Chapter 99

Of course, Madam Zhang couldn’t be allowed to learn their technique for free. If a family member won’t support you and even tries to exploit you, what kind of relative is that?

Considering her experiences in both lifetimes, Wang Yuan’er had no expectations of familial affection from her second aunt. Even if there was any, it had been eroded by constant scheming.

With this thought, Wang Yuan’er’s heart hardened. If her second aunt showed no kindness, she wouldn’t either.

“Here’s what we’ll do…” Wang Yuan’er whispered a plan into Wang Qing’er’s ear.

Wang Qing’er’s eyes lit up. “Let’s do it. She doesn’t care about face anyway.”

Unaware that her intentions were exposed, Madam Zhang focused on figuring out how to make the fermented tofu. Watching for two days, she thought it wasn’t too difficult.

Thinking she had grasped the method, Madam Zhang secretly bought some tofu and started making fermented tofu in hiding, believing Wang Yuan’er and her sisters were unaware. But Wang Qing’er had been watching her closely, seething with anger. She found an excuse and fought with Madam Zhang in the courtyard, ending in tears and running away.

Madam Zhang didn’t take it seriously. What could a little girl do?

Two days later, she eagerly awaited the fermented tofu, but Wang Er suddenly came home and slapped her without a word.

Stunned, Madam Zhang screamed, “Are you crazy? How dare you hit me!”

“Why shouldn’t I? I might even divorce you!” Wang Er glared at her.

Lately, Wang Er had been angry and frustrated. He had given silver to his brother-in-law, hoping for a job, but the money was wasted. He finally made some progress with the county magistrate’s steward, feeling hopeful about the job. But while walking in town, people pointed at him and muttered unpleasant things.

Not paying much attention, he met with the steward, who suddenly questioned his character, suggesting he wasn’t fit for the job.

This accusation left Wang Er in a cold sweat. What had he done to deserve such slander?

Nervous and anxious, he questioned the steward and learned the reason.

Apparently, Wang Qing’er had run to the river, crying after fighting with Madam Zhang. The county magistrate’s wife’s maid happened upon her and, feeling compassionate, listened to her complaints. Wang Qing’er, seeing her as a sympathetic sister, exaggerated Madam Zhang’s actions and mentioned her second uncle’s indulgence in letting Madam Zhang bully them.

The maid comforted her and later gossiped about it to her mistress, who, being kind-hearted, expressed sympathy. Such stories spread quickly, and soon everyone knew who it was about, leading to widespread criticism of Wang Er, especially in light of Madam Liang’s death.

The rumor even reached the steward, who doubted Wang Er’s character. A man who allowed his wife to bully his deceased brother’s orphans couldn’t be trusted with any responsibility.

Realizing his wife’s greed had caused his troubles, Wang Er was furious. Recalling how much he had given her family, only to have it backfire, he returned home and angrily hit Madam Zhang.

Chapter 100

The more Wang Er thought about it, the more he felt aggrieved. This wife of his not only achieved nothing but also dragged him down. She was greedy for his deceased elder brother’s children’s inheritance. She might not care about her reputation, but he did.

Recalling the townsfolk’s pointing and harsh words, Wang Er’s face burned with anger, and without thinking, he slapped her again.

Madam Zhang, stunned by the slap, retaliated by grabbing at him, “You heartless bastard! I’ve given you children, and you dare hit me? I’ll fight you!”

The two began to tussle, with Fuduo crying loudly in fright. Wang Min’er, trying to separate them, couldn’t intervene and had to fetch Grandma Wang.

Grandma Wang arrived in a fury to find the west room in disarray. Wang Er and Madam Zhang were clawing at each other, hair and clothing in disarray, looking as if they wanted to tear each other apart.

“Are you trying to tear the place down? Let go!” Grandma Wang bellowed.

Seeing his mother, Wang Er let go, and Madam Zhang collapsed to the floor, crying and wailing, “This life is unbearable! Wang Er, you heartless wretch!”

“If it’s unbearable, then leave. Do you think I care? Go back to your family; just leave!” Wang Er shouted, pointing to the door, “You money-grubbing woman, you think I care?”

“Second son,” Grandma Wang pulled him aside, scolding, “What’s gotten into you? Can’t you talk things out without resorting to violence? Are you still a man?”

Madam Zhang, sobbing harder, screamed, “I’ve given you children and never had a day of peace, working like a horse, and you still hit me! You’re heartless!”

“Listen to what people are saying about us! They say we’re cruel and heartless, bullying orphans. They say we’re not human,” Wang Er shouted, veins bulging. Turning to his mother, he said, “Mother, don’t stop me. I’m going to write a divorce letter and get rid of this greedy woman.”

“You stubborn fool, explain what happened. What’s this about greed and cruelty?” Grandma Wang demanded.

Family harmony is crucial, so why were they fighting, even threatening divorce?

“Mother, you don’t know what she did? This greedy woman…,” Wang Er vented about Madam Zhang’s actions. “People are saying we want to drive my elder brother’s children to their deaths, that we won’t let them live. I was close to securing a job, and now it’s all ruined.”

Grandma Wang, who valued reputation the most, turned to Madam Zhang with a grim face, “Is this true?”

Madam Zhang’s eyes darted, defending, “This is baseless. How could you accuse me? And who says they’re the only ones who can make fermented tofu? Why can’t I try?”

“How dare you!” Wang Er’s anger flared again, kicking at her, only stopped by his mother’s intervention.

“So it’s true?” Grandma Wang asked coldly.

Madam Zhang lowered her head, feeling guilty, mumbling, “Aren’t we family? Can’t we help each other? I was thinking of our family, too.”

“For your family or your mother’s? Your sister-in-law put you up to this, didn’t she? Planning against your own nieces! Don’t you care about your reputation? What about Min’er’s future marriage prospects?” Grandma Wang shouted.