Chapter 1146: Unity
Editor: Henyee Translations
Elder Brother had truly risen to great popularity, which brought both joy and concern. Fortunately, Widow Sun and her daughter’s malicious schemes didn’t succeed; otherwise, Ms. Xu, the sister-in-law, would have been heartbroken and likely faced public humiliation. In this era, she knew that she couldn’t afford to be associated with any rumors or scandals, as it could tarnish her reputation as a virtuous and dignified woman, especially since she had three children to care for.
Upon hearing this, First Madame calmly smirked and reassured Qiao Xuan, “Don’t worry too much. You are fortunate to have Yunduan, who is capable and poised to make a name for himself. Besides, let’s not ignore your wealth and prosperity. Your successful business endeavors naturally attract envy. Furthermore, your family is known for its kindness, making you the target of those who wish to exploit your good nature. As for your Third Sister-in-law, she must also face her share of rumors and jealousy, especially since she hasn’t had children yet. There will always be individuals vying to take advantage and replace her!”
“But it has nothing to do with you. They just don’t want to ruin your mood.”
Qiao Xuan,
Indeed, in the present day and age, the issue of having children remains of utmost importance, regardless of one’s financial situation. The desire to have many offspring and grandchildren is deeply rooted in their culture and family traditions.
The Shao Family, being well-off and with an officer in their ranks, naturally raised the expectations for having a large and prosperous family. It was considered a great fortune to witness the family thrive and grow through multiple generations.
However, the current situation was not without its concerns. Among the four sons of the first section of the family, only one had a child, leaving the others without heirs. Such a circumstance would undoubtedly be a cause for worry in any household.
Ms. Xu, having two sons and one daughter, should have been considered fortunate enough to continue the family’s legacy. Nonetheless, both she and the Third Sister-in-law were yet to have children, which might have raised eyebrows in other families.
To avoid causing unnecessary worry, Mother-in-law chose not to disclose Elder Aunt’s speculation to Qiao Xuan, as she wanted to spare her from overthinking the matter.
Qiao Xuan laughed at herself – she was no better than Third Sister-in-law.
Third Sister-in-law came from a poor family and she did not need to be afraid of being slandered.
Fortunately, Third Brother and Mother-in-law treated Qiao Xuan well; otherwise, she would have been subject to disdain and mistreatment from her in-laws.
“Don’t worry too much,” First Madame reassured with a warm smile. “In the grand scheme of things, it’s not that crucial. What matters most is that your family lives in harmony. Even if they manage to trap you, we can always ensure they don’t suffer. It’s just a bowl of rice at the end of the day.”
“What truly counts is our unity and cooperation,” she continued. “That woman may have successfully schemed against you once, but if you repeatedly fall for her tricks, she can’t be entirely blamed, can she?”
Qiao Xuan felt a weight lift off her shoulders with First Madame’s understanding and encouragement. She nodded gratefully, “Elder Aunt, thank you for sharing the whole story with me. I feel much more at ease now.”
She made up her mind to write a letter to Mother-in-law the next day, urging her not to fret excessively and to lead a contented life. If that woman caused any more trouble, they would simply lock her up, if necessary, and set an example for others.
Of course, resorting to such measures would be a last resort, and they hoped it wouldn’t come to that.
First Madame added thoughtfully, “I’m relieved to know you’ll be returning in spring. It’s for the best. You can visit home twice a year to check on the family, the tea fields, and the lipstick business. It’s essential to keep a tight rein on the lucrative ventures. Don’t hand over control or decision-making power to the family; otherwise, they might misuse it.”