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After crawling out of the fiery pit that was the Zhao household, news of Liu Siniang’s departure spread like wildfire in Riverside Village within moments, creating a stir of gossip. Regardless of who was deemed right or wrong among the villagers, after experiencing a tumultuous ordeal, Liu Siniang finally found her mental composure.
Su Zhi examined the wounds on Liu Siniang’s head and noted they were quite severe and likely to scar. However, with Su Zhi’s medicine, those scars would surely fade.
Ever since the incident involving Shen Ziju’s injury, Su Zhi’s skill in concocting medicine was no longer a secret. She had stocked up on herbs at home, prepared to make medicine whenever needed. By simply adding some lotus flower pollen, the medicine would be ready. With these herbs on hand, no one would suspect a thing. Now, they were proving useful for treating Liu Siniang.
Liu Siniang felt much better after the application of the medicine and enjoyed a steaming bowl of savory meat soup before drifting off into a deep slumber in the soft, warm covers.
When Liu Siniang woke up again, she was startled by voices outside. Initially confused, she half-thought she was still at the Zhao household, expecting her mother-in-law and sister-in-law to cause trouble again. As she sat up and took in the surroundings—the room and the blankets under her—it dawned on her that she had indeed left the Zhao family. This was no dream.
“Auntie Liu, you’re awake?” Yueyue pulled back the curtain, saw Liu Siniang sitting there, and hurried in, deftly climbing onto the heated brick bed to sit beside her.
“Auntie Liu, my grandma and aunt are here again.”
Yueyue furrowed her little brow, looking displeased. She didn’t like her grandmother and aunt. Even children could tell who treated them kindly and who didn’t, and Yueyue, particularly bright, had long understood that her mother’s maternal relatives didn’t like her and her two brothers, especially her grandmother, who had even suggested selling them. Yueyue detested the idea of anyone selling them, especially considering they had been rescued from a trafficker. She abhorred the notion of being sold.
Upon hearing the loud scolding coming from the main house, Liu Siniang recognized the voice as belonging to Zhao Yangshi. She wondered who Zhao Yangshi was berating so angrily. Had it been directed at Su Zhi, she would have intervened. However, realizing it wasn’t Su Zhi being scolded, she felt concerned and asked Yueyue.
Yueyue explained, “Grandma asked Mom to mediate and demand money for them!”
Understanding the situation, Liu Siniang realized it was Su Zhi’s maternal relatives being mistreated. They were seeking justice with the help of their daughter. Recognizing that she now resided with Su Zhi and was acquainted with Su Zhi’s maternal relatives, including her own distant relative, she felt obliged to offer her greetings.
Today, Zhao Yangshi had come with Zhao Xiaohua. Her earlier charade of feigning illness in the village had been exposed. Coupled with the conflicts with the Liu family, she couldn’t continue pretending. Therefore, she had taken the initiative to seek justice from the Liu family. Believing that without her intervention, the Liu family wouldn’t offer any money, Zhao Yangshi demanded ten taels of silver, claiming her grandson was born prematurely and might face health issues, while her daughter-in-law’s well-being was also at risk, potentially affecting her future ability to conceive. The Liu family refused, leading to a heated confrontation. Zhao Yangshi hurriedly sought her daughter’s assistance.
“Daughter, you must help me out! Currently, your sister-in-law is bedridden, unable to produce milk, and your little nephew is skin and bones, crying like a kitten. I’m asking the Liu family for ten taels of silver. Isn’t that a reasonable request? If your sister-in-law faces complications in the future, and your nephew suffers harm, our Zhao family lineage could be at risk. Asking for ten taels is the least we can do!”
Zhao Yangshi spoke loudly, believing her demand was fair. She felt the Liu family’s refusal was stingy and a sign of heartlessness.
Lianhua added, “Sister, you must help us. The Liu family is truly mistreating us. So what if Liu Dabao is good in a fight? He’s no match for your husband, who once killed a tiger. Besides, your husband’s brother is on the path to becoming a scholar. Your husband’s sister even became Moon Goddess. Your three children are all pure and innocent. If you go, aren’t you a hundred times stronger than them? Sister, please lend a hand!”
Listening, Su Zhi thought to herself that trouble had indeed come looking for her. It seemed excessive to demand ten taels of silver from the Liu family. For a regular household, that was a substantial sum. It was unlikely the Liu family would agree. Despite Zhang’s early delivery, mother and child were safe. Even if they were to offer compensation, it wouldn’t amount to ten taels. The Zhao family’s request seemed more like extortion to Su Zhi.
“How much money did the Liu family agree to give?”
Su Zhi wondered how much the Liu family was willing to offer. If it was too little, that wouldn’t suffice. She held a distaste for the Liu family, considering how they had taken advantage of Liu Siniang’s family, seizing their property and assets. They weren’t good people in her eyes, and she believed they needed to part with a substantial sum. If the amount given was unsatisfactory to the Zhao family, they would likely return to pester her. While she wouldn’t neglect Zhao Xiaomei’s relatives, she couldn’t bring herself to be close to them.
“They agreed to give five hundred wen, as if we’re begging for alms!”
Zhao Yangshi’s voice grew louder, filled with indignation. While five hundred wen was a significant sum for a household, it paled in comparison to the ten taels she demanded, leaving her dissatisfied.
Su Zhi furrowed her brow. She believed both families were at fault in the incident, with the Liu family bearing more responsibility. The woman had been knocked down, leading to a premature birth and endangering two lives. No amount of money could truly compensate for their mistakes. However, demanding ten taels might indeed be excessive for the Liu family. Accumulating ten taels was a significant feat for an average household, considering it was two years’ worth of savings for most families, not to mention everyday expenses. The Liu family, known for seizing even their deceased brother’s possessions, would naturally hesitate to part with such a sum.
Lianhua, noticing Su Zhi’s silence, continued, “Sister, the Liu family’s words were harsh. They claimed that sister-in-law and nephew were as good as dead, asserting they weren’t worth ten taels of silver. They argued that since the mother and child were safe, five hundred wen was more than enough. They even accused our Zhao family of being money-crazed. Sister, do you find them despicable or not? Mother argued with them over this, insisting on the ten taels of silver.”
Amid Zhao Yangshi’s tearful plea, she expressed, “Daughter, if you don’t help me secure those ten taels of silver, our Zhao family won’t be able to stand tall in Liushu Village anymore. We’ll be looked down upon, stepped on. Yesterday, it was almost the lives of sister-in-law and nephew at stake. Who knows, next time it could be your father and brother. You must intervene for us!”
Su Zhi massaged her temples, pondering that she wasn’t some high-ranking official to arbitrate such matters.
“Aunt, which Liu family are you referring to?”
Liu Siniang overheard Zhao Yangshi’s words and realized she was referring to her own uncle’s family. This posed a problem, as she held no affection for her uncle’s family and knew they were not likely to part with the ten taels of silver. She wasn’t concerned for her uncle’s family but worried for Su Zhi. She understood that while her uncle’s family wasn’t miserly, they were certainly money-minded and wouldn’t readily offer the requested sum. In the past, when her mother fell ill, despite her uncle’s family having money, they refused to lend any, even for a mere one or two taels of silver for a family member’s illness. Given the current situation, it was unlikely they would be forthcoming now.
Upon seeing Liu Siniang, both Zhao Yangshi and Lianhua widened their eyes, their faces showing anger upon realizing she was part of the Liu family.
“Daughter, what is she doing here?”
Zhao Yangshi shot Liu Siniang a look, huffed, then turned to Su Zhi, saying, “Our family has endured enough from the Liu family. Don’t let people like her into your home. Be careful not to be harmed by them. Even if you have money, don’t let such people trouble you to the point of ruin! Listen to me, kick her out!”
Lianhua added, “Sister, she has an injury on her head. Make her leave quickly, or she might cause trouble for you later!”
Su Zhi thought to herself, feeling exasperated by their behavior. She stood up, went over to support Liu Siniang, and then instructed Yueyue Xinger and Xiaori to play outside. She didn’t want the children involved in such unpleasant discussions.
“Mother, Lianhua, Liu Siniang has separated from her spouse and is staying here for now. Please don’t drag her into your issues with the Liu family. If you continue speaking ill of her, it’s best for you to leave now. I won’t involve myself in your affairs.”
“What?! She’s separated? And staying here?” Zhao Yangshi’s tone grew frantic. “You’re letting a separated woman stay here? Are you planning for your husbband to pursue her? These Liu family members are despicable. Get her out quickly, or don’t come crying to me later.”
Both Su Zhi and Liu Siniang’s expressions darkened at the turn of events.
Su Zhi comfortingly patted Liu Siniang, motioning for her to sit down. She then addressed Zhao Yangshi, saying, “Mother, if you continue with such remarks, please leave. You know well the situation between Liu Siniang and her uncle’s family. Don’t involve them in your issues. Furthermore, if I hear any gossip or slander, you won’t be welcome in my home in the future.”
Lianhua pulled Zhao Yangshi aside, advising her not to anger Su Zhi further. Zhao Yangshi began to realize she might have unfairly directed her grievances towards the Liu family, in Liu Siniang, understanding that Liu Siniang was essentially a forsaken individual within the Liu household.
Observing Su Zhi’s stern expression, Zhao Yangshi fell silent. Glancing at Liu Siniang, a sudden realization struck her. With a clap of her hands, she wondered how she could have been so foolish. It seemed like fate had presented her with a way to teach the Liu family a lesson!