Chapter 197

These days, the Tang family is in utter disarray. They frantically cleaned up the mess left by Tang Xiu’an, fearing any slip that could lead Li Xian to uncover evidence.

Even Old Madam Tang realized the gravity of the matter, so much so that she was riddled with anxiety and developing several mouth ulcers. She instructed the servants to act discreetly and avoid trouble while discussing with her children and grandchildren the best way to resolve the issue and distance the Tang family from it.

Unexpectedly, a servant brought back rumors from outside, tarnishing the Tang family’s reputation.

In a fit of rage, Old Madam Tang smashed two delicate enamel-painted tea cups and demanded an explanation. It turned out to be the handiwork of the Zhang Dapeng family.

“That shameless woman! Send someone to tear her mouth apart—see if she dares to spout nonsense about the master’s family again!” Overcome with anger, Old Madam Tang barked at the nanny beside him.

“But what about Third Madam’s side?” Nanny Tang hesitated, knowing that while dealing with the rumors would clear the Tang family’s name, it would indirectly give Concubine Wang some leverage. Would Third Madam agree?

Old Madam Tang glared fiercely. “At a time like this, she’s still squabbling over that? The woman’s already been sent far away to the village and even gave birth to a girl—what else is there to worry about? Isn’t it more important to safeguard the master’s reputation than to fight over trivial matters?”

“Yes, yes,” Nanny Tang quickly complied.

“The Third Madam is here!” a maid announced from outside.

Old Madam Tang immediately adopted a different demeanor, waving Nanny Tang away to handle the situation discreetly.

Wang Yuan’er had been eagerly awaiting developments from the Tang family, and soon, she received the news she had been hoping for.

Wealthy households often resorted to various tactics when dealing with dismissed servants. It was easy to pin a theft accusation on someone who harbored resentment after being expelled and intentionally smeared the family’s reputation. Most people wouldn’t suspect a thing.

The Tang family handled it in a similar manner. They publicly confronted the Zhang family, accusing Madam Zhou of stealing items from the master and defaming the family’s reputation. How they threatened Madam Zhou, Wang Yuan’er was unsure, but Madam Zhou ended up kneeling and pleading for forgiveness, ultimately admitting guilt.

Thus, the rumors were suppressed, though curiosity lingered regarding Wang Min’er’s matter. Nevertheless, this incident significantly reduced the spread of the gossip.

Wang Yuan’er felt relieved and received good news from Cui Yuan: Wang Er was about to be released. However, after being punished with the rod, someone would need to pick him up.

Since Wang Yuan’er and her sisters were young women, Grandpa Wang forbade them from joining the trip. Instead, he took Fuquan along, and upon hearing the news, Hou Biao volunteered to accompany them, citing his strength and convenience as a man in handling various situations. He displayed great enthusiasm.

“They’re coming, they’re coming,” Madam Zhang exclaimed as a modest horse-drawn carriage approached in the distance, her face lighting up with a smile.

Wang Yuan’er supported Grandma Wang as they peered ahead, recognizing Fuquan sitting in the driver’s seat.

“Hurry, prepare the fire basin,” Grandma Wang instructed Wang Chun’er.

As the carriage slowly came to a stop, Fuquan jumped down, assisted Grandpa Wang out of the carriage, and then, along with Hou Biao, helped Wang Er down.

“Ouch, ouch, take it easy, take it easy!” Wang Er winced in pain, clutching his injured rear.

“Second son…” Grandma Wang’s eyes reddened as she saw Wang Er’s disheveled appearance.

“Mother!” Wang Er turned to her, his own eyes glistening with emotion.

“You’re back, you’re back!” Grandma Wang wiped her teary eyes with her sleeve and then asked Madam Zhang to bring over the prepared white tofu for him to eat.

Freshly released from jail, one must eat tofu and step over a fire basin to cleanse bad luck.

Wang Er, holding back tears, ate the tofu in one go, then was helped to step over the fire basin. As he took a large step, the pain in his injured rear made him cry out again.

After stepping over the fire basin, Wang Er was sweating profusely from the pain. The punishment of twenty strokes was no joke—if not for Cui Yuan’s intervention, he might have endured fifty strokes.

“I’ll carry Uncle Wang Er on my back,” Hou Biao offered, squatting in front of Wang Er.

Feeling embarrassed, Wang Er hesitated, but Madam Zhang pressed him down. Hou Biao immediately hoisted him up and carried him into the house.

Wang Yuan’er tilted her head and noticed Wang Qing’er winking and giggling mischievously at Wang Chun’er, prompting her to frown slightly.

Once Wang Er was brought into the west room, Madam Zhang hurriedly prepared a bath bucket to help him freshen up while Grandpa Wang and the others waited outside, chatting.

“We’re truly grateful to Brother Hou today,” Grandpa Wang said, patting Hou Biao’s shoulder with appreciation.

“Just lending a hand,” Hou Biao replied with a fist salute. Seeing no further matters, he prepared to leave with Hou Dan.

“Brother Hou, stay for a meal before you go!” Wang Chun’er urged.

Hou Biao glanced at Wang Yuan’er, hesitating for a moment.

Wang Yuan’er chimed in, “It’s almost noon anyway. Stay for a meal—it’ll save you the trouble of preparing something when you return.”

“That’s right. You’re a grown man, so why bother cooking? Just eat here at our house,” Grandpa Wang said in a hearty voice.

Hou Biao scratched his head and replied, “Then I’ll take you up on that.” He added, “I noticed a firewood pile in your backyard. I can help chop it for you!”

Without waiting for a response, he grabbed a hatchet from the yard and headed to the back. Was he being a bit too eager?

Grandpa and Grandma Wang exchanged glances.

They didn’t have much time to dwell on it, as Madam Zhang had already emerged from the room—Wang Er had been tidied up.

Grandma Wang was the first to enter the west room, followed by Wang Yuan’er.

Wang Er lay face down on the bed in the west room. When he saw Grandma Wang enter, he tried to get up, but she quickly approached him and said, “Since you’re injured, stay lying down.”

“Mother, I’ve been unfilial and caused you to worry!” Wang Er complied, lying back down with a face full of shame.

Upon hearing this, Grandma Wang burst into tears and began scolding him: “You were foolish! Giving in to greed—this family never lacked food or drink for you. What were you thinking? For a little silver, you almost lost your life. Were you trying to make your father and me bury another child before our own deaths?”

“Mother, I was wrong!” Wang Er lowered his head in shame.

After crying for a while, Grandma Wang asked if he had suffered any other punishment besides the rod.

“Master Cui mediated on my behalf, so I didn’t endure any other punishment—just the beating,” Wang Er hastily replied.

Grandma Wang quickly clasped her hands together and recited a Buddhist blessing, saying, “It’s good that you’re back safe and sound, with everything intact.”

“This time, we owe a lot to Master Cui. We must properly thank him later,” Grandpa Wang remarked, looking at Wang Yuan’er.

Wang Yuan’er nodded. “Grandpa, I understand.”

Cui Yuan had been a tremendous help to the Wang family, and no matter what, she planned to thank him in person.

“I must also thank Yuan’er!” Wang Er cupped his hands toward her in gratitude.

“We’re all family; there’s no need for thanks,” Wang Yuan’er replied calmly. “Second Uncle, you must learn from this. Think carefully before acting next time and don’t foolishly fall into such a pit again.”

“After going through this ordeal, how could I not learn my lesson?” Wang Er said, his face filled with lingering fear.

“By the way, your brother-in-law… are you aware?” Grandma Wang brought up the late Zhang Dapeng.

Wang Er’s expression darkened, and he nodded. “I heard about it even while I was in jail.”

Madam Zhang burst into tears.

Grandma Wang wanted to scold but held back, saying, “The matter started with your brother-in-law. The dead should be honored. Let’s not bring it up anymore. You shouldn’t hold grudges—focus on living a good life.”

“Mother, I understand,” Wang Er quickly responded.

In prison, he had harbored resentment toward his brother-in-law. If it weren’t for the trouble his brother-in-law dragged him into, he wouldn’t have ended up in jail. However, upon hearing about his brother-in-law’s death, he reflected on the unpredictability of life. The dead should be honored, and all grievances seemed to dissipate along with the deceased’s passing.

“Er Lang has lost his job, and the shop has been sold. What work can he even do anymore?” Madam Zhang said while wiping away her tears.

Wang Er’s face darkened, and he replied, “What’s the point of saying this now?”

“The whole family depends on you. How can I not worry?” Madam Zhang muttered, her eyes glancing over to Wang Yuan’er. Her gaze lit up as she said, “Yuan’er, you have connections with Master Cui. Could you ask him to help your Second Uncle find another job?”

Wang Yuan’er gave Madam Zhang a faint smile but didn’t answer.

She had just managed to get Wang Er released, and the favor hadn’t even been fully repaid yet. Now Madam Zhang was already scheming again as if favors were so easily owed and repaid.

Wang Er’s face flushed with embarrassment, and he scolded, “Yuan’er has done more than enough for us! Why are you making more demands? Keep quiet! I’m hungry. Go and make me some noodles.”

Madam Zhang awkwardly muttered, “I’m just worried, that’s all.”

Wang Yuan’er lowered her gaze and said calmly, “Although Second Uncle has been released from jail, I think it’s better to keep a low profile for now. The whole matter has caused such a commotion, and walking outside doesn’t exactly bring pride. Once the situation settles down, you can look for some temporary labor jobs later.”

After the incident with Wang Er, followed by the commotion regarding Wang Min’er, everyone in Changle Town now had their eyes fixed on the Wang family.

Madam Zhang didn’t seem to mind, but Wang Yuan’er disliked the constant scrutiny, the feeling of eyes boring into her back wherever she went, and the whispers that followed. All she wanted was to live a peaceful life.

“Yuan’er is absolutely right,” Grandpa Wang said at that moment. “Er Lang is still recovering from his injuries. This is the perfect opportunity for him to rest. Our family still has some grain—we won’t starve. Once he’s fully recovered and the gossip dies down, we can make further plans.”

Hearing this, Grandma Wang glared at Madam Zhang. “Why are you still standing around? Go make a bowl of noodles for your husband!”

Madam Zhang pursed her lips and left reluctantly.

Seeing this, Grandpa Wang sighed. “A virtuous wife brings fewer troubles. With Madam Zhang’s carelessness, how will the second household get through this crisis?”

Meanwhile, Grandma Wang carefully asked about Wang Er’s injuries. Seeing that there was no major issue, Wang Yuan’er stepped out of the west room.

The west room connected to the backyard through a small door. Standing under the eaves and glancing out, she caught sight of the scene in the backyard. Hou Biao swung a hatchet with great vigor, splitting thick firewood logs into pieces with a single blow. Next to him, the naïve Wang Chun’er was gathering the split firewood into a pile and tying it up.

“Leave it—let me do it. The firewood has thorns; you might hurt your hands,” Hou Biao quickly stopped her. He carefully took the firewood from her hands and efficiently tied it up himself. Wang Chun’er blushed and smiled shyly, her eyes shining like never before.

Wang Yuan’er pressed her lips together, withdrew her gaze, and walked away.