Chapter 15

A week after moving into the old house, Shu Yue’s body had almost completely recovered thanks to the spiritual spring water. She now had enough milk to feed her son. These days, she hadn’t stepped foot outside, staying home with Old Madam Cheng, while Cheng Xiaoying went out to work every day.

“Grandma, I’m feeling much better now. After breakfast, I want to go up the mountain to gather some firewood for the winter.”

Shu Yue had just finished nursing her son when she shared her plan. She was still technically in confinement after childbirth, so the village chief hadn’t required her to work. Back when she lived with the Cheng family, she had no choice—if she didn’t work, Mother Cheng would rain curses on her. But now, living in the old house, free of Mother Cheng’s control, Shu Yue had realized that her health mattered most. Winter was coming soon, and although there was some firewood in storage, it wasn’t nearly enough. They needed more to get through the cold season.

“I’ll go instead. You need to rest and take care of yourself,” Old Madam Cheng said as she hurried out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. She knew Shu Yue was capable, but this was still her confinement period. If she didn’t take care now, she could be plagued by postpartum illness later.

“No need. I’ve been resting really well these past few days. I’m not going far—just to the back mountain. I won’t overexert myself,” Shu Yue replied, slinging a bamboo basket over her back and stepping out the gate before the old woman could stop her.

She couldn’t explain the secret of the spring water, so she could only move quickly and get out before more objections came. Her body truly had no problems at all.

On the road, she passed several villagers but didn’t greet anyone. Shu Yue held her head high and walked straight past. Because of her family background—and because people claimed she had schemed her way into marrying Cheng Jingchuan—every glance in her direction came with whispers and pointing fingers.

Some called her a capitalist’s pampered daughter. Others said she was calculating and would do anything to marry well. And now there was a new rumor: that she was unfaithful, since her husband wasn’t home and she had moved out to live separately. People assumed there was something shameful behind it.

“Look at her—just gave birth a few days ago and she’s already out here trying to seduce men. Tsk tsk, that sway of her hips—disgusting.”

“Don’t stare at her. You’d better keep an eye on your own husbands, or that fox spirit will snatch them away.”

“How shameless can a woman be? Married to the Cheng family’s second son—a military officer, handsome, with a salary—and still not satisfied, still out hunting for men.”

In her past life, Shu Yue would have endured it silently. Being a city girl and educated, she’d always carried a kind of pride and aloofness, unwilling to stoop to the level of quarreling village women. But this time, reborn, she no longer intended to tolerate anything. Pride couldn’t feed you or clothe you. Better to be a shrew and at least have the satisfaction of fighting back.

“You few—do you have proof for these filthy accusations? Or do you just have foul mouths that spew filth to make yourselves feel better?”

The women hadn’t expected Shu Yue to respond. They had said worse things about her before, and she’d always acted deaf. What was wrong with her today? Did she take the wrong medicine? How could she talk back so sharply, nothing like her usual quiet self?

“What’s with your attitude? We’re only telling the truth. What, you do these things and think no one can talk about it?”

“Exactly. What kind of woman struts around swaying her hips just days after childbirth? You’re obviously trying to seduce someone. Shameless little tramp, you—ah!”

Before the woman could finish, Shu Yue was already in front of her. Smack! The slap landed hard and fast. Everything happened so suddenly that the gossips froze in shock. The one hit, clutching her cheek in disbelief, couldn’t process that quiet, meek Shu Yue had just struck her.

Ever since Shu Yue’s capitalist family background was revealed, she’d been treated like a mute in the village—no matter how vicious the insults, she’d ignored them. Even after marrying into the Cheng family, Mother Cheng and Huang Fang mocked her openly for being “invisible,” a woman who didn’t dare talk back. But now—after giving birth—she was talking back and even hitting people?

“You dare hit me? I’ll scratch your face to pieces!”

The woman Shu Yue slapped was Zhou Zhaodi, a new wife in the village for less than two years. She had married Xu Changsheng, a distant relative of the village chief. Because of that connection, she strutted around arrogantly. Her husband was known for being dishonest—his eyes wandered to any pretty woman, married or not—and Shu Yue’s beauty had definitely caught his attention. Zhou Zhaodi had long wanted to claw up Shu Yue’s face, and now she finally had an excuse.

Before her hand could reach Shu Yue, Shu Yue sidestepped easily. Zhou Zhaodi stumbled, almost falling flat. She whirled around, ready to lunge again—

“Stop that right now! What are you all doing here? Don’t you have work to do?”

The sharp voice cut through the commotion. It was Aunt Cui, the village chief’s wife, dropping what she was doing and hurrying over when she saw the confrontation. She wouldn’t allow Shu Yue to be bullied—not only because her family had benefited from Shu Yue before, but also because she knew Shu Yue’s character after years of acquaintance. Shu Yue was no troublemaker.

“Auntie, she hit me! Look at my face—it’s red! I’m hitting her back!” Zhou Zhaodi shrieked, her voice cracking. Seeing a relative arrive gave her confidence. There was no way she would let this go. This feud had to be repaid in kind—or she’d never live it down.

“Jingchuan’s wife, you tell me—what’s going on here?”

Aunt Cui took charge, determined to get to the bottom of it. She’d clearly seen Shu Yue strike Zhou Zhaodi and was shocked—when did this soft little rabbit learn to bite? Judging by Zhou Zhaodi’s reddened cheek, the slap had been no gentle tap.