Chapter 295 - Visiting Their House (2/2)

Yu Bo nodded in agreement and said, “How many years has Little Shitou been studying? He barely knows how to read and write, yet they’re already letting him take the exams. Does Second Brother take the imperial exams as a joke? Acting recklessly due to their impatience for success will ruin Little Shitou!”

“Let’s not worry about their matters! He can do whatever he wants!” Madam Zhang saw that the ‘heir of Prince Jing’ had already gone back, but Old Yu still hadn’t come to talk to her. She felt even more resentful towards Old Yu and Yu Hai within her heart. However, they had evidence of her crime. She couldn’t go cause trouble, so she could only ignore the existence of the family in the old residence!

Hearing the confident words of her younger brother-in-law, Madam Li’s heart started to sway again. Her husband had supported her younger brother-in-law’s studies for so many years, and it wasn’t easy to see the light of hope. Wasn’t it a loss to separate from the family now? No way! They should wait until after next spring to decide whether they would divide the family. If her younger brother-in-law passed the exam, she would pretend that she had never mentioned this matter. If he didn’t pass, then they shouldn’t blame her, Li Guihua, for being inconsiderate. Even if she had to take it up to the county yamen, she had to make sure that they get a fair split from the family!

After dinner, Yu Bo’s family of three returned to their own room. Madam Zhao fanned for her son, who was sleeping soundly holding his bloated belly. Her heart broke to see the way her son was drinking the porridge earlier. They hadn’t eaten a hearty meal for a long time.

“Husband, should we visit the old residence tomorrow? Although father-in-law and mother-in-law are divorced, he is still your father after all. If you don’t visit him this time, what would the villagers say?” Madam Zhao reckoned that it was better to have a good relationship with people in the old residence. They couldn’t depend on that stupid woman Madam Zhang. After all, her husband was related to them by blood. Even if one’s bones were broken, the tendons were still connected ah!

Yu Bo didn’t have any ill feelings towards his second brother. When his second brother left the family with nothing, he had felt bad for him in his heart. However, he was very clear about his mother’s temper. It was useless for him to say anything. He was seriously speechless about the reason for his parents’ peaceful separation. He didn’t expect his mother to be so cruel that she would rather watch his father die than spend money to get him treated. If his own wife looked forward to his death so that the family could feed one less person, then he would definitely divorce her. He wouldn’t let her take away a single seed, let alone leave the house and all the money to her… His father’s action was considered to be extremely benevolent.

Hearing his wife’s words, Yu Bo was very glad that he married such a reasonable wife. Looking at Madam Zhao with a smile, he nodded and said, “Mhm, let’s bring Doudou over to pay respects to Father tomorrow. Are there any presentable gifts at home? After all, I haven’t been home for nearly half a year, it’s inappropriate to visit Father empty-handed.”

Madam Zhao took out a piece of dark-colored fabric from the bottom of the box. Originally, she had wanted to use this fabric to make clothes for her own father. In order to have a good relationship with the old residence, she gritted her teeth and took it out, “Take this piece of fabric! There’s nothing good at home, since we have already pawned most of our goods!”

Yu Bo knew that during this past half a year, his wife lived in her father’s house without paying a single coin. It wasn’t easy for his father-in-law’s family ah. He took out a silver bit that was worth one tael from his bag and handed it to Madam Zhao. He said, “I saved this money by eating and living frugally in the prefectural city. Give it to Mother-in-law. We can’t let your parents starve because of you and our son.”

Madam Zhao was very moved. With reddened eyes, she carefully put away the money and whispered, “Originally, I planned to pawn some of my dowry to help my parents get through this difficult period. With this money, it’s enough for my parents to eat frugally for half a month. Thank you, Husband!”

“We’re a family, so why do you need to say thank you? Father-in-law and Mother-in-law has helped us a lot over the years. As a human being, one should have a conscience, right?” Yu Bo held his wife’s slightly rough hands. After the maidservant was sold, Madam Zhao had to personally do all the work. Coupled with not being able to fill her stomach, she appeared much more haggard. However, it made her look more delicately attractive…

On the morning of the next day, Yu Bo slowly headed toward the west side of the village with his wife and child. His long gown stood out in the village. The villagers, who were chatting under the tree, greeted him upon seeing him, ”Oh, isn’t this Old Yu’s youngest son? You came back from the prefectural city?”

“This must be Doudou. He’s already so big. He has gotten taller in the past two years ah!”

“Are you going to see your father? Xiaobo is quite filial ah!”

……

With a slight smile on his face, Yu Bo politely greeted the elderly men and women in the village. Madam Zhao also told her son to greet them as ‘Grandpa’ and ‘Grandma’. The villagers all praised Yu Bo for being capable and Doudou’s polite manners…

After traveling across the entire Dongshan Village, the family of three reached the foot of West Mountain. From afar, they could see the tall courtyard walls and the brick and tiled-roof house of the Yu Family’s old residence. Madam Zhao bent down and said admiringly to her son, “Doudou, look! That’s Second Uncle’s house!! Do you remember Older Brother Shitou and Older Sister Xiaocao? You can see them soon.”

Doudou blinked his big eyes and softly said, “I remember Older Sister Xiaocao. The fish stew she made was very delicious!” He even smacked his lips as he said that.

With a slightly bitter smile, Madam Zhao tapped his small nose and said, “You ah, you’re indeed a little foodie!”