Chapter 69: Fulfilling the Mission

Mrs. Wang blushed and said, “After allocating the blue satin for Eldest Brother-in-law and Daya, I squeezed out a piece for the head of the household, A’Lu, and Dabao, leaving me with nothing extra. After dividing the yellow satin for you to make one outfit each, I made one for myself, and now there’s only a bit left, barely enough for A’Feng to make a fall garment or a vest.”

These were the words Chen Feng had instructed her to say, to let Mrs. Hu know that the second household also needed one outfit each, and there was no reason their belongings should only be given to the main household.

Mrs. Hu then said, “Isn’t there still some white satin left? Pull out a few feet for our A’Jue to make an undergarment and pants, to go with the yellow vest.”

Chen Jue’s hope was renewed, and she eagerly turned around, her eyes glistening with tears, and said, “It can also be made into a pleated skirt, embroidered with pretty flowers. I saw young ladies from wealthy families in the county wearing such skirts.”

Mrs. Wang shook her head and said, “The white satin has been used a lot, and there are only two small pieces left, not enough to make clothes and a skirt.”

Hearing his wife’s words, Chen Ming blushed and lowered his head. All of these words were instructions from Feng before they left. How did that girl know that Mrs. Hu and Jue would act this way?

Chen Jue had a glimmer of hope, but upon hearing the news that there was nothing left, she turned her face back and continued to cry.

Feeling sorry for her daughter, Mrs. Hu, with a thick skin, said, “A’Feng hasn’t arranged her marriage yet, so she can spare a few feet of her piece for our A’Jue.”

Chen Gui blushed with shame, and shouted, “Mother, our A’Feng is also a girl, and she also has her own preferences. Why should she not wear it, but give it all to your daughter? She has already given so much to us, and I feel embarrassed. How can you still ask for more? Besides, you can’t keep favoring your daughter like this, or she will suffer in the future.”

Chen Gui was usually very reticent, but today, he couldn’t help but publicly express his thoughts about his own mother.

Chen Ye’s face had turned as red as a prawn a long time ago, and he was still struggling to come to terms with what was happening. He could guess that his wife would suggest to the second and third households not to forget the sacrifices made by their elder brother and sister-in-law and to show respect when it was due. As far as he was concerned, it was just a suggestion. But he never expected her to be so shameless and relentless in her demands. The second household had already declared that there was nothing left, yet she still had the audacity to try and take the remaining satin. It was outrageous!

He felt that he had already lost all dignity, so he was furious, and with wide open eyes, he stood up and pushed Mrs. Hu, slapping her several times. Chen Gui quickly held him back, and Chen Ming also helped him sit down.

Sitting on the kang, Chen Ye pointed at Mrs. Hu and scolded her, “You’re so greedy. You’ve already taken so much, and yet you’re still not satisfied. You want to take what little is left. You’ve disgraced me. If you dare to do anything shameless behind my back, you’ll see what I’ll do to you.”

Frightened by her husband’s anger and her son’s words, Mrs. Hu, unable to contain her emotions, sat down and wiped away her tears, lamenting about how she would manage the household chores, pay respects to the elders, and serve her little brother-in-laws once she was married. She felt so wronged.

Grandma Chen glared at Mrs. Hu and said, “Stop crying and complaining. Managing the household, respecting the elders, and serving your little brother-in-laws are all part of your duty as a daughter-in-law. All daughters-in-law are expected to do this. My eldest son is right, if your daughter wants it, why don’t you give her your own satin? Why should she take A’Feng’s? Your daughter has been spoiled by you.” She then threatened, “I’m warning you, don’t ever think about taking those few pieces of satin from the second household again. If you dare to try, I will not agree, and I will tell my eldest son.”

Her words made Chen Ye blush even more, and he shouted at Mrs. Hu, “Did you hear what my mother said? If you dare to do something shameful behind my back, watch how I’ll deal with you.”

Mrs. Hu said in a trembling voice, “When have I ever asked for anything from my younger brother’s family in private? I’ve been wronged. This is the first time I’ve ignored my dignity, all because A’Jue’s tears have upset me, thinking about how beautiful my young daughter is… Husband, please don’t be angry. I won’t do such things again in the future.”

Chen Ye snorted, “Remember what you’ve just said.” Seeing his little daughter still crying and making a fuss, he furrowed his brow and said, “A’Jue should be properly taught. She’s twelve years old, yet she’s so unreasonable, always fighting over everything. It’s just a piece of satin. Take my piece and go. I’m a farmer who works the land, wearing satin is just a waste.”

Chen’s old lady disapproved and said, “Eldest son shouldn’t indulge them like this. If it’s yours, you should wear it yourself. At your age, after working so hard, you should also have a piece of satin clothing. A’Jue making a vest or a skirt is enough; she’s still young, and there will be a time for her to wear satin clothes in the future.”

When Mrs. Wang returned, she was still angry and said, “We went to give gifts, but we saw that mother and daughter crying, as if we had forcefully taken something from them. It’s really annoying. Jue has been influenced by her mother, they’re just alike. If we’re not careful, Eldest Brother’s piece of satin might end up with Jue or the Hu. Then, Sister-in-law will complain in front of us, saying that the second brother is wearing satin clothes, while Eldest Brother-in-law is still working hard and hasn’t even worn any. It’s really unfair.”

Chen Ming shook his head and sighed, “Big Brother is such a good person, but his wife and daughter… It’s a good thing that A’Gui and A’Lan are not like that.”

Chen Feng was secretly delighted. The red satin truly didn’t disappoint. She said, “Did you see that, Dad? Eldest Uncle’s wife and Chen Jue are so greedy. We’ve given them so much, and yet it’s still not enough for them. They want to take everything, and won’t even leave us a scrap of cloth.” She mischievously added, “Dad, do you see how much Eldest Uncle spoils his wife and daughter? As long as Eldest Uncle’s wife acts weak, and Chen Jue makes a fuss, they’ll give them anything. Dad shouldn’t let your wife and children watch Eldest Uncle’s wife and children enjoy life while we can’t even afford clothes and meat. We remember Eldest Uncle’s kindness and will repay it, but not by indulging Eldest Uncle’s wife and Chen Jue like this.”

Chen Ming sighed and nodded.

The jujubes in the old courtyard were ripe. In previous years, these jujubes had been a considerable source of income for the second household. However, this year, there was no need to sell them for money. They gave some to relatives and friends, and the rest was dried for their own consumption.

That afternoon, the members of the Chen family were all gathered in the eastern room, eating jujubes and chatting, while Mrs. Wang was busy with her work.

Tomorrow was the thirteenth of August. When Mrs. Wang went to the county town to deliver the embroidery work, she was also planning to bring back more work to do. She also intended to buy some mooncakes and fruit for the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival. Mooncakes had always been a luxury item that their family had never bought before. When Chen Lu and Dabao heard about it, they cheered joyfully.

Chen Feng also wanted to make a trip to the county town. She wanted to take the small chicken, tiger, and puppy plush toys she had made to the embroidery workshop. If they liked them, she could sell them for a little money.

Mrs. Wang suggested, “On the ninth of next month, it will be two months since A’Lu started his bone-setting treatment at Qianjin Clinic. The doctor asked us to come back for a checkup then. How about A’Feng comes with us to the capital city? Perhaps the embroidery shops there might offer a higher price. The manager at our embroidery shop is quite stingy, and I don’t dare to negotiate with him.”