The Evil Mother-in-law: Torment Children, Work Hard, Be Rich!-Chapter 269: The Awakened Daughter

"What are you doing, Chun Ni? Are you still not satisfied with the beating your father gave you?"

Mrs. Cao pulled Chun Ni into the kitchen and chastised her softly.

Earlier, Chun Ni raised a stick intending to hit Chun Wang, and she saw it clearly.

In her heart, Mrs. Cao favored Chun Wang more, simply because Chun Wang was the sole heir of the Tian Family, and the ingrained belief from childhood that boys were more precious than girls.

Also, Chun Wang made her fantasize about having someone to rely on in the future.

Chun Ni retorted angrily, "Mother, we’re all Tian Family children, why does Chun Wang get to eat meat without working, while I get beaten when I eat a piece of meat despite working every day?"

Mrs. Cao sighed and said, "Because you’re a daughter, and Chun Wang is a son."

Chun Ni thought of Tong Huaqiong’s words and frowned, saying, "Why do sons get to eat, but daughters don’t?"

Mrs. Cao said, "It’s not just our family; it’s like this in every family. When I was at your grandmother’s house, it was like this, and your grandmother at her mother’s house was the same; daughters are treated the same way everywhere."

Chun Ni thought for a moment and said, "No, Tong Grandma’s family isn’t like that. Taohua Auntie had good food and clothes since she was young, and Man Er now eats and dresses just like Yaozu. Taohua Auntie manages Grandma Tong’s shop and Grandma Tong said the family assets would be divided between Taohua Auntie and Man Er."

Mrs. Cao smiled bitterly, Chun Ni was simply too naive.

Families like that are after all in the minority.

Just look at the entire Qinghe Bay; even across the county town, there aren’t many like them.

Mrs. Cao said, "How can our family compare to Tong Grandma’s family? Your Tong Grandma only started treating girls well after she started making money from her shop. Before, she didn’t treat Man Er well either."

Chun Ni still felt it wasn’t about money.

Xu Jin’s family also had money, but still married off Xu Zaohua to the Zheng Family. Why didn’t they consider making their son marry into a family?

Chun Ni said, "But Tong Grandma always treated Taohua Auntie well, even when the Gu Family was poor, Taohua Auntie’s life was better than Uncle Dashi and Uncle Jingzhe."

Mrs. Cao didn’t know what to say and quickly interrupted Chun Ni, saying, "Don’t go spouting such nonsense; if this reaches your father’s and grandmother’s ears, they’ll hit you again."

Chun Ni smirked; how would her father and grandmother know unless Chun Wang tattled?

"I’m finished." Chun Wang walked into the kitchen, casually tossing his bowl into the basin, splashing water everywhere.

Chun Ni looked at the bowl of solidified lard, and her heart felt just as clogged and stubborn.

"This kid." Mrs. Cao shook her head lightly, her eyes full of indulgence.

Chun Ni quietly stared at Mrs. Cao and said, "Mother, I think Tong Grandma is right, Chun Wang is tattling on purpose; he knows everything and does it deliberately."

Mrs. Cao was slicing vegetables, paused and said, "Your brother is still a child; he’s too young to understand. If he annoys you in the future, just avoid him."

Chun Ni frowned and said, "He’s not that young, just a year younger than me."

Mrs. Cao shook her head, saying, "He’s a boy; boys only grow up after getting married."

Chun Ni didn’t understand why her mother said this; she remembered Tong Huaqiong’s words: Chun Wang isn’t ignorant; he knows very well, which is why he tattles. Now, Chun Wang is so mean; when he grows up, he’ll probably become another father.

Chun Ni knew that no matter how Chun Wang treated her, Mrs. Cao would always defend him.

But how about Chun Wang towards her mother? He’s equally unfilial.

Chun Ni thought for a moment and said, "Mother, Chun Wang incites father and grandmother to hit me; he’s already done it. But he’s your son, yet when father hits you, he watches all the same. Father listens to him in everything, if Chun Wang wanted to speak for you, father would surely listen."

These words struck Mrs. Cao’s heart.

Indeed, her son wouldn’t speak on her behalf.

Evidenced by several times when she was beaten by her mother-in-law and husband, it was all because of Chun Wang.

For example, when the footbath was too hot for Chun Wang, when she asked him to clean himself, when she said too much asking him not to bully his sister... Chun Wang would throw a tantrum, taking it to his grandmother and father, and she would be scolded or even physically reprimanded by them.

Like last night, when she protected Chun Ni, Chun Wang got unhappy, laughing gleefully as Tian Fugui hit her.

Mrs. Cao felt a bit bitter but still sought excuses for Chun Wang; he was just too young, spoiled by his grandmother.

Once he grows up, he’ll understand his mother’s heart.

"Your brother is still young; he doesn’t understand anything. When we earn money, we’ll send your brother to study; once he goes to school, he’ll understand."

Chun Ni took a deep breath; her mother continued to make excuses for Chun Wang.

Moreover, her mother had the intent to finance Chun Wang’s education.

Did her mother even know how much money it would take to study?

If her mother kindled Chun Wang’s desire to study without enough money, she’d be the one to suffer.

Her father and grandmother would undoubtedly sell her without hesitation to raise money.

Chun Ni raised her voice fiercely, "Mother, Chun Wang isn’t cut out for studying."

The always gentle Chun Ni spoke loudly for the first time, and Mrs. Cao was startled.

She hadn’t expected that suggesting Chun Wang go to school would provoke Chun Ni so much.

Mrs. Cao sighed and said, "In the future, both you and I will rely on your brother. I’ll rely on your brother for my old age, and you’ll need your brother to support you in your future married family. If your brother truly studies and achieves something, you and I won’t suffer from your grandmother’s and father’s oppression."

Chun Ni said through tears, "Mother, don’t you see? Whether Chun Wang achieves or not, it doesn’t affect us much; father and grandma won’t treat you well just because he succeeds. Have you ever thought about how much Silver it costs for Chun Wang to study? If there’s no Silver, father and grandma will sell me."

Mrs. Cao was silent for a moment, knowing her husband and mother-in-law might indeed do such a thing.

But if she didn’t let her son study, she wouldn’t be content.

She had heard that if a son studied well and became an official, the mother would be granted rank and no one would dare to bully her.

She intended to send Chun Wang to school.

Once Chun Wang attended school, learning from the teacher, he’d realize how to love his sister and be filial to his mother.

Fundamentally, Chun Wang acted this way because no one taught him principles.

As a mother, she was hindered by her mother-in-law and husband from teaching him, but the teacher wouldn’t fear their influence.

However, Chun Ni’s concerns were not entirely unfounded.

Mrs. Cao reassured Chun Ni, "Let’s discuss this later. I won’t stand by and let your grandmother and father sell you."

Mrs. Cao thought about her and Chun Ni earning money together; that way, they’d have the money to send Chun Wang to school without needing to sell Chun Ni.

If it was before, Chun Ni would surely feel grateful and compassionate towards her mother.

But for some reason, ever since returning from Tong Huaqiong’s house, after hearing her words, she no longer felt that way.

Chun Ni asked Mrs. Cao, "Mother, if the money we earn can’t support both Chun Wang and me, and if you had to choose between the two, who would you choose?"

Of course, she’d choose Chun Wang.

Mrs. Cao knew the answer immediately but swallowed her words, not wanting to hurt Chun Ni further.

Once Chun Ni grows up, she’ll understand that every family prioritizes sons over daughters.

Mrs. Cao patted Chun Ni’s head, secretly slipping an egg to her, saying, "Don’t overthink. We’re about to make money, and once I earn it, I’ll buy flowers for you, like the ones Man Er wears. How does that sound?"

Mrs. Cao changed the subject, slightly disappointing Chun Ni.

Nevertheless, she still cared for her mother, not wanting to sadden her, and so she nodded slightly.