Chapter 42: The Relationship Between Mother-in-Law and Daughter-in-Law Depends on the Imperial Examination

As the group chatted, the conversation inevitably turned to the upcoming autumn imperial examination.

Zhou Shi asked anxiously, “When do you plan to leave?”

Shen Xiuyan thought for a moment and replied, “The city isn’t far from here, a month will be more than enough. It’s only April, so we can leave in August.”

“That’s good, you’ll have more time to learn from your master. By the way, if you’re short on money, just tell me. I’ve saved quite a bit for you.”

The marriage dowry had all been paid by Shen Xiuyan himself, and Zhou Shi was worried her son might not have enough money, but she felt too shy to mention it.

Su Mingyue, upon hearing this, patted her chest. “Mother, keep your money for yourself. I’ve got it covered for my husband!”

When Zhou Shi heard the change in her daughter-in-law’s address, she knew that Su Mingyue was very satisfied with her.

She smiled and replied, “Oh no, I can’t spend your dowry. I have my own money.”

It was enough for her to know that her daughter-in-law had such intentions.

“Of course, it’s mine to manage,” Su Mingyue said confidently. “My father gave me several businesses in the city, in the south, north, and the capital. The profits alone will be enough to support my husband’s studies, even if he takes ten or eight years to pass the exam, I can still afford it.”

Shen Xiuyan: “…”

He was exhausted. Did she really think he’d take ten or eight years to pass?

But Zhou Shi was deeply touched by these words. Truly, she was the “driving force” behind her son’s studies.

Not everyone had this kind of determination.

“Right, right! That’s what I think too. With Xiu Yan’s talent, passing the imperial examination is no problem. If he fails once, we’ll try twice. If he fails twice, we’ll try three times.”

“Exactly!” Su Mingyue raised her fist. “In the end, my husband will definitely pass!”

“Oh, daughter-in-law, you’re so determined. I’ll rely on you to keep an eye on Xiu Yan,” Zhou Shi said, so happy. It really proved that a wise wife could push her husband to succeed—if she could encourage Xiu Yan, surely he couldn’t fail!

Zhou Shi looked at Su Mingyue with even more warmth.

After thinking for a while, she stood up and went back to her room to get a wooden box. “Mingyue, take this. It’s the money I’ve saved for you. I told you that once you got married, you’d be in charge, and I always keep my word.”

Su Mingyue was surprised as she took the box. There wasn’t much money inside, probably not even a hundred taels, not enough to buy a set of jewelry.

But what mattered was the thought behind it.

She didn’t refuse. “Mother, you’re so kind.”

“That’s nothing. I’ll treat you even better in the future.”

Shen Xiuyan looked at the warm atmosphere between them and felt he had done a great deal for this mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship…

After all, it was just studying. As a top scorer in the imperial examination, how could he be afraid of this?

He was determined!

Seeing how easygoing Zhou Shi was, Su Mingyue quietly asked, “Mother, I have a maid who’s very capable. I wonder if I can bring her over.”

When Su Mingyue got married, her father had not let her bring a maid.

After all, she was marrying into the countryside, and there wasn’t really any concept of a maid there.

What if her in-laws thought she was too delicate, and couldn’t take care of herself without a maid?

The cook had been brought along only because Su Mingyue’s father was worried she wouldn’t eat well.

“You don’t need to discuss it with me. Just decide for yourself,” Zhou Shi said affectionately, stroking her daughter-in-law’s small face. “Live however you want, as long as you’re comfortable.”

“Thank you, Mother.”

The next day, Cui Cui, who had received the notice, arrived with a small bundle. She was accompanied by a maid and a little servant.

If it weren’t for the fact that the Shen family didn’t have enough room, they would probably have brought a dozen or more people.

The Shen family, compared to the Su family, was just an ordinary rural household with limited space.

This was even after Shen Xiuyan was about to get married, and they had made some renovations to make the place livable.

The yard was filled with various kinds of flowers planted by Shen Xiuyan, and grapevines were set up on high racks. Under the sunlight, the neatly arranged tile-roofed houses and the green plants intertwined, giving the place a rustic charm.

Though not luxurious, it wasn’t falling apart either, and there was a certain countryside simplicity to it.

As for where she lived or whether it was comfortable, Su Mingyue didn’t mind. She was just glad that Cui Cui could come.

As soon as Cui Cui entered the house, she began to assess the yard. “Miss, do you think you can get used to living here?”

Her young lady had never lived in a place like this before, and Cui Cui was worried she might feel wronged.

“It’s fine,” Su Mingyue said with a shy smile. She didn’t mind the house at all as long as she could be with Shen Lang every day.

“But look at this bed and this table. Sigh, I feel so sorry for you, Miss,” Cui Cui said, increasingly upset.

Su Mingyue didn’t understand what Cui Cui was sad about. She looked at the bed Cui Cui was pointing to, and memories flooded her mind. Her face turned pale.

Hmm, now that she looked at it, the bed really did seem a bit small.

Su Mingyue said, “If you think it’s not good, we can change it ourselves.”

Cui Cui was startled. “Can we do that? Won’t the old lady be upset?”

Su Mingyue nodded. “Yes, Mother said I’m in charge. I can do whatever I want. You don’t know, Mother is so easygoing!”

From the way Su Mingyue spoke, Cui Cui knew that the old lady must be very easy to get along with.

Her young lady had only been married for a day, and already referred to her mother-in-law as “Mother”—it was clear they got along well.

It seemed her young lady was truly fortunate!

Although son-in-law was poor, his future was limitless. Even her mother-in-law was so easy to deal with.

Perhaps this was the luck of the simple-minded.

Today was another day full of envy.

With this thought in mind, they quickly went out for shopping.

After a day of buying, Su Mingyue was almost exhausted.

When she got home, she knocked on her back and said, “Mother, I think the furniture should be changed. I went with Cui Cui today to buy some, and the furniture will be delivered tomorrow.”

“Alright, then go rest quickly,” Zhou Shi replied.

Su Mingyue winked playfully, “I’ve picked out a set for you too. Just wait and see, you’ll absolutely love it.”

Zhou Shi laughed so much she looked like a chrysanthemum, “You child, just get what you need for yourselves, why are you buying anything for me?”

“It’s the least I can do. You’ve worked so hard taking care of my husband, you should get some rest,” Su Mingyue patted her chest. “Now that I’m here, you can just wait and enjoy life with us!”

“Alright, alright, I’ll rely on you from now on.”

Zhou Shi was amused by her charming appearance.

Although they had only been together for a few days, Zhou Shi had already figured out her daughter-in-law’s personality.

She thought there was no woman in the world better than her own daughter-in-law.

Xiu Yan had really hit the jackpot.

It was rare to find a daughter-in-law who was so thoughtful and devoted to her in-laws.