Although Shen Qingli managed to hold it in, Shen Qingping couldn’t. Seeing the sisters like that, Old Madam Li immediately understood what they were laughing about. She wasn’t annoyed at all and quickly explained:
“Are you laughing at your cousins’ names? Your grandfather gave them those names.
Good thing I didn’t let him name your mother—I named her myself. Otherwise, how could she have such a lovely name like Liuye?
If it were up to your grandfather, your mother would probably be called Cuihua!”
As soon as she finished speaking, everyone in the main hall burst into laughter.
Even the two uncles and three cousins joined in, grinning widely. They seemed quite fond of their names and didn’t mind at all.
Only Old Master Li, who was already used to being teased by his wife, looked a little embarrassed. His dark face flushed slightly as he muttered:
“You old woman—my granddaughters just got here, and you’re already ruining my image in front of them. Hmph!”
After saying that, he turned his head away, pretending to be angry.
Seeing how endearing he was, Shen Qingli felt warmth in her heart and spoke to comfort him:
“Grandpa, the names you chose are very nice. Just hearing them, you can tell my uncles and cousins are honest and upright people.”
“Exactly, I think so too!”
Shen Qingping immediately nodded in agreement. She really liked her grandfather’s home—these relatives made her feel warmth.
Unlike at her own home, where her grandmother and eldest aunt only made them work nonstop.
Hearing this, Old Master Li immediately perked up and said proudly to his wife:
“See that? Listen to what my granddaughter says.
That’s exactly what I meant!”
“Alright, enough chatting,” Old Madam Li said with a helpless smile, quickly making arrangements. “Eldest daughter-in-law, take them to their room. Second daughter-in-law, come with me to prepare the meal. Let’s get ready to eat.”
And so, Shen Qingli and her family followed their eldest aunt to a room.
As she walked ahead, the aunt explained:
“This room used to belong to Mutou. Now that you’re here, we’ve had him move in with his two brothers. The three of you can share this space—it might be a bit cramped, so please don’t mind it, little sister.”
The eldest daughter-in-law, Yang Jinhua, had married into the family from a neighboring village. Back in her own home, she had been neglected because her parents favored sons.
But after marrying into the Li family, she found her in-laws treated her sister-in-law very well—and treated her kindly too.
She truly felt she had married into the right family. Her sister-in-law was also reasonable and easy to get along with.
As a woman, she understood her hardships. If anyone dared to trade her own daughter in marriage, she would fight them to the death as well!
Unfortunately, she didn’t know if she would ever be fortunate enough to have a daughter of her own.
So when she saw Aping and Ali—two such pretty little girls—she couldn’t help but adore them.
Their whole household, aside from the three women, was full of big, rough men.
After a while, it really did get a bit monotonous.
So the entire family genuinely welcomed them to stay.
After all, this had originally been her sister-in-law’s home.
Before getting married, Li Liuye had lived in this very room. Now, after so many years, she had returned—her heart filled with emotion. She quickly said to her sister-in-law:
“Eldest Sister-in-law, don’t worry. I won’t stay here with my daughters for free. I know embroidery. Once we’re settled, I’ll take on work in town. All the money I earn will go to Mother.”
She had only learned embroidery after marrying Shen Wenxuan, because her mother-in-law made her help support the household.
Fortunately, she enjoyed it and had a talent for it. She even developed her own patterns, and shopkeepers in town were happy to buy her embroidered handkerchiefs.
Over the years, she had indeed earned some money from it.
That was also her greatest confidence in choosing separation—not just her natal family, but her ability to support herself and her daughters.
She had also been careful, secretly saving a few coins each time. The amounts were small enough that Old Madam Shen never noticed, but over time, she had managed to save a modest sum.
Hearing this, Yang Jinhua’s expression turned serious:
“What are you saying? We’re family. If you’re in difficulty, it’s only right that we help.
Don’t bring this up again, or Mother will overthink it.
You two tidy up first—I’ll go help in the kitchen. I’ll call you when it’s time to eat.”
With that, she left the room.
After she was gone, Shen Qingli looked at her back and sighed inwardly—what a kind and honest family.
Now that they had a place to stay, the three of them felt much happier. Li Liuye looked around the room and said:
“Ali, you hurt your head earlier—sit and rest. Aping, come help me tidy up. Let’s fold the clothes and put them in the cabinet.”
“Okay, Mother!”
Shen Qingping was overjoyed. She no longer had to be traded into marriage, and now she had a room with her mother and sister at her grandfather’s home.
Tonight, she could finally sleep peacefully.
So she busied herself happily.
The bundle Li Liuye brought back from the Shen family contained very little—just two sets of patched clothes. The most valuable thing was her small savings.
Wrapped in a handkerchief, it amounted to just over two taels of silver.
But considering she had saved it one coin at a time, it was already quite an achievement.
After putting everything away, they heard her mother calling them to eat. The three of them went out together.
It was spring, and the weather was gradually warming up. Recently, the Li family had been eating in the courtyard.
At that moment, the whole family sat around a large table. They drank millet porridge, ate buckwheat pancakes, and paired them with salted vegetables. Everyone ate with appetite.
There were only three boiled eggs on the table.
Old Madam Li picked them up and placed one in front of each of the three newcomers, smiling:
“These eggs were specially cooked for you. It’s your first meal here—you must eat something good.
That way, life will only get better from here on. Come, eat.”
Holding the still-warm egg in her hand, Shen Qinghe felt a warmth spread through her heart. She glanced at the others—there was no jealousy, only encouragement for them to eat, as if to say their hard days were over.
So the three of them each ate a warm boiled egg.
Shen Qingping even started crying as she ate—she couldn’t even remember what eggs tasted like anymore. It was so delicious.
After dinner, everyone returned to their rooms to rest. By then, it was already completely dark. To save oil for lamps, villagers usually went to bed early.