Chapter 3: Why Curse Me Again?

For years, Yu Tingwan had lived in constant fear of being thrown out, working tirelessly and swallowing her grievances in silence. She had never dared to speak out—until now. Her defiance startled Madam Wang, who was accustomed to her submissiveness. Anger flared as she snapped, “Not a single truthful word from your mouth! You’ve really grown bold. What, do you expect me to serve you now?”

Yu Tingwan considered this for a moment. “That could work.”

Madam Wang trembled with fury and turned to complain to Aunt Wu nearby. “People say I torment this niece of mine to death, but look at her behavior! She’s become so insolent she won’t even do the simplest tasks!”

“I don’t know which wretch spread these rumors, ruining my reputation!”

Aunt Wu, their neighbor, knew all too well about the situation in the Hu household. If not for Hu Dazhu protecting his niece, Yu Tingwan wouldn’t have survived this long. Madam Wang showed no mercy, especially when Hu Dazhu was away, sparing no effort in making the girl’s life miserable. Not wanting to involve herself in their family affairs, Aunt Wu quickly made an excuse and left.

Yu Tingwan, feeling the chill, pulled her patched and threadbare cotton coat tighter. “The Hu family gave me shelter, and as Aunt says, I should spend my life working like an ox or horse to repay your kindness.”

Just then, Xiao Xu emerged, having composed herself, only to meet Yu Tingwan’s gentle gaze. An ominous feeling stirred within her.

“But Sister-in-law pities me,” Yu Tingwan continued softly. “She worries I might overexert myself and insists on helping with my tasks.”

Xiao Xu froze, speechless.

Madam Wang frowned deeply. “That’s impossible!”

After all, Xiao Xu was carrying her precious grandchild.

Yu Tingwan added calmly, “Sister-in-law has been using her pregnancy as an excuse to bully me, but she claims she’ll reflect on her behavior.”

Xiao Xu: ??

Did she dare say Yu Tingwan was making things up? No, she didn’t dare.

She forced a smile: “Yes, yes, it’s my fault.”

Despite her daughter-in-law’s usual craftiness, this response surprised Madam Wang. “This… doesn’t seem right.”

Yu Tingwan laughed softly. “Is Sister-in-law not allowed to show some consideration for once?”

*

The countryside walls were built of stone and yellow earth, and Yu Tingwan’s room was low and cramped. The old window frames rattled in the bitter wind. Back in her room, her faint smile vanished. A sharp pain pulsed through her head, and every time she closed her eyes, she saw flashes of her tragic death.

Since falling into the water last year and injuring her forehead, fragments of images would occasionally surface in her mind. Though scattered and incomplete, they were all of things that would happen in the future—events she must have lived through in her previous life.

Yu Tingwan slowly lowered her gaze, her entire body cold and trembling. She couldn’t stay with the Hu family any longer—but where could she go? Xilin Village was surrounded by mountains, and the only road out was blocked. Even if she managed to leave, weren’t there countless cases of bandits forcibly taking young women? Why did she only remember her aunt would harm her after her uncle’s departure?

Yu Tingwan knew panic wouldn’t solve anything. She tried to remain calm, though her heart felt empty and endlessly confused. After some time, she collected herself, gathered yesterday’s clothes, and headed out.

Xiao Xu was mixing chicken feed with obvious discontent, barely sparing her a glance. But when Yu Tingwan stood before her, there was something unsettling in her steady gaze.

“What are you staring at?” Xiao Xu snapped.

Yu Tingwan blinked and replied matter-of-factly, “Sister-in-law looks rather full of bad luck today.”

Xiao Xu: ???

You came here just to curse me? Are you mad? Why curse me again? Resentment boiled within her as she fought the urge to claw at Yu Tingwan’s face.

Just then, Madam Wang stormed out in a rage. “Who broke the bowl?”

“It was Sister-in-law,” Yu Tingwan answered promptly.

Xiao Xu’s breath caught. She swayed on her feet, steadied by the very person who had caused her distress.

“Why are you trembling, Sister-in-law?” Yu Tingwan asked, her voice deceptively gentle. “You’re carrying a child now—what’s one broken bowl? Even if you broke everything in the house, Aunt would have to accept it.”

Madam Wang’s face darkened. What nonsense was this! Did bowls cost nothing? Was she expected to favor Xiao Xu now?

Terrified of Madam Wang’s wrath, Xiao Xu hurriedly fled to the backyard with the chicken feed, muttering under her breath, “That little wretch is clearly up to no good. Just wait until she falls into my hands! She used to be so manageable, but these past few days, it’s like she’s taken some strange medicine.”

As if on cue, a bird flew overhead with a flutter of wings. Xiao Xu looked up, and something splattered onto her mouth. When she reached up to touch it, she realized it was bird droppings.

Madam Wang approached with a thin bamboo rod, ready to discipline her. “Such misfortune! You foolish woman…”

Wiping the disgusting mess from her mouth, Xiao Xu trembled as she burst out, “Mother! That girl’s been strange ever since she fell into the water! Every time she calls me unlucky, something terrible happens!”

The last time, she had broken out in itchy red bumps that lasted half a month. The time before that, her drunken husband had slapped her. She was truly traumatized!

Meanwhile, Yu Tingwan walked along the village path, in no hurry to wash clothes at the river. She couldn’t leave yet, but she needed to find a way to delay Matchmaker Liu.

Matchmaker Liu’s house was easy to recognize by the two willow trees outside. She was known for her clever tongue that could make the dead sound alive, and people from all around sought her matchmaking services. Unlike the gaunt village women, she was pleasantly plump, with heavy makeup and eyes that sparkled with joy and spring color.

She had been worried about dealing with Scholar Dong when Madam Wang approached her. The scholar was notorious for his lechery despite his age. After wearing out his first wife, he specifically requested a beautiful, unmarried young woman. This made things difficult—families with beautiful daughters were unwilling to let them suffer by marrying an old man, while those willing to make the match were rejected for not being pretty enough.

If not for the high matchmaking fee from the Dong family, she would have refused long ago. But now, seeing Yu Tingwan’s face, she knew the scholar would be pleased. Matchmaker Liu walked briskly, eager to arrange this marriage.

On the path to the Dong house, she found someone had been waiting. In the sunlight, the girl’s long lashes, rosy lips, and porcelain-like skin took her breath away. Matchmaker Liu’s eyes lit up as she hurried forward.

“My, if it isn’t Wan’er! You’ve grown even more beautiful.”

Yu Tingwan stared at her steadily before suddenly smiling. “Aunt Liu has arrived. I’ve been waiting for quite a while.”

Matchmaker Liu was stunned. “You were looking for me? Did your aunt send you with a message?”

“Are you still going to the Dong house?”

“Of course, I—” Matchmaker Liu stopped abruptly. “How did you know about the Dong house?”

She probed carefully, “Did your aunt tell you?”

Yu Tingwan’s eyes showed no emotion. “Tell me what? That she repeatedly emphasized just one condition—that anyone willing to offer twenty taels of silver as bride price can take me away, be they human or ghost?”

Her voice turned cold. “Or perhaps you’re cut from the same cloth, conspiring together?”