“I wasn’t the one you brought into this family. If I had known back then that I’d have a mother-in-law like you, I wouldn’t have married into this house even if it killed me!”
All the grievances Aunt Liu had felt over the years surged into her heart at once. She said hatefully, “I know Xiao Yu’s father isn’t your biological son. For all these years, you’ve looked down on our family. I’ve endured so much, thinking we were all part of the Chang family after all. But today, I finally understand. In your heart, we were never part of the Chang family! From now on, I will protect my own children myself! None of you should even think about bullying them ever again!”
As Aunt Liu spoke these words, everyone present was stunned. The little fatty, Chang Tianbao, noticed that the surroundings had gone silent and the adults were no longer speaking, so he didn’t dare to wail anymore.
Mrs. Yang was the first to snap back to her senses. “Sister-in-law, you—” She looked incredulous, and for once, her reaction was genuine.
The Xiao Kingdom had always been governed by filial piety. Such disrespectful words were truly enough grounds for her to be divorced.
Madam Zhang was truly enraged. She raised her hand to strike Aunt Liu, but Aunt Lan grabbed her arm. “Old lady, let’s talk things out. There’s no need to resort to violence.”
Aunt Lan was a trained martial artist; no matter how Madam Zhang struggled, she remained unshakeable. “Let go of me! This shrew, I’m going to beat her to death!”
Just then, the men of the Chang family returned from the fields.
Seeing Madam Zhang about to hit his wife, Chang Dazhuang hurried over and stood in front of her, shielding her. He frowned at Madam Zhang and asked, “What are you trying to do?”
“What am I doing? The ‘good’ wife you married is trying to rebel against heaven! You’ve come back at just the right time. Hurry up and divorce this wicked woman!”
“What’s going on?” Chang the Second saw his wife and son sitting on the ground.
Mrs. Lyu spoke up with malicious delight, “Eldest Sister-in-law was quite capable today. she gave both Mother and me a thorough scolding. Mother is about to have her divorced.”
Chang Shan and Chang Shui were both startled by these words. They stood on either side of Aunt Liu to protect her, and Xiao Yu also walked over to her side, tightly clutching her hem.
Aunt Liu’s eyes reddened. To be honest, she had been afraid just now, but now she didn’t regret it at all.
“I will not divorce my wife.”
“That’s right, Father will not divorce Mother.”
“This is rebellion! Rebellion! You are all rebelling!” Madam Zhang trembled with rage and roared at Old Man Chang, “Look at the ‘good’ son you raised. Does he still have any respect for me?”
“Eldest, how can you speak to your mother like that?” Old Man Chang had a bit of a headache. He had never been close to his eldest son. His eldest daughter-in-law usually seemed quite dutiful, so how had things turned into such a mess?
Chang Dazhuang remained silent but continued to protect Aunt Liu firmly. His attitude spoke for itself.
For a moment, the atmosphere was stifling.
Aunt Lan sighed, looked at Shen Qingru, and seeing her nod, cleared her throat. “This wasn’t such a big deal to begin with. Old lady, don’t talk about divorcing or not divorcing anymore. I’m an outsider, so it’s not my place to say much. However, everyone can see how Aunt Liu works hard all day long, manages the household, and serves her parents-in-law dutifully.”
“Though her words were a bit sharp today, it was for the sake of the children. If we truly get to the bottom of this, it’s hard to say who is at fault. It’s better for everyone to take a step back and let today’s matter go.”
“If you truly divorce Aunt Liu, who will do the chores in this house in the future? Who will look after the children? Even my mistress and I would have to leave with her.”
Madam Zhang’s face turned pale and then flushed. She kept a dark expression and remained silent.
Chang Sanzhuang persuaded, “Mother, Aunt Lan is right. Eldest Sister-in-law didn’t mean it. Let’s just let this matter pass.” As he spoke, he winked at Mrs. Yang.
Though Mrs. Yang didn’t fully understand, she followed along. “Mother, he’s right. Why damage our family ties over such a small matter? It would alienate Eldest Brother and the nephews, and it would make Sister Shen think we’re a joke.”
If one were to say who understood Madam Zhang best in this family, it was Mrs. Yang. The eldest son’s family was hardworking; the effort put in by the eldest brother and sister-in-law was equal to that of the other two families combined. Furthermore, Madam Zhang was constantly thinking about the silver Shen Qingru possessed. Hearing these words, she indeed stopped arguing.
She threw out one last sentence: “It truly is eight lifetimes of bad luck to have such a jinx like you in the family,” and then stomped back into her room in a huff.
Mrs. Lyu had originally wanted to add fuel to the fire, but Mrs. Yang whispered in her ear, “Do you want to be the one cleaning the stable from now on?”
That one sentence silenced her completely. She led the little fatty and followed behind Chang the Second.
Everyone returned to their respective rooms.
Shen Qingru hugged her “Little Bun” and kissed his small face.
Aunt Lan remembered that Shen Qingru was still in her postpartum month and had run outside like that, so she couldn’t help but nag her a little.
Although Shen Qingru didn’t mind the physical activity, she still listened and agreed to everything. Through their time together, she had long since come to view Aunt Lan as an elder.
“I used to think that only large, wealthy families had so many schemes. I didn’t expect a small household to be so chaotic as well.”
“It’s not everyone. Sister-in-law Zhuzi’s family is quite harmonious.” Shen Qingru felt that a family like the Changs was quite unique even in Qingshui Village. “Though the Chang family is a bit messy, Brother Chang and the three children are very good people. They are much better than those families where the couples are at odds or the children are unfilial.”
Aunt Lan thought about it and agreed. Aunt Liu would spend the rest of her life with them. To put it bluntly, once Madam Zhang passed away in the future, Aunt Liu would have finally made it through.
However, seeing how vigorous Madam Zhang was, she would likely live for another ten or twenty years without a problem. Aunt Lan couldn’t help but worry for Aunt Liu.
Shen Qingru thought the matter had ended there, but she didn’t expect the fallout to be far from over.
Mrs. Lyu had a stomachache in the middle of the night, but she didn’t take it seriously at first. Qingshui Village was small and didn’t have a doctor. Whenever someone fell ill, they had to go to the town two kilometers away. For minor aches and pains, people would usually prepare some herbs themselves or just endure it. Mrs. Lyu had always done the same.
However, by morning, it hadn’t improved and had actually worsened. She quickly called for Chang the Second to hitch the ox cart and take her to town.
It wasn’t until noon that the two returned, their faces full of excitement.
Mrs. Lyu was actually three months pregnant!
Mrs. Lyu herself was quite surprised. She had been married to Chang the Second for ten years before giving birth to her precious darling, Chang Tianbao, and she was often scolded by Madam Zhang for this. She had originally thought she would spend the rest of her life focused only on her only son. She hadn’t expected to conceive again at nearly forty years old.
If this child was a boy, she would see if Madam Zhang would still call her a hen that doesn’t lay eggs! If it was a boy and he was as clever as her nephew Chang Ziming, perhaps he could even pass the exams and become a Xiucai; then her life would truly be complete.
Mrs. Lyu thought happily, placing more and more hope on the bundle of flesh in her belly.
Madam Zhang was also very pleased. Her thoughts were the same as Mrs. Lyu’s; she hoped this child could bring some glory to the Chang family. As for whether she would live to see that day, she hadn’t considered it. Besides, she only had two grandsons and had always felt the family was a bit small, so adding another was a good thing.
As for the two in Chang Dazhuang’s family? Just like their parents, she felt annoyed just looking at them.
For the first time in eight years, Mrs. Lyu finally felt like a protected species again.
She didn’t have to do anything; she just sat and waited for her meals every day. Her chores were divided between Aunt Liu and Mrs. Yang.
Aunt Liu took them over without a word. Ever since the incident the previous day, Madam Zhang had given her an even colder shoulder. Aunt Liu didn’t care; she finished her tasks every day and didn’t even look Madam Zhang in the eye. This angered Madam Zhang so much she sputtered for a while, before clutching her chest and ignoring Aunt Liu in return.