CHAPTER 720: CHAPTER 716: NONE OF THEM ARE EASY TO DEAL WITH (PART 1)

The Cao Family from top to bottom is stingy.

Although Mr. Mu and Old Mrs. Mu were greeted with smiles at the Cao Family, they were given just two sweet potatoes to tide them over for the night.

The old couple hadn’t eaten all day; two sweet potatoes weren’t enough.

After finishing the sweet potatoes, Mr. Mu went to see Xianxian, hoping to ask for some food to bring to Xiangxiang and Qingqing.

"Xianxian, your mother and I... haven’t had enough to eat. Can you ask the kitchen to make something for us? Otherwise, we can do it ourselves if you let us use the kitchen."

Just as Mu Xianxian was about to nod, Old Mrs. Cao, who had been eavesdropping outside, stormed in.

"Dear in-law, our Cao Family only eats two meals a day. At night, four sweet potatoes are what I instruct the maids to buy.

One costs a penny, the price of three ounces of meat. Our Cao Family can have a meal with three ounces of meat. How is it still not enough for you?"

Mr. Mu laughed awkwardly.

"Sorry, dear in-law, Xiangxiang’s mother and I have been hungry all day. With two sweet potatoes down our stomachs, we’re still a bit hungry, so I thought to come to Xianxian and ask for some food to fill up.

Actually, we don’t need any big fish or meat. A bowl of leftover rice from noon and some fried rice with eggs would do."

"Oh dear, egg fried rice is nothing special. I need to ask the steward if there’s any leftover rice.

You know, our Cao Family isn’t just any ordinary home. Leftovers and such are thrown into the swill bucket or fed to stray dogs outside. It’s nothing worth mentioning."

"Dear in-law, why not take your wife out to eat? It’s not expensive to eat in town, just a few pennies, and you can have a decent meal to your heart’s content."

Old Mrs. Cao just doesn’t like how Mu Xianxian’s family always takes advantage of their hospitality.

Last time Mu Dade came, he took several ounces of silver, and even the new shoes from the store were eyed and taken.

The eldest took all the family’s shoes, no matter the size, men or women, not polite at all.

The Old Cao Family didn’t get any benefits but ended up with a stink, which Old Mrs. Cao wanted to mention, but her husband often told her to shut up.

He said being in-laws and tearing each other’s face wasn’t good, and if she spoke too much, she’d be scolded by the old man.

Now that the old man isn’t here, and there’s no one in Old Cao’s house to speak fairly, Old Mrs. Cao would bully Mr. Mu however she pleased.

Mr. Mu’s face flushed, and he didn’t want to tell Old Mrs. Cao that he came to eat to save money.

If it weren’t for saving that silver, he wouldn’t have bothered coming with Old Mrs. Mu.

A night at the inn costs six pennies, and going out to eat costs ten pennies. He might as well have stayed at the inn with his wife from the start, borrowing their water to fill their stomachs.

This way, he could save four pennies.

"Oh dear in-law, could you be out of money? It can’t be. When Da De went for the exams, Xianxian lent you fifty taels, which were later forgiven. When Da De came back, Xianxian gave you more money. How come Da De didn’t give you any?

I heard successful scholars get some help from the court with money and rice. Didn’t you know?"

Every word from Old Mrs. Cao was meant to embarrass Mr. Mu, and she spoke directly without restraint.

Mu Xianxian couldn’t stand listening anymore.

She said, "Mother, my parents have always lived frugally. Besides, their hard work is for my brother.

Now that my brother has passed the exam, the old habits haven’t changed yet. Let me talk to them, and they’ll understand."

Mu Xianxian intentionally redirected Old Mrs. Cao’s attention to Mu Dade, as after all, Mu Dade is a scholar.

But a scholar, at present, didn’t matter to Old Mrs. Cao.

Yesterday, the parents of Liu Zian from Liu Family Village sent someone over, saying they’re willing to marry their granddaughter Miao Miao. This matter hasn’t been told to Mu Xianxian yet.

No need to say, since in Old Mrs. Cao’s eyes, Mu Xianxian only knows how to support her natal family.

"Xianxian, stop excusing your father. I know your Old Mu Family always liked to take advantage. When you married my son, you asked for this and that, even took two golden hairpins.

Now, your parents come to sponge off food for a little bit of meal money. I originally didn’t want to mention it.

But we Cao Family have never treated you unfairly, so don’t keep siding with your natal family, don’t send everything to your Old Mu Family.

Your brother might become a high official, but no matter how high, there’s nothing for you to gain. You are the daughter-in-law of our Old Cao Family, not the Mu Family, understand?"

It’s only right for a mother-in-law to teach her daughter-in-law, and even someone like Mu Xianxian didn’t dare to refute.

Deep down, Mu Xianxian cursed Mr. Mu and Old Mrs. Mu, because they made her lose face.

But she also cursed Old Mrs. Cao because the old lady never gave her a good look.

"Xianxian, I’m going back. You... don’t argue with your mother-in-law, listen to her, and take care of the house more, you’ve got a child now."

Finishing these words, Mr. Mu’s face was burning hot.

He rushed out to Old Mrs. Mu.

Old Mrs. Mu was still waiting for Mr. Mu’s sweet potatoes, seeing him come empty-handed.

She asked in surprise, "What’s going on? Didn’t you say you’d get some food?"

"Forget it, let’s go. We won’t be eating here at the Cao Family... I’ll take you out to eat." Mr. Mu said.

"Old man, what nonsense are you talking about? Didn’t you say to save up the money to treat Xiangxiang? The child’s illness isn’t minor, it’ll probably cost a lot." Old Mrs. Mu said.

"But... but..." Mr. Mu stammered.

"What’s with the ’but?’ You’re a grown man, why are you stammering like a woman? What’s wrong? Did someone scold you or hit you?" Old Mrs. Mu asked.

Mr. Mu made up his mind and told Old Mrs. Mu the matter about finding Mu Xianxian.

"Well, this old hag dares to disdain us? We are the parents of a scholar, why should we fear this old lady?"

After saying this, Old Mrs. Mu walked towards Old Mrs. Cao’s room. She kicked the door open and shouted, "Old hag, what shameless things did you say to my old man just now?"

Old Mrs. Cao was used to being strong, never suffered a loss.

Mu Xianxian didn’t like her but didn’t dare to make a fuss in front of her, what’s this old lady’s problem?

"What did I say? I said if you have any self-respect, stop taking advantage of our Old Cao Family." Old Mrs. Cao snorted coldly.

"Your Old Cao Family, I spit on it!" Old Mrs. Mu spat on Old Mrs. Cao’s face.

Old Mrs. Cao stepped back in disgust.

"I’m telling you, we eat from Xianxian, use from Xianxian. She’s from me, so she should support me. You have no right to intervene!"

"You’re talking nonsense. Get out of here, this is our Old Cao Family." Old Mrs. Cao scolded while wiping the spit off her face, almost fainting from disgust.