Jiang Chunxue was reborn. Her children complained that she might as well have died, since at least that would have saved them some food on the road as they fled the famine.
Jiang Chunxue sighed. “If that’s how you feel, I’ll leave all the money your father hid in the mountains to your fourth brother.”
The fourth son, who was on the verge of turning evil, thought, “Mother really does love me best?”
The eldest son snapped, “You biased old hag! Don’t expect me to support you when you’re old!”
The second son’s face darkened, while the third wailed and sobbed.
Jiang Chunxue slapped them across the face, feeling absolutely delighted.
When rebel forces besieged the city, Jiang Chunxue fled with her children.
No food? No problem. She had a storage space and a spirit spring, so they could eat their fill at every meal.
The eldest son and his wife were ungrateful? No problem. There was nothing a few good beatings couldn’t fix. And if they still didn’t learn, it just meant the beatings weren’t hard enough!
The second son was lazy and greedy, and his wife tried to drive a wedge between him and his mother? No problem. A firm hand and a little sweetness always did the trick!
Her youngest daughter eloped with a rich man? No problem. The Four Books and Five Classics, plus a whole library of history and philosophy, were on the way. Knowledge changes your destiny!
The fourth son stayed single all his life to support her? No problem. There were refined ladies and sweet girls from humble families. He could marry whichever one he liked!
Later, as Jiang Chunxue watched her children become more filial than the last, she decided that a sapling would never grow straight unless you pruned it!
