Li Cuicui knew better than anyone just how important a capable matriarch was to a family. Every ti she saw Jin Qianqian being kept on such a tight leash by Seventh, she couldn’t resist offering a few words of advice.
"Look at your sisters-in-law. They keep their husbands on a tight rein, and that’s how you prevent any trouble. You child, you need to wise up a bit!"
’Success!’ Jin Qianqian ntally threw up a victory sign. ’It looks like the persona Wenheng and I have been cultivating was a resounding success. See? Even a woman as domineering as my mother-in-law is taking my side.’
"My husband is a scholar, so he understands far more than I do. I’ve been using my spare ti to learn from him. Once I’ve learned enough, I’m sure I’ll be a worthy helpmate to him."
Jin Qianqian heaped more praise on Ancient Wen Heng, and Li Cuicui’s whole face softened into a smile.
’It’s true what they say—all parents love hearing their children praised. Just look how happy it’s made my mother-in-law.’
"No wonder we always see you two sitting with your heads together, whispering. I was wondering what you two lovebirds could have so much to talk about," Hong Daya added, joining in the fun. "So, how is it going? Can you write and draw yet?"
Qianqian nodded smugly and pointed to the small wooden blocks she had packed away. "I use those to practice my characters. I recognize a few now."
Hong Daya sounded a little envious. "You’re so clever, Qianqian. I can barely recognize the simplest characters. I just hope our Little Leshun can do better than us soday."
Qianqian replied, "Little Leshun is still so young. When he’s a bit older, you can send him to a private school to study. Who knows? He might even earn a noble title for you soday, Fifth Sister-in-law."
As soon as she said this, both Li Cuicui and Hong Daya laughed, covering their mouths. "That would be wonderful," Hong Daya said. "If this boy really amounts to sothing soday, I’ll make him thank his auntie for her auspicious words."
Qianqian gestured dramatically. "Of course! Then I, his aunt, can bask in the reflected glory. I’ll be able to swagger around town!"
Her words filled Hong Daya with renewed energy. Of course, she still had Little Leshun! Maybe one day she could live a comfortable life thanks to her son.
Xie Ruyi, who had been watching coolly from the sidelines, glanced at Jin Qianqian. ’I underestimated her.’
Ancient Wen Heng returned to this warm and cheerful scene, taking the packed bag from Jin Qianqian’s hands. "They’re getting ready to leave. Everyone, check to see if you’ve left anything behind."
"Everything’s packed," Jin Qianqian said, surveying the ssy clearing. "It’ll probably be a while before this place looks the way it did when we first arrived."
Ancient Wen Heng glanced back at the wooden hut still standing there. "Let’s go."
As they journeyed onward, they were about halfway to their destination when they stumbled upon He Tiping’s family, who had fallen behind the main group.
Jin Qianqian gritted her teeth as she watched Gu Yuanfeng carrying a load so heavy his shoulder pole was bent, and He Chuncao struggling under a bundle larger than her own body.
’What is wrong with that man’s head? It’s one thing if he wants to suffer himself, but how can he drag his child into this?’
Anger flared in Ancient Wen Heng’s eyes as he watched his good-for-nothing brother-in-law, who was still carrying He Tuliang on his back. He clenched his fists.
Li Cuicui dropped her own shoulder pole and started to charge forward, but Jin Qianqian quickly pulled her back.
Then, she covered her mouth and cried out in mock horror, "A snake! Brother-in-law, there’s a snake on you!"
The mont she said "snake," the whole group erupted into chaos, with everyone looking down and searching around frantically.
He Tiping jumped up in alarm, nearly flinging his older brother off his back.
"Where’s the snake?!"
Qianqian’s eyes widened as she pointed at He Tiping’s back. "It’s behind you!"
When He Tuliang saw Jin Qianqian’s eyes locked on his back, his own back instantly tingled with creeping fear. He jumped straight to the ground and began hopping about. "Quick, get it off! Get the snake off !
Second Brother, are you dead?! Get the snake off my back!"
Jin Qianqian sneered. "You’re the biggest snake here. You’re nothing but a spineless parasite. Have you forgotten how to walk?"
"You bitch, I’m injured! It’s not that I can’t walk!" He Tuliang spat, pointing a finger at Jin Qianqian.
Li Cuicui stepped directly in front of Jin Qianqian. "Just look at you! You look even healthier than your own brother! Calling you spineless is putting it mildly. You’re a leech, clinging to your brother and sucking him dry!
Two able-bodied n in the family, and one fakes an injury while the other watches his wife and child suffer. You’re two of a kind, and both of you are worthless!"
When she saw Mrs. He Zhou open her mouth to defend the He brothers, Li Cuicui marched right over and got physical. She snatched the feather-light bundle from Mrs. He Zhou’s hands. "A healthy woman like you, and you have the gall to carry this little thing? And look at your granddaughter! Look at how you’ve mistreated that poor child!
I must have been blind to have been fooled by your respectable act! Didn’t I tell you before that if you dared to bully my daughter again, I’d skin you alive?
I see you just let my words go in one ear and out the other, is that it?"
With that, she turned her fury on Mrs. He Yang, who was cowering behind her husband. "Now I finally understand the aning of ’partners in cri’! You and your husband are a perfect match, cut from the sa despicable, worthless cloth. You refuse to be decent human beings and insist on behaving like animals."
Mrs. He Yang pressed her lips together, looking to He Tuliang for help, but he was in no mood to deal with her.
The odd stares from all around made him feel deeply humiliated. All he could do was glare hatefully at Jin Qianqian. ’This is all that damn woman’s fault.’
Ancient Wen Heng stepped directly in front of Qianqian, shielding her. He let his intimidating aura flare, and that, combined with his nearly six-foot fra, was enough to make He Tuliang drop his head in fear.
Gu Yuanfeng rubbed his eyes in disbelief, then finally snatched up a carrying pole and viciously smashed it into He Tuliang. "You heartless bastard! You’re treating my family like pack animals, trying to work us to death! I’ll kill you, you conscienceless swine! Your whole family has it easy, faking sickness and injury. Have you no sha?!"
He Tuliang wasn’t intimidated by Gu Yuanfeng. He grabbed the pole and snarled, "Second Brother, get your stupid wife away from , or don’t bla for what happens next!"
"You lay one finger on him and see what happens," Gu Yuanjin and his brothers said, stepping forward as one. "Get your filthy hand off that pole. Believe , I can make it crippled for real."
"She started it," He Tuliang muttered, sheepishly letting go. But who could have known that Gu Yuanfeng, who normally just quietly did his work, would suddenly seem possessed? He brought the carrying pole down on He Tuliang again and again, making him howl in pain.
Mrs. He Zhou and Mrs. He Yang couldn’t stand it any longer and lunged toward Gu Yuanfeng in unison.
At that mont, the Gu family sisters-in-law moved as one to block their path. "What now? Trying to gang up on him?"
The He family mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were left speechless.
mbers of the He family clan started to move in to break up the fight, but Ancient Wen Heng blocked their path. "This seems to be a family matter, don’t you think? It hasn’t escalated to an issue between our two villages. I’d ask you not to interfere."
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