Chapter 1558 - 1553: And the Third Uncle’s Family (Twenty-fourth Update)

"Ancestors of the Old Mu Family, today may not be New Year’s, but it’s a rare occasion for the Old Mu Family to gather. We humbly ask our ancestors to join us for a meal!

At the moment, all of us from the Old Mu Family, except for the third branch, have arrived in the county town. Ancestors, please keep blessing us!

Bless the eldest to rise higher in his official career! Bless the second family with safety and peace, and for Gou Dan to start school early. Bless the fourth family to prosper! Bless the fifth to find a wife soon. Bless... that boy Lao Liu to come back soon!"

Mr. Mu rattled off a long list without mentioning the third branch.

Mu Xiaxia grew anxious and blurted out, "Bless my sister Shuangshuang to safely return from the Northwest! Bless my third uncle and aunt to stay healthy, and for Xiao Han and Little Zhi to become successful!"

"Bless what? They’re not even part of the Old Mu Family! Xia, you’re really siding with outsiders!" Mu Dazhong said angrily from the side.

"Second uncle, how is my third uncle’s family not part of the Old Mu Family? They still carry the Mu surname!" Mu Xiaxia retorted.

"Shut up, you girl! If you dare to talk back again, do you believe I won’t smack you?"

Right in front of Mu Dajiang and Mrs. Liu, Mu Dazhong raised a hand, threatening to strike Mu Xiaxia.

Little Chu, seeing his sister being bullied, muttered angrily, "Bad man, you’re a bad man! You bully my sister, you’re a bad man!"

Mu Dajiang blushed as he spoke, "Fifth, what Xiaxia said isn’t wrong, third brother is still part of our family!

In the past, whenever our family had issues, although Shuangshuang said she wouldn’t help, she did a lot. When Xiangxiang was sick in town, couldn’t pay for the consultation, wasn’t it Shuangshuang who paid?

And when my mother was missing, wasn’t it Shuangshuang who ran everywhere? Without her, how would my mother have returned?"

"Fourth brother, speaking of my mother being abducted, I’ve got something to say. This shouldn’t count as that brat’s achievement. It was Xianglan who escaped and found that brat, then we knew where my mother was locked up.

Otherwise, with that brat’s ability, my mother would never have come out in her lifetime!" Mu Danian added sarcastically.

"Fifth, you..."

This group of people was playing their roles as ingrates perfectly.

Even Mu Dajiang felt cold-hearted after hearing these words!

"Enough, everyone shut up! In front of the ancestors, how dare you act so presumptuous?" Mr. Mu scolded, and everyone immediately fell silent.

He placed the incense in the censer, ultimately not mentioning the protection for the third branch to the ancestors.

What remained was burning the yellow paper, each person with a handful, three sheets per hand, and making a wish with each hand.

Everyone else burned theirs and got up.

Only Mu Xiaxia knelt there resolutely, also burning for the people of the third branch.

She made wishes for each person!

Mu Dazhong, watching this, was so angry his nose was crooked, he wanted to curse Mu Xiaxia again, but refrained due to Mr. Mu’s earlier outburst!

After a stick of incense time, Mr. Mu announced the start of the meal.

Everyone quickly took their seats.

Mrs. Lin chose a good spot, but as soon as she sat, Mr. Mu scolded her.

"Second daughter-in-law, sit next to the second son, this seat is for Xianglan!"

Mrs. Lin refused to get up, and Mr. Mu added, "If you don’t get up, don’t eat!"

Only then did Mrs. Lin unwillingly stand up.

Mu Xiangxiang wanted to find a seat with more meat, but it was immediately taken by Mrs. Lin once she picked it.

With no choice, she had to sit in the last empty seat.

In her seat, only vegetables were placed in front of Mu Xiangxiang, which she didn’t like; she wanted to eat meat.

But she didn’t dare say anything, as she had no backing now.

Thinking about this matter, Mu Xiangxiang suddenly said, "Dad, on such a good day, why don’t you let my mother out? I’m sure she knows her wrongs, and she won’t dare again."

Mr. Mu softened upon hearing this.

He turned to Mrs. Jin, "Eldest daughter-in-law, what do you think about this? Should we let your mother eat a meal and tie her up again afterward?"

Mrs. Jin shook her head, "Dad, I’m really sorry! Today I promised Xiaxia’s mother that this dinner my mother wouldn’t show up.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t have come today, as you know, how many daughters-in-law has my mother bullied in the past? If she comes again, nobody will eat comfortably!"

After Mrs. Jin said so, what else could Mr. Mu say?

He had to brace himself and apologize to Mrs. Jin.

"Eldest daughter-in-law, it was my lack of consideration, I apologize. Your mother made mistakes and should face consequences, I won’t say more!"

"Dad..." Nearby, Mu Xiangxiang grew anxious hearing Mr. Mu’s words, quickly reminded him.

But it only led to more reprimands.

"If you’re going to eat, just eat, less talking! If you truly miss your mother, go accompany her!"

Mu Xiangxiang dared not speak further, she still wanted to eat!

Mrs. Jin, seeing this, spoke up, "Dad, I know you’re concerned about my mother, don’t worry.

After I finish, I’ll take a bowl of dumplings to visit her, you guys continue drinking and chatting, it won’t delay anything!"

Upon hearing Mrs. Jin’s words, Mr. Mu’s face brightened with a smile.

He thought, this eldest daughter-in-law is sensible, at least she knows to prepare some dumplings for her mother-in-law.

"Since that’s settled, let’s begin!"

At Mr. Mu’s command, the entire hall felt like a battlefield, with chopsticks flying in the air.

Pieces of meat landed in everyone’s bowls except for Mu Xiangxiang’s.

In terms of eating, Mu Xiangxiang’s ability wasn’t strong.

Usually, it was Mrs. Mu taking food for her.

With Mrs. Mu around, these people didn’t dare to snatch food, so all the food and resources were for Mu Xiangxiang alone.

But now with Mrs. Mu gone, and Mr. Mu disliking her,

In just a short time, all the meat dishes were in the bowls of several brothers.

Mu Xiaxia only got unwanted vegetables.

"I wonder who made this food, it’s terrible!" Chewing on the vegetables, Mu Xiaxia complained.

Coincidentally, Mr. Mu overheard this.

He glanced at Mu Xiaxia, "If you don’t like it, don’t eat it, no one’s forcing you!"

Mu Xiaxia pouted, not daring to speak further.

This meal, amidst quarrels and noise, finally ended.

Mr. Mu was in a good mood, and after the meal, drank a few cups of wine with Mu Dade, Mu Dazhong, and Mu Danian.

Originally, Mr. Mu wanted to call Fourth Mu Dajiang along, but he said he had many things at home, plus tomorrow being New Year’s Eve, it wasn’t convenient to stay.

Mr. Mu couldn’t say much, waved him off, letting Mu Dajiang leave.

Mrs. Jin personally saw the fourth branch off at the main gate, and before parting, chatted with Mrs. Liu, "Xiaxia’s mother, are you satisfied with today’s arrangements?"