Chapter 149 Scolding
Just as Zhang Qi was drowning in her feelings of injustice and sadness, a voice called from outside the door: "Sister Chun, are you in there?"
Zhang Qi quickly wiped her tears with her sleeve and replied, "I'm here, come in!"
Then, she saw Deng Yunzhen from Uncle Jiu's family walk in, carrying a large bowl. With a warm smile, Deng Yunzhen said, "Sister Chun, I heard you've given birth, so my father specially cooked a bowl of brown sugar and eggs for you to nourish your body."
Helping someone in their time of need is the most touching gesture.
At this moment, Zhang Qi looked at the steaming bowl of brown sugar eggs in Deng Yunzhen's hands and was so moved that tears streamed down her face.
When Deng Yunzhen's eyes adjusted to the dim light in the room, she was startled to see Zhang Qi crying. She asked, "Sister Chun, what's wrong?"
Zhang Qi wiped her tears again and smiled through reddened eyes, "I'm fine, I'm just too happy. Thank you, Uncle Jiu, and thank you, Aunt Zhen. This is the most precious gift I've ever received in my life."
Though Deng Yunzhen had questions, she didn't press further. She handed the bowl to Zhang Qi and said, "Ah Chun, eat it while it's hot. Where's your spoon? I'll get it for you."
Zhang Qi told her where the spoon was and then took the bowl of brown sugar eggs. She was even more touched when she saw the generous amount of longan meat floating in it.
When Deng Yunzhen brought her the spoon, Zhang Qi, who was starving, no longer held back and began eating heartily.
The sweetness of the brown sugar eggs warmed her heart.
Outside the house.
Deng Shirong looked at Changchun's mother with a stern expression and said, "Mrs. Yunlin, you've really gone too far this time. Your son went out to work and hasn't returned. You ignored your daughter-in-law while she was giving birth and didn't even cook for her. Are you trying to sever ties with your son and daughter-in-law?"
Changchun's mother, being scolded by Uncle Jiu, turned visibly uncomfortable. If anyone else had dared to speak to her like this, she would have lashed out. Who were they to tell her how to run her household?
But the one scolding her was Uncle Jiu, the most respected elder in the village. Though she felt wronged, as a junior, she had no choice but to endure it.
Deng Shirong, knowing she was unhappy, continued, "I understand that your daughter-in-law has given birth to five daughters in a row, and you're upset. But can you really blame her for whether the child is a boy or a girl?"
Hearing this, Changchun's mother, who had remained silent until now, couldn't hold back any longer. She retorted, "Uncle Jiu, if not her, then who should I blame? If she hadn't gotten pregnant, I don't know how many grandsons I'd have by now."
Deng Shirong's face darkened as he said, "You're completely mistaken. Whether the baby is a boy or a girl has nothing to do with the woman—it's determined by the man."
Changchun's mother frowned and said, "Uncle Jiu, don't lie to me. Everyone knows it's the woman who decides whether it's a boy or a girl."
Deng Shirong shook his head and explained, "You're wrong to think that. A woman is like a piece of land. Whatever seed a man sows is what will grow. If a man sows pumpkin seeds, can you expect the land to grow cucumbers? Is that even possible?"
Changchun's mother instantly understood this simple metaphor.
Then, it all seemed to make sense, and her long-held beliefs began to waver.
Seeing that his words had struck a chord, Deng Shirong continued, "The first two times your daughter-in-law gave birth to daughters, you stood at the door and cursed for hours. Even though I knew it wasn't her fault, I didn't interfere because it was your family matter. You could scold your daughter-in-law as you pleased, and no one else had the right to intervene.
But this time, your daughter-in-law just gave birth, and you didn't even give her food. You've gone too far!
If word of this spreads, the young men in our Thatchfield Village won't stand a chance of getting married in the future. If a woman can't give birth to a son, and her mother-in-law won't even feed her, who would dare to marry their daughter into our village?"
Changchun's mother's face turned red and then pale.
If Uncle Jiu had scolded her merely out of seniority, she would have been deeply resentful. But now, every word he spoke made sense. Even as an unreasonable person, she knew Uncle Jiu was right. Naturally, she didn't dare to argue, knowing she was in the wrong.
Seeing that the situation had reached a boiling point, Deng Shirong stopped scolding and instead advised, "Mrs. Yunlin, you were once a daughter-in-law too. Put yourself in her shoes and treat your own daughter-in-law better. When you're old, it's your daughter-in-law who will take care of you, not your son or your married daughters."
Changchun's mother opened her mouth but couldn't find the words to respond.
A loud drum doesn't need a heavy hammer. Deng Shirong had said all that needed to be said.
Just then, Deng Yunzhen came out with the empty bowl. Deng Shirong said nothing more and stood up, declaring, "I won't say anything else, Mrs. Yunlin. Just think carefully about what I've said."
Changchun's mother watched Deng Shirong and his daughter leave, her expression shifting constantly.
It was unclear how much time passed before she finally let out a breath, then silently went to the chicken coop, caught a chicken, and began preparing ginger wine.
On the way back, Deng Yunzhen asked, "Dad, what's going on between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law?"
Deng Shirong briefly recounted what had happened and concluded solemnly, "When I find a husband for you in the future, I'll thoroughly investigate his family and make sure you get a mother-in-law who's easy to get along with. I won't let you marry into a family and suffer such grievances."
Deng Yunzhen blushed at the sudden topic and said, "Dad, I don't want to get married so early. There's no need to rush to find someone for me."
Deng Shirong smiled and said, "As the saying goes, men should marry when they're of age, and women should marry when they're of age. You'll get married sooner or later. Even if I don't start looking for someone now, you'll still need to find someone in a couple of years. Besides, even if I start now, it might take a while to find the right match for you!"
Deng Yunzhen insisted, "Anyway, I don't want to get married so early."
Deng Shirong sighed and said, "That's how you feel now. In two years, you might think differently."
Deng Yunzhen shook her head firmly and said, "That's impossible. I'll feel the same way in two years. I'm so comfortable at home now. The thought of getting married and living in a strange place is terrifying. I'd rather stay at home for a few more years."
Deng Shirong laughed and said, "It's up to you. Your family doesn't lack food. You can get married whenever you want!"
Deng Yunzhen chuckled and said, "Dad, you said it. Don't look down on me if I become an old maid."
Deng Shirong nodded and said, "I meant what I said. As long as you're happy, that's all that matters."
(End of this chapter)