Chapter 70: Lesson
Editor: Atlas Studios
Madam Liu-Zhao knew that Mu Yangling’s grandmother had been raised by Madam Ma-Liu. Hence, in terms of closeness, her father-in-law might not be comparable to Madam Ma-Liu. In addition, she had been the one who had taken care of Shu Wanniang during her difficult labor back then. As such, this affection was irreplaceable.
Seeing that her sister-in-law was not listening, Madam Liu-Zhao said, “Just go and keep on asking. Ah Ling is not someone who cares to save face. If you really anger her, she will even dare to retort in front of Father-in-law. She’s not saying anything now on account of the fact that you’re her aunt. If this gets to Father-in-law’s ears, even Liu Zhuang will be reprimanded.”
Liu Zhuang’s temper was a little fiery. If he was really taught a lesson by Liu Daqian because of her, he would definitely kick up a fuss when he returned home.
Although Madam Liu-Zhang’s expression was still ugly, she did not dare to mention this topic again.
Xiuhong, who was in the room, was also a little uneasy. Mu Yangling patted her hand to comfort her. Seeing that the atmosphere in the room was a little strange, Liu Lang asked Mu Yangling, “Cousin, let’s go to the cave to roast meat in a few days. Just the few of us.”
When Madam Liu-Zhang, who had entered the house, heard this, she thought that Liu Lang was going to bring out the smoked meat at home. She hurriedly said, “Roasted meat is heaty and heavy in flavor. How can it be as delicious as stir-fried meat? Ah Lang, don’t waste the good stuff.”
Displeased, Madam Liu-Zhao said, “Ah Lang didn’t say that he was going to bring out the smoked meat at home. In the past, Ah Yun and her siblings also ate so much roasted meat with Ah Ling. Why didn’t you say roasted meat was heaty back then?”
Mu Yangling said calmly, “Second Aunt, don’t worry. I still have meat at home. We’ll use mine.”
Madam Liu-Zhang said awkwardly, “Although your family’s meat isn’t exquisite, don’t eat it for fun. It’s not easy to enter the mountains in the cold now.”
“Aunt, we never use smoked meat to roast meat. We only use fresh meat. That’s way more delicious.” Liu Lang continued, “Ah Ling never comes out of the mountains empty-handed. She’s amazing. It’s just that there’s little prey in winter. When the time comes, just the few of us will go. Don’t ask the others along.”
Little Bowen took the opportunity to say, “We must get Goudan to come along.”
Knowing Goudan was Little Bowen’s best friend, Liu Lang nodded and said, “Of course. Don’t worry, plus my cousins, it’ll just be the few of us.” Then, he said to Xiuhong and Xiulan, “Let me tell you, although Ah Ling’s cooking skills are average, she’s superb at roasting meat. Even her father can’t compare to her.”
Xiuhong grinned. “I know. We’ve already tasted my cousin’s roasted rabbit meat.”
Liu Lang was instantly jealous. Since these sisters lived with Ah Ling, they and Bowen would be the first to eat anything delicious.
Thinking back to the past, when Ah Ling had delicious food, after giving it to Bowen, it’d be given to the few of them. Now, they were placed lower on the priority list.
Xiuhong could tell that he was jealous and raised her head proudly.
When Liu Lun saw this, he snorted indignantly and squeezed to Mu Yangling’s side. He looked at her eagerly. “Ah… Cousin, let’s go to the cave tomorrow, okay?”
Liu Rong, Liu Yang, and Liu Yun looked at Mu Yangling eagerly.
Mu Yangling waved her hand and said, “I’ll go into the mountains tomorrow to take a look. If there’s anything in the trap, we’ll go. If there’s nothing, then forget it.”
The few of them immediately cheered. The strange atmosphere dissipated with their laughter, and Eldest Great-aunt Liu finally smiled.
Mu Yangling and Xiuhong quickly forgot about the unhappiness just now. After playing in the Liu residence for half a day, they bade farewell and went home.
By then, Madam Ma-Liu had already prepared food. Seeing them return, she waved and said with a smile, “There’s also soup. I even said that if you guys don’t come back soon, I’d get your father to call you guys over. Quickly wash your hands and come sit down. We’re about to eat.”
Shu Wanniang was in the kitchen starting a fire for Madam Ma-Liu. Ever since Madam Ma-Liu had come, she didn’t have to cook nor do housework anymore, for Madam Ma-Liu always rushed to do them.
Initially, Shu Wanniang was not used to it. Later, seeing that Madam Ma-Liu was uneasy after being rejected, she knew that she was uneasy because she was living under someone else’s roof, so she let her do it. Usually, she would help her. Over the past few days, the two of them had more or less settled down.
Madam Ma-Liu was uneasy, but Shu Wanniang respected Madam Ma-Liu, treating her as if she was her mother-in-law. Firstly, her mother-in-law was raised by Madam Ma-Liu back then. Secondly, when she had a difficult labor, it was her who encouraged her. After her daughter was born, she was unwilling to drink milk. It was also her who took care of her by her side, taught them to feed the baby with rice soup, and waited on Shu Wanniang for three days of confinement.
Mu Yangling didn’t know that Shu Wanniang had already thought so much. All she knew was that the plate of braised rabbit meat on the table was making her drool. If it weren’t for the fact that she had to set an example for her younger siblings, she would definitely pinch a piece to try.
Also hungry for meat, Xiuhong and the others sat at the table and waited eagerly for the last dish to be brought to the table.
When Madam Ma-Liu brought out the soup and saw their anxious expressions, she smiled and said, “I know you’re hungry. Hurry up and eat. There’s a full pot of braised meat today. There’s definitely enough for everyone.”
Shu Wanniang glanced at the braised rabbit meat and felt that it was greasy. Thus, she quickly shifted her gaze elsewhere and said thankfully, “Fortunately, we’re a hunter family. Otherwise, how could we afford to raise these two children?”
Mu Shi had to eat meat at every meal, and Mu Yangling’s appetite was exactly the same as her father’s. She looked small, but she ate a lot. For lunch and dinner, she ate three bowls of rice and a large basin of meat, in addition to vegetables. Although she always only ate a few mouthfuls of vegetables each time, she had to have some at every meal.
Bowen seemed to like eating vegetables more, but that was only when compared to his father and sister. Compared to other people, this kid was also a voracious carnivore.
If these two children had to be raised in someone else’s house, they really wouldn’t be able to survive.
Only the Mu family could guarantee that they would have enough meat every day.
“It’s a blessing to be able to eat.” Madam Ma-Liu looked at them with a smile. “If you eat more now and grow stronger, you’ll be stronger and more capable than others in the future.”
For the farmers, strength and diligence were everything.
“Look, isn’t Rocky more promising than others now? That’s because he’s strong.” Madam Ma-Liu turned to look at her two granddaughters and said, “I only hope that they can be half as capable as Ah Ling in the future.”
As Mu Yangling ate, she said incoherently, “Don’t worry, Great-aunt. My cousins are smart and will definitely be more promising than me.”
At this moment, the atmosphere in the Liu family was a little stagnant.
During the day, Eldest Great-aunt Liu did not make an issue of it because Mu Yangling and the others were around. Now that there was only her family left in the house, she could speak freely. First, she scolded Madam Liu-Zhang and ended the lecture by saying, “Don’t think that I don’t know what you’re thinking. You’d better put those thoughts away. Our Liu Clan and the entire Nearhill Village owe the Mu family. If I find out that you spout nonsense to Ah Ling again, you can go back to your maiden home directly.”
Madam Liu-Zhang’s expression changed. Being chased back to one’s maiden home was a great humiliation.