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Wang Cai didn’t ask for water, and seeing the fierce looks from Xue Dagui and Chu Xiaoniu, the two robust men, he dared not play the “uncle” card anymore. He and Mrs. Ding sat on the steps, eyeing the wealthy surroundings with unhidden greed.
They couldn’t believe that Mrs. Wang, a spineless woman, had married a sickly man and ended up with such wealth. Although Chen Feng was formidable, Mrs. Wang couldn’t neglect her own father, and even the county magistrate wouldn’t allow it.
Aware of Mrs. Wang’s deep hatred towards her, Mrs. Ding dared not speak and signaled to Wang Cai.
Wang Cai forced a smile and said to Mrs. Wang, “Sister, we’ve reached a dead end, forced to do this. For nearly half a year, our family has been plagued by misfortune. Not long after our mother broke her leg, I was hit on the head by flying stones twice in a row. Then, our father hurt his back, and even my eldest son was hit once. Our pigs, chickens, ducks, and geese have all been lost, and we dare not raise them anymore. The crops in our fields have either been rooted up by pigs or trampled by a mad cow. We have no money left, and the savings we had have been exhausted. A few days ago, Father suddenly fell ill, and the herbal medicine we gave him had no effect. I beg my sister to provide some money for Father’s treatment, he is your own father, after all.” After speaking, he pretended to wipe away tears.
Mrs. Ding’s wailing grew louder.
Observing Mrs. Ding and Wang Cai’s greedy demeanor and then glancing at old Wang, who lay on the reclining chair, his face pale but his eyelids occasionally twitching, Chen Feng felt annoyed. Old Wang was selfish and weak, Wang Cai was greedy, but immoral Mrs. Ding was a thousand times worse than them. She had directly caused the tragedies of Mrs. Wang and Wang Cheng, yet still dared to incite them to demand money.
In the end, old Wang was Mrs. Wang’s father. If everyone knew that she didn’t look after him, Mrs. Wang would face criticism, and it wouldn’t bode well for Chen Lu’s future career.
However, she couldn’t let this wicked woman sell off Mrs. Wang and Wang Cheng and then rely on old Wang’s status as their father to suppress Mrs. Wang and reap the benefits. Since she couldn’t enjoy the benefits, she sought to torment others. “Those who court death will die.” was a classic saying from her previous life. Since she had brought this upon herself, why should she be spared?
Chen Feng had a plan in mind. She whispered to Mrs. Wang for a while, then called Xue Dagui over and spoke with him in hushed tones. Xue Dagui nodded and quickly left.
After a short while, Old Zeng not only brought Doctor Yu, but also grandma Chen, Chen Ye, Chen Gui, Mrs. Gao, and Hu Laowu.
Mrs. Ding, who had suffered a great loss at grandma Chen’s hands before, was somewhat afraid upon seeing her. She hastened to say, “We’re not here to fight today. My husband is ill, and we’ve come to ask for medicine and money.”
Grandma Chen spat at her and scolded, “You wretched woman! Even hitting you dirties my hands. Let me tell you, there’s no way to extort money from my son.”
Mrs. Ding sneered, “I’m a stepmother, not fortunate enough to use Juan’s money. But my husband is Juan’s own father, and he’s critically ill. It wouldn’t be right for Juan to enjoy a lavish life while her father is dying. How can you call it extortion? That’s just rude.”
Grandma Chen said, “My second daughter-in-law has had a tough life, having lost her own mother at a young age. Having a stepmother means also having a stepfather. Both siblings were manipulated by the stepmother and then sold for money. Even their own father turned a blind eye. Pitiful.”
Mrs. Ding dared not say a word and began wailing again, covering her face with a handkerchief.
Doctor Yu examined old Wang’s pulse, checked his tongue and eyes, and, in bewilderment, said, “His pulse is steady, his tongue coating is light red, his eyes are normal, and his body seems fine…”
Upon hearing this, Wang Cai became anxious and said, “Are you really a doctor? My father can’t even walk, how can he be fine?” He then said to Mrs. Wang, “Sister, this doctor is a fraud. His words can’t be trusted. We’re not asking for much. Give us fifty taels of silver, and we’ll take Father to the county for treatment.”
Chen Feng sneered and instructed Chen Gui and Chu Xiaoniu to carry old Wang into the main room and have Doctor Yu re-diagnose him.
Wang Cai and Mrs. Ding tried to follow but were stopped by Hu Laowu and others.
After entering the room and closing the door, Chen Feng glanced at old Wang, who was feigning illness in a reclining chair, and said to Mrs. Wang, “Mother, I had wanted to advise you to let go of your past grievances. Even if he’s unbearable, he’s still your father. You could have supported him and wouldn’t have had to spend much money. But now, seeing him in this condition, he’s at death’s door. Even if you give him food and clothes, that shameless mother and son will squander your money. Why should you? Here’s what we’ll do: Doctor Yu will prescribe good medicine for him, and then we’ll give some money to your great-aunt, who will take care of him and make him soup and medicine every day. If he dies, you will have fulfilled your filial duty.”
As she finished speaking, old Wang suddenly sat up and said, “Feng, Juan, I’m not ill… well, not entirely. I was ill at first, but I felt better after knowing my daughter and granddaughter are filial. Juan, I’m suffering now, having only soup and vegetables every day, not even a drop of meat broth in a month. Can you give me more money so I can enjoy your prosperity? It will also enhance your reputation.”
Mrs. Wang, with teary eyes, said, “You only care about your own comfort. Do you know Mrs. Ding sold my brother to Xiaoli Village, where he was nearly abused to death, then made him replace a man and go to the border to fight at thirteen. I don’t even know if he’s alive or dead…”
Old Wang stammered, “Little Cheng was sold by that wicked woman, and I didn’t know. When I returned home, she said little Cheng had been taken to another family to live a good life, and I…”
Chen Feng, seeing this selfish and spineless man who lacked responsibility, felt like using a broom to sweep him out. Initially, he had neglected Mrs. Wang and her brother for the sake of a woman and money, and now, for the sake of money, he didn’t care about the woman outside.
After taking a deep breath to suppress her anger, she coldly said, “So, according to you, Mrs. Ding is responsible for all the wrongdoing?”
Old Wang nodded.
Chen Feng continued, “Was it Mrs. Ding’s idea to sell my mother as well?”
Old Wang nodded again.
“Then, whose idea was it to feign illness and come here today?” she asked.
“It was… her idea.” Old Wang replied.
Chen Feng remarked, “This despicable woman, lazy and morally bankrupt, not only mistreated the children left behind by the former wife but also sold them to satisfy her own indulgence. How should a woman of such depravity and immorality be dealt with?”
Old Wang, with confused eyes, asked, “Huh? How should she be dealt with?”
“The way she should be dealt with is your family’s matter, I, as a younger generation, shouldn’t say.” Chen Feng said. She then asked, “Do you want to enjoy my mother’s prosperity?”
Old Wang swallowed and said, “Of course. Juan is my own daughter. I can’t let her live well while her father starves, can I?”