Chapter 357: Chapter 357: Hengjian Chapter 357: Chapter 357: Hengjian That noon, under the bright sunshine, Mo Family Village was tranquil and serene.
Suddenly, a carriage slowly entered, immediately causing quite a stir in the village as they thought another important figure had arrived.
This even drew a group of mischievous children who followed behind the carriage, curious to see the commotion.
The villagers stood at their doors, craning their necks and peering out.
As the carriage entered the village, it headed straight for the Mo family…
All members of the Mo family were standing at the main entrance, waiting. Today was the day their only male member was returning home, and Old Lady Mo had specifically ordered everyone to gather at the doorway early in the morning to welcome him.
Her son receiving such high regard made Madam Ruan extremely proud. That morning, she had walked with her head held much higher, strutting around triumphantly, which infuriated Auntie Sun to no end, yet she was helpless to do anything about it.
“Husband, check if my hair is messy. I don’t want Hengjian to see his mother looking so disheveled when he arrives,” Madam Ruan said, beaming with joy as she smoothed her hair with her hand.
Mo Daoyan glanced at his wife’s head, seeing every strand of hair neatly combed and a gold hairpin inserted, glittering and swaying. Knowing she was showing off, he simply responded.
Old Lady Mo impatiently glared at her, “Look at you, getting dressed up so early in the morning and not doing any work. It would be strange if your hair did get messy! It’s your son coming home, not you going to a wedding banquet; is such grand attire necessary?”
Madam Ruan was in a good mood as her son was coming home from the Academy. She didn’t get upset but instead replied cheerfully, “Mother-in-law, that’s not right. If a daughter-in-law dresses properly, it shows Hengjian that his mother is living well, and he can study at ease when he returns to the Academy, right?”
At her words, Old Lady Mo fell silent. The entire Mo family pinned all their hopes on Hengjian. Whether it was financial or material, as long as Hengjian expressed a need, Old Lady Mo, though stingy, never refused him, demonstrating her profoundly patriarchal views.
Horse hooves sounded in the distance.
“Oh! He’s back, he’s back,” Old Lady Mo anxiously stared ahead. Sure enough, not long after hearing the horse hooves, a carriage came into their view.
“Mother, isn’t Hengjian being too extravagant and wasteful by coming back in a carriage?” Mo Xiaoqiang couldn’t help but mutter. The money for one carriage ride was enough to afford ten rides in an ox-cart.
Upon hearing this, Madam Ruan immediately snapped back, “Uncle, Hengjian has been studying hard at the Academy, and he will bring glory to the Mo family in the future. What’s wrong with him taking a carriage?”
Old Lady Mo glared at Mo Xiaoqiang, “Qiangqiang, you better hold your tongue. If you had a son, I’d let him ride in a carriage every day.”
“If you can’t, then keep quiet.”
“Hmph!” Mo Xiaoqiang, angered, turned and walked away.
Auntie Sun also harbored resentment. The favoritism Old Lady Mo showed between the main and branch families was too blatant and unfair.
Seeing an opportunity as Mo Xiaoqiang walked away, she followed and called out, “Hey! Husband, where are you going?” she shouted as she chased after him.
As the carriage was about to reach the front door, two people had slipped away, greatly irritating Old Lady Mo. But it was too late to chase after them, so she had to hold it in.
Madam Ruan seized the opportunity to kick them while they were down, “It’s typical of Uncle, knowing Hengjian is almost at the doorstep, to run off with his wife. When Hengjian sees this, he might think his family doesn’t welcome him home.”