Early the next morning, just as Old Madam Wang got up to prepare breakfast, she discovered that the second and third sons were already in the courtyard, building a simple shed beside the vegetable patch on the east side.
She didn’t see the eldest son, but there was no need to think—he must have gone up the mountain to gather firewood.
When Old Madam Wang entered the kitchen, she found that the eldest daughter-in-law and the second daughter-in-law had already started cooking.
After thinking for a moment, she took a chipped gray bowl and went to milk the goat.
Today, Nuannuan could finally drink goat milk.
After milking, Old Madam Wang tasted it herself and found the smell a bit strong. She thought it over, then boiled the milk in a pot.
Once it was ready, she picked up the breakfast prepared for Qian Jinping and brought everything to the third son’s room.
After taking care of her daughter-in-law in confinement and her little granddaughter, she woke Shengli, who was still sleeping, and then went out to help the other two daughters-in-law.
Shengli got himself ready and went to wake Shengyi and Shengman.
Once the three boys were dressed and came out, Wang Dazhu returned from the mountain carrying a large bundle of firewood. At the gate, he ran into Old Master Wang, who had gone out to check how much the snow had melted in the fields.
The courtyard was filled with the warmth of daily life.
Old Madam Wang set the meal in the main hall and looked out at her busy sons and daughters-in-law, as well as her three grandsons gathered around their grandfather.
The wrinkles on her face softened.
Poverty wasn’t frightening—what mattered was family harmony. When the family was united, everything would prosper.
Except for newborn Nuannuan and Qian Jinping, who was still in confinement, everyone gathered around the table to eat.
As usual, Old Master Wang picked up his chopsticks first before the others began.
“Spring plowing is about to begin,” he said while eating.“Second son, after this, check all the farming tools. If anything needs fixing, take it to town.”
“Eldest son, come with me to the mountain.”
“Third son, stay home and prepare the soil in the courtyard. Once it’s ready, your mother and the others can plant vegetables.”
After finishing the meal, everyone went about their tasks in an orderly way.
Wang Tiezhu was turning over the soil in the courtyard when he saw Old Madam Tian arriving with her two daughters-in-law.
“Third son, working the soil at home? Planning to plant vegetables?” Old Madam Tian called out, her voice somewhat sharp.
“Yes… Aunt Tian,” Wang Tiezhu replied without even looking up, continuing his work.
The Tian family women were all notoriously fierce and unreasonable. Their families rarely interacted—so their visit likely meant trouble.
Old Madam Tian was displeased by his indifference, but remembering her purpose, she led her daughters-in-law into the courtyard.
“Oh my, I heard yesterday your family brought down some goats from the mountain—and it’s true! Look at these kids, so sturdy,” she said.
The three of them circled the pen, and the younger daughter-in-law, Li Chunhua, even reached out to touch one.
Inside, Old Madam Wang was soothing her little granddaughter when she heard the noisy chatter outside.
She was about to lay the baby down when she noticed Nuannuan’s eyes sparkling like stars.
“Nuannuan, do you want to go see the excitement?” she asked with a smile.
Wang Nuannuan, who had been amusing her grandmother, immediately perked up at the commotion outside. Her curiosity flared.
“Ah! Ah! Oh!”
Yes, yes—I want to go!
Old Madam Wang glanced at the sleeping Qian Jinping, wrapped Nuannuan in a small blanket, and carried her outside.
As soon as she stepped out, she saw the Tian family women crowding around the goat pen.
Rolling her eyes, she said,“Well now, Sister Tian—what wind blew you here today?”
Without turning around, Old Madam Tian replied with a smile:
“Well, you see, you found these goats in the mountains. Taking care of them all must be tiring, so I thought I’d help lighten your burden—by buying a goat kid.”
Old Madam Wang snorted inwardly.
So nicely said—wasn’t she just trying to take advantage?
Her eyes shifted slightly.
“Well, Sister Tian, it’s not impossible to sell. Our family just welcomed a new baby, and we need money. I won’t ask for much—if you like one, one kid costs one tael of silver.”
Hearing this, Old Madam Tian’s triangular eyes widened, and she nearly jumped up.
“Why don’t you just rob people?! We’re from the same village, and you’re this black-hearted?!”
The eldest Tian daughter-in-law, Yu Pandi, spoke softly:
“Mother, Aunt Wang must be joking. We’re all from the same village—how could she really charge one tael?”
By then, the Tian women had walked up to Old Madam Wang.
“Oh my, look at this little girl—so pretty and fair,” Yu Pandi said sweetly.
“Mother, look how lovely Aunt Wang’s granddaughter is. For the sake of her granddaughter’s blessings, she wouldn’t sell at such a high price… right, little one?”
She even reached out to pinch Wang Nuannuan’s cheek.
Wang Nuannuan immediately realized—
the most formidable one in the Tian family was this soft-spoken woman.
Every word implied: we’re from the same village, charging that much is heartless; with a newborn, you should accumulate blessings by selling cheap.
So many hidden intentions behind sweet words.
Her eyes rolled slightly—
Then suddenly, she spat straight at them.
The first to be hit was Yu Pandi, who had been reaching out.
For a brief moment, Yu Pandi’s expression stiffened.
Wang Nuannuan instantly broke into a delighted grin.
Old Madam Wang’s expression also relaxed, amused by her clever little granddaughter.
“Eldest daughter-in-law of the Tian family,” Old Madam Wang said coldly,“You can’t talk nonsense.”
“Outside, a goat kid costs one and a half to two taels. I’m offering it to you for one tael because we’re from the same village—and that’s not enough goodwill?”
“As for blessings—our Nuannuan is already blessed. Our family has never done anything shameful or taken advantage of others.”
“If anyone lacks blessings, it won’t be our family.”
Hearing this, Wang Nuannuan mentally gave her grandmother a thumbs-up.
Wasn’t that basically calling the Tian family shameless and greedy?
As expected of her grandmother.
Old Madam Tian’s eyes widened in anger. She put her hands on her hips and shouted:
“You didn’t even pay for those goats, and you still want one tael?! Why don’t you go rob people! Be careful your child doesn’t grow up!”
“Exactly!” Li Chunhua added.“You didn’t spend a penny on them, and you’re selling them so expensively—how black-hearted!”
Old Madam Wang strode forward, handed the baby to Wang Tiezhu, grabbed a broom, and started hitting the three Tian women.
“You shameless troublemakers! Where do you get the nerve?! Even city walls aren’t as thick as your faces!”
“Jealousy is a disease—go get it treated! Get out! If you come again, I’ll beat you to death!”
Wang Nuannuan watched in stunned amazement.
One against three—complete knockout!
She burst into silent laughter.
She really liked this strong, battle-ready grandmother!
Old Madam Tian and her daughters-in-law fled while still cursing.
Old Madam Wang chased them all the way out, slammed the door shut, and shouted:
“Get lost! Don’t come back!”
Then she instantly changed her expression, smiling warmly as she turned back.
“Nuannuan, did that scare you? Come, let Grandma hold you.”
Wang Tiezhu calmly handed the baby over.
His mother had never been one to suffer losses.
As for his daughter—he had thought she might be frightened.
But when he looked down, he saw her wide-eyed, completely absorbed in watching the drama.
He couldn’t help but wonder…
What exactly could such a tiny baby even understand?