Chapter 69

Madam Zhang felt truly wronged. She was exhausted these past few days, having no energy to engage in gossip about mundane family matters. Besides, it was partly because of her that Madam Liang had a premature birth. She wished to hide such matters, not broadcast them to everyone.

Madam Zhang understood this reasoning, and deep down, Wang Yuan’er understood it too. Wang Yuan’er said it only to make a point, to let Madam Zhang know that even though they had lost their parents, they weren’t pushovers.

“Auntie, these words came from your close nephew’s mouth, not something we made up,” Wang Yuan’er sneered, pushing Wang Qing’er forward. “Qing’er even fought with that boy over this matter.”

“How can you take children’s words seriously?” Madam Zhang jumped up. Everyone knew children’s squabbles were not to be taken seriously. Wang Yuan’er using this as an argument was laughable.

“Whether they are serious or not is another matter. If not for you, would my brother be given that nickname, Auntie? Would my mother have died so early?” Wang Yuan’er took a step closer. “I’ve never asked you, Auntie, what exactly did my mother do to offend you that you had to harm her?”

Madam Zhang was so frightened by her piercing gaze that she stepped back two paces, pretending to be calm. “You, you stop talking nonsense. When did I ever harm her?”

“Chun’er saw it clearly. If you hadn’t shaken her off, how would my mother have fallen to the ground? Isn’t this harming her? This is clearly murder,” Wang Yuan’er’s voice was sharp, her eyes red.

“I, I didn’t do it on purpose. She grabbed me and wouldn’t let me into the house, so I shook her off. How could I know she would fall from such a light shove?” Madam Zhang was on the verge of tears. How could it be murder? She wouldn’t dare even with the courage of a lion!

How could she know that Madam Liang was so fragile that she would fall and have a premature birth? If she had known, she wouldn’t have dared to do it, even if it meant her death.

“Not on purpose?” Wang Yuan’er laughed, then suddenly stopped. “Your ignorance cost my mother’s life. Auntie, do you sleep well at night? Aren’t you afraid of the gods watching over you?”

Wang’ Yuan’er, who had lost weight from guarding the coffin and the funeral, looked ghastly.

Madam Zhang shuddered and collapsed on the ground, her face ashen.

“Yuan’er, your mother is gone. Talking about it further won’t change anything. Let’s end it here,” said the old man who had been smoking his pipe.

Wang Yuan’er didn’t intend to do anything to Madam Zhang either. After all, besides fate, there was also her mother’s own frailty that contributed to her death. Her spirit was already damaged, her body weak, and childbirth took her life. Just like in the previous life, her mother still died.

Wang Yuan’er wiped her tears and said coldly, “Auntie, this is what you owe our family. Also, you should talk to your family about what they said about Xiao Bao. Otherwise, I can’t guarantee what I might do. If I get angry, I’ll take it to the court and accuse your family of conspiracy and harming lives, taking advantage of us being orphans. We can all lose face together.”

Madam Zhang suddenly looked over, “Are you crazy?”

“Barefooted people are not afraid of those wearing shoes. Auntie, it’s better to stay out of our family’s affairs, and we’ll still call you Auntie. Otherwise…” Wang Yuan’er coldly curved her lips and left with her sisters.

Madam Zhang looked at the old couple speechlessly, wondering if they would intervene.

Chapter 70

Wang Yuan’er took a hard leave, but Wang Qing’er still felt indignant. Letting Auntie off so easily was truly unsatisfying.

“Mom’s soul hasn’t even rested for seven days yet. We can’t disturb her spirit, or she won’t be at peace,” Wang Yuan’er said, watching Wang Qing’er pout. “You all know mom’s body was already frail; the difficult birth was destined. Besides, what could we do to Auntie? Could we kill her? As for the Zhang family, wait and see. There will be a time for them to suffer.”

Wang Chun’er was silent, but Wang Qing’er, though still upset, knew she was right. “I hope she can’t sleep peacefully every night,” she said.

“Eldest sister, I miss mom,” the youngest sister, Lan’er, suddenly cried.

Wang Yuan’er quickly pulled her close and comforted her.

“I miss mom too.”

“Me too.”

All the sisters started crying. Wang Yuan’er looked up at the beam, her eyes wet. How could she not miss her?

Whether it was because Wang Qing’er’s wish was granted or because Madam Zhang felt guilty, she indeed had nightmares every night of Madam Liang coming for her life, looking like a ghost with pale skin and dark circles. In just a few days, she had lost a lot of weight.

On the seventh day after Madam Liang’s death, Madam Zhang burned a large pile of gold and silver ingots as offerings, swore to be good to Wang Yuan’er and her siblings, and spoke to her family. Gradually, things got better.

After the seventh day, it was the fourteenth of the year. Grandpa Wang and Wang Yuan’er went to the village head with the division documents to finalize the separation of the family.

Starting from the fifteenth, Grandma Wang bought a new set of pots and pans for Wang Yuan’er. The children in the main house cooked for themselves, while Grandpa and Grandma Wang still ate with the second house.

As for the kitchen, there was a small woodshed next to the east house. Grandma Wang decided to give it to Wang Yuan’er and her siblings. After the new year, they would build a stove and use it as a kitchen. For now, they’ll use the large kitchen.

On the evening of the fifteenth, still in mourning, the sisters didn’t prepare anything extravagant. With the tradition of eating dumplings during the Lantern Festival, Wang Yuan’er bought a slab of pork and some dried mushrooms, soaked and chopped them to make dumplings. Since they were making dumplings, they couldn’t just make one filling. Besides the pork and mushroom filling, she also made cabbage dumplings.

“Take some to Grandpa and Grandma,” Wang Yuan’er said, filling a large bowl with dumplings for Wang Qing’er to take to the main house.

Although the family had separated, they couldn’t neglect their elders. If there was something good to eat, they should share it.

Wang Qing’er quickly returned, pouting. It turned out that the second house also ate the dumplings and complained there were too few.

“Ungrateful,” said the usually good-natured Wang Chun’er, feeling indignant.

“Alright, let them say what they want. We’ve done our duty,” Wang Yuan’er said, filling the basin with dumplings. “Let’s pay respects to our parents and then eat the dumplings!”

In the east house, Wang Yuan’er placed Wang Da and Madam Liang’s tablets in the back hall. She filled two small bowls with dumplings and put them on the altar, offering tea and lighting incense.

“Father, mother, it’s the Lantern Festival,” she said softly. Wang Chun’er and the others echoed her.

The sisters, with teary eyes, bowed repeatedly. They finally sat around the Eight Immortals table, sharing the dumplings, marking the end of a bitter new year.