Hearing these words, Chen Sixi felt a sense of regret.

At the same time, she also felt a little guilty.

Because at that moment, she thought about how Zhang Zihua was her husband, and now, Jianxiu was no longer the kind and forgiving person she used to be.

Naturally, she felt afraid.

“What’s the point of regretting now? I told you before not to return it, but you wouldn’t listen!” Zhang Zirong chimed in.

“And also…”

“Where is my piece of blue coarse cloth?”

Before Zhang Zirong could finish speaking, Wang Xiuying interrupted him.

The reason she had come in such a hurry was precisely for that piece of fabric.

It was something her mother had bought for her as part of her dowry, saving every bit of money she could.

At the end of the day, it was her dowry—it had nothing to do with the Zhang family.

“W-what cloth? We don’t know anything about that!” Chen Sixi stammered.

Just from Chen Sixi’s response, Wang Xiuying already understood what had happened.

She knew these people all too well.

When she was packing her things, if they had seen that piece of fabric and didn’t take it, that would have been a miracle.

“That was my dowry. You should know that. If you don’t return it honestly, don’t blame me for making a scene! If the village head can’t settle this, I’ll take it to the county magistrate. I’d like to see if you really dare to keep it!”

As expected, as soon as these words were spoken, Fang Miaojun immediately put on a smile and tried to smooth things over.

“Third Sister-in-law, what are you saying? It’s not that we don’t want to give it back; we just didn’t remember at the moment! Just now, when I was tidying up, I even saw it. I was just about to get it for you! Who knew.. Really, why do you have such a temper? We’re all family—why talk as if we’re outsiders?”

After saying that, she swayed her hips and walked toward the courtyard.

One had to admit, Fang Miaojun was skilled with words, making sure no one could catch her in a lie.

But Wang Xiuying was well aware that this woman was nothing more than a smiling tiger.

However, when she saw that her piece of fabric had been neatly cut into two halves, she was instantly furious.

If she couldn’t figure out what had happened now, she might as well not be called Wang Xiuying.

“Eldest Sister-in-law, tell me honestly—you wouldn’t happen to be trying to convince me that the children cut this while playing house, would you?”

Wang Xiuying pointed at the perfectly divided fabric.

At this, Fang Miaojun’s face turned visibly awkward.

“Third Sister-in-law, we’re all family, aren’t we? You know how children can be playful sometimes… Third Sister-in-law, you—”

Before she could finish, Wang Xiuying had already snatched the fabric from her hands.

She cast a cold glance at Fang Miaojun before saying:

“We’ve already cut ties. What’s the point of talking about family anymore? I’ll just take this as a lesson learned.”

With that, she didn’t wait for Fang Miaojun to respond and turned to Old Zhang.

“I’ve said what I needed to say. Are you giving back the clothes or not? If not, tomorrow they’ll be walking into town in rags.”

Hearing this, Old Zhang immediately turned to Chen Sixi and snapped:

“What are you standing around for? Hurry up and get a set of clothes for Old Second!”

“O-okay! I’ll go now, right away!”

After speaking, Old Zhang also headed into the courtyard to gather clothes for Old Liu.

A short while later, the two of them returned, each holding a set of clothes.

Old Zhang wasn’t too bad—he looked at Wang Xiuying’s dark expression and could tell she was ready to settle accounts.

But Chen Sixi was even more direct. She glared at Wang Xiuying and sneered:

“You tell that wretched Jianxiu—if anything happens to my Zihua, even a single scratch, I will take this matter straight to the county magistrate! If she wants peace, she better prepare the money.”

At this, Chen Sixi paused for a moment, then held up five fingers before continuing:

“If you want me to drop this, it’s not impossible. Just pay me three… no, five taels of silver. Five taels, and I’ll consider not making a scene. Otherwise, I’ll stir up trouble everywhere!”

“Five taels might be too little. Second Sister-in-law, don’t forget—last time, when Old Fourth had just a minor injury, we got more than two taels in compensation,” Zhang Zirong reminded her.

“It’s not up to me to decide how much to pay. I don’t know anything else—Jianxiu only told me to tell you all to wait at home tomorrow. I have no idea what she’s planning.”

With that, Wang Xiuying grabbed their belongings and quickly headed toward the village outskirts.

She couldn’t even fathom how she had lived with such people for so many years.

She didn’t know how she had endured it all.

These selfish, greedy people—she was curious to see how Jianxiu would deal with them.

Luckily, their household had severed ties with them.

Otherwise, who knew how much trouble they’d be dragged into?

With that thought, Wang Xiuying quickened her pace toward the village outskirts.

She had to admit—being well-fed really did give her more energy.

…

Before dawn, Jianxiu was already awake.

She had thought she was up early enough, but to her surprise, Wang Xiuying was already in the courtyard, tidying up.

“Jianxiu, you’re awake? Breakfast is ready,” Wang Xiuying said with a bright smile.

“Third Sister-in-law, you really don’t have to—”

“Oh, don’t say that! We’re staying here, and if you don’t let me help, I’d feel uncomfortable! Stop talking and eat up. Aren’t you heading to town today? Eat and get going!”

As she spoke, Wang Xiuying handed Jianxiu a bowl.

Breakfast was just porridge—thin and watery, as always.

Perhaps it was just a habit of poverty.