After the whole family was swept away, I lay down flat

Chapter 519 Zhilan
Zhou Shigong's anger could not last.

The concierge came to report that his daughter Zhou Zhilan and her son-in-law had returned for the funeral.

Today is only the second day after the funeral. Zhou Zhilan and his wife came from Huashanwei. They should not have arrived so early, but Zhou Shigong knew that his wife Zhou Ma had written to his daughter a few days earlier to inform her that her family was safe and that Mr. Ma was safe. News that a person is about to "die" of illness. It is not surprising that the daughter and son-in-law set off early.

Although the daughter and son-in-law were also close relatives, the son-in-law was a rookie in the army that his late father had favored during his lifetime. Zhou Shigong did not want to embarrass himself in front of him, so he had to temporarily let go of his grandson Zhou Lianghou and ordered him to return to the east courtyard. He was also grounded until he could free up his hands. , it’s never too late to teach someone a lesson.

When Zhou Ma heard that her daughter and son-in-law were back, she no longer cared about her husband and step-grandson, and left in a hurry without saying a word. Ma hesitated for a moment, then said hello to her husband Hai Xiya, and pulled her granddaughter to follow.

Mrs. Ma was still worried about the cold attitude of Zhou Zhilan and his wife when the third bedroom of the Zhou family had an accident. She was afraid that they would say something wrong that would make her eldest sister Ms. Zhou sad, so she wanted to follow her and watch. If anything happened, she could do it. Make things right.

Almost all the people outside the study were gone. Among the remaining people, the old military advisor didn't want to stay any longer. Although Zhou Shigong no longer tried to be the one who was wrong and finally made up his mind to change the successor selection of Sanfang, there were still many criticisms in his actions. The old military advisor felt pity that he had just suffered a blow, and now he had to observe filial piety at home. He didn't want to say anything more, so he planned to go directly to talk to Zhenguo Gong. If Zhou Shigong is confused again in the future, let Zhen Guogong, the eldest cousin, give him some advice. He was just the old man's old team when he was alive, and he still changed the coach early. He was just an outsider, so there was no need to interfere with the Zhou family's housework.

So apart from the attendants who were already stationed here, Zhou Shigong was the only one left inside and outside the study. He looked at the deserted appearance around him and felt sad. However, his son-in-law was coming soon, and he couldn't let his son-in-law see the decline of the third house of the Zhou family. He had no time to be sad. He had to cheer up and welcome his son-in-law's arrival.

Zhou Zhilan and his wife said a few words to Zhou Ma in the front yard, then went to the mourning hall to offer incense, and then went to the study to pay their respects to their father Zhou Shigong. Zhou Shigong casually asked his daughter about his grandson, and then sent her to meet his wife in the main courtyard, leaving his son-in-law alone to talk.

Haitang and her grandmother Ma didn't wait long in the upper room of the main courtyard before they met Zhou Zhilan who came to see her mother.

Zhou Zhilan is actually only in her thirties, but her life is not very good. There are obvious signs of aging on her face, and the skin on her hands is obviously rough. She looks like she is in her forties. She was dressed very simply, not only because she came to attend a funeral, but even the plain clothes she wore were obviously very old and turned white after washing. Even if they were made of good materials, they still gave off a sense of poverty.

Zhou Ma could recognize it at a glance: "This is the plain clothes that the old man made for you when he passed away, right? Wasn't it already packed in the bottom of the box? Why did it come out again just now?"

Zhou Zhilan had a flattering smile on her face: "Whose family always makes new plain clothes? I just have a set of these and use them. My daughter has not gained weight in these years, she still has the same waist as before, and she still fits well in old clothes. very."

Zhou Ma sighed: "How many years have you been wearing these clothes? In the past, when several old men and women in the clan passed away, you would wear them to go to funerals. No matter how good the clothes are, they will not be bright even if they are washed every year. Wow, it makes people laugh. This kind of clothes does not need to be made of high-quality materials, nor does it need to be embroidered with flowers. Even if you just find a piece of fine cloth to make a new one, no one will laugh at it. Why do you have to wear it? Those who know know that you are frugal, but those who don’t know think that the daughter of the third wife of the Zhou family is being treated poorly by her husband! "

Zhou Zhilan quickly sat up straight: "Mom, please don't worry too much. Your son-in-law has never treated your daughter poorly. It's just that her daughter came in a hurry. She didn't bother to make new clothes for a while, so she thought of digging out old clothes to deal with it." After all, she is just the old lady of the West Courtyard. She has no kindness to her daughter, so why should her daughter spend money on her..." This is actually not the main reason. The main reason is to cry out for poverty and to ask for money and things from her parents' family to support her husband's family. .

Although Mrs. Zhou Ma loves her daughter very much, this is not the first time this has happened, and she knows it well.

When my daughter returned to Chang'an last year to pay her respects to an elder in her clan, she wore a newly made indigo blue Luo Yi. Not only was it more respectable than this one, it was also more suitable for the hot summer. There was no need to dig out old clothes from more than ten years ago. ? Besides, the son-in-law is from the fifth rank after all. Even if the family has a large population and no matter how difficult life is, the wife will not be unable to afford decent clothes. In that case, someone from Huashan Guard should have spread the news back to the Zhou family.

There are also children in the Zhou family who work as errands in Huashan. Although they are not close to Sanfang, the clan members still look after each other. He never said that Zhou Zhilan's husband's family was so poor, which meant that she came back wearing this old clothes on purpose.

Zhou Ma sighed. She actually knew that her son-in-law's family was not well-off, mainly because there were too many people, and he was the only one of the younger generation to stand out, so not only did he have to support his grandparents, parents, brothers and sisters, but even his uncles and aunts were eager to support him, expecting him to support him alone. . But he was not someone who would line his own pockets. He only relied on his salary and the income from his wife's marriage to support so many people who were not engaged in production. How could he live a good life?

However, he gained a good reputation and was praised by his superiors and colleagues. Although his family members are lazy, they are quite honest and will not cause trouble for him outside. They are also polite to Zhou Zhilan. Therefore, Mrs. Zhou Ma could still tolerate a little and turned a blind eye to her daughter returning to her parents' home to play in the autumn wind.

Everything that needs to be said has been said, and everything that needs to be persuaded has been advised. Zhou Ma no longer discusses her son-in-law's family problems with her daughter. She only said: "Well, I made a few sets of clothes this year. There are two colors. They don't look good. You can try them later. If they fit you, take them back. They are not plain clothes, but they can be worn when observing filial piety. They can be worn when going out at home on weekdays." You can wear it too. I'll give you some plain fabrics and ask someone to make them slowly. You can wear new clothes when you go out in autumn and winter. If you get some good things, I'll give them to your mother-in-law and sister-in-law. You are the mistress of the family, and you are the one who wants to go out and meet people. How can people look at you when you are dressed shabby? Why don’t you laugh at him because he can’t even support his wife and children? You still have to show some respect.”

When Zhou Zhilan heard that she would not go back empty-handed, she naturally just followed her mother's words and responded obediently: "Mom is right, my daughter knows." She then added, "It doesn't matter if it doesn't fit. My daughter can change it herself later." ”

Mrs. Zhou Ma waved her hands in a moodless manner and said: "Your two sons are almost the same age. It's not a problem for them to continue to stay with you in Huashanwei. You can send them back later and they can go to school in Chang'an. They can still do it." Keep company with Jin Lin's two sons. If you stay in Weixue for a few years, it will be easy to fill the gap. Otherwise, if you stay outside, any good news will be late by the time it reaches your ears. "

Zhou Zhilan was overjoyed and quickly agreed, then smiled and said: "My mother said that my brother's transfer back to Chang'an has been approved? When my daughter came in, she heard someone talking, saying that Jinpu has been in several big troubles in the past two years. , Dad just scolded him, and it is obvious that he is falling out of favor. This is a great opportunity for the younger brother. As long as the father is willing to hand over the family business to the younger brother, there will really be no one left in the family! I dare you to show your face! This is a great event!"

After hearing what her daughter said, Mrs. Zhou couldn't help but look happy: "Just know it in your heart, don't show it outside, so as not to make your father unhappy."

Zhou Zhilan was even more happy when she heard this and said "yes" loudly.

(End of this chapter)