Destroy the scumbag husband, beat the bitch, the reborn legitimate daughter overturns the entire cap

The Mu family has always been a family of scholars and intellectuals. In Mu Chang'an's generation, only Mu Chang'an himself has achieved a relatively high official position. His ancestors did produce a Grand Secretary of the Hanlin Academy, but in the officialdom, they were just scholars who did academic research and did not have any real power. Therefore, they were not as prosperous as some other families.

In the eyes of the Mu family, Mu Chang'an, barely over thirty, had already risen to the position of Vice Minister of Works, a position with a bright future ahead. Furthermore, his marriage to the legitimate daughter of the General of the State further solidified his promising future.

Mu Chang'an originally had two brothers, but the youngest was pitiful. He joined the army in his youth and died on the battlefield, never having married. The second brother, Mu Changping, was currently serving in a distant post and could not return to the capital for the New Year. He could only send someone early to deliver a cartload of New Year's gifts to his parents.

Mu Xin Nuan accompanied Li Shi to look at the gifts that her second uncle had sent back from out of town. They were just ordinary trinkets. The gifts for the children were mostly embroidery items, nothing particularly valuable. Even the gifts for the old master and old lady were just a few fur coats for each of them.

Mu Xin Nuan knew how stingy her second uncle was. Although he had never been transferred back to the capital before her death in her previous life, she had still met him several times. Officials sent to the provinces, while not rising as fast as those in the capital, earned a considerable amount. The gifts from various places alone were enough to support his own family. She never expected that the New Year's gifts for the two elders would be so meager.

If it were said that her second uncle was honest and upright, Mu Xin Nuan would really not believe it! Although Mu Changping was not in the capital, in his previous life, he had climbed up the ranks all the way up. If he hadn't spent money to bribe officials, who would believe it?

Of course, the old master and mistress wouldn't mind that the gifts their son sent were meager. The old lady, in particular, kept praising her second daughter-in-law, saying how good she was and how considerate she was. Not only did Li Shi dislike hearing this, but even the old master, who was standing nearby, couldn't stand it anymore.

"Alright! Eldest daughter-in-law, there's nothing else here. Right now, things are busy at home. The New Year is approaching, and we can't neglect the gifts from other households. Go and prepare them."

"Yes, father."

After Li left, Mu Xin Nuan didn't stay long. She apologized and returned to Yue Xuan. Before leaving, she deliberately 'forgot' those few embroidered pieces on the table.

Once everyone in the room was gone, the old man said coldly, "I think you're getting more and more senile as you get older! What nonsense were you spouting in front of your daughter-in-law? What do you mean by saying your second daughter-in-law is well-educated and reasonable? Aren't you clearly insulting your eldest daughter-in-law for being ignorant? Over the years in this household, has your eldest daughter-in-law ever skimped on your food or your monthly allowance? Your second daughter-in-law is always at your side, fulfilling her filial duties, and now she's just bringing back these few things, and you're praising her so much. I'm ashamed for you!"

The old lady's expression froze. She hadn't expected the old man to say such harsh things about her, showing absolutely no mercy.

“Grandpa, the second son’s family is all away from home. How can they compare to the eldest son’s family? I’ve said before that the eldest son should help put in some effort. Next year is the time for the assessment of officials from other places. Find an opportunity to transfer the second son back to the capital. Wouldn’t that be better?”

The old man glared at her. "These are two different things! What does the second son's return have to do with the eldest son's wife? Has the eldest son's wife treated you badly all these years? Especially just now in front of the children! Don't take offense when I tell you this! Look at what the second son's family sent to the children!"

The old man casually picked up an embroidered handkerchief, shook it a couple of times, and said, "She has the nerve to have something like this sent all the way back to the capital? Does our Mu family not have any embroiderers, or are the women in our household all incapable of needlework? How can you be so brainless!"

The old lady was so scolded by the old man that she could barely lift her head. Looking at the embroidery, she was also a little angry. What was wrong with the second son's wife? Why did she think of bringing back so many things? Wasn't this embarrassing for her second son? Could it be that the dignified Mu family was lacking in this?

The old lady's lips twitched, but she dared not say anything in front of the old man, for fear that if she did, the old man would be dissatisfied with the second son again.

"Hmph! Don't think I don't know. A few days ago, Madam Li had someone specially send New Year's gifts to the second son's family and our daughters' families. The gifts for the children were all gleaming silver ingots! Look at your second son's wife, whom you've been praising to the skies, what kind of talk is this?"

The old lady mumbled for a long time before finally managing to utter, "Perhaps it's not easy for the second son out there. It's the holidays, and everyone needs to be bribed. Does he not need money?"

Upon hearing this, the old man immediately laughed in exasperation, "You sure know how to talk! He, an official sent to a remote post, needs to be bribed, but the eldest son doesn't? Doesn't he need to send generous gifts to the Minister of Works? Doesn't he need to visit the Prime Minister's residence? Doesn't he need to make connections with other officials?"

Upon hearing this, the old lady was truly speechless!

If we're talking about bribing officials, is there anything more expensive than bribing officials in the capital? The capital has plenty of other things, but it's full of nobles and wealthy gentry! Which of these princely mansions, dukely mansions, and marquis mansions can be overlooked? Even those who don't usually interact with each other can't be left out on such a major holiday!

Of course, with Mu Chang'an's official position, he would naturally have some income. However, for a fourth-rank official in the capital, it was clear that he spent more than he earned.

In the days that followed, Li Shi indeed became increasingly busy. Not only was she busy, but Mu Chang'an was also busy. There were matters to attend to in the court, matters to attend to in the government offices, and naturally, matters to attend to in various prefectures.

It's not that the imperial court doesn't grant annual leave, but there are so many dignitaries in the capital that if everyone tries to visit them after the holidays, it might be too late. Moreover, by then, the gates of all the mansions will be overflowing with people, and some dignitaries might not even be seen.

This was all thanks to Madam Li, who prepared the gifts every year, tailored to the preferences of the ladies and young women. Mu Chang'an was extremely grateful to Madam Li for this, because of her meticulousness; the gifts sent out each year were mainly for the women of the household. This way, outsiders couldn't easily accuse anyone above of accepting bribes. It made things much easier for Mu Chang'an to handle the situation.

That day, Madam Li was busy preparing a gift for Mu Chang'an's superior when Granny Wang came in to report, "Madam, the young lady has returned and is already in the front hall."