Springtime Farming: A Happy Wife At Home

Helping each other? Her Father-in-law was still so naive!

Ms. Fang remarked. “Yunduan’s belongings might have been taken to the capital. We can search for what we’re missing, but let’s not discuss it too openly.”

Qiao Xuan smiled. “Mom, you’re absolutely right. Sixth Cousin, you can head home now. I need to conduct a thorough search, and finding those items won’t be a quick task. My husband has his own confidential matters, and even I can’t interfere with them. I mustn’t mishandle anything.”

Shao Liulang, who had been suppressing his anger, could hardly contain himself after hearing Qiao Xuan’s words. With a displeased expression, he quipped, “Thank you, Fifth Cousin-in-law!” Then, he departed.

In private, Ms. Fang voiced her concerns to Qiao Xuan. “…Liulang’s behavior is becoming increasingly strange. Sometimes, I catch him eyeing our family as if we were adversaries. It’s quite unsettling! I’m irritated by it – he’s not as capable as Yunduan, and he failed to advance to the next level. Is that Yunduan’s fault?”

“Could it be that Yunduan’s success threatens him or makes him feel inferior? Does he see Yunduan as a rival? He’s so unreasonable, showing no interest in study at all. I wonder how much he’s read? He’s nothing more than a mediocre officer!”

Qiao Xuan couldn’t help but smile, acknowledging her mother-in-law’s insight – Shao Liulang was indeed not a commendable officer.

Ms. Fang continued, “Don’t hand over Yunduan’s possessions to him. He regards us as adversaries, so why should we assist him? Who does he think he is? We don’t owe him anything. He came inquiring about Yunduan’s belongings, and your naive father-in-law even tried to lead him into your room to retrieve them, but I stopped him. I explained that outsiders shouldn’t casually access our son’s and daughter-in-law’s room; they should wait until they return. I put an end to it when I mentioned that you’d be back this spring.”

“I thought that settled it, but here he is again!”

Qiao Xuan’s heart skipped a beat, and she inwardly shuddered. She added, “Mom, you understand that he should never enter our room and take things. My husband holds an official position, and his writings, particularly his letters, shouldn’t be handed over to outsiders, especially those with hidden agendas. It could lead to trouble!”

The source of this predicament lay in the power of words. As long as individuals had motives, finding something among someone’s belongings wasn’t a formidable task.

Otherwise, why was the study always a restricted zone? They couldn’t afford to be careless, as they were promptly and cautiously escorted out of the study, with concerns that their presence might lead to the drafting of articles.

Qiao Xuan had reservations about Shao Liulang.

Ms. Fang was equally taken aback. She clutched her chest and remarked, “Indeed? That’s quite fortunate! I don’t trust him, hmph!”

Ms. Fang had a knack for this; she remained skeptical of anyone she didn’t have faith in, regardless of what they claimed.

Ms. Ma even lamented that the first branch of the family was wealthy and looked down upon them, dreading that her son might outshine Shao Yunduan. Consequently, out of envy, Ms. Fang was reluctant to offer any assistance.

Qiao Xuan grinned. “I’ll just gather all of my husband’s belongings and take them away!”

Ms. Fang concurred. “That sounds like an excellent plan!”