Chapter 209: Raising the Question
Yang PeiMin asked, "Does Yixiang know that Huang Tao was once engaged to your brother?"
Shen Yixiang was stumped by the question and couldn’t find the words to respond.
Chen Guizhi panicked, "Well, my daughter-in-law, although that happened, now everyone is married, and it’s all in the past. Don’t get the wrong idea; there’s nothing going on. It’s just that I see her around the neighborhood, and we greet each other when we see each other... She has many children and not much experience, so sometimes she asks me for advice on childcare. I don’t have any grudges against her, so there’s no reason not to talk, and I ended up chatting with her a bit. Later on, she started visiting our home... I didn’t expect her to say those things..."
Shen Yiyue hastily added, "Sister-in-law, I know about what Mom is talking about. Huang Tao indeed likes to bring her children over to hang out. She must have seen that Mom enjoys being around kids, and sometimes when she’s busy, she brings them over for Mom to help watch them a bit. By doing this favor, she’s gotten more attached over time. After so many visits, she might’ve started to think too highly of herself. Sister-in-law, please forgive Mom. She didn’t do it on purpose."
Seeing her sister-in-law’s attitude, Shen Yiyue felt unsure, fearing that such a misunderstanding between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law would cause discomfort for her brother.
Yang PeiMin nodded, "Mom, I haven’t taken to heart the matter of Shen Yiguang’s former matchmaking. As you’ve said, it’s all in the past and there’s no need to worry. But by inviting her over to our home, it’s inevitable that it will lead others to speculate. I hope you can consider my feelings as well. Also, if there’s any area where I’m not doing the right thing, please point it out. I’m not someone who can’t take advice. But if you don’t say anything, I’ll assume that I haven’t made any mistakes."
"To be honest, I was quite hurt over the incident with my new bicycle being lent to Huang Tao. She damaged it badly, but I can overlook it and not fuss about it. However, I do wonder why you would lend out my bike and particularly to her? Moreover, why when I was away visiting relatives? You didn’t ask me, and I wonder if you hesitated because you knew it wasn’t appropriate, yet you still lent my bicycle to Huang Tao. What reason moved you to do so?"
"In the end, I don’t know if people in the village have been gossiping, because such things can easily lead to wild conjectures and exaggerated stories. Whether it concerns the woman or the man involved, gossip can have a significant impact. If someone really asks, what should we say? Tell the truth? Would they believe it? Did you consider these issues, Mom?"