Chapter 9: Even the Grandson Isn’t as Valued Anymore

Chapter 9: Even the Grandson Isn't as Valued Anymore

Wei Pozi had lost her temper, and Yu Sanbao didn’t dare to ask more questions. With doubts in his mind, he left the dining table and headed straight for his room.

Before he could enter, he heard his son crying, "I'm hungry! I want to eat!"

And his wife, with a hint of grievance, scolded, "Still thinking about eating? Your grandmother might not even let us have any food. I can't bear that humiliation."

Yu Sanbao pushed the door open abruptly, frowning. "What do you mean?"

"Dad!" Ju Geer ran over and jumped into Yu Sanbao’s arms.

Yu Sanbao lifted his son up.

Seeing Yu Sanbao, Su Rouer turned away, her voice already trembling with tears. "Your mother was unbearable today!"

Yu Sanbao furrowed his brows deeply. "What are you talking about? Is my mother not your mother too?"

Su Rouer grew even sadder. "You don’t know what she did today! She humiliated me in front of the nephews from the first and second households, trampling on my dignity. And that wasn’t all; she came to our room and took away the clothes I was making for Ju Geer!"

The more she spoke, the more aggrieved she became, covering her face and crying.

Yu Sanbao frowned, then relaxed.

Just this?

Ju Geer, not understanding the grievances between adults, nudged Yu Sanbao to take him to eat.

Yu Sanbao patted Ju Geer’s little bottom. "Go ahead. Dad and Mom will join you soon."

As soon as he put Ju Geer down, the boy darted out.

Only then did Yu Sanbao turn back to embrace Su Rouer, consoling her. "Oh, I thought it was something serious. Mother is an elder; it’s not a big deal if she says a few words to you. As for the cloth, it’s just a piece of cloth. If Mother wants it, let her have it. I’ll take you to the county town later and get a better one."

Yu Sanbao was handsome and good at comforting people. Su Rouer, a girl from the county town, had married him because of this. The young couple had always been close, and with Yu Sanbao’s embrace and soothing words, Su Rouer finally stopped crying and smiled through her tears.

Taking the opportunity, Yu Sanbao suggested, "Later, when we see Mother, apologize to her properly. Since you married into the family, when has Mother ever made things difficult for you? It’s not right to show her a bad face over such a small matter."

Su Rouer pouted, but knowing how filial her husband was to his mother, she reluctantly agreed.

Still, she couldn’t help murmuring, "That little girl Xingxing must have bewitched Mother somehow. She’s got Mother so confused... I feel like even our own grandson Ju Geer isn’t valued as much anymore."

Yu Sanbao responded, "Father told me that Xingxing is quite pitiful. Since Father and Mother adopted her, treat her the same as Huai Geer and Bai Geer."

Su Rouer pouted, unhappy, but seeing her husband’s face, she held back further comments.

The young couple went to the main house where everyone else was already eating. Ju Geer was sitting there, shoveling food into his mouth.

Two bowls of rice were set aside, clearly reserved for Yu Sanbao and Su Rouer.

Yu Sanbao was touched; despite her complaints, his mother had still saved them some food.

"Mother, I’ve already talked to Rouer," Yu Sanbao hurriedly said. "It was wrong of her to act petulantly. She won’t do it again."

With that, Yu Sanbao tugged at Su Rouer’s sleeve behind him.

Su Rouer lowered her head, reluctantly admitting, "Mother, I was wrong. I won’t do it again."

Wei Pozi replied, "And what else?"

Su Rouer almost couldn’t hold back.

What else!

Yu Sanbao was equally puzzled, looking at Wei Pozi in confusion.

Wei Pozi was clearly displeased. "Ju Geer was wrong first, and he took out his anger on Xingxing, pushing her and nearly injuring her head. How do we settle this?"

Ju Geer looked up in disbelief, staring at Wei Pozi. "Grandma!"

Wei Pozi kept a stern face.

Ju Geer, feeling extremely wronged, defiantly said, "No!"

Yu Sanbao frowned, raising his hand and sternly reprimanded, "Ju Geer! How dare you talk to Grandma like that?!"

Ju Geer was startled by his father’s rare harshness, his face turning pale with fear, unable to speak.

"Apologize to Grandma and Xingxing!" Yu Sanbao demanded again.

Seeing her son’s terrified face, Su Rouer’s heart ached, but she couldn’t undermine her husband in front of everyone. She clenched her fists, tears welling up in her eyes as she watched Ju Geer.

Yu Lao, though also feeling sorry, hesitated but said nothing.

Wei Pozi continued to stare sternly at Ju Geer.

Ju Geer sniffled and reluctantly apologized to Wei Pozi, "Grandma, I won’t do it again."

Then, turning to Xingxing, who was stunned, he forced out, "...I shouldn’t have pushed you. I’m sorry."

Xingxing, coming back to her senses, was also frightened, quickly waving her hands. "It’s okay, it’s okay. Xingxing is fine!"

Xingxing was so flustered that if Wei Pozi hadn’t held her back, she would have run back to hide.

Ju Geer couldn’t hold back any longer and sobbed into Su Rouer’s arms.

Su Rouer’s heart broke at the sight!

Ignoring Ju Geer, Yu Sanbao turned to Wei Pozi. "Mother, if Ju Geer misbehaves again, tell me, and I’ll discipline him!"

Wei Pozi was not a harsh person, and considering that her third son had been working in the fields all day, she couldn't bear to let him go hungry any longer. With a cold face, she grunted an "Mm" and said, "Go eat," thus putting the matter to rest.

After dinner, Wei Pozi called Bai Xiaofeng aside: "Lao Er's wife, come with me to the inner room; there's something I need you to do."

"Sure thing." Bai Xiaofeng looked like a victorious general, casting a slightly smug glance at Li Chunhua and Su Rouer. "I'll go with Mother to the inner room. It'll be up to Eldest Sister and Third Sister-in-law to clean up the table."

Bai Xiaofeng followed Wei Pozi into the room, eager and triumphant.

Li Chunhua, somewhat dejected, began clearing the table.

Why did Lao Er's wife get such special treatment from Mother?

Su Rouer had a good idea what was going on.

In this family, Bai Xiaofeng was the best at needlework. She guessed that Mother wanted Bai Xiaofeng to use the piece of cloth meant for Ju Geer to make clothes for that little girl!

Su Rouer couldn't continue cleaning the table.

"I'm not feeling well," she said, her face sullen, before walking away.

Li Chunhua watched, dumbfounded, but didn't dare cause a scene in the main room. She gritted her teeth and finished cleaning up alone.

Inside the inner room, Bai Xiaofeng saw Wei Pozi take out a set of cut-out clothes. "I've measured them according to Xingxing's size. You're always good with needlework, so when you have free time, make a set of clothes for Xingxing."

Bai Xiaofeng recognized the fabric immediately—it was the same piece her mother-in-law had gotten from her natal family and given to Su Rouer to make clothes for Ju Geer.

How did it end up back with Mother now?

Though Bai Xiaofeng felt a twinge of resentment, the thought of Su Rouer's disappointment made her feel better. She smiled and said, "Mother, no problem. I'll put aside my other work for now and focus on making clothes for Xingxing."

She then took out a handkerchief from her sleeve to show Wei Pozi, boasting, "Mother, I made this handkerchief for Xingxing. What do you think?"

Bai Xiaofeng's needlework was always outstanding. Wei Pozi saw that the small handkerchief was exquisitely crafted, with tight and fine stitches along the edges and a tiny embroidered apricot at the bottom, looking very pretty.

Wei Pozi praised her without reservation: "Very good. Among my three daughters-in-law, you are the most thoughtful."

Bai Xiaofeng walked on air after being praised by Wei Pozi. She returned to her room full of energy and started making clothes for Xingxing.

She also boasted to Yu Erhu, "Mother just praised me, saying I'm the most thoughtful daughter-in-law!"

Bai Xiaofeng felt elated.

Tomorrow, she would tell Eldest Sister and Third Sister as well!

She would casually let it slip!