After Old Man Yang finished speaking, Yang Ruoqing felt Sun Shi's fingers twitch slightly. The heart that had sunk moments ago now seemed to be pulled up again, reigniting a glimmer of hope.
She knew that Sun Shi was pinning her last hopes on the fourth son of the Yang family—Yang Huaming—who had once been indebted to Yang Huazhong. She hoped that, at this moment, he would step forward and speak up on behalf of the third household.
Yang Ruoqing also held her breath involuntarily and quietly looked toward the fourth uncle, Yang Huaming, who had so far made little presence at the table.
Yang Huaming, the fourth son of the Yang family, had his head down, plucking feathers and cattail fluff from his clothes one by one and tossing them to the ground.
When he suddenly heard Old Man Yang call his name, Yang Huaming gave a small, bitter tug of his lips, straightened his posture, and raised his head.
A face noticeably more handsome than the other men in the Yang family appeared under the lamp.
Yang Ruoqing was secretly surprised. The men of the Yang family all carried the sturdy, rugged build of peasant farmers—dark-skinned and robust. Yet this Fourth Uncle, Yang Huaming, had fair skin, red lips, and white teeth. If not for the patched and coarse clothes he wore dragging down his appearance, he could easily be mistaken for a proper young gentleman.
He lifted his hand to brush off the last feather on his shoulder before putting on a forced smile and saying,
"Dad, all that old stuff about Third Brother saving me and whatnot—he never brings it up himself, yet you keep dredging it up. Isn't that a bit much?"
"A man should never forget where he came from. I'm just afraid you're learning all the wrong things instead of the good," Old Man Yang said with a grim expression, casting a displeased glance at Second Son Yang Hualin.
Yang Hualin stared blankly at his teacup, pretending he hadn't heard a thing.
Old Man Yang snorted twice through his nose, then looked back at Yang Huaming.
"The eldest and second branches have already spoken. It's your turn now—no need to beat around the bush. Speak your mind!"
Yang Huaming scratched his head with a bitter look.
"Dad, when it comes to Third Brother's matter, I honestly don't know what to say. I do feel bad for him, but whether we should treat his leg or not... I don't know."
Old Man Yang's eyes widened, and he banged his pipe against the edge of the table.
"Just say whatever you're thinking—get on with it!"
Yang Huaming let out a frustrated sigh and glanced toward his heavily pregnant wife standing by the bed.
**"That Liu woman's womb just won't cooperate. Gave me two daughters in a row, and this one—if it's a son, great. If it's another girl, well, we'll have to keep trying. No sons mean no legacy.
"Among the four of us brothers, I'm the only one without a boy. When I get old, who'll care for me? Who'll carry the incense and offerings? And we can't just let the daughters go hungry either, right? Right now, I can barely wipe my backside, let alone help Third Brother... My heart's in the right place, but my sleeves are short—I'm all intention and no ability!"**
Old Man Yang's face turned green with rage. A puff of smoke caught in his throat, and he began coughing violently, nearly hacking up his lungs.
"Dad, are you okay?"
"Father, how do you feel?"
"Grandpa, drink some tea..."
The Eight Immortals table suddenly descended into chaos. The Yang brothers rushed forward to support Old Man Yang, patting his back and chest, doing their best to show their filial devotion.
In the corner, Sun Shi's frail body trembled uncontrollably, and cold sweat from her palm soaked through Yang Ruoqing's fingers.
Yang Ruoqing glanced at Sun Shi with concern. This final hope had been shattered. Her mother looked on the verge of collapse.
The first branch's stance was ambiguous, the fourth was evasive and full of excuses, and the second had outright refused. Even if Old Man Yang, as head of the family, stood firm in deciding to treat Yang Huazhong's leg, from that moment on, the Yang family would never know peace.
Moreover, seeing how things had unfolded, Yang Ruoqing began to seriously doubt whether Old Man Yang even had the willpower or determination to go against all of them.
Sure enough, after coughing for a while, Old Man Yang finally calmed down. Though still breathing heavily, he waved his hand tiredly and said in a weary voice,
"It's getting late. Everyone goes back. Your mother and I are tired."
"Dad, Mom, then you two get some rest. We'll take our leave. Still got to be in the fields early tomorrow," said Eldest Brother Yang Hua'an, bowing respectfully. Then he turned and left with his four sons.
As they reached the doorway, Yang Hua'an suddenly stopped, turned, and glared at Jin Shi, who still sat blankly in the corner.
"Don't just sit there making a fool of yourself. Get up and come with me!"
Jin Shi trembled, hunched her shoulders, and followed behind Yang Hua'an out of the east wing.
Meanwhile, Second Brother Yang Hualin had already slipped out of the east wing quietly the moment Yang Hua'an turned his attention to Jin Shi.
Yang Huaming sighed in relief, lifted his foot to leave—but then suddenly turned back. Looking toward Sun Shi, who had just stood up in the corner, he said:
"Third Sister-in-law, Liu, and I live right next door to Father and Mother. Our room is directly opposite yours and Third Brother's. If Third Brother wakes up in the night and needs anything, just call me. I'm a light sleeper—one shout and I'll be up. We're family. No need to be polite, yeah?"
Sun Shi looked up at Yang Huaming, bit her lip, and gave a small nod.
Yang Ruoqing, on the other hand, didn't even bother acknowledging him.
Compared to Second Uncle Yang Hualin's open nastiness, it was this kind of fake concern from Fourth Uncle Yang Huaming that was truly disgusting.
After Yang Huaming and Liu Shi left, Sun Shi held Yang Ruoqing's hand, preparing to leave too—when Old Man Yang suddenly called out to her.
"Third Daughter-in-law, stay. Your mother and I have something to say to you."
Old Man Yang had moved from the table to the bed. He had taken off his shoes, was sitting cross-legged, and puffing lightly on his long-stemmed pipe.
Yang Ruoqing immediately understood: they wanted to "say" something—not "discuss."
Could it be that, before gathering the sons tonight, Old Man Yang and Madam Tan had already decided on Yang Huazhong's treatment?
Then what was the point of making such a big scene earlier?
Old ginger is spicier—the old man's craftiness runs deep.
Even though she was heartbroken, Sun Shi straightened her shoulders, let out a soft "Mm," and led Yang Ruoqing over to the bed, head lowered, ready to be "spoken to" by her in-laws.
Old Man Yang pulled the pipe from his mouth and gently tapped it against the wooden bed frame. He lifted his eyelids, glanced at the third daughter-in-law standing before him, and then turned his gaze to Yang Ruoqing beside her, sizing her up carefully.
(End of Chapter)