Chapter 42: Old Lady Li's Ultimate Move
ging up her tricks, trying to make money off of us!""Yeah, I see it too!"Mrs. Liu laughed even more and said, “Today we really should eat a lot, this chance to not spend silver is probably only happen..."What Five taels of silver!" Old Mrs. Li was immediately angry at that.
Jia Yin was being squeezed tightly by her grandma's arm, and it hurt, but she didn't care. She was also angry and waved her tiny fists.
"Yes, mother," Tao Hongying had warmed up and took her daughter into her arms, then said.
"Wu Ergou pulled Jiaren's collar and scolded him so badly, the entire academy's students came out to watch Jiaren become a laughingstock. Fortunately, we went there, otherwise, Jiaren wouldn't know what to do."
Wu Cuifua's heart skipped a beat, her eyes darted nervously around, and she backed away while awkwardly laughing in response.
"Really There's such a thing Erdog is too disrespectful. I'll definitely have a word with him next time I see him..."
Unfortunately, she tried to brush it off, but it didn't work. Lao Er Li had heard clearly and immediately slapped Wu Cuifang, almost causing her to fall.
"Wu Cuiflower, I've told you countless times, I can tolerate your laziness and gluttony, but I cannot tolerate your lack of filial piety and hindering your child's future.
A few days ago, you went to the village entrance to ask Jia Ren for money. Did you think I didn't know I spared you face, but you actually let Wu Ergou cause a disturbance at the academy! Today, I will beat you to death, and our household will finally have some peace!
Li Laosi was truly insane, charging towards the kitchen and grabbing a cleaver. His eyes were bloodshot as he lunged at Wu Cuifang to attack her.
Wu Cuifang was so frightened that her legs went weak. She couldn't run and could only crawl on the ground, crying and begging for mercy.
For a time, the Li family's courtyard was in complete chaos.
When the villagers heard the commotion, they ran over to try and break up the fight. Several old men from next door also came rushing over.
Jia Yin strained to peek over her mother's arm, trying to get a better look.
Unfortunately, Tao Hongying still thought she was uncomfortable, holding her upright on her shoulder. Jia Yin watched the lonely courtyard wall...
Although Li Laotai was also angry, she couldn't let her son really go to jail for murder.
So he shouted for Li Lao San to help stop Li Lao Er, and told Zhao Yu Ru to go invite the village chief.
Soon, Lao Er's cleaver was snatched away, and he squatted in pain at the door.
Although he could read and write, he had never gone to school. Now that his son was going to a school of higher learning, it was fulfilling his lifelong dream. He truly hoped his son would bring honor to the family.
But alas, he married such a foolish wife!
The village head heard a general idea on the road, and he was delighted that the Li family came to him. This showed that they didn't treat him as an outsider, respecting and trusting him.
As expected, Old Lady Li invited him and several other elderly gentlemen from next door to sit down. She told them about the family's troubles, then added...
"Our family has suffered misfortune, causing unrest throughout the village. Today, I invited several elder brothers and the village head here to serve as witnesses."
She glanced at her grandchildren and let out a soft sigh.
As the saying goes, a virtuous wife brings good fortune to her husband, but the second son is blind and deserves his misery. However, I can't let this spendthrift bring misfortune to my grandson. So, today I had the second son write a divorce letter, but I won't give it to his wife for now.
After that, the whole village watched over our family. As for the second daughter-in-law, if there was anything wrong with her, they would drive her out of the house.
Some outsiders who don't know the inside story say that our Li family is cruel. Naturally, there are also villagers who speak up for our family.
The village head and several elders were sighing. Every member of the Li family, from young to old, were good people. It was just Li Laodui's wife who always caused trouble.
Now this notice of leave was like a rope, circling her neck, tightening now and then to give a warning.
If it doesn't work well again, it's her own doing to be kicked out.
"When that day comes, everyone in the village will have bright eyes. And from then on, no one will ever say your Li family is unrighteous."
The Li family now ran almost like a private school, naturally with the Four Treasures of the Study. Li Laer was somewhat exasperated, his hands trembling as he began to write the divorce letter.
Wu Cuifang was completely dumbfounded. She thought that getting beaten up was the worst of it, but she never expected to be served with a divorce notice.
She almost crawled over and hugged Li Lao Tai's leg, crying so hard that her nose and tears were all over her face.
"Mother, please forgive me this once and don't write a divorce letter. I know I was wrong, I really do! I'm just no good at anything, but I did give the Lao Li family two grandsons!"
Mrs. Li was truly heartbroken, she pushed her away and said coldly.
"If it weren't for you giving birth to two good grandsons for our old Li family, you would have been driven out long ago. You are lazy, greedy, cunning, talkative and spiteful. You are unfilial and disobedient, and lack compassion and love. What do we want you to do in our Li family Are you blind"
Just as Lao Er finished writing the letter of resignation and handed it over, Lao Tai took it in her hand and said again.
From today onwards, Wu Cuiflower, you are only half a member of the Li family. You must do your share of work, not one bit less. Keep your mouth shut and control your hands. Otherwise, you will be kicked out of the Li family at any time.
Then, you'll have only yourself to blame! Don't say I didn't show you any mercy.
As she spoke, she put the divorce papers away.
Wu Cuifang sat on the ground, completely panicked.
Unfortunately, she still pleaded, but Old Lady Li called for Old Second Li again.
Although Wu Cuifang was spared from death, she caused such a huge disaster that she couldn't escape living punishment. The people around her family were reluctant to take action, so you better do it. Twenty lashes, not one less!
Li Lao'er was also extremely angry, of course, he wouldn't show mercy.
He kicked Wu Cuifang forward, grabbed a long stool, and bound her to it.
Wu Cuiflower was terrified. Li Laoer, who usually prided himself on being a scholar and rarely hit her, had gone mad.
Today, suddenly like this, she was truly frightened.
"Waaaaah, please spare me, I won't do it again!"
Unfortunately, Lao Li's second hand board has already fallen.
With just one blow, she screamed like a pig being slaughtered.
It's called a board, but really it's just a flat carrying pole the Li family uses every day. It's wide and heavy.
Wu Cuifang's buttocks were beaten bloody after just a dozen or so boards. She wailed as if she were going to die...
In the end, Tao Hongying and Zhao Yuru dragged her back to the room, washing her haphazardly and applying a bit of the common household remedy.
After all this commotion, the Li family had no appetite for dinner. They just ate whatever they could and went to rest.
Lao Li sat on the kang, holding a pipe pot in her hand, quietly shedding tears.
Actually, she didn't used to smoke. This was left behind after the old man passed away, also a support for her thoughts and memories.
"Old man, it's all my fault, I haven't managed this family well."
Jia Yin couldn't bear to see the old woman so heartbroken. It would be understandable for someone else, but not for Wu Cuifang, that heartless wretch. She doesn't deserve it at all.
She mustered all her strength, wanting to turn over and crawl to Grandma, becoming a warm and loving little cotton-padded jacket.
Unfortunately, the strength wouldn't obey my command and I used it in the wrong place, so with a *poof*...
Old Mrs. Li was feeling down when she heard the noise and turned her head. She saw her granddaughter lying there, tilting her neck up with a look on her face as if she wanted to cry but couldn't.
She was still trying to figure something out, but she couldn't help but smile and quickly joined in helping to tidy up.
After changing diapers and wiping their little booties, the two finally lay clean and fresh back in bed.
Jia Yin shyly hid her little face in her grandmother's arms, not daring to raise it.
Li Lao Tai smiled so hard, she carefully patted her granddaughter.
"Well, why is my little Funi shy now Grandma knows, Funi is a clean child. When you grow up, Grandma will make you a pretty dress, okay"
Fu Niuer strained her head out, grinning with two rows of rosy gums, and then tossed a bright red apple from the space.
Li LaoTai was startled by the sudden appearance of the apple in her pillow, but thanks to the hot water bottle underneath, she felt much better this time.
She thought for a moment, then used her handkerchief to wipe the apple clean. After taking a bite herself, she offered the other piece to her granddaughter.
Indeed, Jia Yin immediately held it in both hands and brought it to her mouth. Though she had no teeth to bite with, she didn't stop savoring the taste.
Jia Yin is happily giddy, after four months, she finally got to taste an apple again, wow, it's so delicious.
Grandma Li was amused by her granddaughter's cute appearance, and she quickly finished the rest of her food. In the end, she felt satisfied and hugged her granddaughter contentedly.
"Grandma's little blessing, you're so young, grandma gets to bask in your good fortune."
Jiayin actually grinded a tiny bit of apple off with her gums, and she was so happy, dancing around...
The sadness and anger of the day, seemed to be swallowed by this sweet apple along with the two generations, so in their dreams there was only happiness and joy...
After being beaten severely, Wu Cuifang became much more obedient. Her injuries only took five or six days to heal, and she began working again with a limp, treating the old woman like a cat would treat a mouse.
She helped Zhao Yuru and Tao Hongying with cooking and laundry every day, not daring to slack off any more.
Without Li Jia's interference, everything would naturally be wonderful.
The weather is getting colder and colder. After a heavy snowfall overnight, almost every house has been buried halfway.arians and quickly reclaiming our homeland. I am the most useless among us, such small matters I can handle.” Li Lao San spoke sincerely, with not a hint of jealousy towards his brother."What are you...