The air was stagnant.
Everyone’s eyes were on Yu Tingwan.
The young lady had a beautiful appearance, bare-faced yet seemingly wearing makeup.
She wore many layers of cotton clothes, hiding her figure. However, her skin was as white as porcelain, her eyes were alluring like autumn waves, enticing from the inside out. A beauty mark under her eye added a layer of unconscious charm to her bright features.
Her voice was incredibly soft and lodious, pure and clean.
Granny Chen took notice from the mont she entered the courtyard.
She wasn’t like the ordinary powdered won she usually worked with. If she were trained, who knows how many n’s souls she could captivate.
Initially thinking she was a daughter of the Wei Family, she turned out not to be.
Yu Tingwan was waiting for Hui Niang’s response.
She had acted on impulse, but the more she thought about it now, the more feasible the idea seed.
There were too few reliable n in this world. Yu Tingwan knew better than anyone that Butcher Wu was accommodating at the ti, wasn’t it because of her outstanding looks?
Won most feared serving others with their looks.
Sotis, relying on a man was less dependable than relying on parents-in-law.
There were few n like Butcher Wu whose parents had passed away early. In any family with elders, her background would be a common misgiving.
Even if Li Lian vouched for her at the mont and people didn’t mind, long-term interactions would inevitably lead to disputes.
Yu Tingwan wasn’t actually afraid of hardship; what she feared was enduring hardship while being harshly treated by a mother-in-law, troubled by sisters-in-law, and coldly observed by her future husband amidst all sorts of conflicts.
She didn’t want to spend her days arguing over these things. If married life wasn’t better than before marriage, what was the point?
All Yu Tingwan sought was stability. Wei Shen didn’t have it, but she saw it in Hui Niang.
Over the days spent together, Hui Niang had seen Yu Tingwan’s calmness and knew she wouldn’t joke about such matters.
Hui Niang was shocked.
Not only her, but even Wei Shouzhong was extrely surprised.
But it had to be said, out of all the girls they had heard, only Yu Tingwan spoke to the heart of the couple.
Yu Tingwan’s expression was serious, genuinely believing the idea was workable.
Before Hui Niang could react, soone was already displeased.
Granny Chen heavily placed down the teacup: "What does this an? How can you, a young lady, be so shaless?"
She turned a stern face to Hui Niang: "Sister, you won’t let run here for nothing, right?"
Wasn’t this a way to cut her off!
Yu Tingwan frowned at her, smiling mockingly as she tugged at the corner of her lips: "It’s a matter of mutual consent, why are you getting so agitated?"
"It’s just a view. If Aunt feels it’s suitable, she would agree to let the young lady in the door. If she doesn’t find it suitable, could you force it? What are you trying to prove?"
She casually glanced at Granny Chen: "A baby broker in the business of buying and selling girls. Sure, the girls are bought with silver, signed a selling contract and stamped by the governnt, but it’s still harmful business."
The young lady was particularly indifferent: "I am not one of the girls in your hands, to be arbitrarily manipulated and at your rcy."
"I want to enter the Wei Family’s door. I indeed am in your way. But so what? Can Wei Shen not be in demand? If you’re uncomfortable, just bear with it. Who knows where an outsider like you gets such arrogance, thinking this is your own ho?"
She offered advice: "If you really can’t bear it, then take your people and go back."
That way, she would have no competition!
The young lady was truly two-faced; she angered Granny Chen greatly, but turned to Hui Niang and spoke softly.
"Auntie, now that I’ve moved out, I can make my own decisions about marriage."
Granny Chen was furious, her face turning black.
Yet she truly couldn’t force a sale.
————
Hu Family.
The baby’s crying hadn’t stopped, and its voice was hoarse from crying.
Mrs. Xiao was weak and could not get out of bed. No matter how she tried, it was useless. Her eyes filled with exhaustion, and giving birth seemingly aged her several years.
"Mother."
She had no choice but to call out to the outside.
"Mother, are you there?"
With a bang, the door was kicked open.
The biting cold wind blew in, and Mrs. Xiao hurriedly wrapped the child in a blanket.
Mrs. Wang wore a sullen expression: "What are you shouting for!"
She glanced at the child in Mrs. Xiao’s arms, disappointed at her missed hope of a grandson; how could she be pleased?
"When Dalang was born, he didn’t cry or fuss and was very easy to take care of. Just look at her, she cries so much I can’t sleep at night—how could she be Dalang’s child!"
These words stabbed at the heart.
Tears burst from Mrs. Xiao’s eyes.
"Mother, how can you say that about ? Could the child be anyone else’s but mine?"
She truly hated Mrs. Wang!
But with her own family weak, she could only bow her head. Mrs. Xiao turned away, hastily wiping her tears.
"The child is terribly hungry. I really have no solution."
A hungry belly makes it impossible for a child not to cry.
Mrs. Wang was impatient: "You always make things so complicated. Yet your womb fails to produce!"
"Have I ever deprived you of food or drink? And yet you can’t even nurse a child?"
She muttered as she prepared to go out and find goat’s milk.
"Mother."
Mrs. Xiao called her timidly.
"I haven’t closed my eyes for days. I truly can’t manage alone—couldn’t you..."
Mrs. Wang glared at her: "You want to take care of it for you?"
It wasn’t a grandson, so she couldn’t be bothered!
What could Mrs. Xiao do but grit her teeth?
"Mother, then let Wan Niang co back."
She watched Mrs. Wang’s expression cautiously, afraid of angering her: "She was stubborn back then and insisted on going against us. Now living out there, she must have suffered enough and regretted it."
"Mother always talks about being tired these days. If she cos back, there will be soone to handle the chores, and I would also be relieved."
Mrs. Wang furrowed her brows.
The little brat had a bad temper, but she was indeed efficient with work.
Seeing her sowhat swayed, Mrs. Xiao quickly supplented.
"If father returns and can’t find Wan Niang, he might get angry. We can’t expect to enjoy a good New Year either."
"Given the situation, why not give her a step down first?"
"Otherwise, if she knows Father backs her, she could beco arrogant. Later, if she plays the pity card again, Mother might even have to apologize and invite her back herself."
Mrs. Wang thought these words made sense.
When Yu Tingwan left, she had not been given even a grain of rice. Presumably, upon seeing her, Yu Tingwan would be crying and begging to admit her mistakes.
Mrs. Wang set off, and after a long journey, she was finally nearing the old house.
In the distance, she saw Granny Chen leading five young girls from the neighboring Wei Family.
Mrs. Wang didn’t recognize them.
But she did recognize Yu Tingwan, who lingered behind them by a few steps, walking slowly.
Feeling sothing, Yu Tingwan lifted her gaze in this direction.
Mrs. Wang held her head high: "Wan..."
Just as she said a word, Yu Tingwan’s expression turned cold.
She disdainfully headed toward the old house.
Mrs. Wang hurried to catch up.
"I’ve co to escort you back, so there’s no need for you to continue with this stubbornness, no?"
Yu Tingwan crossed the threshold.
Mrs. Wang followed closely behind, but before she could step into the courtyard,
there ca a resounding bang.
Yu Tingwan had shut the door heavily.
If Mrs. Wang hadn’t dodged just in ti, it might’ve slamd into her face.
Fearful and furious, she started,
"You..."
Just got a word out.
Then she heard a cold voice from inside.
"Get lost."
Hui Niang, hearing the commotion from the neighbor’s house, rushed out.
She saw Mrs. Wang angrily pounding on the door at the old house’s entrance.
Worried that Yu Tingwan might be bullied.
"Wan Niang, are you alright?"
She quickly received a response from inside.
"I’m fine."
"Just ran into sothing dirty."
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