The life Ian lead with his mother was as anyone would expect a difficult and rocky life. It was even worse at times with how their first village had driven them out after their first week of staying. One didn't have to be a genius to know an underhanded trick had been pulled under the scene as in the beginning the villagers had treated them warmly only for their characteristic changed after the next three days.
Although his mother had not complained, they both knew it was the second wife who had orchestrated the plan to have his mother unaccepted in anywhere she goes. At the point, to search for money to lead their life was difficult as well. Even as he became the breadwinner of the family, the money they were paid by was scarce. There was many if not most people using their vulnerability to their advantage but there was nothing they could do at the time. Complaining will only lead them to have no work at all.