Chapter 427: The Peasant Girl’s Splendid Manor
**Chapter 427: Conflict (3)**
"Tie Tou, I have the strength, I can handle it myself. You don't need to help," Tie Tou, although simple-minded, was not foolish. He knew very well what kind of person his grandmother Hong shi was. No matter what, he was determined not to let her get her hands on the things he was carrying.
After several failed attempts to grab the items, Hong shi grew angry, her face darkening. "What, are you deliberately not giving it to me? Don't forget, I am your grandmother. Disobeying me is being unfilial! Give me those things right now!"
"Grandma, it's not, it's not like that..." Tie Tou, unwilling to let go but unable to explain his filial piety, began to sweat profusely from anxiety.
"Hmph, do you still recognize me as your grandmother? Then give those things to me!" Hong shi smirked triumphantly. She was confident she could handle this simple-minded grandson.
"Alright, alright..."
Seeing the neighbors starting to watch and whisper among themselves, Tie Tou had no choice but to bring out the cured meat and snacks from behind him, preparing to hand them over to Hongshi's outstretched hand.
At that moment, a gentle voice called out, "Tie Tou, what are you doing? Why aren't you coming inside?"
Wu shi hurried over, seemingly not noticing her mother-in-law’s extended hand, and took the cured meat and snacks from Tie Tou. She lightly patted his shoulder, chiding him playfully, "Come on, let’s go inside. Dinner is ready and waiting for you!"
After that, she finally seemed to notice Hong shi. Ignoring her sour expression, she went over and supported her, saying, "Mother, did you come to fetch Tie Tou? Look at you, at your age, what if you fell?"
Realizing what was happening, Hong shi angrily pushed Wu shi away, pointing at her nose and scolding, "You unfilial thing, stop pretending in front of me. I’m not falling for it."
Seeing his mother about to fall, Tie Tou rushed to support her, glaring at Hong shi angrily. He wanted to say something but feared being accused of disrespect, so he kept his mouth shut.
Despite the harsh scolding, Wu shi remained calm and softly persuaded, "Mother, it’s my fault. Don’t be angry. It’s freezing outside. Let’s go inside, or the food will get cold."
Then she gently told her son, "Tie Tou, help your grandmother. There are many stones on the ground; don’t let her fall."
Being an obedient child, Tie Tou quickly moved to support Hong shi's arm. Seeing her struggle to pull away, he tightened his grip, saying, "Grandma, let me help you home."
Furious, Hong shi cursed the entire way back, her voice echoing until they reached home.
Hearing the commotion, neighbors sighed and shook their heads. Only a gentle and filial daughter-in-law like Wu shi could tolerate such an ill-tempered mother-in-law.
Niu shi's eyes gleamed as she eyed the cured meat and snacks in Wu shi’s hands, preparing to shamelessly ask for them. However, Wu shi opened one of the snack packages, distributing some to everyone in the household. She then split the cured meat with a knife, hanging the larger piece on the beam and taking the smaller piece and remaining snacks to her room.
Hong shi’s face darkened even more at the sight, just as she was about to scold, old Mo sternly intervened: "That was given to Tie Tou by the other family. It’s only fair for the eldest family to have their share. You haven’t been deprived, so keep quiet!"
Fearing old Mo, Hong Shi swallowed her dissatisfaction, glaring at the door as if she could retrieve the items by sheer will.
Unwilling to give up, Niu shi sarcastically remarked, "Oh sister-in-law, we haven't separated yet, and you're already disregarding the rest of us. Holding onto the money your son earns is one thing, but cured meat and snacks should be shared."
Wu shi calmly responded, lifting the bowl of coarse rice porridge from the table: "Sister-in-law, we’re practically separated, sharing only the roof. As for the money, my son earned it through hard work, and I have the right to manage it. The same goes for the cured meat and snacks, they have nothing to do with you."
Silenced, Niu shi attempted to retort but was stopped by Mo Yonglu, who pulled her aside.
Wushi sipped her porridge with pickled vegetables, observing her disgruntled mother-in-law and sister-in-law with a slight smirk. Had she not anticipated her son's return and waited at the door, the cured meat and snacks would have been lost to them.
However, this situation was untenable. Though she managed their money, the cramped living conditions made her anxious. Soon, Tie Tou and Da Ni would need to marry, requiring even more money. This worried her greatly.
After the New Year, she planned to visit her cousin's house to seek advice from Yan. The girl was clever and resourceful and might provide a solution. This thought solidified when Tie Tou handed her his seven hundred wen wage and a one-tael silver bonus before bed...
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