Chapter 9: Yuan’er’s Injustice

Wang Yuan’er returned to the east room, only to be pulled aside by Madam Liang, who anxiously examined her, worried that she might have been wronged.

“Mother, I’m fine. Grandma just asked about the money I made from selling the firewood,” Wang Yuan’er said cheerfully, shaking the money bag. “Mother, Grandma said that from now on, we sisters can keep the money we earn by ourselves.”

Madam Liang breathed a sigh of relief and said with a laugh, “You girls are just playing around. How much money can you possibly earn?”

Wang Yuan’er leaned against her and said, “Mother, your embroidery work is excellent. Besides gathering firewood, we can also sell our embroidery.”

Madam Liang didn’t have many skills, but her embroidery was exquisite. She could even draw patterns and was kind-hearted, always chatting with the people in town. Whenever someone asked her for patterns, she generously shared them. Many girls preparing for their dowries sought her advice.

The sisters had all learned embroidery from Madam Liang. The second sister, Chun’er, was exceptionally skilled and had a temperament similar to Madam Liang. Unfortunately, in her previous life, she was married off by their second aunt to a bad-tempered husband who often beat her. She never had a good day.

Thinking of this, Wang Yuan’er pursed her lips.

Madam Liang smiled gently. “It’s not as easy as you say.” She added, “Besides, my embroidery goes to your grandmother. The money has to be handed over.”

“That’s just unreasonable. Second Aunt and her family don’t do any embroidery or earn money to hand over. Why should our family have to?” Wang Yuan’er said indignantly.

The Wang family had a carpentry shop managed by the second uncle. She didn’t believe that he wasn’t secretly keeping some money. Otherwise, where did Wang Min’er’s clothes and jewelry come from? Second Aunt certainly wasn’t earning money through embroidery like her mother.

“Your father has been farming for years but didn’t earn much money. To be honest, he was always a bit unhappy about it. Giving the money away is our way of showing respect to the elders,” Madam Liang said, her eyes darkening as she mentioned her late husband.

“Mother, farming is hard work. Thanks to Father’s efforts, our land produces ten percent more grain than others. The money from selling that grain is also Father’s earnings,” Wang Yuan’er retorted, clenching her fists. “It’s because farming is so hard that father…”

Wang Da was an honest farmer skilled in farming. He even wrote a book about his farming techniques. People who worked the land were supposed to be strong, and Wang Da was. But one day, without any warning, he suddenly collapsed in the field and never woke up.

Hearing the soft sobbing, Wang Yuan’er looked up to see Madam Liang crying again. “Mother, it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have mentioned father. Please stop crying.”

“Why did your father leave us so suddenly? He was always healthy,” Madam Liang said, unable to understand.

Wang Yuan’er listened, also shedding tears. Yes, why so suddenly?

After a while, mother and daughter stopped crying. Wang Yuan’er suddenly said, “Mother, it would be better if we could split from the family and live separately.”

Hearing this, Madam Liang was startled. “Child, what nonsense are you talking about? As long as the elders are alive, the family doesn’t split. Don’t let your Grandpa hear this.”

Chapter 10: No Family Separation

Wang Yuan’er knew the principle that as long as the elders were alive, the family shouldn’t split. However, having lived through her previous life, she knew that her second uncle’s family couldn’t be relied upon, especially her second aunt, who schemed against her and her sisters in truly appalling ways.

But how could she explain this to her mother? Should she say, “Mother, you will die, and then we will be sold by our second uncle and aunt”?

Even she found this idea absurd. How could she say it out loud? Who would believe it?

Wang Yuan’er was anxious. She wanted to split the family to ensure that the second household wouldn’t control her and her sisters’ fates and to avoid repeating the same mistakes. If they split, she could take charge, and the second household wouldn’t be able to interfere.

However, she hadn’t considered that even if they split from the second household, they would still have their grandparents. If things went as they did in her previous life and Madam Liang passed away, the orphans would have to rely on their grandparents, who would then make all the decisions.

Moreover, with their father gone, their grandparents would never agree to a family split. If they did, people would criticize them for forcing a widow and orphans to fend for themselves.

“For the sake of reputation, your Grandma would never agree to a family split. Otherwise, the gossip alone would drown them and the second household,” Madam Liang analyzed the situation. Although her mother-in-law was biased, she wouldn’t leave the first household without any support.

Wang Yuan’er realized this too, her eyes dimming with despair. Was there really no way out?

“Yuan’er, what are you thinking about?” Madam Liang waved her hand in front of her daughter’s face. Suggesting a family split out of the blue—had her daughter gone mad?

Wang Yuan’er turned her head and saw Madam Liang’s thin, sallow face. In just a month since her father’s death, her mother seemed to have aged ten years, losing her former grace and tranquility.

Feeling a pang in her heart, Wang Yuan’er leaned against her and said, “Mother, I have no other choice. I’m just scared.”

Madam Liang was taken aback.

“Mother, I won’t hide it from you. A few days ago, I had a nightmare. I dreamt that you followed Father, leaving us behind. Our second uncle and aunt sold us, becoming servants and concubines. It was so miserable,” Wang Yuan’er said tearfully. “I’m just afraid. If something happens to you, how will we survive?”

“You silly girl, why didn’t you tell me this earlier?” Madam Liang was deeply moved, realizing she had caused her children to worry. “It’s my fault. I’ve been too absorbed in my own grief and haven’t thought about you. Don’t worry, I won’t leave you.”

Wang Yuan’er sighed in relief. Although her words were ominous, they reminded her mother to stay strong. As the saying goes, a mother becomes strong for her children. As long as her mother was alive and well, they would find a way.

“Just don’t mention those words again. If your Grandma hears, you’ll be in trouble,” Madam Liang patted her shoulder. “Your second uncle and aunt may have their schemes, but they aren’t truly evil. Don’t worry too much. As long as I’m here, I won’t let you suffer.”

Wang Yuan’er scoffed inwardly but nodded outwardly, whispering, “People are selfish. I’m just thinking ahead for us. Without a head of the household, we’re weaker. If you don’t like hearing it, I won’t say it again.”

Madam Liang nodded, but her brows furrowed.