Elder Uncle Liang could only force a smile, “Then you go on with your work, we’ll leave first. After all, we are one family. You are the daughter‑in‑law of the Liang household, so when you speak, you must think more about the family’s reputation.”
Don’t speak recklessly about things that shouldn’t be said.
Xu Zhichun raised her brows: “Uncle, rest assured, I understand. As a person, one must recognize their own identity. Not only should words match that identity, but actions as well.”
Elder Uncle Liang’s face darkened a little, and he gave a faint cold laugh: “It’s best if you know.”
Their eyes locked, Xu Zhichun’s gaze icy: deep down, everyone knows exactly who is in the wrong.
Elder Uncle Liang, face darkened, stormed off in anger.
Zhang couldn’t help but step closer to Aunt Zhu’er, her eyes fixed on the bowl of peanut pig’s trotters in her hands, almost unable to look away. The broth was rich, the trotters tender and falling apart—it looked delicious.
“Zhu’er sister‑in‑law, did you bring this especially for them?”
Aunt Zhu’er: “Hm? Ah?”
Zhang reached out to take it, smiling broadly: “They can’t finish so much. My little Bao is growing, he should eat more. Better give it to me. Xu, as an adult, you wouldn’t fight your own nephew for food, would you?”
Xu Zhichun: “...”
Aunt Zhu’er thought to herself that she had come at the wrong time. Xu Zhichun had said peanut pig’s trotters were delicious, and that the meat was best when simmered long until tender, so she had started it early over a low fire. Since the two households lived close, a single big log in the stove hole could burn for a long time, and checking the fire from time to time was enough. It didn’t interfere at all with her peeling and cutting konjac here.
Sure enough, after simmering for a long time, the pig’s trotters and peanuts were soft, glutinous, and full of flavor. She had specially ladled out a big bowl for Xu Zhichun and Liang Mingxuan to taste, but unexpectedly ran into the elders of both the first and second branches of the family as well.
Although Aunt Zhu’er was of the same generation as Zhang and Bai, their ages were far apart, and they hardly interacted in daily life. The pig’s trotters she brought for Xu Zhichun were carefully chosen cuts, and in generous quantity—how could she possibly let Zhang have them cheaply?
Besides, Zhang didn’t get along with Xu Zhichun, so even for the sake of close sisters she couldn’t let Zhang take advantage.
Zhang stepped back, shifting her hands aside, stammering: “N‑no, it wasn’t brought for them. I—I just suddenly remembered something I needed to tell Zhichun, and in my hurry I forgot to put the bowl down before coming. Yes, I came because I had something to discuss with Zhichun.”
Zhang didn’t believe it, curling her lips with a snort: “Your forgetfulness really is something.”
Aunt Zhu’er let out a mischievous giggle.
Xu Zhichun: “Aunt, do you still have business here? If not, please head back.”
“Hmph!”
Zhang glared fiercely at Xu Zhichun, then left in angry resentment.
Bai had stayed quietly at the side; she gave Xu Zhichun a smile, then left as well.
Xu Zhichun felt her scalp prickle at that smile. She wasn’t afraid of Zhang’s loud and obvious malice, but this second aunt always gave off an unsettling air—like a venomous snake lurking in the shadows, waiting for the moment to strike without warning.
The more Zhang thought, the angrier she became, cursing all the way. Bai listened halfway, and only when they reached the doorway did she smile: “Forget it, sister‑in‑law, don’t be angry. Even if you’re furious, Xu won’t see it. And if she did, she wouldn’t care—she’d probably be pleased with herself. So why bother?”
Zhang grew even angrier: “She wouldn’t dare!”
Thinking it over, Xu really might dare—after all, she had even dared to take up a knife. “What misfortune for the family, that fool who doesn’t recognize goodwill.”
A flash of cruelty flickered in Bai’s eyes as she smiled faintly: “If you ask me, Xu can hardly be blamed. With Minglang gone, she’s lost her support, and she’s still young. Of course she clings desperately to everything—after all, the days ahead are long.”
Zhang snorted. She didn’t care about Xu Zhichun’s life or death. With so many sons in her family, all growing up, the little bit of farmland they had was hardly enough. If she could seize the fertile fields of the third branch, things would be much easier. After all, it was Liang family property. With Liang Minglang gone, it should naturally belong to their first branch. Xu Zhichun was an outsider—how could she have any share?
Bai sighed: “If Xu were to remarry, she’d have lifelong support, and naturally wouldn’t cling so desperately to our Liang family’s property.”
Zhang’s heart stirred, and suddenly everything became clear.
That’s right—better just have Xu remarry! She’s still young, with no children; surely she’d want to.
Let her remarry and be gone—then not only would the third branch’s fields return to us, but we’d also gain a bride price. Since we’re raising that brat Liang Mingxuan, whether he amounts to anything or not, he’ll have to repay us someday.
Bai added: “Xu is attractive and still young. I fear ordinary families might not satisfy her—she’ll need a good match.”
Zhang sneered: “No matter what, it’s still a second marriage. She should be glad if anyone wants her—does she think she can pick and choose? Dream on! Sister‑in‑law, they say the eldest sister‑in‑law is like a mother. I’ll take charge of this matter for her, so you needn’t interfere.”
Bai lowered her gaze with a smile: “Then I’ll trouble you with the hard work, sister‑in‑law.”
“Hmph.”
Zhang finally felt somewhat relieved; with brisk steps, she went back to discuss it with her husband.
Bai was quite satisfied—let the elder sister‑in‑law handle the offending matters.
Aunt Zhu’er set down a big bowl of peanuts stewed with pig’s trotters and smiled: “I cooked it the way you suggested—it really is delicious. I brought a bowl especially for you to taste. What were your elder aunt and the others here for again?”
Xu Zhichun had no sense of family honor with the first and second branches, and gave a bitter smile: “It’s all because of my six mu of good farmland. They want it, but I refuse. When they tried to snatch it, I was forced to brandish a knife to scare them off.”
Aunt Zhu’er was startled and quickly said: “The village head won’t allow them to act recklessly. Next time, go to Uncle Lizheng instead—don’t use a knife, it’s too frightening. What if you hurt yourself? They’ve gone too far.”
Xu Zhichun smiled and said: “I know my limits. When it’s time to seek out Uncle Lizheng, I’ll do so.”
You can’t go to Uncle Lizheng for every little thing—too many times would never look good. Good steel must be used on the blade’s edge.
Aunt Zhu’er sighed inwardly, gently comforted her a few words, then smiled: “My husband has come back, and this time he’ll be resting for several days. I told him your family needs something made. We have plenty of timber at home. Tomorrow morning when I come, I’ll bring him along. Whatever you want crafted, just tell him—he’ll be sure to make it properly for you.”
Xu Zhichun was overjoyed, quickly nodding with a smile: “Good, good, good—then I’ll have to trouble Uncle Qi Tian! It’s wonderful that your family has timber, it saves me the effort. Whatever the cost of wood and labor, please have Uncle Qi Tian charge at market price, otherwise I’d feel embarrassed to trouble him.”
Aunt Zhu’er chuckled, affectionately patting her shoulder and scolding: “What are you saying? How could I charge you market price? Don’t make me feel cheap. If I really did that, I’d die of shame. To be honest, the timber was purchased, so we’ll count it at cost. As for labor—he’s resting at home anyway, so let him treat it as practice to pass the time. How could we call that wages?”
No comments:
Post a Comment