61: Chapter 61 Uncle Advises Mother 61: Chapter 61 Uncle Advises Mother The Zhou family had Madam Zhou as their calming needle; even Zhou Xuennian, being the eldest son, could only obey.
The whole family was resentfully and silently eating their dinner before heading off to rest.
Old Lady Zhou summoned her youngest son to instruct him on what to pay attention to when meeting the Liang Family.
“Mother, about second sister…” Zhou Xueli hesitated before speaking up.
Old Lady Zhou’s face darkened instantly, her gaze turned sharp as she looked at her youngest son and said, “You don’t need to concern yourself with your sister’s affairs nor is it your place to do so.
You just need to do what you’re supposed to do, and do it well.”
Zhou Xueli pursed his lips and nodded.
Since he was her dearest youngest son, Old Lady Zhou’s expression softened a bit when she saw his obedient demeanor.
She called him by his childhood nickname, “Xueli, you are your mother’s precious child; I wouldn’t harm you.
This marriage arrangement with the Liang Family can only bring good things for you.
Their young mistress is also someone who understands propriety and honor, and their father is a scholar.
With such in-laws, you will certainly be stronger in the future.”
Upon the mention of his own marriage prospects, Zhou Xueli’s face flushed slightly.
Looking down, he mumbled, “Mother, you also said it’s a scholar family’s young lady.
I’m not like my older brother, who at the very least had the title of Child Student.
I’m just farming at home; will they really think highly of me?”
Old Lady Zhou’s face turned stern again upon hearing this and said, “It’s all because of your father’s neglect that you ended up this way.
Otherwise, why wouldn’t you have succeeded in your studies?”
“Don’t talk.” Old Lady Zhou, her temper rising, continued, “Your father is so biased.
He dotes on the eldest and middle child, but what do you get?
And the books—you said you’d stop reading, and that was it.”
Zhou Xueli said, “Mother, it’s not father’s fault.
I truly lack the talent; reading just gives me a headache.”
Old Lady Zhou huffed.
It was precisely for this reason that she was even more affectionate toward her youngest son, always feeling like he had been shortchanged.
She had to prioritize his interests, no matter what.
“If you can’t study, so be it.
Farming doesn’t mean you won’t achieve anything.
Manage it well, buy some more land in the future, and become a landlord.
Then, not only a scholar’s daughter but even a Juren’s daughter will be suitable for you!” Old Lady Zhou proudly proclaimed.
Zhou Xueli gave a bitter smile.
“Don’t interfere with your sister’s affairs; they don’t deserve your concern!” Old Lady Zhou warned him again, “Letting them live in that house is already giving them enough face.
If they really can’t tell right from wrong and cause trouble, they can just get out!”
Zhou Xueli couldn’t bear to listen and said, “Mother, don’t talk like that.
That house was also given to my sister by father.
Besides, it’s not her fault for how things turned out.
If there’s really blame to be cast, it’s the man who deceived her first.
If, just if, that man comes back one day, who’s to say that my sister hasn’t been waiting for the clouds to clear?
Mother, always leave some room; it makes it easier to face each other in the future.
Who else would live in that house anyway?”
Old Lady Zhou snorted, “I know that well enough, but if they dare ruin your marriage or bring shame to the Zhou family, I will never tolerate them.”
“Mother, times are tough, and it’s not easy for my sister and them either.
If we drive them away, what would people think of our family?” Zhou Xueli, who might not have excelled in his studies, understood the world well and tried to persuade her once more.
Old Lady Zhou’s face changed several times as she said, “What will they think?
The Old Zhou family has already lost face, and if we were to drive them out, who could say anything against it?
It would just be severing ties for the sake of justice!” She paused, then continued, “In a wealthy household, they would have lost their lives a long time ago.”
Zhou Xueli sighed, knowing that this was already the limit for his mother.
He just hoped that the situation on the other side would stabilize; otherwise, if his mother truly drove them out, where would his sister, a woman alone with a child, go?