Zhao Jiaqi walked into the kitchen and saw them, mother and son, eating salted vegetables, black wheaten cakes, and a bowl of noodle soup at the table, laughing and chatting.
Upon seeing her enter, her mother-in-law became very nervous. Clutching the corner of her clothes, she stood up and cautiously asked, "Daughter-in-law, do you need something? Are you thirsty? There's noodle soup here, it's nutritious, have some!"
Though few words, they were full of care.
Zhao Jiaqi felt the concern from her family and her heart trembled. This was a warmth she had never experienced in her previous life.
Even though she knew her mother-in-law was afraid she would run away, giving her all the good food to keep her, she didn't hate this mother-in-law from the bottom of her heart.
Zhao Jiaqi bent down and stopped her mother-in-law's hand, saying, "Mother, I'm not thirsty. It's just that this bowl of noodles is too much, and I can't finish it. You must help me eat some!"
Zhang shi glanced at the rice in the bowl, her heart filled with mixed emotions. How could she not understand her daughter-in-law's kindness!
"Good child, I accept your kindness. You're young, eat more good food so your body can grow strong. If you can't finish it, have it next time. I have enough with these cakes."
Zhang shi pulled her to sit at the dining table. Zhao Jiaqi took her mother-in-law's bowl and poured half of it out. Then she took Fan Zehao's bowl and poured a small portion for him. She herself took a small piece of black wheaten cake and ate it with the noodles in her bowl.
Fan Zehao's eyes sparkled with a faint green light, looking happy. It seemed his wife wasn't as resistant to him as she was last night.
Just as they were happily eating, a commotion erupted.
The main door was kicked open with a bang.
"You old hag, may you die a horrible death! How dare you hide silver, get out here."
Upon hearing the roar, Zhang shi in the kitchen instinctively shivered. Her face turned pale, and she clutched her bowl, clearly terrified.
Zhao Jiaqi frowned, not understanding what was wrong with her mother-in-law. She turned back and asked, "Who is that outside?"
"Second Aunt!" Fan Zehao's knuckles bulged on the back of his hand as he gripped his chopsticks, replying sullenly.
Both the old and young seemed to strongly dislike the person outside. One was too scared to speak, the other suppressed his anger. Zhao Jiaqi felt another layer of dark clouds press down on her.
"Zhang Cuihua, you unlucky widow, are you hiding like a turtle? Hurry up and get out, send back the one you married, and give me back the silver. Then I'll pretend this never happened."
Wang Zhenzhu shouted loudly in the courtyard, attracting many curious neighbors.
Zhao Jiaqi listened carefully, her brows furrowed tightly. Send her back to her maiden home?
She had already stayed here for a night. If she were sent back now, wouldn't it imply she had some defect?
In this ancient era, that would invite gossip. Even if she didn't care about rumors, she would live a life of hardship.
This so-called Second Aunt was truly wicked!
The man at the table heard that he was being asked to send Zhao Jiaqi back. He abruptly stood up from his stool, furious, and was about to rush out, but his mother stopped him.
"Son, don't be impulsive, endure it!" Zhang Cuihua said, her face etched with sorrow, trying to persuade Fan Zehao.
He, however, was indignant, pointing at the courtyard. "Mother, it's my money that I earned, my wife that I married. Why should she come to our house and be so bossy?"
Wang Zhenzhu walked to the kitchen and happened to hear this. She glared with her triangular eyes, hands on her hips, and sneered, "It's because I'm your Second Aunt, and it's I who dictates things in this household."
Her overbearing demeanor made Zhang Cuihua involuntarily take two steps back. Moreover, Zhao Jiaqi hadn't heard the mother and son retort.
This made her very curious. She quietly asked the man beside her, "Haven't you split the household?"
Fan Zehao, exasperated, exhaled coldly through his nostrils. "We have."
Since they had already split, why was she still meddling in their family's affairs? Wasn't she overstepping her bounds?