Chapter 65

Listen, listen, listen.

To be honest, Wang Xian didn't want to see this woman at all. But what could he do? His elder brother had chosen her as his wife, and for his brother's sake, he had to accept her as his sister-in-law.

Fortunately, Lady Hou still knew shame and kept apologizing to Wang Xian, "If Uncle is still angry, just beat me up."

"Hehe, Sister-in-law, you're mistaken. In the past, I was too foolish, and you were right to treat me that way," Wang Xian thought to himself, "I'd like to kick you a couple of times, but you're carrying my mother's grandson, and she would kill me if I did." "Now I've changed, and you've come back. Let's live a peaceful life together, isn't that great?"

"Exactly, exactly." Lady Hou felt much relieved and smiled, "I get along very well with my sister-in-law."

Hearing this, Wang Xian glanced at Lin Jiejie, seeing a hint of bitter smile in her eyes.

"What are you standing outside for?" Mother appeared at the door of the hall, "Wang Gui's wife, go back to bed. Didn't the doctor tell you not to overwork yourself?"

"Oh." Lady Hou shrank her neck, not daring to argue, and smiled at Wang Xian, "I'll talk to Uncle later." Then she retreated into the house.

"Sure." Wang Xian nodded and smiled. To avoid making her feel awkward, Lin Qing'er went to the east room to talk with Lady Hou.

Wang Xian looked at Lin Jiejie's back with some sympathy and noticed that after a month, she had become a bit fuller, though still slim, with a slight curve. Even in her winter dress... well, it should be like this; being too thin isn't good.

While he was secretly admiring her, his ear started to hurt. Wang Xian "Ouch" and turned around, only to see Mother glaring at him with jealousy.

Not returning home for so many days, and as soon as he came in, his eyes were fixed on Lin Jiejie. He deserved to have his ear pulled by Mother.

Wang Xian quickly called out, "Mother." Mother wouldn't admit she was jealous, but she scolded, "You little brat, you've grown so arrogant. How could you make such a big decision without consulting the family?"

"What decision?" Wang Xian was puzzled.

"Still pretending to be innocent!" Mother grabbed his ear and dragged him into the room, scolding, "What's this?"

Wang Xian glanced at the table and saw the paper mill's deed. He was a bit surprised, as Lady Hou clearly didn't know about it.

"Wang Gui's wife doesn't know yet. He brought it back and asked Mother to decide." Mother was somewhat proud, "Hmph, your elder brother, though a bit stupid, isn't as presumptuous as you."

"Mother, let go first, you're going to tear my ear off!" Wang Xian covered his red ear and said, "This is a good opportunity, and I had to act quickly. I didn't have time to come back and consult."

"Hmph." Mother finally let go and said, "You still have some conscience, not forgetting your elder brother in your success."

"First, I'm not successful yet; I'm still in debt. Second, I treat your brother as he treats me, which is only right." Wang Xian smiled bitterly, "Mother, please give me some face in front of Lin Jiejie."

"Heh, you still care about your reputation..." Mother raised her hand to hit him but pulled back, "But this paper mill doesn't have to be all his. I'll decide. You two will each have half. He will be responsible for production, and you will sell it. The profits will be split equally."

"Mother, this is a gift for my elder brother." Wang Xian smiled bitterly, "If I keep half, it won't mean anything."

"I know you're doing this because of what Wang Gui's brother said." Mother sneered, "I didn't expect you to have such a strong character."

"Exactly, to show the Hou family!" Yinxing, munching on golden chestnuts, waved her little fist, "My brother can be the boss without relying on them!"

"Adults are talking, little girl, don't interrupt." Mother glared at Yinxing and said to Wang Xian, "As long as Mother is here, your brother's affairs will be decided by me, regardless of your opinion."

"This..." Wang Xian was completely helpless. He knew that according to the laws of the Ming Dynasty, parents had the right to manage their children's affairs, including marriage and property, and not doing so was considered filial impiety. Especially with such a decisive mother, he had no say.

"Both my children are dear to me, and I can't let you suffer." However, Mother knew her son had grown up and wouldn't have explained before, "Besides, Wang Gui, though a bit foolish, would be taken advantage of if he tried to do it alone."

"Mother, I'm quite busy and don't have much time to focus." Wang Xian smiled bitterly.

"You just need to keep an eye on it," Mother waved her hand, "Besides, you're the financial god of Fuyang. How many papers can't you sell? I'm also letting him benefit from you."

"Mother is wise and powerful." Wang Xian flattered, "Since that's the case, why not split my share in two and give it to Yinxing as her dowry?"

"That would be too embarrassing..." Yinxing blushed and said, "Thank you, Brother."

"Think again, go clean the fish!" Mother kicked Yinxing out and said to Wang Xian, "Don't worry so much. Take care of yourself."

"Your father's position has been decided."

"I heard from my brother, the magistrate of Hangzhou Prefecture." Wang Xian nodded.

"After the New Year, your father will go to Hangzhou to take office." Mother said, "Though it's not far from Fuyang, it's still a different place."

"Um." Wang Xian nodded, not knowing what Mother was getting at.

"Your father's idea is..." A hint of shyness flashed across Mother's face, "To take me with him." After saying this, she felt too weak and added fiercely, "That old man is too naughty. If I don't watch him, he'll bring you a bunch of mistresses."

"Oh." Wang Xian didn't dare to comment, nodding, "Father is getting old. If Mother goes with him, I'll feel more at ease."

"Originally, I thought of taking them three with me and leaving you in Fuyang." Wang Xian's words made Mother feel very satisfied, "Since you're always out, the distance doesn't matter."

"Uh..." Wang Xian didn't understand at first, "Who are the three?"

"Who knows, plans change. Now Wang Gui has the paper mill to manage, and his wife is pregnant. He can't go." Mother paused and finally said, "Do you think Mother should take care of the old or the young?"

"Of course, the old." Wang Xian quickly replied, "Mother has already done so much for us. Separating you and Father would be too unfilial."

"Who wants that old man." Joy flashed across Mother's face, but she said fiercely, "I mainly want to keep an eye on him. He's too naughty!"

Wang Xian was sweating. Father just liked drinking and visiting brothels but never brought women home.

"But how can Mother feel at ease with you all being so troublesome?" Mother sighed, clearly very conflicted.

"We're all grown up. Who can't take care of themselves?" Wang Xian smiled, "Even for your sister-in-law, hiring a nurse would be better than having Mother take care of her."

"Me take care of her? Hmph..." Mother sneered, "The family still owes a lot of money and can't afford to hire a nurse." Speaking of the Wang family, they were truly unique. People say, "Debt is a heartache, and being debt-free is a relief." Anyone with money would pay off their debts first, but the Wang family didn't. In the past few months, they had made a lot of money, but they spent it on running for office and buying property, never thinking of paying off their debts...

Only when they were short of money did they remember the debt.

"It's not that much money." Compared to his parents, Wang Xian's cunning was still lacking, "I'll pay it off first."

"Are you trying to show off? Others can't be as generous as you?" Mother glared at him, "Wang Gui's brother-in-law said they have a three-story house in the county with maids and nurses."

"Cough, cough." Understanding Mother's meaning, Wang Xian couldn't help but admire her, "Mother wants the elder brother and sister-in-law to move there?"

"Isn't that what she's been hoping for?" Mother sneered, "I'll fulfill her wish."

"The question is, will her brother agree?" Wang Xian said helplessly.

"With our family's current status, living in his house is a favor. He'd be crazy not to agree." Mother sneered, "Let the Hou family take care of Wang Gui's wife. They'll be more meticulous than Mother."

"That's true..." Wang Xian swallowed, "The Hou family is counting on the child in her belly to secure the marriage, so they'll take good care of her."

Mother's plan was indeed a win-win, cost-effective solution. But it wasn't something an ordinary person could think of, let alone propose...

In the past, Mother wouldn't have proposed it either, but after enduring hardships and finally reuniting with Father, seeing both sons established, and Wang Xian's marriage settled, she felt she had completed her mission and deserved to live for herself for a few years... Of course, a big reason was that she found Lady Hou annoying.

Wang Xian sincerely wanted to say, "Mother is powerful!" But he was more concerned about his sister and Lin Jiejie, so he asked, "What about Yinxing and Lin Jiejie?"

"Yinxing will go with me." Mother gave him a sly look, "Your Lin Jiejie will go with me too..."

"No, no." Wang Xian became shy, "If she goes to Hangzhou with you, she might as well go to Suzhou to take care of her own mother."

"I am her mother!" Mother gave him a light tap, "What do you want to do?"

"Mother, am I your biological child?" Wang Xian held his head and cried, "You're going to Hangzhou, and the elder brother and sister-in-law are moving to the big house. Someone has to stay to take care of me..."

"Aren't you rich enough to hire a nurse?" Mother teased him.

"Cough, cough, I've been studying hard recently, but I'm finding more and more things I don't understand," Wang Xian's throat itched, and he kept coughing, "I need someone to guide me all the time."

"Hmph, hmph, hmph, the fox's tail is showing." Mother sneered, "So you're being filial to support Mother going to Hangzhou, just so you can spend time with Lin Jiejie!"

"Cough, cough..." Wang Xian pretended to be innocent, "I have no such intention. During my time in the government office, I realized the disadvantages of not having a degree, so I'm determined to work hard and aim to become a scholar in ten... no, five years!"

He knew what Mother valued most and chose to say what she liked to hear.

"Little fox." Mother couldn't help but laugh.

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