Chapter 226: Life Is a Mess

When Su Qing's letter was sent to Chenzhou, the Lantern Festival had already passed.

Su Qingsong's eldest son was born on the sixth day of the Lunar New Year. His mother raised him well, and he was white and plump when he was born, which made the whole family love him.

But Su's father and mother were only happy for a few days, and then they were no longer happy.

The daughter-in-law thought they didn't know how to take care of the child, so she hired a wet nurse. Later, when she saw that one wet nurse was too busy, her in-laws sent another one.

Su's father and mother felt a little uncomfortable. They had nothing to do, so it was just right for them to take care of their grandson.

But the daughter-in-law didn't let them take care of the grandson. They could only go over to see a few times every day.

Although there are people looking for work everywhere now, those who look for work only want to have enough food and clothing, and hope to have a shelter, and don't ask for more. But the two wet nurses also need to eat, drink, and pay monthly wages.

And can't the daughter-in-law breastfeed herself?

How hard can breastfeeding be.

If you feel it's hard, they can help you take care of it. The daughter-in-law takes care of the child during the day, and the couple takes care of the child at night. There are also uncles and aunts at home who can help. For a small family, is it necessary to hire two wet nurses?

The couple didn't understand.

They just felt sorry for their son's hard work.

Su Qingsong was a seventh-rank lieutenant, and his salary was not high to begin with. When his son was born, there were many new expenses.

Rice, flour, and vegetables were also expensive. The family often received their salaries at the beginning of the month, and they were out of money at the end of the month.

The family had no other income except Su Qingsong's salary.

If the couple were still in the countryside, they could still have some rice, flour, and vegetables to supplement their income, but now the whole family had to rely on Qingsong for food and drink.

The daughter-in-law was also a spendthrift. She wanted everything good for a newborn.

She felt that the diapers for the child were too old and linen, which was unfair to the child. She wanted cotton, fine cloth, and silk cloth.

It cost another sum to wash the child's third day.

The daughter-in-law was unwilling to be outdone, so she held a grand ceremony for the child's third birthday. Many people came from her family, and the daughter-in-law bought a lot of clothes and jewelry to show off in front of her sisters.

But Qingyang and Qingxing said that it was cold in winter, and they couldn't even ask for a winter coat for the child.

If they spent Qingxing's money, the daughter-in-law would ask questions again.

The couple had to take Qingyang and Qingxing to hide in the kitchen to keep warm.

Qingsong didn't have a break for two days during the New Year, and he was always working outside.

Every day, Su's father and mother saw him go out at dawn and come back at dawn, with a layer of snow on his body and head, shivering with cold. The couple saw it in their eyes and felt pain in their hearts.

During the New Year, their son took them to the Gu family.

Everyone in the Gu family was dressed in bright clothes, with all kinds of jewelry on their hands and heads, shining with all kinds of light, but they were the only ones dressed shabbily.

The couple didn't even eat a bite of food, and didn't know where to put their hands and feet.

At night, the couple tossed and turned and couldn't sleep, sighing.

Qingyang and Qingxing didn't like to go out when winter came. It was too cold, and they shivered as soon as they left the house. They stayed in the house during the day, or went to see their little nephew.

But later they didn't want to go out.

Once Qingxing went into the house and touched her little nephew, and was scolded by Gu Ruyue, saying that she passed the cold air to the child.

Qingyang and Qingxing were even more reluctant to go out. The brother and sister were very bored staying in the house. They wanted to write to their sister, but they were afraid of wasting paper and ink.

This is how the New Year passed.

When they received Su Qing's second letter, the Lantern Festival was over and it was the end of the month.

Su Qingsong came back with a big package, and Su's mother, Su's father, Qingyang and Qingxing gathered together excitedly to read it.

Qingyang got those books and held them in his arms happily. He was so excited that tears were in his eyes.

Qingxing touched the furs again and again, and felt a lot warmer. Su's father and mother touched the rare mountain products again and again.

The couple thought of the days in Qiaotou Village and Fengting Town, and they were happy and nostalgic.

Su Qingsong, holding the golden bell and the two hundred taels of silver notes, was silent.

Su's mother was still looking at various mountain products, and Su's father moved his eyes back from the mountain products and looked at Qingsong.

"Son, your sister asked you to take these two hundred taels to buy a small courtyard in the city, and our family will live there. What do you think? Or is this money not enough?"

Su Qingsong shook his head: "The money is enough. Now many people in the city have fled to the countryside and other places. There are many empty houses in the city, and they are not expensive. These two hundred taels can buy a better three-entry courtyard."

"That's good. It's enough for our family to live there." Su's mother was also very happy when she heard it.

"My sister and Xiaobao are orphans and widows living outside. Not only did I not help her, but I also made her worry about me." Su Qingsong felt a little uncomfortable.

Father Su patted his shoulder: "We are a family, so we don't talk about those two things. Since your sister got married, she has become smart and has some business sense. Now she has collected mountain products to sell, so she can make a living. She also loves you and us, so she gave you money to buy a yard. You should accept it, that is your sister's intention."

Su Qingmei was afraid that the letter would not fall into their hands, so she didn't say anything else in the letter.

She only said that she collected some mountain products in the fall and sold them, and got some money. Now she lives in the mountains, and her life is relatively peaceful. After the spring, she will open up some mountain land and plant some things.

Father Su was very moved when he heard it.

He can't do anything else, but he can work in the fields.

He has worked in the fields all his life, and now he is free and lives in the city. When he gets up, he faces the yard, and he moves around in the yard all day. He feels uncomfortable all over.

If possible, he would like to find Qing Mei.

Su's mother also advised him: "You should keep what your sister gave you. See if there is a suitable house in the city, buy a big one, and everyone can live there. It will be spacious and everyone will be happy."

Su Qingsong lowered his eyes.

He was not unaware of the atmosphere at home.

On one side was his wife and children, and on the other side were his parents and brothers.

He was originally a country boy, and he didn't have much ability. Just by saving Lord Ma's life, he could be a seventh-rank lieutenant by his side. His ancestors' graves were already full of smoke, and he was afraid that he would not be able to make any more progress in the future.

Besides having some strength, his martial arts skills were not good.

The little salary he had was barely enough to support his family.

But his wife spent too much money and always wanted the best. She wanted to compare with her sisters in everything.

He said that he was just an ordinary country boy and couldn't compare with those children from wealthy and aristocratic families, but his wife just wouldn't listen.

Su Qingsong sighed: "Okay, then I'll go out and look for it tomorrow."

Su's mother was very happy. Who wants to live in the dowry house of the daughter-in-law when they can live in their own house?

So she said, "Okay. Ruyue is still in confinement, and your father can't go. Mom will show these things to her with you. Let her be happy. Let Xiaoling see it too. His second aunt misses him and has sent him a gift. Look at this bell. Our Xiaoling will definitely be lively, cute, and smart in the future."

Su Qingsong was very happy to hear this, and followed Su's mother to carry the things to the backyard.