Chapter 253: Chapter 253: Seeking Praise and Compliments

Yi Meng found out about the morning horse stance incident when it was already mid-morning.

Having gone to bed late last night, she also woke up late this morning.

She only heard about this when her mother-in-law brought her meal over.

Mrs. Qi was all smiles: “Meng Niang, you know Manbao, that girl is really fearless like a young calf! Lord Liu is from the government, and this little girl just treated him with disdain.”

Yi Meng felt her heart skip a beat: “Mother, what was Lord Liu’s reaction?”

“Oh, he didn’t react much. Don’t be nervous. Lord Liu said our Manbao was right. He’s so many years old and not as steady as a child; he should reflect on that.”

As Mrs. Qi spoke, she changed her little grandson’s diaper.

Yi Meng held the egg custard with a touch of sesame oil but couldn’t bring herself to eat: “Mother, please call Manbao over! I need to speak to her.”

“Speak about what?”

Mrs. Qi glared immediately: “Are you going to scold Manbao again? She’s just a few years old, speaking without depth is normal, isn’t it? Besides, it’s not a big deal; Lord Liu didn’t blame her, so what’s your point in criticizing my granddaughter here?”

Yi Meng felt helpless.

She knew her mother-in-law pampered the little girl, but children are still children, no matter how extraordinary Manbao’s background is, she’s still just a kid.

Putting down the bowl, Yi Meng gently explained: “Mother, Manbao is a child, and it’s okay for her to say childish things. What happened today isn’t a big deal, and Lord Liu is broad-minded, he won’t mind it.”

“But think about it, many habits are formed from small things. Today’s matter isn’t big, and we didn’t encounter someone petty, so we don’t mind it. But what if in the future we do meet a petty person, someone we can’t oppose, then what?”

“As they say, trouble comes from the mouth. Think about all the things we’ve encountered in our family’s journey, and think about the words that Manbao blurts out. If someone with ulterior motives took notice of her, and really started nitpicking, with our family’s current situation, can we protect Manbao?”

Yi Meng patiently explained to Mrs. Qi, hoping the old lady wouldn’t just indulge the child, ignoring the need for her education.

Mrs. Qi pouted, clearly thinking Yi Meng was exaggerating a bit.

However, her tone softened considerably: “It’s not that serious, besides, Manbao is just a child, even if she says something, no one would take it seriously.”

“Mother, that’s not the right way to look at it.”

Yi Meng became serious: “If it’s just some trivial small matters, it wouldn’t matter whether others took them seriously or not. But what if it’s something major?”

“For instance, the locust plague before. If it weren’t for Manbao sleep-talking about it, but she said it while awake in front of outsiders, they might not have taken it seriously at first, but once the plague actually happened, could they have not been suspicious?”

For Qi Manman’s prophetic abilities, Yi Meng had already warned the little girl, and Mrs. Qi had reminded her more than once.

The little girl remembered it well.

But some things do not necessarily require foresight.

Just like today’s unintentional act, if they encountered someone narrow-minded, then for the Qi Family, even if it wasn’t a catastrophe, it would still be a trouble.

This time, Mrs. Qi finally didn’t rebut.

She pampered her little granddaughter, but she wasn’t brainless, and since her daughter-in-law had spelled things out so plainly, acting like she didn’t understand would mean she’s a fool.

“Alright, don’t worry, take care of your health so you don’t disrupt your milk supply.”

Mrs. Qi placed the diapered little grandson on his small bedding, then said: “Eat first, I will bring Manbao over later.”

“Thank you, Mother.”

Seeing her mother-in-law’s softened attitude, Yi Meng breathed a slight sigh of relief.

She was indeed worried the old lady would insist on protecting Manbao.

Qi Manman was studying medicine with the two teachers when she heard her grandmother calling from outside the window.

“Teachers, could you let Manbao come out for a moment? Her mother needs her for something urgent.”

Mrs. Qi’s tone was polite.

Yin Cheng looked displeased and clearly disagreed, but Qin Minglang smiled and said: “Alright, just a moment.”

Then he said to Qi Manman: “Manbao, you may go first!”

“Thank you, teacher!”

Qi Manman stood up, cupped her fists and bowed to the two teachers, showing a bit of a young scholar’s appearance.

But once she stood up straight and turned around, she immediately ran off, bouncing and skipping, showing her innocent and lively girlish nature.

“Grandma, what’s my mother looking for me for?”

As soon as Qi Manman exited the room, she saw Mrs. Qi standing under the eaves and directly ran over to hold one of her fingers.

Mrs. Qi affectionately tidied her little granddaughter’s hair before speaking: “Your mother has something to tell you. Manbao, your mother can’t get angry now. Whatever she says later, listen obediently, don’t talk back, understand?”

“Um um, don’t worry, Grandma! You’ve long told Manbao, and Manbao remembers!”

Qi Manman patted her small chest proudly and said: “The teachers all praise Manbao’s good memory!”

“My Manbao is smart.”

Mrs. Qi most liked to praise her precious granddaughter, and of course, she especially enjoyed hearing others praise her too.

The grandmother and granddaughter held hands and went to the backyard, directly entering Yi Meng’s room.

Yi Meng had just finished nursing her child when she saw her mother-in-law bring in the little girl.

“Mother, Eleven hasn’t burped yet. Could you please help him burp?”

Yi Meng looked at Mrs. Qi.

Mrs. Qi hummed in response, took Xiao Shiyi, and immediately left.

Since her daughter-in-law needed to educate the child and no one else was around, it was best as a mother-in-law not to stay close by, or she might involuntarily interfere, putting her daughter-in-law in a difficult position.

“Mother, what did you call me for?”

Qi Manman kicked off her shoes and climbed onto the kang, crawling to Yi Meng’s side before sitting down. She even picked up a banana leaf fan to fan herself and her mother.

Such an obedient and filial girl, Yi Meng’s heart just melted.

But she still steeled her heart and asked about the morning incident.

Upon mentioning it, the little girl stopped fanning and cheerfully recounted the morning’s events.

She was so enthusiastic that she stood on the bed to demonstrate: “Mother, do you think Uncle Liu is particularly silly? Even after squatting horse stance for decades, he can’t beat Manbao!”

Qi Manman blinked at her mother with a look that begged for praise.

But this time, she would not get it.

Yi Meng kept a stern face, patting the bed surface: “Sit down, mother has questions for you.”

Qi Manman sensed something was odd about her mother today, but still obediently sat down.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep