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Wan Chunmei paused in her chopping of the radishes and asked, “What’s going on?”
Aunt Yu smiled and said, “Isn’t the Jiang family planning to take two widows as concubines?”
Wan Chunmei nodded, “That’s right. They don’t have much money, yet they’re trying to follow the practices of wealthy families by taking concubines. They have no shame.”
Aunt Yu covered her mouth, chuckling, and continued, “Those two widows are from our village. I know them.”
Wan Chunmei was startled. “You know them, Aunt Yu?”
Aunt Yu nodded. “One of them is a lazy woman from our village. She’s the kind who would rather starve than get up to cook. The lazier she is, the worse it gets.”
Wan Chunmei didn’t think much of it. “But doesn’t the Jiang family already have two concubines? She probably won’t even need to do any work.”
Aunt Yu added, “Lazy as she is, she also eats a lot. She’s round and plump, and no matter how thick the family’s wealth is, she’ll eat it all away. I’ve heard from the other women that if she doesn’t eat enough in one meal, she’ll throw a tantrum and tear the house apart. Her last husband couldn’t take it and literally worked himself to death.”
Wan Chunmei sighed, “Well, the Jiang family really has it coming.”
Aunt Yu squinted her eyes and smiled. “Yes, but the other widow is even worse. She’s got a fiery temper, fiercer than a shrew. I heard her last husband died because she beat him to death. But since there was no proof, nothing happened.”
Wan Chunmei was so shocked that her jaw nearly dropped. She completely forgot about the large white radish in her hand. “She really beat her husband to death? That’s ruthless! Don’t people in your village do anything about it?”
Aunt Yu waved her hand dismissively and raised her eyebrows. “What could we do? She’s the type to cry, make a scene, and threaten to hang herself. We didn’t see it with our own eyes, so we just stay out of it as much as we can.”
Wan Chunmei swallowed hard and replied, “These two women are definitely not easy to deal with.”
Tan Xiaomei lowered her head, a clear frown on her face.
Aunt Yu stood up and said, “Sister-in-law, don’t worry. This is actually a good thing. With those two women around, the Jiang family will certainly be in chaos. But right now, the most important thing is still the matter of the divorce.”
Tan Xiaomei sighed deeply and replied, “My mother-in-law is quite formidable. I’m just afraid they won’t want to let me go through with the divorce.”
Wan Chunmei snapped the large white radish in her hands and said sternly, “We’ve already written the divorce letter. Whether they sign it or not, they will have to sign. If they come to cause trouble again, we’ll just send them packing again!”
Aunt Yu picked up a big radish from her basket and took a bite. “Sister-in-law, I have a good idea.”
Wan Chunmei leaned in and asked, “What’s your idea?”
Aunt Yu whispered, “I have a younger cousin who’s a legal advisor at the county office. He can speak with County Magistrate Cao. If things get really bad, you can report it to the authorities. With my cousin’s help, the magistrate will certainly support you.”
“Legal Advisor?!” Wan Chunmei was stunned. People like them, simple farmers, had connections with a clerk? She hadn’t even considered that possibility.
Aunt Yu was indeed no ordinary person!
How lucky was she to have made the acquaintance of such a capable person!
Wan Chunmei was full of gratitude. She immediately grabbed Aunt Yu’s hand and said, “How could we trouble you with this?”
Aunt Yu laughed loudly, “Not troublesome at all! There’s nothing to worry about. My cousin is a kind-hearted person. If he finds out about this, he’ll definitely be willing to help.”
Wan Chunmei nodded gently. “Thank you so much, Aunt Yu. If I finish making the pickled vegetables, I’ll send some to your cousin’s wife as a token of appreciation.”