Unlimited Resources: Raising a Minister with a Space Supermarket-Chapter 450 - 412: Passing the Problem to Him

Just because Li Mingtan’s brothers relied on Li Mingtan and stuck to him, now Mrs. Wu finds Li Mingtan more and more displeasing. Sometimes, when Li Mingtan comes over to her side to rest at night, she would sulk and send him to Hui Niang’s room, tossing and turning by herself until dawn.

Mrs. Wu continued, "At the end of last year, your brother Li brought back an additional forty taels of entitlement silver, thinking to economize and save that amount for the family. But then, your brother Li suggested sending the third grandson of the first household, his third nephew, to study at an academy, claiming that the child was smart and had the potential to study. Who could have expected the plan to change so quickly? In the first month, my father-in-law fell and injured his tailbone. Just one prescription cost two taels of silver, and in a few days, those forty taels were exhausted.

Alas, the medicine was taken, the money spent, yet there was no improvement in the old man’s condition. But he had to continue taking the medicine. I had no choice but to go back to my family and borrow twenty taels. Now, even those twenty taels are almost gone."

"Sister-in-law, does my brother Li know you borrowed money from your family?" Yu Xiaolian asked.

Mrs. Wu shook her head, "I didn’t tell him. He came from a poor family and is quite ostracized at the Hanlin Academy. He comes home every day looking dejected. I thought it best not to bother him with this matter because he... really has it tough." As Mrs. Wu spoke, she suddenly began to cry. To avoid losing composure in front of Yu Xiaolian, she quickly took out a handkerchief and wiped her eyes.

Yu Xiaolian sighed, "Oh my foolish sister-in-law, a woman without toughness has no stability; your heart is just too soft.

You borrowed money from your family, and they acted like they didn’t know, comfortably enjoying your contributions while never acknowledging your kindness. If you’d listen to me, I can give you a piece of advice. Just do as I say."

Mrs. Wu, still with a sob in her voice, said, "You saw how my mother-in-law treated me just now. I’ve had enough of these days. Sister, if you have a good idea, just tell me, I’ll listen!"

In her heart, Mrs. Wu really didn’t have much hope that Yu Xiaolian’s suggestion would work, because she had already consulted her elder and younger sisters back home about it, and they all expressed helplessness.

Yu Xiaolian simply pushed aside the small heated table, leaned in close to Mrs. Wu, and shared her thoughts.

After listening, Mrs. Wu hesitantly said, "Doing this, wouldn’t it be like trampling on Mingtang’s dignity?"

Then wouldn’t the two of them harbor resentment towards each other in the future?

"If my brother Li loses face, it’s not you who caused it, did he want to give up his own dignity? Who told him to want to puff himself up with an empty show!"

Yu Xiaolian actually looked down on Li Mingtan, a man who lived off a woman, his words forbidding his wife to borrow money from her family but actually not wanting Mrs. Wu to bring this matter to light. How could he not know how much money was at home? Where did the money for his father’s continued medication come from? Li Mingtan was actually feigning ignorance with deliberate effort, living off Mrs. Wu even for the hard bread!

"I’m worried that by doing this, my husband and I will become estranged!" Although they could no longer find that old feeling between them, Mrs. Wu didn’t truly want to tear things apart.

"Sister-in-law, you’ve been a couple with brother Li for so many years, brother Li won’t become estranged from you over this.

If he really becomes estranged from you because of this, then you would have truly seen him for who he is."

Yu Xiaolian’s words seemed to open up Mrs. Wu’s governor and conception vessels, and she suddenly saw things clearly, "Yes, you’re right. If he really becomes estranged from me, then I don’t need to maintain old sentiments. Instead of staying with this big family and living a life so filled with conflict, it’s better to live the rest of my life freely on my own. I shouldn’t care whether the Li family eats or dresses warm!"

"Sister-in-law, it’s good that you can think this way. Actually, telling you all this feels a bit too personal considering our acquaintance, but seeing you living so miserably, I can’t help but advise you!" After all, Li Mingtan had already taken in a concubine, so why should the lady of the house have to borrow money from her own family to support him?

If you can support him, do so; if not, sell everything. Who are they bullying for being honest and soft-hearted!

"Good child, I know you’re saying this because of your friendship with my mother. I understand."

After Yu Xiaolian left, Mrs. Wu went to the living room and found that all the things Yu Xiaolian brought were gone. So she went to ask Li Mingtan in the study.

Li Mingtan casually replied, "Perhaps mother took them to her room. Father is not well, and the pastries Yu Xiaolian brought are easy to digest. Don’t argue with mother, just let them eat!"