Cheng Su disregarded the looks from everyone, went straight back to her room, and sat on the bed, seething with frustration.
From the very first glance, she should have known that this aunt-in-law was not easy to get along with. Now she was even more certain that her guess was correct; so-called traditional chastity and strength were nothing but moral excuses to criticize others.
Surmising from that remark about how daughters-in-law will raise their grandsons, she wants them to follow in her footsteps, to be faithful to one, and not to serve another, right?
She wondered what her eldest sister-in-law would think. Would she also adopt her mother-in-law’s practices of chastity and erect a monument of virtue for herself?
Pitiable and sad!
Cheng Su lay on the bed, looking at the canopy above, not wanting to stay here a moment longer.
Footsteps approached, Cheng Su looked over and saw Qi Taiguo coming in, closing the door behind him. She sat up and asked, "Why aren’t you in the main hall keeping company with your aunt and the others? What are you doing here? I’m telling you, don’t try to work on me about arranging jobs for them or anything."
"What are you talking about? I haven’t even said a word yet, and you’re already making assumptions," Qi Taiguo sat down and said, "I was worried you’d get too upset by yourself."
Cheng Su snorted, "You rushing over here will make things worse; they might even say I’m not abiding by women’s virtues!"
Qi Taiguo gave an embarrassed smile, "My aunt has traditional..."
"Traditional she may be, but she can’t expect everyone to live and act according to her ways. Didn’t you hear? As soon as I said we’re not hiring, she insinuated that I’m an outsider. Which is true, as a daughter-in-law, I’ll always be an outsider," said Cheng Su, her words laden with sarcasm.
"It doesn’t matter who sees you as an outsider; to me, you’re my family. Don’t be upset, okay?" Qi Taiguo pulled her close.
Cheng Su pushed him away a few times and asked, "What are you thinking, really getting a secure job for Weixia? Let me make it clear, this place isn’t a shelter, and I won’t be bringing in anyone else, especially not relatives."
"I know, I know. As for Weixia, seeing how he is, I don’t even know what to do with him!" Qi Taiguo sighed.
"I suggest you communicate with him properly before making any plans. If he doesn’t have the intention and you arrange it out of obligation, it will be thankless work if neither side is pleased. Debts of gratitude are the hardest to repay," Cheng Su said casually.
Qi Taiguo nodded, "Their family situation being what it is, if we can help, we should, sigh."
Cheng Su remained silent.
Meanwhile, Mother Qi was being lectured by the eldest sister.
"Not only is your daughter-in-law unruly, but she’s also no saver of effort. Such a temper she has. Tsk tsk, in our side of the family, she would have been drowned by the reputation of being unfilial. How could you let her be so reckless?" The aunt looked at Mother Qi and scolded, "I don’t know how you usually discipline her, allowing her to be so inappropriate and disrespectful."
Mother Qi was lectured until she was shamed.
"Taiguo too, I see he’s been overwhelmed by her, how can that be, if this continues, will the Qi family even bear the Qi name in the future? Erzhen, you have to stand firm. I see her, going out doing business, her heart went wild. A woman should just stay home obediently, have children, quietly and dutifully raise them properly," the aunt continued, counting on her fingers, "She’s been in the family for about eight or nine months now, isn’t it? Why is there still no sign of pregnancy?"
The mention of it touched on yet another sore spot for Mother Qi, who couldn’t help but pour out her frustrations to the eldest sister, who shook her head as she listened, "That’s terrible, terrible. Your daughter-in-law aspires to reach the heavens!"
"Isn’t that the truth? But don’t worry big sister, if she has her Zhang Liangji, I’ve got my Over-the-wall Ladder," Mother Qi whispered her strategies for dealing with Cheng Su in her ear.