Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Xiao Lihua stood there, her usually gentle face slightly tense as she glanced at Ruyi and the Fang Family, without looking at the Zi Clan. She knew that the Zi Clan had come out of necessity.
"The old woman who taught me these recipes said that they could be sold, but we cannot do business ourselves. She said her family was ruined because they engaged in such trade. We should use bowls that match our appetite; we common folk should be more honest. Everyone's lives will get better without needing to do business. If you want to engage in business, then do it based on your own abilities and don't always look for shortcuts."
"Ruyi, since you've entered the Gao Family, focus on living your life well and stop thinking about other things. If Gao Zhengping sent you here, tell him that I know about how his family used me to harm others in the past. Now I'm helping Hua Gongzi because they forced me to. He better not provoke me again; otherwise, I might do something unpredictable in my anger!"
The Zi Clan listened and thought that Sister Four was truly impressive. She spoke coldly without any fuss, and her words were more intimidating than a loud argument; she really had a commanding presence.
Ruyi and the Fang Family both widened their eyes in shock, wondering why Xiao Lihua's demeanor seemed so strange when she spoke these words, as if she were an elder lecturing a junior. Who did she think she was?
As they realized what was happening, their expressions turned sour.
Ruyi said, "Sister Four! Do you know that what you're doing puts me in a terrible situation? Is this how you treat your sister-in-law? I understand now; you resent me for previously plotting against Zhao Linting, making you lose face in front of him, and then I married the young master—the young master you couldn't reach! That's why you hate me, isn't it?"
Xie Youshun frowned and said, "Ruyi! Don't drag others into this!"
Ruyi looked at Xie Youshun with grievance and said, "Fourth Brother! You're siding with Sister Four! I'm your biological sister!"
Xie Youshun replied, "You are my sister, but you haven't considered me at all. Bringing up your sister-in-law's scars is like reopening my own wounds. Entering the Gao Family was your own choice; your sister-in-law doesn't want to be involved with them, and neither do I. Don't force us; otherwise, don't come to see us anymore."
"Fourth Brother!"
Ruyi bit her lip and stomped her foot in anger. She thought that Fourth Brother was great in every way except for being too good to his wife. When Xiao Lihua was disliked by everyone before, he tolerated her; now that Xiao Lihua had changed her attitude, he seemed eager to elevate her while completely disregarding his sister's well-being. Ruyi felt extremely disappointed in Fourth Brother.
The Fang Family said, "Fourth Brother, if you don't want to be involved with the Gao Family, that's fine; we won't force you. But how can we not help with the family business? Sister Four says we should use bowls that match our appetite and rely on ourselves—do you think our Xie Family is only fit for farming in your eyes? You all help Xie Qingfeng and his family so much; are we not even worth as much as an outsider?"
Ruyi also angrily said, "What do you mean by 'wife'? I see it as nothing but lies!"
Xiao Lihua glared and said, "Even if I'm telling lies, it's none of your business! That recipe is mine, and I can give it to whoever I want! People like you who don't know what's good for you would make me regret giving it to you! Alright, there's no point in talking further; I see that whatever I say won't be taken seriously, so just leave!"
"Are you kicking us out?" Ruyi's eyes widened.
"Yes! I've been your sister-in-law for so many years, and you still don't know my temper. If you won't listen to me when I speak nicely, then don't blame me for kicking you out. Hurry up and leave, or I'll take action!"
Xiao Lihua was truly annoyed. Thinking about how the original Xiao Lihua was a woman who would hit and scold when angry, she decided she should learn a thing or two; dealing with rogues required rogue methods.
As she spoke, Xiao Lihua went to the corner and picked up a feather duster.
Seeing the opportunity, Zi Clan quickly pulled Ruyi and Fang Family along, urging them to leave. Ruyi and Fang Family suddenly remembered that Xiao Lihua was originally a hot-tempered woman who could get physical. Although she had improved over the past six months, they had forgotten that the previous Xiao Lihua was someone they didn't want to provoke easily. The two immediately retreated without needing any further urging from Zi Clan, fearing that Xiao Lihua might swing the duster at them.
Xie Youshun watched his wife and felt not only no anger but also a strange urge to laugh. However, he still maintained a stern expression as he escorted Ruyi and the others out of the house.
"Don't come back again. If you do and she hits you, I won't take responsibility."
"Fourth Brother," Ruyi said awkwardly as she stood up straight, complaining, "Don't you think about how I'm going to explain this to the young master when I go back? If I'm not doing well, will you be at ease?"
Xiao Lihua's voice came from inside the house, saying, "If you go back now, you'll just have to deal with that person from the Gao Family again. It's not a big deal yet. If you annoy me further, I'll tell the Gao Family that I dislike you so much that I won't give them the Secret Recipe. You can figure it out yourself!"
"Alright, alright! Truly my good Sister Four!"
Ruyi's face turned red with anger as she turned to leave. Once outside, she was helped onto her horse by a maid. Fang Family quickly climbed up as well. Before Zi Clan could join them, Ruyi had already instructed the coachman to drive away.
Zi Clan wasn't angry; she said to Xie Youshun, "This time you've completely cut off Gao Family's hopes, but you've also offended Ruyi. You're her brother and know her temperament; be careful with her in the future. I'm heading back now; make sure to advise Sister Four not to be upset."
“Second Sister, take care.” Xie Youshun watched Zi Clan leave before closing the door.
“Are you upset with how I treated them just now?” Xiao Lihua stood at the door, looking at Xie Youshun and asked.
“No, I just think you’re amazing. Even without my protection, you seem fearless. It’s better if you leave these matters to me in the future; it makes me feel a bit useful.”
Xie Youshun genuinely felt this way. The family was living well thanks to his wife, and he wanted to contribute more to protect her and their children. Yet, his wife remained as formidable as ever; with just a feather duster, she could scare people away. He felt somewhat disheartened.
Hearing this, Xiao Lihua laughed and said, “That’s your family. I handled it appropriately. Just wait; if anyone else dares to bully the three of us, it will all depend on you.”
The couple returned to the house and saw Stone and Wood already climbing up the edge of the kang.
Stone said, “Mom, did you scare Aunt away? Was she trying to bully you? I heard her asking you for something, and when you didn’t want to give it, Uncle was so bad for helping her.”
Xiao Lihua reassured him, “Don’t worry, Stone. No one can bully your mom. Look, I have this!” She waved the feather duster in her hand.
Wood said, “Mom, I won’t let anyone bully you.”
Xiao Lihua happily replied, “Good! Little Wood will protect mom. But you’re still too small. If you really encounter such things in the future, it’s better to avoid them and not get hurt. If you get hurt, I’ll feel worse than if I were hurt myself. Do you understand? I’ve taught you when to fight and when to run!”
Xie Youshun smiled as he took the duster from Xiao Lihua, saying, “You know, I wonder what kind of people these two little ones will grow up to be.”
Stone and Wood were initially a bit timid, but now that they were well-fed and well-loved by their parents, their courage gradually grew. They transformed from being honest and simple into somewhat cunning little kids. Xie Youshun liked having such sons; imagining how they would grow up made him smile. He felt that his wife was different from all the women he had met before, which made him care for her even more. He wanted to spend a lifetime with this woman who increasingly fascinated him while watching their children grow up slowly as they aged together.
Stone said, “We want to become sesame dumplings—black on the inside and white on the outside! But we’re sweet on the inside!”
The wood also nodded and said, "We have all good things inside us!"
Xiao Lihua listened and rubbed their heads, laughing. What she had said unintentionally was remembered by them. Perhaps in the future, they would indeed become two Little Schemers, which would be wonderful.
After their family drove Ruyi and the others away, they were as cheerful as if nothing had happened. However, Ruyi was so angry that she cried after returning home and complained to her Parents.
The Fang Family added fuel to the fire, saying how heartless Xie Youshun and his wife were. They also claimed that Xiao Lihua wanted to hit them, which made the Wang Clan furious and ready to confront Xiao Lihua, but Xie Shengcai stopped them.
Xie Shengcai sighed and said, "I won’t let you go. You insist on going even though Fourth Son has already said he doesn’t want to. Fourth Brother's Wife has also said so. Ruyi has come back this time, and they are unwilling to come over; that’s already certain. If you keep running into this wall and then blame them, isn’t that self-inflicted? I’ll say it once: if you go looking for them again, I won’t agree!"
The Wang Clan said, "Old man, don’t you want the family to do better? Fourth Son is doing better now, which makes me happy. But the eldest and the others are still struggling. Ruyi is counting on us as her support. If Fourth Son gives us a plan, we can start a business and maybe in a few years we could be as wealthy as the Gao Family. What a life that would be! Maybe Ruyi could even be made the legitimate wife. Don’t you think it’s embarrassing for a daughter to be a concubine? Don’t you want her to be legitimized?"
"Shut up! The Gao Family has a legitimate wife! Ruyi legitimized? Do you want the Gao Family to divorce their original wife or demote her to a concubine?! How could you even think of that? Is that what honest families should do?"
Xie Shengcai was angry and stood up, saying, "Ruyi, go back. Since you've entered the Gao Family's door, this path is one you've chosen yourself! Our Xie Family cannot provide you with any support. However, one thing I can guarantee as your father is this: if the Gao Family dares to kick you out and it’s not your fault, we will stand up for you. If it is your fault, we won’t owe you a meal!"
"Dad!" Ruyi looked at Xie Shengcai as he lifted the curtain and went inside, stomping her foot in anger.
"This old man!" The Wang Clan wondered how she ended up marrying such a wooden-headed man while comforting her daughter.
Ruyi returned home feeling both angry and anxious, thinking she couldn’t tell Gao Zhengping about what happened at home. What if he neglected her if she told him? She still needed to find a way for Fourth Brother and Sister Four to give her a plan. Since Sister Four dared to wave her hand at her, she wouldn’t be polite anymore; she would use other methods to force them into compliance.
After Ruyi left, Xiao Lihua and Xie Youshun discussed going to town to talk with Hua Heng about the Cured Meat issue while also seeking justice.
Comment 0 Comment Count