Wang Dongxue nodded gently. "She’s very good! You can rest easy!"
Old Matriarch Ji clasped her hands together, incessantly praying for divine protection.
Her little darling Suisui was different from her own daughter; Suisui was composed and could focus on her studies.
The sound of a knife being sharpened, SCRAPE, SCRAPE, SCRAPE, ca from the Courtyard. Old Matriarch Ji turned to see her second daughter-in-law, Huo Xing’Er, doing the sharpening!
Old Matriarch Ji asked in confusion, "Second Daughter-in-law, what... what are you doing?"
"Sharpening my knife!"
The usually taciturn Huo Xing’Er didn’t even raise her head, continuing to sharpen it, stroke by stroke.
Just as Old Matriarch Ji was about to ask for clarification, she heard Huo Xing’Er say slowly, "Oh, by the way, Mother, it seems my husband is about to return."
Old Matriarch Ji’s mouth fell open, and her temples throbbed.
Could it be that her second daughter-in-law still held a grudge because, right after they married and before they even consummated the marriage, Second Son had packed his things and run off? So, was she sharpening her knife now, intending to chop off his dog head the mont he returned?
Old Matriarch Ji’s body swayed precariously. "Second Daughter-in-law, don’t... don’t be impulsive. If... if there’s sothing to discuss, let’s talk it over calmly."
Huo Xing’Er looked up at Old Matriarch Ji, puzzled. "Mother, what am I being impulsive about?"
"When Second Son returns, *I* will beat him, *I* will scold him, and *I* won’t give him food for three days. So, please, don’t you be impulsive, alright?"
Outside the small Courtyard gate, Ji Youran stood with one foot in and one foot out.
He hadn’t checked the almanac before leaving today. This ho was definitely not safe to return to; perhaps he should just slip away!
He hadn’t even stepped through the gate, and his old mother was already planning to abuse him.
Having made up his mind, Ji Youran was about to sneak off.
"Second Brother is back! Why aren’t you going in? Hurry, we’re all waiting to see that Ginseng of yours that’s as big as a radish!"
Ji Youran’s temples throbbed. It was truly an unlucky year; to think he’d run into his usually boisterous third sister-in-law!
Just as he was about to say sothing to fool her and make his escape, he heard Zhu Xiuxiu shout excitedly into the Courtyard.
"Mother! Second Brother is back!"
Then she shouted again, "Suisui, co out quickly! Your Second Uncle is back! Quickly let him take a look at your injury!"
Inside, Suisui instinctively looked towards Ji Youyuan, her big eyes blinking. "Can Second Uncle look at my injury?"
Ji Youyuan nodded, patting her small head. "Your Second Uncle is a barefoot Doctor!"
The little girl knew what a Doctor did—they saved people and treated illnesses, and understood dicine—but she didn’t understand what ’barefoot’ ant when added to it.
"First Uncle, what does ’barefoot’ an?"
Ji Youyuan explained, "It just ans walking without shoes."
The little girl said, "Oh," indicating she understood.
Second Uncle actually walks around barefoot? Does that an he’s very poor? Can’t he afford shoes?
Coming out of the room, she saw a young man standing in the middle of the Courtyard. He looked older than her Fourth Uncle, was thin, and wore drab, dusty clothes.
Is this man my Second Uncle?
She subconsciously glanced at her Second Uncle’s feet. Sure enough, he wasn’t wearing proper shoes, but rather shoes woven from straw!
SOB SOB... Second Uncle is so poor! He can’t even afford shoes!
"I’ll beat you to death, you heartless bastard! I’ll teach you for running away from ho! I’ll teach you for disappearing without a trace! I’ll teach you for abandoning your wife and child! I’ll teach you..."
Old Matriarch Ji, wielding a stick as thick as her thumb, cursed her second son with every blow, striking him with all her might!
"Mother, Mother, Mother... wait... wait! Hit if you must, but why are you falsely accusing ?"
Ji Youran had initially thought: Since I can’t escape, I’ll just have to take it! If Mother wants to hit , then let her. She’s my biological mother; surely she wouldn’t beat to death?
However, as his mother struck and scolded him, relentlessly listing his faults, he could accept everything else. But the accusation of abandoning his wife and child? That, he would not accept.
"I’m falsely accusing you? You little beast! You scoundrel! Which part of what I said isn’t the truth?"
Old Matriarch Ji struck him, all the while thinking to herself: Son! Don’t bla Mother! Mother is doing this to save you. You just have to endure a little physical pain now, and only then will you be able to keep that dog head of yours!
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