Chapter 448: Losing Face and Making a Spectacle

When Liu's father brought his daughter and son-in-law to the Qiu family, the Qiu family was eating in the courtyard.

Hearing the commotion, Qiu Fu and Qiu Mu hurriedly rose to welcome them: "Oh, in-laws, you've truly troubled us today. With all this picking up and dropping off, come in and have a bite."

Before leaving, Liu's mother had instructed Liu's father to return immediately after dropping them off: "No, it's getting late. I need to return the mule cart borrowed from the brigade soon."

The Qiu family watched as Qiu Shaofeng helped his wife down from the mule cart, then carried down a large basket.

Fu's eldest uncle nudged his second son with his elbow: "Shaohu, go up and help right away."

Hearing this, Qiu Shaohu, who was unwilling, was about to argue back, but saw his mother signal him with her eyes and immediately understood: "Shaofeng, here, let second brother give you a hand."

Qiu Shaofeng did not let him get his hands on it, lifting the basket directly: "Mom, take good care of Xia Qiu. I'll take the things back to the room first."

Qiu Mu glanced toward the eldest branch; she understood Qiu Shaohu's little schemes perfectly well—he just wanted a share of the spoils.

But now that the Qiu family had split the household, if they wanted to show filial piety, it was to the Great-Grandmother and the Eunuch. As for the people of the eldest branch, what did they have to do with them? After all, the second branch hadn't shared the good things they received.

She raised her hand, preparing to help Xia Qiu: "Take it slow."

Xia Qiu smiled and walked over: "Mom, I'm fine. You don't need to be so nervous."

When the eldest daughter-in-law, Wang Lihua, came over holding her youngest son, Qiu Baolai, she happened to see this scene. Envy rose in her heart, and she couldn't control her mouth: "Second Aunt, why be so careful? Raising her roughly will make childbirth easier later."

Qiu Mu didn't expect her eldest niece-in-law, usually considered steady, to say such a thing: "That's true, but she hasn't passed the three-month mark yet. It's better to be careful."

At that moment, Liu's mother also glanced at Wang Lihua and, protective of her own, said: "My daughter is lucky. She not only found a considerate man but also a good mother-in-law. That's something others can't envy."

Those words left Wang Lihua very embarrassed.

Even a rough man could see it clearly, let alone the neighbors who had gathered to watch the spectacle.

Wang Lihua never expected that her reputation, which she had cultivated so well, would be ruined in an instant by the envy and jealousy growing in her heart.

Outside, someone murmured: "Before, the eldest branch of the Qiu family had Zhang Shanmei, the second daughter-in-law, who was a troublemaker. I didn't expect the eldest daughter-in-law, Wang Lihua, to be restless as well."

"It seems the steadiness before was all a act. Simply put, she just can't stand seeing others do well."

"Zhang Shanmei, who loves causing trouble, can't come out during her confinement. With no one leading the charge up front, it's only natural she's showing her true colors."

"Everyone says the wrong thing sometimes. It's not a big deal. We're neighbors who see each other every day; there's no need to make such a big deal out of it."

These remarks made the Qiu family's eldest uncle's wife very unhappy. She glared fiercely at her eldest daughter-in-law: "Losing face and making a spectacle."

Since she wouldn't gain anything anyway, after scolding, she turned and went back to her own table to eat.

The Qiu family's Great-Grandmother came out of the room: "In-laws, come inside for a drink of water before you go."

Liu's father waved his hand: "No. If we wait any longer, it will get dark, and the one at home will worry. I'll leave now."

Qiu Fu stepped forward to help turn the cart around: "In-laws, take care on the road."

Liu's father nodded, waved to the crowd, and then sat on the cart shaft: "I'm leaving. Go back."

He cracked the whip and hurried home.

Xia Qiu stood at the main gate: "Dad, take care."

Liu's father waved to his daughter: "I know. Go back."