The flames in the stove burned ever brighter, as if they could spread across the field and roast her, the heat making her whole body ache.
Yu Tingwan spoke slowly, "Go to the matchmaker."
Mrs. Xiao sharply lifted her head, "The matchmaker?"
She couldn't hide the schadenfreude in her eyes, "Is your mother so intolerant of you that she wants to marry you off?"
She married into the family last year, and from the first glance at Yu Tingwan, she was particularly wary. As a woman, who would like someone like Yu Tingwan, who was more delicate than a flower?
But the father-in-law had a soft spot for this orphaned niece, and even someone like Mrs. Wang dared not openly mistreat or abuse her.
Seeing Yu Tingwan unresponsive, Mrs. Xiao covered her mouth and laughed, "I thought you had some skill, charming your uncle to insist on you."
"Given how much mother dislikes you, how good could the match she finds for you be?"
If the heavy snow blocks the road for a day or two, that's one thing, but what if it lasts for ten days or half a month?
Once Mrs. Wang takes the bride price and shoves Yu Tingwan out, once the rice is cooked, her father will have to acknowledge it, even unwillingly.
Yu Tingwan remained unresponsive.
"Mother gave father two sons; no matter how furious he is, he couldn't possibly divorce her. It seems your good days are over."
Seeing Yu Tingwan still unresponsive, Mrs. Xiao assumed she was cowed, and, with arrogance and disdain, said, "These years you've been sheltered by the Hu Family, after marriage, you won't avoid interacting with them. If you have any conscience, don't forget the Hu Family's kindness to you."
Yu Tingwan seemed thoughtful.
Mrs. Xiao squinted, "Aren't you unwilling?"
"I knew you were ungrateful!"
"Sister-in-law misunderstood."
Yu Tingwan softly said, "I'm just thinking about how not to betray the Hu Family's kindness."
That's more like it, Mrs. Xiao gave a contemptuous snort.
"I know sister-in-law is famous for filial piety."
Yu Tingwan poured hot water for Mrs. Xiao, "Although I'm not as good in everything, I must learn from you, sister-in-law."
This little hussy's mouth is surely coated with honey!
Well, she is not likable. She still has to rely on me to speak well of her in front of Mrs. Wang to secure a good marriage proposal.
Mrs. Xiao, with sarcasm, took the bowl of water. To her, no matter how Yu Tingwan tried to please, it was useless. After all, Mrs. Wang only cares about money, not her life or death.
"I have to learn from sister-in-law how to secretly subsidize my natal family behind my husband's back."
Mrs. Xiao, startled, dropped the bowl in her hands.
"What nonsense are you spouting?"
Yu Tingwan seemed unfazed by her shock, lowering her head to look at the shards on the ground.
"My matters don't require sister-in-law's interference. You should worry about yourself instead."
"Three days ago, your brothers from your natal family came over. Sister-in-law, instead of behaving, you chose to steal, sneaking into the cellar for over a dozen cabbages and radishes while Aunt wasn't around."
She seemed puzzled, "When sister-in-law first married in, you got caught red-handed by Aunt sending grain secretly to your natal family and were whipped so much you could hardly get out of bed. Haven't you learned your lesson?"
Mrs. Xiao's ears buzzed as she panicked completely, her previous demeanor gone. She gritted her teeth, "You're threatening me?"
"Sister-in-law, don't worry, I'm tight-lipped."
Yu Tingwan picked up the broom Mrs. Wang just threw on the ground to clean up the mess, "Yesterday, when you cursed Aunt as the old hag, I didn't say a word."
She slightly lifted her eyes, her deer-like eyes looking at Mrs. Xiao, the corners of her mouth smiling, quite troubled, "But..."
Mrs. Xiao, inexplicably nervous under her gaze, asked, "But what?"
"There are only a few bowls at home. With you smashing one in a fit of anger, I can't cover this up."
What do you mean, fit of anger!! She clearly didn't hold it steady!
How dare you mention it! If you hadn't brought the water, how would she have dropped it!
Mrs. Xiao dared not act up anymore, and when the porridge was ready, Yu Tingwan started her breakfast. But this peace didn't last long, as chaotic cries and sobs sounded from outside.
"Quick, quick, take the person to Old Man Qian to treat."
"Still breathing? Geez, how did they get so hurt? Covered in blood, it's so horrifying to look at."
If not for fearing the heaviness of her body and getting jostled in the crowd, Mrs. Xiao would have rushed out to see.
But opposite her, Yu Tingwan remained calm, eating porridge with pickles, as if the sky could collapse and she wouldn't bat an eye.
Aren't you curious!
Freak!
The crowd outside dispersed at some point, and Mrs. Wang, returning from the matchmaker, dragged Aunt Wu from next door to inquire.
"Really? The one carried over just now, was it the Wei Family lad who was conscripted for military service years ago? Wasn't it said he died?"
"Maybe he had good fortune and survived."
Mrs. Wang's tone was extremely sour, "But the Wei Family years ago received the pension silver from the Court, and each month they still get half pay and three dou of rice."
What luck!
The Court does have subsidies for families of fallen soldiers, but the silver trickles down layer by layer, and who ends up with it is hard to say. Especially in remote places like Xilin Village, how much actually reaches the people?
Mrs. Wang grumbled, "Someone in my family also died on the battlefield, but we haven't seen any pension silver or rice. When we went to the Government Office to cause a fuss, we nearly got beaten to death."
Why! Everyone lost someone, so why is the treatment so different?
"They have good fortune, joining the Wei Family Army guarding the Northwest Border, how can it be the same?"
The Wei Family Army consistently earns merits!
Mrs. Wang scoffed, "What's so great about it? People say how capable General Wei was, yet he still died on the battlefield, a short-lived ghost."
Aunt Wu frowned, "Are you in a position to malign General Wei? What is his status and what is yours? Watch your mouth! If these words get out, your second son's studies will end prematurely!"
Concerning her second son, Mrs. Wang reluctantly dared not speak further.
Aunt Wu didn't bother arguing with her, lamenting, "I think that Wei lad is in dire straits."
Aunt Wu sighed, "Now the mountain is sealed, outsiders can't come in, and locals can't get out, so there's no way to go to town to find a doctor. Old Man Qian usually only treats minor ailments like fevers and headaches, and charges high fees; they'll probably need wild ginseng to sustain his life."
"The pension silver and rice you mentioned are all clutched tightly by Mrs. Wei. Would she be willing to part with a single coin?"
Indeed, Mrs. Wei has a very cruel heart.
Feeling relieved at others' misfortune, Mrs. Wang asked, "How did the person return?"
Aunt Wu, animatedly and with relish, recounted, "He was discovered at the foot of the mountain. At that time, the second wife of the Wei Family, picking firewood, saw a group of people gathered, saying an outsider rolled down from the mountains. She went to take a look and cried on the spot, saying it was their Lang."
"She has a hard life, and now in such a state, with her daughter gone half a year ago, this second branch is destined to be extinguished."
Yu Tingwan, having finished her breakfast, came out and briefly faced the two, greeting Aunt Wu before listlessly attempting to return to her room.
"Stop right there."
Mrs. Wang tersely reprimanded, "All day you just know how to hide in the room. Have you fed the chickens? Cut the pig grass?"
Yu Tingwan honestly replied, "No."
"Then why not go?"
Yu Tingwan slumped her head, "I'm sick, no strength."
Mrs. Wang was stunned, as plainly before she left, Yu Tingwan was still retorting, making her teeth itch in vexation.
"When did you get sick?"
Yu Tingwan, with an innocent face yet stubborn, said, "Just now."