Choi Yeong didn't like seeing this kind of gaze.

  She had studied psychology in her previous life and knew that Erniang's current state was not right.

  Thinking of the woman she had just met, she could more or less guess the desperation in Er Sao's eyes, which must have come from the pressure of her mother's family.

  Du Niang said that Er Sao's maternal family was implicated in a political affair two years ago and has since declined.

  Reminds me of Song Ziyue's incident a few days ago, this time two years ago was quite thought-provoking.

  The Liang family is probably like the Song family, both of whom were implicated in the Ning Wang rebellion.

  The Liang family is slightly better than the Song family, with a relative like General Town, although they lost their property, at least all the clan members were preserved.

  But those who are used to wealth and nobility, yet are the most proud and aloof scholarly families, suddenly fell from the prosperity of the imperial family to the mud, I'm afraid there will be many discomforts.

  Cui Ying thought that if her guess was correct, the woman just now should be Eldest Sister-in-law's sister from her natal family.

  Li's sister-in-law came over to look for Second Sister-in-law. If it wasn't that something was amiss at home, or if they were short of money, she wouldn't be able to find a third thing to do.

  Second sister is desperate and worried, she must have lent a helping hand countless times in these two years.

  Liáng shì zài zhèn guó jiàng jūn fǔ de jǐ wèi xí fu zhī zhōng, qí shí zuì gū lì wú yuán.

  Translation:

  Among the several daughters-in-law in the General's mansion, Liang was actually the most isolated and helpless.

  She is not like Yining Junzhu, a royal relative.

  Nor is she like Lian Shi, being the legitimate daughter of a national duke's manor, with family backing.

  Even more unlike Su's painting, that is Jiangnan's famous virtuous and talented woman, relying solely on personal charm, can conquer people's hearts.

  Her husband died, her natal family committed a crime, and she had no offspring.

  If she hadn't married into the General's household, which was so warm and harmonious, she wouldn't have dared to imagine what kind of life she would have lived.

  Her husband's family would certainly look down on her because of her weak family background, and she didn't even leave behind a son or daughter for the family. A stingy family might even frame her for being unlucky in marriage and causing the death of her husband and father-in-law. If she were to encounter a cruel sister-in-law, she would really be left with nothing but a pile of bones.

  Luckily it's the Yuan family.

  The old lady pitied her and usually didn't care about what good things she got, but there was always a share for her.

  The sisters-in-law yielded to her, and even when she spoke sharply and unpleasantly at times, no one ever held it against her.

  The brothers took care of her, and as long as it was related to her, they would do anything for her. They didn't treat her like a younger sister or older sister-in-law, but rather looked after her like their own sister at home.

  If it weren't for having to deal with the Liang family's affairs, the Liangs' days wouldn't be so utterly hopeless.

  Cui Ling heard from Du Niangniang that after the Liang family encountered a disaster, although they barely escaped, the Emperor issued an order, forbidding any descendants of the Liang family from taking the imperial examination.

  The Liang family has been a family of scholars for generations, and reading books and taking office is what they are best at.

  Now that His Majesty has made up his mind to revive the family fortunes, the younger generation of the Liang family have completely lost their will to fight and from now on they are in a state of utter collapse.

  In fact, Su Zi's maiden home was also originally a bureaucratic residence, but because his official career path was blocked, it was changed to a merchant's residence.

  Nowadays, the Longzhong Su family's business has spread all over the prosperous dynasty.

  No one has ever looked down on the Su family because of their business, and the Su daughters have always married into high-ranking and prestigious families.

  If Liang's family could have thought it through, they would have taken the same path as Su of Longzhong and might not have ended up in such a miserable state today.

  However, the glory of one department and three scholars has not faded yet.

  Liang's family still refused to abandon their pride as scholars, yet they did such a humble job as traveling merchants.

  At first, they could still make a living by selling off the women's dowries.

  But for a long time without making progress, the days that followed became increasingly difficult.

  The men of the Liang family were still indulging in their unyielding pride, but the women had no choice but to take matters into their own hands as they couldn't bear the sight of an empty pot at home. In desperation, they turned their attention to the Liang clan.

  For two years, Liang had almost spent all her dowry for her mother's family.

  But as long as the Liang family doesn't have a man who can hold up the roof beam and support the pillars, this is a bottomless pit that can never be filled.

  Cui Ying thought, just now, Er Sao's natal family must have made some difficult demands on her again.

  Otherwise, how could Erjie's eyes be so desperate!

  Cui Ying felt a little heartache.

  But these are Second Sister's private affairs, and it's not good for her to say three or four things before Second Sister takes the initiative to inform her.

  She had to pretend as if she knew nothing, smiling and holding up the food box in her hand, "I heard that Second Aunt likes spicy food, this is a new dish that I and Chef Liu just developed today, it's especially delicious!"

  Liáng shì tīng le, guǒ rán jiāng yǎn dǐ de chóu xù shōu le yī xiē.

  English Translation:

  The Liang family listened and indeed collected some of the melancholy at the bottom of their eyes.

  She hastily pulled Cui Ying to sit down beside the Eight Immortals' table, with a very interested expression, "Is that so? Let me have a taste."

  Delicious food can not only satisfy one's hunger, but also has a magical function that makes people forget their troubles.

  What others don't know is that this works every time for Cui Ying.

  No matter in the past or present, whenever she encountered troubles that couldn't be solved for a while, as long as she had a delicious meal, her worries would disappear like smoke and clouds drifting away with the wind.

  She sincerely hopes that Liang is also this kind of person.

  Li looked at Cui Ying holding her face with a pair of bright big eyes, filled with infinite expectation looking at her, and couldn't help but sweep away more than half of the troubles in her heart. She chuckled and said, "Okay, I'll try."

  The crispy fried pork trotters have a golden yellow skin, while the meat and tendons inside are soft and fragrant. One bite and the aroma lingers on your lips and teeth.

  Mr. Liang blew his lips and nodded hastily, "Not bad, not bad, this is good! The mouth is heavy enough, the spicy is strong enough!"

  She couldn't say much more and didn't have time to consider her sister-in-law's image, so she immediately threw herself into the feast.

  A whole basin of flavorful pig's trotters, in the blink of an eye, has been swept away.

  "Ah, fifth brother and sister, this is too delicious, I didn't even think to leave some for you. Shouldn't there be some left in the kitchen?"

  She came from a family of scholars, originally had elegant table manners, but in recent years she has become somewhat self-abandoned and no longer pays attention to these things, instead turning herself into a bold and uninhibited woman.

  But even so, eating and drinking like this without regard for appearances is a first.

  It's just that she had been bullied by her sister-in-law at her parents' home before, and was eager to vent her emotions. This pork trotter was too delicious, and accidentally...

  Cui Ling was overjoyed, she waved her hand and said, "I was worried that Second Aunt wouldn't like to eat it, but since you like it so much, it means my efforts this afternoon weren't in vain. I'm really happy now."

  She thought for a moment, leaned in close to Liang's ear and asked in a low voice, "Actually, I was thinking of calling a few trustworthy people to go outside and rent a wine house, just to sell these spicy dishes that no one has ever sold in Shengjing City. Second sister, if you're interested, why not join in on the investment and earn some extra spending money?"

  Cui Ying herself was not short of money, but she knew her second sister-in-law was.

  The second sister-in-law is a straightforward and hot-tempered person. She would never accept favors from others without reason, and she is unwilling to take money from others.

  But if it's a profitable business, ask her to invest some money, I think she won't refuse.

  As expected, Liang's expression relaxed upon hearing these words.

  Just investing requires capital, and doing business can't guarantee a stable profit. She is now short of money, these are all things that need to be considered.

  She thought for a moment and said in a low voice, "Fifth brother and sister, this idea is not bad, I'm interested, just give me some time to think carefully, okay?"

  Chui Ying's idea was born for Liang Shi, as long as she is willing, it doesn't matter how long she thinks.

  She smiled and bid farewell to Liang's family, then happily carried the food box back to Tai'an Courtyard.

  As soon as she entered the courtyard, Xiaoling rushed to her and winked, "Fifth Granny, Fifth Master has brought you a letter, it's so thick, so thick, this thick!"