The Journey Of The Peasant Mother-in-Law

Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it was already the third lunar month. Even though spring was approaching, the snow in the northern regions had not yet melted, and daytime temperatures remained low. As the month progressed, strong winds became more frequent, and the chilling spring breeze was no exaggeration – taking a stroll outside felt bone-chilling, as if every step ached in your bones.

Even if the fourth lunar month arrives, it won’t bring much warmth. Instead, the earth started to thaw, and during the final stages of the cold, Zhulan felt even more sympathetic towards Zhou Shuren. After nursing his hands back to health with great effort, they were about to face suffering again.

Time flew by, and soon it was the end of the third lunar month. The carriages and convoy heading to Pingzhou were all prepared, and they were set to depart for Pingzhou the next day.

For this trip to Pingzhou, Zhulan was going to take Ming Teng, Yushuang, and Xuehan along. They would stay in Pingzhou for at least a month and a half. Zhulan didn’t want to be alone.

This time, Zhou Shuren didn’t feel that the children were being a distraction.

They were taking one grandchild each from the eldest and second eldest families, maintaining a balanced approach.

After more than a month of instruction from Zhulan, Li Shi could finally read and understand characters. She had recognized words related to food items and even started to grasp calculations. Learning to use her brain and being busy with character recognition every day had reduced her gossipy tendencies.

The day before departure, Zhulan summoned Li Shi and Zhao Shi. Seeing Li Shi’s surprised expression, Zhulan couldn’t wait for her to leave before bursting with joy. Fingering a handkerchief, she anticipated Li Shi’s reaction – tears or something else?

Since learning that her mother-in-law would accompany her father-in-law to Pingzhou, Li Shi had been having sweet dreams every night. Finally, she wouldn’t have to worry about planning three meals a day or learning characters. Life was returning to its pleasant state, and her voice had become sweeter with each passing day. “Mother, did you call us here to explain something?”

Zhao Shi almost wanted to cover her eyes; her dasao was acting foolish again. Couldn’t she see Mother’s beaming smile? It was a signal! Every time Mother tricked someone, she was all smiles!

Zhulan inwardly sneered; Li Shi was holding her tail too high. “Indeed, there are a few matters to address. Li Shi, I’ll be gone for more than a month. Don’t let the menu writing stop, and don’t cut corners. Write it daily and hand it over to your dìmèi. I’ll check when I return.”

Li Shi felt like she’d been struck by lightning. She had the sense that her mother-in-law was doing this on purpose. She hadn’t been told to write the menus for the past few days, and she thought that once her mother-in-law left, she wouldn’t have to write them anymore. She had been secretly happy, but now, on the eve of departure, her mother-in-law delivered a blow. “Mother.”

You’re going to lose a good daughter-in-law like this!

Zhulan handed a purse to Zhao Shi. “Your sǎozi will manage the food supplies for over a month. Here are two taels of silver. It’s for the daily expenses of buying meat, eggs, and other necessities while I’m away. I know you’re clever and can read as well. After marrying into this family, you haven’t stopped learning characters, and even learned from the second son. Keep track of all the expenses, and I’ll review them when I return.”

Zhao Shi gestured with her fingers; she had never said that she could read characters. When did her mother-in-law find out? Also, knowing that she learned characters secretly with the head of the household, she didn’t expect her mother-in-law to know as well. She increasingly felt that her mother-in-law was unfathomable, so she respectfully took the purse, keeping her head lowered. “Mother, I will keep the accounts clear.”

Zhu Lan nodded. She knew that Zhao Shi learning to read characters was by chance. Zhao Shi held Ming Rui whenever Zhou Shuren wasn’t around, and sometimes when Zhulan wrote, Zhao Shi would sneak glances. After this happened several times, Zhulan noticed traces of ink on Zhao Shi’s fingers. Through casual conversation with Yushuang, she confirmed it.

Seeing that her mother-in-law didn’t seem displeased, Zhao Shi was overjoyed. She had only learned a few characters with her mother and only recognized a few. It was a pity her mother’s knowledge was limited as well. After marrying into the family, the head of the household found out and secretly taught her. Over the years, this hadn’t ceased. Her mother-in-law hadn’t been angry at her for wasting ink and brushes. She increasingly regarded her mother-in-law as her own mother.

Zhulan didn’t mention any reproach, and she was supportive. A daughter-in-law who could read was more likely to understand etiquette and could set a good example for the next generation. The notion that women were virtuous without skills was utter nonsense. Which daughters of noble families or officials didn’t know how to read? Some women from official households read more books than young men. If you couldn’t recognize a single character, and you were ignorant of propriety and rules, that wouldn’t lead to good marriage connections. Instead, it would result in raising a daughter who’d take revenge on her in-laws by squandering their resources!