Chapter 2: 2. Chapter 2: Threat

Chapter 2: Threats

The flames in the hearth burned increasingly bright, as if they could spread across the prairie and roast her alive, the heat stinging her entire body.

Yu Tingwan said slowly, "To the matchmaker."

Little Mrs. Xu looked up abruptly. "The matchmaker?"

She could not hide the schadenfreude in her eyes. "Mother can't stand you, so she's going to marry you off?"

She had married in last year and had been exceptionally wary from the very first moment she saw Yu Tingwan. As a fellow woman, who would like Yu Tingwan, who was more delicate and beautiful than a flower?

Yet, her father-in-law felt pity for this niece whose parents had died. Not only her, but even her mother-in-law, Mrs. Wang, did not dare to mistreat or bully her openly.

Seeing no reaction from Yu Tingwan, Little Mrs. Xu covered her mouth and laughed. "I thought you were some great talent, making my younger brother-in-law insist on having you."

"With Mother loathing you so much, how good could the marriage she finds for you be?"

If the heavy snow blocked the roads for a day or two, it would be one thing, but what if it lasted ten days or half a month?

Once Mrs. Wang collected the betrothal gifts and threw Yu Tingwan out to make the situation irreversible, even Father would have to accept it.

Yu Tingwan did not react.

"Mother gave Father two sons. No matter how great Father's anger is, he can't divorce her. It seems your good days are coming to an end."

Seeing that Yu Tingwan still showed no reaction, Little Mrs. Xu assumed she was intimidated. She said arrogantly and disdainfully, "You've been taken in by the Hu family all these years; you won't be able to avoid contact when you marry out in the future. If you have any conscience at all, don't forget how good the Hu family has been to you."

Yu Tingwan looked thoughtful.

Little Mrs. Xu narrowed her eyes. "Don't tell me you're unwilling?"

"I knew you were an ungrateful wolf!"

"Sister-in-law misunderstands."

Yu Tingwan said softly, "I am merely thinking about how to act so as not to fail the kindness of the Hu family."

*That's more like it,* Little Mrs. Xu snorted contemptuously.

"I know Sister-in-law is famous for being filial."

Yu Tingwan poured hot water for Little Mrs. Xu. "Though I am inferior in everything, I must strive to follow Sister-in-law's example."

*This little wench must have smeared honey on her tongue!*

Then again, she was unlikable. She would have to beg me to say a few good words to Mrs. Wang to find her a decent marriage.

Little Mrs. Xu took the water bowl with a sneer. In her view, no matter how Yu Tingwan tried to please her, it would be useless; after all, Mrs. Wang only cared about silver and didn't care whether she lived or died.

"I must learn from Sister-in-law, how to secretly subsidize my own natal family behind my husband's back."

Little Mrs. Xu shuddered in fright and dropped the bowl in her hand.

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

Yu Tingwan acted as if she hadn't seen her sudden outburst, looking down at the shards on the floor.

"I don't need Sister-in-law to meddle in my affairs. You should worry about yourself instead."

"Three days ago, your brother from your natal family came over. Instead of being a decent person, you chose to be a thief, taking over a dozen cabbages and radishes from the cellar while Aunt was away."

She seemed puzzled. "When you first married in and were subsidizing your natal family, you were caught red-handed by Aunt while secretly sending grain. You were whipped with thorn branches until you could barely get out of bed. Why haven't you learned your lesson?"

Little Mrs. Xu's ears rang, and her composure crumbled; she no longer possessed her previous arrogance. She gritted her teeth. "Are you threatening me?"

"Rest assured, Sister-in-law, my lips are sealed."

Yu Tingwan picked up the broom Mrs. Wang had thrown on the ground earlier to clean up the mess. "Even the matter of you cursing Aunt behind her back as an old hag yesterday—I haven't revealed a single word."

She lifted her eyes slightly, looking at Little Mrs. Xu with deer-like eyes and a smile, appearing very troubled. "It's just..."

Little Mrs. Xu felt inexplicably nervous under her gaze. "Just what?"

"There are only a few bowls in this house. Since Sister-in-law threw a tantrum and broke it, I won't be able to help cover for you."

*What do you mean, 'threw a tantrum'!! I clearly didn't hold it steady!*

*How dare you mention it! If you hadn't brought the water over, how could I have dropped it!*

Little Mrs. Xu did not dare to cause any more trouble. Once the porridge was ready, Yu Tingwan began her breakfast. However, this peace did not last long; a noisy commotion erupted outside, with faint sounds of sobbing and crying.

"Quick, quick! Take him to Old Man Qian for treatment!"

"Is he still breathing? Oh my, how did he get injured like this? He's covered in blood; it's truly terrifying to look at."

If it weren't for her heavy condition and the fear of being jostled by the crowd, Little Mrs. Xu would have run out to see.

But across from her, Yu Tingwan remained calm, picking up a piece of salted vegetable to go with her porridge, as if the sky were falling and she wouldn't even blink.

*Aren't you curious?!*

*Freak!*

The massive crowd outside dispersed at some unknown time. Mrs. Wang, who had just returned from the matchmaker, was pulling Auntie Wu from next door to ask questions.

"Is it true? The one being carried over just now was that boy from the Wei family who was sent to serve in the military? Wasn't it said he died?"

"Perhaps he was lucky enough to survive."

Mrs. Wang's tone was exceptionally sour. "But the Wei family received the government's pension years ago, and they can still receive half a month's military pay and three pecks of rice every month."

*What a stroke of luck!*

The government provided subsidies to the families of fallen soldiers, but as the silver passed through layer after layer, it was hard to say whose pocket it ultimately ended up in. Especially in a remote place like Xilin Village, how many coins actually reached the hands of the common people?

Mrs. Wang grumbled indignantly, "People in my natal family also died on the battlefield, yet we haven't seen a trace of pension or rice. When we went to the yamen to make a scene, we were beaten nearly to death."

*Why?! People die, so why is the treatment so different?*

"They were lucky enough to join the Wei Army stationed at the Northwest border. How could it be the same?"

The Wei Army was one that earned merits year-round!

Mrs. Wang said disdainfully, "What's so great about it? People say how capable General Wei is, but didn't he still die on the battlefield and become a short-lived ghost?"

Auntie Wu's face darkened. "Is General Wei someone you can gossip about? What is your status, and what is his? Watch your mouth! If these words spread, your Er-lang's studies will come to an end!"

Since it involved Er-lang, Mrs. Wang fell silent, too sheepish to speak further.

Auntie Wu didn't care to argue with her and sighed, "I think the Wei boy is in grave danger."

Auntie Wu lamented, "Now that the mountains are closed, outsiders can't get in and insiders can't get out, so they can't go to town to find a doctor. Old Man Qian usually only treats minor ailments like fevers and headaches, and his fees are expensive. I'm afraid they'll need wild ginseng to keep him alive."

"The pension and rice you mentioned are all held by Old Lady Wei. Would she be willing to spit out a single cent?"

Indeed, Old Lady Wei's heart was extremely poisonous.

Seeing someone else's misfortune made Mrs. Wang feel better. She asked, "How did he get back?"

Auntie Wu spoke animatedly. "He was discovered at the foot of the mountain. At that time, the wife of the Wei family's second branch happened to be gathering firewood and saw a crowd talking about a stranger rolling down from the forest. She went over to take a look and burst into tears on the spot, saying it was her Ah-lang."

"She has a hard life too. Now that he's like this, and her daughter passed away half a year ago, this second branch is destined to have no heirs."

Yu Tingwan finished her breakfast and came out, crossing paths with the two women. She greeted Auntie Wu and then, looking listless, prepared to return to her room.

"Stop right there."

Mrs. Wang scolded with a dark face, "All you know is to crawl into your room all day. Have you fed the chickens? Have you cut the pig grass?"

Yu Tingwan answered honestly, "No."

"Then why aren't you going?"

Yu Tingwan hung her head. "I'm sick. I have no strength."

Mrs. Wang was stunned. Clearly, before leaving the room, Yu Tingwan had been bickering with her, making her teeth itch with anger.

"When did you get sick?"

Yu Tingwan had an innocent face, but she was very stubborn. "Just now."

(End of Chapter)