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Sun Shi’s mind quickly devised a plan. She was determined to make Qian Guang and Liang Fu appreciate her, and to make Su Zhi uncomfortable. If she couldn’t trouble Su Zhi directly, she would find another way. The solution was simple: the two little wolf cubs crouching behind, watching them talk.
“Master Qian, Miss Liang, you should still let my Fourth Sister-in-law take a look. She has miraculous remedies passed down from immortals, and she’s clever too. Learning medicine must be a breeze for her. Remember when she had those spots all over her body? She didn’t get better for months after marrying into our Shen family. It wasn’t until after the separation that she finally recovered. She figured out how to cure herself during those months. She’s so clever. If she puts her mind to it, she’ll definitely figure out how to cure Miss Liang’s illness.”
As Sun Shi spoke, her words seemed to praise Su Zhi. However, upon closer reflection, something seemed off. She mentioned how Su Zhi didn’t get better for months after marrying into the family, but miraculously recovered after the separation. It inevitably led people to think that Su Zhi could have cured herself but chose not to, just to instigate the separation.
Su Zhi pressed her lips together, squinting slightly as she looked at Sun Shi. Her gaze wasn’t particularly cold, but it was enough to make Sun Shi hesitant to meet her eyes.
“Third Sister-in-law, your memory seems to be failing you. I remember clearly that I started using medicine even before the separation. It’s just that halfway through, your husband and child believed the words of an outsider Taoist, who claimed I was a harbinger of misfortune. He insisted on separating me and Zi’an. After we separated, I continued with the treatment, and that’s when I recovered. It wasn’t like what you said, that I only used the medicine after the separation. Would you dare repeat those words in front of everyone?”
Sun Shi dared not speak further. Many people knew that Su Zhi had been consistently taking medicine. Shen Zi’an even changed her prescription later on and made her bathe daily—a fact known to many in the village. People often praised Shen Zi’an for being exceptionally good to Su Zhi. Some even said that Su Zhi was getting better with the new medication. However, due to the false Taoist’s words, the Shen family believed that Su Zhi was a harbinger of misfortune and advised that she must be expelled from the house. Now, Su Zhi, once labeled as a harbinger of misfortune, not only didn’t bring bad luck to her husband but also brought prosperity to the Shen family. People in the village couldn’t help but laugh at the Shen family’s misfortune.
If Sun Shi were to bring up this matter again, she could imagine the entire family hating her. It wouldn’t sound good that she instigated a man to separate from his sick wife because of her actions. The earlier stigma of being a harbinger of misfortune was still fresh in people’s minds, and bringing it up now would only add insult to injury. The Shen family wished to bury this matter and move on, especially Shen Youfu, who would resent Sun Shi for mentioning it in front of someone like Qian Guang.
“Ah, Fourth Sister-in-law, you seem to have misunderstood my words. I was just saying you’re smart. As long as one is willing to think, any illness can be cured. You really misunderstood,” Sun Shi said with an apologetic smile. Glancing at Qian Guang and Liang Fu, she noticed that their expressions weren’t too good, and she regretted speaking too much earlier.
Su Zhi was now thinking along the same lines as Sun Shi. Since Sun Shi was causing trouble for her, she decided not to save face for her or the Shen family. If the Shen family lost face later on, it would be Sun Shi’s responsibility. If she wanted to hold Su Zhi accountable, she wouldn’t mind tearing off the mask. It would be better to cut off ties with them in the future.
“Third Sister-in-law, I didn’t overthink it. I was just speaking the truth. Your words led my thoughts in that direction, so I felt the need to clarify to avoid any misunderstandings,” Su Zhi replied firmly.
“Fourth Sister-in-law, did you misunderstand something? I simply wanted to compliment your intelligence, how you were able to devise effective remedies for your own illness. I didn’t mean to imply that you knowingly refused treatment just to separate from the family. Please don’t misunderstand. Why would I think that about you? We’re close sisters-in-law,” she added.
Sun Shi continued to play dumb, hoping that Su Zhi would indeed think she was genuine and wouldn’t press the issue further. This way, she could still make Su Zhi feel uncomfortable without facing any consequences herself.
Su Zhi became even angrier upon hearing Sun Shi’s response. She thought to herself, “She really hasn’t changed a bit.” Nevertheless, she decided to continue.
“Third Sister-in-law, let me clarify further. I’m not as intelligent as you make me out to be. The prescription wasn’t something I came up with later; it was something I had all along and had been using. It’s just unfortunate that I hadn’t fully recovered before the family split apart. And let’s not forget, it was because your husband and child believed that false Taoist and, pregnant as you were, you came to plead with me, even making your daughter kneel before me, which led to our family’s separation. Now, you’re claiming that I only sought treatment after the separation. Your memory seems to be quite selective,” Su Zhi retorted.
Sun Shi’s face flushed red and then paled. She regretted bringing up the topic, as Su Zhi had laid bare the truth of their family’s split. Not only did Qian Guang and Liang Fu now know the real reason behind it, but they also realized the significant role played by their third branch. Sun Shi could sense the disapproving looks from Qian Guang and Liang Fu, which made her regret her words even more.
Sun Shi felt increasingly aggrieved as she thought about it. She wanted Qian Guang and Liang Fu to recognize her sister-in-law’s abilities, not look down on her. She needed to quickly move past this topic.
“Master Qian, my fourth sister-in-law truly is talented. There’s no need for doubt in this matter. Not only does she possess talent, but she also has good fortune. Just look at her – despite experiencing such a serious illness, she still has such flawless skin. If she didn’t have good fortune, would she have been able to amass such wealth, own such a magnificent house and a large garden? If she didn’t have good fortune, would she have such a good relationship with you, Master Qian, and Miss Liang?”
The last sentence seemed somewhat like flattery.
Su Zhi was thoroughly fed up with Sun Shi. Despite her anger and rebuttals, Sun Shi shamelessly turned to Qian Guang and Liang Fu, continuing to imply that Su Zhi had concocted the medicine to cure her own illness.
“Third Sister-in-law, I’m still addressing you as ‘Third Sister-in-law’ for now, but you’d better leave immediately. Otherwise, don’t ever come back here again.”
“What did I do wrong, Fourth Sister? Just because I was talking to Master Qian? I only wanted Miss Liang’s illness to improve. I was just being kind-hearted. You clearly can cure Miss Liang’s illness, yet you choose not to intervene. You’re too heartless. Master Qian and Miss Liang have treated you with such kindness for nothing.”
Sun Shi immediately started protesting upon hearing Su Zhi’s intention to drive her away.
Sun Shi was a bit petty and lacked foresight. Despite having said what she wanted to, she didn’t seize the opportunity to exit gracefully. Upon hearing Su Zhi’s intention to drive her away, she felt reluctant. If she left now, all her efforts might be in vain. If Qian Guang and the others ignored her words, Su Zhi would still maintain good relations with them while Sun Shi would be ostracized. She didn’t want such consequences, so she started to protest.
Su Zhi, on the other hand, wasn’t as angry anymore upon seeing Sun Shi’s reaction. She had been worried about how to keep this woman out of the garden, but now she had found a reason.
People nearby, who were working, heard Sun Shi’s clamor and began to approach slowly.
Upon seeing others approaching, Sun Shi felt anxious. Her intention was to stoke conflict between Su Zhi and Qian Guang, not to attract more attention. If others heard her mentioning the family’s separation again, they would mock her, and her own family might resent her.
“What are you all standing around for? Have you finished your work? You don’t get paid for nothing. Get back to work!” Sun Shi shouted at the women.
The women, hearing Sun Shi’s words, didn’t move forward. They felt resentful towards Sun Shi for flaunting her influence in the Shen household. They knew they were paid by Shen Zi’an’s family, not by her. They had only come over to see what the commotion was about, not to slack off. Sun Shi’s words made them feel embarrassed in front of Su Zhi.
“Ladies, if you’re tired, feel free to take a break. We have some matters to discuss here, so we’d appreciate it if you could step aside,” Su Zhi said, feeling annoyed with Sun Shi for causing trouble in her presence.
Upon hearing Su Zhi’s words, the women felt relieved. They admired how considerate Su Zhi was, even though she was now wealthy. She still treated them politely and kindly. Compared to Sun Shi, who was always shouting, Su Zhi’s demeanor was much more pleasant. They were all daughters-in-law of the Shen family, living so close together, yet the difference in their attitudes was striking.
Sun Shi overheard the women laughing and chatting with Su Zhi before muttering to herself as she walked away. Her muttering was not quiet, and Sun Shi could hear every word. This only served to infuriate her further.
“Those gossiping village women should be given a good beating by their men to teach them a lesson,” Sun Shi muttered to herself as she walked away.
“Whether they’re gossiping or not is not my concern. What matters is that from now on, you’re not allowed to come to my house and shout at the people I invite over. My reputation isn’t something for you to ruin,” Su Zhi firmly retorted to Sun Shi.
Sun Shi replied, “Fourth sister-in-law, I haven’t tarnished your reputation. They were just comparing us and praising you while belittling me. You may be pleased with that, but I’m not. You even sided with them and won’t let me have my say. Do you really think I’m inferior to you? What kind of attitude is this?”
“Third sister-in-law, you better leave. This temple of mine is too small to accommodate such a big Buddha like you,” Su Zhi said. She knew that the few women who overheard Sun Shi’s words earlier would likely spread the gossip. She trusted their ability to spread rumors. When the time came, she would add more fuel to the fire, making it impossible for Sun Shi to set foot in her house again.
Sun Shi panicked upon hearing this. She realized that Su Zhi was serious about asking her to leave. Immediately, she pointed at Xiao Bai and said to Qian Guang, “Master Qian, Fourth sister-in-law will surely be able to cure Miss Liang. She’s blessed, you know, with the sacred beast. This sacred beast has been guarding her and even gave her a thousand-year-old ginseng as a gift.”