Chapter 28 - 28 17 Uncommon Insight

Words : 1523 Updated : Sep 10th, 2025

28: Chapter 17: Uncommon Insight 28: Chapter 17: Uncommon Insight Ms. Feng said to Manbao, “A man can become a bookkeeper or a school teacher if he studies, and if he’s really good, he might even be eligible to take the civil service exam. But what use is reading for a woman? Once of age, they’re to marry off, either to work the fields or to manage household chores. Whether they can read or not, what does it matter?” Manbao was left speechless, yet in her heart, she always felt that what Second Sister-in-law said was not right. After some thought, she finally found an argument to counter, “The teacher said, ‘Reading enlightens the mind.'” Ms. Feng retorted, “Principles, well, a little chat and you understand. Don’t worry, little niece, I will explain it to Erya. Look at us, don’t we all manage without knowing how to read? Which of us doesn’t understand principles? Girls all learn principles from their mums.” Unable to out argue her, Manbao drooped her shoulders and said, “If Erya can make money by recognizing characters, will you agree to let her learn to read?” Ms. Feng replied, “She can’t be a bookkeeper, she can’t become a school teacher, and she certainly can’t take the civil service exam. How can she make money by recognizing characters?” “I don’t care, Second Sister-in-law. You must first promise me, if she can make money by recognizing characters, you have to agree to let her learn to read with me.” “Alright, alright,” Ms. Feng said perfunctorily, “I promise you. Okay, I need to start a fire now. The smoke in the kitchen is thick, you better get out quickly.” Manbao didn’t care whether she was sincere or not, taking her word as a promise, so Manbao ran off looking for Erya. Second Son came out with a manuscript and, noticing the little niece was gone, immediately dropped it and went to look for her. He was responsible for taking care of the little niece; how could he lose her? Manbao ran to the riverside searching for Erya. A group of people was gathered by the river doing laundry. As Manbao approached, everyone greeted her, and a woman called out loudly, “Oh, Manbao has come to do the laundry! With so many girls in your Zhou Family, why make use of the little niece?” Erya also saw Manbao and quickly stopped her from getting too close to the river, “Little niece, why have you come here? Mom doesn’t allow you to come to the river.” Manbao said, “I came to find you.” “I still need to wash the clothes. You go back first, little niece,” Erya replied. It was the same woman who said, “Manbao, you should also help your niece. You’re not that young anymore, and your family is now facing difficulties. You can’t live in luxury as you did before.” Manbao felt her words made sense and nodded continuously, “Second Sister-in-law is right, I will help Erya.” Just so, she wanted to try washing clothes herself; she had never done it before, having grown up so large. Manbao, looking at the river water, had stars in her eyes, completely forgetting why she had come there in the first place. Erya dared not let Manbao wash clothes, unable to help but scold the woman, “Third Sister-in-law, whether my house has many kids or who does the laundry is none of your business, right?” “Oh, Erya, this little girl is getting feisty. Did you learn that from your Fourth Uncle? Don’t be so feisty, or else don’t come borrowing money from us.” Manbao was startled, then came to a realization and hastily went to smooth things over, “Sanzhu’s wife, is it that your family is short on money? Rest assured, as soon as my family earns some, we will make sure to repay your family first.” Thinking of how she was going to earn money in town tomorrow, she confidently slapped her chest and said, “I am going to the county town to earn money tomorrow, and when I come back, I will repay your family.” Just a few years old, still speaking in a child’s voice, yet imitating adults, the first part of what she said made everyone burst into laughter, but by the end, no one could laugh anymore. Someone couldn’t help but ask Erya, “Erya, your family isn’t really going to sell your little niece, are they?” Erya replied shrilly, “What nonsense are you talking about? How could our family sell the little niece?” Manbao also said sternly, “Our family doesn’t sell children.” Third Sister-in-law, unable to hold back, said, “But how can you earn money so quickly? The busy farming season is over, there is no work in the fields, and you can’t possibly get any work in the town either, can you?” Manbao said with pride, “We plan to sell flowers. Just you wait, we will definitely make money.” Third Sister-in-law asked, “What kind of flowers?” Manbao opened her mouth and finally said, “All kinds of flowers.” Erya pulled Manbao aside and said, “Little niece, please go home. I’ll take you out to play after I finish washing the clothes, okay?” Manbao shook her head, her gaze intense as she looked at the crystal-clear river water, “No, Erya, I am an adult now. Let me help you with the laundry.” “How could that be okay?” Erya protested. “Why not?” said Manbao seriously. “I am your aunt; you must listen to me.” The onlookers, seeing this, all helped Erya to hold Manbao back. Who didn’t know she was the treasure of the Zhou Family? And with her frail health from a young age, if she caught a chill from the water, what would become of her? The Zhou matriarchs would tear them apart. But Third Sister-in-law was indifferent. Wasn’t she also a child once? At Manbao’s age, she could already cook a meal. Washing clothes was trivial. What was so special about it? Her eyes shifted, and she stepped aside to make room for Manbao next to her and handed her a piece of her own family’s laundry, “Here, Manbao, let me show you how to wash.” Manbao wasn’t foolish. She could distinguish between her own family’s laundry and that of others, so she happily asked Third Sister-in-law, “Second Sister-in-law, do I get paid for helping you with the laundry? You don’t have to give me anything, just deduct it from the debt.” Hearing this, Third Sister-in-law immediately retracted the clothes and said sharply, “I’ve seen it now, you really know how to earn money. I’ve never heard of charging someone to wash a piece of laundry.” “If you were my aunt, a senior, of course, I wouldn’t ask for money; that would be me showing respect. But aren’t you my nephew’s wife? So of course, as your senior doing work for you, I must be paid,” Manbao, having grown up beside her father, understood this principle very well. She still wanted to wash clothes for Third Sister-in-law, “Sanzhu’s wife, don’t worry, I won’t ask for much, just a coin will do, just for the gesture.” Those who didn’t care for Third Sister-in-law’s attitude also laughed, “Yes, yes, Third Sister-in-law, Manbao is your aunt, after all. If your aunt washes your clothes, you’ve got to give a little token of gratitude.” Some of the older ones also said, “Although Manbao is young, she’s of high seniority. Third Sister-in-law, you really shouldn’t bully your senior.” Third Sister-in-law was quite annoyed and just rinsed the clothes a bit before leaving in a huff. Manbao still waved from behind, “Second Sister-in-law, next time you don’t feel like washing clothes, just let me know. I’ll wash them for you, really cheap.” Erya couldn’t help but laugh, calling out after her, “Third Sister-in-law, I can also help you wash, even cheaper!” “Enough, enough, don’t tease her,” someone intervened, “Erya, your family still owes money to the village head.” Erya felt a bit downcast thinking about this. But Manbao didn’t feel the pressure. In her mind, she would surely earn a lot of money after going to the county town the next day. She would be able to repay the debts and added, “The village head and his daughter-in-law are different; he’s generous, and his daughter-in-law still has a lot to learn.” Hearing Manbao’s words, everyone couldn’t help but laugh, “This child talks like an adult. What do you know about being generous?” Manbao puffed her cheeks and said, “I’m not stupid, my nephew’s wife doesn’t like me, but that’s okay, I am her senior, I won’t stoop down to her level.” Children are the most sensitive, they are very clear about who likes them and who doesn’t. But that’s okay, Sanzhu is her nephew and Sanzhu’s wife her nephew’s wife. As a senior, she won’t stoop to their level.

Chapter 28 - 28 17 Uncommon Insight

Comments (0)