Leave behind just the two youngest.The boy could stay and work at home, the girl could be sold.
When the time came, there would be money for her husband’s studies. Once she became the wife of a xiucai… heh…
“That husband-killing curse, that disaster star—I’ll drive you out of this house!”
Old Madam Wang tried to stand, but the fall earlier had left her tailbone aching badly. The moment she rose, pain shot through her and she collapsed again.
She simply lay there on the ground, wailing and throwing a tantrum, curses spilling endlessly from her mouth.
“Second daughter-in-law, what do you think you’re doing? Are you rebelling now?!”
Old Man Li finally snapped out of his shock and roared furiously.
“You even dare lay hands on your mother-in-law? Absolutely lawless! Today I’ll show you who really calls the shots in this house!”
“Ha—who calls the shots?” Xia Wanyue sneered. “Li Goudan, you usually put on such a decent front. All the dirty deeds are done by Wang Cuihua—do you really not know?”
Were you really innocent?
“Stop pretending, you filthy old man. Without your indulgence, without your permission, would Wang Cuihua dare treat us like this?”
“Both sons came from the same womb—if you hated him so much, why did you even give birth to him?”
“Were you only thinking about your own pleasure back then? You might as well have shot him onto the wall.”
Old Man Li was no good person either. He clearly knew how badly Old Madam Wang treated the second son, yet he watched coldly from the sidelines.
One played the villain, the other the peacemaker. Every time Old Madam Wang went too far, it was him who soothed Li Ke.
He would say things like family harmony matters, your mother actually loves you, she just doesn’t know how to show it.
A slap followed by a date.
For years, Li Ke had survived on that single “date,” humbly begging for scraps of parental love.
Xia Wanyue’s blunt words made Old Man Li’s face flush red.
Snickers rose from the surrounding courtyard walls. That sound pushed him into shame-fueled rage.
It felt as though Xia Wanyue had torn his face off and ground it underfoot.
Old Man Li shot a look at his two sons. Li Shi and Li Xin stepped toward Xia Wanyue.
Rolling up his sleeves, Li Shi sneered.
“Sister-in-law, you’re really disobedient. The family grain belongs to everyone, yet you dare eat alone. And now you even dare hit Mother? Looks like your skin’s itching for a beating. Since Second Brother’s gone, I, as your elder brother-in-law, will teach you how to behave as a proper daughter-in-law.”
“Second Sister-in-law,” Li Xin added loftily, hands clasped behind his back, chin lifted, “Second Brother’s gone, so his filial duty naturally falls on you. How could you strike Mother?”
“Behave yourself. Once Mother calms down, we’ll speak on your behalf. For now… as long as you kneel down and apologize, say you’ll submit to Mother’s disposal, Big Brother and I will let this go.”
His gaze dripped with disdain, as though granting her mercy.
Xia Wanyue laughed coldly.
“How ridiculous. You want me to obediently listen and keep being your ox and horse?”
“Even oxen get fed some fodder. We can’t even scrape together a bite to eat…”
“You want me to keep being your slave? Dream on.”
“Enough talk. Come on. If you don’t accept it—fight.”
“Stupid woman, refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit. Second Brother spoiled you rotten. A few more beatings will fix that. Today I’ll beat you into submission and show you how high the sky is and how thick the earth is!”
Li Shi clenched his fist and charged. His raised punch was about to fall—
When a black iron rod suddenly appeared in Xia Wanyue’s hand.
She swung it down hard, smashing it straight into Li Shi’s descending fist.
“Ahhh!”
A sharp crack rang out—the sound of bone snapping.
Li Shi recoiled violently, clutching his arm as searing pain flooded his body. Cold sweat poured down his forehead.
“Hiss—so painful!”
Xia Wanyue gave him a cold glance, then lifted the iron rod again—this time aiming for his leg.
“No! Don’t!”
Madam Miao screamed and rushed forward, slamming straight into Xia Wanyue.
Xia Wanyue had just given birth; her body was still extremely weak. Though she had great strength, the original body lacked training and agility. Combined with exhaustion, she couldn’t dodge in time and was knocked flying.
She crashed heavily into the door behind her. Her body nearly fell apart from the impact. Gasping, she pushed herself upright against the door.
Seeing his elder brother injured, Li Xin frowned. As a scholar, he disdained dirtying his own hands. With so many people watching, how could he be seen beating his sister-in-law? Did he want his reputation ruined?
He nudged Xiao Li with a look, signaling her to step in.
Xiao Li hesitated, fear flashing across her face. But under her husband’s gaze, she gritted her teeth, grabbed a wooden stick, and rushed forward.
She crept close to Xia Wanyue and raised the stick while Xia Wanyue wasn’t paying attention.
A gust of wind brushed past her ear.
Xia Wanyue twisted aside—but the stick still slammed into her shoulder.
A numb, searing pain shot through her arm. The iron rod nearly slipped from her grasp.
She clenched her teeth, tightened her grip, spun around, and struck back hard.
The iron rod smashed brutally into Xiao Li’s ear.
First came a piercing ringing—then the world spun.
With a dull thud, Xiao Li collapsed to the ground. Blood streamed from her head and her left ear.
Xia Wanyue hadn’t held back.
That blow Xiao Li had aimed straight for her head. If Xia Wanyue hadn’t shifted at the last second, it wouldn’t have hit her shoulder—it would have crushed the back of her skull.
Another one down.
The rest exchanged glances, none daring to advance. The children broke into terrified wails.
Xia Wanyue rolled her aching shoulder and dragged the iron rod toward Li Xin.
As long as she took down the men, the rest would be easy.
“What are you standing around for? All of you, get together and beat this bitch to death!”
Old Madam Wang clutched her waist, pain twisting her face, hatred practically spilling from her eyes as she shrieked.
“Second Son died alone. Since you want to die so badly, you can go keep him company!”
Old Man Li spoke coldly, grabbed a hoe from the corner, and fixed Xia Wanyue with a murderous stare. The others glared at her with equal venom.
“This woman’s ruthless… that hit just now—damn, two down in one go. Li Shi’s hand is definitely broken.”
“Keep your voice down. You’ll get beaten later…”
The villagers watching from around the courtyard murmured among themselves. Some cursed Old Man Li’s family for being inhuman; others said Xia Wanyue had gone too far.
Yet no one stepped in. They only watched.
With so many people surrounding her, it was clear—they truly intended to beat Xia Wanyue to death.
A young man couldn’t take it anymore and shouted, “Uncle Li, enough! She’s still your family’s daughter-in-law—you’re not really going to take her life, are you?”
“Li Ke just died, and you’re already bullying his wife like this? Aren’t you afraid he’ll come knocking at night?”
The moment he finished speaking, a ripple of uneasy murmurs spread through the crowd.
Several people instinctively took two steps back.