Chapter 3

Yun Fugui was hiding in the grass. When he heard Yun Xi and Xiao Ji parroting his words, his face turned livid with anger. Then he noticed that Xiao Ji was holding the clothes he and Widow Wang had been wearing. What else was there left to figure out? Those two fools must have run into him and Chunlan here, stolen their clothes, and then lured the villagers over. He cursed his bad luck inwardly, seething with anger. Pointing at Yun Xi, he shouted furiously: “You little idiot! You worthless money-losing brat! Shut your mouth! You're always running around outside causing trouble. Just wait until we get home. I'll teach you a lesson!” Since Xiao Ji was the village chief's son, he didn't dare take his anger out on him. “Mother, Father is going to beat me!” Yun Xi lowered her head pitifully and hid behind the crowd again. Chen Xicui couldn't be bothered whether her husband beat their daughter or not. She didn't care much for the girl anyway. However, hearing Yun Xi and Xiao Ji repeating those words in perfect coordination nearly drove her insane. She was full of daughters who were nothing but money-losing burdens? She was going to end the Yun family's bloodline? He wanted to divorce her and marry that shameless widow? Chen Xicui believed every word Yun Xi and Xiao Ji said. Other people might spread rumors and deliberately sow discord. But could two little fools really make up lies? Yun Fugui must have said those things, and the two children had simply overheard him. “Yun Fugui, you heartless bastard! I've sacrificed so much for you, and you actually dare look down on me?” With a furious scream, she charged into the grass and began slapping, kicking, scratching, and clawing at Yun Fugui and Widow Wang. The two of them were completely naked and had difficulty defending themselves. Chen Xicui beat them until they curled up together, screaming miserably. Just as everyone was watching the exciting spectacle with great enthusiasm, Yun Fugui's third brother, Yun Fu'an, arrived at the mountain with two female servants from their household. He wore a moon-white robe and looked like a frail, middle-aged scholar. With a cold expression, he turned his head away and instructed the servants: “Go pull the Second Madam away and deliver some clothes to the Second Master.” If their mother hadn't ordered him to come, he wouldn't have bothered coming out and embarrassing himself like this. News of Yun Fugui and Widow Wang's affair on the mountain had already reached the Yun family through the village gossips. Old Madam Yun had been so furious that she smashed a teacup, yet she still had no choice but to clean up her son's mess. After all, if he was caught naked on the mountain by the villagers, it was the entire Yun family's reputation that would suffer. Chen Xicui was held back by the two female servants. Her eyes were bloodshot, and she continued cursing nonstop, looking just like a madwoman. After receiving their clothes, Yun Fugui and Widow Wang hid in the grass and hurriedly got dressed. With their heads lowered, they supported each other as they rushed down the mountain. The women of Linxi Village were still unsatisfied after watching the spectacle. They giggled and chatted as they followed behind. Yun Xi blended into the crowd and went down the mountain with them. The Yun family residence was located at the entrance of the village. Its large courtyard, surrounded by gray brick walls, stood out among the many low mud-brick houses in Linxi Village. “A Ji, hurry home. I'm going home now.” Seeing the Yun family enter the courtyard, Yun Xi waved goodbye to Xiao Ji before heading home as well. The courtyard gate closed, shutting out the curious gazes of the villagers who had come to watch the spectacle. Everyone had enjoyed such a good show that none of them wanted to leave. The village women gathered outside the Yun residence, gesturing excitedly and talking animatedly, their mouths practically flying as they exchanged gossip. The men and boys of Linxi Village who had only just heard the news rushed over as well. They secretly beat their chests and stamped their feet in regret. Widow Wang had such fair, delicate skin, a full bosom, and a slender waist. What a pity they had arrived too late and missed the chance to feast their eyes on her! The Yun family had a main residence with five rooms, along with three side rooms on each side. Everything was built with gray bricks and red roof tiles, making the house particularly impressive. The courtyard floor was neatly paved with bluestone slabs. Even on rainy days, mud wouldn't stick to anyone's feet. Yun Fugui put his arm around Widow Wang and entered the main hall. Behind them, Chen Xicui watched with eyes practically spitting fire. Everyone entered the main hall, where the gray brick floor was clean and polished. A painting of pine trees and cranes hung on the main wall, with a long pearwood table beneath it. In the center stood an Eight Immortals table accompanied by four long benches. Old Madam Yun wore a dark blue fine cotton robe. Two solid gold hairpins adorned her gray-streaked hair, which was neatly arranged in a bun. If not for the somewhat mean expression on her face, she might have passed for the matriarch of a wealthy household. Sitting beside her was a woman dressed in a lotus-colored robe. She had delicate eyebrows, narrow eyes, fair skin, and a jade hairpin in her hair. Her appearance was gentle and serene. Yun Xi mentally matched her face with the memories in her mind and recognized her as Li Wanrong, the wife of Yun Fu'an, the third son of the Yun family. Although this woman appeared gentle and quiet, she was actually extremely arrogant and difficult to get along with. The younger generation of the family wasn't around. After all, this wasn't exactly something worth showing off. When Old Madam Yun saw Chen Xicui enter the room crying, her expression darkened. She slammed her hand heavily onto the Eight Immortals table. “Bang!” The loud sound immediately silenced Chen Xicui. Her face was full of grievance and sorrow. “Mother, your second son was fooling around with Widow Wang on the mountain. They were caught completely naked by the villagers! Our family is at least a respectable household in all the surrounding villages, yet he has absolutely no regard for our reputation. He's let everyone laugh at us!” Having been married into the Yun family for more than ten years, Chen Xicui understood her mother-in-law's temperament very well. Back when she had served Madam Hou in the Ning'an Marquis Household, she had been a highly favored maid. Now that she had left her servant status behind and returned to ordinary life, Old Madam Yun was particularly particular about rules and etiquette. She also cared deeply about the family's reputation. Old Madam Yun gave her a brief, indifferent glance before looking at her second son, who was still embracing Widow Wang. “Second Daughter-in-law, it is perfectly normal for a man to have three wives and four concubines. As a daughter-in-law of the Yun family, when your husband finds someone who understands him, you should be helping him make the arrangements. How could you make such an ugly scene outside and bring shame upon our family?” A trace of disdain flashed through her eyes. Back then, she had seen that her second son's wife had been a favored maid serving the wife of a marquis. She had also been educated and well-mannered. Her appearance and bearing had even surpassed those of young ladies from ordinary wealthy families. She had gone to considerable trouble to arrange the marriage and bring her into the Yun family. Yet, after more than ten years of marriage, she had given her second son only two daughters. Now she had even turned into a village shrew. She was truly no longer worthy of her second son. Seeing that her mother-in-law was not only siding with Yun Fugui but also turning the blame around and making it seem as though everything was her fault, Chen Xicui nearly exploded with anger. Yun Fugui had been fooling around with a widow in the wilderness, yet somehow she was the one being accused of failing to be a virtuous wife. She trembled with rage, clenching her teeth so tightly that they nearly shattered. “Mother, how can you say something like that? Back when Yun Fugui asked to marry me, he personally promised Madam Hou that I would be his only wife and that he would never be unfaithful to me!” “Enough!” The moment Old Madam Yun heard her mention the marquis's household, her expression suddenly changed. She immediately scolded her sternly. “Your second son and Widow Wang have already gotten themselves into this situation. Making a scene won't change anything.” Li Wanrong covered her mouth with a handkerchief and chuckled softly. “Second Sister-in-law, Mother is right! As juniors, we must never disobey our elders.” She had never liked this sister-in-law, so she was naturally happy to take the opportunity to kick her while she was down. Chen Xicui was so angry that her teeth nearly ground together. She glared fiercely at Li Wanrong. “Since Third Sister-in-law is so virtuous, perhaps I should help Third Brother arrange a marriage and bring home a concubine for him too.” Li Wanrong's expression changed slightly, but the corners of her lips soon curled upward. “Second Sister-in-law, we're different. I've already given Third Brother two sons.” “You...!” Chen Xicui was so furious that she was left speechless. Not having a son left her without even the slightest confidence to argue. Seeing that his mother had agreed, Yun Fugui immediately broke into a delighted smile. “Mother, then I'll trouble you to prepare some betrothal gifts and send them to Chunlan's husband's family. I want to take Chunlan as my concubine. We should at least observe the proper formalities.” Old Madam Yun closed her eyes and rubbed her temples. Then she turned toward Chen Xicui. “Second Daughter-in-law, I'll leave this matter to you. After all, this is a happy occasion for your branch of the family. Make sure nothing is neglected.” “I refuse!” Chen Xicui stared at her in disbelief. Asking her to arrange for Widow Wang to enter the household? She would rather die! Old Madam Yun's gaze turned sharp. “Second Daughter-in-law, you've been married into this family for more than ten years and have given birth to only two daughters. Now you're even trying to prevent your husband from taking a concubine. You're childless and jealous. Even if your husband divorces you, no one would have anything to say about it.” Chen Xicui was filled with hatred, but those words left her unable to respond. Widow Wang, who had been hiding in Yun Fugui's embrace all this time, saw that everything had been settled. Delighted, she hurriedly knelt down. “Chunlan thanks Old Madam for your kindness! I will certainly serve Second Master well from now on and give him a healthy, chubby little son.” Yun Xi, who had been watching from the corner, was utterly dumbfounded. This old woman really knew how to strike where it hurt. She was a ruthless one! However, judging from this family's behavior, they didn't seem like an ordinary farming household. Her biological mother's mention of the marquis's household made her wonder whether the Yun family was some sort of distant branch or relative of a marquis's family. She thought about it for a moment, then secretly shook her head. There was something deeply incongruous about this family. They were neither fish nor fowl. They desperately wanted to present themselves as a wealthy household that valued etiquette and proper conduct. Yet their inherent pettiness, greed, and selfishness were impossible to conceal. While Yun Xi was lowering her head in thought, she suddenly heard Yun Fugui speak. “Today's incident is all that stupid girl's fault! If that little brat hadn't stolen my clothes with the village chief's foolish son, how would the villagers have ended up laughing at me?” Thinking about how that little fool had deliberately stirred up trouble on the mountain, he wanted nothing more than to kick her to death.  The places on his body that Chen Xicui had scratched and clawed were still burning painfully.