Nyonya Tua Mu selalu memanjakan Mu Xiangxiang, dan sekarang, dengan Nyonya Lin memuji segala kebaikan Mu Xiangxiang, Nyonya Tua Mu tampak sangat senang. Setelah sekian lama menyasar Nyonya Lin, Nyonya Tua Mu akhirnya melunak. “Kalau kau, sebagai adek menantu, bisa mengurus pertunangan Xiangxiang dengan baik, aku, perempuan tua ini, tidak akan lagi memukul atau memakimu. Tapi kalau kau tidak melakukannya dengan baik, aku tidak akan berlaku sopan padamu.” Nyonya Tua Mu masih berbicara dengan nada mengancam, tetapi Nyonya Lin dengan senang hati menerimanya. “Ibu, jangan khawatir, serahkan padaku, tidak masalah. Aku jamin Xiangxiang akan mendapat pertunangan besar dengan putra dari Keluarga Qin Tua.” Nyonya Lin tak bisa berhenti tersenyum. Menyerahkan urusan Mu Xiangxiang padanya, bukankah ini seperti menggiring Mu Xiangxiang ke jalan buntu? Semoga nyonya tua tidak menyesal nanti, pikir Nyonya Lin dalam hati. Nyonya Lin begitu gembira sampai Nyonya Tua Mu merasa heran, tetapi ia tidak berkata apa-apa. “Ibu, aku akan bicara dengan cabang ketiga dan minta Shuang datang memasak pada hari pertunangan Xiangxiang, lalu minta menantu ketiga membantunya. Bagaimana menurut Ibu?” Dengan kepercayaan baru dari Nyonya Tua Mu, Nyonya Lin berbicara dengan nada bersemangat. Nyonya Tua Mu, yang khawatir tidak ada yang menangani urusan besar, akhirnya menghela napas lega ketika Nyonya Lin angkat bicara. “Kalau begitu, aku serahkan semuanya padamu,” kata Nyonya Tua Mu. “Kalau begitu aku pergi memberitahu Shuang tentang kabar baik ini.” Nyonya Lin tak sabar pergi ke cabang ketiga, ingin memamerkan bahwa ia telah kembali disayang Nyonya Tua Mu. Ketika ia tiba di cabang ketiga, Mu Shuangshuang baru saja selesai membuat sepoci sup daging. Aroma lezat memenuhi udara. Berdiri di depan pintu dapur cabang ketiga, Nyonya Lin terus menelan ludah, dan bahkan dari dalam dapur, Mu Shuangshuang bisa mendengar suara tegukan itu saat ia bersiap menyalakan api. Perbedaan antara di dalam dapur dan di luar seperti langit dan bumi. Setelah berdiri beberapa saat, Nyonya Lin hampir kedinginan. Ia meninggikan suara dan berteriak kepada Mu Shuangshuang di dalam dapur, “Shuang, buka pintu, ini Bibi Keduamu, ada yang ingin kubicarakan denganmu.” “Bibi Kedua, apa pun itu, bicarakan di luar saja. Aku sedang memasak dan rumah sangat berasap,” kata Mu Shuangshuang setelah api menyala, sementara ia dan Lu Yuanfeng menghangatkan diri di dekat api. Di dalam, Mu Shuangshuang berbisik, “Kita sarapan setelah Bibi Keduaku pergi.” Lu Yuanfeng mengangguk. “Shuang, buka pintu, apa yang wangi sekali di dalam? Bibi Keduamu boleh mencicipi sedikit?” “Shuang...” Suara Nyonya Lin di luar semakin serak, tetapi Mu Shuangshuang tidak membuka pintu. Karena marah, Nyonya Lin maju dan mulai menendang pintu. “Buka, dasar bocah, dingin begini, kau biarkan bibimu di luar sementara kau menghangatkan diri di dalam. Kau mau apa? Keluar kau.” Suara gedoran pintu bercampur umpatan Nyonya Lin. Mu Shuangshuang, dengan tenang tetap di dalam, mengabaikan tingkah Nyonya Lin. Ketika Nyonya Lin lelah berteriak, ia pergi mengetuk pintu kamar Mu Dashan. Tak lama kemudian, Mu Dashan yang sudah berpakaian rapi keluar, berusaha menengahi. “Adek menantu, ada perlu apa kau datang?” Mu Dashan tidak mempersilakan Nyonya Lin masuk duduk; cabang ketiga hanya beberapa kamar terpisah dari Keluarga Mu Tua, tanpa ruang utama. Biasanya, tamu langsung dibawa ke dapur, tetapi sekarang, karena Shuang tidak membuka pintu, dapur tak bisa dimasuki. “Adik ketiga, bujuk Shuang supaya membuka pintu. Jarang-jarang aku sebagai Bibi Keduanya berkunjung, hanya ingin mencicipi supnya. Shuang benar-benar pelit. Lagi pula, aku ini Bibi Keduanya, bukan orang luar.” Takut terlihat pelit, Nyonya Lin bicara cukup banyak. Mu Dashan berdeham pelan dan berkata, “Adek menantu, mungkin sebaiknya kau datang lagi nanti. Beberapa hari ini tungku bermasalah, dan dapur sangat berasap. Shuang tidak membiarkanmu masuk demi kebaikanmu, atau kalau ada apa-apa, kau bisa bilang padaku!” Jelas sekali Mu Dashan sedang melindungi, yang membuat Nyonya Lin terbelalak tak percaya. “Adik ketiga, kau memihak Shuang? Dengar ya, gadis muda ini tidak boleh dimanjakan, nanti bisa menimbulkan masalah. Shuang itu perempuan; bagaimana kalau nanti dia memihak keluarga suami dan bukan keluarga ibunya?” Di dalam dapur, Mu Shuangshuang memutar mata dengan berlebihan mendengar kata-kata Nyonya Lin. Apa maksudnya memihak keluarga suami dan bukan keluarga ibu? Ia ingat sebelumnya, Nyonya Lin pernah berkata ibunya hanya peduli pada keluarga ibu, bukan keluarga suami. Standar ganda ini keterlaluan; apa hanya Keluarga Mu yang manusia, sementara yang lain bukan? “Adek menantu, ini urusan cabang ketiga kami; Shuang mau memihak siapa itu pilihannya. Kalau tidak ada hal penting, silakan kembali!” Mu Dashan tegas, tidak memberi ruang negosiasi. Di dalam, Mu Shuangshuang merasa darahnya mendidih mendengar kata-katanya. Dulu, ayah Baozi tidak akan membalas bahkan jika dipukul atau dimaki oleh Keluarga Mu Tua. Bahkan bekas luka di wajahnya pun ada karena Nyonya Tua Mu menolak pengobatan. Tapi ayah Baozi tidak pernah mengeluh, selalu berkata bahwa menerima kerugian itu berkah. Sekarang, akhirnya, ayah Baozi berdiri tegak, tahu cara menolak permintaan yang tidak masuk akal. Di luar, Nyonya Lin menghentakkan kaki karena marah mendengar kata-kata Mu Dashan. Ia pergi dengan kata-kata kasar: “Adik ketiga, ingat, salahmu sendiri karena tidak membiarkanku masuk. Kau akan lihat, tunggu saja...” Nyonya Lin bergegas menuju rumah Keluarga Mu Tua, tetapi setelah beberapa langkah, ia terpeleset di jalan ber-es, jatuh tersungkur. Ia bangkit dan melanjutkan, hanya untuk jatuh lagi. Mu Dashan awalnya ingin menolongnya berdiri, tetapi kemudian melihat Nyonya Lin, saat melewati tempat gantungan pakaian Shuangshuang, menendang dan mematahkan tali jemuran cabang ketiga. Menolong orang seperti itu tampaknya tidak ada gunanya bagi Mu Dashan sendiri. Akhirnya, ketenangan kembali ke cabang ketiga, dan Mu Shuangshuang membuka pintu dapur. Matahari, seperti telur asin, baru saja terbit di ufuk. Akhirnya, hari mulai menghangat. Mu Dashan tidak bertanya tentang kejadian sebelumnya, ia masuk ke dapur sambil tersenyum, mengambil gelas airnya, mencari ranting dedalu, dan keluar untuk membersihkan gigi. Tak lama kemudian, orang-orang di cabang ketiga berangsur-angsur bangun. Setelah sarapan, Lu Yuanfeng membawa Yuanbao pulang. Mu Shuangshuang lalu berjalan-jalan ke kebun sayur, dan saat kembali, ia menemui ibu Fu Xiaonan menunggu di halamannya. “Bibi, ada apa datang ke sini?” Mu Shuangshuang menyapa dengan hangat. “Shuangshuang, kau juga tahu tentang keadaan Xiaonan?” tanya ibu Fu Xiaonan. “Ya!” Mu Shuangshuang mengangguk dan menambahkan, “Ayo masuk dulu menghangatkan diri. Cuaca mencair lebih dingin daripada saat turun salju.” “Shuangshuang, tolong bantu Xiaonan. Anak itu keras kepala dan bersikeras Qingshan harus mengusir Shen Yueying, atau dia tidak akan menikah dengan Keluarga Liu,” kata ibu Fu Xiaonan. “Bibi, kau ingin Xiaonan menikah atau tidak?”
Bab 761 - 757: Penuh Tipu Daya (Pembaruan Ketiga)
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Old Mrs. Mu has always doted on Mu Xiangxiang, and now with Mrs. Lin praising all of Mu Xiangxiang’s virtues, Old Mrs. Mu seemed overjoyed.
After such a long time targeting Mrs. Lin, Old Mrs. Mu finally relented.
"If you, as the second sister-in-law, can handle the engagement of Xiangxiang well, I, the old lady, won’t hit or scold you anymore. But if you don’t do it well, I won’t be polite to you."
Old Mrs. Mu still spoke in a threatening tone, but Mrs. Lin happily accepted it.
"Mother, don’t worry, leave it to me, no problem. I guarantee that Xiangxiang will have a grand engagement with the son from the Old Qin Family." Mrs. Lin couldn’t stop smiling.
Handing over Mu Xiangxiang’s matter to her, wasn’t this leading Mu Xiangxiang to a dead end?
Hopefully, the old lady won’t regret it later, Mrs. Lin thought to herself.
Mrs. Lin was so delighted that Old Mrs. Mu found it puzzling, but she didn’t say anything.
"Mother, I’ll go talk to the third branch and have Shuang come over to cook on Xiangxiang’s engagement day, and let the third daughter-in-law assist her. How do you think?" With Old Mrs. Mu’s renewed trust, Mrs. Lin spoke in a buoyant tone.
Old Mrs. Mu, worried about no one handling major matters, finally breathed a sigh of relief when Mrs. Lin spoke.
"If that’s the case, I’ll leave it all to you," Old Mrs. Mu said.
"Then I’ll go tell Shuang about this joyous occasion."
Mrs. Lin couldn’t wait to go to the third branch, eager to flaunt her regained favor from Old Mrs. Mu.
When she arrived at the third branch, Mu Shuangshuang had just finished making a pot of meat soup. The delicious aroma filled the air.
Standing at the door of the kitchen of the third branch, Mrs. Lin kept swallowing, and even inside the kitchen, Mu Shuangshuang could hear that gulping sound as she prepared to light the fire.
The difference between inside the kitchen and outside was like heaven and earth.
After standing for a while, Mrs. Lin was nearly frozen.
She raised her voice and shouted at Mu Shuangshuang inside the kitchen, "Shuang, open the door, I’m your second aunt, I have something to discuss with you."
"Second Aunt, whatever it is, say it outside. I’m cooking and the house is very smoky," Mu Shuangshuang said after getting the fire going, as she and Lu Yuanfeng warmed themselves by the fire.
Inside, Mu Shuangshuang whispered, "We’ll have breakfast once my second aunt leaves."
Lu Yuanfeng nodded.
"Shuang, open the door, what’s smelling so good in there? Can your second aunt have a taste?"
"Shuang..."
Mrs. Lin’s voice grew hoarse outside, but Mu Shuangshuang didn’t open the door.
Angry, Mrs. Lin moved forward and started kicking the door.
"Open up, you brat, it’s so cold, and you leave your aunt outside while you warm yourself inside. What are you up to? Get out here."
The sound of banging on the door mixed with Mrs. Lin’s curses.
Mu Shuangshuang, calmly staying inside, ignored Mrs. Lin’s antics.
When Mrs. Lin got tired of shouting, she went to knock on Mu Dashan’s door.
Soon, a properly dressed Mu Dashan came out, trying to mediate.
"Second sister-in-law, what brings you here?"
Mu Dashan didn’t invite Mrs. Lin inside to sit; the third branch was just a few separate rooms from the Old Mu Family, without a main room.
Usually, guests were taken directly to the kitchen, but now, with Shuang not opening the door, the kitchen was inaccessible.
"Third brother, persuade Shuang to open the door. It’s rare for me as her second aunt to visit, just for a taste of the soup.
Shuang is really stingy. After all, I am her second aunt, not an outsider." Afraid of appearing stingy, Mrs. Lin said quite a lot.
Mu Dashan coughed lightly and said, "Second sister-in-law, maybe you should come back later. The stove had issues these past days, and the kitchen is very smoky.
Shuang didn’t let you in for your own good, or if there’s anything, you can tell me!"
It was obvious that Mu Dashan was protective, which left Mrs. Lin staring blankly in disbelief.
"Third brother, you’re siding with Shuang? Let me tell you, this young girl can’t be spoiled, or it will cause trouble in the future.
Shuang is a daughter; what if she sides with her husband’s family and not her maternal family in the future?"
Inside the kitchen, Mu Shuangshuang rolled her eyes dramatically at Mrs. Lin’s words.
What’s this about siding with the husband’s family and not the maternal family?
She remembered previously, Mrs. Lin had said her mother only cared about the maternal family, not the husband’s family.
This double standard was too much; are the Mu Family the only ones human, while others are not?
"Second sister-in-law, this is a matter for our third branch; who Shuang sides with is her choice.
If you don’t have anything important, please head back!" Mu Dashan was firm, showing no room for negotiation.
Inside, Mu Shuangshuang felt her blood boil at his words.
Back then, Baozi’s father wouldn’t retaliate even if hit or cursed by the Old Mu Family.
Even the scar on his face was because Old Mrs. Mu refused treatment, leading to it.
But Baozi’s father never complained, always saying that suffering losses is a blessing.
Now, finally, Baozi’s father stood up, knowing how to refuse unreasonable demands.
Outside, Mrs. Lin stomped her feet in anger at Mu Dashan’s words.
She left with harsh words: "Third brother, remember, it’s your own fault for not letting me in. You’ll see, just wait..."
Mrs. Lin stormed off towards Old Mu’s house, but after a few steps, she slipped on the icy road, falling face-first.
She got up and continued, only to fall again.
Mu Dashan initially wanted to help her up, but then saw Mrs. Lin, in passing by Shuangshuang’s clothes hanger, kick and break the third branch’s clothesline.
Helping such a person seemed pointless to Mu Dashan himself.
Finally, tranquility returned to the third branch, and Mu Shuangshuang opened the kitchen door.
A sun, like a salted duck egg, just rose on the horizon.
At last, the day was warming up.
Mu Dashan didn’t ask about earlier, as he entered the kitchen with a smile, took his water cup, found a willow twig, and went out to clean his teeth.
Soon after, the people in the third branch gradually woke up.
After breakfast, Lu Yuanfeng took Yuanbao home.
Mu Shuangshuang then wandered into the vegetable garden, and upon returning, she encountered Fu Xiaonan’s mother waiting in her courtyard.
"Auntie, what brings you here?" Mu Shuangshuang greeted warmly.
"Shuangshuang, do you also know about Xiaonan’s situation?" Fu Xiaonan’s mother asked.
"Yes!" Mu Shuangshuang nodded and added, "Let’s go inside to warm up. The thaw is colder than the snowfall."
"Shuangshuang, please help Xiaonan. That child is stubborn and insists Qingshan must drive away Shen Yueying, or she won’t marry into the Liu Family," Fu Xiaonan’s mother said.
"Auntie, do you want Xiaonan to marry or not?"
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