Chapter 103

After the incident with Wang Er and Grandma Wang’s intervention, Madam Zhang reluctantly gave up on the idea of making and selling fermented tofu. She could only watch Wang Yuan’er and her sisters make money, feeling envious.

Meanwhile, Madam Zhou from Madam Zhang’s family came by twice, eagerly hoping Madam Zhang could get the recipe. When she found out that Madam Zhang had been beaten and forbidden from touching the fermented tofu business, she felt both disappointed and angry, and her words became harsh.

“I told you you have a pig’s brain, but you don’t believe it. They say you can’t do it, and you give up? Why are you so stubborn? You’re useless,” Madam Zhou grumbled.

Madam Zhang, already feeling unappreciated and beaten, felt even more frustrated. Her family hadn’t supported or comforted her and now blamed her for not benefiting them. What sense did that make?

“Your family never treated us as one of their own or thought of us,” Wang Er’s words echoed in Madam Zhang’s mind.

Indeed, despite all she had given to her family over the years, what benefits had she received?

With a cold face, Madam Zhang said, “Sister-in-law, my face was swollen from being beaten over this fermented bean curd, and you didn’t even ask how I was. Instead, you blame me for not getting the recipe. People say daughters are like spilled water once they marry. Should I still support my maternal family?”

Madam Zhou was stunned.

“Let me be honest with you. My mother-in-law and Wang Er said that if I touch the fermented tofu business, they’ll send me back to my family. Would you and my brother support me until I grow old?”

Impossible!

Madam Zhou nearly jumped up but quickly composed herself. “That’s just a scare tactic. Do you really believe it? If that were the case, our family would demand an explanation from the Wangs.”

Despite her words, Madam Zhou had her doubts. Grandma Wang seemed formidable, and there was the matter of Madam Liang’s death.

Recalling Madam Liang’s death, Madam Zhou realized the threat was real. If grudges were held, Madam Zhang could indeed be divorced.

Seeing Madam Zhou’s changing expressions, Madam Zhang felt even more disheartened. Daughters truly become outsiders once married, and her sister-in-law was unreliable.

Filled with resentment, Madam Zhang said, “I’ve given you plenty over the years. You and my brother promised to get my husband a job, but the money was spent, and there’s no sign of the job. My reputation in the Wang family has hit rock bottom.”

Her words stung Madam Zhou, who stood up, her face stern. “Are you blaming us now? Have you forgotten how we treated you all these years? And Min’er, whom I treat like my own daughter?”

Madam Zhang remained silent, thinking to herself that she knew Madam Zhou’s true intentions. She wanted Madam Zhang’s daughter for her son. Did she even consider what kind of person her son was?

No matter what Madam Zhou said, Madam Zhang had begun to harbor a slight grudge.

Chapter 104

Madam Zhou and Madam Zhang ended their conversation on a sour note.

Fuming, Madam Zhou walked out of the west room and was about to leave the Wang household when a sweet voice called her back.

Wang Min’er lifted her skirt and ran to her, tugging on her sleeve, “Auntie, it’s been so long since I’ve seen you. I’ve missed you.”

Madam Zhou did have a soft spot for Wang Min’er. She was fond of her, not just out of affection, but because she saw Min’er as a perfect match for her own younger son, just as Madam Zhang suspected.

When Wang Min’er acted coyly, Madam Zhou’s heart softened even more. Seeing her looking even prettier than before, she pinched her cheek and said, “If you missed your aunt, why didn’t you come to tell me?”

Madam Zhou had two sons and always wanted a daughter, but she couldn’t have more children after her younger son was born. As she grew older, she gave up hope and treated Wang Min’er like a daughter and a prospective daughter-in-law.

“Grandma and Mother don’t let me go out,” Wang Min’er explained with a pout. Her eyes lit up as she added, “Auntie, can you take me to your place for a few days?”

“Oh, you want to come to our house?”

“No, to the Tang family, where you and Uncle live,” Wang Min’er said shyly, lowering her head.

Madam Zhou was taken aback, seeing Wang Min’er looking bashful. She was about to ask more when Madam Zhang appeared.

“Min’er, what are you doing? Come in; I need to talk to you,” Madam Zhang called sternly from the west room.

Madam Zhou had no time to think further. Annoyed, she said, “If you miss your aunt, come visit. I have to go.”

“Auntie, remember to come get me,” Wang Min’er said urgently.

“Alright.”

Seeing her daughter so close to her sister-in-law, Madam Zhang felt anxious and angry. She grabbed Min’er’s ear and scolded, “You little brat, do you think I’m dead? Why don’t you listen?”

“Ouch, Mother! What are you doing?” Wang Min’er cried, pulling away. “You’re hurting me.”

Madam Zhang dragged her inside and closed the door. “You must stay away from your aunt.”

Wang Min’er rubbed her ear and asked, “Why? They’re so good to me!”

Seeing her daughter’s naivety, Madam Zhang sighed and tapped her forehead, “You silly girl, you’re fifteen now, a grown-up. Don’t you know how to avoid certain things?”

Wang Min’er was even more confused. She often visited her aunt; what was the big deal?

Seeing her daughter’s confusion, Madam Zhang said, “Your uncle’s younger son is just a year younger than you. Do you think your aunt is being nice for no reason?”

Wang Min’er’s eyes widened as she realized, “No way! Auntie wants me to marry her son?”

Madam Zhang’s expression said it all.

Wang Min’er jumped up, “Her son? Dream on! I won’t marry him!”

“That’s why you need to keep your distance. If you get caught in their plans, you’ll have no choice,” Madam Zhang warned. She had raised Min’er like a young lady, not to marry into a small household like her own family.

Wang Min’er was shocked but not foolish. She had taken her aunt’s kindness for granted but now realized there might be ulterior motives. Thinking of her cousin’s unappealing traits, especially compared to the likes of Young Master Tang, she felt a shiver. It seemed she couldn’t rely on her aunt after all!