CHAPTER 42: CHAPTER 42: MRS. XIAO LI’S ANXIETY

"Mom, do you think there’s something wrong with Qiaoqiao?"

Mrs. Xiao Li was truly anxious, watching her elder son develop noticeably slower than Yuan Bao.

Upon hearing her fourth daughter-in-law’s question, Mrs. Zeng chuckled and said, "Oh, you from the fourth family, just ease your mind. Qiaoqiao is doing well; he’s growing stronger now than his brothers did at his age!"

"But why can Jiaojiao walk so steadily while he just learned to stand firm?"

Comparison often brings discomfort.

Clearly, he was born before his sister, yet grows slower than her. Who wouldn’t be worried?

Mrs. Zeng saw Mrs. Xiao Li’s anxiety and patted her on the back of her hand, saying, "People are different."

"Jiaojiao is the Yuan Family’s first daughter, she’s our little treasure, it’s different, you see?"

Mrs. Zeng’s response momentarily left Mrs. Xiao Li unsure of how to reply.

"You, just don’t think too much!"

"If you’re still uneasy, take a look at other kids in the village; how many can compare with Qiaoqiao?"

"You should stop focusing only on our Jiaojiao."

"It’s not the same, you know!"

One has to say, the wisdom and experience of the elders, even if not formally educated, are indeed extraordinary.

Having an elder at home is like possessing a treasure; it’s a wise old saying with much truth.

Mrs. Xiao Li was somewhat comforted by Mrs. Zeng’s words, though she still had lingering doubts.

However, she decided to go out and see for herself.

"Mom, I’m going out for a stroll!"

"Go ahead, go ahead!"

Understanding her daughter-in-law’s uneasiness, Mrs. Zeng supported her decision to go out and look around.

...

Due to its favorable location, Shiqu Village is a relatively large village.

Three to four hundred households are neatly clustered together.

The Yuan Family, being newcomers, wasn’t very familiar with the villagers, except for brief greetings with the closest neighbors.

Hence, even as Mrs. Xiao Li said she’d take a walk, she didn’t go far.

To her, Shiqu Village is still an unfamiliar place. Being a woman, she dared not wander far without a man accompanying her.

Mrs. Xiao Li stepped out of her yard, strolled around the nearby area a couple of times, and then swiftly returned home.

Due to the Daxia dynasty’s policies, even the native Daxia citizens are working hard to cultivate barren lands.

Of course, if the family lacks sufficient labor, and there are enough houses in the field, then this hustle and bustle isn’t joined in.

During her brief outing, Mrs. Xiao Li didn’t see many people. She only saw from a distance a few elderly women at their gates comforting their little ones, unaware of how old those children were.

"Why did you return so quickly?"

Mrs. Zeng was surprised to see Mrs. Xiao Li back so soon.

Mrs. Xiao Li looked at her mother-in-law, smiled sheepishly, and said, "I was a bit scared!"

Due to Mrs. Zeng’s kindness toward her daughters-in-law, Mrs. Xiao Li was more at ease with her than with her own mother at her maiden home, with no difficulty expressing herself.

Mrs. Zeng was initially taken aback, then understood what Mrs. Xiao Li was worrying about.

"Tomorrow, let your husband accompany you for a walk around the village!"

"Alright, okay!"

Mrs. Xiao Li responded with a smile.

Yuan Bao witnessed the entire conversation between his mother and his grandmother, naturally understanding what was going on with his mom.

His mom’s sense of safety was really strong!