Chapter 17: Is Jiang Wan Torturing You?

Sure enough, during the evening rest, Jiang Wan queued up to get her porridge. She then set up a pot and washed the wild vegetables she had picked that day, placing them into the pot to cook.

Jiang Wan was quite picky when it came to her life, as long as it didn’t affect her ability to provide for herself. So, she added seasonings to the wild vegetables, making them smell delicious. This caught the attention of Song Jiuli, who kept glancing at the pot.

But the words Jiang Wan had said earlier were still fresh in her mind, and she didn’t dare to shamelessly ask for some. She could only stare at it longingly.

In addition to the wild vegetables, Jiang Wan also heated up some steamed buns. Today, they had gathered some supplies, so the meals weren’t bad; they were nothing special for people like them.

However, no one dared to eat large portions of meat, partly to save up, and partly because they feared the soldiers would find a reason to cause trouble.

On the other hand, the Chen family had just been exiled and hadn’t had time to prepare anything, so they could only drink thin porridge that was as watery as water.

At least from a distance, their condition didn’t look too bad. Jiang Wan thought their situation was still better than Song Jiuyan’s.

Right now, though Song Jiuyan no longer had a fever, his wounds still ached. In just two days, both he and Song Jiuchi had lost a lot of weight.

As Jiang Wan’s gaze met his, Song Jiuyan’s face was particularly grim, and it seemed like he was holding something in. Jiang Wan sighed.

“Hubby, do you need to go to the bathroom? Let Jiuchi take you.”

Song Jiuyan: !!!

Rude!

Jiang Wan had become much more vulgar compared to before, and Song Jiuyan felt like his face was on fire. Thankfully, Song Jiuchi reacted quickly, immediately telling the officers and leading Song Jiuyan away within sight of the soldiers.

Seeing Jiang Wan’s appearance, Song Jiuli couldn’t help but throw in a sarcastic remark. “Why are you being so crude?”

“What’s wrong with being crude?”

Jiang Wan sneered. “Do you still think you’re the young lady from the old family? Now, we’re common folk, what’s wrong with talking about eating, drinking, and other basic needs?”

Jiang Wan’s words made Song Jiuli feel uncomfortable, and she nearly started crying. Unfortunately, her mother didn’t support her, so she could only silently drink her porridge with tears in her eyes.

When no one was paying attention, Jiang Wan secretly took a few quail eggs from her space and roasted them in the fire.

When Song Jiuyan returned, Jiang Wan quietly handed him two quail eggs.

“Eat them quickly.”

Her warm fingertips brushed against his palm, and Song Jiuyan’s large hand recoiled. Jiang Wan looked at him, puzzled.

“What? You dislike me?”

If he said a single word of dislike, Jiang Wan was ready to turn and run.

Song Jiuyan quickly shook his head and hurriedly explained, “No.”

For some reason, he really didn’t want her to misunderstand him. His action had simply been a reflex; there was no other meaning behind it.

“Good, then.”

Jiang Wan hummed in satisfaction and handed two quail eggs to Song Damu. As for Song Jiuli and Song Jiuchi, sorry, they weren’t getting any. Jiang Wan was a vengeful person, and they wouldn’t starve to death.

Song Jiuli and Song Jiuchi exchanged a look, unable to express their anger. After all, the eggs belonged to Jiang Wan, and she had the right to decide who could have them.

Moreover, if things escalated, it was likely their mother and brother wouldn’t have anything to eat. Their mother was frail, and their brother was still injured, so they really needed to be replenished.

Jiang Wan was fully aware of this, so she openly targeted their hearts, making sure they couldn’t enjoy their meal.

Though Song Damu felt sorry for her two children, she couldn’t stand Song Jiuli’s rebellious attitude. Since she wouldn’t even apologize, Jiang Wan ate the quail eggs without hesitation.

As nightfall came, not far away, Shen Qian had a gloomy expression. Though she had brought back quite a few supplies, her purse was significantly lighter.

She was heartbroken to see that the silver her parents had given her was down to just a little over half. How could she not feel the pain?

What’s worse, Song Chen was still so inconsiderate. He didn’t seem to understand her feelings at all and was practically demanding that she hand over the silver. This made her even more furious with Jiang Wan and Song Jiuyan.

If it weren’t for them, maybe she wouldn’t have been exiled.

Jiang Wan had no idea that she was being indirectly criticized. She had given some wild vegetables to Song Jiuchi, but not to Song Jiuli.

She could only stare longingly as they ate, and gradually, frustration began to bubble up inside her.

“Do you understand now?”

Song Damu was frustrated with Song Jiuli. “Jiang Wan is looking out for our family. At times like this, can’t you be more thoughtful?”

“Mother!”

Song Jiuli pouted, walking up to Jiang Wan shyly. “Sorry, I… Can I borrow your pot?”

She was too embarrassed to ask directly for food, so she used the word “borrow.” Her knuckles were already turning white from how tightly she was gripping her hands.

“Sure, make it yourself.”

Jiang Wan was curious to see what this pampered young lady could manage to cook.

Even though she followed Jiang Wan’s method—putting in some water and wild vegetables—Song Jiuli didn’t know why her wild vegetables turned out bland and even bitter.

“Ugh…”

Song Jiuli couldn’t help but cry as she ate the wild vegetables she had made.

She really was so miserable, sobbing uncontrollably…

From now on, she would never complain about Jiang Wan again. This wild vegetable was so awful.

Jiang Wan:…

Seeing how pitiful the girl looked, Jiang Wan rolled her eyes and commented, “Don’t forget to clean the pot after you’re done eating.”

Song Jiuli cried even harder, but she didn’t dare cry too loudly, fearing the soldiers would get annoyed and hit her.

“Mother, I can’t clean the pot.”

“Then learn!”

Song Damu acted like a harsh stepmother. It wasn’t that she didn’t feel sorry for her daughter, but she knew that from now on, their family wouldn’t have servants to wait on them.

If they wanted something, they’d have to do it themselves. It was good for her children to grow up.

Jiang Wan coldly watched as Song Jiuli struggled to clean the dishes. When she took the pot to the nearby stream to wash it, Jiang Wan had a couple more words for her.

“It’s still not clean.”

“I know.”

Song Jiuli could only suppress her anger. She feared that Jiang Wan might not even lend her the pot next time.

It seemed that this scene caught the eye of Shen Qian from not far away. When Song Jiuli once again went to the stream with the pot, Shen Qian pretended to wash her face.

“Li’er, is Jiang Wan torturing you?”

Seeing Jiang Wan giving Song Jiuli orders like a cruel stepmother, Shen Qian felt that this was a good opportunity!

Song Jiuli pursed her lips, weakly explaining, “Second sister-in-law, big sister didn’t torture me. It was voluntary.”

Mother said that I needed to learn to take care of myself, and this pot wasn’t clean, so I had to do it.

“You silly girl.”

Shen Qian sighed in frustration. “The eldest daughter-in-law is like a mother. Your mother is in poor health, so it’s right for Jiang Wan to take care of you. But how can she do all the dirty work? You should make her do it!”

She wished that Jiang Wan would be tormented by the first house’s people. She couldn’t stop speaking ill of her.

Song Jiuli paused in her cleaning, bitterly pulling up the corners of her mouth but not replying. Shen Qian, however, grew even more passionate as she spoke.

“Li’er, Jiang Wan is just someone who bullies the weak and fears the strong. Your mother and brother are both yours. What are you afraid of? If you stand your ground, she won’t dare to bully you!”