CHAPTER 297: CHAPTER 297: BICKERING

When Meng Yao spoke, it was always with a casual tone, as if she wasn’t the one who had made a move, but rather just a spectator.

Madam Li recalled the scene of her getting fiercely beaten by the Meng family that day, and she felt a little anxious but couldn’t show her fear on the surface. If she showed fear, how could she rely on the Zhao Family?

"Mother-in-law, what’s the point of bringing up past matters? Just now, Hu’er was in the wrong. He grew up in the countryside and doesn’t know the rules, and we weren’t good at teaching him. Please don’t mind him. We apologize, we apologize!" Madam Li quickly changed her expression, "Miss, I apologize on behalf of our Hu’er. Please forgive him, after all, aren’t we all family?"

"Who’s family with you? This is the Zhao Mansion, and you’re from the Song family. How does that make us family?" Meng Yao replied.

Madam Li was left speechless.

Song Shizhu rubbed his hands, not knowing what to say.

As for Uncle Xiaofeng, his wife, and their family, they shrank back and dared not speak.

Before coming here, their family was convinced by Xiaofeng’s aunt that once they reached the Capital City, they would be worry-free, enjoying the good life. In a moment of excitement, they disposed of their land and everything at home and followed them here to the Capital without hesitation.

But now it seemed nothing like what Madam Li had told them, as the members of the Zhao family were obviously not easy to deal with.

Contrary to what Madam Li had said, having a scholar in the family meant caring about reputation, and if they risked everything, they could rely on the Zhao Family.

The Meng family might look gentle, but they were ruthless in action.

Song Hu’s screams grew louder and louder.

The cursing from his mouth turned into pleas for mercy.

Only then did Meng Yao slowly relocate Song Hu’s joints back into place.

Song Hu glared at Meng Yao with a fierce look.

"What? It didn’t hurt enough just now? Want to experience it again? Earlier, for the sake of your elder sister, I let you off with minor pain. I don’t mind making you hurt continuously," Meng Yao said lightly.

Song Hu shrank back, meekly lowering his head.

Meng Yao sat down in a chair, speaking slowly, "Tell me, what did you come all the way to the Capital for?"

"It’s just that life wasn’t good at home, so we thought to seek refuge with relatives, right?" Madam Li said with a thick skin, "And also to support you, mother-in-law."

"Support?" Meng Yao raised an eyebrow.

"Mother-in-law, you grew up in the countryside. Even though your status is now noble, you returned halfway, and you’re quite alone. If someone were to bully you, wouldn’t you have no one to help?" Madam Li said, "With us here, at least you’d have your own people, right?"

After Madam Li finished speaking, she was quite pleased with herself, "And, mother-in-law, now that you’ve returned to the Capital, surely you have properties that need managing. Using outsiders, where’s the peace of mind compared to using your own people? With your noble status, it’s not fitting for you to handle these matters personally; that would be beneath you. Hand them over to us, wouldn’t it be just right?"

"Oh, didn’t see that you have such management skills!" Meng Yao mocked.

"If we can’t, we can learn, right? You see, both Shizhu and I are in our prime. Although our Hu’er is a bit wayward, he is very smart. Please rest assured, mother-in-law, we promise to manage the properties well for you."

"Don’t say, I do lack capable people around me," Meng Yao said with deep meaning.

The eyes of the three in the Song family, as well as Uncle Xiaofeng and his wife’s family, lit up simultaneously.

Doesn’t this imply that they can stay?

Initially, they thought it would take some effort.

Now it seemed, just a few words and Meng was swayed.

It appears her situation in the Capital isn’t great.

"Capable, we definitely are," Madam Li quickly responded.

"Us too, us too," Xiaofeng’s aunt hurriedly echoed.

"Whether you’re capable or not, it’s not up to you to say," Meng Yao remarked, "Even hiring a few servants for this mansion requires careful selection. I’m finding people to manage my properties, and have to be cautious. You have to show me where you can be useful, right?"

"Mother-in-law, tell us, what should we do to prove ourselves?" Madam Li hurriedly asked.

"You’ve just arrived, no rush, no rush. Rest first, after you’ve rested enough, we’ll talk about it. I’m not an unreasonable person; you’ve traveled a long way and must be very tired. Could I not let you rest?" Meng Yao said, "As for managing the properties, we’ll talk about it later."

Song Shizhu was about to agree, but Madam Li glared at him, and he swallowed back his words.

"Mother-in-law, tired, where? We’re not tired. We came with the convoy," Madam Li said, "We must quickly help relieve your worries to have peace of mind."

If they coax the properties from Meng, they’ll have the life of luxury.

"Still not appropriate, not appropriate," Meng Yao frowned, "We’re in-laws by marriage, and you’ve come from afar to seek refuge. How can there be logic in making relatives do work? I think it’s better to hire some people to manage my properties. You can stay here in peace, and when you feel like returning, I’ll arrange for someone to send you back."

Return? When they came, they never planned on returning.

Especially after seeing the splendor of the Capital and the grand houses here.

Who would want to go back to the countryside?

"Mother-in-law, why are you being so polite with us?" Madam Li spoke hastily, "Just tell us, how we should prove ourselves."

"Managing properties isn’t an easy task; the first requirement is being hardworking and enduring," Meng Yao said.

"Mother-in-law, we dare not brag about anything else, but being hardworking and enduring? We’ve got it," Madam Li said proudly, "Just say what you need us to do!"

"Mother-in-law, how about this, I’ll go back and think it over, and once we’ve thought it over, we’ll tell you," Meng Yao pondered.

Aunt Xiaofeng was not to be outdone, "We’re also capable, we’re also capable."

"I’m only just starting to acquire properties, and I don’t need this many people," Meng Yao seemed troubled.

"That won’t do, we all came together. You can’t just favor the Song family," Aunt Xiaofeng was anxious.

"Aunt Xiaofeng, what do you mean by this? You can’t put yourself on the same level as us just because you came with us. We are true in-laws of the Zhao Family, you do not count," Madam Li hurriedly said.

Before coming, they agreed to advance and retreat together.

Now that Meng had spoken, since the benefits were limited, she was not generous enough to share them with Uncle Xiaofeng and his family.

"Aunt Xiaofeng, that’s not what you said before we came!" Aunt Xiaofeng couldn’t help but raise her voice, "You said, our two families would share the blessings. You can’t go back on your word! Yes, you are the legitimate in-laws, but our Xiaofeng is with Dajiang too! Your Xiu’er is still counting on our Xiaofeng to give birth to children for Dajiang! Based on that, we’re actually closer to the Zhao Family!"

"Having children isn’t something only your Xiaofeng can do! My son-in-law is a princely heir now; as long as he’s willing, how can he be short of people to have children with?" Madam Li retorted quickly.

Madam Meng watched with interest as Madam Li and Aunt Xiaofeng quarreled.