A few sentences made everyone in the room’s faces turn dark. Shen Qingru felt some admiration; this was quite a skill. The newcomer was Mrs. Lyu, the second daughter-in-law of the Chang family. She was a greedy person, and like her harsh, money-grubbing mother-in-law and her sister-in-law who hid needles in cotton, they were all birds of a feather.
Aunt Lan had the most fiery temper and immediately retorted, “Sister Lyu, you’re poking your nose where it doesn’t belong. Do we need your permission to invite someone? Look at your own conscience—how much have you taken from us these past few days? Don’t keep bringing up being our saviors. The ones who saved us were Aunt Liu’s family; it has nothing to do with you, Mrs. Lyu.”
“How can you say it has nothing to do with me, Aunt Lan? If Mother hadn’t agreed, would you have been allowed to stay? Right now, you’re living in our Chang family’s house and sleeping in our Chang family’s bed,” Mrs. Lyu said, her small eyes darting around everywhere. “You came from a wealthy household. How much is a life worth, and how much have you actually given us? If word got out, people would think you were just dismissing beggars.”
Aunt Lan sneered, “We are staying in Aunt Liu’s room and sleeping in Aunt Liu’s bed!” She had truly never seen someone so thick-skinned.
On the day Aunt Liu and her husband brought them back, Madam Zhang saw their bedraggled state and, fearing trouble, refused to let them stay. It was only after Aunt Lan traded the young miss’s purple gold hairpin and green jade bracelet that she reluctantly agreed. Even then, she refused to arrange a place for them, claiming there were no spare rooms. In the end, Aunt Liu gave up her own room. Now, her family of five was squeezed into a storage room, sleeping on floor mats.
Aunt Lan felt a surge of anger just thinking about it. In the past, people like Madam Zhang and Mrs. Lyu wouldn’t even have been qualified to speak to her. She became even more merciless: “Stop talking about repaying kindness all day long. We know in our hearts whether there was any kindness, and so do you. If you think the money is too little, then give it back. With several hundred taels of silver, we could buy several courtyards as broken as this one. If you’re unwilling, I’m sure plenty of others would be happy to have us.”
Zhuzi’s Wife also smiled and said, “Isn’t that right? If you don’t mind, feel free to come stay at our house. It won’t cost a cent, and my mother-in-law would be more than happy to have you.”
Mrs. Lyu had only been nursing the baby for two days, yet she had already mocked Zhuzi’s Wife several times, both overtly and covertly. However, Zhuzi’s Wife was a straightforward woman who had always looked down on Mrs. Lyu’s character. Thus, she poked back with barbed words, never letting Mrs. Lyu get the upper hand.
Hearing this, Mrs. Lyu grew somewhat anxious. She glared at Zhuzi’s Wife and quickly forced a smile. “I’m clumsy with words and don’t speak pleasantly, but why talk about leaving when things are fine? Where could be more comfortable than our own home? Sister Shen is still in her recovery period; she mustn’t move around, or she might suffer from postpartum ailments.” Did they think she was stupid? As long as they stayed here, she could still fleece them for more. If they left, everything would be gone.
Aunt Lan arched an eyebrow and said coldly, “One moment we’re ‘saviors,’ the next we’re ‘family.’ That’s a fast change. Our young miss’s surname is Shen; we wouldn’t dare claim kinship with your Chang family.”
Shen Qingru found it amusing but didn’t want to get dragged into the dispute. She said lazily, “Mrs. Lyu, if there’s nothing else, please head back. I’m a bit tired and want to sleep for a while.”
Mrs. Lyu opened her mouth to say more, but Aunt Liu stopped her. “Since Sister Shen is tired, we won’t disturb you. We’ll visit again next time.” Since Mrs. Lyu had entered, Aunt Liu hadn’t spoken, paralyzed by shame over her sister-in-law’s behavior.
Just then, the little baby finished eating and pursed his lips, refusing to take any more. Zhuzi’s Wife followed them out.
Aunt Lan politely saw them off before returning to close the door.
Mrs. Lyu was dragged out by Aunt Liu. She struggled a few times but couldn’t break free. Her eyes narrowed in anger. “Why are you pulling me? I wasn’t finished yet!”
“What is there to say? It’s just those same few sentences over and over. Sister Shen’s body is still weak and she can’t handle the commotion. Can’t you let her have some peace?”
Mrs. Lyu glared with her small eyes, refusing to yield an inch. “How was I making a commotion? I only said a few words. If you weren’t so unwilling to go ask for things, would Mother have sent me? I don’t know what you’re thinking all day. With such a wealthy benefactor, even a little something they give would be enough for our family for years.”
Aunt Liu said angrily, “Sister Shen is a runaway. She doesn’t have much silver left. Now that she’s had a child, there will be plenty of expenses in the future. Wasn’t what she gave you enough?”
To avoid suspicion, Shen Qingru had told everyone that her husband favored a concubine over her, and with her own family gone, she couldn’t bear the mistreatment. Fearing her child would suffer after being born, she had no choice but to flee.
Mrs. Lyu had always been at odds with her eldest sister-in-law. She felt her eldest brother was dull and stupid, while his wife put on an air of fake nobility. Having her pride wounded again, she became even more furious. “You believe whatever anyone tells you! Why aren’t you this obedient when it comes to Mother’s words? Who would tell you how much silver they really have? It’s just you who loves your pride and can’t bring yourself to ask, believing whatever lies they tell you. If you won’t go, I will. Money doesn’t fall from the sky.”
Aunt Liu was nearly driven mad with rage. She didn’t know where Mrs. Lyu got such twisted logic. “What does it matter to you whether others have money or not? If you’re so good at asking, you might as well go be a beggar. Go on then, keep making a scene until you drive them away. Then you’ll be happy.” With that, she couldn’t be bothered with her anymore and turned to leave.
Mrs. Lyu put her hands on her hips and shouted, “You’re the beggar! Your whole family are beggars!” After shouting, she realized that sounded wrong. Seeing the other woman had left, she spat on the ground and, like a victorious hen, twisted her thick waist and entered the house.
Her mother-in-law, Madam Zhang, and the third daughter-in-law, Mrs. Yang, were waiting for her. Mrs. Lyu’s loud voice had already been heard by the entire courtyard.
Seeing her enter, Mrs. Yang’s eyes flickered as she said gently, “Eldest Sister-in-law has always had that temper. Why get upset with her, Second Sister-in-law?”
Mrs. Lyu disliked this third sister-in-law even more. Mrs. Yang spent all day putting on an act. If Aunt Liu was “fake nobility,” then Mrs. Yang was a “fake saint.” She relied on the fact that her maiden family were butchers with some wealth. Furthermore, she had a capable son who had become a Tongsheng at a young age. Even Madam Zhang had to give her some face, and any good things in the house were always prioritized for her family.
It wasn’t that Mrs. Lyu hadn’t tried to scheme against her before, but Mrs. Yang, though seemingly gentle, was not an easy target. After suffering a few setbacks, Mrs. Lyu had learned to behave.
Hearing her question, Mrs. Lyu only snorted and ignored her.
Madam Zhang frowned. “So, you’re saying you went there for nothing?”
Mrs. Lyu didn’t dare act out in front of her mother-in-law. “I barely said a few words before Eldest Sister-in-law dragged me out. But from what I could see, they didn’t intend to give anything.”
Mrs. Yang whispered, “Could it be that they really don’t have anything left?”
Madam Zhang waved her hand. “No. You saw the silks and satins they were wearing. Those pieces of jewelry alone are likely worth over a thousand taels. Besides what they’ve used these past two days, they must still have several hundred taels.”
Hearing there was still so much, Mrs. Lyu grew anxious. “Then what should we do? Maybe I should go back and linger there. We can’t let the cooked duck fly away.” She stood up, wanting to go.
Madam Zhang barked, “Sit down! What’s the rush? It’s not like they can run away.”
Mrs. Lyu sat back down, feeling aggrieved. “I’m just worried.”
Mrs. Yang smiled. “Second Sister-in-law, you should stay quiet for a bit. If you really drive them away with your fussing, then we’ll have nothing.” She added, “I see that Aunt Lan is not easy to deal with. I’m afraid asking directly won’t work; we need to find another way.”
Madam Zhang nodded. This second daughter-in-law was too impulsive, nowhere near as shrewd as the third one. “I need to plan this carefully. You stay quiet for the next couple of days.”
Mrs. Lyu gave a word of agreement, though in her heart, she cursed Mrs. Yang up and down.