Chapter 168: Chapter 94: Going Up the Mountain

Juhua chuckled and said to Mrs. Wang, “Grandma, I really was angry. Every time Second Aunt comes, she has to stir up some trouble and make everyone miserable, then she acts like nothing happened. I didn’t mean anything by what I said, I just think we can’t indulge her temper, or she’ll always be like this. It’s the same as not spoiling a child. If she speaks her mind and gets nothing out of it, maybe she’ll learn her lesson for next time.”

Mrs. Wang sighed faintly. “In the end, it was your Second Uncle who married such a troublemaker. I’ve put up with it for so many years. Now, just as you said, I’ve learned to let it go. What else can I do if I don’t? You get angry, and she acts like nothing happened—isn’t that just getting angry for nothing? She listens when you scold her, but it only lasts a moment. In a flash, she’s back to her old ways. What can you do?”

Seeing the old woman’s spirits were low, Juhua quickly changed the subject to cheer her up. “Grandma, people come in all sorts. Let’s not talk about her anymore. I think Laishou is just so lovable. I looked after him for half the day, and he wasn’t fussy at all; he’s so well-behaved. He can even understand you when you talk to him. Not to be blunt, but he’s much better than Laicai. Grandma, you have to raise Laishou well and not spoil him the way Laicai was. Actually, Laicai was a good kid when he was little, wasn’t he? He’s so clever, he couldn’t have been a bad child. He’s just been spoiled a little and has gotten a bit rowdy.”

As expected, this was a topic Mrs. Wang loved. Her voice rose with excitement as she said, “Isn’t that the truth! Laicai was so precious when he was little, even cleverer than Laishou! He could remember anything you said. When I was working, he’d bring me a little stool. He knew to share his food, and he’d often pound my legs for me. AI! It’s all my fault, I spoiled him too much. You’re right. We must raise Laishou properly. Otherwise, if a good seedling is planted crooked, it won’t grow into useful timber. Who would be to blame then?”

Juhua was truly astonished to hear this. She had only praised Laicai to make her grandmother happy, a deliberate bit of flattery, and never expected it to be true. ’It just goes to show what a huge impact parents’ words and actions have on their children.’

She comforted her grandmother, “If you reason with a child properly, he’ll listen. As long as Uncle keeps a tighter rein on them, both Laicai and Laishou can be well-behaved. Look at Cousin Laixi—he’s so sharp.”

Mrs. Wang’s voice immediately rose again. “AI! Your cousin Laixi is as sharp as a tack. He’s managed to run that general store so well. All the villagers who shop there praise him! Your cousin Laifu is a bit more simple and honest…”

Once the old woman got started, she chattered on and on, from Laixi to Laifu, and then to Laicai and Laishou…

As she drifted off to sleep, Juhua thought, ’Whenever she talks about her grandsons, the old woman’s voice gets so much louder. It’s clear that grandsons are still the best! She used to say Qingmu and I were the cleverest, but that was probably just to comfort Mom.’

With so many guests in the house, there was no chance for peace and quiet. For three straight days, Yang Family was swamped with work, and smoke constantly billowed from the thatched roof’s chimney.

She felt that her maternal family had always taken care of her, and now that her own family was doing a little better this year, it was a rare opportunity to host her mother and sisters-in-law. So she had them stay for two extra days to show her filial piety. Once the spring planting began, when would she have the free time? Thus, she rose early and worked late, tending to the food and drink for the whole group, young and old, without complaint and with all her heart.

Because the womenfolk were always chattering away, and because Juhua disliked Lin Family, she didn’t join them. Instead, she just did her needlework and played with that little boy, Laishou.

She found herself growing fonder and fonder of the little child, teaching him to talk while looking after him. Laicai also tried to get close to her, but she never gave him a pleasant look, lest he be given an inch and take a mile.

In truth, children forgive and forget quickly, and Laicai was back to his old self the very next day. However, with Qingmu and Juhua keeping a close eye on him, whenever he started to get wild, he would catch sight of their stern faces and restrain himself a bit. At least he didn’t cause any major disasters. Even so, he still nearly fell into the well, broke a bowl, and splashed himself from head to toe by jumping in a puddle, among countless other incidents.

The next day, Qingmu did indeed call on Zhang Huai to go up the mountain and dig some traps. On the third day, he called for Juhua. They changed into old clothes, tied their shoes securely, and with Qingmu shouldering a bamboo basket, went up the mountain together.

“Let them be rowdy. Can’t a few adults handle two kids? Mom and First Aunt are cooking, and isn’t Second Aunt idle? Get ready quickly. After these next few days, I’m afraid we won’t have the leisure to go up the mountain and do this,” he said to Juhua.

When Laicai heard they were going up the mountain, he was instantly energized. His eyes lit up, and he immediately wanted to tag along.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep