Since that’s the case, Mrs. Li decided to strike first.
She thought of telling the villagers that Shuangshuang had given all the pheasants to her, so the villagers would think those pheasants belonged to the Old Yu Family.
When Shuangshuang and that brat were about to leave later, she would call the villagers over to watch.
Even the thick-skinned wouldn’t dare to take away these pheasants and eggs in front of everyone in the village.
"Si Niang’s daughter is really sothing, just like Si Niang when she was young."
"Your Old Yu Family must have done sothing good in your ancestors’ ti to have such a capable granddaughter. There are many pheasants in Yu Family Village, but few can catch them. I’ve truly learned sothing today!"
"Indeed, we Old Yu Family don’t keep freeloaders. If you want to eat, you have to work!"
Mrs. Li boasted to everyone until the whole village knew, then she stopped.
Old Mrs. Yu ca down from the mountain, just in ti to hear the villagers talking, knowing her second daughter-in-law was up to no good again.
"Second daughter-in-law, how could you say that! Those pheasants were caught by Fengzi." Old Mrs. Yu disapproved of Mrs. Li’s actions.
"Mother, no matter who caught them, these pheasants are ours, and I want chicken soup tonight." Mrs. Li licked her lips, almost drooling.
"Second daughter-in-law, you are really muddleheaded. If you want chicken, there are plenty in our chicken coop. Just kill one. Why insist on taking others’ things and making people dislike you?"
Old Mrs. Yu always had complaints about her second daughter-in-law, who was so eager for small gains that she would never learn from her mistakes despite suffering many tis.
"Mother, you are the one who’s muddleheaded. Why does other people’s stuff always taste better than our own?"
Our chickens are for Tiancai and Tianmu to lay eggs. If eaten, what will your grandsons eat?
"Boiled rice with cold water? Anyway, I don’t care. I just want Shuangshuang’s pheasants!"
After saying this, Mrs. Li hugged the pheasants and angrily went back to her room, ignoring Old Mrs. Yu who was chasing her to put them down, and she even shouted:
"Mother, either give that piece of red cloth or I’ll take the pheasants. Anyway, if there’s no bargain, don’t think I’ll return the pheasants!"
"You..." Old Mrs. Yu trembled with anger, standing in the yard for a long ti before calming down.
Just then, Mr. Yu returned. Hearing Old Mrs. Yu’s words, he wasn’t angry but consoled her: "Old woman, why get excited over her words? Who would believe the second daughter-in-law? When Shuangshuang gets back, I’ll take the pheasants out, let her be pleased with herself for now!"
Only then did Old Mrs. Yu nod. She rembered the silver Shuangshuang gave her and the task she had to do, and then she went out.
...
...
Mu Shuangshuang and Fengzi were happily picking peaches on the mountain. A long bench was placed under the peach tree, with Lu Yuanfeng standing on the chair and Mu Shuangshuang holding the bench with one hand and the bamboo basket for Lu Yuanfeng with the other.
Peaches fell down with a swish, landing in the basket Mu Shuangshuang held high.
Various red and yellow peaches in the bamboo basket looked vibrant and beautiful.
Not far from them, a boy called Tiancai was also picking up fallen peaches, eating them without washing whenever they hit the ground.
By the ti Mu Shuangshuang and Lu Yuanfeng picked two baskets of peaches, her cousin Yu Tiancai was already so full he couldn’t move from the ground.
"Cousin Shuangshuang, I’m glad you ca. I couldn’t eat peaches before, just watching them hungrily," Yu Tiancai said to Mu Shuangshuang with a face full of joy.
"Haha, then the person you should thank isn’t , it’s your brother Yuanfeng who’s the real skillful one."
After all, it was Fengzi who was tall and the one climbing the tree, while she only did so trivial things.
"Yes, Brother Yuanfeng is amazing, but can I take so peaches for Tianhe and Tiansha?"
The Old Yu Family currently had only three grandchildren at ho; the rest were busy outside and wouldn’t return except during the holidays.
Old Mrs. Yu gave birth to six children, three sons, and three daughters. The eldest and second were sons, while her mother, third aunt, and fifth aunt were daughters who married early and seldom returned.
Over the years, several sons and their wives had been looking after Old Mrs. Yu, and despite living together, the family wasn’t as contentious as their parents.
"Of course, you can take so to them!"
Mu Shuangshuang lifted Yu Tiancai’s shirt, filled his pocket with peaches, and watched him go down the mountain. Then she and Lu Yuanfeng picked so more peaches before descending.
In such a short ti, Mrs. Zhang’s dinner was ready, the fragrance wafting from the kitchen, and Old Mrs. Yu, who had made a trip outside, had just finished dealing with Mu Shuangshuang’s affairs.
She got a tael of silver as a deposit, and even found a witness for the transaction. If they didn’t gather a thousand pounds of corn by the agreed ti, it would be a breach of contract, and they could go to the governnt to sue.
Farrs feared nothing more than officials. In their eyes, if one got into a lawsuit, life was pretty much over, so Old Mrs. Yu reckoned the matter was pretty much settled.
When she told Mu Shuangshuang what happened, Shuangshuang was thrilled, hugging Old Mrs. Yu with gratitude.
"Grandma, people say old ginger is spicier, and I believe it now. You truly are capable and bold, I love you so much!"
"You sweet girl, Grandma can’t bear to see you go." Old Mrs. Yu mused, feeling like she had a full house of sons and grandsons, yet none were as adorable and sensible as Shuangshuang, always liking her more the more she observed her.
"Grandma, isn’t it because I’m busy with my uncle’s big matter? Once it’s resolved, he’ll have to get married, won’t he? Then I’ll visit you often, so set your mind at ease. Shuangshuang will certainly co back to accompany you."
Old Mrs. Yu felt a bit comforted by this.
"Right, when your sixth uncle gets married, co again, and I’ll get your room ready, changing the bedding to new ones for you."
Old Mrs. Yu’s words reminded Mu Shuangshuang of how the Third Branch of the Mu Family had no winter clothing except a few sumr clothes, making her wonder how they survived the past winters.
"Then Shuangshuang thanks Grandma!"
"Alright, alright, let’s go eat. Later, I’ll have your second uncle drive the ox cart to take you back. It’s getting late, and it’s not safe for two kids to be out."
"Grandma, we ca with a wheelbarrow, no need."
"No problem, we’ll bring the wheelbarrow onto the big cart together, it’s more convenient!"
With Old Mrs. Yu’s decisive words, Mu Shuangshuang and Lu Yuanfeng were spared the effort of walking back. Shuangshuang felt extrely moved, ever more convinced that this visit was worthwhile.
User Comments
0 comments from readers