The concubine Yan Liu only realized after entering the household that Shen Zhiqiu, who she had thought was wealthy and promising, was not what she had imagined.
The family’s money was controlled by Shen Zhiqiu’s parents, and the funds he had previously spent on her were actually coaxed from Feng Meixiang.
After Shen Zhiqiu gave up the imperial examinations, there was even less hope. Three years later, she stole the Shen family’s money and ran away.
This caused the Shen family matriarch to collapse on the spot from anger, and two years later, the old man passed away as well.
Shen Wu, the eldest son of the Shen family, was the concubine’s child, along with a daughter named Shen Qingqing, both left behind by the concubine.
“Auntie, you can’t be so biased. They’re all Shen family descendants. We should also get to drink brown sugar water. Even if you don’t give it to me, I haven’t seen you give any to the two children either. I’ve never seen a grandmother like you.”
Du Shi glared fiercely at Shen Xixi—what right did a foundling have to consume the Shen family’s resources?
Behind her, Du Shi’s two daughters watched Shen Xixi drinking the sugar water, swallowing their saliva but not daring to speak up, their eyes filled with concern for the person lying inside the room.
“I don’t care! They’re all just girls. If she can drink it, then Xiao Yue and Xiao Yu should be able to drink it too!”
“Sister-in-law, if you want to drink it yourself, don’t use the children as an excuse. When you have good food, you never share it with the second branch either. We’ve long since separated our meals, so how can you say that now!”
Liu Taohua naturally defended her daughter. The family’s money was already spent, and there was no more to buy brown sugar.
As she spoke, Du Shi pulled her two daughters along, snatched the brown sugar jar, and went to the kitchen to make brown sugar water, not forgetting to pour a large bowl for herself as well.
While preparing it, she muttered under her breath, “That old hag probably gave this whole jar to those money-losing goods and sickly persons. She never gave us any on ordinary days—so biased!”
She viciously scooped out several spoonfuls before stopping.
Liu Taohua shook her head and hurriedly stored the brown sugar in a cabinet, locking it. Only someone like Du Shi would stoop to fighting the sick for food.
“Xixi, focus on recovering. Don’t overthink things. This household isn’t run by your aunt-in-law yet.”
Grandma Shen patted Shen Xixi’s head and told her to rest.
Only then did she lead the two out.
The door wasn’t soundproof, and Shen Xixi could faintly hear the old lady giving a silver bracelet to Mother Taohua, asking her to exchange it for silver to find a doctor for Shen Da Shan.
After sleeping through the afternoon, she was awakened by her eldest brother.
“Little sister, are you feeling better? Mother said if you can walk, come to the main hall for dinner. If not, I’ll bring it in for you.”
“It’s fine, I can walk a few steps!”
Shen Xixi took a few steps—it was manageable, though her body still felt weak, and she broke into a cold sweat after walking a short distance.
She sat at the small square table nearby, where the second branch was seated: Grandma, Shen Da Shan, Liu Taohua, eldest brother Shen Xing’an, and younger brother Shen Wenxing. Third Uncle Shen was still at the academy and hadn’t returned yet.
On the other side sat Old Man Shen, eldest son Shen Wu, Du Shi, Shen Yue, Shen Yu, and younger aunt Shen Qingqing.
The old couple of the Shen family ate separately.
The old man ate with the eldest branch, while Grandma ate with the second and third branches.
On the eldest branch’s table were a plate of stir-fried cured meat, steamed buns made of white flour, white porridge, a bowl of greens, and a bowl of cucumbers.
On the second branch’s side, there was wild vegetable paste and coarse grain flatbread.
“Oh, Auntie, why are you eating so poorly? Aren’t there two sick people in the family?”
Du Shi curled her lips. Ever since Auntie refused to help her with the children, the two had been at odds, and she never missed a chance to mock her.
“What’s it to you? Can’t even eating shut your mouth?” Grandma Shen rolled her eyes without even looking up.
The others were already used to it.
“I say, it’s better not to treat them. Even if they’re treated, people will still say they’re cripples. What’s the use? It’d be better to save the money for Father to use for connections!”
“Exactly, it’s still Father who holds up this family!”
Du Shi and Shen Qingqing chimed in one after another.
“Feng Shi, I told you a few days ago to give me twenty taels to help with connections, and you still planned to use that money to treat these two useless things!”
Grandpa Shen’s face darkened. He slapped the table and glared at the second branch of the family as if looking at enemies.
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The concubine, Yan Liu, only realized after entering the household that Shen Zhiqiou, who was supposed to be wealthy and have a bright future, was not what she had imagined.
The family’s money was held by Shen Zhiqiou’s parents; the money he had given her to spend before had been wheedled out of Feng Meixiang.
After Shen Zhiqiou gave up on the imperial examinations, there was even less hope. Three years later, she stole the Shen family’s wealth and ran away.
Grandma Shen was so angry she collapsed on the spot, and two years later, the old man also passed away.
Shen Wu, the eldest son of the Shen family, and a daughter, Shen Qing Qing, were both left behind by the concubine.
“Mother, you can’t be this partial. They’re all of Shen blood. We want to drink brown sugar water too. Even if you don’t give any to me, I haven’t seen you give any to the two children. I’ve never seen a grandmother like you.”
Du Shi glared fiercely at Shen Xixi. Why should someone they picked up get to eat and use the Shen family’s things?
Behind her, Du Shi’s two daughters swallowed their saliva as they watched Shen Xixi drink the brown sugar water, but they didn’t say a word, their eyes looking into the room with concern at the person lying there.
“I don’t care. They’re all girls. If she can drink it, Xiao Yue and Xiao Yu can drink it too!”
“Eldest Sister-in-law, if you want to drink it yourself, don’t use the children as an excuse. When you have good food, you never share it with the Second Branch. We’ve been eating separately for a long time; how can you say such things now!”
Liu Taohua naturally defended her daughter. The family’s money was spent, and there was no money left to buy more brown sugar.
As she spoke, Du Shi pulled her two daughters along, snatched the brown sugar jar, and went to the kitchen to mix the brown sugar water. She didn’t forget to mix a large bowl for herself as well.
While mixing, she muttered under her breath, “That old bag, she’s probably given that whole jar to those money-losing goods and sickly persons. She never gives us any on normal days. So partial!”
She dug out several large spoonfuls before finally stopping.
Liu Taohua shook her head and hurriedly put the brown sugar back into the cabinet and locked it. Only someone like Du Shi could snatch food from a sick person.
“Xixi, recover well and don’t overthink things. Your Eldest Uncle’s Wife doesn’t call the shots in this house.”
Grandma Shen patted Shen Xixi’s head and let her rest. Then she led the other two out.
The door wasn’t soundproof. Shen Xixi could still vaguely hear the old lady taking out a silver bracelet and telling Mother Taohua to go exchange it for money to find a doctor for Shen Da Shan.
After sleeping through the afternoon, she was woken up by her eldest brother.
“Little Sister, are you feeling better? Mother says if you can walk, come to the main hall for dinner. If not, I’ll bring it in for you.”
“I’m fine, I’ll walk a bit!”
Shen Xixi took a few steps. It was okay, though her body was still a bit weak and she broke into a cold sweat after a few steps.
She sat at a small square table. Seated here were the people of the Second Branch: Grandma, Shen Da Shan, Liu Taohua, Eldest Brother Shen Xing’an, and little brother Shen Wen Xing. Third Uncle Shen was at the academy and hadn’t returned yet.
On the other side sat Old Man Shen, the eldest son Shen Wu, Du Shi, Shen Yue, Shen Yu, and the young aunt Shen Qing Qing.
The elderly couple of the Shen family ate separately. The old man ate with the Eldest Branch, while Grandma ate with the Second and Third Branches.
On the Eldest Branch’s table was a plate of stir-fried preserved meat, white flour steamed buns, white porridge, a bowl of green vegetables, and a bowl of cucumbers.
Meanwhile, on the Second Branch’s side, there was wild vegetable porridge and coarse grain flatbread.
“Oh, Mother, why are you eating such poor food? Aren’t there two sick people in the house?”
Du Shi curled her lip. Ever since Grandma refused to look after her children, the two had been at odds, and she would mock her whenever she could.
“What does it have to do with you? Can’t even food shut your mouth!” Grandma Shen rolled her eyes, not even looking up.
The others were used to it.
“If you ask me, it’s better not to treat them. Even if you do, they say he’ll be a cripple. What’s the use? It’s better to save that money for Father to use for greasing some palms!”
“Exactly. This family still relies on Father to support it!”
Du Shi and Shen Qing Qing chimed in together.
“Feng Shi, I told you a few days ago to give me twenty taels to grease some palms. Are you still planning to use that money to treat these two useless things?”
Grandpa Shen’s face was grim as he slammed the table, looking at the people of the Second Branch as if they were enemies.