The wicked mother-in-law doesn't try to whitewash herself; she only abuses her awful children.

Jia was humiliated by Old Madam Gu's scolding.

The mother-in-law will favor her sister-in-law and disregard the life or death of her grandson.

Gu Honglian used to enjoy a life of luxury with them in the south, eating and using the second wife's things. Why didn't her mother-in-law appreciate her contributions?

Madam Jia retorted resentfully, "I'm surnamed Jia, and I married into the Gu family too. Since I married into the Gu family, I'm a member of the Gu family. But who knows where my sister-in-law will marry in the future? Mother, as soon as you heard I was going to pawn the satin, you thought I was scheming against my sister-in-law. But you know our family's situation better than I do. We harvested five mu of wheat, and we still have to sell half of it to pay back Gu Daqiang. How are we going to buy oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar? How are Ruinian going to buy writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones? Do you expect me to swallow my pride and borrow from my parents' family? You always tell Ruinian to continue studying hard to make you proud and to curb the arrogance of the eldest son's family, but can you afford to pay for his schooling with just his mouth?"

“Ruinian has run out of writing materials, so he’s been writing on the ground with a brush dipped in water these days. Mother, can you bear to let your grandson study like this from now on? How can he possibly pass the imperial examinations if he continues like this?”

When Jia talked about Gu Ruinian writing with a brush dipped in water, she felt sad and her eyes reddened.

"It's just that my sister is pawning the satin now, not that we're using her to pay the bride price. In our village, which girl her age doesn't demand a large bride price for her brothers' or nephews' engagements?"

Jia's words carried a hidden agenda, revealing her dissatisfaction with Gu Honglian's delay in getting engaged.

She eats and drinks for free every day she stays at home.

In Jia's eyes, Gu Honglian was eating the children of her son and her grandchildren.

If Grandma Gu and Grandpa Gu hadn't stopped her, she would have loved to exchange Gu Honglian for a dowry that very day.

Gu Ruinian stepped into the courtyard and saw Jia Shi and Old Madam Gu arguing. He lowered his head and remained silent.

He felt that Old Mrs. Gu had too limited vision, and that investing in him would definitely be more worthwhile than investing in Gu Honglian.

What good could Gu Honglian, a daughter destined to marry out of the family, possibly bring to the Gu family? Could she possibly earn an imperial title for Old Madam Gu?
My aunt really doesn't care about the family; she won't even part with a single piece of satin.

Grandma Gu angrily said to Madam Jia, "Our family hasn't reached the point of selling our daughters yet, why don't you exchange Xiaoxue for a bride price?"

Madam Jia said, "How can there be a reason for a niece who is younger than her to be engaged before the aunt is even married?"

This wasn't like going back to Qinghewan, where the people proposing marriage were all farmers who couldn't afford a large dowry, so Jia was unwilling to let them have it so easily.

When Grandma Gu suddenly mentioned Xiaoxue, Gu Ruinian couldn't help but look at Gu Xiaoxue sitting in the corner.

Gu Ruinian rarely cared about his younger sister, who was as silent as a shadow.

Looking closely at Xiaoxue, I realized that she was a little beauty with big eyes, a high nose, and fair skin.

However, her beauty was concealed by her timid demeanor and tattered clothes.

If she dressed up properly, this girl would definitely be a hot commodity in the Qinghewan area.

In his past life, the dowry from his three older sisters supported him all the way to graduate school, and the remaining dowry was used to buy a house in the provincial capital before he even graduated.

My sister in this life should also contribute to the family with her dowry.

The difference is that he hadn't had a chance to repay his three older sisters from his previous life before he was transported to this godforsaken place. If he succeeds in this life, he vows to make up for all the regrets his three older sisters had left for Xiaoxue.

The reason he used his sister to exchange for a bride price wasn't because he was selfish, but because girls in this era had no other way out but to get married.

If his sister can help him through marriage, it can't be considered a sacrifice.

Anyway, if he becomes successful in the future, he will be a strong support for his sister's family.

Gu Ruinian stared at Xiaoxue.

They were planning to find Xiaoxue a good match.

The sounds of Jia Shi and Old Madam Gu arguing still echoed in my ears.

“This piece of satin isn’t something my sister is going to pawn for nothing. If Ruinian becomes successful in the future, he can earn more than just a piece of satin; he can earn as much gold and silver as his aunt. Besides, Ruinian will be his aunt’s family’s support in the future. Shouldn’t my sister, as a member of the Gu family, contribute to the prosperity of the Gu family?”

Compared to Old Madam Gu's emotional accusations and scolding, Madam Jia explained the reasons clearly and logically. Gu Honglian, clutching the satin in her arms, glared at her with tears in her eyes; she was absolutely determined not to pawn it.

"father……"

Seeing Grandpa Gu continuing to twist hemp rope, Gu Honglian cried out in grievance.

The courtyard was only so big, so Grandpa Gu naturally heard the argument between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.

He agreed with Jia's idea and pawned the satin for money.

I also felt sorry for my little girl.

After all, the little girl has been pampered since birth.

She's already suffering because her family is broke.

It would be a real shame to pawn a piece of satin, which is so hard to come by.

However, after much thought, he realized that his grandson's future was the most important thing.

Then she raised her head and said, "Honglian, your sister-in-law is right. As a member of the Gu family, you should contribute to the prosperity of the Gu family. Give this satin to your sister-in-law to pawn. Your nephew's studies are the most important thing."

Gu Honglian hugged the satin tightly and refused in a hoarse voice, "No. Why should I?"

Grandma Gu wanted to say something, but under Grandpa Gu's sharp gaze, she swallowed it all back down.

Grandpa Gu said calmly, "Honglian, you're not a child anymore, and our family isn't as well-off as it used to be. As Ruinian's elder, you should think about Ruinian's future. What you're handing over now isn't just a piece of satin, but the foundation of Ruinian's future."

"This satin will only last one season before it gets old and worn out. It's better to use it as money for Ruinian's education. If Ruinian has a bright future, he will be filial to you, his aunt, and you will have many more nice clothes to wear in the future."

Gu Honglian hugged the satin tightly, gritted her teeth, and tears streamed down her face.

Grandpa Gu never interfered with the bickering between her and her sister-in-law, but once he did, there was no room for compromise.

This piece of satin is beyond saving today.

Seeing his youngest daughter so heartbroken, Grandpa Gu felt terrible and avoided looking at Gu Honglian.

Grandpa Gu said, "Honglian, give the satin to your second sister-in-law. There's nothing we can do about it. Don't worry, you don't have to wait until Ruinian becomes successful. I'll buy you new clothes this autumn after we sell the corn."

Gu Honglian threw the satin into Jia Shi's arms and ran out crying.

Mrs. Jia breathed a sigh of relief.

Grandma Gu, with her bound feet, was about to chase after Gu Honglian, but Grandpa Gu hardened his heart and stopped her.

"The reason she's so temperamental is because you spoil her. She's in the village, we can't just abandon her, let her think it over herself."

Are you satisfied now?

Grandma Gu pointed at Jia Shi with gritted teeth and went inside to sit and sulk.

Grandpa Gu said to Gu Ruinian, who was standing beside him, "Ruinian, remember what your aunt did today."

Gu Ruinian scoffed, thinking that a piece of satin was nothing.

He raised his head, pursed his lips, and said to Grandpa Gu with a resolute look in his eyes, "Grandpa, I've upset Auntie today. The prosperity of a family always comes at the cost of some people's interests. Auntie doesn't understand now, but she will in the future. I swear I will pass the imperial examination next year and become a scholar. Once I pass, I will definitely make it up to Auntie."

Grandpa Gu looked at Gu Ruinian with a gratified expression.

This grandson has a conscience. (End of Chapter)