Huai Zi's aunt chuckled and said flatteringly, "Marrying into the He Family has been a blessing for all of us. In all our years as daughters-in-law, Mother has never been harsh with any of us."
Huai Zi's maternal grandmother was just lifting a mouthful of noodles to her lips. Hearing this, she paused and said, "Of course. I've always treated you all impeccably. We don't have to look far. Just take Grandma Jin from our village. Look at the airs she puts on. Her daughters-in-law wait on her like she's a revered ancestor. When a family like that eats together, if she doesn't pick up her chopsticks, no one else dares to take a bite. They all have to wait for her to eat before the daughters-in-law and grandchildren can touch the food."
Juhua, who was eating with gusto, heard this and thought to herself, 'Thank goodness I didn't end up with an old crone like that, or I'd suffocate from the sheer frustration.'
