"Sister-in-law, if you think Wencong gaining an education is taking advantage of you, just say it," Zhang Xiaoying watched the person speaking on their knees by the bedside, her head buzzing.
In the last days, she was a single mother, who had overextended her superpower and met her demise, only to find herself in a dynasty called Daliang, transmigrated into a 38-year-old peasant woman with the same name as hers, delighted to be a grandmother!
Actually, being a grandmother wasn't too bad; after all, the original owner's husband had died early. In the ancient times where filial piety reigned supreme, she had the final say in the household, but why did she have to be an odd old woman whom the entire village avoided?
Valuing boys over girls, abusing daughters-in-law and granddaughters, every time there was a stir in the village, it was related to the original owner, a gossipmonger who caused trouble, truly a most vexing character from the novels!
As for the children she raised, Zhang Xiaoying didn't even know what to say.
Xu Wencong was the second son, Xu Changsheng's and Lin's son, and also the only male grandchild of the original owner, while the eldest son, Xu Qinglin, only had two daughters and was forced to work like an ox for the family.
Xu Changsheng hypocritically said, "Erniu is already four years old, and sister-in-law finally got pregnant with much difficulty. The doctor also said it's a boy, so it might as well let Wencong return from school to use the scholarship to see the doctor for sister-in-law, so that Wencong doesn't get blamed for being heartless and ignoring the life and death of his siblings."
Lin opposed him, glaring and saying, "The master said Congcong is material for studying; he could pass the child imperial exams this year. How can we give up Congcong's future for a piece of flesh whose sex we don't even know? Big brother and sister-in-law are young; if this one is not kept, they can have another later. The scholarship must absolutely not be touched!"
Xu Changsheng sighed, "All these years, Wencong's schooling has been financed by the public treasury, and it's normal for my big brother and sister-in-law to hold resentments and not understand that Congcong is studying for the Xu Family. Let's not dream of going to court to become officials and glorifying our ancestors, and just honestly work the land!"
Zhang Xiaoying: "..."
Don't think she couldn't hear Xu Changsheng's implication of taking a step back to advance further, every line was planning for Xu Qinglin, every word was accusing Xu Qinglin and his wife of being unreasonable and ruining the chances of changing the Xu Family's status.
It was today that the original owner forced Liang, who was six months pregnant, to go up the mountain to collect firewood, which led to Liang's fall that caused trouble with her pregnancy. The original owner even refused to provide money for a doctor, and after being instigated by a few remarks from others, hit Liang and accidentally killed herself!
Zhang Xiaoying really wanted to slap Xu Changsheng twice; he did nothing on regular days, and the money for the Xu Family all came from the hard work of Xu Qinglin and his wife. Yet, there he was, acting entitled!
In the last days, Zhang Xiaoying's superpower was healing and space-moving, and she had deep research in medicine, ranking first as a military doctor at the base.
Liang's condition seemed to be under control for now, temporarily okay, and would not result in a miscarriage or anything. Specific details would only be known after a clear diagnosis.
Zhang Xiaoying was about to shoo people out for a detailed examination of Liang, but Xu Changsheng started bouncing on the edge where Zhang Xiaoying was about to strike him, "Mother, don't be angry, it's all big brother and sister-in-law's fault, I won't say anything about preventing Wencong from going to school again."
Zhang Xiaoying took a deep breath; although she was only 22 years old when she died, the same age as Xu Qinglin, she knew human nature too well, and could see through what Xu Changsheng and his wife were thinking at a glance.
"Mother, Congcong's scholarship can't be touched. Once he becomes successful later, wouldn't it still shed a good light on our Xu Family? Why destroy our family's future for an unborn child that may cost us money?" Xu Yunfei said lazily.
The fifteen-year-old, spoiled to be lawless, idle, would often bully Xu Qinglin's two daughters, treating them like maids.
Zhang Xiaoying looked at Xu Changsheng and Xu Yunfei, suppressing the urge to beat them up.
The greatest wish of the original owner was to see her children and grandchildren become officials to glorify the ancestors. Now, Zhang Xiaoying's abilities and strength had not yet recovered, and her understanding of this world was limited to what the original owner had seen. She would stay in the Xu Family for now; other matters would be dealt with later.
If I can correct the temperament of this family, I will; if I can't, then it'll have to be done with a stick.
Idle as I am, I might as well repay the original owner by ensuring her descendants make something of themselves.
After all, compared to the apocalypse, I quite enjoy this lively and vibrant retirement life full of chickens flying and dogs jumping.
"What's all this noise about? Shut up, all of you out, except for the eldest son's wife," Zhang Xiaoying barked in the original owner's tone, and the room immediately fell silent.
Xu Qinglin knocked his head on the floor, begging, "Mother, please let me summon a doctor. Gui Niang carries your grandchild in her womb, mother. I will work hard to repay the money to the public fund. Please save Gui Niang and the child. I'll do anything you ask..."
"What, my words don't carry weight anymore? Get out!" How else could she examine Madam Liang's condition? Her superpower hadn't recovered, but she still retained the medical skills she had learned.
Zhang Xiaoying was quite glad she hadn't abandoned traditional medicine when everyone else did, for in this era, where would she find the equipment to save people using Western medical methods?
"Mother, please, I'm begging you, let us get a doctor for Gui Niang. Can you consider it a loan to me?" Xu Qinglin pleaded desperately.
"Am I not in charge here? Changsheng, Yunfei, drag him out," Zhang Xiaoying commanded the two, "Don't make me more irritated the more I look at you."
Xu Qinglin was dragged out by Xu Changsheng and Xu Yunfei.
Madam Liang, caressing her belly, closed her eyes in despair.
Zhang Xiaoying: "..."
With Xu Qinglin's temperament so tightly controlled by the original owner, it was strange if he didn't suffer.
The room was soon left with only Zhang Xiaoying and Madam Liang.
A moment later, Madam Liang got up, holding her stomach and walked to the bedside, timidly said, "Mother..."
Without a word, Zhang Xiaoying grabbed her wrist, and Madam Liang's pulse caused Zhang Xiaoying's brow to furrow slightly.
Why so much hatred and harshness? We are all women; why should one suffer and wear scant clothing? The original owner had a daughter too; how could her heart be so hard?
The fetus didn't have any major problems, but Madam Liang was too weak. If this continued, the child really couldn't be saved.
"Enough with the crying all day long. Isn't it vexing? If you cry yourself to death, who will look after your children? Are you counting on me to find another wife for your husband who will abuse your children?" Zhang Xiaoying pretended to be irritated.
If she suddenly showed great concern for Madam Liang, she might frighten her into having a miscarriage on the spot. It was better to play the role of the wicked mother-in-law for a while.
"I see you are not in serious trouble, so don't pretend in front of me. Considering you bore the second daughter for so many years before giving the eldest a son, I'll let today's incident pass. Roll back to your room and lie down. If you wander around and something happens, don't blame me for speaking harshly!"
Upon hearing this, Madam Liang's face was filled with disbelief.