Volume One: The Country Farmer Chapter Twenty-Four: The Holy Mother

When his grandson chastised her so openly, even the gentle grandmother could not help but flare up; much less could Mrs. Zhou, whose temper was fierce and whose heart was small.
“You little wretch born to a mother who won’t raise you, are you trying to turn the world upside down? You dare defy your elders and strike your uncle—do you think you’re in the right? Today I’ll teach you what discipline means…”
Mrs. Zhou, furious beyond measure, strode forward to grab Chuliu.
Hearing the commotion, Doumiao and the others hurried out of the house. Seeing Mrs. Zhou about to harm her son, Doumiao quickly stepped in to block her, speaking in a placating tone, “Mother-in-law, please calm down. The child is young and doesn’t understand; don’t take it to heart…”
Zheng Mei had already taken Duck Egg into her arms and moved to Chuliu’s side.
She knew her son well; he was not one to stir up trouble without reason or quarrel with others lightly. It must have been Zheng Jin who provoked him first.
Everyone in the family knew the stepmother doted excessively on her youngest.
“Ask your son! That little brat called me a wicked grandmother—a big bad wolf who eats granddaughters. I was born a Zheng and will die a Zheng, and I don’t need to live off the Xie family’s food. Why should I be cursed?”
Could her son really say such things?
Zheng Mei was bewildered.
She could hardly believe it and turned to question, “Chuliu, how could you say such a thing about your grandmother?”
Chuliu’s grievances and anger spilled over. He cried out, “Whoever said that is a liar! Mother, there are so many people here—ask them. When did I curse grandmother?”
“I just told a story, about the big bad wolf pretending to be the little girl’s grandmother, trying to eat her when her mother wasn’t home. Uncle was bullying everyone in the yard, even saying the third uncle and some aunts weren’t really family. When we wouldn’t let him listen, he told lies to trick grandma.”
“Later, we let him listen to the story. He didn’t pay attention and hit Caixin. I got angry and pushed him, and then grandma dumped everything on me… It’s not fair!”
As Chuliu spoke, tears streamed down his face.
He felt ashamed and helpless to have such a grandmother.
Mrs. Zhou knew well the ways of her own son.
At this moment, she realized he must have lied and provoked the other children.
Yet, if Chuliu revealed the truth, she would lose face entirely.
So, Mrs. Zhou seized the moral high ground, disregarding reason—though she was three parts in the wrong, she would make her voice heard first.
This was her own territory; she was the elder. Even if she twisted logic, who would dare stand against her?
Mrs. Zhou shouted shamelessly, “So what if he hit Caixin? She’s just a girl, destined to belong to another family. Why defend her? Just to oppose me? You little brat, not even grown up, but already defying your elders. Sharp-tongued, just like your grandmother.”
“None of the Xie family are any good. We marry our daughters to you, and this is how you treat us…”
This sweeping condemnation ignited Chuliu completely. Now, he was not merely channeling a keyboard warrior, but possessed by Wang Cuicui herself.
“What’s wrong with being a girl? You were once a girl yourself. If your brothers saw you bullied, shouldn’t they protect you?”
“You look down on girls, but what family can carry on without them?”
“You despise our Xie family—such prejudice is in your bones. You can’t even respect yourself, how could you respect anyone else?”

“Without girls, where would your youngest son find a wife? Would he marry a sow? You hypocrite!”
…
Everyone was stunned.
Chuliu’s words certainly didn’t shame his grandmother.
“To be bullied by a mere child—what’s the point of living? Might as well die…”
Mrs. Zhou collapsed to the ground, wailing as though mourning the dead.
Anyone who tried to comfort her was met with scolding.
Outside the gate, onlookers craned their necks for a better view.
Zheng Daniu hurried over and closed the gate, but the noise could not be contained; people still gathered at the entrance to listen.
“Haw, haw, haw…”
Suddenly, Dingguang Immortal the donkey let out a jubilant bray, instantly drowning out Mrs. Zhou’s cries.
Unable to compete with the donkey’s volume, Mrs. Zhou had to lower her voice, sniffling fitfully.
When the braying ceased, Mrs. Zhou resumed her lamentation.
“Haw, haw, haw…”
Duck Egg suddenly called out at the most inappropriate moment.
Dingguang Immortal responded immediately.
Once again, Mrs. Zhou’s voice was suppressed.
A gathering of kin had turned into such a farce.
Zheng Quan’s anger boiled over. Years of pent-up grievances burst forth like a breached dam, impossible to contain.
“I’m not dead yet—why are you mourning? Haven’t you shamed us enough? If you want to die, let’s go now; I’ll go with you!”
“Look at what you’ve done to this family—does it still look like a home?”
Zheng Quan spoke with deep pain, every word tinged with unspeakable sorrow.
“Let me tell you frankly: if you keep driving the sons away, when hunger comes, maybe the sons and daughters-in-law will remember blood ties and give me a scrap or two. But if you act the wicked mother-in-law, who will care for you?”
“Don’t think I don’t know what’s in your heart. I just didn’t want to tear things apart for the sake of the family’s unity.”
“If you don’t get up and stop shaming us, don’t blame me if I harden my heart and divorce you… Everyone, back inside for dinner!”
…
“Mother-in-law, Chuliu was wrong today; please don’t take it to heart. Rest well. I’ll come visit again when I have time…”

It was the most awkward meal Doumiao and his wife had ever eaten, and the first time they saw Zheng Quan stand firm before his wife.
The atmosphere at the table was so tense it could have been wrung for water. Eating felt like chewing wax; the meal ended hastily, leaving behind a table of untouched dishes.
Mrs. Zhou did not join them. She rose and retreated to her bedroom, pulling the covers over her head.
Zheng Jin did not eat either, but quietly stayed by his mother’s side, secretly shedding tears.
He knew he bore the greatest responsibility for today’s conflict.
Yet, seeing his mother so distraught, he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of resentment.
“Mother, it’s my fault for not disciplining the child. He offended you. I apologize; when we get home, I will teach him properly…”
Zheng Mei and Doumiao stood submissively in Mrs. Zhou’s bedroom, repeatedly offering their apologies, but Mrs. Zhou said nothing.
They did not bring Chuliu in, fearing the child’s impulsiveness might close the door forever with words spoken in anger.
Today Mrs. Zhou was deeply upset, but she also understood a truth.
If she kept pushing, this family would inevitably fall apart.
She was a widow who had remarried.
To be fair, neither Zheng Quan nor his sons and daughters had ever looked down on her—they all treated her as their own mother.
It was her own greed.
“Mother-in-law…”
“Mother…”
No matter how Doumiao and his wife pleaded, Mrs. Zhou remained silent.
“Sister, you should go now. Once you leave, don’t come back. You’re the reason my mother is like this—you’re bad people…”
Zheng Jin suddenly sobbed and cursed, “I won’t acknowledge your Chuliu as my nephew anymore… Go, all of you, let my mother have some peace…”
Doumiao and his wife exchanged glances, helpless.
All their words finally turned to a sigh.
“Mother-in-law, we’re leaving…”
“Mother, take care…”
None could have foreseen that this wrenching quarrel would actually foster harmony in the Zheng family.
From then on, Mrs. Zhou would show her displeasure, but never again mention splitting the family.