In the courtyard, Jiang’s youngest daughter-in-law, Li Xiulan, frowned and asked, “Isn’t anyone from the Liu family taking care of things?”

Old Second, Jiang Dalang, was irate and snorted, “Take care of what? Doesn’t everyone know how Liu Sheng’s first wife died? She couldn’t have children for three years, and Liu Sheng’s mother scolded her, calling her a useless hen who doesn’t lay eggs, wasting food.

She kept inciting her son to beat his wife until her face was bruised. Who would have ended their life if they weren’t desperate? Who else would think of suicide?”

Shen Qing nodded vigorously, agreeing wholeheartedly.

In her mind, she added, “Perhaps it wasn’t suicide, but maybe Liu Sheng killed her!”

Many women in the village die from hanging, and as long as no one reports it to the authorities, the government wouldn’t investigate.

Zhou Yan, the eldest daughter-in-law, sighed and continued, “Xiaoyu has been married for three years and hasn’t conceived. The rumors in the village have changed; everyone says it’s Liu Sheng’s fault.

His mother dared not use the same methods as before, fearing she might lose this daughter-in-law too.

But unexpectedly, Liu Sheng’s widowed cousin actually got pregnant, and Xiaoyu’s mother-in-law suddenly became assertive, thinking it wasn’t her son’s problem, and now she’s using the same tactics she used with the first daughter-in-law on Xiaoyu.”

“Not exactly. With the first one, she wanted her dead. But with Xiaoyu, she wants her to serve like a beast of burden in the Liu family. If Xiaoyu wants a divorce, she won’t even be able to manage that.”

Zhou Yan’s family was from Ten-Li Village, so she knew everything that happened in the village without having to ask, though she hadn’t gone back lately.

She looked at her father-in-law and asked, “Father, should I go back to my family’s place for a few days and find out how Xiaoyu’s cousin is doing?”

Shen Qing silently noted that Zhou Yan’s family was in the same village as Jiang Yu’s in-laws.

Her husband, Jiang Datang, scratched his head and said worriedly, “It won’t help. After all, we aren’t really family. Even if we help temporarily, we can’t help forever. As long as her real sister-in-law doesn’t do anything, it won’t matter who steps forward.”

These relatives could only vent their frustration, but when it came to practical matters like food and shelter, they would need Shen Qing’s approval.

If she didn’t propose it, who would take responsibility for bringing Xiaoyu back?

Who would feed and house her?

In the long run, it wasn’t feasible. Who would want to step up?

“Of course, the Liu family wouldn’t want a divorce. Even if they wanted to, they wouldn’t agree.

Think about it, Xiaoyu is skilled at fieldwork, she’s soft-spoken, diligent, and uncomplaining.

As long as the Liu family gives her a meal, they get a hard-working ox in return. Would they want to divorce her?” Li Xiulan muttered, feeling that the entire Liu family were heartless.

Jiang Dalang’s face flushed with anger, “How could Shen Qing’s heart be so cruel? I always thought my elder sister-in-law was confused and had bad judgment, always associating with those nasty people in the village who lead her astray.

But now I realize, she deserves to be with the kind of people she associates with. She’s no good either!”

For a dowry of ten taels of silver—no, just an extra three taels—she gave her younger sister to a widower who had driven his first wife to death.

How is that different from pushing someone into a fire pit?

Jiang Datang glared at his younger brother and scolded, “Keep your voice down!”

But he didn’t say his younger brother was wrong.

Jiang Ying looked at the heavy atmosphere in the courtyard and tried to lighten things up, “I saw my sister-in-law the other day. She seemed different, and she had a fallout with Sun Xiaomai from the village. I guess they don’t hang out anymore.”

Jiang Dalang was skeptical of these vague words, “What difference does that make? I heard that recently, she was threatening to leave her granddaughter at home.”

Jiang Ying rolled her eyes at her younger brother and said, “It was because she didn’t leave her granddaughter. After that, she became much more diligent. I’ve heard several times recently that she bought meat.”

“Where did she get the money from? Is she scheming again?” Jiang Datang immediately thought of Jiang Shui.

Wasn’t this niece fifteen this year?

Shen Qing had originally intended to listen and learn more about her sister-in-law Jiang Yu’s situation, but as the conversation went on, it turned into a criticism of her, and if it continued, it would become too awkward.

The conversation had started to go in the wrong direction.

She couldn’t let it get worse.

Now was the perfect opportunity to clear things up.

She stepped back, raising her voice as she approached the courtyard, “Second uncle, are you home? Is Yingzi there?”

Jiang Ying had her own land after getting married, but her household registration still showed she had moved into her husband’s family.

The house she lived in was next to her two brothers.

They hadn’t split up, as this was rare in those times.

Jiang Ying had a strong bond with her brothers and was much relied upon by both her sisters-in-law, which was uncommon.

When she heard Shen Qing’s voice, Jiang Ying looked suspiciously at her two brothers, signaling them not to speak out of turn, then quickly ran toward the courtyard gate, greeting Shen Qing with a smile, “Sister-in-law, you’re here! Come in and sit!”

When she saw Shen Qing walking from afar, she sighed in relief.

Thankfully, her younger brothers hadn’t heard the bad words they’d said earlier.

Shen Qing approached, placed the bamboo basket outside, and took out a bowl of crispy fried meat, smiling as she said, “I’ve made a little money recently, so I bought some meat and made fried meat. I brought a bowl for second uncle to try.”

Jiang Ying was taken aback.

She knew how many times her father had helped Shen Qing.

Not once had he even received a word of thanks, let alone food.

And now, just because it wasn’t a holiday or special occasion, and she hadn’t helped her lately, why would Shen Qing bring food?

She looked at the bowl in Shen Qing’s hand.

It was a large, rough ceramic bowl, piled high with fried meat—probably around a pound—along with flour and oil…

Jiang Ying warmly invited her in, “Come in and sit. I’ll have my father try it; he’ll be very happy.”

Shen Qing had intended to go in and clear her name, so she agreed and followed Jiang Ying into the courtyard.

Inside, Zhou Yan quickly went to fetch chairs, Li Xiulan went to prepare tea, and Jiang Datang and Jiang Dalang both stood up awkwardly and greeted her.

Shen Qing greeted them back, took the tea, and sat down, chatting casually with everyone.

After some pleasantries, Shen Qing changed the subject and addressed Jiang Yang, “Second uncle, actually, I came here to ask for your help with something.”

Jiang Yang sat up straight, looking serious as he asked, “What is it? Go ahead.”

Jiang Datang and Jiang Dalang exchanged knowing looks.

Shen Qing sighed deeply, looking regretful and helpless, “It’s about my little sister-in-law, Xiaoyu. Recently, when I was sorting through some things, I found an old wooden bowl she used when she was a child.

As you know, my in-laws were older when they had her, and she basically grew up with me.

A few years ago, my husband wanted to plan for the sons, thinking about dowries for them, and I don’t know why, but I agreed to let Xiaoyu marry that widower! These years, I’ve regretted it every night…”

It’s ridiculous that decisions are made by two people, the money belongs to both of us, yet the responsibility falls solely on me!

Even if the original decision was wrong, my husband is the one at fault here.

He made me bear the bad reputation—now I have to clear it up!