Chapter 39: Su Yi’an is No Meek Rabbit

After several days of heavy snowfall, the He Family had been confined indoors, unaware of how quickly the rumors were spreading outside.

It started with Yang Ersao claiming that the eldest daughter-in-law of the He Family’s eldest branch had given birth to a premature child. Then came whispers that Second Aunt He had stormed into their house and shoved the pregnant woman, triggering her labor.

The rumors spread like wildfire. After all, the longstanding rift between the eldest and second branches of the He Family went far beyond a few acres of fertile land.

“You wouldn’t believe how difficult the birth was,” Aunt Wang said while helping her daughter-in-law sell tofu. When asked about it, she gave a brief reply: “If it weren’t for Doctor Wang’s prescription and Midwife Liu’s skilled hands, that child might not have made it.”

Her few words only fueled everyone’s curiosity. Customers who had already bought tofu lingered, crowding around her stall.

“How did they manage to get Midwife Liu?” asked Yang Erniu’s mother. “Don’t we have a midwife right here in the village?”

“They say she was hired by someone else, but I haven’t seen any red festivities lately. The He Family only had a daughter.”

“Madam Zhao, you can’t just spread baseless talk. How do you know our village midwife was already taken?”

Madam Zhao rolled her eyes. Her husband had been the cart driver who took Midwife Liu home that day, so she knew the details from him.

“My Zhuangzi drove her home. She told him herself. Why else would the He Family skip our village midwife and hire someone from several villages away? Labor can’t wait.”

She lowered her voice dramatically. “Do you know how much the He Family paid Midwife Liu?”

“Two qian of silver?”

“Maybe three? That’s standard for a girl.”

Madam Zhao shook her head and raised a single finger.

“Just one qian? That’s nothing to talk about. The He Family’s eldest branch is poor, after all.”

Madam Zhao waved her hand. “If it were just one qian, it wouldn’t be worth mentioning. It was a whole tael of silver.”

The crowd turned silent , wondering if they’d misheard. How could a family that had just given birth to a girl be so extravagant as to give away a whole tael of silver?

“Aunt Wang, is that true? You helped out that day—did you see it yourself?”

Aunt Wang had returned home that night and had no idea how much the He Family had paid Midwife Liu for the delivery.

“How would I know? But the He Family did give us eggs the next morning.”

Eggs? Those were a rare treat in winter!

The crowd erupted into chatter, everyone offering their own theories.

The most common question was why the He Family had suddenly become so generous. Had they truly struck it rich? Otherwise, why would Second Aunt He have gone to their house in a fit of rage?

The more they discussed it, the more convinced they became. Just days earlier, Mother He had even given Sister Xing a full wen coin when buying meat.

Maybe Second Aunt He was jealous of their good fortune and had gone to stir up trouble.

Since that incident, Second Aunt He hadn’t left the house.

The snow gave her a perfect excuse. She claimed it was too slippery to go out and forbade anyone else from going out either.

He Zhong thought his mother had truly changed and stayed home dutifully with Sister Xing during the New Year.

But for Second Aunt He, each day crawled by. She lived in fear that the eldest branch would show up at the door. When days passed and no one came, she slowly relaxed, assuming that Wanxu must have been fine after all.

One day, He Zhong mentioned taking a stroll through the village. This time, his mother didn’t stop him.

“Zhongzi, what’s going on with your family? Why are you all clashing so fiercely with your aunt’s branch?” He Wenshi greeted him and pulled him aside.

Though they were from a collateral branch, they shared the same ancestral roots.

Carrying a bundle of meat, He Zhong blinked. “Shitou, what do you mean?”

“Are you really clueless or just pretending? Everyone in the village knows about your family’s drama by now.”

“You know your mother went to your aunt’s house the day before New Year’s, right?”

He Zhong looked startled. That day, he had returned from town, chopped firewood, and delivered it to his aunt’s house. He hadn’t seen his mother in the courtyard at all.

“I heard your mother caused a scene at the He Family’s house and even pushed He Family’s Eldest Son’s wife,” He Wenshi continued, pausing as he noticed He Zhong’s furrowed brow. “The villagers say she gave birth to a premature baby girl that night.”

He Zhong thanked him, placed the meat on the table, and rushed home.

The more he thought about it, the more uneasy he felt. No wonder his mother had been keeping them inside. No wonder she, who usually thrived on gossip, had avoided everyone.

So much had happened—and he hadn’t known a thing.

He quickened his pace.

Before he could open the door, he heard shouting from inside.

“Don’t think just because Zhongzi’s back you can get away with anything. Look at you—even chickens lay eggs in winter, and your belly’s still useless.”

“Next time you run crying to Zhongzi, I’ll wring your neck.”

He Zhong flung the door open.

There stood his mother, gripping Sister Xing’s wrist.

This was the same woman who had given Sister Xing a warm egg days ago.

All those promises to reform and treat Sister Xing better had been lies.

Startled, Second Aunt He let go of Sister Xing. Before she could explain, He Zhong pulled Sister Xing behind him and demanded, “Mother, what did you do before New Year’s?”

Still thinking he was upset over the argument just now, Second Aunt He barked back, “What? You’re scolding your own mother now? I just gave her a couple pinches and some advice. What mother-in-law doesn’t discipline her daughter-in-law?”

She still had no idea what he was really angry about.

“How dare you cause a scene at Aunt’s house? Do you realize your shove nearly cost two lives?” He Zhong’s anger surged. He couldn’t bear to think what would have happened if neither had survived.

“The baby came early, and we don’t even know if it’s healthy. And you kept us locked up at home these past few days…”

“Well, at least no one died,” Second Aunt He muttered, sounding almost relieved.

He Zhong’s face burned with shame. “You need to apologize to Aunt’s family. We were in the wrong.”

Second Aunt He jabbed a finger at him. “You’re my son! Why are you siding with outsiders? I wasted my life raising you! If you want to apologize, go ahead. I won’t!”

She stormed inside, leaving He Zhong and Sister Xing standing in the courtyard.

With the arrival of the new baby, the He Family’s home bustled with activity.

Su Yi’an was busy testing new recipes, both to nourish Wanxu and to gather feedback from the family.

After all, Madam He and the others had lived in the Prefectural City and were more familiar with refined tastes. If they liked something, it was probably worth selling at the future food stall.

Madam He set down her chopsticks and gestured toward the Four Joy Meatballs. “These are delicious, but…”

“But what, Mother?” Su Yi’an asked.

“They’re large and packed with meat. Even in the city, they weren’t cheap. I’m worried we won’t be able to price them affordably.”

They had already planned to open a food stall after the New Year and were hoping to rent a shop in town.

The only concern was securing a lease. Su Yi’an’s savings would only cover one year’s rent.

“Sister Su, I love this Dongpo Tofu! It smells amazing and melts in your mouth,” He Ningwen said, happily picking up another piece.

Su Yi’an made a mental note. She wasn’t in a rush to finalize the menu.

The dishes had to be tasty, affordable, and profitable—no easy balance.

He Xingchen was the life of the table. Holding up his empty bowl, he beamed. “Little Aunt, look! I ate it all! Every dish was delicious!”

“You rascal, eat properly and stop waving your bowl around,” Madam He scolded gently, pressing his hand down.

Su Yi’an listened to their chatter, already turning over ideas in her mind.

The family was doing better, but they still had a long way to go. She couldn’t relax yet.

“Auntie,” a voice called from outside the courtyard. It was He Zhong.

Madam He sighed. Though Second Aunt He was the one who had caused the trouble, He Zhong was a good boy. She couldn’t just slam the door in his face without letting him say his piece.

“I’ll go with you,” Su Yi’an said, sensing her hesitation.

Outside, He Zhong stood holding a bottle of wine and a chicken—an apology offering.

The gate creaked open, and Su Yi’an stepped out, blocking the doorway.

Feigning ignorance, she asked, “What brings you here?”

He Zhong stiffened. He thrust the items forward awkwardly. “I’m here to apologize on my mother’s behalf. I… I only found out today.”

“Go back,” Su Yi’an said, reaching for the gate.

“It’s our fault. Please accept this for my cousin-in-law’s recovery,” he said with a forced smile.

Madam He had never seen Su Yi’an like this. She wasn’t angry, nor did she lash out—but her presence was icy.

A baby’s cry came from inside. Man Mei had woken.

Sister Xing, who had been hiding nearby, emerged at the sound. She stood beside He Zhong, eyes lowered, her voice trembling. “How are my cousin-in-law and the baby?”

“Mother, please check on them. I’ll be right in,” Su Yi’an said, then turned to the couple.

Sister Xing looked more timid than ever, clinging tightly to He Zhong. It was clear he still tried to protect her—but not enough.

“Brother Zhong,” Su Yi’an said calmly, “if Sister Xing had died that day because of your mother’s shove, would you still be speaking for your mother now?”

He Zhong had no answer.

“It wasn’t your fault. You don’t need to apologize,” she continued, glancing at the bruise on Sister Xing’s wrist.

“Luckily someone was home that day. Otherwise, two lives might’ve been lost.”

She said no more, just closed the gate.

He Zhong and Sister Xing stood there silently for a while before turning to leave.

On the way home, He Zhong replayed her words again and again.

At home, Second Aunt He had been peeking through the window. When she saw them return with the wine and chicken, her heart clenched.

Both were luxuries. Even she rarely killed a chicken for dinner.

Still, she mocked them. “Back so soon? Did they kick you out? I told you it was enough to know they were safe. Why go beg for a scolding?”

“And it’s just a sick girl. If she dies, she dies.”

“A girl?” He Zhong snapped. “Wasn’t Yan a girl too? Wasn’t she someone’s daughter?”

He froze.

He suddenly remembered his younger sister, married off right before the end of the year. No letter, no notice. Just gone.

It was all too convenient.

His mother stammered, unable to reply.

And just like that, He Zhong saw her for who she truly was.

“…Let’s divide the family,” he said quietly.