The walking stick swept down with a fierce rushing sound casting a dark shadow over Shen Ru’s head.
If this blow landed true she would suffer a broken head and bleeding at the very worst a permanent scar that would ruin her looks.
For a girl nothing mattered more than keeping her face unmarred.
Liu Cuihua turned deathly pale and screamed as she ran forward. Grandmother stop please.
Shen Changchun’s eyes widened in shock and he threw himself forward with all his strength but he was too far away there was simply no time.
In that split second of crisis a slender yet decisive figure darted forward.
Shen Qing lifted her hand and caught the cane firmly in her grip.
She held it steady no matter how hard Old Madam Shen pushed or pulled the stick did not shift an inch.
Striking someone is going too far Shen Qing said.
Her voice was calm and low yet carried a biting chill.
The courtyard fell instantly silent.
Old Madam Shen felt humiliated having been stopped in front of everyone.
She trembled with rage her cloudy eyes glaring fixedly at Shen Qing.
How dare you you ungrateful little outsider stand in my way.
Today I will teach this unfilial lot a lesson for hoarding food behind my back.
The eldest aunt immediately fanned the flames planting her hands firmly on her hips and speaking in a shrill cutting tone.
That is right. The old lady worked so hard to raise all of you.
Now you have meat and do not share it you keep it all to yourselves gorging while she goes without.
A single bowl of dumplings is all you send her. You might as well be feeding beggars.
Shen Ru hand over that jar of cured meat or we will not be leaving this matter here.
She fully intended to claim a share for herself once it was brought back to the main house.
Why else would she push so hard for it.
Shen Ru’s arm was already bright red from being struck yet she hugged the jar tightly her eyes burning with determination refusing to let go.
This meat was obtained by Qingqing taking great risks going into the mountains.
It is meant to help Chang’an recover his leg injury. No one is allowed to take it.
His legs Old Madam Shen scoffed her face twisted with scorn.
Those useless legs will never carry him no matter how long you nurse them.
He is nothing but a waste of food.
If you ask me that cripple should have been left in the woods long ago for the beasts to finish.
Those cruel words ignited a cold fury in Shen Qing.
Her gaze turned icy sharp.
In her past life it was exactly such insults and neglect that had worn her brother down withholding medicine and cutting his food until he had wasted away and died far too young.
In this life anyone who spoke ill of him would answer to her.
Shen Qing tightened her grip on the cane and pulled it cleanly from the old woman’s grasp dropping it onto the ground beside her.
It landed with a sharp clear clatter.
Say that again I dare you Shen Qing warned.
Old Madam Shen met her burning furious gaze and the cruel words died in her throat she did not dare speak them.
Shen Qing spoke each word clearly and firmly.
When the family separated it was agreed that this branch would leave with nothing supporting ourselves entirely by our own labor.
If we came with nothing then whatever we have earned has nothing to do with you.
Every word carried weight and conviction.
Old Madam Shen was momentarily silenced then her anger flared hotter.
We may have separated but your parents still belong to this family anything good belongs to me as their mother.
We sent what was due Shen Qing replied. A bowl of dumplings was our offering.
She glanced toward Li Mengyao who stood quietly to one side a faint satisfied smile hidden in her eyes.
But what is not ours to give you will not take a scrap more.
I do not know what you have been told but if you continue making trouble I will go fetch the brigade leader to judge this matter fairly.
Old Madam Shen cared deeply about appearances and she knew her claim was weak given the separation agreement.
If the brigade leader came and word spread that she had been bested by a young girl her reputation would suffer greatly.
Besides they had already sent a bowl of meat dumplings.
Shen Qing said if you delay much longer there will be nothing left but dumpling skin.
Your eldest son and his boys are all greedy lazy sorts they have likely started eating already.
At that Old Madam Shen hurried toward the main house forgetting all about the argument.
She would not get a single dumpling if she did not return at once.
Seeing her leave the eldest aunt scurried after her.
Li Mengyao watched them go her face impassive yet a flicker of resentment flashed in her eyes.
She had hoped to watch Shen Qing get beaten thoroughly today.
Instead they had not even managed to lay a hand on her. How utterly useless.
Shen Qing turned toward her. What exactly did you tell them.
All eyes turned to Li Mengyao.
She stiffened her eyes welling instantly with tears and bit her lip looking the picture of innocence.
I did nothing wrong I simply told Grandmother that we had meat dumplings for supper. I did not say anything else truly.
She had perfected the art of looking hurt and misunderstood.
If you said nothing else how did they know about the cured meat and exactly where it was kept Shen Qing pressed.
The others looked at Li Mengyao with new suspicion.
Shen Changchun’s expression hardened completely.
Shen Ru glared at her. Did you do this on purpose.
You are bad Tiedan shouted sticking his tongue out at her.
Li Mengyao looked from Liu Cuihua to Father Shen. They tricked me into saying more than I meant to. I let it slip without thinking.
Liu Cuihua seeing her tear stained face felt a twinge of sympathy. Mengyao are you certain it was truly an accident.
It was Li Mengyao insisted.
Liu Cuihua’s heart softened but seeing the angry red marks on Shen Ru’s arm she stood firm.
Because of your carelessness your sister was struck and hurt.
You will apologize to her.
And you will go without supper tonight.
Li Mengyao lowered her eyes hatred flashing deep within them.
She clenched her fists burning with indignation but held her tongue.
Her plan was not yet complete she would endure this for now.
When she looked up again her eyes glistened with unshed tears appearing vulnerable and blameless.
I am so sorry Sister I know I was wrong.
She turned and ran away weeping.
Liu Cuihua half rose to go after her then sat back down fighting the urge.
Li Mengyao stopped beneath the great willow tree at the village edge and snatched a willow branch whipping it against the ground in frustration.
Shen Qing why must you always interfere.
If not for her no one would have suspected she had spoken about the cured meat. No one would have turned against her.
Her mind turned rapidly as she considered what she had learned. The household registration inspection was soon to begin at the commune.
If she acted now she could swap places with Shen Qing and everything she had ever wanted would be hers.
She would never have to endure this family again. She would walk with her head held high.
And when she married Zhao Renjie she would make Shen Qing pay and then every single member of this family as well.
Just you wait she whispered.