Chapter 4, Pride and Indulgence

Wei Heng said: "I just feel that I haven't eaten enough, haven't played enough, and haven't even talked enough. I still have so much to say to Mother." Wei Heng moved closer to He and hugged her neck, acting coy.

After He gave birth to two sons, the family line was ensured, and she hoped to have a beloved daughter, a little cotton-padded jacket. Not only she, but even the second master Wei Jun also longed for a lovely daughter. When Wei Heng was born, although her body was somewhat weak, she was as adorable as a little pink dumpling, and even the old marquis held her tightly, unwilling to let go.

"Alright, didn't Xuan say that she would send you the homework notes every day? If you find anything unclear after reading, just go ask Li's daughter-in-law. That's about all she's good for." He sneered, clearly looking down on Ge. She didn't want to consider that it was her own choice to have this daughter-in-law in the first place, wanting someone who could both maintain the airs of a mother-in-law and behave like a noble lady from a prestigious family; such good fortune is hardly to be found.

After the meal, Wei Heng stayed in He's house to play. Once Ge left, He pointed at Wei Heng's forehead and asked, "You little rascal, how come you fell ill and have caused no end of worry for others?"

"Mother, there are no outsiders here, why can't we talk while eating? It's so uncomfortable to hold it in. Isn't it better for us to chat while we eat?" Wei Heng said, "Besides, when we have meals in Grandmother's room, we can talk too, can't we?"

Wei Heng is a person who has experienced a lifetime, having also been a daughter-in-law. Now, looking at Ge Shi, she finds that there are indeed many admirable qualities in her. She is well-educated and sensible, dutiful to her in-laws, and wholeheartedly devoted to her brother. With this level of dedication, her other shortcomings can hardly be considered significant issues. Those who can gain admission to a women's school, with some guidance, should have no trouble making progress.

"Is it not possible to talk after we finish eating?" He sighed helplessly as he glared at Wei Hang.

Since you are not going to school, you should be able to eat well now, right? Young girl, gaining a bit more weight would make you look better.

Although she was hungry, it was not mealtime. He feared that Wei Heng would eat too many snacks and then not be able to have lunch, so he only allowed her to eat one chrysanthemum dumpling before sending her back to her room to do her homework

"What needs to be done today should be done today, and what needs to be said should be said at that moment." Wei Heng was not intimidated by He. Beside her, Ge couldn't help but smile at these words; her sister-in-law, who was greatly favored, also had a bold spirit

Wei Heng, wanting to take a nap, called for a maid to bring a comb to Mrs. He, saying, "Mother, please tidy my scalp for me."

"Then we shall see when you become a grandmother." He did not retreat in the slightest.

Wei Heng elongated her tone, playfully calling out "Mother," and continued, "Sages are men; they eat quickly and accurately, finishing their meals in just a few bites. It's fine if they don't speak, but if we go through a meal in silence, it would be quite stifling. Moreover, when Father and the others go out for socializing, I don't believe they remain silent while drinking and dining; rather, they engage in 'lively discussions,' right"

"Mother, when will Father return?" Wei Heng asked. Wei Jun is a civil official. A few days after Wei Heng fell ill, the Emperor dispatched him on an official mission to Jiangnan to investigate the disaster relief case.

Wei Heng, seeing He's "surrender," adhered to the principle of "do not pursue a desperate enemy," fearing that He might become enraged out of shame. Thus, she refrained from speaking further and quietly finished a bowl of rice

He asked Wei Heng, "Oh, what do you want to say to me?" He thought to himself that Wei Heng would probably say something like she didn't want to study.

After a while, He said: "I still need to go to school."

"Zhu Zhu." He Shi choked with emotion as she embraced Wei Heng, recalling the days when Wei Heng seemed to breathe out less than she breathed in, feeling a sense of dread.

"Mother, I just miss Daddy," Wei Heng pouted and said in a spoiled manner

He Shi left with a sense of satisfaction, unable to help but curl the corners of her mouth. The little girl was still trying to be clever in front of the adults. In fact, the emotional knots that He Shi had tied over the years could not be easily unraveled. The reason she conceded so readily this time was ultimately due to being intimidated by Wei Heng.

He originally thought that this would intimidate Wei Heng, but unexpectedly, Wei Heng did not back down. "Mother, are the words of the sage always correct? The sage said that only women and petty people are difficult to raise, and he also said that one should not eat meat that is not properly cut." After saying this, Wei Heng picked up a piece of meat, raised her wrist high, held it in front of her eyes, examined it for a moment, and sighed, "This meat is not cut properly, Mother, will you eat it?" At the side, Ge could no longer hold back and let out a 'pfft' laugh, but upon seeing He’s expression, she quickly restrained her laughter.

Wei Heng said: "Mother is deceiving me, how can this be my dowry? Naturally, Mother has also prepared some for my brothers. You can just consider this as letting my sister-in-law practice with two rooms for now. Third brother will definitely follow Father in taking the imperial examination, and he won't manage these household affairs either. In the future, won't everything have to be entrusted to my sister-in-law? Her family background is weak, and she has never managed a shop. Rather than letting her flounder later, it would be better for Mother to teach her now."

"Little sycophant." Although this was said, He was actually very pleased to hear it, and in his heart, he simply adored Wei Heng endlessly

After such a series of struggles, He could no longer hold onto his stubborn nature and had to compromise. Of course, He would never allow Wei Hang to act on her whims.

He Shi was so infuriated by Wei Heng that he fell backward, "Wei Heng!" He didn't even call out the beads anymore

Wei Heng was taken aback for a moment, as she had momentarily forgotten about this matter. This was the one thing she found most annoying. Originally, there was not much time for everyone to talk together, especially when she was at school. Even during meals, they were not allowed to speak, and everything had to be kept bottled up inside. How uncomfortable that was.

"What do you know, little girl? There is no reason for a mother-in-law to give a shop to her daughter-in-law. I have been lenient in setting rules for her. Who in the entire capital does not say she is fortunate to be my daughter-in-law? Moreover, the words of the sage are not wrong: 'Only women and petty people are difficult to raise; if close, they are disrespectful, if distant, they resent.' If I treat her too well, how can I, as a mother-in-law, maintain my authority in the future?" said He.

He Shi put down his chopsticks with a "pa" sound, looking at Wei Hang without saying a word

Wei Heng was about to speak again when he heard He say: "If you speak again, tomorrow I will send you to school to properly learn the words of the sages"

"Full of mischief, I don't know who they learned it from." He Shi scratched Wei Heng's nose and said, "Alright, five essays in large characters, one in small characters, one poem, and one passage from the Analects, and it cannot be any less than that"

In the past, Wei Huan, like the He family, felt that the Ge family was somewhat petty. However, she now understands that without money in hand, even if one were to change to a noble family daughter, one would still not be able to be generous.

In fact, Wei Heng also advised Ge to sit down and have a meal, but Ge refused no matter what. This woman values her background and reputation; she cannot claim the former, but the latter is fundamental to Ge's standing. Even when socializing outside, having a reputation for filial piety allows her to hold her head a little higher. For a woman, before marriage, talent is emphasized, but after marriage, virtue is what truly matters.

Wei Heng, in a resentful tone, lamented: "Who can walk by the gates of hell and remain unchanged?"

He did not respond to Wei Heng, but shot her a glare and said: "One should not speak while eating or talk while sleeping"

After returning home, Wei Heng obediently practiced her calligraphy. Unfortunately, having written for over thirty years in her previous life, her style had long been established, and it was merely passable. While it was insufficient compared to the best, it certainly surpassed the worst. However, she still had to conceal her shortcomings, as a nine-year-old child lacked the wrist strength to produce the kind of characters she had written in her past life

"Oh dear, I am already feeling hungry." Wei Heng mischievously rubbed her belly

Wei Heng weighed in her heart whether to adopt the principle of "no eating while speaking" from now on or to confront the He family. After some thought, she realized that there would be many more opportunities to confront the He family in the future, so she decided to consider today as a practice session.

Wei Heng, with her petite demeanor, instantly amused He Shi. She said, "Oh, then tell me, what are your thoughts on this?"

At noon, Wei Heng went to the He family's house for a meal. Her sister-in-law, Ge, was already attending to Mrs. He. Due to her humble background, she was particularly cautious in her words and actions, fearing gossip. Although Mrs. He had already stated that she did not need her assistance, Ge still dutifully paid her respects and served meals every day without fail. Observing her filial demeanor, one might think that even if she were asked to taste excrement and urine for Mrs. He, she would not furrow her brow.

He was rendered speechless by Wei Heng, who stuffed a piece of meat into her mouth, saying, "Just eat your meal, you have plenty of nonsense to share."

"Mother is wise." Wei Heng said with a smile, flattering her.

He glanced at Wei Heng and said, "You are small in stature but sharp in perception; your judgment is not bad. If it weren't for that, do you think I would allow your brother to marry her?"

I see that my sister-in-law is already quite excellent, having been educated, and she remarkably lacks any sourness or arrogance, and is also very capable in her work. Currently, all the affairs of the second household are managed by the Ge family, and there have never been any mistakes, which shows her caution and shrewdness

Wei Heng raised her head, pouted her lips, and wore a look of being greatly affected, which made He Shi want to laugh at the sight of her

"I understand, Mother," Wei Heng said with a joyful smile. Her face instantly resembled the rising sun, radiant and dazzling, making it impossible for He to not love this charming little girl.

Wei Heng turned and smiled, "Mother is clever, but everything the daughter says is the truth. The daughter does not lack the desire to learn, nor the will to strive; it is simply that her talent is limited. If mother lowers her expectations a little, the daughter will surely not disappoint you."

Such a precious daughter, when she fell ill this time, actually called for preparations for her funeral, which frightened He to the point that her legs went weak. The couple, who had never blushed, had a fierce argument over Wei Heng, blaming her for putting too much pressure on Wei Heng. From then on, it was clear that if Wei Heng did not recover, their marital relationship would also be in jeopardy.

Since Wei Heng married into the Fan family, the rules in their household have become relaxed. Her mother-in-law does not put on airs in front of her, and Fan Xin and she always have endless conversations. Wei Heng has not observed the custom of "no talking while eating" for many years.

Little did Wei Heng know, she said: "Daughter cannot bear to part with her mother, as she has not yet spent enough time with her. Even if you ask me to go to heaven and become an immortal, I will not go."

You cunning little rascal, you are trying to find ways to make me reduce your homework again, the He family scolded

He Shi paused for a moment and said, "Ha, you certainly have a big mouth, giving away two shops with just a few words. These were all prepared as your dowry."

Wei Heng's words are indeed reasonable, but He still cannot change her mind. Firstly, she still does not like Ge, and secondly, what kind of mother-in-law sends her daughter-in-law to a shop

"You little girl who knows how to enjoy yourself, you have even made your mother serve you." He Shi untied Wei Hang's braid and gently combed her scalp.

Decades of habit cannot be changed overnight, Wei Heng held back for a while and then asked, "Will father be able to come back for the New Year?" Although she had experienced it once, the memory was too distant for her to recall; she was simply anxious to see her father, whom she had not seen for decades.

Wei Heng rested her head on He’s leg, squinting her eyes in enjoyment, yet her mouth was still busy, "However, sister-in-law is indeed somewhat lacking in family background. With no money in her hands, she naturally cannot be generous. It would be better to allocate her two shops to manage."

"You still have the audacity to argue, do you?" Mr. He exclaimed angrily

A simple sentence brought tears to He's eyes, truly a warm and caring little cotton-padded jacket. Faced with such a clever and adorable Zhu Zhu, He had to soften his resolve, no matter how stubborn he was.