Chapter 91: Individual Thoughts
Zhang Qiaolian felt deeply wronged. Yet, Zhu Shunyao and the others had not explicitly stated she was at fault. She had to swallow this silent loss. Regardless, once her husband returned, she vowed to reclaim her dignity and settle this grievance.
Zhu Guifu also harbored dissatisfaction. His displeasure was directed at both Zhang Qiaolian and Zhu Shunyao. Regarding Zhang Qiaolian, he thought, If you are clumsy, keep it to yourself. Why speak up? You only bring shame to the Zhu family. Regarding Zhu Shunyao, he realized his control over his son was weakening. This realization made him frown slightly.
"Enough," Zhu Guifu said, cutting off the conversation. "Let us eat."
Today was a day for hosting guests. Besides his own children, several relatives were present. Even if he wished to express anger, he could not do so now. He would wait until everyone had departed.
The group fell silent on the topic. It was the New Year, and they needed to give the hosts some face.
After the meal, Zhu Shunyao bid farewell with the others, showing no intention of staying. Only after everyone had left did Zhu Guifu ask Gan Juhua what had happened. Gan Juhua exaggerated the kitchen incident, adding fuel to the fire. Finally, she said, "If I had known she was such a person, I would never have allowed Shunyao to marry a girl from a broken-down family."
Zhu Guifu tapped his smoking pipe. "What use is saying this now? She has been in the family for over ten years. Is it not too late to complain now? Since we have suffered a loss, let us simply remember it."
He lit his pipe and took a few puffs. "We should focus on planning the house for Xiangyao."
"The bricks and tiles are ready, and other materials are prepared," Gan Juhua said directly. "After the first lunar month, I will find Old Wang. He will bring some workers. His craftsmanship is good. He built our current house."
Zhu Guifu nodded. He never bothered with such trivial matters. "Check the list again in the next few days. See what is still missing. We must prepare everything quickly. We cannot allow any mistakes in building the house."
"Yes," Gan Juhua nodded eagerly. This was for her most beloved son, so she wanted to oversee every detail. "By the way, Shunyao mentioned wanting to build a house too. Do you think he can manage it?"
"Let him be," Zhu Guifu said after a moment of thought. "Even if he builds it, it will not cost us money. The homestead was already divided, and we have fulfilled our duties. When Xiangyao returns, we will formally split the household. We will not live together. Whether he can build a house or not, it will have little to do with us in the future."
Gan Juhua nodded. "Indeed, giving him the homestead was already generous." She said no more on the subject.
When Zhu Shunyao’s family returned home, Xie Xinlian voluntarily told her about the kitchen incident. Zhu Shunyao’s expression darkened. She had always known Gan Juhua looked down on Xie Xinlian, but she did not expect her to pick on her wife as early as the sixth day of the first lunar month.
"From now on, if she calls you, do not go," Zhu Shunyao decided. "Push any matters onto me."
He had made up his mind. In future interactions with Zhu Guifu and his family, he would maintain surface-level politeness but keep his distance.
Zhu Yanyi felt very relieved. She was glad that Zhu Shunyao was not blindly filial. She knew exactly what to do in each situation.