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As Su Zhi spoke, not only did the Shen family’s expressions sour, but also the onlookers near the door started murmuring, expressing various opinions, mostly criticizing Su Zhi for being too stingy.
Shen Youfu’s expression immediately darkened.
Although Shen Zhang shi didn’t visibly frown, she fixed a firm gaze on Su Zhi, with an air of resignation and sorrow, making others think of her as a virtuous and forbearing stepmother, refraining from pointing out any faults in her stepdaughter-in-law.
While addressing Sun Shi, Su Zhi also kept an eye on the Shen family members. She noticed Shen Zhang shi’s expression and heard murmurs of support for her from the crowd. She realized the situation clearly. This mother-in-law was indeed a wise woman, more challenging to deal with than those troublesome and argumentative ones!
Sun Shi started screaming, pointing at Su Zhi with wide eyes, shouting, “Fourth Sister-in-law! What are you saying? I’m your Third Sister-in-law! Just because I ask you for a little bit of something to eat, you act like I’m after all your treasures! You’ve picked all the hawthorn berries on the mountain, and yet when I ask you for some, what’s the problem?!”
Sun Shi shouted loudly, gesturing towards the onlookers who were now starting to join in, becoming more excited. She beckoned to the people outside.
“Neighbors, can you help me out here! I can’t take this anymore! I’m pregnant and wanted something sour, so I asked my sons, to pick some wild berries on the mountain. Those are wild fruits, everyone can pick them, but they’ve picked them all! Now, when I ask for a little, they refuse and even want to hit my Son. They’re pushing us to the brink! We’re all surnamed Shen in this family! It’s unreasonable and heartless! Not only do they want to harm my unborn child, but they also want to harm my grown son! This is outrageous!”
Seeing Sun Shi beckoning, the onlookers who had already taken a step in further advanced eagerly. Others followed suit, and the crowd surged forward.
Shen Youfu’s expression grew darker, unable to drive the onlookers out. He glanced at his son, Shen Ziju, who though not showing displeasure visibly, had his lips pressed tight, indicating his unhappiness. This situation was tarnishing his son’s reputation, especially since he was set to take the imperial exam soon. A disorderly and quarrelsome home could stain his son’s future as an official. This wasn’t good for their family’s image.
Shen Zifu and Wang shi also wore grim expressions, realizing Sun Shi might drag them into this mess; what happened between the Second grandson and Third was just childish play, not life-threatening. Sun Shi’s words made it seem like they were plotting something severe against her Son, tarnishing their reputation.
Before Wang shi could step forward to argue with Sun Shi, someone else spoke up.
“Fourth Sister-in-law, those hawthorn berries aren’t worth much. Besides pregnant women, even young children who love snacks might not enjoy them. What’s the use of keeping so many? If you let Third Sister-in-law have them, what harm would it do? Your nephew is in her belly, so giving him something to eat is like an early gift. If he grows up well, he’ll remember your kindness. We’ll all remember your kindness in the future,” Shen Zhu spoke out, her voice like a bell, smiling brightly, and finally giving a slight bow to Su Zhi.
Su Zhi thought to herself that her young sister-in-law was quite clever, not as sophisticated as Shen Zhang shi yet, but already adept at manipulating people. Whoever ended up marrying her would have a challenging time!
Shen Zhu’s words sparked further discussions among the onlookers. Many agreed with her, criticizing Su Zhi for being tight-fisted and not understanding the situation, refusing to give even inexpensive wild berries to her pregnant sister-in-law. They also praised Shen Zhu for her polite demeanor, elevating their opinion of her.
“Shen Zhu speaks the truth!” The Dazhu’s wife, positioned at the front of the crowd, delighted to be part of the commotion, finally found her chance to join in. “Zi’an’s wife, in this vast world, the offspring are most important. Your Third Sister-in-law is diligently expanding the Shen family. Typically, as a sister-in-law, you should show some care by sending a small gift. If you don’t send money or food, at least offer some hawthorn berries!”
Dazhu’s wife paused, her words sinking in with the crowd. She then continued, “Zi’an’s wife, everyone knows your family is well-off. You surely aren’t unable to afford a few wild berries. I believe you must have a valid reason for not wanting to share these hawthorn berries. If you have a different purpose for them, just explain it. Once you clarify, everyone will understand, and your in-laws won’t think you’re stingy! Speak up!”
Dazhu’s wife aimed to please both sides while trying to coax the reason out of Su Zhi for not sharing the berries. She wondered if Su Zhi, who had encountered mythical beasts and obtained ginseng, now saw some value in these unwanted berries, withholding them as if they were precious. She wanted to know, thinking it might lead to a new opportunity for wealth.
The onlookers chimed in, urging Su Zhi to speak up, as if her silence confirmed their suspicions of her being miserly and secretive.
Shen Zhang shi then spoke up, “Zi’an’s wife, please share a few words. Don’t worry, whatever the reason, both your father and I won’t hold it against you.”
Su Zhi thought to herself, “Sure, you won’t hold it against me, but everyone will see you as the most compassionate stepmother, while Zi’an and I will be seen as the worst villains!”
“Father, Mother, Third Sister-in-law, and fellow neighbors, everyone knows hawthorn berries are so sour they make people hungry, so no one likes them. But I love eating them,” Su Zhi declared.
Ignoring whether the crowd believed her or not, Su Zhi continued, “Everyone says I didn’t give hawthorn berries to my Third Sister-in-law. It’s all a misunderstanding. I never said I wouldn’t give them to her. Third nephew didn’t even wait for me to respond; he just snatched them and pushed Chunyue. This is the truth. If he had waited a bit longer, how could I have refused? It’s just a basket of wild berries. Eldest Nephew, Second nephew, did I have the chance to say yes or no before he took them?”
The Eldest grandson said, “No, he grabbed it in ran”, glaring angrily at the third grandson.
Second grandson said, “Fourth aunt didn’t even get a chance to speak. Third brother came up aggressively demanding the fruit, threatening to complain to Grandpa and Grandma if he wasn’t given the berries. Before we could respond, he pushed Chunyue, snatched the basket, and ran!”
Li Shi arrived earlier, her husband catching up with her on the way. Upon witnessing Sun Shi causing a scene, she felt the urge to intervene but refrained, as her daughter, Chunyun, clung to her tightly. When Chunyue, supported by someone due to the pain from being pushed, arrived, Li Shi saw her daughter sweating and in distress. Hearing about her daughter being pushed, she couldn’t hold back.
“Third nephew, what did my Chunyue do to deserve such push from you? Look at her hands, all cut up, limping as she walks! The ground is full of sharp stones. If she had hit her face, it could have been disastrous! You’re not a child anymore; why are you so reckless with your actions?”
Wang shi, with a stern expression, added, “You claim my Son wanted to kill your son, but all I saw was him chasing him briefly, not even touching him. Your son, a boy, dared to strike his own sisters! My Son only did it to stand up for his sisters!”
In a stern tone, Shen Zigui said, “Third Sister-in-law, you need to discipline your son properly. If he dares to bully my daughter again, don’t blame me, as an uncle, for not holding back!”
Sun Shi, feeling guilty, started causing a commotion, shouting, “Where are you, our Son’s father? Our family is being bullied to death! If you don’t come back soon, your brothers will kill your son! I can’t take this anymore! We might as well die together!”
“Enough! Shut up! Your man isn’t dead yet!” Shen Youfu grew irritated hearing Sun Shi repeatedly mentioning death. He silenced her with a stern command, and she immediately quieted down. He then turned to Su Zhi, his expression serious, and said, “Zi’an’s wife, you just said you wouldn’t let Ziping’s wife eat the berries. Now you claim you never said that? Lying in front of everyone isn’t acceptable!”
Su Zhi responded, “Father, I didn’t say my I woudn’t let Third Sister-in-law eat the hawthorn berries. I meant she shouldn’t eat too many. These berries are sour, and pregnant women often crave sour foods, which she may enjoy. However, excessive consumption of hawthorn berries during pregnancy, especially in the early months, can be harmful to the fetus, potentially leading to miscarriage. Knowing that Third Sister-in-law is in the early stages of pregnancy and prone to generating excessive heat in her body, I intervened to prevent her. While others might have a few, it’s best that Third Sister-in-law avoids them altogether. I don’t want to offer her these berries only to inadvertently harm her.”
Su Zhi’s explanation surprised everyone. It was the first time they had heard that overeating hawthorn berries could lead to a miscarriage. Hearing this, they realized Su Zhi’s intention was genuinely caring.
“I don’t believe you! You just don’t want me to have these berries! You know I can’t eat well right now, and finally, I have a craving for hawthorn berries, yet you won’t let me enjoy it! You have a wicked heart! How could the Shen family marry such a malicious daughter-in-law like you? You’re cursing my child to miscarry! I’ll fight you on this!” Sun Shi erupted in anger.
Sun Shi attempted to strike Su Zhi but was restrained by Chunhua, who cautioned her to be careful due to her condition. In her frustration, Chunhua accidentally tripped over.
With a stern expression, Shen Zi’an stated, “My wife has spoken. Believe it or not! Father, Mother, we don’t want these hawthorn berries anymore. Whether she eats them or not is up to you! I have matters to attend to; I’m leaving!”
Su Zhi, escorted by Shen Zi’an, walked away. She felt she had said all she needed to. If Sun Shi still insisted on eating the berries and something went wrong, it would no longer be her concern.