Chapter 187

Pei Meng listened to Zhi Xia's words and recalled the things that had happened over the past few days. She could not hold back her grievances anymore and tears kept streaming down her face.

Ever since getting married, the relationship between her and Zhao Xin had been great. With uncle and auntie setting a good example beside them, Zhao Xin was attentive and caring, if not waiting on her hand and foot.

She was also afraid that their marital bliss would be ruined by the mother-in-law. That was why she endured, thinking that she just needed to grin and bear this difficult period and things would get better.

She also felt that Zhi Xia made a lot of sense.

Recalling the time before their marriage, Zhao's Mother was very kind and cordial to her, treating her better than her own daughter.

But the first time she and Zhao Xin returned home after their marriage, Zhao's Mother started testing her boundaries. Later, she acted as if it was only natural to order Pei Meng around to do chores. She used the excuse that Pei Meng was newly married and didn't know how to run a household. So she wanted to teach her well while Pei Meng was staying with them.

At first, Pei Meng felt something was off but Zhao's Mother sounded reasonable, doing everything for Pei Meng's own good. Pei Meng was indeed unfamiliar with many household tasks before marriage. So she thought she should just learn and endure.

Luckily they didn't stay for long before Pei Meng and Zhao Xin returned to the army. Finally, Pei Meng felt relaxed again in her own home.

Having a child should have been a joyous event. Both her and Zhao Xin were elated. They didn't expect that Zhao's Mother would dislike the child. Whenever Zhao Xin was not home, she wouldn't even come over to take a look.

Seeing Pei Meng cry so badly, Zhi Xia also reflected whether she went overboard. After all, unlike herself, Pei Meng was just 20 years old this year. If not for people commonly marrying early in this period, she would still be a pampered girl in modern times.

Zhi Xia pulled Pei Meng into her arms and comforted her, patting her shoulder, "There, there. Don't cry. You're still in your confinement month. Crying will ruin your eyes."

Pei Meng nodded and sat up straight, bravely wiping away her tears. "Auntie, I understand what I should do now. I won't let others bully me anymore."

"That's the right attitude," Zhi Xia said. "In this life, other than your parents who gave birth to you, no one owes you anything. She's an elder, yes, but that can't be a reason to mistreat and control you. You have to stand up for yourself, then no one will dare bully you."

The room door was suddenly pushed open. Zhao's Mother squeezed herself in with a smile, "Oh, sister-in-law is here. I was wondering where the missing fish from the water tub went. The pot has been used too. It sure has inconvenienced you to help care for Meng Meng while taking care of your two kids. It's my fault that my health can't take this weather here and I got a headache. I was so uncomfortable that I didn't even cook."

"It's no trouble for me at all. But sister, you should have told me earlier if you were unwell. I could have come over earlier to help care for Meng Meng. Confinement month is critical for women. With this cold weather, catching a chill from water or wind could give you chronic headaches like sister in the future. Then the whole family will suffer. Not only will you not be able to care for others, you'll need others to care for you instead." Zhi Xia said with a smile. Her words sounded rather sarcastic to Zhao's Mother.

Seeing Pei Meng's red rimmed eyes, she wondered if the girl had ratted her out.

It was such a small matter, yet Pei Meng made a big fuss out of it.

Zhao's Mother sighed, "Sister-in-law, it is my mistake. I was just feeling a little uncomfortable and wanted to lie in bed to feel better. I didn't expect to oversleep. With two kids at home, how could I inconvenience you like this?"

"It's no inconvenience for me. My two rascals at home are very well-behaved. They nap everyday around this time, giving me a nice break before dinner time." Zhi Xia said, "Sister, please don't stand on ceremony with me next time. Also, the fish in the water tub were caught specially from the river by brother-in-law and Zhao Xin for Meng Meng's confinement meals. Good nutrition is important for nursing mothers after all. Don't feel bad for her just because she's your daughter-in-law. Brother-in-law can catch more after she's done with these. At the minimum, we uncles and aunties have to take better care of her since her parents are not around. Her health cannot suffer during confinement month. Isn't that right, sister?"

Zhao's Mother felt rather awkward from her words. "Sister-in-law is correct. It's not that I begrudge Meng Meng. Having just arrived, my health has not been good. As you can see, I got a headache again today. Don't worry. I treat Meng Meng as my own daughter. I would never mistreat her."

"That's what I thought too, that sister doesn't seem like the evil mother-in-law who bullies her daughter-in-law." Seeing that Zhao's Mother was clearly still concerned about face, Zhi Xia finally felt some relief. It was easier to deal with someone who cared about face compared to shameless people. If the other party totally discarded face, things would get very tricky.

Zhao's Mother was obviously the cowardly bully type. She would lose steam after a few days if Pei Meng stopped indulging her and Zhao Xin was firm.

Luckily the couple had a good relationship. Otherwise, Zhao's Mother wouldn't have dared to only sneakily make trouble when Zhao Xin wasn't looking.

"Sister is unwell and Meng Meng can't do any chores during confinement month. I think it's best if I take care of Meng Meng's three daily meals. I was already doing that before sister came anyway. Sister can just focus on taking care of herself and Zhao Xin. Help wash the baby's diapers when you have time. At least you'll get the title of grandma after the child grows up." Zhi Xia thought to herself that if Zhao's Mother cooked for Pei Meng, she might sneakily sabotage the food and Pei Meng would have no recourse.

When Zhi Xia had two kids, Pei Meng helped care for them a lot too. Moreover, Zhao's Mother was an elder. Helping out now was only right.

If Pei Meng didn't eat Zhao's Mother's cooking during confinement month right under Zhao Xin's nose, Zhao's Mother wouldn't have the face to explain it to Zhao Xin when he came back. After all, the whole point of asking him to come back was to take care of his wife during confinement.

"There's no need for that. My cooking is pretty good too. Meng Meng likes eating it too, doesn't she?" Hearing Zhi Xia's suggestion, Zhao's Mother panicked as expected and quickly looked to Pei Meng. "Meng Meng, hurry and speak. Auntie still has two kids at home. It was one thing when I wasn't here but now that I am, isn't it too much to still trouble her like this?"

She did cook poorly but she told her son that Pei Meng just liked simple, bland food. Pei Meng wasn't one to tattle. Her son was oblivious and wouldn't notice such things anyway.

If Zhi Xia really took over Pei Meng's meals, the change in quality and taste would be an obvious slap to her own face.

Pei Meng hesitated, looking awkwardly at Zhi Xia. To be honest, she definitely preferred eating Zhi Xia's cooking. But Zhi Xia still had two kids to care for so it was indeed inconvenient.

Zhi Xia reassuringly held Pei Meng's hand. "Don't worry. I wouldn't have offered if I couldn't handle it. At worst, I can skip one or two meals. Your mother-in-law is still around too."

Only then did Pei Meng feel relief and nodded. "Then thank you, auntie. When Zhao Xin comes back, I'll tell him to deliver the groceries from home to your place."

She wouldn't get to eat them anyway with Zhao's Mother at home.