After I awakened my inner voice, I became the treasure of my family.

Chapter 157 Xiao Le'an Inherits the Love Brain

"Sigh, the fourth brother isn't young anymore, he's already sixteen. He's not some clueless kid anymore. Back when the eldest brother was his age, he was incredibly sensible."

Unlike our fourth son, he's a complete blockhead, an idiot! Even if he had another ten years to grow and mature, he probably wouldn't even come close to Xiuyan's level!

Just then, Li Tingxue couldn't help but interject, "Uh... if we calculate it this way, in another ten years, I'll be almost forty."

"Hehe, that's right. By then, Shen Xiuyan will probably have truly passed the forty-year mark. In that case, let him resign early."

Jiang Mianmian immediately turned her head, glanced at Li Tingxue, and asked with a suspicious look, "Are you guys hiding something? Are you afraid that I will suspect that you are after the Shen family's vast wealth and only give it to my own children!"

That's why you're so eager to prove yourself. Otherwise, why are you thinking about retirement so early?

"What if the fourth son is truly a good-for-nothing? How will this vast family fortune of the Marquis's mansion be passed down and continued in the future?"

"Look at him, always so idle and dissolute. He shows absolutely no sign of being capable of shouldering the responsibility of revitalizing the family!"

[Don't let him squander your family fortune in a few years, leaving us all starving!]

No, no, absolutely not!

Jiang Mianmian's attitude was very firm. She was already thinking that if that were the case, she would rather divide the property as soon as possible, so that she could also save more money for her retirement.

Let's hope that the fourth child doesn't really squander the family fortune and also squander the retirement money she has in her hands!

Li Tingxue's lips twitched. She wanted to say that she thought this way to tell her mother-in-law that they really had no intention of "fighting" for the family property.

As it turned out, Jiang Mianmian didn't care at all; she was more concerned about how much dividend money she could take from the family's shops and fields each year.

Li Tingxue quickly explained that if the fourth son failed the imperial examination, he would be allowed to return and inherit the Marquis's mansion. However, she would definitely have to keep an eye on him to prevent him from becoming a spendthrift like his father-in-law.

"Although the fourth brother seems a bit unreliable now, he might gradually mature as he gets older."

Jiang Mianmian raised an eyebrow and said nonchalantly, "You can tell what a person will be like at three years old. That saying is absolutely true. He was exactly the same when he was a child, and he's still the same now. He hasn't changed at all."

That kind of talk might fool others, and maybe even work, but you think you can fool me? Not a chance!

In my opinion, instead of wasting time talking to me about these trivial matters, you should instead urge the eldest son to work harder and manage the family business properly.

And as for my second son, I need to make him find a way to earn more money. That way, my wallet will be full, and even in my old age, I won't have to worry about living a miserable and lonely life!

Jiang Mianmian has never portrayed herself as a great philanthropist, nor does she take it for granted that her children must be obedient to her and extremely filial.

She had only one thought in her mind—to save as much money as possible in order to prevent herself from ending up in a miserable old age, just like in the story.

Li Tingxue initially found Jiang Mianmian's rather pragmatic thinking difficult to understand. Even if her mother-in-law had been a bad person, they wouldn't have neglected her in her old age.

If this reputation for being extremely unfilial were to spread, they would probably be cursed to death!

Furthermore, before she heard her mother-in-law's true feelings, she even once concluded that she was a selfish, heartless, and wicked woman who did not care about the lives of her children and only wanted to satisfy her own desires and pleasures.

Later, as she heard more and more of Jiang Mianmian's innermost thoughts, she somehow gradually began to have a new understanding and perspective on this mother-in-law.

She may have some selfishness, but it would be inaccurate to say that she has no conscience or kindness at all.

Perhaps she has experienced too much pain and setbacks, and those past hurts are etched in her heart.

So, out of a self-protective instinct, she put on a coat covered in spikes.

Whenever she encounters any disturbance or potential threat, she raises her quills and curls up like a hedgehog to avoid further harm.

However, despite her seemingly sharp and unapproachable appearance, she is actually a frank and straightforward person who never knows how to hide her true feelings.

Although they may have some ulterior motives and schemes, these are only for self-protection or to protect those close to them, and they have absolutely no intention of harming others.

She found her mother-in-law, with her unique personality, rather endearing after getting to know her!

Li Tingxue suddenly smiled and said to Jiang Mianmian, "Mother, I heard that the Ni Chang Ge on Donghua Street has launched several exquisite jewelry and headwear items in the past two days!"

I heard that one of the headdresses is made of purple jade, and it's absolutely gorgeous! I think you would look even better wearing it.

"Mother, let's go to the Rainbow Pavilion together! If you like it, your daughter-in-law will buy it for you."

"Oh my goodness, did the sun rise in the west today? Why have you suddenly become so generous?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mianmian was slightly taken aback, then a look of suspicion appeared on her face, and she snorted softly, "You don't need something from me, do you?"

"Or... is it that you really did sneak off to see other men last time, and now that I've found out, you're trying to use this to shut me up?"

[Hmph, I don't care if you see other men, but my little Le'an is still young, you can't do anything reckless!]

Even if we're going to do something reckless, we should wait until Xiao Le'an is older, otherwise, hmph...

Upon hearing this, Li Tingxue's lips twitched, but she quickly regained her composure and affectionately hugged Jiang Mianmian's arm.

She laughed and said coquettishly, "Look at what you're saying! How could I, your daughter-in-law, do anything improper? It's only natural for a daughter-in-law to be filial to her mother-in-law!"

And, Mother, you love my little Le'an so much, I, as her mother, am so happy!

Before, I was always worried that I would upset you because I gave birth to a daughter.

Seeing how much you dote on Xiao Le'an now, my heart, which had been hanging in suspense, can finally rest easy.

Then, Li Tingxue chuckled and said, "Mother, you have a wealth of experience and insight. You have weathered more storms than we have. In fact, you have eaten more salt than I have eaten rice!"

When Xiao Le'an grows up and it's time for her to get married, I'll definitely need your help, Mother, to carefully select her! We absolutely cannot allow our Xiao Le'an to marry the wrong person, a man she truly desires!

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mianmian frowned, immediately becoming displeased. She retorted, her voice filled with resentment:

"Le'an is so young, and you're already thinking about marrying her off? What, did you give birth to this daughter just so you could marry her off?"

She became more and more agitated as she spoke, and her voice unconsciously rose a few decibels: "Why? Why can't she just stay at home and live a comfortable life as a pampered young lady for the rest of her life?"

Being a rich heiress is so wonderful; you don't have to worry about your in-laws' attitudes or being deceived by those scoundrels.

If she wants a child, with the resources of our Marquis's mansion, it would be an easy matter for her to have one herself.

"At that time, we can carefully select a man with slightly better conditions, have him contribute his seed, and then simply send that man away. Our Marquis's mansion isn't short of funds to raise a child..."

What the hell!

Whoops!

Upon hearing Jiang Mianmian's words, Li Tingxue was so shocked that her mouth was agape enough to fit an egg, and her face was filled with disbelief!

She really didn't expect that her mother-in-law's thinking was even more modern than hers, more than 500 years ahead of her!

Not only did they dare to think such shocking ideas, they even dared to say them out loud in public.

Strangely enough, for some reason, after listening to this, Li Tingxue was not angry or felt that something was wrong. Instead, a little expectation welled up in her heart, and she was very happy!

Li Tingxue secretly rejoiced and couldn't help but chuckle to herself: "Hehe, it seems that I'm just like his father, both of us are love-struck. I'm just afraid that our little Le'an will follow in our footsteps and be easily blinded by love!"

"Uh...that is indeed a big problem!"

Just then, Jiang Mianmian suddenly thought of something.

The reason why Xiao Le'an ended up in such a miserable state in her past life was not only because her irresponsible parents ignored her, but also because she inherited such a terrible mind.

[Tell me, why did Xiao Le'an have to inherit their love-struck brain of both of them?]

Jiang Mianmian frowned, and after thinking hard, she finally realized something.

[And it wasn't just ordinary love-struck foolishness; it was downright obsessive. Just one glance at that dove, and it was as if she were bewitched, unable to see anyone else.]

[She fell head over heels in love with the dog, so stubbornly refusing to see the truth; otherwise, how could she have been so easily killed? If it hadn't been stopped in time, she might have met a tragic end.]

[No, absolutely not! ]

Jiang Mianmian made up her mind.

From now on, I must keep a close eye on Xiao Le'an at all times and absolutely prevent her from having any contact with that dog.

[I can't be like Su Qianqian, getting completely infatuated and losing my mind the moment I see her. That would be a real disaster!]