The couple sneaked into the house in the dark. Wu Shi’s eyes lit up as she asked, “How did my brother respond?”
Liu Dalang replied while unwrapping the bundle on his body, “Big Uncle’s suggestion is, if you’re not at ease, bring the person to him to wait for Zhou Yapo1the slave trader. Just bind him directly, and guarantee that Liu Yu won’t be able to do any tricks. Erlang’s Lao Taishan2 I think it’s the patriarch of Liu second’s brother’s wife is about to celebrate his birthday, right? I’ll go find my father later, figure out a way to send both the second and third family away. We’ll take action then. Tomorrow afternoon, Big Uncle will rent a mule cart to pick us up.”
Wu Shi, excited and with a pounding heart, asked Liu Dalang again, “Will Dad agree?”
Liu Dalang smiled, “At that time, we’ll say that Zhou Yapo arrived early. Dad won’t disagree. We’ll bind the person first and wait for Zhou Yapo in the county for a few days. We’ll say it’s Zhou Yapo’s delay, and Dad won’t blame us.”
Wu Shi was delighted, her eyes narrowing, and she praised, “You’re so clever.”
While serving Liu Dalang by pouring water and handing him a handkerchief to wipe his face, she suddenly thought, “How will we proceed tomorrow? If we can’t take her down with one move, and the girl causes a commotion, it won’t work.”
Liu Dalang smirked, selling some suspense, “A man of the mountains has his own clever plan. Just wait and see.”
Teasing Wu Shi, who was eager to know, he chuckled a few times. Liu Dalang then took out a small bottle from his sleeve and showed it in front of Wu Shi. She wanted to take a closer look, but Liu Dalang put it away, saying, “Hey, this can’t be seen.”
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~
Mbl dlmv eyu, Nkw Pyzydt tsv wr hlau lyazu. Mbl pju oyp pvkzz ekxzu zkv obld bl bye yzalyeu ealpple dlyvzu yde zlqv bkp assx.
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Eydt Fbk alprsdele okvb yd “Xb” yde blpkvyvle clqsal blyekdt vs vbl jkvnbld.
Xdnl pbl oyp tsdl, Nkw Pyzydt oldv vs Nkw Iydtpbldt’p assx.
Nkw Iydtpbldt bye fwpv osjld wr yde byed’v tsvvld swv sq cle ulv. Fllkdt bkp lzelpv psd ldvlakdt okvbswv jdsnjkdt, bl pyv wr yde ypjle, “Ebyv’p vbl xyvvla?”
Liu Dalang nodded but gestured that it wasn’t the right place to talk. Understanding, Liu Kangsheng said, “Since you’re up early, go tidy up the vegetable garden first. I’ll get up soon.”
Before long, father and son went to the field one after the other. In this secluded place, Liu Dalang brought up the conversation he had with Wu Shi. He mentioned that they had learned that Zhou Yapo would be arriving in the next couple of days and suggested taking Liu Yu to the county beforehand to avoid missing Zhou Yapo and losing out on a good deal.
Liu Kangsheng believed him without a doubt. They discussed how to send everyone away and then returned.
When Liu Yu woke up, the first thing she saw was the father and son returning home one after the other. For some reason, a sense of unease arose in her heart. She paid more attention but couldn’t find anything suspicious. All she could do was be extra cautious.
Not only did she sew the silver coins into a concealed pocket for easy carrying, but during breakfast, she was particularly attentive. When no one was paying attention, she secretly swapped the main dish and Liu Tianbao’s bowl. She only dared to touch the food that the Liu family members ate. Anything they didn’t touch was strictly off-limits for her.
With such caution, she observed that nothing unusual happened after Liu Tianbao finished his meal, easing some of her concerns. Counting the days, there were still six or seven days left. Thinking that the Lus might arrive tomorrow, she temporarily suppressed her anxiety.
However, on this day, she still went to the embroidery shop as usual, changing everything secretly done into silver coins. She also exchanged the copper coins hidden in the tree hollow outside into small silver coins for easy carrying. After all, whether it was the Lu family or the Li family, their fate was entrusted to others. As long as the Lu family hadn’t arrived yet, she still needed to make some preparations.
Liu Yu didn’t know that as soon as she left, Liu Kangsheng mentioned the birthday of Lin Shi’s father from the second household. He handed over a coin, asked to bring two chickens and several dozen eggs, and let Liu Erlang take Lin Shi and a few children to his wife’s natal house to celebrate.
Liu Erlang was a bit confused and muttered, “Isn’t it still two or three days away from the date?”
After Liu Kangsheng lectured him, “Your wife is busy in our house all year round. What does it matter if it’s a day or two earlier? Are you going to sit there and eat a feast on the exact day? Take your wife and children to see if there’s anything your father-in-law needs help with, lend a hand, and stay with the old man for a few days. That’s the proper thing to do.”
Lin Shi listened to these words with tears in her eyes, feeling unprecedented gratitude and respect for Liu Kangsheng. Liu Erlang, inexplicably, took his family and generous gifts to his wife’s natal house.
This conversation was a private admonition. The third household was still unaware, seeing the second household return to the mother’s house together, not knowing it was arranged by Liu Kangsheng. They assumed it was Lin Shi trying to save face on her own.
During a casual chat among Wu Shi, Wen Shi, and Wang Shi, Wu Shi mentioned the time when she went to Baofeng Temple to pray for a child before giving birth to Bao Ge’er.
“People say that Baofeng Temple is effective in praying for children.” She spoke to this point, as if just realizing she had spoken too much, trying to retract her words. However, it was too late, and everyone had heard what needed to be heard.
Liu Kangsheng was originally sitting in the main room, smoking a dry cigarette. At this moment, he walked out, glanced at Wen Shi, and suddenly said, “Either you let Sanlang accompany you, or you also go to Baofeng Temple. Leave now, stay there tonight, and grab the earliest incense tomorrow morning.”
Wen Shi frowned. Her belly was so big, and she was not willing to go out.
However, Wu Shi seized the opportunity, laughed and added, “That’s true. Go pray for good fortune. If we talk about the male descendants of our generation in the Liu family, it’s still thin. There’s only Bao Ge’er, and he doesn’t have any brothers to support him.”
Wen Shi didn’t believe that Wu Shi genuinely hoped for her to give birth to a son, but Liu Kangsheng nodded in agreement, “That’s exactly right.”
With him saying this, who dared to refuse? Rural wives weren’t that delicate, and there were those who worked in the fields with a protruding belly.
Liu Kangsheng made a decision, and Wen Shi couldn’t say much. Mostly, she also secretly hoped that this pregnancy would be a son.
Wang Shi went to call Liu Sanlang and then went to the village to find a cart. Before leaving, Liu Kangsheng thought for a moment and asked Wang Shi to accompany them for extra care. This made Wen Shi feel a bit more at ease.
Wu Shi quietly slipped out and found Liu Yan, who was playing outside. After coaxing her for a few words and mentioning the trip to Baofeng Temple, Liu Yan quickly ran back and insisted on going with Wang Shi. Liu Kangsheng was happy to see them all leave promptly and had no objection, saying they would stay in two separate rooms, and it was fine to bring her along.
In just over an hour, everyone in the Liu family, except for the couple in the main room and Liu Kangsheng himself, had been sent away cleanly.
~
In Changfeng Town, the Lu family, Lu Chengxiao went to the county early to pick up his father, Lu Xun. As for Mrs. Lu, after thinking for a while, she found someone with relatives in Liujiacun and invited them to accompany her on a trip there.
When Liu Yu returned to the Liujiacun, Mrs. Lu was being accompanied by a good friend, sitting in the living room of a local farmer’s house in the Liujiacun. She was inquiring about Liu Yu’s character and family background.
Unlike the day when Mrs. Chen came to inquire with the women in the village, the situation was more typical.
Speaking of Liu Yu, there was not a single bad word to be said about her. If there was one minor flaw, it would be her humble background. While discussions about the Liu family were ongoing elsewhere, Liu Yu had already returned to the Liu family.
The entrance gate of the Liu family courtyard was partially closed. When Liu Yu pushed the door open and entered, the yard was extremely quiet, with no one in sight. She hesitated for a moment.
At that very moment, from the window of the kitchen, Wu Shi peeked out and called, “Is the eldest sister back? Perfect timing, Mom went to the field. Eldest sister, come and help me with a little work.”
However, Liu Yu didn’t move. It was too quiet. Even if Wang Shi had gone to the field, where were Lin Shi and Wen Shi? It was time to prepare dinner, and even if Lin Shi and Wang Shi went to the field, pregnant Wen Shi wouldn’t have gone as well.
Liu Yu’s heart started pounding heavily, and she suddenly became alert. Something wasn’t right. Though she responded verbally, she turned her steps to leave. However, in the split second of turning around, there was a sound of the courtyard gate closing behind her. An arm came horizontally from behind, grabbing her, and before Liu Yu could struggle, a damp cloth covered her mouth and nose.
The pungent smell penetrated her lungs, and even if she tried to hold her breath forcibly, it was futile. Dizziness overwhelmed her, strength was fading away, and she couldn’t hold her breath for long.
Wu Shi quickly walked out from the kitchen, bypassed Liu Yu and the person behind her, and bolted the courtyard gate.
It was Liu Dalang.
Liu Yu struggled in despair, but the tiny strength left after inhaling the drug was no match for Liu Dalang, a grown man.
Liu Kangsheng walked out from the main room, glanced at Liu Yu without lifting his eyelids, and silently raised his chin towards the room, signaling Liu Dalang to drag her inside.
Before they could act, they heard a series of footsteps approaching from outside the courtyard. A woman’s voice said, “This is the front of Liu Kangsheng’s house.”
The three in the yard froze, and no one dared to make a move, even holding their breath.
Liu Yu saw a glimmer of hope. She kicked and struggled, whimpering. Liu Dalang increased the pressure of covering her mouth, and Wu Shi hurriedly held onto Liu Yu’s legs, preventing any further noise.
The courtyard gate was pushed, and the same woman’s voice said, “Huh, why is the door still bolted in broad daylight?”
Someone passing by was stopped by the woman. She asked, “Do you know where Wang Shi went?”
The person who was stopped, originally a neighbor of the Liu family, actually knew. He said, “She went out. I saw her in the morning hiring a cart, taking Sanlang, his wife, and Liu Yan out. It seems like they went to Baofeng Temple.”
That was quite far, several dozen miles away. They probably wouldn’t be back today.
The woman then asked, “Did you see their Ah Yu?”
The villager shook his head, “No, I didn’t see her.”
He had only seen Wang Shi’s group when they went to the field in the morning, and he had just returned from the field himself, naturally not seeing Liu Yu.
The woman muttered in confusion, “The door was bolted from the inside. Why isn’t anyone answering?”
She banged on the courtyard gate several times, then turned to her relatives and Mrs. Lu, saying, “Look, this is unfortunate. It seems we won’t see them today.”
Mrs. Lu exchanged a glance with her friend, originally intending to use the excuse of coming over for a chat and asking for a cup of water, somewhat disappointed. Nevertheless, she thanked her, saying, “If people aren’t home, there’s nothing we can do. We’ll have to try another time. Thank you for your trouble today.”
Liu Yu listened to the footsteps of the people leaving, completely losing consciousness under the influence of the drug.
~
Several miles in the direction of Baofeng Temple from the Liujiacun, Wen Shi sat on the cart and became more uneasy the more she thought about it.
All the way, she thought that seeking blessings for a child was fine, and it was also fine for the second family to return to the Lin family to celebrate the birthday. However, the simultaneous departure of the second and third families seemed too coincidental.
Looking at her mother-in-law, Wang Shi, and her younger sister-in-law, Liu Yan, Wen Shi couldn’t understand. When they decided to go to Baofeng Temple, Liu Yan came in excitedly, insisting on going. So how did Liu Yan know about it?
Wen Shi’s heart skipped a beat, suddenly realizing something.
They had all left, and now only her father-in-law, Liu Kangsheng’s family, and then—Liu Yu!
In a sudden moment of insight, Wen Shi grasped the fleeting thought in her mind. Something had always felt wrong, and at this moment, everything became clear.
Why did Liu Yu get scolded so severely by Liu Kangsheng when she came home late? Why did Wu Shi follow Liu Yu to the town several times? Thinking about Liu Yu’s appearance, Wen Shi’s hands trembled, her spine shivered, and she shuddered.
Wang Shi, sitting next to her, noticed and asked, “What’s wrong? Are you feeling uncomfortable?”
Wen Shi’s lips trembled slightly, and she quickly shook her head, saying, “No, no, it’s just the child kicking me.”
The lines on Wang Shi’s forehead relaxed instantly, and she smiled, “Mischievous one, I’m sure it’s a little boy.”
Wen Shi forced a smile, but her mind was in turmoil.
She knew Wu Shi’s malicious nature, understood that her father-in-law favored the eldest daughter-in-law, and was well aware of Liu Yu’s situation in this family.
But before, she thought there might be complications in Liu Yu’s marriage, fearing that the family, which valued money above all, wouldn’t provide her with any dowry. However, Wen Shi never expected her father-in-law and the eldest daughter-in-law would consider selling Liu Yu.
Where would Liu Yu’s face end up if she were sold?
It was April, and the sunlight shone on her, yet Wen Shi couldn’t stop shivering.
Thinking about Liu Yu’s kindness, Wen Shi’s heart was in chaos.
What should she do? Should she go back now?
Could going back save Liu Yu? If her father-in-law really intended to sell Liu Yu, given his reputation and emphasis on education for the grandchildren, he would likely act discreetly. If she returned now and exposed this matter, what would happen? Would their relationship with her father-in-law be forever strained?
Wen Shi was weighed down by various concerns, feeling a tightness in her throat and a dull ache in her ears. She gripped the edge of the cart with one hand and absentmindedly placed the other on her swollen belly. At this moment, as if responding to her thoughts, a bulge suddenly appeared beneath her palm, and then a series of movements, like bubbles, rolled over her hand.
Wen Shi’s heart trembled as she lowered her head to glance at her belly, where the child continued to move and tumble in her palm.
Perhaps it was her role as a mother at this moment, perhaps it was an inspiration from the child, or perhaps it was her conscience.
Consider it as accumulating virtue for the child in her belly.
Wen Shi closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and suddenly let out a painful groan.
This caught Wang Shi’s attention, and she anxiously inquired. Wen Shi supported her belly and trembled as she said, “Mother, Sanlang, my stomach hurts.”
With a sigh, the ox-cart came to a sudden stop. Anxious, Liu Sanlang turned to look at Wen Shi and asked, “What’s wrong? Why does your stomach hurt?”
Wang Shi also became worried. “What should we do? Sanlang, go quickly, turn around and head to the town clinic.”
Wen Shi’s eyelashes trembled, she remained half-lying on the ox-cart, enduring the pain. However, as they got closer to the Liu family’s village, the pain gradually eased. By the time they neared the village, Wen Shi had stopped groaning and could sit up slightly.
Anxious, Wang Shi asked, “How are you now? Is it better?”
Wen Shi nodded, holding onto Wang Shi, and said, “Mother, I’m afraid the cart’s jolting caused it. I don’t think we need to go to the town. I can’t endure it. Let’s find the local village doctor to have a look.”
Hearing it was due to the cart’s jolting, Wang Shi didn’t dare to disagree. She quickly agreed, saying, “Alright, let’s go back home first.”
Sansukini: Wen Shi is so perceptive. Poor Liu Yu. She miscalculated Wu Shi’s greed.
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Thank Wen Shi, you just saved yourself and your hubby from feeling the smite of my justice fury – I have no doubt that Liu Yu will be able to get vengeance on this evil stepfather, eldest son and his wife… all 3 must pay for their evil!!!
This is not a revenge drama, though. The villains will have karmic revenge instead. Like you did something good for others, and so you got good karma in the end. Like Liu Yu will not actively make their lives miserable, but they will get their comeuppance. Wen Shi and Liu Sanlang are good people.
Thank you for this chapter!