Chapter 21: Fuquan Steals Eggs

When the Wang family learned that Wang Yuan’er’s tea eggs had sold well, they were all surprised. Grandma Wang glanced at the string of copper coins tied with straw on the kang table but said nothing.

It was Grandpa Wang who spoke up, “The family doesn’t rely on these few copper coins to eat. Why were you in such a hurry to bring the money over?”

Wang Yuan’er smiled, “Grandpa, as the saying goes, ‘A person without trust cannot stand, and a business without trust cannot prosper.’ Since I made a promise to Grandma, I naturally have to keep it.”

Grandpa Wang nodded, looking at her with approval, “You’re right. That’s how one should conduct themselves.”

Grandma Wang still said nothing, focusing on her shoe mending. Wang Yuan’er pursed her lips and excused herself. She had to make the second batch of tea eggs.

Changle River’s pier wasn’t open year-round. When it snowed in the cold winter months, the river would freeze, making it impossible for boats to travel. So, she had to do more business before the river froze.

This time, she bought over thirty eggs at the market. With the experience from the first batch, making the second batch was even smoother.

“Yuan’er, Guiying is here for shoe patterns and wants to talk to you. Can you come and see her?” Madam Liang called from outside while Wang Yuan’er was tending the fire in the kitchen.

“Okay, Mom. Please keep an eye on the fire for me. No need to add more wood. I’ll come back to take the tea eggs out in a bit,” Wang Yuan’er replied, wiping her hands on her apron and walking out.

Guiying, a girl who was already engaged, had come to ask Madam Liang for some shoe patterns for her new married life.

Wang Yuan’er and Guiying were the same age and had grown up together, sharing a close bond. Guiying was naturally anxious about her upcoming marriage, which wasn’t nearby. The two sat on the kang, whispering and occasionally teasing each other, making Guiying blush and playfully tickle Wang Yuan’er.

“Fuquan, you thief, shameless!” Suddenly, Wang Qing’er’s angry voice came from outside.

Wang Yuan’er and Guiying exchanged a glance and quickly stood up, walking outside to see Wang Qing’er and Wang Fuquan wrestling in the large courtyard.

When women fight, they usually scratch faces and pull hair, and Wang Qing’er was no exception. Her hands clawed at Fuquan’s face, leaving two scratch marks.

Fuquan wasn’t backing down either. He grabbed Wang Qing’er’s hair, turning her braid into a mess, and kicked her repeatedly.

Wang Yuan’er, furious, gave Guiying an embarrassed smile. Guiying, feeling awkward, made an excuse to leave.

“Stop it right now!” Wang Yuan’er pulled them apart, scolding, “You’re teenagers. Fighting like this, aren’t you ashamed?”

“Eldest sister, he’s a thief. He stole our tea eggs, which are for selling,” Wang Qing’er cried, her eyes red with anger.

Wang Yuan’er looked at Fuquan, “Is this true?” Her eyes fell on the corner of his mouth, where a bit of egg yolk remained, making her face darken.

Fuquan’s eyes avoided hers, flickering with guilt, but he stubbornly said, “I don’t care about those stupid eggs.”

“You shameless liar! I’ll beat you up!” Wang Qing’er, enraged, lunged at him again.

“Ah, Mom, help! Your precious son is being beaten to death!” Fuquan ran around, shouting.

“What are you doing? Are you rebelling?” Madam Zhang yawned as she walked out of her room.

Chapter 22: The Arrogant Second Aunt

“You vile brat, you’ve really got some nerve, hurting my son like this. You’ve got a lot of gall!” Madam Zhang saw the two scratches on Wang Fuquan’s face and immediately lost her composure. She grabbed Wang Qing’er and raised her hand to hit her while Wang Fuquan hid behind her, making faces and sticking out his tongue at the sisters, looking very smug.

Just as Madam Zhang’s hand was about to hit Qing’er, Wang Yuan’er quickly grabbed her hand and coldly said, “Second Aunt, what are you doing?”

At home, Wang Yuan’er did all kinds of chores, including fetching water, cooking, washing clothes, and gardening. Her strength was not something an average girl could match. Naturally, her grip on Madam Zhang’s hand was strong, causing her to wince in pain.

“Ouch, let go, let go, it hurts!” Madam Zhang struggled to pull her hand free and, seeing Madam Liang coming from the backyard, shouted, “Sister-in-law, how do you discipline your children? They even want to hit their aunt. Where’s the respect?”

Madam Liang hurriedly walked over, “Yuan’er, let go of your aunt. Let’s talk this out.” She had only gone to the garden to pick some vegetables, and now things were so tense?

Wang Yuan’er released Madam Zhang’s hand and pulled Qing’er to her side. “Fine, you gang up on us and hurt my son like this. Let’s go see Mother and sort this out,” Madam Zhang said, rubbing her wrist and starting to make a scene.

Seeing the scratches on Fuquan’s face and hearing Madam Zhang’s words, Madam Liang started to panic. Fuquan was the first male grandchild of the third generation, highly cherished by the grandparents. Now that his face was scratched, would it leave a scar?

Without thinking, Madam Liang apologized, forcing a smile, “Sister-in-law, the children were just playing around. There’s no need to make a fuss and trouble Mother. I apologize on their behalf.”

Hearing this, Wang Qing’er fumed, and even Wang Yuan’er felt some resentment. Without asking the reason or determining right from wrong, their mother immediately lowered her head. Was she truly so oppressed or just inherently weak?

They didn’t understand how important a son was to a woman. Even though Madam Liang was a scholar’s daughter and carried herself with grace, she had married into the Wang family for over ten years without bearing a son, making it hard to stand tall. Knowing Fuquan’s importance to the grandparents, she feared her daughters would suffer if this escalated, so she quickly apologized to protect them.

Seeing Madam Liang humble herself, Madam Zhang couldn’t help but feel smug. Since marrying into the Wang family, everyone compared her to Madam Liang, praising her scholarly background, elegance, and virtue. But so what? She was the one who bore the first grandson for the Wang family. What did Madam Liang have besides a few daughters? Not to mention, she was considered unlucky.

Seeing Madam Liang bowing her head, Madam Zhang felt unsatisfied and sharply said, “Sister-in-law, I’m not saying this to criticize, but daughters should be taught to be obedient and filial. Look how unruly they are, even without a father. Who would want such difficult girls as daughters-in-law?”

“Shut up,” Wang Qing’er jumped up, furious. Her second aunt was too arrogant. Madam Zhang’s words were like knives to Madam Liang’s heart, and she looked pale, almost staggering.

Wang Yuan’er’s face darkened as she looked at Madam Zhang, “If Second Aunt wants to see Grandma for judgment, let’s go. I need to discuss something with Grandma, too.”