to the kitchen, grab the hot tea, and head to the main hall to serve Mu Xianxian tea—
