The Wealthy Eldest Sister Rules Supreme

Zhuang Qingning pursed her lips.

Mrs. Wen was getting old, though once physically strong, her children didn’t worry too much. But now, having just been ill, they naturally wanted her close by for comfort.

For Mrs. Wen, who had been used to independence for so many years, suddenly being thrust into a large family was undoubtedly uncomfortable.

Mrs. Wen was well aware of her temperament. She could suppress her sharp tongue and temper for a day or two, but in the long run, she might not be able to control herself.

Mrs. Wen probably feared that if her temper got the best of her, the peaceful old age that Zhuang Yutian and Zhuang Yucheng had planned with their children and grandchildren would turn into a chaotic mess, disturbing their tranquillity.

No wonder Mrs. Wen was hesitant to agree to this arrangement.

“Aunt Wen probably has her reasons for not wanting to go. This matter can’t be rushed. Perhaps my uncles can slowly persuade her,” Zhuang Qingning advised.

Zhuang Qingning added, “If there’s an opportunity, I’ll also speak to Aunt Wen and see if it helps.”

Zhuang Yutian and Zhuang Yuchcng had noticed that Zhuang Qingning, who had been frequently tending to Mrs. Wen, held a significant place in her heart. They acknowledged that it would be great if she were willing to join their persuasion efforts.

“In that case, I must thank you in advance, Miss Qingning,” beamed Zhuang Yutian, rubbing his hands with joy. “Please tell my mother about our filial intentions too.”

“Don’t worry,” Zhuang Qingning reassured them.

Zhuang Qingning first went on to check the tofu business. Zhuang Yutian and Zhuang Yucheng chatted with Mrs. Wen for a while. Seeing that their persuasion had no effect, they decided not to press any further and simply told her that they would visit her another day.

Mrs. Wen, vexed by their persistence, did not ask them to stay. Instead, she told them not to return so often to bother her.

The two brothers left dejectedly, bid Zhuang Qingning goodbye, and asked her to put in a good word for them with Mrs. Wen before hurrying off to their respective homes.

On her end, Zhuang Qingning paid careful attention to every detail at the tofu mill.

Zhuang Mingliang was diligent and everything was in order. Having worked at the tofu mill for quite a while, he had grown skilled at his craft. From Zhuang Qingning’s perspective, he had even surpassed her in proficiency.

Zhuang Qingning was quite satisfied. Making use of the moment when the tofu was not yet ready and Zhuang Sifu was yet to arrive to transport it, she went to check on Mrs. Wen.

Mrs. Wen was in her house, mending a tear in her clothes with a needle and thread.

The blazing sun outside rendered the courtyard dazzling, while the diffused light indoors was soft and enabled her to see clearly. Yet, Mrs. Wen’s aging eyes had trouble threading the needle.

“Why don’t you leave this work for us and take it easy, Aunt Wen? It’s quite troublesome,” said Zhuang Qingning, as she took the needle and thread from Mrs. Wen and swiftly threaded the needle.

“And you think your sewing is any good?” Mrs. Wen gave her a sidelong glance, and took back the now-threaded needle. “Don’t think I don’t know. Your and Miss Sui’s clothes are usually made by the Yonghe household. I wonder if you’ve ever held a needle and thread in your own hands, yet here you are, talking big without a hint of embarrassment.”

“I have certainly used a needle and thread, and my sewing isn’t that bad,” Zhuang Qingning responded, laughing. “There’s a reason why we let others make our clothes. It’s not necessarily because we can’t do it ourselves.”

“Just like Aunt Wen not wanting to move in with Uncle Yutian and Uncle Yucheng, it’s the same logic.”

Mrs. Wen, who had just stuck her needle into the fabric, suddenly stopped.

True, Zhuang Qingning must have known that her tofu business would grow and prosper when she leased the tofu mill, and knew that she would need people to help her run the mill, as well as sell the tofu.

She let Mrs. He make their clothes because doing so herself would take time away from running her tofu business. Let professionals do their job for better efficiency. Moreover, outsourcing the needlework was just a subtle way to maintain good relations between the two families.

Indeed, as Zhuang Qingning said, it wasn’t necessarily that she didn’t know how to mend, but that she purposely chose not to.

As for Zhuang Qingning’s conjecture about why she didn’t want to live with Zhuang Yutian and Zhuang Yuchcng…

Mrs. Wen gave Zhuang Qingning a quick glance, pulled out the needle, scratched it on her scalp, and then pushed it back into the fabric.

Mrs. Wen had always been good at needlework, and even in her old age, she hadn’t lost her skill. The stitches she made were almost invisible from the outside, leaving the mended clothing smooth and flawless.

“So, you think you have all the answers?” Mrs. Wen snorted, continuing to mend.

“I’m just guessing, not sure if I’m right or wrong.” Zhuang Qingning replied with a smile.

After a long silence, Mrs. Wen continued, “Since you seem to know, I won’t keep it from you. If I went to live with them, I’d most likely feel smothered.”

“I’d be constantly worrying about whether my words and actions are appropriate, or whether they’re happy. It’s exhausting just thinking about it.

I’m an old woman and I know I don’t have much time left. It’s too uncomfortable for them to restrict me and expect me to control my every word and action.”

“I’d rather muddle along here, taking one day at a time. At least I can be true to myself. Whether I live a long life or not isn’t something I should worry about – that’s in the hands of the heavens. If the heavens let you live, you live. If the heavens don’t want you to live, no matter how well you calculate, you can’t cheat death.”

“As for you, young lass, don’t bother trying to persuade me. Right now, I find the current situation quite pleasant, with fewer things to worry about.”

Zhuang Qingning blinked her eyes.

Admittedly, Mrs. Wen had a point.

Earlier, her advice to Mrs. Wen to control her temper was also for her own good, to avoid causing a rift between her and Zhuang Yutian and Zhuang Yucheng that would make her unhappy.

However, since her refusal was now out in the open, Zhuang Yuchcng and Zhuang Yutian would understand her struggles as a widow and not be petty, instead accommodating her wishes. She wouldn’t feel distressed over any dissatisfaction or alienation from her sons.

But this was probably only temporary.

As the saying goes, ‘a long illness makes a patient of us all.’ Even the most patient of people can’t tolerate a constant strain indefinitely.

If she tolerated it once or twice, they wouldn’t mind. Three or four times, they would let it go. But if this was repeated eight or ten times, they wouldn’t be able to bear it any longer, and their accumulated anger would inevitably explode..