Not married yet, still a child.
Sun was left speechless.
But giving New Year’s money to Li Chang’an and Li Changning, how could that be possible?
"I was in a hurry when I came out, didn’t bring any money." Sun said.
"Mother, the children have wished you a happy New Year, and you’re okay with this?" Meng Zhu frowned.
Okay with it, why wouldn’t she be?
But there were many spectators at the Zhao Family’s door, so Sun had to grudgingly say, "Don’t worry, they won’t be left out."
"You can’t owe New Year’s money, Mother, you should go back and fetch it." Meng Zhu said earnestly.
Indeed, it was the tradition in Zhou Country that after the younger generation wishes the elder a happy New Year, the elder had to give some New Year’s money, more or less.
Knowing that this eldest daughter was not easily manipulated, Sun could only sulkily turn around and leave.
Meng Yao gave Meng Zhu a thumbs up; she didn’t even get a chance to step in.
The onlookers who followed Sun for entertainment exchanged glances, was that it?
It was like they were gearing up for something exciting, with great anticipation, only to be shown this?
Meng Zhu smirked smugly, "Watch and learn, don’t jump at every little thing like a firecracker."
She originally had such a temper, especially when it came to dealing with Sun, and it was quite evident.
"Big sister, please teach me well," Meng Yao displayed a humble willingness to learn, "We’ll count on you when Mother comes back later."
"Don’t worry about it." Meng Zhu assured confidently.
"Mother, you should take it easy, you’re not the same as before." Li Chang’an reminded the overly pleased Meng Zhu, "Before coming, Father urged me to take good care of you. Don’t make it hard for me! The books say during pregnancy, you need to nurture yourself for the child’s sake!"
Meng Zhu looked at Li Chang’an in surprise; as a mother, she could clearly feel her child’s subtle changes.
In the past, when Chang’an was around, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of distance.
Although that feeling still existed now, it had significantly lessened.
"Yes, yes, you are right, I do need to cultivate myself. Sis, when Mother returns, you need to cover for me." Her child was finally showing genuine concern, of course, she had to heed it.
Meng Zhu turned back indoors with satisfaction.
Meng Yao chuckled and went back inside, too; they weren’t even here yet, right?
It wasn’t too late to come out and deal with it when they arrived.
When Sun returned, Meng Ruyu came along.
After being confronted by Zhao Xiaohua the other day, this was Meng Ruyu’s first time back.
Although she knew that Si Mo was just a lowly servant, Meng Ruyu couldn’t help but think of him in her idle time.
So, once Meng Ruyu entered, her eyes roamed everywhere.
Meng Yao directly asked, "Ruyu, what are you looking for? Tell me, and I’ll help you find it."
Meng Ruyu finally pulled back her gaze, "Aunt, isn’t Big Aunt here? Why didn’t I see her?"
"Your Big Aunt’s tired. She’s gone back to sleep." Meng Yao said nonchalantly.
"Sleeping? Mother’s here, and she’s sleeping?" Sun was displeased.
"Aren’t you here to give New Year’s money to Chang’an and Changning? What does it matter if Big Sister is sleeping?" Meng Yao countered.
"She’s the younger one, where are her manners?" Sun said angrily.
"The formalities have already been observed earlier, Mother. Between a mother and daughter, why be so particular? Besides, isn’t my little niece showing proper etiquette?" Meng Yao chuckled.
"I’m not talking to you, get Meng Zhu out here." Sun demanded.
She was here to find Meng Zhu! The little brat, did Meng Yao deserve to enjoy such precious things like the carriage they sent? It felt like she had raised a thankless wolf, siding with outsiders.
If someone from the village hadn’t overheard them discussing whether Meng Yao would like the carriage they sent, she would still be in the dark.
With the carriage at home, she wouldn’t have to squeeze in the ox-cart to town anymore.
"Mother, no can do, Big Sister is pregnant now. Chang’an said that the doctor in town instructed her to rest well, do whatever she wants. She’s sleepy now, of course she has to sleep. You’re not a wicked stepmother; you wouldn’t want to trouble her, right?"
But seeing Li Chang’an and Li Changning’s wary faces, it implied that if she caused trouble, they wouldn’t be polite about it.
Sun reluctantly shoved the red envelope into the hands of the siblings, "When your mother wakes up, tell her to come over; I have something to ask her."
Perhaps fearing Meng Zhu wouldn’t take it seriously, Sun emphasized, "Tell her it’s about the carriage; I have a few words for her."
After saying that, she gave Meng Yao a fierce look.
Meng Yao instantly understood; it must be that she was feeling unbalanced upon learning the carriage was meant for her.
Jeez, it’s still uncertain what goes on in the old lady’s mind. If she treated her daughter like a treasure and spoiled her, it would make sense to feel unbalanced. But she? With only two daughters in total, treating them like enemies, who would willingly deal with her if not for reputation’s sake?
Why does she think she’s so entitled to everything?
Doesn’t she have the saying ’a married-out daughter is like spilled water’ hanging at her lips now?
"Carriage? Mother, you’re thinking of buying a carriage, huh? Seems like things are truly prosperous at home. I mean, since you sold the new house to the Han Family recently and got quite a bit of silver, buying a carriage is only fair. If it’s about this, you came to the wrong person, Big Sister as a woman doesn’t know about carriages’ quality. You should ask Chang’an, he’s been traveling far and wide with Big Brother-in-law since young, knowledgeable and experienced." Meng Yao cunningly pushed Li Chang’an into the limelight.
After all, the old lady was targeting their home this time.
Meng Yao even patted Li Chang’an on the shoulder, grinning.
After that, he called out Qin Zheng, and the disguised Qin Zheng appeared, looking quite ordinary.
As Meng Yao called him, Meng Ruyu’s eyes brightened.
Once Qin Zheng showed up, Meng Ruyu couldn’t believe it and rubbed her eyes; was she seeing things?
Even after rubbing her eyes till they were sore, the person in front was still the same ordinary guy.
"Grandma, look at this person..." Meng Ruyu whispered.
Sun took a glance and dismissed, "What are you looking for, as ugly as he is!"
Ugly? She clearly saw a stunningly handsome man.
Meng Ruyu was flustered.
Meng Yao chuckled, she initially was about to hint something to Meng Ruyu.
Now she realized, there was no need.
Is she starting to doubt her own eyes now?
"Grandma, you and Cousin talk about the carriage, I’ll go with Xiaohua to draw some patterns." Meng Ruyu said as she pulled Zhao Xiaohua towards her room.
Sun looked puzzled; Zhao Xiaohua knows embroidery?
And since when did her eldest granddaughter get so close to Zhao Xiaohua?
Indeed, in Sun’s eyes, Meng Ruyu’s anxious look was like a pair of close sisters eager to chat.
"Why has Si Mo changed to another person? Where’s the original Si Mo?" Meng Ruyu immediately asked Zhao Xiaohua once the door closed.
"What change of person? What original Si Mo? Ruyu Cousin, what are you talking about? I don’t get it?" Zhao Xiaohua said with a puzzled look.
"Stop pretending, the person I saw before was not this one at all!" Meng Ruyu gritted her teeth.