The door was pushed open from the outside, and Ye Shuzhi swiftly tucked the wallet away in her hand.
Seeing that it was her mother-in-law who had come in, she did not reveal the wallet in her hand.
Mrs. Li perceived this, but she did not say anything. Ever since she became a daughter-in-law, trying to save some personal money had been so difficult.
One could say that, before her family had made their fortune and before she had become a wet nurse, she didn’t even have a copper plate to call her own private money.
Looking at Shuzhi’s actions, she felt she had been too naive in the past. Indeed, those who learned how to do business were much shrewder.
"Hehe, Mother-in-law, have some tea."
Granny Ye Shuzhi might not have seen what her daughter-in-law had in her hands, nor did she know if she had been eavesdropping at the doorway.
However, her demeanor towards Mrs. Li was very courteous and respectful, solely because of the generous gifts she had given and because she was someone to rely on, a wealthy person.
Mrs. Li accepted the tea offered by her in-laws, politely took a sip. The tea from the merchant’s grocery was nothing special, but it was better than what average peasants would spare, as they would serve the tea they sold to guests.
At that moment, Granny Ye Shuzhi’s gaze fell upon the two opened bundles, seeing what was inside.
A cunning smile appeared on her shrewd face, her eyes squinting with joy, revealing the wrinkles on her face.
"Mother-in-law, you are too generous, giving so much clothes and items for just a girl."
When Mrs. Li heard what her mother-in-law had said, she felt somewhat repulsed inside. She set the cup of tea on the table and said seriously,
"We do not agree with devaluing daughters; a daughter is also precious. A mother endures ten months of pregnancy to give birth to a treasure. As long as the child grows up safely, they will be filial to their parents regardless of gender."
Being spoken to by Mrs. Li, the mother-in-law who was usually quick-witted in business was left speechless. She had only given birth to a son and did not have a daughter, secretly hoping for a daughter someday; but the world was such that the preference for sons over daughters was prevalent.
Especially now that their family always hoped for boys, everyone was somewhat displeased when her daughter-in-law gave birth to a girl on her first pregnancy. When relatives came to visit, they could barely muster a smile.
But she was dealing with Mrs. Li, who had given birth to five daughters, who had money, and who had hired a teacher to educate her daughters in reading and writing. Her daughters were indeed clever and smart.
"Yes, yes, we were mistaken. You ladies chat, I’ll go prepare lunch."
Ye Shuzhi observed her shrewd mother-in-law. Usually so strict in her teachings, today she was this courteous and modest with her frail sister-in-law.
Indeed, everyone had weaknesses; no formidable person was beyond being handled by someone else.
Mrs. Li did not dwell on the topic. Since Granny Ye Shuzhi had already understood, even though she was the mother-in-law,
It was not her place to say more for the sake of her sister-in-law’s well-being. Watching her leave and close the door behind her,
Ye Shuzhi couldn’t help but smile when her mother-in-law closed the door—a smile she hadn’t had since giving birth,
And for the two days following the birth.
The fear before childbirth, the pain, as if she had walked through the gates of hell, only to have the family react coldly upon hearing she had given birth to a girl. Even she herself felt quite depressed.
It wasn’t until what Mrs. Li said just now, that a daughter is also a treasure difficultly borne by a mother for months, did she think her sister-in-law was absolutely right, which cheered her up.
"Sister-in-law, thank you!"
Mrs. Li looked at Ye Shuzhi, who had just given birth. She truly looked different today, and her feelings towards her had become a bit warmer.
"The baby is so beautiful; she will definitely grow up to be as lovely as her mother."
Ye Shuzhi also turned her gaze to the child along with her sister-in-law. A newborn didn’t yet resemble anyone, but at this moment she spoke with a mother’s love,
"I hope she will be as smart as her cousins."
"Don’t just praise those nieces, maybe this baby will be even smarter and more clever than her cousins."
Mrs. Li spoke as she unfolded the baby’s blanket, revealing a piece of cloth wrapped around something.
"Sister-in-law, what’s this?"
"This is honey from our estate. I’ve kept it especially for you; recently, it’s been either given away as gifts or purchased by others."
"Honey, I know, it’s a good thing."
"Yes, if the baby doesn’t have enough milk, you can mix some for her. And you can also drink some while you’re recovering from childbirth."
"Where should I put the honey? Make sure it’s stored well, or it will attract bugs."
"Sister-in-law, put it under the nightstand near my bed so I can easily mix it to eat."
Mrs. Li nodded and, following her sister-in-law’s instructions, placed the two-pound honey jar correctly, saying it was from the estate’s bees, though it wasn’t really; her youngest daughter had quietly given it to her the night before.