Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1286: The Mother-in-Law and Daughter-in-Law Must Get Along

"Pah, he’s still your own son, and you don’t feel bad for him. An old woman like me shouldn’t feel bad either." Third Grandma continued to strike Mrs. Chen with a broom in her anger. However, she always held a soft spot for Brother Wang and the other family descendants. After a few blows, she stopped when she accidentally hit Brother Wang and declared, "Mrs. Chen, quickly settle the accounts, give the Silver due to Xiao Yu and Xiao Hua, and then head to the kitchen to assist with the cooking. Don’t always aim to freeload."

"It’s one thing to constantly come over and freeload, but during this major festival, you are so stingy it hurts. You only brought three pounds of rice, a piece of meat, and a few mooncakes. You truly have some nerve. Just you and Brother Wang could finish three pounds of rice and a piece of meat, and there’s also Da Gui and Brother Fa. You want to freeload a good meal without contributing proper work, you’re asking for it!"

Mrs. Chen let out a laugh, "Look at what you’re saying, making my family sound like such people? Isn’t Big Brother here? He brought quite a lot of good stuff."

"You and the two households have long been separated. How can you still mention Da Fu? The items were brought by Da Fu and his son; they have absolutely nothing to do with you." Third Grandma was thoroughly enjoying berating Mrs. Chen when she heard Brother Cheng’s voice.

"Third Grandma, Big Brother and I have returned." Brother Cheng dashed in and, upon observing the scene, chuckled, "Is Third Grandma lecturing Aunt Da Gui again? It’s a festival today, Third Grandma, please spare Aunt Da Gui this time and save your energy for eating meat."

He then glanced at Mrs. Chen and remarked, "Aunt Da Gui is quite formidable; hitting her takes too much effort."

Mrs. Chen’s brow furrowed, "Brother Cheng, what do you mean by that? Are you implying Aunt is a shrew?"

Third Grandma then slapped Mrs. Chen, retorting, "Aren’t you? With your temper, if I didn't keep you in line, you'd tear the sky down."

Third Grandma then hurried over to Brother Cheng, a smile gracing her lips, "Oh, our Brother Cheng has finally returned. Are you exhausted from sorting the accounts?"

She cast a stern glance at Gu Jin’an, saying, "And what were you thinking, recommending Brother Cheng to Master Ouyang to help with the accounts? I heard the accounts at that bank are very complicated. Brother Cheng, being just a child, how can he possibly manage such exhaustive accounting work? Xiao Yu mentioned that staying up late can stunt a child’s growth. What if Brother Cheng ends up short?"

Brother Cheng let out a laugh, "Haha, don’t worry, Third Grandma. Everyone in our family is tall, so I certainly won’t be short."

His siblings, who took after their mother in appearance, inherited the tall stature from their great uncles of the Fei family, each growing quite tall.

Gu Jin’an added, "Third Grandma, Brother Cheng is growing up, so he should learn something useful. Mastering accounts is beneficial for a lifetime."

"Alright, alright, I can’t argue with you, Third Grandma." Third Grandma handed Brother Cheng two snow-skin mooncakes, "These are filled with sesame, they smell wonderful, eat them up."

"Understood." Brother Cheng accepted them and generously offered one to Gu Jin’an, "Big Brother, have one too."

Mrs. Cui, upon hearing of Gu Jin’an and the others’ return, promptly emerged from the kitchen. Seeing them, she smiled, "Brother An, Brother Cheng, you’re back."

"Mom, I missed you so much." Brother Cheng ran over, looked up at Mrs. Cui, and offered a smile.

But Mrs. Cui’s brow furrowed as she asked with concern, "Brother Cheng, what’s wrong? Are you ill? Why do you smell of medicine?"

Indeed, Mother had noticed.

However, Big Brother had already devised a strategy.

"Mom, I’m not sick. It’s the insect repellent medicine sachet that Second Sister prepared." Brother Cheng tugged at a pouch around his waist, continuing, "Mom, smell it; it’s this medicinal scent. Big Brother also has one."

Gu Jinli had fashioned insect repellent sachets for the family to wear during the mosquito-plagued summer and fall seasons. Though Mrs. Cui remained somewhat suspicious, she turned to Gu Jin’an and inquired, "Brother An, is your brother unwell? He appears not quite himself. You shouldn’t hide it from Mom; tell me the truth."

As his mother, how could she not discern if her child was sick?

Gu Jin’an quickly interjected, "Mom, please don’t be angry. It’s all my fault. Since this was Brother Cheng’s first time managing accounts and he didn’t fare well, I disciplined him and struck him a few times with a rattan, then made him stand in the courtyard for two hours in the rain, and he caught a fever. But the fever subsided quickly, and he has largely recovered now, so please don’t worry."

Gu Jin’an, realizing concealment was futile, opted to share a half-truthful, half-false account.

He then added, "It is your son’s fault, so please punish me instead."

Mrs. Cui decided against punishing Gu Jin’an, stating, "It's fortunate he is mostly healed. As today is a festival, let us forgo any talk of punishment."

Within the family, Gu Jin’an felt the most concern for Brother Cheng. If Brother Cheng were to fall ill from a beating, Gu Jin’an would suffer more than I, his mother, would.

"Oh dear, Brother Cheng is unwell? Xiao Yu, please go and check on Brother Cheng at once," Third Grandma urged, quickly ushering Gu Jinli over to feel Brother Cheng’s pulse.

Gu Jinli carefully examined Brother Cheng’s pulse, then reassured the anxious Third Grandma and Mrs. Cui, "Third Grandma, Mother, there is no need to worry. Brother Cheng has largely recovered; he is quite alright."

Third Grandma expressed her relief, "It’s good that it’s nothing serious. Brother Cheng is unlike the rest of you. He had a very difficult birth, barely making it through. He resembled a tiny mouse when he was born, and we feared he wouldn’t survive."

Brother Cheng scrunched up his face and retorted, "Third Grandma, couldn't you have said I looked like a kitten or a puppy? I am so handsome now; calling me a little mouse sounds quite dreadful."

Third Grandma chuckled heartily, "You are so young, and already concerned with your appearance? Eager to get married, are we?"

Brother Cheng merely shook his head and smiled without replying... He had been eager to marry in the past, but now that his elder brother's marriage was arranged, the responsibility of continuing the family line no longer rested on his shoulders, so he was in no rush.

Gu Jin’an seized the moment to present the snacks gifted by Third Miss. However, he took all the portions intended for Brother Cheng and Gu Jinli, handing them to Mrs. Cui. "Mother, these are from the tutor, prepared in the Capital style by Third Miss. They are for Third Grandpa and Grandma, and for Father and Mother to sample."

Maintaining harmonious relations with one’s in-laws is of great importance. Assisting Third Miss in currying favor with Third Grandma and Mother would ensure future family peace.

Brother Cheng was dumbfounded; his Capital mooncakes were gone just like that!

Listening to Gu Jin’an’s words and observing Brother Cheng, Gu Jinli realized that much must have transpired during their stay at the Ouyang family’s residence. Nevertheless, she surmised that the outcome must have been favorable, otherwise, they would not have received special mooncakes personally prepared by Third Miss.

Yes, things had worked out well; she could finally set her mind at ease.

Poor Brother Cheng, however. The little fellow must have certainly received a harsh beating. The antiseptic medicine he was currently using was concocted by her, and she recognized its scent instantly.

"Third Miss is indeed thoughtful. These noble ladies from the Capital are truly exceptional; not only are they skilled in horseback riding and archery, having rescued Brother An, but they also possess remarkable culinary talents and embroidery skills, exhibiting the mastery of great artisans." Mrs. Cui, an admirer of embroidery, lavished endless praise upon Third Miss’s needlework, much to the amusement of Gu Jin’an, who couldn't help but beam.

"What? Mooncakes personally made by Third Miss? I absolutely must try them. These are crafted by a young lady from a prominent Capital family; it would be a shame to miss out." Mrs. Chen bustled over, hoping to secure a mooncake, but was firmly slapped back by Third Grandma.

"Mrs. Chen, you incorrigible woman, were these meant for you? This offering was intended for the elder matriarch and Dashan’s wife to taste. Now, hurry and settle the accounts, distribute the silver, and if you dare extend your hand like that again, I’ll fetch a kitchen knife and sever it from your arm!"