Chapter 2: Threat

The flames in the stove roared higher, as if ready to engulf her in a blaze, searing through her entire body with their heat.

Yu Tingwan spoke slowly, “To the matchmaker’s place.”

Xiao Xu’s head jerked up. “The matchmaker?” She couldn’t hide the schadenfreude in her eyes. “So Mother has finally tired of you and plans to marry you off?”

Having married into the family last year, she had been wary of Yu Tingwan from their first encounter. After all, what woman would feel at ease living under the same roof as someone as devastatingly beautiful as Yu Tingwan? What’s more irritating was that her father-in-law felt such pity for this orphaned niece that even Madam Wang dared not openly mistreat her.

Seeing no reaction from Yu Tingwan, Xiao Xu covered her mouth and laughed. “And here I thought you were so capable, making my younger brother-in-law refuse anyone but you.”

“Mother despises you so much; how good could any marriage arrangement she finds for you possibly be?”

The snow blocking the roads for a day or two was one thing, but what about ten days or half a month? Once Madam Wang accepts the bride price and sends Yu Tingwan away to seal the marriage, even if Father disapproves, what choice will he have?

Yu Tingwan remained silent.

“Mother bore Father two sons. No matter how furious he becomes, he couldn’t possibly divorce her. So you see, your good days are coming to an end.”

When Yu Tingwan still showed no response, Xiao Xu assumed she had frightened her into submission. With both arrogance and contempt, she added, “For years, the Hu family has sheltered you. Even after marriage, you’ll still have dealings with them. If you have any conscience at all, don’t forget their kindness.”

Yu Tingwan appeared lost in thought.

Xiao Xu narrowed her eyes. “Don’t tell me you’re unhappy about this?”

“I knew you were an ungrateful wretch!”

“Sister-in-law misunderstands,” Yu Tingwan said softly. “I was merely thinking about how to properly repay the Hu family’s kindness.”

That’s more like it, Xiao Xu snorted contemptuously.

“I know Sister-in-law is famous for her filial piety.” Yu Tingwan poured her a cup of warm water. “Though I fall short in everything, I must learn from your example.”

Has this little wretch’s tongue been coated in honey? Well, it made sense – she wasn’t likable to begin with. She still needed Xiao Xu to put in a good word with Madam Wang for a decent match.

Taking the cup with mockery, Xiao Xu thought that no matter how much Yu Tingwan tried to curry favor, it was useless. After all, Madam Wang only cared about money, not her welfare.

“I should learn from Sister-in-law,” Yu Tingwan said lightly, “about secretly sending supplies to your maiden family behind your husband’s back.”

Xiao Xu’s hand trembled, and the cup crashed to the ground.

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

Yu Tingwan seemed oblivious to her panic, lowering her gaze to study the shattered pieces.

“You needn’t concern yourself with my affairs, Sister-in-law. Better worry about yourself instead.”

“Three days ago, when your brother visited, you chose to act the thief rather than an honest person, sneaking into the cellar while Auntie was away to take over a dozen cabbages and radishes.”

She appeared puzzled. “When you first married in and were caught secretly sending grain to your maiden family, Auntie whipped you with thorny branches until you could barely leave your bed. How have you not learned your lesson?”

Xiao Xu’s ears buzzed as her composure crumbled, all previous smugness gone. She gritted her teeth. “Are you threatening me?”

“Rest assured, Sister-in-law, I can keep a secret,” Yu Tingwan said, picking up the broom Madam Wang had thrown down earlier to sweep the mess. “Just like yesterday, when you cursed Auntie as an old hypocrite behind her back, I didn’t breathe a word.”

She lifted her doe-like eyes slightly, gazing at Xiao Xu with an innocent smile, appearing quite troubled. “It’s just…”

Xiao Xu felt inexplicably nervous. “Just what?”

“The family only has so many bowls, and if Sister-in-law keeps breaking them in her fits of anger, this is something I can’t help cover up.”

What fits of anger?! It merely slipped! You dare bring this up! If you hadn’t brought the water over, how would she have dropped it?! Xiao Xu didn’t dare act up anymore, and when the porridge was ready, Yu Tingwan quietly had her breakfast.

But this peace didn’t last long. A commotion erupted outside, mixed with what sounded like sobbing.

“Quick, quick! Take him to Old Man Qian for treatment!”

“Is he still breathing? Heavens, how did he get injured so badly? He’s covered in blood—it’s terrifying to look at!”

If not for her delicate condition and fear of being jostled by the crowd, Xiao Xu would have rushed out to see what was happening.

Yet across from her, Yu Tingwan remained perfectly calm, simply picking up a piece of pickled vegetable with her porridge, as if even the sky falling wouldn’t make her blink.

Aren’t you curious at all?

What a strange one!

The crowd outside dispersed at some point, and Madam Wang, who had just returned from the matchmaker’s, was questioning neighbor Aunt Wu about the details.

“Is it true? The one they carried over was the Wei family’s son who was conscripted into military service years ago? Wasn’t he reported dead?”

“Must have survived by sheer luck.”

Madam Wang spoke with particular bitterness: “But the Wei family received death pension money from the court years ago, and they still get half a military salary monthly—three dou of rice.”

Such fortune! The court provided compensation to deceased soldiers’ families, but as the silver passed through various levels, who knew whose pockets it ended up in? Especially in remote places like Xilin Village, how much actually reached the common people? Madam Wang complained angrily: “Someone from my maiden family also died on the battlefield, but we never saw a shadow of the compensation money or rice. When we protested at the government office, we were beaten half to death.”

Why the difference? Both families lost someone—why such different treatment?

“Their luck was good, being assigned to Wei’s Army stationed at the northwestern border. How could it be the same?”

Wei’s Army was renowned for their constant achievements!

Madam Wang sneered: “What’s so special about that? They say General Wei was so capable, yet didn’t he still die on the battlefield, becoming nothing but a short-lived ghost?”

Aunt Wu’s face darkened: “How dare you gossip about General Wei? Know your place! Mind your words! If this gets out, your second son’s academic future will be finished!”

At the mention of her second son, Madam Wang became sheepish and dared not continue.

Aunt Wu didn’t bother to argue further, sighing instead: “I fear the Wei boy’s chances are slim.”

She continued with concern: “Now that the mountain is sealed off, outsiders can’t enter, and those inside can’t leave. There’s no way to reach a proper doctor in town. Old Man Qian usually only treats minor ailments like fevers and headaches, and his fees are steep. They might need wild ginseng just to keep him alive.”

“And all that compensation money and rice you mentioned is tightly held by Old Madam Wei. Would she spend even a penny?”

Indeed, Old Madam Wei was known for her cruel heart.

Madam Wang, who couldn’t bear to see others prosper, felt satisfied and asked: “How did he make it back?”

Aunt Wu’s expression became animated as she eagerly shared: “He was found at the foot of the mountain. The second Wei family’s wife happened to be gathering firewood and saw a group of people gathered around, saying an outsider had rolled down from the forest. When she went to look, she burst into tears, saying it was her son.”

“She’s had it hard too. Now this happens, and her daughter passed away just half a year ago. The second branch of the Wei family is destined to end.”

Yu Tingwan emerged after finishing her morning meal and saw the two women. She greeted Aunt Wu, and was about to return to her room looking weak and tired.

“Stop right there.”

Madam Wang scolded with a stern face: “All you do is hide in your room all day. Have you fed the chickens? Cut the pig feed?”

Yu Tingwan answered honestly: “No.”

“Then why aren’t you going to do it?”

Yu Tingwan hung her head: “I’m sick, no strength.”

Madam Wang was stunned, remembering how Yu Tingwan had been arguing with her before she left.

“When did you get sick?”

Yu Tingwan wore an innocent expression, but her tone remained stubborn: “Just now.”