Chapter 146: Chapter 146: It’s Not Her
“Chuyi, she, she simply isn’t…”
Mother Xia hadn’t finished her sentence when Uncle Xia interrupted her, “Sister, what more do you want to say? Do you really dislike Chuyi that much?”
“No, not at all… Chuyi is a good child,” Mother Xia meekly replied, losing the courage to reveal the secret after being interrupted.
Seeing her weak demeanor, Uncle Xia sighed, “Sister, I know what you think. You just dislike Chuyi for not being a boy, thinking she can’t carry on the family lineage, right?”
“But no matter what, when you get old, won’t you still have to depend on Chuyi?”
Hearing this, Mother Xia was taken aback and said, “I don’t want to depend on her. I just want to stay with the Xia Family, at least… they are the real Xia Family.”
Uncle Xia interpreted this to mean: since Chuyi would marry and belong to another family, Mother Xia didn’t want to depend on her.
“Sister!” Uncle Xia couldn’t help losing his temper, “Since you dislike Chuyi so much, why not just let her change her surname and join my Zhao family’s household registry!”
“What? No, no!” Mother Xia quickly waved her hands, “She cannot change her surname to Zhao!”
Becoming somewhat emotional.
Uncle Xia let out a deep sigh, feeling quite helpless, and said, “Sister, what do you really want to do?”,
“Chuyi is your brother-in-law’s only blood, even though she isn’t a boy, you should still cherish her!”
This statement struck a nerve in Mother Xia, and tears in her eyes started falling like pearls off a string.
“Forget it. I’ve said my piece. If you won’t cherish Chuyi, I will. So don’t expect me to attend Xia Lan’s wedding.”
He was already being generous by not causing a scene.
“Sister, think it over.”
After that, he didn’t bother with Mother Xia anymore and, leaning on his walking stick, hobbled slowly home.
Mother Xia watched her brother’s retreating figure, opened her mouth, but ultimately said nothing, wiping her tears as she returned to the Xia Family.
Upon reaching the Xia Family Courtyard, Xia Lan hurriedly came to meet her.
“Second Aunt, where are Uncle and the others?” When she saw Mother Xia’s red eyes, Xia Lan realized it probably hadn’t gone well, but she still asked hopefully.
“Er Lan, your Uncle is still a bit upset about you and He Qing…” Mother Xia wiped her tears, forcing a smile.
Xia Lan bit her lip, her head drooping sadly. Once out of Mother Xia’s sight, her face twisted with contempt and resentment.
“It’s okay, Second Aunt. It’s my fault… Brother Qing and I shouldn’t have fallen in love.”
Upon hearing her words, Mother Xia quickly responded, “No, no, Er Lan, there’s nothing wrong with falling in love! It’s just that Chuyi and He Qing aren’t meant to be.”
During Chuyi’s absence, Xia Lan hadn’t been shy about currying favor with Mother Xia, and now, Mother Xia not only forgave her, but also genuinely accepted her.
“If they won’t come, then so be it. Second Aunt still has some nice things here, I’ll give them to you as part of your dowry,” Mother Xia said, taking the initiative.
A flash of eagerness appeared in Xia Lan’s eyes as she looked up, surprised.
“Really?” She then acted a bit embarrassed, “Maybe not… Second Aunt, you should keep these for Chuyi, otherwise, if she finds out, she’ll surely be angry.”
She had already decided to take the items, but on the surface, she feigned difficulty.
Seeing Xia Lan act so “meek and gentle,” Mother Xia felt happy and said, “Why should she be angry?”
“These things shouldn’t have been hers in the first place.”