Su Xiaozhi interrupted. “Sister-in-law, now that Chong and Hua are successful, you don’t have to work so hard. Buy two maidservants to do chores. It’s time to enjoy yourself.”
Su Chong and Su Hua had already been intermediate. They would definitely become officials in the future. Which official’s family did not have a few maidservants?
Su Sanlang and Madam Zhao would definitely be served by maidservants in the future. Only then would they have face.
Su Sanlang frowned and said, “We have hands and feet, and we’re not that old yet. Why should we buy maidservants? We won’t.”
Su Xiaozhi explained, “But in the future, Chong and Hua will become officials. If you don’t have anyone to serve you, you’ll embarrass them.”
Su Sanlang looked at Su Xiaozhi with a cold expression. “Xiaozhi, it’s my family’s business whether we have face or not. It’s not your place to question it.”
Su Sanlang did not give her any face. Su Xiaozhi immediately felt very embarrassed. A sense of grievance welled up in her heart. “Third Brother, I’m doing this for your own good.”
Su Xiaozhi did not understand. She was clearly thinking for Su Sanlang, but he was still angry.
Even Madam Zhao ignored her.
Su Sanlang frowned when he saw Su Xiaozhi like this. “If you’re here to tell me what to do with my life, then don’t blame me for being rude. How we live is our business. It’s not your place to worry. Just live your life well.”
Su Sanlang had made it very clear that Su Xiaozhi had crossed the line. Her words and the tone of her voice made Su Sanlang feel uncomfortable.
Su Sanlang did not want to interact too much with this sister.
There were some things that, once started to be calculative and had a bottom line, it was impossible not to know about any actions that crossed the line. It was just that they were infinitely tolerant.
Su Xiaozhi felt unbalanced, and Su Sanlang did not want to say anything to her.
Su Sanlang’s alienation made Su Xiaozhi feel depressed. Looking at Su Sanlang’s cold face, Su Xiaozhi pursed her lips and said, “Third Brother, I’m sorry. I overstepped. Don’t be angry. I won’t do it again.”
Su Xiaozhi softened her tone, and Su Sanlang’s expression softened. “Well, thank you for coming.”
Su Sanlang didn’t pursue the matter further. Su Xiaozhi heaved a sigh of relief.
Su Sanlang looked at Su Xiaozhi and asked, “How has Auntie been recently? Why didn’t she bring Xiaoshou and Xiaoyang?”
Su Sanlang asked about his daily life. He was actually very concerned about Su Xiaozhi. He would always remember how Su Xiaozhi had helped him back then.
It was just that the world was unpredictable and people’s hearts were fickle.
Su Xiaozhi couldn’t do what he wanted to see, and he couldn’t do what Su Xiaozhi wanted to see, so he walked further and further away.
“She’s in good health. She caught a cold recently, so she didn’t come. Xiaoshou and Xiaoyang are also in good health. If they know that Uncle misses them, they’ll definitely be very happy.”
Su Xiaozhi smiled and said. Her eyes lit up. She looked at Su Sanlang and said, “Third Brother, Xiaoshou often misses his two brothers, Chong and Hua. He always said how good it would be if he could still learn from them.”
After Su Xiaozhi finished speaking, she looked at Su Sanlang expectantly.
It was as if he only needed to say the word.
But Su Sanlang said nothing. His expression was calm and composed. He did not speak.
Su Xiaozhi felt a little awkward. She could feel that Su Sanlang had suddenly become cold and did not want to talk to her anymore. The feeling of alienation was too obvious. Su Xiaozhi did not understand. She had not done anything wrong. Hu Changshou and Hu Changyang were her sons. Wasn’t it normal for her to want to think for them?
If Su Chong and Su Hua were going to be officials in the future, they would definitely need their own people around them. How could others compare to their cousins?
Su Sanlang looked at Su Xiaozhi’s aggrieved and indignant expression and sighed. “Xiaozhi, go back. I don’t want to say the same thing a second time. If you want to say this in the future, then don’t come. If you want to eat, you’re welcome to come anytime.”
Su Sanlang did not feel good at all. Su Chong and Su Hua’s intermediate examination was only the first step in the imperial examination. They still had a long way to go. There would definitely be times when they needed people in the future, but they had the final say in who they wanted to use and who they chose.
Su Sanlang did not want to make this decision for them.
If Su Xiaozhi understood, she wouldn’t have asked these questions because nothing was more important than teaching Hu Changshou and Hu Changyang well.
As long as Hu Changshou and Hu Changyang were reliable and willing, they would stick together at the right time and advance and retreat together.
It was not like Su Xiaozhi had to come and take the seat in advance without confirming anything. She wanted him to say something or make a guarantee.
Su Sanlang’s heart was heavy. When he met Su Xiaozhi’s aggrieved gaze, he knew that she did not understand.
Tears welled up in Su Xiaozhi’s eyes. She choked and said, “Alright, I’ll leave, I’ll leave. I didn’t know how to appreciate kindness and came to disturb you, but what did I do wrong? I just wanted my child to live a better life and wanted my child to marry well, but even so, you refused to help. Back then, Shuangshuang’s marriage was like this, and now it’s like this again… You’re my third brother, and you’re Xiaoshou and Xiaoyang’s biological uncle. Do you want to see them marry a woman who doesn’t know anything?”
“Third Brother, don’t forget that I’m your biological sister.”
Su Xiaozhi wiped her tears and stood up resolutely to leave.
Su Sanlang felt a lump in his throat. He frowned as he watched Su Xiaozhi leave. In the end, he said nothing.
No matter how much he said, Su Xiaozhi wouldn’t listen. As long as he didn’t make a promise and say anything else, Su Xiaozhi didn’t care.
Madam Zhao came in with a teapot and poured a cup of water for Su Sanlang. She said gently, “Have a cup of tea.”
Su Sanlang sighed. “Darling, why don’t you think Xiaozhi understands? If Xiaoshou and Xiaoyang do well, they’ll definitely be trusted when they have the chance in the future. Why is she so anxious now?”
“She even implicated Hu’s family. How can I make the decision for Daniu and Erniu’s marriage? The marriage was made by the heavens, but she insisted on blaming me.”
Su Sanlang felt stifled. He had only sent a message about Chen Daniu and Chen Erniu’s marriage. Most importantly, the Niu family liked them.
He had already explained, but Su Xiaozhi did not care at all. She still firmly believed that he was the one who made the decision, that he had matched such a good marriage to Chen Daniu and Chen Erniu, but he did not think of his niece, Hu Shuangshuang, and insisted on comparing Hu Shuangshuang to Chen Erniu.
Madam Zhao smiled faintly and did not say anything else about this matter. She reached out to smooth Su Sanlang’s heart and said, “Drink some tea to cool down. I’ll go to the kitchen to help Xiaoling.”
When Su Xiaozhi went back, there were a few dishes that didn’t need to be cooked. There was no need to add extra dishes.
After the examination ended, Su Chong, Su Hua, and Zhou Heng did not relax. They devoted themselves to their studies and prepared for the Spring Quarter Examinations after the new year.
Madam Zhao went to the kitchen and said to Su Xiaoling, “Xiaoling, there’s no need to add more food. Your aunt has already gone back.”
