Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!

19: Chapter 19: The Hardships of Ancient Women_1 19: Chapter 19: The Hardships of Ancient Women_1 Xue Han did not expect to run into her mother.

She had planned to sneak into the kitchen.

Despite her seemingly brave disposition, she was afraid of her mother, “Mother.”

Alright, that meant she didn’t want to talk.

Zhulan touched her daughter’s hair, which was so soft, “Did you go to the kitchen to sneak some pastries for the third little one, right?”

Xue Han replied without giving it too much thought, “Pork scraps.”

Zhulan chuckled internally, her daughter was aiming higher.

Indeed, had she and Zhou Shuren not arrived, the couple would not have fallen ill and gone to town, nor would they have bought meat.

Originally, the theft was pastries, but this time she changed it to pork scraps.

Xue Han knew she had unwittingly spoken the truth.

Her somewhat chubby little hands covered her mouth.

Seeing her mother’s expressionless face, she felt scared and tentatively tugged at her mother’s sleeve, “Mother, please don’t be angry.”

Zhulan found her heart melting, yet her face remained expressionless, “Do you know what you did wrong?”

It was the first time Xue Han had seen Zhulan so stern.

Her eyes turned red, and tears streamed down, “I, I shouldn’t have stolen food.”

Despite her young age, she understood the importance of food.

Zhulan thought to herself that her original husband was a scholar, and there were two scholars in the family.

They never slacked on the children’s education.

A family’s conduct was critical, especially in ancient times where aspiring officials cherished their reputations utmostly.

The children in the family, despite their different personalities, knew the bottom line of propriety, integrity, humility, and shame.

Stealing, especially, was absolutely unacceptable, particularly for girls.

Even if it was taking from one’s own family, ancient times were exceedingly harsh on women.

A woman’s reputation was more valuable than anything else.

Zhulan was angry inside.

Xue Han was not the one who dared to steal.

In the original story, it was all Wang Ru’s doing, acting pitiable and coaxing others into sympathy.

Her eyes sparkled.

What a good opportunity for Xue Han to see Wang Ru’s true character, and not using it would be as foolish as walking into a wall.

Zhulan did not coddle her daughter, instead becoming even more stern, “You still have the nerve to cry?

Do you no longer care about your reputation?

How did we teach you?

Do you want to bring shame upon our family and have people poke our spines?”

With each word, Xue Han trembled more from fear.

She was literate and understood manners, “Mother, I was wrong.

I really didn’t know it was so serious, Mother.”

Zhulan watched her little girl crying so hard she hiccuped.

Feeling pity yet remaining resolute for the sake of their family’s fate, she asked, “Will you dare to do it again in the future?”

Xue Han continued to hiccup.

Where would she find the courage?

“I dare not.

I dare not.”

Only then did Zhulan take a handkerchief to wipe the child’s face.

After scolding came the comforting, “Mother’s Babe is an obedient and kind-hearted child.

I don’t believe it was Babe’s idea.

The third little one asked you to come back and take it, right?”

Xue Han kept silent out of loyalty.

She knew her mother disliked the third little one.

Zhulan almost laughed.

She knew the storyline, after all.

Planting a kiss on her daughter’s cheek, she said, “You don’t have to say it for me to know.

My daughter isn’t someone without principles.

You know Mother doesn’t like the third one, but do you understand why?”

Xue Han really didn’t know.

Her mother had always said the third one’s family was not good.

Zhulan explained patiently, “Whether one is educated or not, stealing is wrong, especially for girls.

If the third one said you stole food, your reputation would be ruined.

Even if the family tried to cover it up, you would still be tainted in everyone’s eyes.

If your reputation is damaged, what should you do?”

Fear spread through Xue Han.

This was not just fear; it was dread.

In the village, there was a girl with a bad reputation who ended up hanging herself after being jilted.

But for the sake of her friend, she still attempted to defend, “The third one wouldn’t do that.”

Zhulan scoffed internally.

How could she not?

Once Wang Ru was well, she let slip to her friends, and soon the whole village knew.

The Zhou family tried to smooth things over, but couldn’t contain Wang Ru’s loose tongue.

Xue Han’s reputation was indeed affected.

Zhulan held her daughter’s face, looking into her eyes, “Babe, your stepmother thought we could wait another two years, but today I realized we cannot wait.

Mother wants to tell you that the most difficult thing to understand in this world is the human heart.

If you don’t believe what Mother says about the third one, then you should test her yourself.

How about Mother and you do it together?”