The Zhao father and son washed their faces, changed clothes, ate a meal, and then returned.
Zhao Mengjin handed her father a towel and served both her father and grandfather their meals and soup.
Just like Mrs. Zhao, the Zhao father and son didn’t know what to say to Zhao Mengjin either.
Seeing Zhao Zirong avoiding her gaze, Zhao Mengjin sat next to her father and said softly, "When the Third Aunt and Fourth Aunt were with mother, she had the aunts tell me, she wanted me to assist father." This update ıs available on 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵※𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮※𝓷𝓮𝓽
He hadn’t expected his wife to be thinking about that at that time. However, saying and doing so was definitely consistent with Xiao Shumei’s personality. Xiao Shumei had always been like that, more concerned about others than herself. Perhaps because she had been the eldest daughter from the start, she unconsciously took on a heavy responsibility.
It was then that Zhao Zirong turned back around and faced his daughter, saying, "You have grown up, Menglong was originally supposed to come with me this time, but there’s a younger brother at home. With me working and your mother not around, leaving just your little brother is certainly not appropriate."
"Father means to say that I should have gone back to take care of my younger brother, and then Menglong would come?" Zhao Mengjin frowned.
"You are a girl, and it’s not quite appropriate for you to be out making a mark in the world."
Can’t women create their own careers? In the past, Zhao Mengjin might have thought exactly that, considering how, whether it was her grandmother or her mother, they mostly stayed at home except for occasional teas and chats with other ladies. That didn’t fit the identity of a noblewoman in wealthy circles—it not only suggested poverty but more importantly, it would make it appear as though the men in their family were ineffective, needing their wives to work and earn money.
Perhaps, her father’s concerns lay here as well.
Zhao Mengjin couldn’t help but look over at Gu Nuan, who was sitting with Mrs. Zhao across from her.
The woman her uncle had recently married seemed to have none of these concerns. Gu Nuan was known to go on business trips and participate in negotiations just like men, and she was equally thriving and respected by others.
If you consider Gu Nuan, who is deaf, she’s inherently less suited to be out than Zhao Mengjin herself.
Seeing where Zhao Mengjin’s gaze was directed, both Zhao Zirong and her father harbored a trace of doubt in their minds.
The incident of Xiao Yebai wreaking havoc in the Xiao Family for the sake of marrying this woman was something the Zhao family had heard about. The Zhao family liked Xiao Yebai, but honestly, thinking of a woman who seemed to make Xiao Yebai behave even more insanely, the Zhao family, like everyone else, inevitably suspected whether this woman was a bad influence, a vixen-like figure seducing men into improper conduct.
As for whether Gu Nuan was after the Xiao family’s money, the Zhao family didn’t think it was important; what mattered was whether this woman made Xiao Yebai better or worse?
Every man, when marrying a wife, certainly hopes it will improve both himself and his family. Matters of love, like spoiling a woman for a lifetime, are fine to mention in the throes of romance, but if one truly acted that way, wouldn’t it reduce the woman to a mere plaything? The Zhao family didn’t find that agreeable either.
The best scenario would, of course, be for a wife to become a virtuous partner.
Whether Gu Nuan is suited to be Xiao Yebai’s virtuous partner is worth discussing, especially since Xiao Jianming had already expressed his disagreement.
Lacking money and a modest family background was the greatest barrier to Gu Nuan becoming a daughter-in-law of the Xiao family.
Comparing Xiao Jianming’s situation to that of Gu Nuan is certainly inappropriate. One is female, the other male. A wealthy woman’s family seeking a penniless son-in-law is due to not having enough manpower to utilize the advantages of male labor, a righteous business strategy. However, if a wealthy man marries a penniless wife, it leaves the impression that the woman is a crafty vixen harboring ulterior motives for the man’s wealth.