No matter what, since I've traveled through time, life must go on; I should eat and drink as needed.
So under my cheap mother's loving gaze, our little Xiao Baozi Gu Chengyu shamelessly blew bubbles and acted cute.
The baby Xiao Baozi, who was born red and wrinkled like a little monkey, was viewed by Mrs. Gu as a pretty and adorable little monkey.
At this moment, Gu Chengyu was trying to connect with her space, feeling relieved to find it still existed, and she happily grinned. However, when she tried to probe into the space with her mind, she found that she couldn't enter it, which made her anxious.
What's going on? She remembered that before her time travel, the space was a bit turbulent, seeming a bit unstable?
Thinking this made her a bit worried, but at least the space came along, and there would surely be a day it could be opened.
Moreover, although life here was tough, it was still much better than the apocalypse, right?
Even without the space, she would strive to live well. Although she might not become rich and powerful, leveraging modern knowledge to achieve a comfortable life shouldn't be too hard? Although unsure, she felt it's best to take things as they come.
The next day, the sky was barely bright, and Gu Chengyu nestled in her mother's arms, suckling contentedly.
Since she was eating, she thought she should at least not go hungry. Being unable to control her bodily functions felt completely normal, after all, she was just a little baby!
Sleeping after eating, and eating after sleeping was exactly what needed to be done now, right?
"Old man, this time I nearly lost my life. If it weren't for the second son's family, would things have been so dangerous for me? That second son's wife has a wicked heart! Since I gave birth, she hasn't come by to see me. Does she think this matter is over? Shouldn't all my suffering count for something?"
Oh? His old mother was preparing to stir things up? Gu Chengyu quickly perked up to listen.
"Don't worry, the second son must give an explanation for this matter. Is this how he shows filial piety to his mother? Not to mention the laziness of the second son's wife, but this time she even dared to contradict you. Does she think it's over by hiding away? Dream on. Hmph! Send her back to her mother's home. We can't afford such a daughter-in-law in our family. I'll call the second son and his wife over, but don't get upset, take care of yourself during your confinement. I'll be in the outer room, call me if you need anything. I'll get them here, and you can listen in from the inner room."
With that, Mr. Gu went out.
Soon after, there was the sound of someone entering the outer room.
"The reason I called you over is related to your mother's premature birth due to a fall. Second son's wife, how come I heard it was because of you?"
"Oh no! I'm being wronged! Dad, how can it be because of me? Mom went to the kitchen, which has a dirt floor, and some water spilled while cooking, so when Mom stepped on it, she slipped. Isn't that because Mom wasn't careful? Dad, is Mom alright?"
He tried to settle accounts later, but He quickly defended herself. She couldn't bear such blame!
"Dad, what on earth is going on? How does this relate to my wife? Didn't I hear that Mom slipped in the kitchen by accident?"
The voice was male, likely second Gu.
Lying in his mother's arms, Gu Chengyu felt his old mother become instantly excited, tightening her grip slightly.
In the inner room, Mrs. Lv pricked up her ears hearing Mr. Gu's questioning. Listening to He defend herself, she became furious, feeling utterly disregarded.
Mrs. Lv couldn't hold it anymore and started shouting from the inner room.
"Pah! Second son, both of you are heartless! Huh? Second son, if it weren't for your wife stealing and running off with an egg, would I have chased her and fallen? The men of this family work themselves to the bone, and what about her? Ignoring family, children, she feasts herself. What kind of noble lady is this? Why come to the Gu Family? We can't afford such a ruinous woman. Lazy and sneaky is one thing, but ignoring everyone's needs while feasting herself is another! Even if we women have nothing to eat, you, your brother, and your father work hard doing manual labor. There were only three eggs to give you a treat, but your wife stole them. Does she care about your child's father?"
Wow, my mother's combat power is off the charts!
Indeed! Those eggs were supposed to include you, but your wife stole them. Who knows if she ate them all or just a little? Clearly, she doesn't care about you!
Sure enough, "You lazy woman, daring to cook for yourself at home? Your mother is pregnant with a younger brother and got nothing to eat, but you dared to eat? You refuse to work outside and want to cook at home, saying your mom can't cook, but you just wanted to eat for yourself. Just wait until I get back and give you a good lesson. Do you dare argue with mom and dad? Apologize to them right now!"
Well, aren't you a character too? What will happen when you go back? Who knows if you'll really give her a lesson?
Gu Chengyu felt that this whole family must be sly—although lacking grand estates, they possessed the essence of family intrigue!
"His father, how dare I steal an egg? Wasn't that for Da Ya? This child has never tasted an egg her whole life! Wasn't that pitiful? I was just being kind; after all, Da Ya is my niece!"
He noticed that the child's father was also getting angry, and quickly grabbed Da Ya as a shield.
"Second aunt, why are you saying that? Our Da Ya wouldn't dare to steal food!"
Mrs. Fang and Gu Chengli had been standing honestly, but upon hearing Da Ya being implicated, even the most docile and timid would stand up for their child. Mrs. Fang had to step forward.
"What? Chengyi, your mother fell for your wife, nearly had a miscarriage, and you just want to brush it over? Now you're even involving a child. Do you still respect your mother and father? Do you think I'm old and can't do anything to you?"
Mr. Gu was breathing heavily in anger; Da Ya was his granddaughter, and stealing eggs wasn't a big deal.
No one would truly scold a child for being greedy and eating some eggs; such an idea would make people laugh, and call him biased.
Moreover, Da Ya was timid and a little girl; she definitely wouldn't dare steal.
But it was different with Chengyi's household, always lazy and greedy, now surely pushing Da Ya out to take the blame, proving their deceitfulness.
Mr. Gu narrowed his eyes, glaring at Chengyi and his wife. Gu Chengyi felt a chill seeing his father looking at him; those eyes deeply embedded in wrinkles didn't show what he was thinking.
Suddenly, there was a "thud," "Father, what are you saying? How dare we think like that? You woman, kneel quickly, see how angered father is?"
Gu Chengyi was somewhat shocked; his father seemed easygoing and not very controlling under ordinary circumstances, yet he had a plan inside.
Otherwise, with Gu family's situation, they couldn't have married such a remarried like Mrs. Lv.
"Chengyi's wife, it seems our Gu Family can't keep you, disobeying your in-laws and causing your mother-in-law to almost miscarry, you've committed the seven sins. Our family can't have such a daughter-in-law, pack your things and go home!"
Another "thud," "Father, have mercy on me! I'll never dare again, I'll be filial to parents. Don't send me away, please, child's father, talk to father, I mustn't be dismissed!"
He panicked upon hearing Mr. Gu was sending her back to her parents, knowing it meant she would be dismissed.
"Dad, look at this, children's mother bore me two sons. For their sake, spare her once. Otherwise, I'll beat her if she dares disrespect mom and dad."
Gu Chengyi and He had been married for many years, surely there was some sentiment. Besides, with Gu family's status, dismissing He, remarrying would be impossible.
"Hum, she knows her place." Mrs. Lv inside the room patted the son in her arms.
Though displeased, she knew this time it had to be this way.
Dismissing was unlikely, the old man was just trying to scare her. Sending her back home could complicate second son's remarriage.
Forget it, she was the mother-in-law, she'd have chances to handle her later, knowing she couldn't escape her grasp, she happily teased her son again.
Gu Chengyu noticed his mother smiling again and felt relieved.
Not just about his mother, even he, newly arriving as a child, understood that in ancient times, filial piety was emphasized, and the court valued it even more.
If word got out of being unfilial, the gossip would drown a person. Even if a dismissed wife could remarry, her reputation would suffer.
Besides, it's uncertain if marriages were possible here. Seeing second sister-in-law's desperate pleas, life at her parents wouldn't be easy.
"Since Chengyi's wife made a promise, we'll see your future deeds."
Mr. Gu eased after a while, and both Chengyi and his wife relaxed.
"Chengyi's wife, don't think you're safe because you're not dismissed. You'll lack discipline without punishment. Let's make you cook, wash clothes, while the child collects pigweed. But cutting and feeding it will be your duty, clean the house and yard, treat your laziness."
Mrs. Lv then ordered some duties, tasks Mr. Gu wouldn't bother with. After He agreed, she sent them back to the room.
Gu Chengyu realized his mother started giving orders already? No wonder novels always have mothers-in-law tormenting daughters-in-law, exercising authority!
Yes, power is addictive. This farm household was bustling, full of trouble; he just arrived, yet Gu Family already staged a grand drama.