《From Folly to Fortune：I Rewrite My Life After Rebirth!》


 Chapter 1: Transformed into a Little Farm Girl

    Chapter 1 - 1: Transformed into a Little Farm GirlIn the cramped front yard of the Old Mu Family, the second daughter-in-law, Mrs. Lin, stood with her hands on her hips, spitting venomous curses at the daughter of Mu Family''s third son, Mu Shuangshuang.


    "Mu Shuangshuang, you''re a useless piece of trash who can''t do anything but eat."


    "Why don''t you tell me, after a whole morning, why is the rice still in a pile when I told you to spread it out?"


    Accompanied by the harsh curses, the girl named Mu Shuangshuang clutched her head.


    Her thin body curled up into a ball, from a distance, she looked like a wad of tattered cotton.


    Her body was trembling non-stop; it was obvious she was extremely afraid of this second aunt.


    However, despite being so terrified, she dared not move an inch, her feet were completely still, as if nailed to the ground.


    "You dirty thing, so filthy and smelly, how could the Old Mu Family have a piece of trash like you around?


    Yesterday, the village folks said just walking past their door made their whole house smelly."


    "All you know is creating trouble all day, why don''t you just die already?"


    After cursing for so long that her mouth felt dry, this damned girl simply hugged her head, not even making a peep.


    "Look at you, stinking like that. Just because that old hen, wife of third brother, protects you, who in the whole family isn''t wishing you were dead?


    Lazing around at home all day, just wasting the family''s food."


    Merely scolding wasn''t enough for Mrs. Lin; she simply pulled out the embroidery needle she had pinned on her waist in the morning when she was embroidering, having forgotten to remove it.


    As the embroidery needle left the cloth tied at Mrs. Lin''s waist, it glinted with a piercing cold light in the air.


    The person on the ground was completely unaware, maintaining her original posture, holding her head, body trembling.


    Oblivious to the danger approaching¡ª


    Mrs. Lin cast a sinister grin at the person on the ground, then raised the embroidery needle high and began stabbing fiercely at the one holding her head.


    The first needle prick went straight into Mu Shuangshuang''s bone, causing her to let out a wretched scream, but it was just a scream.


    Because there was a second needle, a third needle¡ª


    Like raindrops, the embroidery needle jabbed onto Mu Shuangshuang''s shoulders, her arms...


    "Wuuu wuuu wuuu..." She emitted the sorrowful whimper of a dying cub, her feet, however, remained completely still.


    Seeing someone clearly in pain but not daring to resist, Mrs. Lin clutched her stomach and laughed heartily.


    In the entire Old Mu Family, there''s nothing but this piece of garbage, getting beaten and not daring to fight back, not even budging a bit.


    People say only a dead pig fears no scalding water, this filthy girl probably wouldn''t even budge from a pigsty even if boiled alive.


    "Pah, useless thing!" Mrs. Lin cursed again.


    Mu Family''s Lady Old Mrs. Mu, who was out emptying waste water, witnessed all that the daughter-in-law did to her granddaughter and, instead of stopping her, coldly spoke.


    "Just teach this wretched girl a lesson, seeing me, the old hag, she doesn''t even open her mouth."


    Every day acting like her voice box is gone, making everyone feel like they owe her something."


    "Pah, bringer of misfortune, filthy thing, so dirty and smelly, worse than the bugs in the latrine."


    Upon receiving her mother-in-law''s permission, Mrs. Lin grew even more arrogant.


    She lifted her foot and kicked Mu Shuangshuang''s frail back with all her strength, laughing loudly while kicking.


    With just a "thud," Mu Shuangshuang''s body went limp and crashed into the stone roller beside her.


    Blood gushed from her head, the fresh red blood flowing down Mu Shuangshuang''s dirty face quickly turned dim.


    Mrs. Lin not only didn''t step forward to check, she actually used her foot to step on Mu Shuangshuang''s chest.


    "Worthless thing, don''t think you can play dead to avoid spreading the rice, if you can''t work today, I''ll skin you alive..."


    Just after she finished speaking, the person originally lying on the ground started to make a low groan...


    Jian Shuangshuang felt a severe headache, of course, she knew why.


    Twenty minutes ago, a brawl occurred in the village she was in charge of, all involving women.


    Being the only female member of the township security team, she had to step up to intervene.


    Who knew she hadn''t even started mediating when a crazy woman picked up a chair and smashed it over her head, causing her to faint on the spot.


    With charges of brawling plus intentional harm, if she didn''t throw that crazy woman into jail today, she wouldn''t be a true Jian.


    Her head ached horribly... along with some woman constantly cursing at her, Jian Shuangshuang was extraordinarily irritated, terrible words.


    So insulting, she wanted to instantly throw that woman over her shoulder to solve it.


    Forcing herself to focus, Jian Shuangshuang opened her eyes and saw a woman using her short legs to step on her chest, poised for a fight.


    But this woman was unfamiliar, not a villager from Jian Shuangshuang''s jurisdiction.


    "Who are you?"


    As soon as Jian Shuangshuang spoke, her voice sounded so unpleasant; it made one want to cover their ears, as if scraping bark off an old tree with a knife, incredibly hoarse.


    Suddenly, there was a tightness in her chest as the woman standing on her chest applied force.


    "Who am I?" Mrs. Lin laughed endlessly as if she had heard a hilarious joke, moments later, she bellowed.


    "I''m someone you can''t afford to mess with, your dad and mom both fear me, and you dare pretend to have amnesia with me? Hurry up and get up and start working for me."


    The piercing screams from the woman didn''t surprise Jian Shuangshuang; after all, as a security team member, though she couldn''t handle big cases, she had dealt with trivial matters across several villages.


    "Move your foot away." Jian Shuangshuang squinted her eyes, speaking coldly.


    "Wow, developed some guts, huh? Finally learned to speak? Thought you were a mute."


    Mrs. Lin hadn''t heard this filthy thing speak in almost five years, she was a bit taken aback for a moment.


    Quickly, she returned to normal, continuing to curse at Jian Shuangshuang, not treating her like a person at all.


    "Oh, oh, oh, talking does make you something special? Just because you can speak, you think I''ll let you go?


    Let me see first, the sun must have risen from the wrong side today, must be the west, this filthy thing knows how to resist."


    While Mrs. Lin lifted her head to look at the sun, Jian Shuangshuang attempted to move her body, finding she couldn''t move, her body was in pain.


    She took a deep breath, then clenched her fist, lifted her elbow, and forcefully struck the nerve in the leg of the woman still stepping on her.


    "Ow!" Mrs. Lin felt a numbness in her leg, instantly falling onto the ground, tasting dirt with the fall.


    Not to mention eating a mouthful of dust, her thigh felt as if it had been sliced, both painful and numb. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Taking advantage, Jian Shuangshuang knelt her knee into the waist of the person lying on the ground, grabbing the arms of the one who hit her, lifting them over her head, pulling back hard.


    With a snap of Mrs. Lin''s bone, she let out a wretched scream.


    Without handcuffs, Jian Shuangshuang had to use the most primitive method, tightening her grip on the person before her, and once the person was subdued, she breathed a sigh of relief.


    Just about to say the usual "You''re under arrest."


    But accidentally catching sight of the unfamiliar surroundings before her, Jian Shuangshuang was immediately dumbfounded¡ª

 Chapter 2: Fainted from Hunger

    Chapter 2 - 2: Fainted from HungerIn front of her was neither the familiar two-story building nor a typical brick house.


    Instead, it was a mud house whose walls had weathered countless years.


    The mud house was covered with hay, some of which had turned black and caved in.


    Jian Shuangshuang swore that even if you rolled back thirty years, there wouldn''t be such a house in the township she governed.


    "Where is this...?"


    Jian Shuangshuang swallowed hard; every time she spoke, she felt as if her throat was on fire, hurting terribly.


    Little did she know, this was because the original owner hadn''t spoken for five years!


    Bowing her head, Jian Shuangshuang looked at the person she had pinned down.


    The woman''s complexion was sallow, and freckles dotted her cheeks like sunspots from years of working under the sun.


    Her forehead was very prominent, cheekbones high, and thin lips betrayed a mean, acerbic nature.


    But none of this was the most important; the most crucial point was her hairstyle.


    The kind of bun only seen in ancient times, the sort worn by married women; Jian Shuangshuang shook her hand and looked down at her own hands...


    In front of her was a pair of hands thinner than bamboo sticks, gnarled like chicken feet, grasping the woman beneath her.


    These hands were filthy; from wrist to palm, all black, without a patch of white.


    Especially the fingernail crevices, where greasy black grime amassed, reeking with a sour stench emanating from her body.


    It was indeed worse than those socks of men at the station who hadn''t been washed for months; she realized, it was her, or rather this body''s stench.


    Had she... time traveled?


    "Murder! Murder!... Mu Shuangshuang''s murdering someone..."


    The person beneath her started shrieking like a pig being slaughtered; Mrs. Lin was weak all over, her legs twitching uncontrollably.


    Jian Shuangshuang was no better off; having exerted merely a hint of strength, she didn''t even have enough to rise. This body... was unbelievably weak!


    Struggling up, Jian Shuangshuang kicked the person on the ground again, prompting more screams from Mrs. Lin.


    Jian Shuangshuang''s head hurt, as did her abdomen, especially her stomach; she had no idea how long it had been since this body last ate, causing her to see stars.


    Nevertheless, Jian Shuangshuang forced herself to stay alert, and surveyed the mud houses. The solitary one on the far right looked like a kitchen.


    The wall-exposed windows were blackish, clearly from smoke and grease.


    Jian Shuangshuang headed into the kitchen, searched through it entirely, but found nothing to fill her stomach.


    Grabbing the teapot from the table, she filled her stomach with water, finally gaining some strength.


    She picked up the scissors on the table, and returned to the woman who had trampled her before.


    "Where''s the nearest stream?"


    This body was too dirty, not just the body but even the hair; Jian Shuangshuang didn''t even have the courage to take a peek.


    The hair hung on either side, already matted, glistening with a shiny film under the sun.


    More disgusting than the loofah sponge she had seen on the stove earlier.


    No matter what, cleaning up first was imperative.


    Hungry can be fed, injuries can be healed, but if she continued bearing this filth, she''d surely stink herself to death.


    "Where''s the nearest stream, somewhere less crowded."


    Jian Shuangshuang added another sentence, not waiting for Mrs. Lin to speak, brought the scissors close to Mrs. Lin''s face.


    The sharp tip was barely half an inch from Mrs. Lin''s eye, startling her into answering.


    "Village... village... north..."


    Jian Shuangshuang nodded in satisfaction; she liked obedient "suspects," but stepping on her chest remained unforgivable.


    She took a big step forward, her foot landed squarely on the leg she had struck, then twisted her leg...


    Another round of pig-like wailing followed; clutching her leg, Mrs. Lin teared from the pain.


    Clearly, once someone touches the nerve, one''s strength vanishes completely.


    "Mu Shuangshuang, you wretched thing, you damn wench... you... I''ll remember you; if you''ve got the guts, don''t ever come back!


    ... Come back and I''ll skin you alive... Ohhh, it hurts so bad..."


    Jian Shuangshuang ignored the shrieking behind her; once she exited the courtyard, and reached the road, she found herself too exhausted to breathe.


    Her stomach churned, all the water she drank turned into weapons torturing her.


    "Yikes, isn''t that Old Mu Family''s third daughter''s eldest, how come she''s out again?"


    A guy who had just finished his work and was about to head home saw Jian Shuangshuang, covered his nose, and spoke to the people around him.


    "Who doesn''t know it''s that stinking thing, do you really need to point it out?" replied someone beside him bluntly.


    "Talking about that stench, Old Mu Family''s fate is truly cursed, to have birthed such an ugly, filthy mess!"


    "Heard she''s one who won''t budge, sits in the same spot all day, doesn''t move an inch."


    "Even if struck by lightning, won''t change position; you tell me, how could a girl like this, so dirty, so lazy, ever find someone willing?"


    Mu Shuangshuang was Er Gui Village''s oddity, aged thirteen but looked like a ten-year-old kid.


    Maybe eating so little was to blame; standing there, she looked like a dry twig, easily swept away by the wind.


    Moreover, with Mu Shuangshuang always reeking, not greeting anyone, folks in the village naturally disliked her.


    Er Gui Village was notoriously poor, with more mountains than fields; harvests were low.


    Moreover, after years of warfare and constant upheaval, many men were seized by the army.


    With fewer laborers, Er Gui Village grew even poorer.


    Most village women chose to marry men from their own village, increasing connections and relationships.


    People cared about this, greeting each other and such, yet Mu Shuangshuang''s refusal to speak was a grave offense.


    "Someone will want her; I heard the baby broker is looking for a wife for Wang San, who at fifty has yet to find one. Might manage to sell this stinking thing to him."


    "Even a small mosquito is still meat; as long as one squats to pee, someone will take her."


    "Sell her cheap, throw in a few old hens from Old Mu Family, then someone''ll want her."


    Someone scoffed as they spoke.


    "I''d take her if I got a few old hens,"


    "Times are tough, we''re hardly wealthy folks, can''t even eat a chicken all year."


    "If this stinking thing dragged a few old hens to my place, I''d marry her,"


    "Would toss her in the pigpen, maybe she''d give me a piglet" sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The man who spoke first prompted laughter among the nearby crowd.


    Listening to them, Jian Shuangshuang snorted coldly, lazily kicked a stone.


    The stone hit the man''s head, suddenly swelling into a large bump.


    "Ow... who''s that, who hit me!" the man shouted, clutching his head; no one saw Jian Shuangshuang''s action, all deeming him unlucky.


    Jian Shuangshuang secretly rejoiced, but her throat suddenly expelled bloody spit.


    The forehead wound inflicted by Mrs. Lin began bleeding again.


    Dizzy, the world spun, and Jian Shuangshuang fainted directly.


    "Something''s wrong, Ma Houhou pissed off Old Mu Family''s granddaughter to death; she''s bleeding..."


    Someone shouted loudly, startling everyone around.


    What a mess, someone dying is serious business...

 Chapter 3 Mountain Man

    Chapter 3 - 3 Mountain Man"What''s it got to do with me? It''s this damned thing''s bad fate. Dying might actually be a good thing; perhaps the Old Mu Family might thank me for it."


    Ma Houhou, who had been hit on the head, stuck out his neck and shouted at the person yelling loudly.


    But as soon as he said he didn''t care, Ma Houhou slicked off and ran!


    After all, a death isn''t something to joke about; who knows if the Old Mu Family might really make him pay.


    Once Ma Houhou left, the villagers who were watching the commotion also broke up and ran away.


    This left Mu Shuangshuang lying on the ground, like a rag that had been discarded.


    Until a tall boy carrying a lot of game on his shoulder and a seven or eight-year-old child passed by.


    And they stopped, finally someone took notice of Mu Shuangshuang on the ground.


    "Whose child is this?" The boy crouched down, pointed at Mu Shuangshuang on the ground, and asked the child next to him.


    The child''s eyes turned and then he spoke.


    "Second Brother, you just came back, you don''t know. This is the ugliest, smelliest girl in our village, I really can''t remember her name."


    Everyone called her the stinky girl; once in a while some would call her name, but no one cared.


    "Second Brother, the Old Mu Family doesn''t even care about this filthy thing, we shouldn''t meddle and end up being blamed for beating her."


    "That would be a huge loss. Let''s hurry back and skin the game; I want to eat meat tonight."


    Speaking of meat, the child''s eyes began to gleam green, like a starving wolf.


    He stared at the smooth-furred game on the boy''s shoulder, and at some point, a dribble of saliva appeared at the corner of his mouth.


    Upon hearing the child''s words, the boy was obviously unhappy.


    "Yuanbao, have you forgotten what I told you? Or are you just like them, looking down on others?"


    When the boy started talking, his thick eyebrows knitted together, and his dark eyes carried a sharp look.


    His skin was a uniform chocolate color, different from the sunburned black of villagers working in the fields year-round.


    Because of this, just standing there made it feel like he was different from others.


    Yuanbao lowered his head, not wanting to argue with his Second Brother, as this was his most respected brother.


    The boy lowered his head and extended his hands, took hold of Mu Shuangshuang''s wrists, and after a moment, his brows furrowed even more deeply.


    The person lying on the ground had an erratic, thin pulse and a very weak breathing.


    "Where is her home?" he asked, lifting Mu Shuangshuang into his arms and looking towards the village entrance.


    "Ugh!"


    As he moved Mu Shuangshuang, a unique sour stench from her body hit, making Yuanbao cover his mouth and run to the side to vomit.


    Only the boy seemed unaffected by the smell, holding Mu Shuangshuang as he asked again.


    "Where''s her home?"


    Yuanbao thought for a moment, pointed in a direction, and then desperately retreated.


    No other choice, the stench was overpowering; if he stayed any closer, he''d lose his previous meal.


    Retreating farther and farther, Yuanbao didn''t even notice he had passed the boundary by the roadside.


    Slightly careless, his foot slipped, and he fell into the ditch by the road, nosediving into the mud.


    He stretched out his hand and shouted, "Second Brother, pull me up... I fell into the ditch..."


    The boy ignored Yuanbao behind him and headed straight in the direction Yuanbao had pointed.


    Asking a villager along the way, he finally found the specific location of the Old Mu Family.


    Reaching the courtyard gate, he could hear the harsh cursing from the Old Mu Family.


    The Mu Family''s Lady, Old Mrs. Mu, stood with her hands on her hips, eyes like they were spitting fire, staring fiercely at the motionless Mrs. Lin on the ground.


    "Second daughter-in-law, has your brain been fried with pig oil? I told you to discipline someone, and you failed! Who''s going to sun the piled-up rice in the yard, you or this old woman here?"


    Mrs. Lin feared no one but this mother-in-law.


    Hearing the mother-in-law''s curse, she not only lost her previous authority in disciplining Mu Shuangshuang but also shrank like a frosted eggplant.


    "Mother, that filthy thing hit me, she..." Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Bah! What nonsense are you spouting? I, the old woman, am quite aware of that stinky girl''s nature. Do you think she''d dare hit you?


    You shameless thing, get up and prepare the lunch, if you delay the men of the family from eating, I''ll skin you alive."


    After cursing Mrs. Lin, Old Mrs. Mu finally noticed the boy standing outside the yard.


    "Grandma, I''m Lu Yuanfeng, the eldest grandson of the Old Lu Family from the west of the village. I''ve just returned from the army camp. Is this your granddaughter?"


    The Old Lu Family from the west of the village still had some impression on Old Mrs. Mu, especially this Lu Yuanfeng, who went to the army camp with her family''s youngest son.


    Now five years had passed, the Lu Family''s grandson had returned, why hadn''t her son come back?


    "She seems to have been beaten and hit her head. She''s still bleeding and needs a doctor to treat her, or she might lose her life."


    Old Mrs. Mu ignored him, and Lu Yuanfeng started explaining Mu Shuangshuang''s situation by himself.


    As soon as he finished speaking, Mrs. Lin leaped up.


    "What? This jinx wants a doctor for treatment? Bah, for what reason? This half-dead being would be better off dead!


    Then the Old Mu Family wouldn''t get sneered at by others, and we wouldn''t waste food at home."


    Old Mrs. Mu''s expression changed slightly, she''d love nothing more than for this stinky girl to die, which everyone was hoping for.


    But she couldn''t show it in front of outsiders, or else if it got out, who knows how outsiders would laugh at the Old Mu Family.


    "You fool, get inside and make the meal. Don''t think you can get away with it..."


    After scolding Mrs. Lin, Old Mrs. Mu turned towards Lu Yuanfeng with a somewhat polite manner.


    "Put this stinky..." Originally intending to call her stinky girl, she paused, planning to address it once that Lu Family boy left.


    "Put her down there. Once the laborers in the family are back, they can carry her in."


    Old Mrs. Mu casually pointed to a spot where the sun shone, speaking in an indifferent tone.


    By now, the sun was climbing higher and higher, even Lu Yuanfeng could feel the heat scorching the earth.


    Waiting for the men of the Old Mu Family to return, just half an hour more, and the ground would be hot enough to burn someone''s skin.


    "Grandma, I''ll take her in. It''ll get hotter soon."


    Old Mrs. Mu''s expression changed again, the look she gave Lu Yuanfeng shifted from an initial somewhat kind to a later disdain.


    Yet she still pointed to one of the mud brick houses in the back courtyard.


    "That''s the Third Family''s house. Go in and out quickly, don''t stay in there too long."


    Once Lu Yuanfeng left, Old Mrs. Mu''s expression completely changed.


    Her tiger eyes cast a vicious light; she spat forcefully onto the ground, cursing vehemently.


    "Bah, meddlesome thing, best to stink to death inside that house."

 Chapter 4 Mother

    Chapter 4 - 4 MotherLu Yuanfeng carried Mu Shuangshuang inside Mu the Third''s house, and as soon as he stepped into the room, an acrid stench rushed up to greet him.


    Even a man like Lu Yuanfeng felt dizzy for a moment.


    Luckily, he quickly steadied himself. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Surveying the surroundings, a hint of pity suddenly appeared in Lu Yuanfeng''s eyes.


    This earthen house of Mu the Third is indeed quite small; Lu Yuanfeng estimated that just a few steps would take him to the end.


    He noticed a large yellowish bed placed by the window on the east side of the room.


    On the bed lay a bamboo mat with several holes, and there wasn''t even a pillow on it.


    The only piece of furniture was a broken wooden cabinet by the north wall, devoid of color.


    A leg of the broken wooden cabinet was missing, propped up by a small stool nearby, indicating years of usage.


    The entire room was relatively enclosed, apart from a small wooden window over the bed on the east side, there was no other place for ventilation.


    He was about to place the emaciated girl, who had become nothing but bones, on the bed.


    Lu Yuanfeng suddenly noticed a stack of cotton quilts not far from the foot of the bed.


    The outer layer of the cotton quilts had worn through, exposing the blackened cotton inside, showing that someone lived in that area.


    Lu Yuanfeng stepped closer, and the same acrid stench from the girl in his arms wafted over.


    Startled, he placed the girl on the earthen bed, found a thin quilt cover to place over Mu Shuangshuang, and then walked over to the pile of tattered cotton quilts.


    Picking them up, he left Mu the Third''s house, placed them under a tree to dry, and then left the Mu Family compound.


    *


    Jian Shuangshuang awoke with a headache, and when she woke up, the bleeding hole on her forehead had clotted and scabbed over, but the pain persisted.


    Slowly, she pried open her heavy eyelids and noticed she was not on the bumpy country road, but rather on a large earthen bed.


    There was no one in the room, and outside, there wasn''t much noise. Jian Shuangshuang tried to move her body to get up.


    But before she could fully get up, she collapsed heavily back onto the bed, followed by a loud string of curses.


    Mu the Third''s wife, Yu Si Niang, had just returned to the village after helping at Wealth Master Zhang''s house in town, when she heard her eldest daughter had been so angered by Ma Houhou that she spat blood, and was still lying by the roadside unattended.


    By the time Yu Si Niang rushed to the roadside, her daughter was nowhere to be found.


    After asking several villagers, she learned that Lu Yuanfeng, the eldest grandson of the Lu Family, had rescued her eldest daughter.


    Hurriedly returning home, Old Mrs. Mu, who was drying quilts in the yard, unleashed a tirade on Yu Si Niang.


    "It''s not even noon yet, why the hell are you back? Did you slack off today and not work?


    You don''t want to pay money to this family, do you? Or do you want me, an old woman, to feed your family''s big mouths?"


    The Old Mu Family was different from other families; because of too many people and too little land, there wasn''t enough food, so the women of the family did short-term work to earn money and support the household.


    The second daughter-in-law usually embroidered a few handkerchiefs or wove some scraps at home, trading them for a couple of copper coins when the peddler came around.


    While the third daughter-in-law, being slightly stronger physically, found a job as a cook helper at the town''s Wealth Master''s house.


    She usually left home early before dawn, walked several miles of mountain road, and returned in the evening after collecting her wage from lunch work.


    Normally, the third daughter-in-law returned at sunset, but this time she returned before the noon meal, and Old Mrs. Mu naturally scolded her fiercely.


    "Mother, I heard Shuangshuang got hurt, I want to check on her."


    As soon as Yu Si Niang finished speaking, Old Mrs. Mu placed her hands on her hips, raised her eyebrows, glared, stomped her foot angrily, and began to curse furiously.


    "Are you blind? Can''t you see all that rice waiting to be dried in the yard?


    Aren''t you aware of lightening the load by doing some work; all you think about is that damn harbinger of bad luck.


    Look at that, aside from you, no one in the whole house dares to enter your stinky room. My son is truly unfortunate, having married such a shameful harbinger of doom like you.


    Can''t do anything right, isn''t enough to eat, gave birth to a pig, uglier and smellier than others''."


    Old Mrs. Mu cursed more viciously with each sentence, and every time she did, white froth flew from her mouth.


    In her rage, streams of froth flew out, like a miniature fountain.


    Yu Si Niang, being chastised, did not retort but instead stared hard at her room, knowing her daughter must be inside.


    "What''s the wage today?"


    Despite the cursing, astute as Old Mrs. Mu was, she wouldn''t forget the daily wage Yu Si Niang would earn.


    "No..." Yu Si Niang originally intended to say there was no wage deduction, but Old Mrs. Mu misheard it as no wage at all.


    "What, none?"


    She glared with tiger-like eyes and rushed up to Yu Si Niang, pressing her to the ground.


    Her hands, like spider webs, started to frisk all over Yu Si Niang''s body.


    When she felt something hard, Old Mrs. Mu reached into Yu Si Niang''s pocket and took out all the copper coins inside.


    "You shameless and heartless wretch, always thinking about good food and laziness, now you dare hide money.


    You''ve got guts, huh? Think I, the old woman, am dead, don''t you? Tell me, what''s up today?"


    Feeling even more wronged after being accused, Yu Si Niang was at a loss, and it was at this time that the second daughter-in-law, Mrs. Lin, hopped out.


    She approached Old Mrs. Mu ingratiatingly, pointing at the fallen Yu Si Niang, and started to curse.


    "Mother, it''s this thing that birthed a stinking thing, eating the family''s food and daring to hide money.


    If you ask me, just have the third child divorce her, let her take that stinking thing and get out."


    As soon as Mrs. Lin spoke, Yu Si Niang at once turned into a battle chicken fueled with adrenaline, charging towards Mrs. Lin with cursing.


    "You''re talking nonsense, who hid money? Your mother did. Why do you say my daughter stinks?


    Just look at your family''s Gou Dan, with snot and boogers smeared all over his face; if it''s about stink, he''s a hundred times worse than my daughter."


    Before marriage, Yu Si Niang was known for her fierceness; whoever dared touch her things would meet her ten-mile reputation for street scolding.


    But after marrying, she submitted to her father-in-law and mother-in-law, the main figures, so she''d bite her tongue when faced with Old Mrs. Mu''s cursing.


    Yet this didn''t mean Yu Si Niang was scared of Mrs. Lin.


    "Mother, you heard her, she insulted the eldest grandson, said your grandson''s shameless, worse than that stinky thing."


    Even in front of Old Mrs. Mu, Mrs. Lin could exaggerate Yu Si Niang''s words, not to mention behind closed doors.


    "Alright, you heartless wretch, if I don''t teach you a good lesson today, this house might be overturned by you."


    Old Mrs. Mu spoke while walking inside, and when she came back out, she had a finger-thick bramble in her hand.


    Covered with thorns, one jab would probably remove a layer of skin.


    Yet still, Si Niang stiffened her neck, refusing to bow, and said to Old Mrs. Mu, "Mother, I''m not wrong!"

 Chapter 5 Starts Speaking

    Chapter 5 - 5 Starts Speaking"Oh, you still dare to talk back, huh? Let''s see if I won''t beat you to death today."


    Old Mrs. Mu glared at Yu Si Niang with eyes like poisoned daggers.


    As soon as she finished speaking, she raised the stick in her hand high, aiming straight at Yu Si Niang''s face...


    "All morning, I''ve been hearing your noisy racket, what on earth are you doing? Aren''t you afraid others will laugh at us?"


    Just when the stick in Old Mrs. Mu''s hand was an inch from Yu Si Niang''s face, a shout came from the courtyard entrance.


    Then, Old Mr. Mu appeared, carrying a bundle of unthreshed rice on his shoulder.


    Unwillingly, Old Mrs. Mu withdrew her hand, snorted coldly, then raised the copper coin she had snatched from Yu Si Niang''s hand.


    "Look at this, Yu Si Niang always pretends to be so weak, but at critical times, she''s fiercer than anyone!


    She even dared to hide Silver, and lied to me that she didn''t have wages. Does she really take me for a dead woman..."


    Old Mrs. Mu dumped a bucket of dirty water on Yu Si Niang, making her face flush like pig liver. She opened her mouth to explain.


    "Mother, I didn''t hide the wages, what I meant was that the employer didn''t deduct my pay today because I came back early..."


    "Pah, now that there are more people, you dare not admit it? You heartless woman, be careful I''ll skin you."


    Seeing Old Mrs. Mu about to throw another tantrum, Old Mr. Mu finally spoke up.


    "It''s such a small issue, why all the fuss? If you have nothing to do, then after lunch everyone should go and harvest the rice. Let''s see who still has time to argue."


    Old Mr. Mu''s words finally took effect, although the Mu Family had much work to do, there were many men in the family.


    Usually, unless it was planting season, women wouldn''t be required to help out. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Otherwise, Old Mrs. Mu wouldn''t be idle all day, picking on this or that.


    "No way, if we let this go, who in the Old Mu Family will listen to me anymore? Today, Yu Si Niang must be taught a lesson."


    Old Mrs. Mu refused to back down, insisting on punishing Yu Si Niang.


    Old Mr. Mu snorted angrily, and only then did Old Mrs. Mu fall silent.


    She shot a furious glare at Mrs. Lin, then harshly scolded Yu Si Niang again.


    "Today, you''re not allowed to eat in the side hall at noon, or I will throw you out!"


    Old Mrs. Mu followed closely behind Old Mr. Mu into the side hall, and after a few steps, she turned around, urging Mrs. Lin.


    "What are you standing there for? Get going, if you delay the men''s meal, you can starve to death!"


    Mrs. Lin stood in place, gritting her teeth, just about to scold Yu Si Niang, but when she saw her gaze, which looked ready to devour someone, she immediately hurried away.


    The entire Old Mu Family knew Yu Si Niang wasn''t to be trifled with. Besides Old Mr. Mu and Old Mrs. Mu and her husband Mu Dashan, no one else could order her around.


    Once everyone had gone inside, Yu Si Niang rushed into her own room to check on her daughter.


    The curses finally ceased, allowing Jian Shuangshuang to regain her senses. Initially just examining the room, she suddenly saw Yu Si Niang entering from outside.


    Out of professional habit, Jian Shuangshuang liked to start by examining people''s features, then slowly piece them together.


    The woman''s face was a relatively decent almond shape, with wide cheekbones, and a narrow forehead and chin. Her eyes were large, but her eyelids slightly sunken.


    As for the nose and lips, they fit the ancient standards of beauty - high-bridged and delicate.


    The only flaw was the sallow skin, which, although not sun-spotted, was still somewhat glaring.


    Perhaps because of years of hard work, her back was slightly hunched, not severely bent though.


    But by Jian Shuangshuang''s usual standards, the woman had a hint of stoop.


    Yu Si Niang didn''t know how to describe this feeling. At this moment, her daughter, despised by others, was staring straight at her, her eyes, as large as her own, filled with emotions she had never seen before.


    Without thinking further, Yu Si Niang rushed over.


    "Shuangshuang, I heard you were beaten, does it still hurt?"


    Knowing her daughter wouldn''t respond, Yu Si Niang still talked to her daughter as usual, daily, genuinely believing her daughter wasn''t senseless.


    As she spoke, Yu Si Niang had already reached Jian Shuangshuang''s bedside.


    When she saw the scabbed wound on Jian Shuangshuang''s forehead, Yu Si Niang panicked, tears suddenly welling up in her eyes.


    With trembling hands, she gently approached Jian Shuangshuang''s injured forehead,


    "Shuangshuang, does it hurt?"


    That simple question made Jian Shuangshuang''s body shiver slightly, her heart feeling both pained and warmed, as if something had been forcefully poured into it.


    "It''s my fault for being useless... I... don''t have money to get a doctor for you... I..."


    Every expense in the Old Mu Family, besides what was saved by their own children, had to be handed over, not a penny less, to Old Mrs. Mu if they were adults.


    If Old Mrs. Mu ever discovered any money hidden away, not only would they be scolded harshly, but their meals would also be significantly inferior henceforth.


    "Hiss..."


    Her head started hurting again, and Jian Shuangshuang couldn''t help but cry out, prompting Yu Si Niang to quickly help her onto the kang bed.


    She pulled the thin quilt that was already on Jian Shuangshuang back over her.


    "Shuangshuang, hold on a bit, I''ll go ask your grandpa and grandma to get a doctor for you. Once there''s a doctor, it won''t hurt anymore."


    Yu Si Niang stood up, but before she could take a step, her hand was grasped tightly. A small, black, claw-like hand gripped her hand.


    "Mom..." Though not her first time speaking, every word made her throat ache severely.


    "What did you call me?"


    Yu Si Niang was so overjoyed that the tears in her eyes were forced back.


    Nearly five years, since the incident five years ago, her daughter had refused to speak to anyone.


    Afraid of everyone, even her own mother, she could only watch her daughter cower alone in the corner.


    "Mom," Jian Shuangshuang cleared her throat, continuing. "Mom, don''t go."


    During that argument, although her head hurt, she heard most of what the old woman said.


    Years of experience told her that the old woman was the stingiest type.


    If Yu Si Niang recklessly went, she wouldn''t just fail to get money for treatment, she''d probably end up getting herself flayed just for showing herself to that old woman.


    "Shuangshuang, are you... willing to talk to me now?"


    Yu Si Niang gasped, eyes full of excitement, wondering how long she had waited for this day?


    Her daughter finally called her.


    Jian Shuangshuang didn''t know what kind of life the original owner had, but seeing Yu Si Niang''s expression.


    She knew this mother was still good to the original self, at least her eyes held love.


    Yu Si Niang reached out with her hands, softened by years of working in water, to stroke her daughter''s oily hair that hung on both sides.


    When the hair was pushed aside, her eyes no longer seemed lifeless like dead fish, but rather like the stars in the sky¡ª


    So bright that one couldn''t bear to look away.


    "Shuangshuang, you must be hungry, right? Wait here, I''ll go get you something to eat.


    Once you''ve eaten, your father should be back, and maybe your grandpa and grandma will listen to what he has to say."

 Chapter 6 Mu Family

    Chapter 6 - 6 Mu Family"No... grumble."


    Jian Shuangshuang wanted to say no, but her stomach inconveniently grumbled; she truly was hungry.


    Her stomach felt like it was being scorched, unbelievably hot, with waves of sourness.


    Accompanied by the unique stench of the original mouth, the nausea rose to her chest and she almost couldn''t hold back.


    Seeing her daughter hungry, Yu Si Niang naturally had to go get some food.


    She ran a hand through Jian Shuangshuang''s hair, then got up and walked out of the room.


    By the time she reached the kitchen, most people had already returned.


    Only Mu the Third hadn''t come back; he''s the sturdiest man in the family.


    Moreover, he''s quite sympathetic towards Old Mr. Mu and Old Mrs. Mu, always being the first to go out for work and the last to return.


    Usually at this time, no one waits for him to eat.


    Old Mrs. Mu, although harsh, is still good to her sons, and would set aside a bowl of food for him.


    The moment Yu Si Niang appeared, Old Mrs. Mu''s eyes lit up like a wolf spotting prey.


    "Didn''t we agree no one eats lunch today? Are you just disregarding the old lady or do you need a broom to chase you out?"


    Old Mrs. Mu sat in the upper right corner; even in the presence of the family head, Mr. Mu, she had authority over the main room.


    "Dad, Mom, Shuangshuang woke up and I want to get her something to eat. It''s okay if I don''t eat."


    "Bah, that stinky thing wants to eat too? Leave her hungry; if she doesn''t get up herself, no one is to bring food, or I''ll break their legs."


    As she spoke, Old Mrs. Mu spat like a fountain, and her saliva splashed into the bowl of meat-fried cucumbers nearby.


    Nearby, Liu Jinhua, the wife of Mu Family''s Fourth, stared at that bowl¡ªthe only meat dish in the family.


    Though scant in meat, it''s far better than some fermented beans and dried wild veggies.


    Before Yu Si Niang entered, everyone was fixated on that plate of fried cucumbers and meat.


    Even Mu Jingui, the six-year-old son of Mu Family''s Second House, stared at the meat slices while drooling on his collar.


    "Mom, can I just scoop a bowl of porridge for Shuangshuang? I won''t eat dinner tonight either."


    Yu Si Niang peacefully negotiated with Old Mrs. Mu, hoping her daughter could have some hot porridge.


    "Yu Si Niang, are you deaf or looking for trouble here?


    What I say goes. If you don''t leave, when the Third comes back, I''ll make him divorce you."


    Seeing she couldn''t get food for her daughter, Yu Si Niang was still reluctant to give up.


    She glanced at Mr. Mu, hoping he would speak for her daughter.


    "Third daughter-in-law, Shuangshuang''s hands and feet aren''t broken; why can''t she get out of bed to eat?


    She''s not some precious lady needing the whole family''s service. When Dad and Mom are ill, they still get up to eat.


    If we set this precedent, eventually that girl would have Dad and Mom under her thumb." S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The eldest sister-in-law, Mrs. Jin, known as the fairest in the family, interjected.


    Mu Family''s eldest, Mu Dade, was Er Gui Village''s only scholar, and because of this, five years ago when conscripting soldiers, each household had to send two men but their family only one.


    Yet after several years, Mu Dade remained merely a scholar.


    Countless attempts at becoming a scholar, spending a lot yet never succeeding.


    "Dad!" Yu Si Niang called out to Mr. Mu again.


    Mr. Mu registered Yu Si Niang''s plea for help, but he couldn''t intervene.


    This elder third daughter had already disgraced the Mu Family in the village.


    If the third daughter stirred things up again, the Mu Family would be in chaos.


    Mrs. Lin had been waiting for Mr. Mu to speak. Noticing his silence, she slammed her chopsticks down and stood up.


    "Out, out, out! No meals, what are you staring at? Don''t block our light.


    Your smelly girl just causes trouble, does nothing but eat; keeping her is worse than keeping a pig."


    As she spoke, Mrs. Lin started pushing Yu Si Niang toward the door.


    As soon as she touched Yu Si Niang''s hand, Yu Si Niang swiftly slapped Mrs. Lin''s wrist, causing her to wail.


    "Mom, that little brat hit me." Mrs. Lin raised her hand to show Old Mrs. Mu.


    Seeing that, Old Mrs. Mu widened her eyes, her sparse eyebrows forming a straight line, ready to stand up and hit someone when Mr. Mu finally spoke.


    "One meal won''t starve anyone; Shuang made a mistake, and she should learn from it. Go back and talk to her properly; after acknowledging elders, this incident will be over."


    With Mr. Mu''s words, Yu Si Niang couldn''t stay in the main room. She glanced longingly at the warm food on the table before heading back to her own room.


    Once Yu Si Niang left, everyone''s gaze returned to the bowl of meat-fried cucumbers.


    The cured meat, red and white, gleamed with a layer of delicate lard, resembling a large agate under the daylight and refusing to let the eyes wander.


    Standing nearby, Mu Jingui licked the snot already flowing into his mouth.


    After leaving a mark with his tongue, he reached with his greasy, dark hand, aiming directly for the meat slices in the fried cucumber.


    But before he touched the meat, Old Mrs. Mu''s chopsticks struck his wrist where the veins bulged.


    Mu Jingui immediately writhed in pain on the muddy ground, raising a cloud of dust.


    Just as the dust was about to fly toward the dish bowl, Old Mrs. Mu roared.


    "Bah, you rascal, daring to steal food! If you fuss again, you''ll sleep in the pigsty from tonight."


    Mu Jingui finally calmed down; as he stood up, his eyes remained fixed on those pieces of cured meat.


    Nearby, at the small Eight Immortals table, Mu Xiaozhi, Mu the Third''s youngest daughter, stood.


    "Grandpa, Grandma, I''m full, I''ll go back to my room."


    Old Mrs. Mu glanced over and saw not a grain of rice left in the earthenware bowl in front of her.


    The bowl seemed freshly washed, clean and tidy, so she nodded.


    Once Mu Xiaozhi left the main room, she pulled from her oversized sleeves a yellowish fist-sized bun and headed straight to her room.


    Upon opening her room''s door, she rushed to Yu Si Niang and handed her the bun.


    "Mom, eat!"


    Yu Si Niang''s vision blurred, her eyes immediately filling with tears.


    She had been blaming herself for not having anything for her elder daughter to eat, but now the younger one brought a bun, so Shuangshuang wouldn''t have to go hungry.


    "Here, Shuangshuang, eat this bun quickly before Grandma notices."

 Chapter 7: Stealing Steamed Buns

    Chapter 7 - 7: Stealing Steamed BunsYu Si Niang held out a yellowed cornbread, handing it to Jian Shuangshuang.


    One cornbread could immediately fill Jian Shuangshuang''s stomach, but she hesitated a bit.


    She hadn''t forgotten the words of that old hag outside, that Yu Si Niang couldn''t eat lunch.


    Moreover, Yu Si Niang had just returned from the town, her physical exhaustion probably no less than Shuangshuang''s, so she might actually be hungrier now!


    "What''s wrong, still hurting?"


    Seeing her daughter not taking the cornbread, Yu Si Niang thought she was still in pain. She leaned over and gently blew on Jian Shuangshuang''s forehead.


    "It''s not hurting anymore. Shuangshuang, let''s first eat the cornbread. Once you''re full, your dad will come back. Then we''ll ask your grandma to get a doctor and it... won''t hurt anymore."


    Jian Shuangshuang took a deep breath, extending her hand, ready to share the cornbread with Yu Si Niang.


    As soon as she reached out, she saw her own hands, black like chicken claws, with greasy black grime covering her nails.


    Jian Shuangshuang suddenly recoiled as if electrocuted, quickly pulling her hand back, refusing to take the cornbread no matter what Yu Si Niang said.


    "Mom..."


    She had just wanted to tell Yu Si Niang to eat it herself when loud, boisterous voices came from outside, like pigs being slaughtered. They grew closer, seemingly about to step into the house.


    At this time, Mrs. Lin''s distinct voice reached Jian Shuangshuang''s ears.


    "Mom, this time we can''t let that hen-witted Yu Si Niang get away. Daring to steal from right under our noses."


    "Hmph, today this old lady will see if Yu Si Niang has the gall to steal from the Old Mu Family."


    As the word ''steal'' reached Jian Shuangshuang''s ears, she guessed it was the Mu family''s little sister''s cornbread that had been discovered.


    But why blame it on Yu Si Niang?


    Without time to think, Jian Shuangshuang grabbed the cornbread from Yu Si Niang''s hands, opening her mouth wide to forcefully stuff it inside.


    Without chewing, the cornbread slipped straight down her throat, getting lodged there.


    Just then, Old Mrs. Mu kicked open the third room''s door in the Mu household with a cudgel in hand, unleashing a tirade of verbal abuse.


    "Well, Yu Si Niang, you think you''re some kind of treasure, huh? That the family has to cater to you?"


    "Dare to steal from the kitchen, today if I don''t skin you alive, you''ll think you can defy the heavens."


    Old Mrs. Mu finished cursing, her venomous gaze sweeping over the room, but she did not find the cornbread she demanded as evidence.


    She only saw Yu Si Niang and Mu Xiaozhi, along with Jian Shuangshuang sitting on the bed, her face an ashen blue, neck strained, incessantly making retching sounds.


    Jian Shuangshuang felt like her whole skeleton was about to fall apart, her chest being pounded by a massive stone hammer.


    Her throat felt like it had been slashed, the pain turning her eyes white, drool flowing freely.


    "Mom, she must have hidden it. Yu Si Niang is best at hiding things."


    Mrs. Lin wished desperately for Old Mrs. Mu to thoroughly punish Yu Si Niang, considering how every sister-in-law in the family coddled her.


    Except for this Yu Si Niang, who with some youthful vigor, dared to challenge her. Spits, if she couldn''t crush her.


    Upon hearing Mrs. Lin''s words, Old Mrs. Mu''s gaze locked tightly onto Yu Si Niang, making her break into a cold sweat.


    "Search the room, that cornbread must be here. If it''s found, strip Yu Si Niang and flog her."


    Old Mrs. Mu gestured with her cudgel, and the second daughter-in-law Mrs. Lin and the fourth daughter-in-law Liu Jinhua of the Mu family began rummaging through the third room of the Mu household.


    The decrepit northern cabinet was the first to suffer, its three-legged frame kicked over by Mrs. Lin.


    Clothes scattered across the floor, Mrs. Lin picked them up and threw them around, leaving several footprints.


    A thorough search yielded nothing.


    "Mom... nothing here!" Liu Jinhua spoke up, only to be slapped by Old Mrs. Mu.


    "Useless thing." Old Mrs. Mu cursed.


    The sharp slap finally dislodged the cornbread from Jian Shuangshuang''s throat.


    But just then, her stomach began to churn, on the verge of vomiting.


    Thinking quickly, Jian Shuangshuang shifted her position, intentionally brushing against Mrs. Lin, feigning guilt.


    Jian Shuangshuang''s movements and guilty look caught Mrs. Lin''s eye, who jumped and pointed at Jian Shuangshuang''s posterior on the bed, shrieking.


    "Mom, the cornbread must be under this stinking brat''s butt! She just moved it because she''s guilty!"


    Old Mrs. Mu''s gaze turned to focus on where Jian Shuangshuang sat, as if there really were a cornbread hidden there.


    "Mom, Shuangshuang is still sick, don''t touch her!"


    Yu Si Niang finally grasped what Old Mrs. Mu intended and shielded Jian Shuangshuang.


    "Get out of the way, you wretched woman! I''ll deal with you later. First, let this old lady find the cornbread, and then we''ll see who dares protect you."


    Old Mrs. Mu was strong and ruthless, and even stalwart Yu Si Niang was sent crashing to the floor with a vicious shove, her abdomen throbbing with pain.


    With no obstacles left, Old Mrs. Mu grabbed Jian Shuangshuang''s sheets, cursing, "Get lost, you filthy wretch!"


    At this point, a gleam flickered in Jian Shuangshuang''s eyes. She grabbed Old Mrs. Mu''s arm. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With a retching sound, her throat unleashed a torrent, all the foulness landing on Old Mrs. Mu''s face and neck.


    The black filth reeked with a pungent stench, causing Mrs. Lin and Liu Jinhua to vomit on the floor.


    Even Mu Xiaozhi, feeling sick, dashed out of the room.


    Only Yu Si Niang stood there, her eyes filled with heartache.


    Her hand lingered midair, mouth opening slightly, but no sound came out.


    "Ah..." Old Mrs. Mu let out a shrill cry.


    Opening her mouth, the filth slipped into her throat.


    The sour, stale taste, worse than a dead rat, flooded her stomach instantly.


    Old Mrs. Mu flailed her limbs desperately, Jian Shuangshuang took the chance to strike her joints, leaving her helpless, only capable of wailing.


    "Shuangshuang."


    "Mom!"


    Two robust male voices called from the doorway.


    Without raising her head, Jian Shuangshuang vomited again, this time with noticeable traces of blood.


    As the third son of the Mu household rushed to hold his daughter, Jian Shuangshuang could only make out a long scar on his face before passing out.


    Mu Dazhong, who called his mother, saw Old Mrs. Mu lying motionlessly in the filth, and couldn''t help but join his wife and Mrs. Lin, vomiting on the floor.

 Chapter 8: The Argument

    Chapter 8 - 8: The ArgumentJian Shuangshuang had a dream, dreaming of middle-aged men and women with fierce expressions and inexplicable anger on their faces.


    They glared at her viciously, striding toward her, as if they wanted to devour her.


    She wanted to deal with these people, but saw that her own body had already shrunk, with tiny limbs.


    Like a bundle of dry wood, in a moment of daze, she was struck on the chest by someone...


    Pain suddenly overtook her, her chest, forehead, and throat all felt as if they had been scraped.


    Cold sweat trickled from her forehead down to her cheeks, and suddenly, a pair of warm hands touched her forehead.


    Jian Shuangshuang followed the warmth and slowly opened her eyes.


    It was still the same kang bed, still the same thin sheet, but this time, there were people in front of her.


    The room was full of men and women, all looking to be in their thirties, most importantly, they looked exactly like the "dead faces" from her dream.


    Jian Shuangshuang secretly rolled her eyes, but the moment she did, every cell in her body screamed and almost made her cark it.


    Thinking of herself, a member of the Public Security Brigade, others would respectfully call her "Sister Shuang," she was used to being the one to hit, not being hit.


    That damned woman who struck her head, if her body recovers, she will let that woman witness the might of her thunderous wrist.


    Jian Shuangshuang grimaced for a while, yet the quarreling people around her still didn''t notice she had woken up.


    "Bah, filthy thing still wants to see a doctor, Mother has been made to vomit all day, still using salt water to rinse her mouth, and no one talks about treating her."


    The one who spoke first was still Mrs. Lin, no matter big or small matters at home, she always had to chime in first.


    Especially now, with Old Mrs. Mu feeling nauseous and lying in her room, Mrs. Lin felt increasingly like she could walk sideways in the family.


    "The injury on her forehead isn''t very serious, but her body is too weak, her pulse is chaotic...


    On my way here, I heard people say it was Ma Houhou who agitated her, she should be kept calm and maintain a peaceful mindset in the future.


    However, her forehead injury wasn''t from rage, rather it was struck by something, and it struck hard.


    The weather is so hot, it''s easy to get inflamed, remember to clean the wound every day...


    Also, try to do less work, and make sure to supplement her nutrition, it''s best if she stays in bed for a while."


    The one speaking was Zhang Huai Shu, Mu Family''s third, Mu Dashan, had to kneel all night outside Mr. Mu''s room before being allowed to invite the doctor.


    He had just finished diagnosing Jian Shuangshuang, and now he revealed her condition in front of everyone.


    "What? Rest? And needs nutrition? She really thinks she''s the young mistress!


    The whole family serves her one, why not just die then!"


    Mrs. Lin shrieked sharply, scaring Zhang Huai Shu to almost drop the diagnostic bag in his hand.


    Yu Si Niang, standing beside Mrs. Lin, glared at her fiercely upon hearing her words.


    "What nonsense are you spewing, why can''t our Shuangshuang rest?


    Why can''t our Shuangshuang eat something good, haven''t you seen how thin she is?"


    Yu Si Niang''s hand always remained on Jian Shuangshuang''s wrist, touching her daughter who was lacking flesh for strength caused her great pain.


    Zhang Huai Shu didn''t have time to listen to the Old Mu Family quarrel, he had half a pound of venison stewing in the pot before he came.


    It was a gift from the Lu Family''s boy, and he was eager to return home for the soup, lest his wife drinks it all up.


    "Treat or not to treat?" Zhang Huai Shu glanced around at the people in the room.


    "Treat!"


    "Don''t treat!"


    Two voices simultaneously spoke again, but this time it was Yu Si Niang and Mrs. Lin, and the men in the family did not move.


    Everyone seemed to be observing, standing at the center of the room was Mr. Mu, wearing a gray, old, cloth shirt, and his face showed no expression.


    "Dad, look, what a disgrace this filthy thing has brought upon our family?


    Who in the village doesn''t feel disgusted just taking a glance at our Old Mu Family people?


    Now, since this filthy girl is going to die, why waste that money?


    The eldest brother still needs to prepare for the imperial exam, and we have a few boys ready to send to school.


    I say, once this filthy girl dies, wrap her in a straw mat and throw her in the mountain.


    Save on rations, and ultimately, she''s going to die anyway."


    Mrs. Lin never considered others'' feelings when she spoke, and her words made Yu Si Niang furious and nearly took her breath away.


    The chest previously hit by Old Mrs. Mu was now unbearably stifling.


    Jian Shuangshuang now wanted to tear Mrs. Lin''s mouth apart. Damn it, she dared think of disposing of her with a straw mat; unforgivable.


    Jian Shuangshuang moved her fingers, scratching viciously on herself, hoping to scrape something off, preferably long-term grime.


    Unfortunately, she couldn''t cough it up now, or she would have made this black-hearted woman eat the filth she spat out.


    Speaking of filth, Jian Shuangshuang noticed that the peculiar stench in the room had largely dissipated. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Although it was still smelly, it wasn''t from elsewhere but from herself.


    Damn it, it''s a pity she doesn''t have the original owner''s memories, or she would know what hatred, what grudge, could lead a child to be so dirty and smelly.


    "Dad, I beg you, save Shuangshuang, in the future... I''ll do more chores.


    I''ll handle all the housework, you... you can rest at home, I''ll get up early..."


    Mu Dashan suddenly knelt in front of Mr. Mu.


    No matter what, Mr. Mu was the head of the household, what he said would weigh the heaviest in deciding his daughter''s life.


    Mu Dashan had a scar of seven to eight centimeters near his left eye.


    Actually, you couldn''t call it a knife scar, as it was made by a plowshare while farming, and it happened just last year.


    Mu Family''s fifth, Mu Danian, used a whip to hit a cow in calf when leading the cow for Mu Dashan.


    The cow went mad and ran wild, injuring Mu Dashan who was holding the plow.


    At that time, a lot of blood was lost, Old Mrs. Mu insisted he not be treated, and Mu Dashan came through it without seeing a doctor.


    But his daughter was different from him, he had tough skin and flesh, getting through it wasn''t an issue.


    If his daughter isn''t treated, she would really lose her life.


    Mr. Mu looked at the old third kneeling on the ground, especially at that irregular centipede-like scar.


    His lips moved slightly, just about to speak when Old Mrs. Mu suddenly kicked open the door to Mu Dashan''s house.


    "Yo, why is everyone gathered here? You''re all full and idle, not going to the fields to work, wanting to eat the old lady, huh?"


    Old Mrs. Mu placed her hands on her waist and launched a round of scolding at the family gathered there.


    "Mother, I told you, my third brother and third sister-in-law want to treat that filthy thing, and you didn''t believe me."


    Mu Family''s fifth, Mu Danian, fawned as he reported to Old Mrs. Mu.


    "Humph, fifth, you''ve done a good deed today, the old lady will cook an egg for you tonight."

 Chapter 9: Treating Injuries

    Chapter 9 - 9: Treating InjuriesAs soon as Old Mrs. Mu finished speaking, the faces of several daughters-in-law in the house changed, especially Mrs. Lin''s.


    She usually got along closest with Old Mrs. Mu. Although she got scolded often, at least she wasn''t like the fourth daughter-in-law who got a heavy slap for doing something wrong.


    But she had never seen Old Mrs. Mu reward anyone with an egg.


    Now that the war had just ended, every family was poor. Don''t even mention eggs; it was rare to see even chicken feathers.


    The Old Mu Family only had five hens, and only three of them laid eggs.


    The other two just clucked but couldn''t lay, so there were only three eggs a day.


    But those things were Old Mrs. Mu''s lifeline. No matter who touched them, they would get slapped.


    "Mother, are you serious?"


    Old Mu Family''s fifth son, Mu Danian, grinned widely like a sickle.


    He wasn''t stupid; he knew what eggs meant. In the entire Old Mu Family, did anyone have more face than him?


    Mu Danian felt like he was floating, speaking even more thoughtlessly.


    "What are we treating her for? Don''t we have enough grandkids in our Old Mu Family?


    Losing a stinky girl isn''t a big deal. If third brother and third sister-in-law have another one, it won''t matter. How big of a deal is it?"


    Jian Shuangshuang''s hands scratched at her dead skin more and more quickly. Clearly, everyone wished she was dead, so they could roll her up in a broken straw mat and bury her, right?


    Just as she was about to speak, Yu Si Niang stood up.


    "If you won''t treat my daughter, I''ll treat her myself. Even if I have to sell everything and risk my life, I will save Shuangshuang. She''s still so young, she shouldn''t die."


    "Hmph, shameless hussy, do you even know what you''re going to treat her with? You disgraceful thing, all you can do is talk big.


    You really think you''re acting in some fantasy drama, thinking you can have whatever you want.


    Let me tell you, this stinky girl won''t get treated no matter what. If you dare talk back again, I''ll have the third son divorce you and send you back home to fend for yourself."


    After finishing, Old Mrs. Mu spat at Yu Si Niang. Yu Si Niang couldn''t dodge in time, and the worn-out embroidered shoes on her feet got a splash of old spittle.


    The color of the spittle was extremely dark, not something a normal person would spit out.


    Yu Si Niang''s expression changed several times, unable to find any words to refute Old Mrs. Mu.


    "Ugh, shameless stinky thing, useless money-drainer. It''s best if she dies; just looking at her makes me sick." Old Mrs. Mu cursed again.


    From the bed, Jian Shuangshuang couldn''t hold back any longer. She put her hand on the bed to support herself, ready to speak.


    "Prepare the prescription!" Mr. Mu finally spoke up, setting the situation in motion.


    Only then did Jian Shuangshuang let go of her hand. At times like this, playing dumb was better, especially since her injuries were still serious.


    Jian Shuangshuang had analyzed it: the person who cursed her the most was definitely Yu Si Niang''s mother-in-law.


    They say mother-in-laws are fierce, and from cases she''d encountered in the security team, some were indeed fierce.


    But those were just some fierce cases. There''s no one like this old woman, who''s like a collection of all bad traits, a poisonous beast with all five poisons!


    This vicious mother-in-law was bad enough, but then there''s this Mu Family''s second daughter-in-law who loves to stir up trouble.


    Damn it, she''s just a shit-stirrer. Wherever there''s shit, there she is. So sneaky, not even fearing she''ll fall into the dung pit herself.


    In her mind, Jian Shuangshuang imagined having a tool in hand to beat this old hag and the Mu daughter-in-law to a pulp, then drag them out to feed the hello|kitty!


    Zhang Huai Shu had been waiting impatiently. He was a doctor, not a spectator. On the surface, this Old Mu Family looked harmonious, but inside, they too were dirty and filthy.


    Taking out the medicine box he carried, Zhang Huai Shu took out a bottle of medicine powder for external wounds and sprinkled some on Jian Shuangshuang''s forehead.


    Then he took out a piece of gauze and wrapped Jian Shuangshuang''s forehead.


    Actually, the wound had already scabbed over by now. Washing the wound would have been best.


    But looking at Jian Shuangshuang''s greasy hair, Zhang Huai Shu estimated it would take at least ten buckets of water to wash it clean.


    After finishing all this, Zhang Huai Shu stood up.


    "What I just treated was an external wound. This girl also has internal injuries and needs to take medicine for at least ten days to half a month.


    Two doses of medicine a day, with one dose counting as one set. So at least twenty sets of medicine are needed."


    When twenty sets of medicine were mentioned, Old Mrs. Mu felt as if her heart was being dug out and was about to curse loudly, but Mr. Mu stopped her with a look.


    After all, Zhang Huai Shu also had a certain status in the village, and if today''s events were spread, the Old Mu Family would become a laughingstock again.


    "How much does one set of medicine cost?" Mr. Mu hunched over and asked.


    "One set is twenty-five copper coins, twenty sets make half a tael of silver." Zhang Huai Shu said slowly and steadily.


    "What, half a tael of silver?" Old Mrs. Mu shuddered, her face turning blue and purple with anger.


    "This cursed one, each set of medicine costs twenty-five copper coins. That''s goddamn crazy.


    A stinky girl, even if sold as pork, wouldn''t make enough silver to cover this treatment.


    You''re telling me it costs this much silver to treat her? Not treating, not treating, get out of here." She said while pushing Zhang Huai Shu out.


    Zhang Huai Shu, who had been healing and saving lives all these years, always had people seeking him, never looking at others'' faces.


    "Hmph, don''t treat and wait to collect the body!" Zhang Huai Shu snorted coldly, ready to leave.


    Yu Si Niang grabbed Zhang Huai Shu. "Uncle Zhang, I''m begging you, save my daughter. I''ll repay you like a horse or ox in the next life, I''m begging you..."


    Yu Si Niang''s words implied she had no money and hoped Zhang Huai Shu would do a good deed and save her daughter. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yu Si Niang''s daily wage was only seven or eight copper coins. Even a man would need to work for about eighty days to gather that half a tael of silver.


    But that money was gripped tightly in Old Mrs. Mu''s hand, so tight that the copper coins shone brightly.


    No one could even think of taking them, not even a glance, without risking getting their eyes gouged out.


    With the war just ended, the treasury of the Da Ning Dynasty was empty, and all industries affected had yet to recover. The work done wasn''t even enough for a set of medicine, which naturally made everyone unhappy inside.


    Mr. Mu also hesitated a bit, thinking about how he could barely afford a set of medicine if he gritted his teeth.


    But this half a tael of silver, while not much, wasn''t little either, enough to support the family for a long time.


    "Hmph, I''m not a charity. If you have money for treatment, if not, forget it, so I don''t get cursed at my age." Zhang Huai Shu said, still not satisfied, adding,


    "Let''s make it clear, once I leave this door, don''t talk to me about treating that girl again.


    Even if anyone in your Old Mu Family has a headache or fever, don''t come to me. Our Zhang Family doesn''t welcome anyone from your Old Mu Family."


    Just as Zhang Huai Shu was about to leave, Jian Shuangshuang bit her lip and suddenly sat up.


    But before she could speak, a sharp pain twisted in her chest and throat, like being sliced with a knife.


    "Shuangshuang, you''re awake..."


    Yu Si Niang rushed to Jian Shuangshuang''s bedside and supported her, but before stabilizing her, Jian Shuangshuang fell back down.


    Before falling, she said something, and then lost consciousness again!

 Chapter 10: Mr. Mu and Old Mrs. Mu

    Chapter 10 - 10: Mr. Mu and Old Mrs. Mu"Damn it, if I die, I''ll haunt you as a ghost!"


    Jian Shuangshuang''s words were full of vigor, her eyes glaring more fiercely than copper bells.


    The resentment in her eyes shocked even Mr. Mu.


    For a moment, the room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.


    Old Mrs. Mu''s mouth twisted in anger, and Mrs. Lin was so shocked that her jaw dropped.


    Yu Si Niang rushed forward, holding the unconscious Jian Shuangshuang and crying endlessly.


    Zhang Huai Shu''s feet eventually didn''t step out the door.


    He thought about it and came back, taking out two patches of medicine from his kit.


    "Consider these as a gift from us, whether this girl lives or dies is none of our business; we''ve done a good deed."


    The two patches of medicine were worth fifty copper coins, enough for a day''s dose; Zhang Huai Shu indeed did more than enough.


    Yu Si Niang took the two patches of medicine, gratefully thanked him.


    "Boil five bowls of water into one bowl, take it half an hour after meals."


    After saying that, Zhang Huai Shu prepared to leave.


    At that moment, Mr. Mu hesitated a bit.


    The talk of ghosts and gods was always a taboo for the villagers, some gods help, while some ghosts harm.


    Especially little ghosts, maybe more terrifying; his granddaughter''s scream was too shrill, her gaze too frightening.


    Even Mr. Mu, who had lived many years, felt a bit afraid.


    "Never mind, get the medicine, old lady, go to the room to get the silver, four hundred big coins."


    Mr. Mu sighed and said to Old Mrs. Mu.


    "What?" Old Mrs. Mu snapped back, her mind quickly returned.


    "Xiangxiang''s dad, are you out of your mind? Four hundred copper coins, how much good food can that get us for the Old Mu Family?


    A single egg is worth just three copper coins, and you''re spending hundreds like they''re eggs. I disagree."


    Faced with money, Old Mrs. Mu didn''t agree.


    But her straightforward rebuttal was clearly undermining Mr. Mu''s authority.


    The affairs of the house were decided by Mr. Mu, how could he tolerate a woman talking back?


    So Mr. Mu also got really mad, today the silver must be given out, no matter what, or else they''ll all think his words mean nothing.


    "Are you rebelling, you troublemaking woman?


    If you keep talking, get back to the Liu Family, we don''t have rebellious kinds in the Old Mu Family!"


    "Xiangxiang''s dad, what do you mean? You want to drive me away for a few hundred copper coins, and that rotten thing lying there?"


    Mr. Mu''s harsh words didn''t silence Old Mrs. Mu; instead, they gave her more reason to cry out loudly.


    She stomped her legs and started to make a scene, rolling on the ground, causing a cloud of dust to rise in the room.


    Mr. Mu and Zhang Huai Shu, being close, were choked with dust and coughed loudly.


    "Cursed life, can''t be lived this way...


    Oh heaven, the old lady has worked like an ox for this family, taking care of it with all the mess and trouble... no conscience..."


    Old Mrs. Mu rambled on, from marrying into the Mu Family to taking care of her son.


    Everyone present had their faces turning blue and white, each looking on in sighs watching Old Mrs. Mu make a scene, even breathing quieter than usual.


    The more Old Mrs. Mu acted up, Mr. Mu felt even more disgraced.


    Daring to make a scene in front of outsiders was clearly disrespectful to him.


    "Enough! If you don''t stop this nonsense, I''ll divorce you today!" Mr. Mu shouted fiercely.


    Upon hearing this, Old Mrs. Mu not only stopped but quickly got up from the ground.


    Without bothering to dust off her legs, she promptly exited Mr. Mu''s third son''s room.


    Mr. Mu always meant what he said, and Old Mrs. Mu knew deep down that if she were to be divorced over such a trivial matter, she''d certainly be laughed at by the people of Er Gui Village.


    Not to mention that life would be tough, she might not even have a place to go, so after much consideration, Old Mrs. Mu decided to compromise, would just deal with those lazy women later.


    "Bah, you''ll all get what''s coming to you eventually."


    Once outside, Old Mrs. Mu spat emphatically and then walked toward her own room.


    Four hundred copper coins were like her lifeline, worth over a hundred eggs, eighty days of wages, and even three months of the second son''s wife sewing couldn''t earn this money.


    Along the way, Old Mrs. Mu felt like half her flesh had been dug out alive, it hurt immensely.


    Once inside her room, she looked around, making sure no one followed, then locked the door.


    Only then did she squat down, and fished out four hundred big coins from a pile of jars and pots.


    It took about the time of two sticks of incense to count four hundred big coins, the copper coins in her hands going from initially cold to now hot and burning.


    Mr. Mu sent the fourth son of Mu Family to urge eight times before Old Mrs. Mu reluctantly left her room.


    The copper coins wrapped in black cloth made a clattering sound with every step Old Mrs. Mu took.


    Old Mrs. Mu used to love hearing the clatter of copper coins before sleeping; in her words, it was a cure-all, could refresh the mind, and improve sleep...


    But now, it was like a deadly omen, every step felt like descending into hell.


    "Bah, they''re all troublemakers, better off dead."


    Beside her, the fifth son of Mu Family, tried to say a word to help the third brother''s family, but knowing his mother''s hand, he swallowed his words whole.


    "Take it, take it, eat and quickly get rolling to work, don''t think you can hide here to be lazy, just know how to suck the old lady dry.


    Someday you leeches will drain us dry, shouldn''t have let the third marry you, bah, what rubbish."


    To vent her anger, Old Mrs. Mu threw the four hundred copper coins at Yu Si Niang''s forehead, immediately causing a big bump.


    But Yu Si Niang didn''t care about her injury at all, she quickly picked up the copper coins and shoved them to Zhang Huai Shu.


    "Uncle Zhang, I beg you!" S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Zhang Huai Shu glared at Old Mrs. Mu who ordered him to leave, then took the silver.


    "I don''t have that much medicine in my kit; later, send someone from the Old Mu Family to pick it up from my house."


    After leaving this note, Zhang Huai Shu prepared to leave.


    Old Lady Liu Mu wouldn''t have it, "Hey, you cunning old scoundrel, daring to cheat the old lady''s money!


    Is it a lie to take my money when you have no medicine? No, today I''ll report you to the village chief for swindling."


    "Enough, get back to your room, stop embarrassing yourself, Old Mu Family has lost enough face today."


    Outside, the Old Mu Family always seemed harmonious and friendly, now this was seen by an outsider.


    Going out to say it, the Old Mu Family wouldn''t need to walk around the village, they''d be drowned in others'' spit.


    Old Mrs. Mu curled her lip, intending to say something but eventually swallowed her words due to fearing Mr. Mu''s earlier threats.


    She gave a cold humph and then walked outside.


    Mu Danyan hurriedly followed, not forgetting he still wanted an egg, fearing his cooked duck would fly away, he asked.


    "Mom, you mentioned boiling an egg for me tonight..."


    Before he finished his words, Old Mrs. Mu burst into insults.


    "Eat, eat, what about eating, they''ve bullied your mom, why didn''t you say a word?


    Don''t even think about eggs tonight, not even a shell; if I hear you wanting eggs again, I''ll skin you."


    Mu Danyan looked aggrieved, this time the duck in his mouth really flew away.

 Chapter 11: Not Disliking You

    Chapter 11 - 11: Not Disliking YouOnce Old Mrs. Mu left, Mrs. Lin felt she had lost her support and didn''t dare to make trouble anymore.


    Just thinking about the four hundred big coins spent on treating that wretched girl made Mrs. Lin feel life was unbearable.


    She signaled to Mu''s second son, and the two hastily left Mu the Third''s room.


    The main room of the Mu Family hadn''t come at all, and with the second room gone, it was just the fourth room left.


    Mu the Fourth was tongue-tied, not knowing what to say. After gaping for a long time, he couldn''t even let out a fart.


    Ultimately, he could only leave the room dejectedly with his wife, who was even more foolish than he was.


    Mr. Mu was the last to leave. After all, as the head of the family, he couldn''t just stand around like Mu the Fourth, holding back for ages without even releasing a fart; that would be too embarrassing.


    "Old Third, Old Third''s wife, take good care of Shuang. If she can avoid getting out of bed, don''t let her move around.


    And when Shuang recovers, tell her not to bear any grudge against the family; we''re all one family, and everyone hopes she gets well."


    He said such grandiose words, mainly because he was afraid Mu Shuangshuang would die and become a ghost, really coming back to haunt the family. That would truly be chaotic.


    After speaking, Mr. Mu finally left.


    The room was finally quiet. Yu Si Niang almost collapsed to the ground in relief.


    Actually, her whole body had gone weak from fear earlier, terrified that her daughter''s life would just end like that. Fortunately...


    "Si Niang, go get some water to wipe Shuangshuang. In this heat, not keeping her wounds clean could lead to infections.


    Later, I still have to go to the fields to harvest rice. I''ll come back at noon, and then I''ll decoct some medicine for Shuangshuang."


    "Got it!"


    Yu Si Niang responded and also left the room, preparing to fetch some water from the kitchen to wipe her daughter''s sweat.


    It wasn''t mealtime yet, and the stove remained cold, so there wasn''t any hot water.


    Yu Si Niang used a few twigs of fir to light a fire, and once it was burning, added a handful of dry grass to heat the water in the pot a little.


    Every item in the house, Old Mrs. Mu had a tight grasp on¡ªcooking salt, firewood¡ªshe had precise regulations on how much to use per meal.


    Using too much would result in a scolding. Secretly lighting a fire made Yu Si Niang anxious, fearing she couldn''t dare use more.


    After fetching the water, Yu Si Niang quickly left the kitchen, heading to her house where Mu the Third had already gone out to work.


    This year''s harvest for the family was decent; everyone was eagerly waiting to bring in the rice to have some filling meals.


    At least, when cooking rice, they could add more white rice and less wild vegetables, sweet potatoes, and grains.


    Upon entering the room, she found her youngest daughter, Mu Xiaozhi, seated by the eldest daughter''s bed.


    Her eyes, the size of black grapes, were tightly fixed on the person in bed, with a mix of confusion and fear in them.


    "Little Zhi, why are you staring at your sister? Is something wrong?" Yu Si Niang set down the wooden basin, wringing the towel dry.


    "Mom, brother said sister is a bad person, a wretched girl, and told me not to talk to her.


    But sister clearly saved you. If she hadn''t eaten that corn cake, grandma would have certainly beaten you."


    Young children don''t understand the complexities, but she saw with her own eyes that her sister did a good deed. Sister wasn''t a bad person!


    "Good Little Zhi, don''t listen to brother''s nonsense. Sister is not a bad person; she''s just... sick. Now that sister is better and can speak, from now on, take care of her and protect her."


    Jian Shuangshuang slowly opened her eyes; she had been pretending to be unconscious just to scare the Mu Family and make them realize the seriousness of the situation.


    A large family waiting for her to die, then wrapping her in a straw mat to feed the wolves in the mountains¡ªwithout some measures, they certainly wouldn''t stop.


    Luckily, in her past life, Jian Shuangshuang dealt with public security, frequently encountering people of such natures, and she knew ghosts and spirits scared them the most; otherwise, all would have been lost!


    Initially, she intended to "wake up" once the other peculiar Mu family members left, but Mu the Third was too unfamiliar to her, so she waited for Yu Si Niang to enter before opening her eyes.


    Unexpectedly, Yu Si Niang hadn''t come in; instead, a little girl had entered, and she overheard everything the little girl said.


    It seemed not only did the other rooms of the Mu Family dislike her, but even her brothers in the same house were annoyed by her. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    They kept instilling in the little girl that she was no good.


    Unfortunately, she had no memory of the original owner!


    Otherwise, she could understand the original owner''s experiences and each family''s character, saving a lot of trouble.


    "Shuangshuang, you''re awake..." Yu Si Niang, about to wash Jian Shuangshuang''s face, was thrilled to see her awake.


    "Mom..." Jian Shuangshuang forced a smile, more like a grimace, as a means of comforting Yu Si Niang.


    Yu Si Niang was the first person to show her warmth, and she should treat her with the utmost kindness.


    But her throat hurt terribly, unsuitable for much talking, so Jian Shuangshuang decided to speak less until her throat healed. She pointed to her throat.


    "Hurts!"


    Yu Si Niang immediately started to tear up. She never cried in front of outsiders, not just because of her strong nature.


    Otherwise, she wouldn''t have dared to stand up to Old Mrs. Mu several times. That''s why Old Mrs. Mu disliked her the most among all the daughters-in-law in the Old Mu Family.


    "Shuangshuang, don''t speak. After lunch, I''ll make you some medicine."


    "Get... up..." Jian Shuangshuang opened her mouth slightly, motioning for Yu Si Niang to help her sit up.


    Jian Shuangshuang truly had no strength to get up on her own.


    She had already done a preliminary analysis of her body: skin and bones, weak, obviously never having eaten anything good.


    Once her head and body injuries healed, she needed to find something to eat and nourish this body back to health.


    Besides, she wanted Yu Si Niang''s family to live a better life too.


    Yu Si Niang hesitated but then helped Jian Shuangshuang sit up, scanning the room. There wasn''t even a pillow on the heated brick bed.


    "Little Zhi, bring out your dad''s big winter coat for your sister to use as a pillow."


    "Sure thing!"


    Mu Xiaozhi quickly jumped off the brick bed, heading to the broken cabinet in the north corner. Yesterday, Mrs. Lin had kicked it over, spilling all the clothes inside.


    The cabinet''s three legs couldn''t withstand Mrs. Lin''s force and finally broke entirely.


    Now, the cabinet rested on the floor, making it easier for short Mu Xiaozhi to look for clothes.


    Mu the Third''s coat was made by Old Mrs. Mu, a rare effort, when he was weak and twenty years old.


    Now, ten years later, the coat was cracked, exposing the yellowed cotton inside.


    But even so, it was too precious to throw away because it was Mu the Third''s warmest clothing, the only "weapon" against the cold winter!


    Placing the coat behind Jian Shuangshuang, she finally sat up.


    The pungent, sour smell lingered at the tip of her nose, her mouth feeling scabbed, with what seemed like layers of thick dental plaque¡ªJian Shuangshuang felt nauseated.


    "Mom, can sister really talk now? Will she stop talking again later?"


    Mu Xiaozhi propped her head with her hands, innocently pointing at Jian Shuangshuang, questioning Yu Si Niang.


    Yu Si Niang paused, a hint of uncertainty on her yellowish face.


    Just as she was about to speak, Mu Xiaozhi interjected.


    "Mom, don''t worry! As long as sister keeps talking, even if she''s a bit smelly, I won''t mind her."


    Jian Shuangshuang: "..."

 Chapter 12 Dirty All Over

    Chapter 12 - 12 Dirty All OverJian Shuangshuang was incredibly embarrassed at this moment.


    A grown woman like her, being called stinky to her face ¡ª even if she wasn''t the original owner of this body, she couldn''t stand it.


    Back in the day, she was the cleanest female member of the security team. She wouldn''t always bathe every day, but she guaranteed at least every two days.


    Besides, it''s not like she didn''t want to bathe now. She just got here, and hasn''t even had a moment of comfort yet.


    She still needed Yu Si Niang''s help to get up, let alone walk to the kitchen to fetch water, boil it, and then bathe.


    Ugh, next time, if she has to time travel, she should at least end up in a body that''s fit and strong, with all limbs intact.


    Now she''s ended up in a body so frail she can barely crawl. What a waste of her martial skills and intelligence.


    Mu Xiaozhi saw her sister''s flushed face and suddenly laughed.


    Mu Xiaozhi was only six years old, with big, round eyes full of innocence.


    When she laughed, her teeth showed, and Jian Shuangshuang saw the gap between her two front teeth where red flesh was visible, making her look exceptionally adorable.


    Jian Shuangshuang couldn''t help but join in the laughter.


    "Mom, look, sister is laughing!" Mu Xiaozhi shouted as if she had discovered a new continent, pointing at Jian Shuangshuang.


    Yu Si Niang felt like honey had coated her heart; she couldn''t be happier.


    But Jian Shuangshuang soon stopped laughing because she had just inhaled a breath of air that almost suffocated her... S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Dammit, at this rate, she''ll kill herself with her own stench before any enemy gets her!


    She turned her head in disgust, just as Mu Xiaozhi was watching.


    After all, kids say whatever''s on their mind.


    "Mom, sister got smelly from herself! Haha, Mom, sister is so funny..."


    Jian Shuangshuang rolled her eyes. Hmph, what does a little kid know? She''s older, so she wouldn''t stoop to their level.


    "Alright, Little Zhi, sister just woke up; let her rest a bit more. Go play with your Brother Xiao Han in the courtyard, and don''t come back in until lunchtime."


    Yu Si Niang still cared for this eldest daughter. The daughter who used to be silent now talks, can call her "Mom," and even smiles.


    Of course, she wanted to treat her eldest daughter well, even if it meant putting her youngest aside.


    Listening to Yu Si Niang, Mu Xiaozhi made a playful face and then quickly dashed out of the room, wiggling her little backside.


    Jian Shuangshuang suddenly felt much better, and her unfamiliarity with this world began to fade. This family seemed quite interesting!


    "Mom...bath..." Jian Shuangshuang cleared her throat. Another burst of the stench nearly knocked her out.


    She couldn''t wait any longer; she had to bathe.


    Afraid that Yu Si Niang wouldn''t understand, Jian Shuangshuang pointed to her greasy clothes.


    Then she pointed at the yellowish layer of plaque on her teeth, signaling to Yu Si Niang that she needed to freshen up.


    Yu Si Niang was taken aback. Her daughter''s desire to be clean was a good thing, but with a head and body full of wounds, too much water was not advisable.


    "Shuangshuang, wait a few days. Once your wounds are better, Mom will heat up water for your bath. Please bear with it for now. I know it''s hard for you, just a little longer..." Yu Si Niang repeated gently by Shuangshuang''s ear; her voice was light, like feather strokes on the skin, soft and tender.


    Jian Shuangshuang suddenly felt sleepy. Yu Si Niang gave her such a nice feeling.


    She spent four years at police school, then interned at a secret base for a few years before being assigned as a desk-duty female officer in a small town.


    Even so, she never lacked the vigilance a police officer should have, but with Yu Si Niang, she just couldn''t muster any.


    Maybe this body still held feelings of the original owner!


    Feeling drowsy, Jian Shuangshuang decided to sleep. Whatever the issue, she would deal with it after napping.


    *


    Jian Shuangshuang was awakened by Yu Si Niang. As soon as she opened her eyes, Yu Si Niang''s face, magnified several times, appeared in front of her.


    In her hand, she held a big sea bowl topped with an upside-down earthenware bowl.


    There was a crack from top to bottom of the earthenware bowl, giving the impression that it could split in two at any moment.


    Jian Shuangshuang was in a daze looking at the half-broken bowl that was still being used; she understood now ¡ª this family was poor!


    They couldn''t even part with a half-broken bowl!


    As for the other rooms, she didn''t know, but certainly, this place was poverty-stricken.


    There was just one piece of furniture, and even the adobe bed looked grimy and old.


    The jacket she used as a pillow was evidently worn out, but Yu Si Niang treated it like a treasure.


    She would look at it and touch it repeatedly, fearing someone would steal it.


    "Shuangshuang, come eat!" Yu Si Niang lifted the earthenware bowl, interrupting Jian Shuangshuang''s train of thought.


    "Mom...eat!"


    Jian Shuangshuang touched Yu Si Niang''s hand, trying to save her voice by speaking only one or two words, preferably monosyllables.


    But Yu Si Niang understood.


    "Mom''s not hungry... I already ate..." Yu Si Niang''s eyes flickered; to get her daughter this meal, she endured plenty of scolding from Old Mrs. Mu and even a harsh beating on her hand.


    Her wrist still felt numb, probably bruised.


    What did Jian Shuangshuang do for a living?


    Her eyes were sharper than a needle; she could tell lies at a glance. Yu Si Niang''s shifty eyes told her brain she was lying.


    "Mom... if you don''t... eat, then I won''t either..." One sentence, Jian Shuangshuang took several attempts to finish; she couldn''t bring herself to say the last "eat" and just stopped.


    After resting for a few hours, she regained some strength. Jian Shuangshuang raised her hand and took the cracked earthenware bowl.


    This was the first time she noticed the food in Yu Si Niang''s big sea bowl.


    Actually, this bowl was just for show. It looked big, but its contents were pitiably sparse.


    Only half a scoop of rice was in the big sea bowl, covered by three chunks of sweet potato, so little rice you could almost count the grains with chopsticks.


    On top of the sweet potato was half a spoon of blackish fermented soybean. The beans looked dry and shrunken, with not a hint of oil.


    And there were two withered cabbages that seemed to have been stewed several times, their leaves no longer the fresh green they once were.


    Instead, they were an olive-like color, resembling the innards of a squashed caterpillar.


    Jian Shuangshuang lost her appetite completely. This wasn''t nourishment; it was torture.


    It must be that damned old hag behind this. What kind of grudge did she have to be so ruthless?


    After pondering for a moment, Jian Shuangshuang suddenly spoke.


    "Mom... I seem to have forgotten everything from before. Even grandpa and grandma, I can''t remember. Could you tell me who all are in this family?"

 Chapter 13: Too Stingy

    Chapter 13 - 13: Too StingyAs the saying goes, know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never lose a battle. Jian Shuangshuang''s impression of this world is limited to a broken courtyard, a few faces, and the broken bowl held by Yu Si Niang. So the urgent task is to first understand the situation of this family.


    Fortunately, Yu Si Niang didn''t suspect anything, or rather, she had unconditional trust in this daughter, not even a hint of doubt.


    "Our Old Mu Family is just an ordinary household in Er Gui Village..."


    Yu Si Niang spoke in great detail, covering the Mu Family''s population and even the number of old hens at home. Jian Shuangshuang closed her eyes, using her unique method to categorize the identities of the family members on a mental map. That''s when she realized that the original Mu Shuangshuang and she had only a difference in surname, meaning from now on, she must change her surname from Jian to Mu.


    There''s not much to reminisce about; in her previous life, Jian Shuangshuang was pretty much alone. Her parents were abroad for years trying to earn more money. Growing up into her twenties, she hadn''t seen her parents many times. Later, they formed new families overseas.


    So changing her surname wasn''t a big deal to her. On the contrary, Yu Si Niang was incredibly kind to her.


    She... had the feeling of having a home.


    Her eyes suddenly became wet. Jian Shuangshuang, now Mu Shuangshuang, couldn''t remember how long it had been since she last cried, but it wasn''t out of sadness. The feeling was so peculiar; someone who had never been valued was suddenly cherished like a precious gem, making her feel deeply satisfied!


    "Shuangshuang, I''ve said so much, you must be hungry, right? Be good, eat first and afterward I''ll brew some medicine for you," Yu Si Niang said.


    Yu Si Niang was completely immersed in the joy of having such a sensible daughter, having forgotten that she was forbidden by Old Mrs. Mu from using the kitchen to cook things for her own daughter, especially medicine.


    Through the information provided by Yu Si Niang, Mu Shuangshuang also learned that Old Mrs. Mu didn''t only mistreat her; the entire Old Mu Family had similar portions, although others received slightly more.


    After continuous warfare, it was now time to rest and recuperate, and everyone''s days were just as miserable. Although the Mu Family was considered decent in Er Gui Village, there were too many mouths to feed and not enough land. Plus, heavy taxes on the fields in recent years and Mr. Mu and Old Mrs. Mu having lots of sons and grandsons, there wasn''t much left.


    Three to five taels of silver would be enough for a three-person family for a year, and by this calculation, the Mu Family''s yearly expenses were relatively high as well.


    But Mu Shuangshuang always felt that Old Mrs. Mu was overly frugal. Farmers shouldn''t lack vegetables since they are life-sustaining items. The harvest cycle in the fields is several months, but the return for vegetables takes only one to three months; they just need to be watered and fertilized occasionally.


    Yet Old Mrs. Mu was stingy enough to bring back yesterday''s leftover vegetable leaves for today''s meal, which was excessively frugal.


    Maybe it was because she was really hungry. Mu Shuangshuang ate up the piece of sweet potato taken from Yu Si Niang''s bowl, along with some rice grains more precious than gold, and even the wilted cabbage of changed color was devoured without any remains. Though not quite full, having something to settle the stomach stopped it from growling.


    Despite the distress in the process.


    "Mom... alright... to go out..." Mu Shuangshuang looked at Yu Si Niang with bright eyes like stars, wanting to say that when she felt better, she''d go out to find something for them to eat. Things from the sky or running on the ground could always fill the stomach.


    "Alright, once you''re better, Mom will take you out to the mountain, to the town, wherever Shuangshuang likes," Yu Si Niang replied.


    Saying this, Yu Si Niang''s hand touched Mu Shuangshuang''s hair, gently smoothing it without stopping, even as she didn''t notice at all that her daughter was too filthy to be approached, despite the greasy feeling on her hands.


    Mu Shuangshuang hesitated; the sour and smelly odor on the original body was unbearable even to herself, let alone to Yu Si Niang.


    "Mom... stinky... don''t..." Despite saying more and more, her voice hadn''t paused, yet Mu Shuangshuang had to express that she wasn''t stopping Yu Si Niang from getting close, but at least wait until she was clean.


    "What are you saying? Mom''s daughter, how could Mom dislike? Our Shuangshuang isn''t stinky at all, not ugly at all; our Shuangshuang is clean and pretty!"


    Mu Shuangshuang looked at the earnest expression on Yu Si Niang''s face with an unconcealed smile, suddenly calming down. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Mom... rinse... mouth!" Mu Shuangshuang suddenly widened her grin, then pointed to her teeth full of sticky tartar to tell Yu Si Niang she wanted to rinse her mouth.


    Mu Shuangshuang couldn''t change her body these two days, but she could control her teeth, at least to not let someone scold her for bad breath due to her words, making her a sinner through the ages.


    Yu Si Niang paused a moment, pondering her daughter repeatedly asking for cleaning, unable to let her daughter always be disappointed; washing teeth shouldn''t be an issue, right?


    Yu Si Niang stood up, "Shuangshuang, wait a bit, Mom will get you something to clean your teeth."


    Mu Shuangshuang''s eyes lit up, nodding vigorously.


    She couldn''t bear the stink of her mouth any longer, having just eaten a meal forcibly.


    Ugh, just thinking about it makes her feel sick!


    Watching the door eagerly, she finally waited for Yu Si Niang to return, holding a locust tree twig, with a somewhat awkward expression, her originally wax-yellow face slightly blushed, but Mu Shuangshuang knew that wasn''t embarrassment, she must have been irritated.


    Seeing the twig, Mu Shuangshuang was momentarily stunned before realizing there were no toothbrushes in ancient times. Either using fingers to pick at her deeply stained teeth, which wouldn''t clean, even with a knife, or using a twig to scrub like their kind from locust or willow trees, needed to soak the cut end in water overnight, then bitten soft the next morning with teeth and adding salt or herbs for brushing.


    Yu Si Niang handed the locust twig to Mu Shuangshuang and gave her a clay bowl full of cold water, setting the water basin directly on the brick bed.


    Mu Shuangshuang bit deeply on the twig several times; not even widening her mouth more would soften the twig''s head.


    Thinking for a moment, Mu Shuangshuang handed the twig to Yu Si Niang.


    "Mom... bite..."


    Yu Si Niang blanked out a moment, observing her daughter''s expectant gaze slowly, finally taking the twig and biting soft the soaked end, then passing it to her daughter.


    Mu Shuangshuang took the twig, drew some water into her mouth, and started cleaning her teeth carefully!

 Chapter 14: Turn the Tables (1)

    Chapter 14 - 14: Turn the Tables (1)After using the third bowl of water, that branch of acacia tree had already changed color from Mu Shuangshuang''s use. Her teeth were still sticky, thinking she should use some salt after brushing, so she spoke up.


    "Mom... salt..."


    Yu Si Niang was momentarily stunned, her face, already red, turned even redder.


    Before Mu Shuangshuang could speak, whispers came from the kitchen, "Mom, aren''t I clever? Knowing Yu Si Niang wanted to rinse the stinky girl''s mouth, I took the salt jar away early. Just now, you didn''t know, Yu Si Niang was like a fool, searching for salt everywhere but didn''t find a fart."


    Mu the Third''s room was closer to the kitchen, and it happened that the second daughter-in-law of the Mu Family had a loud voice, any small matter could be known by everyone.


    Only then did Mu Shuangshuang realize why Yu Si Niang''s face was so red, probably disappointed for not finding the salt.


    Mu Shuangshuang became aware, so naturally, Yu Si Niang did too. She rolled up her sleeves and said, "It''s that second sister-in-law again, I''m going to confront her." S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Mu Shuangshuang hurriedly tugged at Yu Si Niang''s sleeve. She had figured it out; Yu Si Niang behaved dutifully in front of Mr. Mu and Old Mrs. Mu, for the sake of filial piety. But she never feared others. This was a good trait, but she was too impulsive. Mrs. Lin liked to tattle, and if Yu Si Niang rushed out, she might win the argument, but it would be inevitable to be scolded by Old Mrs. Mu.


    Such a strategy of harming one thousand enemies but losing eight hundred of one''s own wasn''t worth it.


    Mu Shuangshuang wouldn''t do it either.


    Having spoken too much already for one day, Mu Shuangshuang stopped speaking. She waved her hand in front of Yu Si Niang, signaling her to hold back.


    "Shuangshuang, mom can''t swallow this anger. That second sister-in-law bullies us too much. Whenever I''m not around, you''re..."


    Even Yu Si Niang couldn''t continue. Every time she came home, her eldest daughter was covered in injuries. When she asked Little Zhi, she found out it was Mrs. Lin''s doing. But whenever she confronted Mrs. Lin, she would go off to tattle.


    Mu Shuangshuang grasped Yu Si Niang''s hand. Just after rinsing her mouth, she washed her hands in the basin. Though still dirty, she finally dared to touch Yu Si Niang, extending her hand and shushing at Yu Si Niang.


    Actually, Mu Shuangshuang wouldn''t recklessly get up given her poor health, but Yu Si Niang''s impulsiveness would surely lead to a loss, so she decided to strike while the iron was hot.


    At that moment, Old Mrs. Mu was still loudly cursing in the kitchen, each curse harsher than the last, making everyone''s ears hurt. Mu Shuangshuang closed her eyes, listening to the sounds outside. It was just past lunch, around the time for dishwashing. After this, it should be time for a little rest.


    During this time, she figured she should do something.


    As she thought, Mu Shuangshuang sensed someone approaching and quickly tugged Yu Si Niang''s sleeve, signaling her to help lay her down.


    Yu Si Niang, thinking her daughter was tired, didn''t think much. Who knew, just as they lay down, Old Mrs. Mu kicked the door open.


    "Old Third''s wife, still dawdling inside, waiting to have a child? Haven''t you seen the pile of dirty clothes in the yard? Are you waiting for this old lady to serve you? Get out and wash the clothes quickly, or I''ll peel your skin!"


    Old Mrs. Mu glared, her mouth rattling off curses like a stream of beans, spitting all over Yu Si Niang, who didn''t dare wipe her face. Mu Shuangshuang lay turned away from the door, eyes slightly open, her mind racing, thinking about the next steps.


    "Mom, Shuangshuang hasn''t taken her medicine yet. Uncle Zhang said she should take it an hour after eating, I want to prepare it for her first, and then..."


    Before she could finish, Old Mrs. Mu yelled in anger. "Are you dying? Am I unable to command you now? Is this rebellion? Old Third, Old Third..."


    Yu Si Niang guessed her husband should be home by now, maybe eating in the kitchen. If he were called, he wouldn''t even get to eat, so she gritted her teeth.


    "Mom, I''ll go, I''ll go. Isn''t that okay? Don''t call the head of the house. He''s worked hard all morning; he should rest now."


    "What? You''re suggesting I''m abusing her? Yu Si Niang, you heartless thing, may lightning strike you. You''re making up stories about me..." Old Mrs. Mu cursed and stomped her feet.


    Even someone like Yu Si Niang was frightened and shrank her neck. In the entire Old Mu Family, Old Mrs. Mu was an unchallengeable presence. Not only Yu Si Niang and Mrs. Lin, even the sons of the family would shrink from her like mice seeing a cat.


    Yu Si Niang hesitated, looking at her daughter lying on the bed. She thought for a while, deciding to stay a little longer, at least until Old Mrs. Mu left.


    "What are you standing here for? Are you dying?"


    "Mom, Shuangshuang is sick and needs rest, you see..."


    "Oh, you wretched thing, are you rebelling now? If you don''t leave, I''ll have Old Third divorce you. All you do is protect your child. Did I eat her or something?"


    At this point, Yu Si Niang had no choice but to leave. It was the height of the sun, and stepping out of the house, a wave of heat hit her. She instantly broke into a sweat. Yu Si Niang walked into the yard, basked in the sun all morning, occasionally looking back at her house, praying for Old Mrs. Mu to come out quickly.


    As soon as Yu Si Niang left, Old Mrs. Mu''s eyes showed a cold glint. She finally found her chance. With Yu Si Niang always staying inside, it was impossible to discipline this stinky girl. Anyway, she wouldn''t make a sound, and even if she got beaten, no one would know.


    After scanning the room, Old Mrs. Mu finally found a stick behind the door of Mu the Third''s room. It was a stick Mu the Third had picked on the mountain during New Year, metaphorically representing fortune. Picking up "fortune" on New Year meant a fruitful year ahead.


    "Pfft, with this broken house, how can there be fortune? No way."


    Old Mrs. Mu picked up the stick and, carefully stepping, approached Mu Shuangshuang''s bed.


    Mu Shuangshuang was aware of Old Mrs. Mu''s intentions. This old woman was mean enough to send away the daughter-in-law just to beat the granddaughter.


    Luckily, Yu Si Niang left in such a hurry, she hadn''t cleared the little wooden table or the leftover rinse water on it. Poor thing, her little frame had to exert itself again.


    Old Mrs. Mu moved almost silently. Luckily, the wall showed her approaching shadow. When her shadow on the wall showed Old Mrs. Mu raising the stick, ready to smash down on her, Mu Shuangshuang secretly applied force with her foot, still covered by the quilt, kicking the little table off the bed.


    The small wooden basin on the table tilted, directly hitting Old Mrs. Mu''s head with a clang, with the water inside splashing all over her, causing a sharp pain in her head.


    "Ouch... It''s killing me!"

 Chapter 15: Turn the Tables (2)

    Chapter 15 - 15: Turn the Tables (2)Old Mrs. Mu clutched her head, wailing, and at that moment, the water on her body carried a sour stench. Instantly, Old Mrs. Mu remembered the filth Mu Shuangshuang had vomited into her mouth last time and couldn''t hold back; she started retching again.


    Mu Shuangshuang, pretending to sleep on the bed, grinned with a muffled laugh, eagerly waiting to see how Old Mrs. Mu would explode with anger. Just then, Mu the Third walked into the room with Mu Shuangshuang''s medication. Upon entering, he saw Old Mrs. Mu dry heaving on the floor, the floor wet and messy, and the entire room in chaos.


    "Mom, what''s wrong with you? Why are you sitting on the floor? It''s cold; quickly get up."


    Mu the Third assumed Old Mrs. Mu was cooling herself off by sitting on the ground. Forgetting the medicine in his hand, he hurried over to help her, but she swatted him away.


    Now that she''d suffered, it was natural to make someone else uncomfortable.


    "You useless thing! I told you not to marry Yu Si Niang, but you wouldn''t listen. Look what happened, giving birth to such a disgusting thing! If your brother were here, it''d be great. He always listens to me, unlike you, ungrateful, ungrateful..."


    Mu the Third''s face alternated between red and white. He''d been married for several years and had three children, yet over these years, his mother wouldn''t let go of this issue. Meanwhile, his brother¡ªthe eldest¡ªwas in town preparing for next year''s provincial exam. If he passed, he''d become a scholar, stepping closer to politics, unlike Mu the Third, who worked the fields and couldn''t compete with his brother.


    Mu the Third lowered his head, letting Old Mrs. Mu curse and rant alone, not daring to utter a single word.


    Mu Shuangshuang''s face, originally smiling because of Old Mrs. Mu''s suffering, suddenly turned dark.


    Beneath the thin quilt, her right hand unconsciously clenched into a fist.


    This damn old woman is truly vile!


    After exhausting herself with insults, Old Mrs. Mu unexpectedly didn''t bother with Mu Shuangshuang on the bed, or even hold Mu the Third accountable for using the kitchen privately to concoct medicine. She sulkily returned to her own room, annoyed by the vile smell on her body, to change clothes.


    Mu the Third remained standing, as if still dazed by the curses, until he saw the medicine bowl on the table, causing him to pull a smile even uglier than crying.


    After tidying the wooden basin and small table on the ground, Mu the Third repositioned the table carefully, attentively setting the medicine bowl before approaching the bed and gently nudging his daughter''s arm.


    "Shuangshuang, wake up. The medicine''s ready; quickly drink it..."


    Mu Shuangshuang slowly opened her eyes, pretending to have just woken. She flashed Mu the Third a sweet smile and called out, "Dad!"


    She then pointed to her throat, informing Mu the Third to speak less.


    Mu the Third''s eyes immediately reddened. Unlike Yu Si Niang''s somewhat confrontational nature, Mu the Third was the most honest among the Old Mu Family. No matter how harsh the words from Old Mrs. Mu were, he never retorted, just standing by, silently enduring.


    He also took on the most chores at home, working tirelessly every day, but never received good treatment at home. Yet, he never slacked on those chores; he rose early and returned late, regardless.


    "Good girl, Shuangshuang, drink the medicine up!"


    Mu the Third repeated as he handed the medicine bowl to Mu Shuangshuang''s mouth, the thick, fishy smell suddenly overwhelming her, mixing with the sour stench on her person, making Mu Shuangshuang dizzy. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In this household, only Mu the Third and his wife didn''t resent her, along with the original owner''s younger sister, Mu Xiaozhi. Thinking about the little one trotting out with her bottom protruding softened Mu Shuangshuang''s heart.


    The medicine went down her throat at that moment, not just fishy but bitter. Some say good medicine tastes bitter, apparently true. Once finished with a bowl, Mu the Third''s smile became noticeably genuine.


    "Shuangshuang, Dad will help your mom wash clothes. You rest well. If anything happens, just shout."


    The man glanced at his daughter, then remembered his wife washing clothes in the yard, and he spoke.


    Recently, because of rice harvest and hot weather, the clothes at home were dirtier and plenty. If only Yu Si Niang were to wash them alone, it would probably take an hour. Mu the Third, caring for his wife, thought: How could he let his wife wash those mud-soaked clothes alone?


    He''d rather skip nap time at noon than have his wife exhausted.


    Once Mu the Third left, Mu Shuangshuang''s eyes reopened. Right now, the kitchen ought to be empty. She should go do some mischief.


    Just as she was about to get up, the door opened again, and a small body sneaked in, climbing onto the kang bed where Mu Shuangshuang lay, her big round eyes fixated on the person with tightly closed eyes.


    Suddenly, Mu Xiaozhi stretched out her little hand, gently touching Mu Shuangshuang''s long eyelashes. When the lashes fluttered with her touch, Mu Xiaozhi spoke in her sweet, sticky voice.


    "Sister, you''re pretending to sleep!"


    Only then did Mu Shuangshuang open her eyes again. "Smart..."


    Upon receiving the compliment, Mu Xiaozhi''s small face broke into a broad smile.


    "Sister, please get better soon, then you can play with me. Brother prefers playing with Gou Dan and them instead of me."


    Gou Dan is Mu the Second''s youngest son, full name Mu Jingui, the most indulged one at home, always with snot and boogers smeared across his face, rivaling Mu Shuangshuang''s current look.


    The disappointment in the young one''s eyes struck a chord with Mu Shuangshuang, prompting a pang of sadness. Her own brother would rather play with the son of the sister-in-law who bullied her mom than with his sister.


    This second brother Mu Xiaohan is really a dimwit, Mu Shuangshuang didn''t think highly of him!


    "Want... to see... a good show?" Mu Shuangshuang''s eyes, as bright as stars, fixed on Mu Xiaozhi.


    Mu Xiaozhi nodded vigorously. Since this sister spoke up, and after she swallowed that corn bun to protect mom, Mu Xiaozhi started liking this sister.


    There''s something about her that I really like.


    "Sister, whatever you say goes, Little Zhi listens to you."


    Using the shortest words, Mu Shuangshuang instructed Mu Xiaozhi on what she needed her to do and repeatedly told her to be careful before departure.


    Mu Xiaozhi squinted her eyes and sneaked out the room. When she returned, she was carrying a small cloth bag wrapped around a jar of salt.


    "Sister, I stole some salt, now what?"


    "Shh!" Mu Shuangshuang gestured for silence and pointed to the rat hole in the north corner of the room, to have Mu Xiaozhi place the salt bag inside.


    "Alright, Little Zhi understands!"


    Mu Shuangshuang''s plan was to have Mu Xiaozhi steal the salt jar from the kitchen because Mu Family''s second daughter-in-law, Mrs. Lin, claimed the salt jar she hid, only she knew about it and only brought it out for cooking.


    This time, she wanted to see how losing the salt would make Old Mrs. Mu handle the trouble-making Mrs. Lin.

 Chapter 16 The Things on the Ridge (New - )

    Chapter 16: Chapter 16 The Things on the Ridge (New Chapter)On the ridge, a few scattered families were cutting the rice stalks under the blazing sun. The harvest was good this year. They all said that the land follows the year, the year follows the sky, and the sky looks after people. Now that the war has paused, it immediately brought a bumper year. How could the villagers not be happy?


    But this was still far from enough. The taxes owed to the government had been unpaid for a year now. Seeing that the war had just ceased, the court was also waiting for the new rice to cook. So the newly harvested rice had to first pay the taxes before it could be considered one¡¯s own. Those who farmed landlord¡¯s land also had to pay land rent besides the tax. But even so, everyone was still happy at heart.


    Harvest was always the most important string in everyone¡¯s heart!


    "Dad, take a break, let me do this here."


    On the ridge, Mu Dashan, the third son of the Mu Family, could not care less about the sweat droplets about to fall into his mouth, and he shouted at Mr. Mu, who was still cutting the rice.


    "Break? I¡¯ve just come to the field, haven¡¯t done much work yet, how could I rest? We must finish harvesting the rice from this acre of land this afternoon. The sooner we cut it, the sooner we can plow the fields, by then, that¡¯s two acres less of work."


    Following Mr. Mu¡¯s gaze, the golden rice stood irregularly in front, the grains on top full and bulging, emitting an enticing golden glow.


    The most important thing for farmers was the rice. Whether the rice harvest was good or not, the grains were the main factor. The panicles neat, few empty shells, large grains, and this year¡¯s rice met these conditions perfectly, making anyone looking at it smile joyfully.


    But the joy of this harvest was not the same in everyone¡¯s eyes. At least Mu Dazhong, the second son of the Mu Family who was lagging four or five meters behind Mr. Mu and Mu Dashan, didn¡¯t feel it.


    A good harvest meant more work, more early mornings, and late nights. After all, light rice with empty shells was always lighter than full grains. Even the extra harvest might not really benefit them. With his parents favoring the eldest brother so much, who knows who would end up benefiting.


    Better to have a smaller harvest and less work.


    So, Mu Dazhong¡¯s pace grew progressively slower. When Mu Dashan finished cutting a ridge of rice, Mu Dazhong hadn¡¯t moved an inch from his previous spot.


    "Dad, look at the second brother, been working for so long but hasn¡¯t moved an inch. He¡¯s clearly slacking off!" Mu Danyan, the fifth son of the Mu Family, shouted while pointing at Mu Dazhong. But in truth, he wasn¡¯t doing much better than Mu Dazhong.


    The fifth son of the Mu Family was one of only two sons still unmarried, and although he was not young, having turned twenty this year, he was considered an older young man.


    Ordinarily, farm children got married at sixteen or seventeen, bringing in a wife, living in a separate room, yet not dividing from the family.


    Because he had not yet married, he still lived in a large room with Mr. Mu and Old Mrs. Mu, but in separate rooms.


    Notably, his behavior was much like Mrs. Lin, Mu Dazhong¡¯s wife, having a penchant for tattling. Any little thing that happened in the family, if he saw it, he would definitely go tell Mr. Mu and Old Mrs. Mu, then gleefully clap when bad luck befell those he reported on.


    "What¡¯s all this noise? Which eye of yours saw me slacking? Keep yapping and I¡¯ll tell mom about your nasty affair with widow Chen Hong from the next village and let her deal with you."


    "You... Fine, second brother, you dare to threaten me." Mu Danyan, hearing his second brother daring to threaten him, immediately refused to budge, throwing aside the sickle in his hands with an air that he was done working.


    "What are you arguing about, hoping others won¡¯t notice you¡¯re slacking off? Keep rambling, and once the rice is done, you¡¯ll be out picking cow dung every day. Can¡¯t gather two hundred pounds of cow dung, none of you get to enter the gate of Old Mu Family."


    Mr. Mu finally spoke, and his words left Mu Dazhong and Mu Danyan speechless.


    Cow dung wasn¡¯t common in the village because there were only a few cows. To collect two hundred pounds of it, one would have to travel across many villages.


    And picking cow dung was such an embarrassing task that no grown man was willing to do. It was always assigned to children to handle.


    "Dad, I¡¯m not going to pick cow dung. Let Shuang do it. She smells worse than cow dung, and when she goes, she can make the cow dung stink a bit more. When we burn it, it won¡¯t even smell bad to her." Mu Dazhong stepped back, looking completely unwilling.


    "Yes, yes, dad, let Shuang go. Her body odor can just about cover the smell of cow dung."


    On the matter of Mu Shuangshuang, Mu Danyan and Mu Dazhong surprisingly agreed for once. After all, that so-called niece could really turn one¡¯s stomach.


    But Mu Dashan felt uncomfortable about it. One was his second brother, the other his fifth brother, yet they had no qualms about speaking ill of their own daughter.


    Mu Dashan¡¯s hands slowed down in work, and Mr. Mu, noticing this, quickly interjected.


    "What are you saying? That¡¯s your niece, whether a second uncle or a fifth uncle has no right to talk about her that way. Hurry and finish cutting the rice in front of you! No dinner if it¡¯s not done today!"


    There were dozens of ridges of rice to go, and to finish meant working till late into the night. Mu Dazhong widened his fox-like slender eyes, quickly plotting, a calculating light flashing across them.


    Suddenly Mu Dazhong clutched his belly and shouted, "Oh no, my stomach hurts terribly!"


    "What¡¯s wrong, second brother..." Mu Dashan was the first to rush over. Even though his second brother had just badmouthed his daughter, Mu Dashan still showed concern for him.


    This was possibly the difference between people. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "What else could it be, just slacking off!" Mu Danyan remarked sarcastically from the side.


    "Fifth brother, you..." Mu Dazhong angrily retorted, then clutched his belly again, wailing continuously, even attracting Mr. Mu¡¯s attention.


    "What¡¯s the matter, second son, feeling unwell?"


    "Dad, I think he¡¯s got heatstroke. His face is pale; he needs to see a doctor immediately."


    At the mention of seeing a doctor, Mu Dazhong panicked, quickly waving his hands. What a joke, going to the doctor would reveal his act!


    "I¡¯m fine, fine. Just stomach ache, must have eaten too much at noon. Now I just need to relieve myself. Dad, let me go first; you all carry on with the field work. I¡¯ll come back once I¡¯m done."


    After speaking, Mu Dazhong got up and ran towards the field ridge, and in no time, he was nowhere to be seen.


    "Hmph, told you he¡¯s slacking. Won¡¯t be back all afternoon!" Mu Danyan commented sarcastically, then plunked down on the ground, refusing to work as well.

 Chapter 17 Yuan Feng Giving Medicine (New - )

    Chapter 17: Chapter 17 Yuan Feng Giving Medicine (New Chapter)"Fifth brother, don¡¯t talk about Second Brother like that. He must have a stomach issue and will be back soon. Hurry up and pick up the sickle. Let¡¯s work together to harvest all the rice!" Mu Dashan didn¡¯t believe it; his Second Brother wasn¡¯t that kind of person.


    "Pfft, what kind of person is Second Brother? Even if he has to, he¡¯d rather get his pants dirty than take them off. You expect him to come back? I¡¯m just waiting to see if he¡¯ll return by sunset or after you all finish the work. As for me, I¡¯m not moving."


    Mu Danian¡¯s words were resolute, steadfast in his decision not to move regardless.


    "You beast, you..." Mr. Mu gave Mu Danian a fierce glare and raised his hand, ready to hit him.


    Mu Dashan quickly held Mr. Mu back. "Dad, after working for so long, Fifth Brother is tired too. Let him rest for a bit. Worst case, I¡¯ll work with Fourth Brother. Isn¡¯t that right, Fourth Brother?"


    With Mu Dashan¡¯s prompting, the usually reticent Fourth in the Mu Family, Mu Dajiang, quickly lifted his head. He wiped the sweat off his forehead, gave a small laugh, and continued to work.


    Mu Dajiang wasn¡¯t fast, but at least he wasn¡¯t lazy. He might be a bit simple-minded, but give him work, and he¡¯d bury his head in it.


    At this point, only Mr. Mu, Mu Dashan, and Mu Dajiang were left working in the fields. Mu Danian stretched out his legs, sitting on the harvested grain stacks, playing with the mud in his hands like a child. In no time, he had crafted a bunch of mud figures, yet the figures were just as lazy as him, lacking arms or legs with only a stubby body, looking quite ugly.


    "Just like Mom said, laziness ruins everything. That Second Brother must have found a shady spot to rest. If I¡¯d known, I would¡¯ve also claimed to have a stomachache and taken a dump."


    Mu Danian muttered to himself, casting a glance at the field slopes not far away to see if he could spot Mu Dazhong.


    Unfortunately, Mu Dazhong had already found a spot with trees by the riverbank to lie down and rest, far from Mu Danian¡¯s sight.


    "Pfft, kidding me? There¡¯s a fool at home who works, and a mule to grind things over slow work, so why should we suffer?"


    Looking towards the mountain, which wasn¡¯t exactly imposing but still took three to five days to traverse, Mu Dazhong considered the possibilities. If they threw Shuang into the mountain, maybe she¡¯d get snatched by wild animals, saving them the cost of raising a freeloader, and he could return the medicine for 400-some coins.


    Mu Dazhong hadn¡¯t seen what those 400-some coins looked like because Old Mrs. Mu guarded the family¡¯s money as if it were as precious as Mu Family¡¯s first son preparing for the imperial exam, not something a neglected second son could see. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Oh, isn¡¯t that Dazhong? What¡¯s the deal, Mr. Mu¡¯s working in the field, and you¡¯re here dodging work?"


    Unbeknownst to when, a few men appeared at Mu Dazhong¡¯s resting spot, each carrying a hoe or shoulder pole. They looked like they were heading to water the cotton fields or hoe some grass.


    "You¡¯re the one lazing around. I¡¯m here resting because of a heatstroke, got it?"


    "Oh please, we know what you, Mu Dazhong, are like. Don¡¯t try to put on a show for us.


    By the way, I heard Ma Houhou enraged your Third Brother¡¯s daughter, Shuang, to the point of spitting blood, and she was carried back by the oldest boy from the Lu Family. How come your family hasn¡¯t demanded damages for defamation?


    I heard the Lu Family¡¯s boy made some achievements in the army, and the court rewarded him with a large sum of silver. Aren¡¯t you tempted to take that silver and then go to the Drunken Red House in town for a girl to...?"


    Someone sidled over, whispering mysteriously to Mu Dazhong. As he spoke, saliva began to trickle from his mouth, the epitome of sleaze.


    "What nonsense are you spewing? Your daughter may not have dignity, but that¡¯s called saving someone, understand? Unlike you, who gets restless at the sight of a woman, and silver, thinking it¡¯s theirs, get lost, get lost!"


    Though Mu Dazhong¡¯s words were harsh, inside, he was weighing the man¡¯s words.


    Should he throw the stinky girl into the mountains to be snatched by wild beasts or force her onto the Lu Family¡¯s boy? That was indeed a question.


    As he pondered, they saw someone coming down from Niuwei Mountain, accompanied by a short and stout youngster. The hefty youngster looked like he¡¯d been well-fed on heavy oils, visible at a glance.


    "Isn¡¯t that the Lu Family¡¯s eldest grandson, Lu Yuanfeng? And the fat squash next to him must be his brother, Lu Yuanbao? They really have the nerve to venture into Niuwei Mountain."


    However, the crowd was more interested in the large deer Lu Yuanfeng carried on his back, which seemed to weigh at least fifty to sixty pounds and stayed motionless on Lu Yuanfeng¡¯s back, unheard of.


    "Ah, those who¡¯ve been to the battlefield and killed are different. A live deer on his back, neither bound nor tied, yet it dares not move. If we had that skill, we¡¯d go up the mountain too, if not to hunt deer, at least grab some wild vegetables."


    Another chimed in, but this time, after the words left his mouth, the crowd began to disperse. Such talk was just talk; it couldn¡¯t really delay work, or else they wouldn¡¯t even have wind to drink in the Northwest.


    Once they¡¯d gone, Mu Dazhong quickly stood up, edging up to Lu Yuanfeng. "You must be the Lu Family¡¯s eldest grandson, Lu Yuanfeng? I¡¯m Shuang¡¯s Second Uncle, and I heard you saved our Shuang. What¡¯s that on your back?"


    "Can¡¯t you see? Need someone to tell you what it is?" Lu Yuanbao spoke up, having a distaste for anyone from the Mu family, let alone the Second Uncle.


    But Lu Yuanfeng appeared puzzled, seemingly not recognizing the person in front of him until Yuanbao reminded him, but he did remember Shuang.


    "Yuanbao, give the freshly gathered medicinal herbs to Mu¡¯s Second Uncle."


    "Oh!" Yuanbao, unwillingly, took out a fresh medicinal herb from his pocket and tossed it in front of Mu Dazhong, then wrapped his arm around his brother¡¯s and walked away.


    "Hey, giving me herbs instead of venison meat? What¡¯s with that?" Mu Dazhong angrily shouted at the departing figures, stomping hard on the herbs on the ground.


    "Might as well crush it, that stinky girl doesn¡¯t deserve it. Better she falls sick!"

 Chapter 18: Old Mrs. Mu Lectures Mrs. Lin

    Chapter 18: Chapter 18: Old Mrs. Mu Lectures Mrs. LinOne afternoon, Mu Shuangshuang eagerly awaited the "good show" in the kitchen to begin. Mu Xiaozhi was bored and couldn¡¯t find a playmate, so he decided not to go out and stayed home, chatting with Mu Shuangshuang on the bed.


    "Little Zhi, does Brother Xiao Han often play with Second Aunt¡¯s children?"


    "Yeah, Brother not only plays with Second Aunt¡¯s children but also with Fourth Aunt¡¯s kids. He just doesn¡¯t play with Sister. He said Sister embarrasses him..."


    The little kid pouted unhappily, complaining about his second brother. The more he talked, the more upset he became, and was on the verge of tears. Mu Shuangshuang helplessly patted the little kid¡¯s hand.


    Her hands were different from the original Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s. They were chubby and round, and although they were also quite dark with some grime under the nails, they were much cleaner compared to the original. This Mu Xiaozhi was much tidier.


    Looking at her small face, her sweet and sticky smile appeared on her almond-shaped face. When she spoke, there was a slight lisp because of the gap in her teeth, and her skin, like Yu Si Niang¡¯s, was pale yellow, probably due to malnutrition.


    With such a physique, it¡¯s rare for her to have chubby hands. Mu Shuangshuang once heard people say that those with chubby hands are usually blessed. Hopefully, this Mu Xiaozhi will also be a blessed person in the future.


    *


    Time gradually passed, and it was finally time to make dinner. Mrs. Lin raised her head proudly, sticking out her backside like a hen, and headed into the kitchen. Today was her turn to cook. In the Old Mu Family, among the four daughters-in-law, only the eldest daughter-in-law, Mrs. Jin, was exempt from chores. The rest had to take turns.


    She went straight to the corner of the kitchen where earthenware jars were piled, reaching into the jar that wasn¡¯t sealed with water, intending to take out the salt jar she had hidden at noon.


    "Hmph, nobody can find what this old lady hides. Yu Si Niang, don¡¯t even think about challenging me. You can¡¯t win."


    As usual, she muttered curses while taking out the salt jar from the jar. As soon as she picked it up, Old Mrs. Mu appeared behind Mrs. Lin.


    The words Mrs. Lin said, that no one could find the salt jar but her, had completely caught Old Mrs. Mu¡¯s attention. She deliberately watched to see how the second daughter-in-law hid things and whether she had hidden any valuable family items.


    If she did, Old Mrs. Mu was ready to give her a good beating!


    After grabbing the salt jar, Mrs. Lin didn¡¯t immediately check if the salt was still inside. Instead, she muttered another curse under her breath. "That dead old woman is so lazy, like a pig. All she knows is to make me work, with so many daughters-in-law to order around, she just has to make trouble."


    Old Mrs. Mu¡¯s face turned green instantly, and she said menacingly to Mrs. Lin, "Second daughter-in-law, who are you calling a dead old woman? Who¡¯s lazy like a pig?"


    Old Mrs. Mu was known for her silent footsteps when doing mischief, so Mrs. Lin had no idea someone was behind her. The sudden voice startled her so much that she accidentally dropped the jar from her hand.


    With a "bang," the jar shattered on the ground.


    "Well, well, you ungrateful woman, how dare you curse me! Have you turned the sky upside down? Is the Old Mu Family lacking you or short of you? Heaven help us."


    Saying this, Old Mrs. Mu walked to the stove, picked up the firewood stacked on the ground, and gave Mrs. Lin a fierce beating, making her wail and scream.


    "Mother, I¡¯ve made a mistake. I know I was wrong. For the sake of the two grandsons I¡¯ve given to the Old Mu Family, forgive me. I won¡¯t dare again... I won¡¯t dare..."


    Inside the house, Mu Shuangshuang listened intently to the drama between the dead old woman and Mrs. Lin, laughing so hard she couldn¡¯t close her mouth. Mu Xiaozhi, too, was delighted. Usually, Second Aunt bullied them, and Old Mrs. Mu bullied them, but they¡¯d never seen Old Mrs. Mu bullying Mrs. Lin.


    In great joy, Mu Xiaozhi simply rolled back and forth on the bed, soon wearing himself out with a head full of sweat.


    Mu Shuangshuang was still focused on the kitchen; Mrs. Lin cursing Old Mrs. Mu as a dead old woman was not the main event, the main event should be about that salt jar.


    Sure enough, after beating Mrs. Lin, Old Mrs. Mu noticed that the shattered salt jar on the ground had no trace of white salt. She threw away the stick in her hand and pointed at Mrs. Lin, directly questioning, "Where¡¯s the salt in the jar? You dead woman, don¡¯t tell me the salt grew legs and ran away. Tell me, where did you hide the salt?"


    When Mrs. Lin heard Old Mrs. Mu, she only then realized that the broken salt jar had no salt in it. Forget about salt; even the half piece of ginger she hid in the salt was gone.


    Life in the countryside was hard; there wasn¡¯t much to eat daily. Many people would put a few pieces of ginger in the salt jar. The ginger soaked in salt would carry a salty flavor, and the salt would offset much of the ginger¡¯s spiciness. But this was done without Old Mrs. Mu¡¯s knowledge. If she found out she had lost salt and half a piece of ginger, it would mean big trouble for her.


    Mrs. Lin¡¯s mind raced, and for a moment, she didn¡¯t know what to say.


    Old Mrs. Mu raised her hand and slapped Mrs. Lin hard across the face.


    The sound of the slap echoed, prompting fits of laughter from Mu Shuangshuang inside. No doubt Old Mrs. Mu could be ruthless; when she struck, she struck so loudly.


    Mu Xiaozhi stopped rolling around and looked at Mu Shuangshuang, puzzled. "Sister, what was that sound? Did you hear it?"


    Mu Shuangshuang, in a great mood, pointed to her face, then made a slapping gesture with her hand. Little did she expect Mu Xiaozhi would laugh so hard he fell off the bed, proving he, like her, didn¡¯t like Mrs. Lin either.


    "Ungrateful woman, if you don¡¯t tell where the salt went today, this old lady will skin you alive." Old Mrs. Mu started cursing loudly again.


    "Mother...it must have been stolen." With the salt gone, Mrs. Lin felt someone had stolen it. She thought for a moment and continued, "It must have been Yu Si Niang. At noon, she was in the kitchen looking for salt for that brat to rinse her mouth; it must have been her."


    "Pfft, why is your mouth so foul? Who was it at noon who said Yu Si Niang searched and found nothing? And who said only she knew where the salt jar was? You depraved thing, if you don¡¯t produce the salt today, I¡¯ll skin you alive!"


    Old Mrs. Mu glared viciously at Mrs. Lin, speaking while spitting saliva onto Mrs. Lin¡¯s face. The spit was foul, but Mrs. Lin didn¡¯t dare wipe it off, and her face quickly turned the color of bitter melon.


    "Mother, the salt is really gone."


    After being beaten, Mrs. Lin didn¡¯t want to make up the salt, but Old Mrs. Mu wasn¡¯t one to let things slide.


    "Whenever you find the salt again, that¡¯s when you can come to the table to eat. Otherwise, you can eat by the stove from now on."


    "Pfft, worthless wretch, if anything else goes missing in this house in the future, I¡¯ll take your worthless life!"


    After cursing, Old Mrs. Mu stomped out of the kitchen, repeatedly cursing Mrs. Lin as a waste. Having had her fill, Mu Shuangshuang supported her sides, feeling her insides almost shift from laughter, and spat out a breath of impure air.


    This family is getting more and more entertaining.


    Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 19: Second Aunt’s Butt Blossomed

    Chapter 19: Chapter 19: Second Aunt¡¯s Butt BlossomedDinner was finally ready amid a string of incessant scolding, but the sky was gradually darkening. To avoid eating by oil lamp, Old Mrs. Mu hurried into the kitchen to stop Mrs. Lin, who was about to run off after finishing cooking.


    "Second daughter-in-law, where are you going?"


    Mrs. Lin¡¯s eyebrow twitched, and she quickly humbled herself. "Mother, I¡¯ve been busy all afternoon, and I¡¯ve accumulated some... fertilizer in my stomach, so I¡¯m going to the outhouse."


    "What? You need to go again? Tell me, how many times have you run to the outhouse just to make dinner? You¡¯re going to trample those boards to pieces, why not just fall into the pit while you¡¯re at it?


    Always lazily wasting the family¡¯s resources. Did you find the salt from the salt jar? How dare you come out without finding it! If I were you, I¡¯d find a urinal and drown myself."


    The rural environment was crude, and the villagers¡¯ outhouses were even cruder¡ªa pit with a jar buried, covered by two wooden planks.


    The family solved major life issues on this jar, capable of holding fifty to sixty pounds of waste.


    The boards had been used for many years and would wobble even when standing. Everyone blamed it on age, not thinking someone had worn them down by staying too long in the outhouse.


    Of course, no one dared say such things about Old Mrs. Mu.


    She was the queen of the house. If she said it was Mrs. Lin who did it, then it was Mrs. Lin who did it, regardless of truth.


    Old Mrs. Mu¡¯s scolding hit like a hurricane, leaving Mrs. Lin seeing stars, purple-faced, and almost foaming at the mouth until she wised up and admitted fault.


    "Mother, I know I was wrong. I will find the salt eventually! I¡¯m sure it was Yu Si Niang who took it. Just wait; I¡¯ll present it and a new salt jar to atone."


    Mrs. Lin¡¯s flattery managed to quell half of Old Mrs. Mu¡¯s fire.


    "Mother, it¡¯s time for dinner. My father might be on his way back. Let me call Yu Si Niang to set the table so we don¡¯t all end up useless.


    Otherwise, people will think the Old Mu Family rears nothing but lazy sows, growing them fat."


    "Pah, with that good-for-nothing Yu Si Niang trying to fatten herself up? You wait; I¡¯ll go flay her."


    Old Mrs. Mu hurried to Mu the Third¡¯s room, only to be stopped at the door by Little Zhi.


    "Grandma, my mom went out this afternoon and hasn¡¯t come back yet. Is there anything Little Zhi can do?"


    Mu Xiaozhi¡¯s entrance was no coincidence. Mu Shuangshuang had nothing to do and kept both ears open for Old Mrs. Mu¡¯s moves, knowing all her actions and who she scolded for what.


    "You sly little girl, you always know how to sweet-talk."


    Old Mrs. Mu cursed softly, remembering Yu Si Niang had indeed been sent to water the cotton fields earlier that afternoon, and Mrs. Lin was there too.


    "Grandma, you must take care of yourself. You¡¯ve done a lot lately and gotten thinner. It¡¯s really unfair of them to laze around and put everything on you. Little Zhi really feels bad for you."


    This was a line Mu Shuangshuang taught, and Mu Xiaozhi said it with a sigh and a shake of the head, as if genuinely worried for Old Mrs. Mu.


    Old Mrs. Mu suddenly felt deceived by Mrs. Lin, but instead of heading to the kitchen, she went straight to the outhouse.


    "Pah, that useless second daughter-in-law dared to slack off. I¡¯ll beat her to death today."


    Mrs. Lin, squatting in the outhouse, wore a face of schadenfreude. Wasn¡¯t it just an old hag? She still got her way, having Old Mrs. Mu go after Yu Si Niang.


    Just as she thought this, Old Mrs. Mu pulled open the outhouse curtain, and a wave of foul stench rushed out. Mrs. Lin¡¯s white, plump behind was exposed to the air, and before she could scream, Old Mrs. Mu began thrashing her with a stick she picked up who knows where.


    "Ouch, Mother... It hurts, it hurts so much... my butt¡¯s gonna be ruined..."


    "I won¡¯t let you get away with lying to an old lady like me. I¡¯ll beat you until you crap yourself today, and see if you dare slack off and waste the family¡¯s resources..."


    The loud cracks echoed from the outhouse, sounding louder than gunfire, while Little Zhi, not far behind Old Mrs. Mu, laughed into her hands.


    She¡¯d just seen her second aunt¡¯s white bum, with a small black mole on the left cheek, and a long black hair. She had to tell her sister quickly.


    Little Zhi zipped off, and by the time she opened the door to her house, she saw her sister laughing so hard her eyes had disappeared.


    What was going on? She hadn¡¯t even reported the situation yet.


    "Sis, you¡¯re so clever! Grandma really taught second aunt a lesson. Oh, and she even hit her on the butt; I saw it. It¡¯s really white, and there¡¯s a black mole, with a hair on it."


    "What?" A mole too?


    Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s shoulders shook violently, hurting from the movement, but she had no regrets.


    As the saying goes: The more it hurts, the more fun it is. Mrs. Lin usually tattled out of habit, but this time, she¡¯d turned the tables on her. Let¡¯s see how she handles it.


    Though she taught Little Zhi those words, she hadn¡¯t predicted Old Mrs. Mu would grab a stick and go to the outhouse to beat her¡ªit was downright fierce, almost like she recognized no family ties.


    Thinking about it was one thing, but it left her gasping for air.


    Poor girl, she wasn¡¯t beaten to death, nor suffocated by the smell, but laughed to death instead.


    "Little... Zhi, don¡¯t... go out... just yet!"


    Mu Shuangshuang figured Old Mrs. Mu, after beating someone, would call Mu the Fourth¡¯s wife to set the table. She told Little Zhi to hide and not go out, in case she got in trouble.


    Once most of the family was back, Little Zhi could go out and avoid being accidentally punished!


    "Okay, Little Zhi gets it."


    Tired of hitting, Old Mrs. Mu left the outhouse and, like Mu Shuangshuang said, rushed to Mu the Fourth¡¯s room, giving Liu Jinhua another round of scolding.


    "It¡¯s evening, and you¡¯re still lazing around in bed waiting to give birth to little ones? Are we gonna eat dinner or not?


    Expecting an old lady like me to set the table? All you know is eating without working, planning to fatten up for slaughter by New Year?"


    Liu Jinhua had spent the day plowing the garden, and just as she lay down, she was found by Old Mrs. Mu. She quickly went to the kitchen without daring to delay.


    Holding her bruised butt out of the outhouse, Mrs. Lin hadn¡¯t had time to hide when she ran into Old Mrs. Mu again.


    "You¡¯re asking for it, clutching your behind like it¡¯s a pig¡¯s trotter to eat. Now hurry up and see if the men are back. If I see you still holding your butt, I¡¯ll slice it off for appetizers."


    Mrs. Lin swallowed and inexplicably thought of red-braised pig trotters, shiny with fat, paired with scallions and a baked pancake. What a taste.


    The more she thought about it, the more Mrs. Lin craved pig trotters, so she boldly suggested, "Mother, it¡¯s almost Gou Dan¡¯s birthday. Can we buy a pig trotter at home?" S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 20: The Mu Family’s Dinner

    Chapter 20: Chapter 20: The Mu Family¡¯s Dinner"What? You still want to eat pig knuckles? Should I get a pig head for you to boost your brain?"


    Old Mrs. Mu, as if she heard something unbelievable, shouted sarcastically at Mrs. Lin.


    "Mother, really? You agreed? Agreed to give me..." Realizing she misspoke, Mrs. Lin quickly corrected herself.


    "You agreed to buy pig knuckles for our Gou Dan, and pig head too? I knew it, Gou Dan is your eldest grandson, of course you¡¯d agree."


    The pig head was an unexpected delight to Mrs. Lin; she thought it was just pig knuckles. This old lady was being too agreeable today.


    Mrs. Lin was still immersed in the joy of food, completely oblivious to how Old Mrs. Mu¡¯s face had turned into a palette of anger.


    Mrs. Lin continued daydreaming, feeling a bit lightheaded. Seeing she hadn¡¯t repented, Old Mrs. Mu became furious and extended her finger with long nails.


    She pressed Mrs. Lin¡¯s forehead forcefully while cursing loudly.


    "You wasteful woman, what are you saying? Eating pig knuckles and a pig head? I bet you broke your brain while pooping.


    How could the Old Mu Family have such a wasteful creature like you? I should¡¯ve pressed your head into the poop bucket and ended you."


    Mrs. Lin¡¯s face changed instantly; she thought her son was Old Mrs. Mu¡¯s favorite grandson, who knew her words were all sarcastic?


    She panicked for a moment, letting Old Mrs. Mu¡¯s hand press her forehead like cotton seeds.


    The forehead throbbed painfully, along with her rear, which felt like it had been burned, hurt badly.


    Mrs. Lin, wanting to suffer less, quickly begged for forgiveness like a grandchild.


    "Mother...let go, let go, I know I was wrong, I won¡¯t eat anymore, I won¡¯t eat ever again..."


    Another drama unfolded in the Mu Family for a while.


    Having finished setting the table, Liu Jinhua timidly approached Old Mrs. Mu, "Mother, dinner¡¯s ready. Anything else to do?"


    Unexpectedly, this sentence angered Old Mrs. Mu again.


    "Are you a pig? So many things at home but you don¡¯t know what to do, are you blind or crippled?


    Should I chase you with a stick to tell you what to do? If I don¡¯t say ¡¯eat¡¯, will you not eat in the future? You¡¯re a piece of mud that can¡¯t stand on a wall."


    Liu Jinhua¡¯s face turned blue and white. Being scolded so harshly, she dared not rebut, standing still, not even daring to move an inch.


    She gazed at the outside yard wall, hoping her husband would come home now.


    Fortunately, after a day¡¯s work, the men finally returned, stepping into the last rays of sunset.


    Mr. Mu walked in front, slightly hunched forward, but his steps were steady, almost like with the vitality of a young man.


    Upon seeing Mr. Mu, Old Mrs. Mu settled down, withdrawing the hand poking Mrs. Lin¡¯s forehead.


    She also clamped her mouth shut, which was full of spit aimed at Wang Jinhua, and hurried forward.


    "Xiangxiang¡¯s father, you¡¯re back! Was the work in the field smooth?"


    "All right!" Mr. Mu¡¯s attitude was mild. Before entering, he heard his wife cursing the daughters-in-law, guessing everyone in the village heard it. He was sulking.


    "Is the food ready? Today, Mu the Third worked hard; go fry him an egg."


    "What? Fried egg, are you crazy? Eggs are so expensive, eating them will cost the silver needed for the eldest¡¯s exam!" An egg caused Old Mrs. Mu to snap back.


    Mr. Mu glared hard at Old Mrs. Mu. "I told you to go, so go. Otherwise, give Mu the Third three copper coins to buy something in town."


    Mu the Third hurriedly waved his hand. "Forget it, Dad, it¡¯s what I should do, not hard at all."


    "No, I said to give, so I will give. If everyone were like your second brother, squatting in the field¡¯s pit all day when working, who will harvest the rice?"


    Today, Mr. Mu, Mu the Second, Mu the Third, and Mu the Fourth were the four men cutting the earliest ripe rice. Harvest time is similar, but some fields mature a few days earlier; Mu Family¡¯s rice is the earliest, meaning the busiest "Double Grabbing" period had another five or six days.


    Only four people, yet Mu the Second wanted to slack off. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After resting at noon, everyone regained strength. Yet, upon reaching the field, Mu the Second claimed stomach pain, needing to defecate. He didn¡¯t return all afternoon, making Mr. Mu almost break the sickle in anger.


    Fortunately, Mu the Third did the work, finishing the task meant for two, allowing the Old Mu Family to close early.


    "What did I do? My stomach hurt! It¡¯s natural, can¡¯t hold it, at worst let Mu the Third defecate next time, I¡¯ll work for him then."


    Mu the Second was righteously indignant, isn¡¯t that just not working, what¡¯s the big deal? He really didn¡¯t know why his dad was upset.


    "You worthless brat, it¡¯s your fault again. You go harvest the remaining rice, don¡¯t come back for dinner until it¡¯s finished."


    "Dad, don¡¯t be mad, second brother wasn¡¯t intentional, tomorrow we¡¯ll finish together." Mu the Third jumped first to defend his brother.


    Hearing Mu the Third, Mr. Mu¡¯s expression softened.


    "Mu the Third, those three coins are yours, use them to buy the kids something to eat, or save them if you prefer."


    Three coins, three meat buns, six vegetable buns, if going to town, could also be a treat; but Mu the Third was honest.


    "Dad, what are you saying, we¡¯re all family, the money has always been managed by Mother, I don¡¯t want anything, let¡¯s not take the money."


    Mrs. Mu¡¯s expression finally eased, "Exactly, one family, why say two things, Mu the Third does more work, isn¡¯t it better for him? He eats too, doing more work is right."


    Nice words, yet from Old Mrs. Mu¡¯s mouth, they became like stones in a cesspit, dirty and unpleasant.


    Mr. Mu snorted coldly, ignoring Old Mrs. Mu, heading directly into the main room, where the two Eight Immortals tables were set, dishes neatly arranged.


    Old table, few dish bowls, a plate of black dried bamboo shoots, a plate of fermented beans from several days ago, three full bowls of vegetarian dishes, and cucumbers stir-fried with half a spoon of pig oil.


    A dozen mouths, yet six dishes weren¡¯t nearly enough; Old Mrs. Mu claimed the rice was cooked with wild veggies, thus making every bowl come with vegetables, even if no dishes, filling with rice was enough.


    "Go call the kids to eat, Mu the Third serve Shuang a bowl of rice and take it to her."


    (Regarding updates, Xiao 6¡¯s work started recently, currently updating once daily with 2000 words each time, equivalent to others¡¯ two updates. If you like Xiao 6¡¯s work, you can vote for recommendations; Xiao 6 will add updates occasionally!)

 Chapter 21 Shuangshuang Makes a Scene in the Upper Room (1)

    Chapter 21: Chapter 21 Shuangshuang Makes a Scene in the Upper Room (1)"What¡¯s the fuss about? That brat hasn¡¯t grown hands or feet? Is she planning to be the lady of the house, expecting everyone to serve her? Do you need me, an old woman, to personally serve that brat her meal?"


    "Mom, I¡¯ll go myself, there¡¯s no need for you." Mu the Third waved his hand awkwardly, indicating to Old Mrs. Mu that he didn¡¯t need her help.


    "Mom, it seems Shuang has become high and mighty, holding onto her illness all day, refusing to do this or that. Perhaps she really wants you to serve her." Mrs. Lin said, covering her behind, quickly chiming in. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Pfuh, dreaming on. A lazy sow, deserved to starve to death. Anyone who serves her food today is against me, the old lady. Don¡¯t even think of eating food from the Old Mu Family again!"


    "Shut up, or I¡¯ll send you back to the Liu Family." Mr. Mu glared at Old Mrs. Mu and shouted loudly, after which he addressed Mu the Third, who stood unsure of where to place his hands.


    "Third, I¡¯m telling you, go. In this house, I have the final say. First, go to the room and ask Shuangshuang what she wants to eat, then come back and serve her food."


    In the upper room, several people glanced at each other, unable to fathom what happened to Mr. Mu today, continuously blaming Old Mrs. Mu, but none dared to ask, knowing that at such times, Old Mrs. Mu would surely throw a tantrum and scapegoat a few innocent souls.


    Sure enough, Old Mrs. Mu stomped her foot, slapped her thigh, and began to curse.


    "I¡¯m going to die, scaring an old woman like me. Is it going well for you? Just for that rotten thing, he wants to send me back to the Liu Family... there¡¯s no justice, can¡¯t live on."


    In front of so many juniors, having his wife disrespect him like this, Mr. Mu¡¯s face immediately darkened.


    "Third, what are you doing standing there? Can¡¯t your father move you, should I go myself?"


    Despite Old Mrs. Mu¡¯s fierceness, she was just a woman and could never truly take the helm in front of Mr. Mu. Mu the Third apologized to Old Mrs. Mu and started running towards his own room.


    Old Mrs. Mu grew even angrier; her husband had admonished her in front of the juniors, and now even the son dared to defy her openly, leaving her thoroughly embarrassed.


    "Mu the Third, stop right there. If you dare walk out of this upper room today, you are no son of mine."


    Mu the Third trembled, his feet like they were glued to the ground, not daring to take a step.


    At this moment, Mr. Mu urged Mu the Third again, torn between both sides, Mu the Third made up his mind and knelt on the ground. "Mom, Shuangshuang is sick. Let her have a warm meal. Can¡¯t I do all the work myself? Mom, I¡¯m begging you..."


    "Pfuh, useless thing, ungrateful wretch. For a lazy and rotten thing, you dare defy me. Do you know who raised you from the muck and mire, who you came out of? You only know how to protect the young, why did I have such a thing as you."


    Old Mrs. Mu¡¯s words were extremely harsh; in the upper room, not just Mu the Third, even Mu the Second, who usually had a thick skin, blushed.


    "Do you want any dignity, the juniors are right here." Mr. Mu reprimanded again. "Increasingly flamboyant, can¡¯t know their place."


    Mr. Mu knew his wife¡¯s brashness well but never anticipated that he would voice such words, humiliating himself thoroughly.


    "Third, quickly go. Anything happens, your father will cover for you."


    With Mr. Mu¡¯s assurance, Mu the Third finally got up from the ground, his eyes red though he did not cry, feeling thoroughly aggrieved.


    In a few steps, he quickly reached his own room, Mu Shuangshuang was already sitting up, Mu Xiaozhi assisting her.


    In truth, Mu Shuangshuang wasn¡¯t that weak, at least she could muster a bit of strength briefly if needed.


    The human body¡¯s potential is limitless; some can exert full force in an instant, known as short explosive power, and Mu Shuangshuang was no exception. She knew how to exert maximum force briefly, at that moment having Mu Xiaozhi help her up, preparing to make a scene in the upper room.


    "Shuangshuang, why did you get up? You should lie down, your illness can¡¯t be neglected."


    Mu the Third rushed forward, grabbing the thin sheet on the edge of the bed, prepared to cover Mu Shuangshuang.


    After completing work, Mu the Third donned a tattered cotton shirt, covered in patches, worse than the beggar¡¯s garb Mu Shuangshuang had seen. Perhaps because of stepping on the fields, he had some dirt stains, even on his face, with yellow mud spots distributed across it, clearly showing signs of a day¡¯s weariness.


    The words Old Mrs. Mu cursed in the kitchen, Mu Shuangshuang heard them all. The man before her was the most traditional ancient person, valuing filial piety, loyalty, simplicity, preferring to suffer rather than defy elders.


    But as humans, who doesn¡¯t want to live well?


    Suppressing oneself to benefit others merely encourages other¡¯s bullying spirit. To avoid being bullied, you must become strong yourself.


    Mu Shuangshuang nudged Mu Xiaozhi¡¯s arm, they were very in sync now, she could utter a few words and Mu Xiaozhi would understand, temporarily acting as her mouth.


    "Dad, you want to ask sister what she wants to eat?" Mu Xiaozhi moved her mouth, reached out her hand, and dove into Mu the Third¡¯s embrace, her small head constantly rubbed, Mu the Third hurried to pick up Mu Xiaozhi, though exhausted from a day¡¯s work, he was ready to carry her for his daughter.


    Mu Shuangshuang observed the father-daughter affection, feeling both envy and touch.


    She had never been held by her father, never before, and won¡¯t ever be. This body was already thirteen years old, two more years and she¡¯d be a maiden of ancient times, seemingly ready for marriage after that time although she, Mu Shuangshuang wouldn¡¯t resign to fate.


    "Shuangshuang, what do you want to eat? I¡¯ll get it for you, you lie down and rest."


    "Dad, sister shouldn¡¯t lie down and rest. Carry sister over there, otherwise grandma won¡¯t give her food." Mu Xiaozhi chimed in milky voice.


    Mu Shuangshuang originally wanted Mu the Third to assist her to the upper room, those people eagerly desiring to see her, she¡¯d fulfill their wish, though whether they¡¯d still be able to eat would be their problem.


    "Go over?" Mu the Third frowned, "Your grandma¡¯s temper, seeing you would surely hit you, better I bring you food."


    Mu Shuangshuang continued shaking her head.


    Mu Xiaozhi quickly spoke, "Dad, don¡¯t worry, my sister is very capable, grandma can¡¯t hit her, let sister go to the upper room, otherwise sister really won¡¯t have food."


    ```

 Chapter 22: Shuangshuang Causes a Big Commotion on the Roof (2)

    Chapter 22: Chapter 22: Shuangshuang Causes a Big Commotion on the Roof (2)Mu Xiaozhi did an excellent job as a messenger; Mu Shuangshuang was very satisfied. She gave Little Zhi a praising smile and then closely watched Mu the Third, hoping he would soon relent. Mu Xiaozhi cooperated by shrugging Mu the Third¡¯s shoulders.


    "Dad, just let sister go. Sister is still sick and can¡¯t go hungry. At worst, when Grandma hits her, Dad can help."


    One with eyes, the other with words and actions, Mu the Third Mu Dashan was finally persuaded. He sighed to himself, wiped the mud off the back of his hand, put down Little Zhi, and prepared to carry Mu Shuangshuang.


    Something she thought would never happen in a lifetime suddenly came; Mu Shuangshuang was somewhat uneasy, but more worried.


    As soon as she moved her body, Mu Shuangshuang clearly felt that sour smell on her, almost enough to knock someone out. Yesterday she was unconscious, didn¡¯t feel it, but today she truly felt its presence. She really began to wonder why Little Zhi and Yu Si Niang could bear the smell on her.


    And Mu Dashan, too, seemed not the least bit disdainful. Alas, she couldn¡¯t exercise for long right now, or she would definitely go to the river Mrs. Lin mentioned to clean herself.


    The upper room was equivalent to a modern restaurant, and the ancients had a special belief in kitchens. Generally, they would prepare a separate place for dining, or partition off a space in the kitchen for meals.


    Because the Mu Family had many people, when building the house, they prepared a room as a restaurant-like upper room, only about eight or nine meters from the kitchen. It took Shuangshuang less than two minutes to get from her house to the legendary upper room outside.


    The upper room was no different from other houses, all being mud-walled rooms, with yellow mud wrapped around the walls faintly visible. The roof was made of various barks and dry grass, but it seemed better than the room Mu the Third used for living.


    Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s eyes instantly darkened a bit.


    Upon entering the upper room, it just so happened that Old Mrs. Mu was distributing food to a few people in the room. Old Mrs. Mu always boasted of being the head madam of the Mu Family; she decided everything, and such an important matter as meals. She would never let go of such power; even Mrs. Lin couldn¡¯t partake in dividing the food.


    First was the old man; she stirred in the large wooden basin with a shovel, and most of the wild vegetables and sweet potatoes fell off. Most of the white rice went into Mr. Mu¡¯s bowl.


    Then came the sons¡¯ meals. With a quick glance, Mu Shuangshuang knew how biased Old Mrs. Mu was. The men were numerous, the sons were okay, but the daughters-in-law¡¯s food was pitifully little. Yet one person was an exception.


    Mu Family¡¯s eldest, Mu Dade¡¯s wife, Mrs. Jin. Because she had a man who was a scholar, she benefited from the Mu Family quite a lot. The daughters-in-law took turns cooking and washing dishes, but she leisurely lived like a wealthy lady, did nothing, and didn¡¯t even need to transplant rice, which was the busiest.


    "Oh, the stinky girl can get out of bed now. I see her hands aren¡¯t disabled, nor are her feet, so why does she need Mu the Third to carry her?" Mrs. Lin saw Mu Shuangshuang enter the house, and her face showed unabashed hostility toward her. Her words were both sarcastic and mocking.


    "Humph, who doesn¡¯t know she¡¯s precious? To cure sickness and spend half a liang of silver, really don¡¯t know whose stomach she upsets. She¡¯s so smelly, how can anyone eat?"


    A sharp and acrid young voice reached Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s ears; she smirked and saw, before her, a pretty teenage girl in floral cotton clothes glaring at her.


    Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s mind quickly scanned the information Yu Si Niang had told her and identified this person¡¯s identity.


    Mu Qingqing, the elder daughter of Mu Family¡¯s second house, born only three days apart from Mu Shuangshuang, the fifth child of Mu Family. She was usually arrogant, relying on Mrs. Lin¡¯s few words in front of Old Mrs. Mu. Of course, this wasn¡¯t what Yu Si Niang said, Little Zhi had.


    Mu Shuangshuang gathered clues, never only listening to one person. Gathering information from multiple sources ensures accuracy.


    Mu Shuangshuang didn¡¯t pay any attention to Mu Qingqing. She didn¡¯t want the Mu Family to know she had changed so early. The game had to be played slowly to be fun; shooting down a tiger wasn¡¯t as interesting as killing it with a knife slice by slice.


    According to the residual consciousness before her transmigration, Mu Shuangshuang showed a timid look, then shrunk her neck, looking terrified.


    "Mom... Shuangshuang came to eat, could you...?" Mu Dashan called out awkwardly to Old Mrs. Mu, hoping she¡¯d give his daughter some food.


    "Old woman, hurry up, do as Mu the Third says. Shuang, you sit at our table; no need to squeeze with the kids."


    The Mu Family always ate at two tables, one for the children and one for adults. Once the adults¡¯ meals were divided, they ate at the adjacent Eight Immortals table with no dishes on it.


    Old Mrs. Mu said as there were too many children, they might fight. If food was placed, they¡¯d probably fight to the extreme. Yet truthfully, everyone knew Old Mrs. Mu just didn¡¯t want to waste food or do extra dishwashing, which wasted firewood and water. Old Mrs. Mu was quite savvy.


    Old Mrs. Mu coldly snorted, stirred the ladle in the big wooden basin pouring food. The unwanted wild vegetables ended up in Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s bowl, not even rice or sweet potatoes.


    "Eat, eat, keep growing some fat, see if by New Year¡¯s we can have a pig!"


    The bowl clanged heavily in front of Mu Shuangshuang. Mu Dashan awkwardly smiled, then put down his daughter. After asking if his daughter needed help and ensuring no assistance was needed, Mu the Third held his bowl ready to scoop some meals into Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s bowl. The piercing sound of Old Mrs. Mu¡¯s voice like a pig being slaughtered immediately rang out.


    "Oh wow, right in front of me, you dare protect your child. Today, if you give your food to that stinky girl, you won¡¯t eat anymore."


    A dark shade flashed in Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s eyes. Under the table, her foot moved, quickly slipping off her shoes.


    The shoes beneath her feet had been with her for some time now. Apart from the flattened sole, even the color of the shoe surface was indistinguishable, only vaguely seen were the mud shining with oil.


    After taking off her shoes, Mu Shuangshuang moved her toes, causing Mrs. Jin nearby to immediately cover her mouth in disgust, her stomach churning sourly. Mrs. Jin hurriedly stood up.


    "Mom, I just remembered Da De has been reading all day without a sip of tea; I¡¯ll make him a pot. I won¡¯t worry about dinner." Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Mentioning her precious son, Old Mrs. Mu¡¯s eyes lit up, quickly urging. "Go on, go on. Don¡¯t let my son get thirsty; the county exams are about to start. Running his health down is no good."


    Mrs. Jin curtsied in farewell, and Mu Shuangshuang shot a glance at Mrs. Jin¡¯s departing figure, just caught by Old Mrs. Mu¡¯s sight. She opened her mouth and started cursing. "What are you looking at? Looking to ride the good fortune? Let me tell you, stinky girl, don¡¯t even think about it. You¡¯re only fit to stay in the pigsty with the pigs! Hurry up and eat, then die back into your pigpen!"


    (I¡¯d appreciate if those with recommendation votes could give Xiao 6 a vote. Your support motivates my writing¨“_¨“)

 Chapter 23 Shuangshuang Causes Trouble Upstairs (3)

    Chapter 23: Chapter 23 Shuangshuang Causes Trouble Upstairs (3)Looking at the wild vegetables scattered in the bowl like pig feed, Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s lips curled into a smile so subtle that others couldn¡¯t notice.


    Her feet happily moved, the sour stench under the table grew stronger, combined with the heavy odor on Mu Shuangshuang herself, which she deliberately intensified, making it unbearable.


    Mu Qingqing, sitting at a table away, sniffed hard, then turned away from the kids¡¯ table to face Mu Shuangshuang, and said to Mrs. Lin, "Mom, did you smell something? Doesn¡¯t it smell like something from a latrine?"


    Since Mu Shuangshuang came into the main room, the whole place turned into a latrine,¡¯so smelly that even breathing fresh air became difficult, Old Mrs. Mu¡¯s face had long turned green. Mu Shuangshuang was directly facing her, and her face was covered in black soot, her hair hastily tied with strands messily scattered, looking greasy, worse than the oil spots on the stir-fried cucumbers.


    "Hmph, with this stinky thing around, what good scent could there be, Qing girl, hurry up and finish your meal, go back to sleep, don¡¯t learn from this stinky girl, doing things that make people sick to their stomachs." Old Mrs. Mu directly responded to Mu Qingqing, speaking with ill humor.


    "Oh my, this smell could suffocate flies." Mrs. Lin glanced at Mu Shuangshuang and hurriedly echoed Old Mrs. Mu¡¯s sarcastic tone.


    "Grandma, Auntie, my sister doesn¡¯t smell at all, I won¡¯t let you talk about her like that." Little Zhi heard them talking about her sister, pouting her mouth, refusing to eat.


    "Little brat, this is no place for you to speak, get lost!" Mrs. Lin shouted loudly at Little Zhi, who shrank at the shout, and tears began to fall.


    Watching Little Zhi drop golden beans, Mu Shuangshuang felt heartbreakingly sorry, but she knew now wasn¡¯t the time to go against Old Mrs. Mu and Mrs. Lin, so she calmed down and spoke in a slightly hoarse voice.


    "Eat..." sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The sudden sound echoed in the main room, Mu Shuangshuang ignored Old Mrs. Mu and Mrs. Lin, reached out to point at the stir-fried cucumbers in the middle of the dining table.


    Among the dishes, only the stir-fried cucumbers looked presentable, the rest, the fermented soybeans, were pitch black, with no trace of oil, three bowls of vegetables stacked high, but not a hint of any greasy flavor, entirely boiled greens.


    Only the stir-fried cucumbers, faintly showing two drops of oil.


    Mu Shuangshuang felt collapsed inside, holding a corn bun, not a drop of oil in her bowl, people would describe life as harsh, she held a bowl of wild vegetables, her eyes saw only dry fermented soybeans.


    "What are you eating, don¡¯t you have vegetables in your bowl? Still want cucumbers, why, not afraid of getting stuffed!"


    Old Mrs. Mu glared angrily at Mu Shuangshuang, yet Mu Shuangshuang acted as if she didn¡¯t care, the original body could get herself so filthy, bullied so badly, must have been a bit foolish, how do fools react when they want food?


    Of course, demanding, then making a fuss, and finally threatening!


    She had time and tricks to play dead with the old hag!


    Mu Dashan was extremely troubled, his daughter wanting to eat, as a father, should satisfy her, but his mother¡¯s predatory glare clearly forbade Shuangshuang from eating.


    "Mom... Shuangshuang wants to eat..."


    "Don¡¯t call me mom. So many mouths to feed in this family but none as troublesome as her, just knows how to eat, think our family exists to raise useless beings!"


    Old Mrs. Mu showed no mercy, scolding Mu Dashan till his face went red, Mu Shuangshuang took everything in, aware that for Mu Family¡¯s third branch to toughen up, Mu Dashan¡¯s character played a significant role.


    Mu Family¡¯s third branch had five members, Yu Si Niang was fierce but only against her sisters-in-law, barely dared to speak in front of Old Mrs. Mu, Mu Dashan was honest and hardworking but was truly afraid of his mother, as for the second brother, Mu Xiaohan was not worth talking about, just having dinner, yet stuck with the second branch¡¯s mucker. Clearly that Gou Dan, face covered with snot, complained about her being dirty telling Little Zhi not to play with her, how clean was that Gou Dan?


    It wasn¡¯t the issue that a dog¡¯s eyes see only family low!


    "Eat..." Mu Shuangshuang called again, then stretched her filthy chicken claw-like hand into the cucumber bowl, grabbed a handful, stuffed it into her mouth, cheeks bulging, while eating, drool started spilling from the corners of her mouth.


    Half-chewed cucumbers, mixed with drool, fell onto her clothes, the green juice resembled sick hen¡¯s stool, looking uglier, provoking nausea at a glance.


    In fact, someone actually vomited, Mu Family¡¯s first branch¡¯s two daughters raised like ladies, Mu Dandan and Mu Yingying, just returned from their grandmother¡¯s house, not having a meal at home for a while, had never seen such a spectacle, and couldn¡¯t help but retch.


    Following them, Liu Jinhua from Old Mu¡¯s fourth branch also threw up, turning the entire main room into a battlefield, suddenly everyone rushed outside, Little Zhi looked worriedly at his sister.


    Mu Shuangshuang foolishly smiled at Old Mrs. Mu, without Mu Family¡¯s reaction, stretched her hand into the three bowls of vegetables, stirred, ruining three bowls.


    Old Mrs. Mu was shocked, pointed at Mu Shuangshuang, yelling, "Crazy, this stinky girl is mad, these filthy hands... Oh my heavens, this... this disgusting stinky girl, see if the old woman won¡¯t beat you to death today."


    Mu the Third¡¯s face turned frantic, "Shuangshuang, you don¡¯t eat like this, don¡¯t use your hands, use chopsticks."


    Mu Shuangshuang feigned uncertainty looking at Mu the Third, chewing the contents in her mouth further, until Mu the Third handed her chopsticks, she accepted, pretended to try, couldn¡¯t hold them, dropped them, then went back to grabbing food with her hand.


    Old Mrs. Mu stood up, furious, charging towards Mu Shuangshuang, ferociously as if she would swallow her whole.


    Seeing the situation, Mu Dashan hurriedly repositioned his daughter, bringing Mu Shuangshuang close to Mrs. Lin, she grabbed Mrs. Lin¡¯s bowl, started stuffing into her mouth, throat getting fuller.


    Mrs. Lin¡¯s mouth twisted, "Mom, this stinky girl is mad..."


    "Pfft!" Mu Shuangshuang suddenly clutched her throat, all the food she swallowed spewed out, but this time not onto Mrs. Lin¡¯s face, rather into her bowl.


    The same trick, once was enough, doing it twice easily drew suspicion.


    Appearing as if poisoned, Mu Shuangshuang suddenly collapsed on the ground, her body convulsed a few times, spewing a couple of times, then pointed at the food she had tasted, and pretended to faint.


    "Sis! What¡¯s wrong with you?" Little Zhi knelt on the ground, looking at Mu Shuangshuang motionless with closed eyes.


    "Could it be... poisoning?" Mu Family¡¯s fourth branch unknown from where heard such words, suddenly vomiting unstoppably, a symptom of poisoning.


    "What? Poisoned? Shuang is poisoned?" Mr. Mu stood up, eyes filled with astonishment.


    The young Mu Xiaozhi suddenly lifted his head, looking at Old Mrs. Mu, "Grandma, what did you feed my sister?"

 Chapter 24: The Young Man Who Escorts Si Niang Home

    Chapter 24: Chapter 24: The Young Man Who Escorts Si Niang HomeMu Xiaozhi¡¯s words drew everyone¡¯s attention to Old Mrs. Mu.


    Was it Old Mrs. Mu who poisoned?


    It must be. Who in the family most wants Mu Shuangshuang dead? Isn¡¯t it Old Mrs. Mu?


    So at this moment, everyone¡¯s gaze towards Old Mrs. Mu was filled with doubt, agreement, and even heartbreak. Of course, most were in agreement; Old Mrs. Mu finally did something good for them, one less mouth to feed in the house.


    "Why are you all staring at me? What is it? You think I did it? That I used poison?"


    With so many eyes on her, Old Mrs. Mu was unhappy. She hadn¡¯t killed anyone. If it were her, she would¡¯ve bought a few fireworks to set off for the New Year. How could she stay silent now, without a peep?


    "Mother, isn¡¯t it just you who hates Shuang the most in this house? Admit it, so we don¡¯t waste money hiring a doctor. Let Shuang die, as you wish."


    Mu Danian jumped out. No matter how he looked at it, he felt it was his mother. Besides Mrs. Lin, his mother was the harshest on Shuang. If it wasn¡¯t really her, wouldn¡¯t she break her thighs laughing if the girl just died like that?


    "You ungrateful brat, spouting nonsense! If it were me, I¡¯d admit it. Don¡¯t think you can shove this pile of crap on my head; be careful, or I¡¯ll skin you!"


    Old Mrs. Mu put her hands on her hips and stomped the mud on the roof hard, sending dust flying and choking Mu Danian with a noseful of it.


    "Ahem, ahem," Mu Danian coughed lightly twice, then muttered, "Always threatening to skin this person or that person, never really skinned anyone. If you¡¯ve got the guts, kill a chicken and skin it, stew it for us. Satisfy our cravings!"


    "Eat, eat, eat, all you know is to eat! How did I give birth to such a useless thing like you? Really lost my old woman¡¯s face."


    "Gurgle!" Mu Dazhong¡¯s stomach growled in hunger. This good meal had not even started and was ruined by this damned girl, just like dog crap, really a downer.


    "It¡¯s all Shuangshuang¡¯s fault, dead is dead, why dirty our food, really aligned with the saying, ¡¯drag someone down even in death.¡¯"


    "Alright, what are you all howling about here? Not getting a doctor to see Shuang? If she really dies, will you be happy?"


    Mr. Mu roared, and this farce seemed to come to an end.


    Mu Dashan kept shaking Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s small body, "Shuangshuang, wake up, don¡¯t scare your dad, please wake up..."


    "Sis... sis, what¡¯s wrong? Get up and talk to Little Zhi, Little Zhi doesn¡¯t mind, please get up..." Mu Xiaozhi held Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s face, crying like a tearful person.


    When Yu Si Niang came back, she saw this scene: her eldest daughter lay unconscious on the ground, her husband pushing her daughter¡¯s small frame, and her little girl crying as she held the elder one.


    Seeing Yu Si Niang, Old Mrs. Mu suddenly came to life, as if long-repressed emotions finally found an outlet.


    "Hey, you worthless woman, you still know to come back? Your daughter is about to die, and you dare run off. Where did you go fooling around?" As she spoke, Old Mrs. Mu walked over to Yu Si Niang, and upon seeing her drenched clothes, shouted angrily.


    "You wastrel of a woman, you dare wet your clothes, just you wait, today I won¡¯t thrash you, the squanderer, to death!"


    Saying that, Old Mrs. Mu picked up a bamboo stick that was kept in the door bend, usually used to beat disobedient grandchildren. Eating, after all, always had some naughty ones deserving a thrashing, then pouring some salt water, or chili water to ensure obedience.


    "Stop!"


    Just as the bamboo stick was about to hit Yu Si Niang, a sudden angry shout came from the door. A young man wearing a gray cotton shirt stood at the entrance of the Mu Family¡¯s main room.


    He was tall, with clear features, a face full of anger, but soon those eyes brimming with rage were collected. He gave a polite smile to the Mu Family and said, sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Grandma Mu, I brought my brother Yuanbao to thank Aunt Si. Earlier this evening, my brother was playing near the ditch by the cotton field, catching loaches, and accidentally fell in. Luckily, Aunt Si was there and pulled him out, saving him.


    I already spoke to the village chief about this; he said he would commend Aunt Si in the village. My brother was worried that Aunt Si would come back late, and your family would worry, so he asked me to check in."


    Behind Lu Yuanfeng, a head popped out, round as a melon, looking unusually cute.


    Seeing Yu Si Niang, Little Yuanbao ran up, hugging her with gratitude. "Auntie, thank you, you are like a second mother to me. Without you, my little life would be gone, you¡¯re such a good person..."


    With exaggerated words and expressions, Lu Yuanfeng looked at his brother acting playfully, and couldn¡¯t help but twitch his lips.


    Lying on the ground, having been ignored for so long, Mu Shuangshuang felt a bit sad. Couldn¡¯t these people lend a hand and move her to a room? The dampness on the ground was so heavy, what if she got rheumatism or old-cold legs, what then?


    "On the ground there is Shuang... Shuang?" Lu Yuanfeng was uncertain if the name was right. That afternoon, Mu Dazhong did call for Shuang, but he didn¡¯t know Shuang¡¯s full name.


    "Big brother, please save my sister, she... she¡¯s poisoned!" Little Zhi, seeing that once Lu Yuanfeng arrived, everyone stopped talking and cursing at her mom and sister, thought maybe Lu Yuanfeng had some skills.


    But Little Zhi didn¡¯t know the Mu Family was quiet not because of Lu Yuanfeng¡¯s skills, but because in his left hand, tied with straw, was a chunk of meat. Right now, everyone¡¯s eyes were on that meat; who had the time to care about Mu Shuangshuang and Yu Si Niang?


    The meat looked as if freshly cleaned, with some blood froth on it, appearing to weigh about a pound. That fresh red chunk, even raw, could attract the eyes of the Mu Family, who hadn¡¯t seen such fresh meat in nearly half a year.


    Seemingly unaware of the Mu Family¡¯s greedy stares, Lu Yuanfeng squatted down and checked Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s pulse. It was still chaotic, unstable inside, but better compared to before with no signs of poisoning.


    "Shuangshuang..." Just as he spoke, someone pinched him, making Lu Yuanfeng quickly regain his calm. "It¡¯s indeed poisoning, a kind of horse purslane poisonous herb, common in fields, often mixed with cabbage, the symptoms being vomiting and diarrhea."


    "Is there hope for my daughter? Nephew from the Lu Family, please help me, save my daughter, I¡¯m begging you..."


    "Aunt Si, don¡¯t be like this. Shuangshuang... can be saved."

 Chapter 25 Little Thoughts

    Chapter 25: Chapter 25 Little Thoughts"Really?" Upon hearing that her daughter could still be saved, Yu Si Niang finally calmed down. She looked eagerly at Yuanfeng, hoping he could help her daughter.


    "Fourth sister-in-law, this person is unknown, how can you trust him? Be careful not to be tricked into selling yourself and end up counting money for others."


    Earlier, Mu Danian was thinking about eating the old hen. Seeing Lu Yuanfeng not saying to give them the meat, he spoke sarcastically with irritation.


    "What are you saying? How is my second brother a swindler? He came from the military camp and knows some medical skills, so what? As for you, you stinking..."


    Originally intending to say "stinking thing," Lu Yuanbao quickly corrected himself.


    "Sister Shuangshuang is lying on the ground, and you don¡¯t care but still talk about my second brother. Shame on you!"


    "You little brat, born by a father but raised by no mother, right? You..."


    Mu Danian angrily cursed, but halfway through, he suddenly felt unable to move, and sweat beads began to form on his forehead and face.


    The Lu family situation was peculiar. When Lu Yuanfeng went to the military camp, his mother was taken away by wolves, leaving behind Yuanbao, who was just over a year old, and his father Lu Xiao was restless.


    Just a month after his mother¡¯s disappearance, he married Gu Jiulian, the eldest daughter of the Gu Family from the neighboring village, who had been abandoned by others.


    So Mu Danian¡¯s remark about being born by a father but raised without a mother provoked Lu Yuanfeng¡¯s furious anger.


    The man from the military, who has been on the battlefield and killed enemies, possesses an aura that ordinary people cannot resist.


    Even though Mu Danian had some smarts and was tall and strong, he was vulnerable in front of Lu Yuanfeng.


    Mu Shuangshuang, lying on the ground, was filled with regret. All night long, these people kept bickering endlessly.


    Luckily, she wasn¡¯t poisoned. If she were, she might have died due to these people "deliberately" delaying time.


    If others don¡¯t save you, save yourself!


    Mu Shuangshuang moved her hand, intending to groan, and Lu Yuanfeng quickly restrained her hand.


    "Fourth aunt, Shuangshuang needs rest and should minimize getting out of bed. As for the detox method, it¡¯s too late today. I¡¯ll have Yuanbao bring some herbs over tomorrow; taking them will detoxify her."


    The previous mention of the purslane was just Mu Shuangshuang pinching his arm, and he made it up on the spot.


    However, the herbs are indeed something Lu Yuanfeng intended to send¡ªYu Si Niang saved Yuanbao, making her his savior.


    "Herbs? They wouldn¡¯t cost money, would they? We don¡¯t have extra silver to treat this stinking girl. If you want to treat her, do it on your own. Don¡¯t think of getting any benefits from our family."


    Upon hearing that herbs could detoxify, Mrs. Lin gave a bad look to Lu Yuanfeng. She had no good expression for this young man who suddenly barged in. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Who made him want to save the stinking girl.


    "How could you say that? Isn¡¯t Sister Shuangshuang part of the Old Mu Family?" Yuanbao puffed up his small chest and confronted Mrs. Lin directly.


    Lu Yuanbao, young though he is, truly dislikes seeing people being bullied, especially right in front of him.


    "Hey, you brat, so young..."


    "Grandpa Mu, I came today to thank Fourth Aunt, but your son repeatedly insults my brother.


    If this gets out, it won¡¯t be good for the Old Mu Family¡¯s reputation, and it might even negatively affect Mu Ziran, who¡¯s still in the military."


    Earlier, Lu Yuanfeng was mindful of being in someone else¡¯s home, not saying too much, nor staying too long.


    But Mu Family¡¯s Fifth Mu Danian and Mu Family¡¯s Second daughter-in-law Mrs. Lin clearly disregarded him and Yuanbao.


    If he continues acting like nothing¡¯s wrong, he feels he wouldn¡¯t be true to those years spent in the military camp.


    Being reprimanded by a young man, Mr. Mu¡¯s face momentarily couldn¡¯t help turning red to his neck.


    "You two, get back to your room, and don¡¯t expect to have dinner tonight."


    Listening to this, Lu Yuanfeng felt the so-called punishment was not punishment at all, as the table was already a mess. Unless they cooked anew, there wouldn¡¯t be dinner.


    Thinking of this, Lu Yuanfeng suddenly spoke, "This meat is what I hunted today at Niuwei Mountain. Knowing Fourth Aunt saved my brother, and with only this meat left at home, I bring it as a token of gratitude to Fourth Aunt.


    Now that neither Shuangshuang nor Fourth Aunt has eaten, it will trouble Grandma Mu to find someone to cook the meat, make a stew, and stir-fry some crispy greens, as a way to nourish Shuangshuang."


    Lu Yuanfeng¡¯s words made Mu Shuangshuang nearly shed tears. What does it mean to cry out of joy?


    This is it; this young lad seems like heaven¡¯s sent to aid her. Finally, could she eat meat?


    "What, having meat tonight?" Mu Danian and Mrs. Lin spoke simultaneously, their intestines now regretful.


    Earlier, when Mr. Mu said no dinner, they didn¡¯t care much. Considering her mother¡¯s stinginess, overturned food would be the allocation for the day.


    No matter if it fell into a dung pit by itself or got ruined by someone¡¯s hand, there would be no more.


    "Why are you making a fuss? Go back to your pigpen, stop screaming here. If you keep at it, don¡¯t expect to eat anymore starting tomorrow, ugh, what a nuisance."


    Old Mrs. Mu now had her own plans, normally, if commanded by someone, she¡¯d leap up and rip that person¡¯s crotch apart, but today, seeing over a pound of meat, she decided to keep it.


    She intended to save the meat for Xiangxiang and Ziran when they return; nothing outside, not even bought pork, compares to the wild meat from the mountain.


    "Dumb woman, still dawdling? Get on with what the Lu Family¡¯s eldest grandson said, always as dumb as a pig."


    Old Mrs. Mu took the meat handed over by Lu Yuanfeng and threw it onto Liu Jinhua¡¯s clothes in the Mu Family¡¯s fourth son¡¯s household.


    Immediately, Mrs. Liu¡¯s front became stained with a bloodied mark.


    "Good heavens, you crippled woman, you can¡¯t even catch this, wasted on feeding you so much food, and still dare to dirty your clothes, you¡¯re retaliating against me!"


    Mrs. Liu shrank in fear, apologizing repeatedly, while Mu Dajiang stood by watching his wife being bullied, sweating in anxiety but not daring to speak against his mother.


    "Continue shouting and you¡¯ll tarnish the Old Mu Family¡¯s name, all of you settle down a bit. Fourth daughter-in-law, start cooking, see if there¡¯s enough food; if not, cook more."


    "Old Fourth, go to the vegetable garden and pick some greens; Old Second, help clean the main hall, tidy up the chairs and tables!"


    "Why should I clean? The stinking girl made the mess, she should clean it herself. I¡¯m not cleaning up after her." Mu Dazhong snorted, clearly dissatisfied with Mr. Mu¡¯s arrangements.


    "Then leave the Old Mu Family!" Mr. Mu sternly rebuked.


    Having watched the spectacle for so long, Lu Yuanfeng felt bored and addressed Mu Dashan directly.


    "Uncle Dashan, you should carry Shuangshuang into the house to rest. The ground is cold; it could easily cause chills."


    "Alright..."


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 Chapter 26 will return it to you.

    Chapter 26: Chapter 26 will return it to you.Mu Shuangshuang was carried into the house by Mu the Third, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief. For the other branches of the Mu Family, the nuisance was finally out of sight. For those in Mu Dashan¡¯s house, it meant Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s life was saved.


    Lu Yuanfeng followed Mu Dashan into Mu Dashan¡¯s house.


    The lie had already been told, and he naturally had to maintain it. The best way to do so was to follow along and see if there¡¯s anything Mu Shuangshuang wants him to help with, as a way to repay Yu Si Niang for saving Yuanbao.


    The small house was the same, but inside, there were slight changes. The cabinet on the north side was missing three legs, and the worn cotton quilts he¡¯d carried out to air were gone, seemingly moved to the kang bed where Mu Shuangshuang might be sleeping by the Mu Family¡¯s Third Branch.


    The subtle changes warmed Lu Yuanfeng¡¯s heart and increased his respect for the Mu Family¡¯s Third Branch and Yu Si Niang.


    As soon as Yuanbao, who was following Lu Yuanfeng, entered the house, he was hit by a sour stench and quickly covered his nose. "Second Brother, this house stinks."


    Mu Dashan¡¯s hands holding Mu Shuangshuang stiffened, and for a moment, he was frozen in place, unsure how to respond to Yuanbao.


    The pretending-to-be-unconscious Mu Shuangshuang was similarly taken aback. She knew that Mu Dashan cared about what others said of her, but he wasn¡¯t skilled at arguing or being the villain.


    From earlier, she could tell, when Yu Si Niang was scolded unjustly by Old Mrs. Mu, Mu Dashan merely looked at Old Mrs. Mu with pleading eyes, hoping she wouldn¡¯t scold his wife anymore.


    Endurance, fear, and pinning hope on others¡ªperhaps these were Mu Dashan¡¯s character flaws, and their existence partly led to the Mu Family¡¯s Third Branch¡¯s status, being bullied!


    "You¡¯re the one who stinks, my house doesn¡¯t stink, my sister doesn¡¯t stink either." Little Zhi, biting her silver teeth, retorted Yuanbao.


    She didn¡¯t like this person because he despised her house, despised her sister.


    "How am I stinky? I bathed when I came, I smell good; you can smell for yourself." Yuanbao extended his sleeve towards Little Zhi to let her smell himself.


    "Yuanbao, don¡¯t be rude, put your hand down!" Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Lu Yuanfeng frowned, displeased with his younger brother¡¯s behavior. Today¡¯s confrontation with Mu Dazhong from Mu Family¡¯s Second Branch was clearly an act of courting disaster, and if it weren¡¯t for him, they might have suffered greatly. Now, Yuanbao was bullying someone else¡¯s little girl right in front of him.


    Upon hearing his brother¡¯s reprimand, Yuanbao quickly lowered his hand without any hesitation.


    Whatever Second Brother said was right, whatever Second Brother said must be listened to. To show his respect for Second Brother, he deliberately stood closer to Mu Shuangshuang, his dark eyes blinking, clearly seeking praise.


    Lu Yuanfeng looked helpless and simply ignored him.


    "Si Aunt, Shuangshuang should have taken her medicine, right? Is it time to decoct the medicine now?"


    After meeting Mu Dazhong, Lu Yuanfeng visited the village doctor Zhang Huai Shu, casually inquiring about Mu Family matters. Zhang Huai Shu was a good acquaintance, always answering his questions without reservation. Lu Yuanfeng already understood the other branches of the Mu Family and held no expectations towards them.


    "I¡¯ll go to the kitchen to prepare the medicine." Not waiting for Yu Si Niang to get up from the kang bed, Mu Dashan rushed to the door. He was uncomfortable inside, his wife bullied, his daughter insulted, yet he couldn¡¯t resist because among those people was his most respected mother.


    "Nephew Lu from the Lu Family, you... you must be thirsty, I¡¯ll go get you some tea." Yu Si Niang stood up, her eyes fixated on her daughter on the kang bed, afraid that missing a glance would mean losing her. Her heart felt like it was struck with a whip, hurting terribly.


    "Thank you, Si Aunt. Yuanbao, go with Si Aunt and protect her." Lu Yuanfeng left the rest unsaid, trusting his younger brother understood.


    "Alright!" Yuanbao nodded vigorously towards Lu Yuanfeng and then followed Yu Si Niang out.


    Once only Lu Yuanfeng and Little Zhi were left in the house, Mu Shuangshuang slowly opened her eyes.


    Lu Yuanfeng didn¡¯t know how to describe his feelings at the moment¡ªa girl, disheveled and dirty, yet possessing such beautiful eyes. Her eyes were bright, like stars in the night sky. Upon waking, those lively eyes made it clear she¡¯s not someone meant to appear so filthy.


    What has she been through?


    "Sis, you..." Little Zhi, not noticing Lu Yuanfeng¡¯s gaze, was surprised by her sister¡¯s sudden awakening, and cried out in joy. Mu Shuangshuang quickly extended her hand, signaling her to be quieter.


    Little Zhi wiped the tears from her eyes. "I knew Sis would be alright. Sis, you scared Little Zhi to death. Next time, tell Little Zhi when you play dead, okay? If Little Zhi is prepared, she won¡¯t be scared."


    The thin little girl was crying with tears and snot all over her face, her bright eyes filled with tears ready to fall.


    Mu Shuangshuang nodded. "Guard... it!"


    Still just two words, but Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s tone was gentle, her eyes full of concern for Little Zhi. Little Zhi looked towards the door and quickly dashed out, leaving Mu Shuangshuang and Lu Yuanfeng alone.


    "Why pretend to be poisoned? And then ask for my help?"


    Mu Shuangshuang rolled her eyes. Why pretend to be poisoned? Naturally, because it¡¯s the fastest way to ensure her safety. In this world, it¡¯s not only violence that can assure safety. Some small tricks can keep oneself safe while bewildering the Mu Family.


    The mess she¡¯s created for the Mu Family now, let them deal with it!


    Mu Shuangshuang pointed to her throat. "Herbs..."


    "You mean your throat is damaged and you want me to find herbs for you?" Lu Yuanfeng asked tentatively.


    Mu Shuangshuang nodded.


    Indeed, Lu Yuanfeng seemed knowledgeable in medicine and appeared kind-hearted. To recover quickly, Mu Shuangshuang had to leverage external help. The original host hadn¡¯t spoken for eight years, and her throat was roughly ruined. Without herbal remedies, who knows what troubles might arise?


    All discovered issues need quick resolution to prevent future suffering.


    "Rest... assured... will... repay!"


    (First-time visitor Liu doesn¡¯t know the website update needs to be fixed. In the future, updates will be at 12:30 pm or 7:30 pm; feel free to check for new Chapters at those times!)

 Chapter 27 Thumb-Sized Meat

    Chapter 27: Chapter 27 Thumb-Sized MeatWhen Mu Shuangshuang spoke, her grimy little face was full of confidence. Her eyes, more brilliant than the stars, sparkled with a strange light. Despite having nothing, she talked about repaying him in the future, and Lu Yuanfeng just happened to believe her.


    This girl was confident, genuine, and unpretentious, stronger than many people Lu Yuanfeng had seen. He pulled at the corners of his mouth and shook his head.


    "No need. Fourth Aunt saved Yuanbao¡¯s life, so I¡¯ll repay her favor. I¡¯ll have Yuanbao deliver the herbs for treating your throat tomorrow. You should focus on recovering."


    "Thanks!" Mu Shuangshuang didn¡¯t argue with Lu Yuanfeng, since no one could change her decision. Similarly, she didn¡¯t want to owe anyone a favor; she had to repay it.


    Suddenly, the room became quiet. Lu Yuanfeng felt a bit uneasy, not for any particular reason, just because the little girl kept staring at him. Being stared at was nothing new to Lu Yuanfeng; from the day he returned from the military camp, such gazes had accompanied him in life. Whether old or young, everyone in the village thought he was different, looking at him with envy, fear, or disdain. But the eyes of the person in front of him revealed only clarity and candor.


    The little girl before him seemed to be at most ten years old in Lu Chengfeng¡¯s eyes, while he himself was seventeen years old this year, making him seven years older than her. According to such calculations, he ought to be the big brother, yet he always felt uneasy.


    Mu Shuangshuang stared at Lu Yuanfeng for a while. Based on the gathered information, this man had been in the military camp before; his physique was indeed more robust than average, and his eyes seemed to hold something more than ordinary people. Mu Shuangshuang attributed that to his aura.


    Beneath those loose clothes, there should be solid muscles, but he didn¡¯t give off a rough impression.


    Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s favorite build was one with some muscle but without appearing rough. Muscles could store power; having a good physique was a better way to keep oneself undefeated.


    In her previous life, she was 165 centimeters tall, not considered tall or short, but she had developed muscle and a six-pack. Ordinary men were no match for her, which was why she said that in modern times, she only bullied others and wasn¡¯t bullied herself.


    If not for that damn woman hitting her head with a chair, she would surely be living a carefree life in modern times now. Looking at her arms as thin as bamboo, Mu Shuangshuang was filled with inner tears.


    Determined to first heal her injuries, then clean herself up, and finally train her body to be like her previous life, punching a man senseless.


    "Fourth Aunt has been gone for so long, why hasn¡¯t she returned?" Lu Yuanfeng looked toward the door, concern in his eyes. He had entered the Mu Family following Fourth Aunt, and he heard every word of Old Mrs. Mu¡¯s vicious remarks. The old woman could indeed be a formidable character, capable of anything.


    Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s eyes suddenly dimmed. She picked up a piece of wood placed by the edge of the kang and knocked three long times. Little Zhi immediately rushed in from outside.


    "Sis, what¡¯s up?"


    This was her and Little Zhi¡¯s secret signal; three long knocks meant to enter, and three short knocks meant to escape. Before her voice recovered, this was their means of communication.


    "Watch... Mom... do... what."


    Little Zhi understood her meaning, nodded emphatically, and then slipped out of the room like an eel, heading toward the kitchen.


    In the kitchen, Old Mrs. Mu was staring at the wife of Fourth House, Mrs. Liu. The meat Lu Yuanfeng brought was now lying on her home¡¯s butcher block. Mrs. Liu was staring at that piece of meat, her mouth watering and drenching most of her lips.


    This was meat! Not to mention festivals, even during New Year¡¯s she hadn¡¯t seen this much meat. Normally, Old Mrs. Mu would spend some silver buying meat from the village hunters, but that was all for Uncle Mu. A woman¡¯s palm-sized piece of meat had to be split into three or four meals as meat soup for Uncle Mu. How could it be like now, more than a pound of meat just lying there on the chopping block, waiting for her to slice it.


    Mrs. Liu raised the knife in her hand. Just as she was about to slice down, Old Mrs. Mu quickly stepped forward and moved the meat on the block, leaving the piece Mrs. Liu sliced only the size of a fingernail.


    "You malicious old woman, thinking of chopping off an old lady¡¯s hand, weren¡¯t you? A crude woman who hasn¡¯t eaten meat, well tonight, don¡¯t give me your dinner."


    Mrs. Liu was startled, the knife in her hand fell to the ground with a thud.


    "Mom, I didn¡¯t mean to. I didn¡¯t know you¡¯d suddenly reach out..." Mrs. Liu tried to explain. With such a piece of meat there, she also wanted to eat, but if Old Mrs. Mu didn¡¯t let her eat, she wouldn¡¯t get anything.


    "Humph, I think you did it on purpose, trying to eat alone quietly, purposefully cutting off my hand, so that no one would urge you to work anymore. You wretched woman, Fourth was blind to marry you."


    Having been scolded like this, Mrs. Liu began to cry softly.


    "Why cry, all you know is to cry, you useless thing." Saying this, Old Mrs. Mu picked up the larger portion of meat and walked over to Mrs. Liu. "I can¡¯t let a wicked woman like you get used to eating alone, so I¡¯ll keep this meat in my room for good measure. If you dare make another mistake, I¡¯ll have Fourth divorce you." S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After scolding, Old Mrs. Mu still felt unsatisfied. She kicked Mrs. Liu, who was still crying, making her fall to the ground, clutching her stomach and rolling back and forth.


    When Yu Si Niang entered she saw Mrs. Liu lying on the ground, moaning in pain, while Old Mrs. Mu carried the meat Lu Yuanfeng brought like a victorious hen, waddling towards her room. She seemed in good spirits as she walked, her steps lighter than usual.


    Indeed, she gained a pound of meat for nothing and shifted all responsibility onto Mrs. Liu, making Old Mrs. Mu feel exceedingly delighted. Naturally, everything she did seemed rewarding.


    "Jinhua, get up quickly." Yu Si Niang stepped forward to help Mrs. Liu. The kitchen had no chairs, so she could only support her to sit on the earth wall in front of the stove.


    This was the most common kitchen design in the village: a dirt stove, facing the opening of the stove, where a square frame would be built. Dry grass and firewood or husks might be placed inside the frame. Where there was a frame, there was an earth wall. The earth wall was taller than ordinary stools, but sitting was quite convenient.


    "Oh, when did the third family¡¯s start minding the fourth family¡¯s business? Or are you displeased that Mom hit the fourth¡¯s wife?" Mrs. Lin didn¡¯t know when she entered the kitchen, but once in, she started provoking and also didn¡¯t forget to criticize Mu Shuangshuang.


    "This Shuang girl really has a long life, even like this, she still doesn¡¯t die. But whatever, anyway, it¡¯s her good fortune.


    Only now she¡¯s hiding a man in her own room, I wonder what others would think if this spreads. So young, yet already learning such shameless acts, she truly belittles herself!"

 Chapter 28: Si Niang Lost Her Temper

    Chapter 28: Chapter 28: Si Niang Lost Her TemperWhen Mrs. Lin started cursing, she spat furiously, especially when she cursed Mu Shuangshuang, her face was full of disdain.


    At this moment, Yu Si Niang was trembling with anger, ignoring everything, she ran up to Mrs. Lin and slapped her right across the face. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Smack!" Mrs. Lin¡¯s face was slapped to one side by Yu Si Niang, but this wasn¡¯t the end. The fierce wife gene from Yu Si Niang¡¯s younger years was fully provoked by Mrs. Lin.


    "You wicked woman, who gave you permission to talk about our Shuangshuang like that? You heartless monster! What did our Shuangshuang ever do to you? She¡¯s just a child! If you have a problem, come at me!"


    Yu Si Niang had faced terrible bullying from Old Mrs. Mu; there¡¯s no choice in that as she was her mother-in-law, but why should Mrs. Lin bully her? And beyond that, touch her daughter?


    "You shameless trash, you plague on others."


    Yu Si Niang glared at Mrs. Lin fiercely, continuing to curse, repeating all the nasty things Mrs. Lin usually said.


    Mrs. Lin was also trembling with rage; ordinarily, Yu Si Niang didn¡¯t show her any respect. Her eldest daughter-in-law basically didn¡¯t care for family matters; her fourth daughter-in-law was essentially a doormat. Only Yu Si Niang, relying on her brash nature from her younger years, both disrespected her and dared to talk back.


    "Yu Si Niang, you lousy woman, today you dared to hit me, I¡¯m going to fight you!"


    Mrs. Lin then rushed forward, reaching out her hand towards Yu Si Niang. Instantly, four arms were flailing about in a heated exchange, but Yu Si Niang, having done more hard labor, soon got Mrs. Lin down to the ground.


    "Smack, smack, smack!" Three slaps in a row, Yu Si Niang cursed as she struck, "You vile woman, if you ever bully my daughter again, I swear I¡¯ll kill you."


    Yu Si Niang landed slap after slap, while Mrs. Liu was so frightened she forgot to cover her belly. She stood staring blankly at Yu Si Niang, this third sister-in-law, always seemed polite and well-mannered, yet her actions were unimaginable to Mrs. Liu.


    For a moment, Mrs. Liu¡¯s jaw dropped so wide you could fit an egg in her mouth.


    "Oww, ah, Yu Si Niang, you wretch, let go of me, I¡¯m going to tell mom, mom..."


    Mrs. Lin screamed in pain, shouting and cursing, calling out for Old Mrs. Mu¡¯s name in hope she would come to help remove the shrew in front of her.


    But she didn¡¯t realize that Old Mrs. Mu was busy in the house hiding meat; the fresh meat wouldn¡¯t last long, and Old Mrs. Mu was unwilling to use more salt for curing because it was wasteful¡ª the salt eventually washed away, like throwing meat buns to dogs, it doesn¡¯t come back.


    With her own matters unresolved, Old Mrs. Mu naturally didn¡¯t want to come out.


    Mrs. Lin was completely bewildered from the beating, her head was spinning, a lock of her hair had been torn off, leaving her looking utterly disheveled.


    Lu Yuanfeng had just come out from Mu Dashan¡¯s house when he saw the scene at the kitchen door. He was quite surprised by how four-aunt, who usually seemed warm and gentle, suddenly turned so fierce. He was, however, glad inside; this Mrs. Lin was indeed vile and deserved a good lesson.


    Lu Yuanfeng just stood by watching, with no intention of stopping. Just then, Mu Dashan came over with cooked medicine, and upon seeing his wife still hitting, he was startled, almost dropping the medicine bowl.


    Luckily, Lu Yuanfeng helped him just in time.


    "Si Niang, what are you doing? That¡¯s your second sister-in-law!"


    As the eldest is like a father, and the eldest sister-in-law like a mother in his heart, Mu Dashan had these notions deeply rooted, if his wife hits his sister-in-law, it¡¯s like hitting his mother, isn¡¯t it?


    He handed the medicine bowl to Lu Yuanfeng and went to pull Yu Si Niang away, while Mrs. Lin seized the chance to scratch Mu Dashan¡¯s face, leaving a fresh red mark.


    "You dared to hit my man, I..." in the middle of speaking, Yu Si Niang raised her hand again but was held back by Mu Dashan.


    "Si Niang, go back to the house, check on Shuangshuang, don¡¯t... don¡¯t hit anymore, I¡¯m fine... fine." Mu Dashan¡¯s eyes were red, filled with pleading as he stared at Yu Si Niang.


    In his view, Yu Si Niang¡¯s actions were improper, violating hierarchy in the Old Mu Family.


    But the person in front of him was his own wife, he couldn¡¯t bear to see her suffer. When Old Mrs. Mu cursed his wife, he didn¡¯t speak out to help, he felt deeply guilty, now... he couldn¡¯t just hide anymore, nor could he let Old Mrs. Mu know about his wife hitting the second sister-in-law.


    "Second sister-in-law, I¡¯m sorry, I apologize to you, our Si Niang didn¡¯t understand, don¡¯t take it to heart, you can hit me or scold me, I..."


    If Yu Si Niang¡¯s behavior pleased Lu Yuanfeng, Mu Dashan¡¯s was too timid; Lu Yuanfeng turned his head wanting to leave, but recalling those expressive eyes and the confident person, he surprisingly intervened.


    "Fourth uncle, fourth aunt, Shuangshuang seems to have some issues, you should go and check!"


    Speaking of her daughter, Yu Si Niang dragged Mu the Third and rushed out of the kitchen.


    "Yu Si Niang, don¡¯t run, wait for me!" Mrs. Lin screamed in anger, voice echoing around, her face now swollen like a pig¡¯s head, all bruised and purplish, so hideous it was nauseating.


    Now, in the kitchen, only Mrs. Lin and Mrs. Liu were left.


    Mrs. Liu said nothing; when Yu Si Niang was hitting, she was so frightened she curled up in a corner by the stove.


    Mrs. Lin, having been beaten so miserably, was filled with anger, and went over to slap Mrs. Liu.


    "You wretch, gawking around, if we miss dinner, I¡¯ll kill you."


    An immediate red handprint appeared on Mrs. Liu¡¯s face, she started trembling even more. She didn¡¯t have Yu Si Niang¡¯s courage, nor her fierceness, everything she suffered alone, silently crying briefly before starting to cook.


    The kitchen then resumed its chopping sounds, the thumb-sized meat on the cutting board chopped into fine mince, now looking even smaller.


    But meat is always good to have.


    Lu Yuanfeng gently patted Yuanbao¡¯s shoulder, and left the Old Mu Family.


    In the pitch-black night, the village paths were occasionally punctuated by dog barking, near and far, in the distant rice fields, frogs croaked, seemingly in tune with the dog barks.


    All the way back, Lu Yuanbao said nothing until they were near home when he suddenly spoke.


    "Second brother, actually, even if four-aunt hadn¡¯t saved me in the afternoon, I could have got up on my own, the ditch wasn¡¯t deep, couldn¡¯t drown me, besides I swim pretty well, I can hold my breath for a whole incense stick¡¯s time."


    "Yuanbao, that¡¯s not important, important is that among so many people, only four-aunt jumped down."


    That¡¯s why Lu Yuanfeng was willing to owe Si Niang this favor.


    "Alright, I got it, don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t dismiss that smelly girl again, she¡¯s the sweetest smelling smelly girl in the world."


    Lu Yuanfeng: "..."

 Chapter 29: Telling You to Complain

    Chapter 29: Chapter 29: Telling You to ComplainMu the Third and Yu Si Niang entered their house, the first thing they did was to check on their daughter, seeing her lying in bed, her eyes already open.


    Yu Si Niang immediately broke free from Mu Dashan¡¯s hand.


    "Shuangshuang, you¡¯re awake, let your mother see if you¡¯re feeling better."


    Seeing the person running over, Mu Shuangshuang felt warmth in her heart, and the lines on her face softened considerably. Mu Shuangshuang knew this was a form of acceptance¡ªher body belonged to the original owner, but her heart had long accepted Yu Si Niang as her mother. At least to Mu Shuangshuang, this mother was very competent, as she had never disliked her from the moment Shuangshuang had consciousness.


    Afraid she might feel uncomfortable, Yu Si Niang actually reached out her hand to carefully examine her body, first touching her forehead to confirm there were no signs of fever, then checking her own arms and legs meticulously. Only after finding no marks, did Yu Si Niang breathe a sigh of relief.


    But she immediately grew nervous again. "Shuangshuang, does it hurt?"


    Mu Shuangshuang saw that her eyes were full of concern and was momentarily stunned.


    She had never known that the emotions revealed in one person¡¯s eyes when caring for another could be so beautiful, making it impossible to look away.


    "What¡¯s the matter? Did someone bully you? Tell your mother, I¡¯ll beat them dead." Yu Si Niang moved, ready to stand up. She had already acted today anyway, and would be scolded and beaten by Old Mrs. Mu later; she might as well teach Mrs. Lin a good lesson now.


    Hearing Yu Si Niang mentioning beating someone, Mu Shuangshuang laughed. Little Zhi had already told her that Yu Si Niang just had a fight with Mrs. Lin, thoroughly beating Lin. Mu Shuangshuang was delighted.


    Knowing that Yu Si Niang was fierce when she was young, she didn¡¯t expect her to be so ruthless when fighting. It was a pity she wasn¡¯t there; if she had been, she would have applauded and said, "Well done!" But she still held onto Yu Si Niang¡¯s hand.


    Mu Shuangshuang realized now was not the time to be happy. Given Lin¡¯s nature, she definitely went to file a complaint, possibly saying unpleasant things. What she had to do was help Yu Si Niang resolve this unnecessary crisis.


    "Mother, you must listen to what I say... Now..." This time, Mu Shuangshuang spoke faster than ever, bearing the pain like fire in her throat. While talking, she began to mess up Yu Si Niang¡¯s hair. Not satisfied, she even asked Little Zhi to help. As for Mu Dashan, she sent him to find Mr. Mu; as Lin knew how to complain, Mu Family¡¯s third branch knew too.


    Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s idea was to outdo in misery this time and then have Mu Dashan bring Mr. Mu to mediate. As long as they got through today, once she recovered, the third branch wouldn¡¯t need to fear the second branch. Mu Shuangshuang didn¡¯t even care about the first branch with the scholar.


    As far as she knew, Mu Dade achieved the scholar status at seventeen, and now, more than a dozen years later, he was still just a scholar. People say that after eight years of the Imperial Exam, even a pig could get into university, not to mention Mu Dade, who should have more than twenty years of learning experience from enlightenment till now. It¡¯s only a basic book; even memorizing for ten years should be enough.


    So, with Mu Dade¡¯s aptitude, even if the Old Mu Family¡¯s ancestral grave cracked open allowing him to become a scholar, he was merely a forever dismal stock.


    In no time, Yu Si Niang was made into a madwoman by Shuangshuang and Little Zhi, yet it was far from enough.


    "Red paper!" Shuangshuang wasn¡¯t sure if the house had this, but asking was always good.


    "I have, I have!" Little Zhi raised his small hand and started looking in the broken cabinet at home. In a short while, he found a sheet of red paper, its color somewhat faded, evidently indicating it had been stored for some years. Shuangshuang dressed Yu Si Niang¡¯s face and hands with a makeup, adding a bit of the grime she had on her body. In no time, Yu Si Niang¡¯s face looked bruised in patches.


    Only then did Shuangshuang breathe a sigh of relief, but soon, Mrs. Lin¡¯s swearing voice came from outside.


    "Mother, you must stand up for me. I was helping Mrs. Liu cook in the kitchen, and Yu Si Niang suddenly came up and slapped me several times. Look at my now pig head-like face; how will I ever face people again?"


    "Alright, alright, you know your face is ugly, then roll back into the house. Don¡¯t scare the men at home." Old Mrs. Mu was in a good mood today, rare to have walked a distance without swearing, but Lin wasn¡¯t pleased. No matter how miserable she was, Yu Si Niang had to suffer too.


    "Mother, it¡¯s probably Yu Si Niang who stole the salt jar. You should get the salt jar back; it might allow us to marinate a pound of meat!"


    "Humph, do you think she¡¯s capable of that? Why do you talk so much today, like a fly? Uncomfortable? Go squat in the toilet; where maggots abound, they won¡¯t mind listening to your rant." Old Mrs. Mu was annoyed with Lin, who kept talking about petty stuff, causing her to forget how many Copper Coins she had counted in her family¡¯s house.


    Mrs. Lin immediately shut up but started swearing again once inside the third branch¡¯s house.


    "Yu Si Niang, you shameless thing, dare to hit me! My mother is here; let¡¯s see if you dare bully me!"


    Who would¡¯ve thought Yu Si Niang would look like this? Her gray linen clothes were all dusty, her face swollen red from being beaten, her clothes torn in places, her hair resembling a chicken coop, with patches missing here and there.


    Mu Xiaozhi rushed over upon seeing Mrs. Lin. "Second Aunt, why did you hit my mother? Mother won¡¯t tell anyone you said Grandma took the meat Brother Yuan Feng brought home. Why did you hit her?"


    Little Zhi¡¯s question immediately turned all the words Mrs. Lin said to Old Mrs. Mu into falsehoods.


    "Mrs. Lin, you ate dung, didn¡¯t you, your words stink. What did I take?" Old Mrs. Mu raised her eyebrows, and her wrinkled face suddenly exuded a murderous aura.


    Before Mrs. Lin could react, Old Mrs. Mu gave her a slap, making Lin fall to the ground.


    "Mother, no, I didn¡¯t say anything, Little Zhi... Little Zhi is lying; she¡¯s lying."


    This time, Old Mrs. Mu was truly angry; this Mrs. Lin repeatedly deceived her, fearing she was going to rebel.


    "Well, Mrs. Lin, if you don¡¯t explain clearly today, don¡¯t think about sleeping."


    Old Mrs. Mu grabbed Lin¡¯s hair, dragging her out. Meanwhile, Mu Dashan who went to invite Mr. Mu returned empty-handed, with no Mr. Mu following. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Failing to invite Mr. Mu, Mu Dashan¡¯s face was reddened, like a child who did wrong, even afraid to enter the door. It was Yu Si Niang who pulled him inside, and he immediately apologized to Mu Shuangshuang on the bed.


    "Shuangshuang, I¡¯m sorry, it¡¯s because father is useless, father... couldn¡¯t invite your grandfather."


    Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s eyes narrowed, but she still nodded.


    Luckily, she devised two plans; otherwise, Yu Si Niang would suffer greatly today. On this long night, pig-headed Lin probably couldn¡¯t sleep!

 Chapter 30 Daddy Gou Dan, Feeling Good?

    Chapter 30: Chapter 30 Daddy Gou Dan, Feeling Good?In the Mu Family¡¯s hall, Old Mrs. Mu was wielding a feather duster, fiercely striking Mrs. Lin¡¯s backside while cursing incessantly.


    "For deceiving me, for stirring trouble, for speaking out of turn..."


    The sound of the feather duster hitting flesh and the wailing of Mrs. Lin echoed throughout the Old Mu Family¡¯s vicinity.


    Inside the third branch¡¯s house, Mu Dashan was tossing and turning, unable to sleep, unsure whether it was due to Mrs. Lin¡¯s howling outside or something else. Regardless, there was an unusual frustration in his heart.


    The room was pitch black, completely enveloped in darkness, with a clay window by the ceiling. It was installed so high that even the moonlight couldn¡¯t seep in.


    Luckily, the Mu Family was already accustomed to such dark nights.


    "Shuangshuang¡¯s dad, what¡¯s wrong? Can¡¯t sleep?"


    Yu Si Niang suddenly spoke. Since Mrs. Lin had been dragged out by Old Mrs. Mu for punishment, her husband¡¯s emotions seemed off. At that time, Yu Si Niang didn¡¯t pay much attention, thinking he just felt guilty for failing to invite Mr. Mu. Now it seemed he was worried about Mrs. Lin.


    "No, you sleep!"


    Knowing her husband had a kind heart, Yu Si Niang couldn¡¯t say much else but reminded him, "You should sleep early too. We have to harvest rice tomorrow."


    "Hmm!" Mu Dashan replied vaguely, his eyes still as wide as bells.


    Yu Si Niang was indeed exhausted, having been drenched by cotton water all afternoon, plus the worry for her daughter. She truly needed a good rest.


    Thinking of her daughter, Yu Si Niang deliberately glanced at the little body beside her, like a dream. One day Shuangshuang could call her mother and sleep on the same kang. Heaven had been kind to her, so she had to take care of herself more, to earn more silver for her daughter. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Not just Yu Si Niang and Mu Dashan were sleepless; Mu Shuangshuang and Mu Xiaohan were also awake. Previously, Mu Shuangshuang didn¡¯t want to get on the kang, refusing even when Yu Si Niang invited her, so although the room smelled bad, at least the bed was clean. But now, for Mu Xiaohan, even the bed felt filthy.


    Mu Xiaohan opened his cold eyes, his face full of contempt and... resentment.


    This emotion heavily influenced Mu Shuangshuang, whose senses were incredibly sharp, even more so now. If she had to say the only benefit of traveling through time, Mu Shuangshuang would say it was the intrinsic perception of this body, of the surrounding environment and people.


    Whether it was a blessing in disguise, Mu Shuangshuang knew if this body was trained using the skills she learned at police academy and a secret base, it¡¯d be possible to walk sideways through this village without issue.


    Combat power decides everything! At least, that¡¯s how it seems right now.


    Mu Xiaohan¡¯s resentment greatly annoyed Mu Shuangshuang. She thought for a moment, then reached out to stir her own clothes. Mu Shuangshuang was like a moving cesspit now, even she couldn¡¯t stand it, let alone Mu Xiaohan beside her. After a while, Mu Xiaohan began to gag but was stuck inside the bed.


    The feeling of wanting to vomit but unable to was the worst. Estimating Mu Xiaohan had suffered enough, Mu Shuangshuang closed her eyes, ready to sleep.


    At this moment, Mu Dashan got up and headed outside.


    For some reason, Mu Shuangshuang had an intuition he was going to persuade Old Mrs. Mu to stop beating up Mrs. Lin. Sure enough, after a while the sound of thrashing stopped, but Old Mrs. Mu¡¯s scolding persisted.


    "Don¡¯t think just because this old third supports you, the old lady will let you off. Starting tomorrow, you wash all the clothes in the house clean by yourself. If you don¡¯t finish, go sleep in the pigsty!"


    Pigsty was the term Old Mrs. Mu used most frequently. The Mu Family used to raise pigs, two of them, but Mu Dade¡¯s schooling cost too much money. While other families slaughtered pigs and ate a piece themselves first, the Mu Family sold all of theirs, using the silver earned entirely for Mu Dade. Later, when the war broke out, the piglets they raised were taken away for taxes, leaving Old Mrs. Mu heartbroken since then, never willing to raise pigs again.


    Mu Dashan went to help Mrs. Lin speak kindly but was scolded fiercely by Old Mrs. Mu. Fortunately, Old Mrs. Mu finally stopped, after a round of scolding Mrs. Lin, she let her go.


    Mrs. Lin did not express gratitude to Mu Dashan; instead, she gave a fierce glare to this third brother, until Mu Dashan¡¯s face reddened in embarrassment as he returned to his house. Only then did Mrs. Lin, with hair disheveled and face swollen like a pig¡¯s head, return to her room. At this time, on her family¡¯s kang, Mu Qingqing and Gou Dan were already asleep, leaving only Mu Dazhong sitting at the bedside, waiting for her foot-wash basin.


    "Why so slow? Did you fall into a cesspit?" Mu Dazhong asked disdainfully, glancing at the pig-head person.


    Mrs. Lin¡¯s attitude immediately softened as she hurriedly took the bowl, carefully holding Mu Dazhong¡¯s feet, testing the water temperature before placing his feet inside.


    "Daddy Gou Dan, when do you think Da Lang can earn a title? If this drags on any longer, the Old Mu Family would have been scraped clean." she said.


    "Hmm, you still don¡¯t know what Da Lang is like? How many years has he been studying? Mrs. Jin has almost turned into an old lady, and he¡¯s still reading." she replied.


    Mentioning this elder brother, Mu Dazhong had his frustrations. Back then, the family was poor, and only Da Lang was sent to study, though he also had potential. If he had been sent to study, perhaps today the Old Mu Family would¡¯ve prospered.


    "Mr. Mu was too partial back then, sending Da Lang to study and not you, which can be accepted. But our Da Lang is the eldest grandson, sixteen years old and has never set foot in a school, and still hasn¡¯t married anyone. We¡¯re all part of the Old Mu Family, so why should the second branch farm while the first branch eats meat?" she pondered.


    Mu Dazhong thought it over and indeed found it infuriating. "No, tomorrow I¡¯ll go find Granny Sun on the east side of the village, and have her speak for our family. The Fifth¡¯s marriage we can¡¯t manage, but Da Lang is our hope and mustn¡¯t be delayed." she declared.


    "Will mother agree?" Mrs. Lin asked, a bit scared.


    "She has to agree even if she doesn¡¯t want to. Who let her be partial back then? Not to mention that Da Lang hasn¡¯t passed the exams yet, even if he really passes later, it won¡¯t mean less good days for us. Then the first branch better cough up all the meat they¡¯ve eaten over these years." she considered.


    Mrs. Lin finally relaxed, thinking her husband was impressive, even a casual fart from him was more fragrant than someone else¡¯s words.


    But Mrs. Lin did not see Mu Dazhong¡¯s look of disgust when he saw her swollen pig-head face.


    Over the years, Mrs. Lin had grown increasingly ugly, her face marred by more and more yellow spots. Mu Dazhong found it nauseating to look at her for more than a second, while this woman kept thinking she looked as radiant as a flower, that any man would want to take a shot at her.


    Almost finished washing, Mu Dazhong abruptly withdrew his foot from the wooden basin, waving it in front of Mrs. Lin. Due to his urgency, the foot almost ended up in Mrs. Lin¡¯s mouth, but she remained cheerful, helping Mu Dazhong wipe his feet and massage his shoulders, even forgetting her own pain.


    "Daddy Gou Dan, does this feel good?" she asked.

 Chapter 31: Shuangshuang Can Get Out of Bed Now

    Chapter 31: Chapter 31: Shuangshuang Can Get Out of Bed NowMu Dazhong glanced at Mrs. Lin, whose face was swollen like a pig¡¯s head, now magnified countless times, as if it could make someone puke up their food from last night.


    Especially when Mrs. Lin unexpectedly put on a girlish bashfulness, Mu Dazhong just felt like vomiting.


    This woman, already an old cucumber in her thirties, acting like a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl every day, doesn¡¯t even consider how ridiculous she looks.


    Without a response from Mu Dazhong, Mrs. Lin stretched out her hand, touched Mu Dazhong¡¯s chest, and seemed to want to reach inside, but faced with the pig-headed face, Mu Dazhong just couldn¡¯t do it.


    "Alright, enough, stop thinking about that nonsense all the time, we have work tomorrow."


    After saying this, Mu Dazhong turned over and lay flat on the kang, occupying two-thirds of the space with his sprawled posture, squeezing Mu Qingqing and Gou Dan into the corner by the wall, but Mrs. Lin didn¡¯t think anything was wrong.


    With her husband as her sky, her man should be like this. Yet not getting it tonight left Mrs. Lin with a wicked fire scratching at her chest. So she thought for a moment, didn¡¯t wash her feet or pour water, just climbed next to Mu Dazhong.


    "Gou Dan¡¯s dad, you see the kid¡¯s asleep, we could..." The words were half-spoken before Mu Dazhong¡¯s enormous snores filled the room.


    Annoyed, Mrs. Lin flopped onto the kang, hitting her head and wincing from the pain.


    Finally, the Old Mu Family was quiet!


    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª


    A few days passed, and Mu Shuangshuang relied on some herbal medicine and finally pulled through. Although still very weak, her wounds were gradually healing, and she could now get out of bed. As for her voice, after Lu Yuanfeng had Lu Yuanbao deliver medicine for several days, she could speak coherently.


    Early in the morning, Mu Shuangshuang used branches from the locust tree to brush her teeth three times, finally cleaning the years of tartar between her teeth. She breathed deeply, sniffed, and it indeed didn¡¯t smell bad anymore.


    The next task was to clean her body, which even flies avoided.


    She combed her hair near her face with her fingers, feeling disgusted, and was about to go out for breakfast when Little Zhi rushed in.


    "Sis, Granny is yelling again." Little Zhi¡¯s face was flushed, running just a few steps left her breathless from malnutrition. Seeing Little Zhi¡¯s skinny face made Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s feelings mixed.


    "Let her yell, you know what Granny is like."


    Mu Shuangshuang understood Old Mrs. Mu¡¯s temperament well, if she didn¡¯t scold someone daily, she wasn¡¯t herself. As long as she wasn¡¯t provoked, Mu Shuangshuang didn¡¯t mind.


    "Granny¡¯s complaining about who used so many locust branches, as if they¡¯re free."


    Regarding the locust branches, Mu Shuangshuang indeed used a lot, brushing her teeth four times a day, each time with at least three or four branches. But so what? She didn¡¯t use the Old Mu¡¯s branches; she used the ones Mu Dashan specifically picked for her.


    The village locust branches were all from a grove in the south of the village, within walking distance, about ten minutes away. It wasn¡¯t rare, yet Old Mrs. Mu treated any locust branch like a treasure, not wishing anyone to use it, hoarding it as firewood.


    "Ignore her, Sis will go out after breakfast. Want anything to eat? Sister will see if she can bring you some when she¡¯s out."


    Mu Shuangshuang had noticed that to the north of the village, there is a tall mountain. According to Little Zhi, it¡¯s called Niuwei Mountain. The trees there are dense, with various fauna. She planned to wash and head into the mountain, hoping to forage some rare wild veggies to spice things up.


    "I want to, but anything you get will be taken by Granny."


    Mu Family¡¯s rule was for sons and daughter-in-laws to submit their earnings, while grandchildren could keep what they earned. But Old Mrs. Mu, spotting money in your hand, wouldn¡¯t hesitate to accuse you of theft.


    "True, Granny¡¯s worse than a weasel, can¡¯t let her see anything nice." Mu Shuangshuang was not afraid of Old Mrs. Mu; she was just concerned about upsetting her compliant father.


    "Alright then, come find me by the northern stream at quarter past noon, Sister will prepare some food for you."


    At the mention of food, saliva dribbled from Little Zhi¡¯s lips.


    Life in the Old Mu Family meant hunger for anyone but the men, Old Mrs. Mu and Mr. Mu. Particularly when the harvesting began, Old Mrs. Mu saved lunch for the working men cutting rice to prevent fainting from hunger. Mu Shuangshuang didn¡¯t care; she was capable enough to find better meals outside.


    "Little Zhi got it, should I call Brother Xiao Han?"


    Mentioning Mu Xiaohan brought a change to Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s expression; he wasn¡¯t straightforward.


    "Xiao Han is closer with Gou Dan; second aunt will surely feed him. Don¡¯t call him today, Little Zhi."


    "Got it!"


    In the main room, breakfast consisted of a yellow bun slightly bigger than Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s palm, and a bowl of days-old fermented beans, shriveled on the table, plus porridge as thin as water which wasn¡¯t for the kids but for the laboring men to stave off hunger. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "After breakfast, clear out. Lunch is off, granny doesn¡¯t want anyone begging around. If I see any, no dinner either."


    While distributing buns, Old Mrs. Mu babbled incessantly, sending the first few kids away trembling, shoulders hunched in fear.


    Mu Shuangshuang led Little Zhi to Old Mrs. Mu, who glared at her and threw half of a yellow bun into her arms. Mu Shuangshuang coldly smiled without catching it, letting the bun hit the dusty floor.


    "Well, you wastrel, wasting food. Watch how I deal with you today¡ªthird child, bring me the feather duster. I¡¯ll whip this stubborn girl and show her granny¡¯s prowess."


    Yu Si Niang was absent today, having left for town to work early on. Knowing nobody would defend Mu Shuangshuang, Old Mrs. Mu deliberately picked a fight.


    "Mom, Shuangshuang¡¯s young, she... she didn¡¯t mean it." Mu Dashan turned pale, apologizing quickly, pulling Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s sleeve. "Shuangshuang, apologize to Granny, ask for forgiveness."


    Mu Shuangshuang revealed a discreet grin and suddenly said, "I¡¯m not wrong, it¡¯s Granny..."

 Chapter 32 Becoming Clean (1)

    Chapter 32: Chapter 32 Becoming Clean (1)"What did you say?" Old Mrs. Mu shivered, asking again uncertainly. Had this brat really rebelled? How dare she speak to her like that?


    "Shuangshuang didn¡¯t do anything wrong, it was Grandma who did!" Mu Shuangshuang reiterated her earlier words clearly, looking directly at Old Mrs. Mu with no fear of her intimidation!


    The reaction of the Mu Family, however, was different from hers. Mu Dashan gasped as if he couldn¡¯t believe such bold words came from his eldest daughter¡¯s mouth.


    His hands trembled as he was about to speak when Old Mrs. Mu stomped her foot hard and started cursing, pointing at Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s nose.


    "Well, you¡¯ve really turned against me, daring to speak to me like this. You ungrateful wretch! Today, I¡¯m going to teach Yu Si Niang a lesson on your behalf, so you know what it means to respect your elders." S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Old Mrs. Mu rolled up her sleeves and looked at Mu Shuangshuang fiercely. Meanwhile, Mu Shuangshuang was observing the Mu Family, hoping to see if anyone had a conscience. She noticed the second branch of the family watching her as if to enjoy a show, waiting to see how Old Mrs. Mu would skin her alive.


    But they underestimated her.


    Mu Shuangshuang slipped to the side and stood next to Mr. Mu. No matter how capable Old Mrs. Mu was, she wouldn¡¯t dare to act out in front of Mr. Mu, and even if she did, she¡¯d have to consider whether her fists would comply.


    "Grandpa, didn¡¯t you once say that fairness and justice are crucial in dealing with people?" Mu Shuangshuang asked Mr. Mu unflinchingly.


    No need to question whether Mr. Mu ever actually said this; Mu Shuangshuang wasn¡¯t certain. But one thing was sure: anyone, even a fool, would know to nod at that.


    Without hesitation, Mr. Mu replied, "Yes, the Old Mu Family¡¯s rule is to emphasize fairness and justice."


    As soon as Mr. Mu finished speaking, Mu Dazhong inside cursed in his heart.


    Bah, fairness my foot. If there were fairness, would Mu Dazhong spend his life farming?


    Could Mu Dade still loaf around at home in his thirties, preparing for the scholar exams?


    Thinking of Mu Dade, who idled in the east wing, eating without working, Mu Dazhong felt his anger boil over, now almost willing to swallow Mu Dade whole.


    "So did Grandma just violate the Old Mu Family¡¯s rules against Shuangshuang? All other siblings share one bun, but Shuangshuang only gets half. It¡¯s not that Shuangshuang insists on having a whole bun, but being tossed half a bun like a beggar is upsetting."


    "Shuangshuang is not a beggar. Though Shuangshuang once didn¡¯t know better and made childish mistakes, she is changing now. Shouldn¡¯t Grandma change too?"


    When it comes to complaining, Mu Shuangshuang ranks second to none.


    Besides, she knew that in ancient times, women were told to regard their husband¡¯s word as law. As the center of this household, Mr. Mu, no matter how biased, wouldn¡¯t pretend to allow Old Mrs. Mu to actually hit her.


    "Well, you little brat, how dare you talk back to me in front of my old lady, you¡¯re really asking for it today."


    Old Mrs. Mu didn¡¯t care about fairness or unfairness; she only knew that the brat had covered her in spit, ruined a table full of food, and dared to complain to her face. If she didn¡¯t teach her a lesson today, who would listen to her in this household anymore?


    "What are you yelling about? Shuang didn¡¯t say anything wrong. You, as the grandma, are being unfair. They are all grandchildren, but you need to treat them equally. Otherwise, it will be a joke if rumors spread." Mr. Mu glared at Old Mrs. Mu, his face full of displeasure.


    "What? Can¡¯t I, as a grandma, discipline my granddaughter? Or is this brat too precious to be touched?"


    When Old Mrs. Mu mentioned the preciousness, Gou Dan thought his grandma would give him another bun, so he quickly looked up, eagerly staring at Old Mrs. Mu.


    Precious was Gou Dan¡¯s full name, so his reaction was understandable. However, just as he lifted his head, Mu Shuangshuang happened to see the long thread of snot hanging from his nose, about to drop into the dirty bun he held with his filthy hands.


    Mu Shuangshuang turned her head in disgust.


    "Grandma, why are you calling me?" Gou Dan wiped his snot with his hand and asked Old Mrs. Mu.


    "Get lost, this is none of your business." Old Mrs. Mu shoved him aside without showing any affection for her eldest grandson.


    Gou Dan¡¯s lip trembled as if he was about to cry, but Old Mrs. Mu¡¯s glance scared him off, and he retreated outside.


    "What are you doing? Did the child wrong you? If you want to keep this up, return to your Liu Family."


    Hearing this finally quieted Old Mrs. Mu. She glared furiously at Mu Shuangshuang, picked up the bun from the ground, cleaned the outer skin, and put it back in the wooden tub.


    Though still fuming, she replaced the half bun with a whole one for Mu Shuangshuang, unblemished this time.


    "Bah, eat your fill, you nasty girl!" Old Mrs. Mu muttered under her breath as she grabbed her breakfast and found a stool to sit down.


    Mu Shuangshuang had her meal outside, in the cool alley between the main house and the kitchen. Though it was morning, the scorching June sun was already evident; the sultry air made even the breeze feel hot.


    Just as she was about to eat her bun, Gou Dan came back out. Although he hadn¡¯t finished his bun either, he had set his sights on Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s bun. In the past, whenever he saw her, she was so terrified she¡¯d act like a submissive grandson, and whatever he wanted, he got. So this time, he brazenly walked up to her.


    "You filthy thing, give me your bun, or I¡¯ll beat you to death." And with that, Gou Dan licked his snot-covered nose again, seemingly indifferent to the filth.


    Mu Shuangshuang smirked sarcastically, her expression cold as she replied. "Are you daydreaming, or did eating snot damage your brain?"


    Mu Shuangshuang suddenly remembered a popular phrase online: zombies opened your brain, but left disappointed, only for passing dung beetles to find delight.


    "You wretched girl, how dare you resist? Have you forgotten how your grandpa taught you?" Gou Dan shouted angrily.


    Mu Shuangshuang then understood why she felt hunger pangs when she came here.


    "Come on, if you approach, I¡¯ll give you the bun." Mu Shuangshuang suddenly smiled brightly, gently speaking to Gou Dan.


    Gou Dan¡¯s face lit up, thinking Mu Shuangshuang would hand him her breakfast as usual, so he eagerly leaned closer.


    Seizing the opportunity, Mu Shuangshuang raised her hand and shouted, "I strike!"


    With a solid slap, she knocked Gou Dan onto the ground, sending his bun flying into the dusty earth.


    Before he could react, Mu Shuangshuang pinned him again and unleashed several slaps, leaving his face swollen like a steamed bun. Only then did she stand and walk towards the stream at the north end of the village...

 Chapter 33 Getting Clean (2)

    Chapter 33: Chapter 33 Getting Clean (2)Mu Shuangshuang walked out of Old Mu Family¡¯s courtyard and began to survey Er Gui Village. Compared to the villages she governed in her previous life, Er Gui Village truly could only be described as primitive society.


    What she saw were a few households that were similar to the Mu Family, mud made from earth blocks, and thatched roofs on mud-brick houses. Some even looked more dilapidated than Old Mu Family¡¯s, with a few scattered thatched huts, seemingly about to collapse, reminiscent of modern abandoned hazard-prone buildings.


    Thankfully, the air here is fresh, unlike the air corroded by smog; a deep breath feels as if the air entering the lungs carries a natural freshness.


    Following the path she took last time, Mu Shuangshuang saw quite a few farmlands, primarily paddy fields, filled with golden rice. The rice grains were full, and even the weeds seemed sparse.


    According to Yu Si Niang, this was the first prosperous year after the war ended. Although most of the rice would end up in the state treasury as taxes after harvest, the villagers¡¯ joy remained undiminished.


    Now officially into double cropping season, for the next forty days, the villagers would have only a few tasks: harvesting rice and transplanting seedlings.


    Looking up north to Niuwei Mountain, a glimmer of expectation appeared in Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s eyes. The mountain was densely wooded, with few visitors; she didn¡¯t even need to think to know how many treasures were on that mountain.


    As it was still early, most villagers were having breakfast; those out now were rushing to water the cotton fields or preparing to bundle the straw for the harvested rice. In short, everyone had their own tasks.


    "Hey, Shuang, you¡¯re out for a stroll, huh?"


    The man who happened to run into Mu Shuangshuang took the initiative to speak to her, but Mu Shuangshuang clearly saw disdain and scorn in his eyes.


    She glanced at the man and walked straight towards the creek.


    "Wow, this nasty girl is still as rude as ever. I heard last time Ma Houhou almost made her explode with anger," said Aunt Zhao, who was accompanying the man.


    "Exactly, I heard Ma Houhou even hid at home for a few days, afraid Old Mu Family would come asking for coffin money. Who would¡¯ve thought Shuang would come back to life again."


    "Indeed, though she came back to life, she still doesn¡¯t understand how to respect elders. This Old Mu Family would be ruined by this nasty girl."


    A few gossiping women chatted without fear of Mu Shuangshuang overhearing, but Mu Shuangshuang didn¡¯t care. After all, she had seen this before; in modern times, managing security, she had handled countless cases where people argued fiercely over trivial matters.


    Of course, this was also a kind of village culture. While people argue, when big things happen, they still help.


    The water north of the village belongs to Niuwei Mountain, flowing down as a mountain spring, resembling a small waterfall. Bathing there in cold water during summer is a pleasure, but villagers seldom go there.


    Mu Shuangshuang observed the surroundings as she walked, noting various exits. By the time she reached the creek, an hour had passed, and the weather had grown hotter. She was already drenched in sweat, with her clothes damply clinging to her body as she lowered her head and saw her toes.


    "Alas, no chest, no chest. If I had a chest, I definitely wouldn¡¯t be able to see my toes."


    Thinking of her large chest in her previous life, Mu Shuangshuang felt a pang of distress. This figure was akin to a washboard, flatter than the Pacific Ocean.


    People say losing weight is easy, just don¡¯t eat meat and rice for half a year and you¡¯ll slim down. But gaining weight for a skinny person is difficult! Given her bony frame, even eating an entire pig wouldn¡¯t make much difference, not to mention her chest flatter than a man¡¯s. She hoped her small frame hadn¡¯t started developing yet, or there wouldn¡¯t even be a chance to remedy it.


    After a moment of distress, Mu Shuangshuang headed towards the creek. As she neared the water, she heard a splash on the creek¡¯s surface, seemingly a large fish diving in. Her eyes lit up, confident there were fish here.


    She quickened her pace forward, looking at the creek¡¯s surface where spring water kept bubbling down. Mu Shuangshuang decided to clean herself first; perhaps she might even scare a few fish to death, then she wouldn¡¯t have to catch them herself.


    Scanning the area, she finally fixed her gaze on a spot with lush water plants on the east side of the creek. Mu Shuangshuang walked over, crouched down, pulled a handful of water plants, and found a sunny spot to settle into the cool creek water.


    The creek water dispelled Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s body odor, allowing her to breathe freely. Although the water wasn¡¯t as warm as at noon, it wasn¡¯t cold at all. Mu Shuangshuang scooped some water, poured it over her clothes, and began undressing.


    Dirty, blackened old shirts floated on the water one by one, soon dyeing the area black, but fortunately, the flowing water quickly diluted it, leaving no trace of black water.


    Accidentally touching her oily looking hair, Mu Shuangshuang frowned.


    She reached out, rubbing the water plants she had gathered earlier. After a while, foam appeared on her hands, similar to the bubbles from modern shampoo and body wash, which she started applying to her hair.


    This type of water plant was taught to her by a few older colleagues in her security team, who said that when they were young, they used these plants to wash their hair. Even as adults, when supply was running low, they would occasionally gather these plants as substitutes for shampoo and body wash.


    Mu Shuangshuang was incredibly grateful that in her previous life, she had learned numerous survival skills in the security team, which allowed her to face what she was experiencing now with composure.


    Her hair nevertheless remained tangled, despite vigorous scrubbing and rinsing with the creek water, still clumped together. Mu Shuangshuang glanced at the scissors she had brought from Old Mu Family and began cutting with a determined "click-clack," thoroughly clearing any knots. Once she cleaned both her hair and body. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The creek¡¯s surface reflected the true visage of this face.


    Her face was skinny, cheeks somewhat sunken, but her eyes, nose, and mouth fit ancient beauty standards. Even in modern times, this could be considered a model¡¯s face, with high recognizability. Surprisingly, despite years of coverage in blackish substances, the body wasn¡¯t dark; it was rather fair.


    Mu Shuangshuang spread her lips in a confident smile and said, "This face isn¡¯t ugly at all. Maybe if I gain some weight, I could become the village beauty across ten villages one day."


    On the water surface, at some point, water splashed again but soon calmed down, as if merely fish playfully jumping.


    Mu Shuangshuang rose to her feet...

 Chapter 34: Entering the Mountain (1)

    Chapter 34: Chapter 34: Entering the Mountain (1)White skin, freshly washed disheveled hair, exceptionally glaring under the sunlight. Mu Shuangshuang glanced around, thought for a moment, and still picked up the clothes soaking in the water, carefully rubbed them, and then put on the inner garments.


    She didn¡¯t wear the outer garment, thinking to wait until the sun dried the clothes. The original body was weak and couldn¡¯t possibly wear wet clothes for several hours, could it?


    Fortunately, at this time, everyone in the village was busy with rice in the fields, and no one with eyes would run near Niuwei Mountain.


    With a glance at Niuwei Mountain, Mu Shuangshuang decided to take a stroll in the woods, picked up scissors, found a stick, and went into the woods.


    As soon as she left, the "big fish" underwater floated up. Yuanbao¡¯s round little body burst out of the water like a loach, taking a deep breath.


    Then Lu Yuanfeng also floated up.


    "Second brother, you almost suffocated me, why did you have to hold me underwater!" Yuanbao panted heavily. His longest breath-holding time was about an incense stick¡¯s duration, and this time it must have exceeded it. If he hadn¡¯t secretly taken two breaths, he would have been done for.


    Lu Yuanfeng¡¯s face was reddened, also panting, but his heavy breath was different from Yuanbao¡¯s. Right now, his mind was chaotic, filled with images of Mu Shuangshuang bathing, her white skin, and...


    Lu Yuanfeng was naturally not a lustful person. Many girls in the village wanted to be his wife, but he felt nothing for them. Yet, he didn¡¯t know why Mu Shuangshuang kept appearing in his sight, always unintentionally, but continuously surprising him.


    "Second brother, what¡¯s wrong with you?" Yuanbao saw Lu Yuanfeng not answering and getting distracted, so he waved his chubby hand in front of him.


    Before this, he and his second brother planned to go up the mountain for some hunting. Passing by this creek, they decided to get a swim first, and being men, they wouldn¡¯t remove their clothes but rather found a spot, jumped in to wash, and with a few moments of drying, their clothes would naturally dry.


    Lu Yuanfeng was the eldest son of the Lu family¡¯s main branch. For some reason, their branch had no land. To survive, they had to hunt in the mountains to trade for some game. Of course, this was the situation after Lu Yuanfeng returned. Before he came back, Yuanbao didn¡¯t have a good life.


    Lu Yuanfeng opened his mouth, just about to speak, when Yuanbao pointed to the clothes hanging on the bank.


    "Brother, someone has been here..." Yuanbao shouted in a sharp voice.


    Walking on the mountain path, Mu Shuangshuang felt she heard something, looked back, saw nothing, and continued up.


    Just entering the woods, sunlight could still penetrate. Mu Shuangshuang looked around briefly, perhaps still on the outskirts, as she couldn¡¯t find any wild vegetables. After a few more steps towards the deeper woods, she finally found a patch of amaranth. Due to seldom being picked, the amaranth was a bit old. After rummaging for a while, she could only find ten or so tender ones among the old.


    Where there are wild vegetables, there may be mushrooms. Mu Shuangshuang knew mushrooms like shade, so she could only search on the northern side of the mountain. Being alone, she dared not venture too deep into the woods. There was plenty of time. Since Niuwei Mountain was here, it must be a treasure trove for her future family. One¡¯s own things need to be gradually familiarized with, right?


    The forest was quiet, not even the chirping of birds or insects, a bit eerie, but Mu Shuangshuang wasn¡¯t easily frightened. She had been through all sorts of situations, witnessing many things. In any environment, as long as she stayed alert, she could always extricate herself from danger.


    Lu Yuanfeng followed behind Mu Shuangshuang. Originally, his mountain path differed from the girl in front, but he changed his mind midway.


    Yuanbao, quick-witted, noticed Lu Yuanfeng¡¯s change in direction and started yelling. "Second brother, aren¡¯t we not hunting on this path?"


    Lu Yuanfeng didn¡¯t answer and continued walking towards the northern mountain.


    "Second brother, we promised Third Uncle to get him ten pounds of meat, did you forget?"


    Yuanbao, anxious, blocked Lu Yuanfeng¡¯s path. When Lu Yuanfeng turned back to look, Mu Shuangshuang was nowhere to be seen.


    "Second brother, what exactly are you looking for? Is it the clothes by the river? Are you really thinking about women?"


    Yuanbao fired three questions in quick succession, like beans popping, at Lu Yuanfeng.


    "Who taught you to say such things?" Lu Yuanfeng frowned.


    "Grandma said it! She said she wants to find a wife for you with big breasts and buttocks, preferably like someone in the village... let me think... Liu Xiaocao, yes, Liu Xiaocao, she¡¯s got the biggest buttocks in the village. Grandma said that way, you could have a chubby boy, ideally as strong as me, to help you with work."


    Lu Yuanfeng curled his lips with a forehead filled with black lines.


    Why would his grandma say such things to a six or seven-year-old? Don¡¯t they fear corrupting the kid?


    "Yuanbao, in the future, when grandma says these things, don¡¯t listen. As a child, don¡¯t be led astray."


    Lu Yuanfeng took exceptional care of his younger brother due to his young age and being siblings from the same mother. Over the years spent in the army, he couldn¡¯t look after him. Now that he was finally back, he couldn¡¯t let his brother end up like him.


    "Yuanbao, when spring comes next year, I¡¯ll send you to the school in town to study hard. Don¡¯t get involved in other matters."


    "Study? I don¡¯t want to! I want to go hunting with you. Besides, what¡¯s so good about studying? Isn¡¯t it just reciting poems?" Yuanbao lifted his head proudly, clearly looking down on scholars.


    "Yuanbao thinks it¡¯s easy?"


    "Of course, it¡¯s just reciting poems, right? I can do it. If you don¡¯t believe me, I¡¯ll recite for you." After saying this, Yuanbao cleared his throat seriously, coughed gently:


    "Life is tough and tight


    Without a man, it¡¯s bitter


    Life is tough and tight


    Without a woman, it¡¯s bitter


    Brother comes, sister comes, kissing with a peck


    Grabbing a handful of yellow rice and white rice


    Life is bitter, bitter


    Grab a woman back home


    Birth of children, raising pigs, everything in a day


    Second brother, second brother, come home quick


    Life is tough and tight


    Bring a village girl back home


    Birthing on the kang, working under the kang


    Second brother, second brother, come home quick"


    Lu Yuanfeng: "..." S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At this moment, Lu Yuanfeng understood the meaning of being utterly dejected and what it meant to hoist a stone only to drop it on one¡¯s own feet. This wasn¡¯t poetry reciting at all, but plain hooliganism.


    "Second brother, how about it? Isn¡¯t Yuanbao better than those useless scholars? That old scholar from the Old Mu Family can¡¯t compare with me, right? I tell you, I just don¡¯t want to go. If I wanted to, that Champion Scholar title would be mine. Second brother, be kind and let me hunt with you, okay? I promise I¡¯ll find you a pretty wife."


    (Fengfeng switched the cover; it¡¯ll be purple from now on, so don¡¯t lose me. Tomorrow, I¡¯ll add an extra Chapter!)

 Chapter 35: Entering the Mountain (2)

    Chapter 35: Chapter 35: Entering the Mountain (2)"Hahaha!"


    In the forest, a string of bell-like laughter rang out, instantly adding a touch of liveliness to the quiet woods.


    Mu Shuangshuang clutched her belly, almost laughing herself into stitches, just shy of rolling on the ground.


    Earlier, she felt someone was following her, so she walked a bit and then hid, making it hard for the person behind to find her. As a result, she overheard this little poem...


    The little chubby kid from the Lu Family really was amusing, even Mu Shuangshuang, who had only seen him a few times, couldn¡¯t help but develop a liking for Yuanbao. Of course, compared to cuteness, he still couldn¡¯t beat Little Zhi.


    Thinking of Little Zhi, Mu Shuangshuang continued heading north through the forest, and soon spotted a fallen tree stump. The stump was covered with wood ear mushrooms, and Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s eyes lit up as she scampered forward to pick them.


    Compared to those in modern times, wild wood ear mushrooms were smaller and less fleshy, and Mu Shuangshuang knew she wouldn¡¯t be able to gather much in one go.


    First, she couldn¡¯t take them home; second, she didn¡¯t have a pot in hand. At most, she could light a fire and place a wooden rack to grill fish.


    Perhaps next time she would bring a basket from home, collect some wild vegetables and wood ear mushrooms, and take them to town to exchange for some small change.


    Though she planned to bring a basket next time, Mu Shuangshuang still took action herself, found a few tree vines, and simply wove a basket to put the wood ear mushrooms and spinach inside. She turned around the mountains a few more times. She didn¡¯t go into the deep woods but was confident the places she ventured were areas people dared not go, otherwise there wouldn¡¯t be such old spinach.


    By the time she went down the mountain, Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s inner shirt was thoroughly dry but was soon sweat-soaked again; mountain climbing in summer was rather risky due to the heat.


    Fortunately, her outer shirt draped over the wooden stick had dried. As noon approached, Mu Shuangshuang feared someone might suddenly intrude, so she donned her outer garment and picked up the wooden stick she had been whittling with scissors all the way.


    There were fish in the brook, Mu Shuangshuang was certain, otherwise there wouldn¡¯t have been fish going jumpy on the water¡¯s surface several times. Mu Shuangshuang crouched by the stream, her eyes fixed stubbornly on the water¡¯s surface, waiting for ripples to appear, and then she would lash out with a stick.


    After several attempts, she finally caught a fish. Mu Shuangshuang lifted it to inspect; it was a whitefish, estimating it weighed a pound or two.


    The offerings from the Old Mu Family were hard to come by; the only thing useful to Mu Shuangshuang was the scissors. Luckily, they weren¡¯t dull and hadn¡¯t rusted, otherwise Mu Shuangshuang would have been at a loss as to how to handle the fish before her.


    With a snap, she cut open the fish¡¯s belly and began gutting it. When she reached the intestines, she cautiously avoided rupturing the gallbladder. A fish with a ruptured gall couldn¡¯t be made delicious even by a skilled chef.


    However, Mu Shuangshuang had heard that if a fish¡¯s gall was ruptured, spitting on it immediately made it okay. As to whether this was true, Mu Shuangshuang wasn¡¯t sure, for she never tried it ¡ª she was skilled at gutting fish.


    Back in the office days, the meals made by the office auntie weren¡¯t palatable, and the men were too busy with tasks, picky about their food, and would often complain that life was unbearable.


    Mu Shuangshuang once made a meal by chance, and everyone found it tastier than the auntie¡¯s; they simply began freeloading at Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s place regularly, forcing her to take over cooking from the auntie. Eventually, it evolved where the auntie was the assistant and Mu Shuangshuang the head chef.


    Of course, throughout this evolution, her culinary skills improved tremendously, almost reaching the level of a professional chef.


    With the fish cleaned up, Mu Shuangshuang sprinkled a little salt on it. She had Little Zhi steal salt from the jar only to give Old Mrs. Mu a chance to teach Mrs. Lin a good lesson, but who knew it would come in handy now.


    Insignificant items could all be taken from the Old Mu Family, including flintstones for starting a fire. Mu Shuangshuang began grilling the fish.


    Fish without a coating of oil naturally tasted duller, but now wasn¡¯t the time for such fussing. Mu Shuangshuang knew that the Old Mu Family probably wouldn¡¯t have a taste of this kind of fish in a year. Little Zhi would likely be delighted later!


    Just as the fish was nearly ready, Little Zhi, covered in sweat, finally arrived.


    This area indeed had few visitors, and although Little Zhi was young, Yu Si Niang had cautioned him several times. So when arriving here, he almost ran and when he saw Mu Shuangshuang, he immediately dove into her embrace.


    "Sister, I¡¯m scared!"


    "Scared of what? Isn¡¯t sister here? There are just fewer people around, don¡¯t worry, there won¡¯t be any fierce beasts that Mother mentioned."


    Mu Shuangshuang believed there were large animals like wolves deep in the mountains, but closer to the mountain¡¯s edge, at most there might only be a few wild chickens or rabbits.


    "But Mother said..." Little Zhi tilted his head, ready to tell what Yu Si Niang had informed him.


    "Mother¡¯s worried Little Zhi might encounter bad people on the mountain, it¡¯s to protect Little Zhi. Now with sister together with Little Zhi, regardless of any danger, sister can handle it for you."


    In Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s experience, humans were more frightening than animals. She usually dealt with small cases but had seen major crimes like murder and arson, though her position was too low to participate.


    "Alright, little girl, your pouted mouth can hang a chamber pot now. Didn¡¯t you say you¡¯re hungry? Sister grilled fish for you, almost ready to eat!"


    Mu Shuangshuang pointed with her finger, and the little head in her embrace, Little Zhi, finally revealed itself. Just then, the fish on the rack sizzled, the air filled with the aroma of fish. The golden-crusted grilled fish was tantalizing, enough to hold one¡¯s gaze.


    "Sister... fish... fish... there¡¯s fish..." Little Zhi¡¯s eyes widened, pulling hard on Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s sleeve, she inhaled forcefully to confirm she wasn¡¯t mistaken, and pinched her own thigh hard.


    Feeling the pain, Little Zhi dared to believe she wasn¡¯t dreaming. She couldn¡¯t stop swallowing, the sound of gulping throat water clear even to Mu Shuangshuang.


    With a stomach rumbling, Little Zhi looked warily at Mu Shuangshuang.


    "Sis, is this really... ours...?"


    Just a few words, but Little Zhi choked on her saliva several times. Her hand clutching Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s sleeve grew tighter and tighter...


    Just like the match-selling little girl holding a match, unwilling to let it go even if it burned her hand.


    Mu Shuangshuang suddenly felt a pang of sadness, perhaps Little Zhi was truly hungry.


    "Yes, it¡¯s ours. Not grandma¡¯s, nor uncle¡¯s; it¡¯s lunch just for me and Little Zhi!"


    "But I don¡¯t dare eat... I¡¯m afraid I¡¯ll never see something this good again if I eat it."


    To Little Zhi, a fish was like a pearl of the ocean¡ªheard of, but unseen, untouchable. She wanted to eat, but feared that having tasted it, she¡¯d never encounter such delicacy again.


    Like having never possessed something, the fear of losing it didn¡¯t exist.


    "Little Zhi needn¡¯t be afraid, sister will catch fish for you every day!" S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 36: Little Zhi’s Perseverance

    Chapter 36: Chapter 36: Little Zhi¡¯s Perseverance"Mmm!" Little Zhi nodded vigorously, believing what her sister said.


    "Sister, when can we eat the fish?" Little Zhi stared eagerly at the fish on the rack, unable to move her eyes away, finally restoring the usual smile on her face.


    Kids at their age have emotions that come and go quickly, especially when there¡¯s food. The Old Mu Family¡¯s life is really tough. For Little Zhi, at her tender age and during her growing years, just eating enough is a luxury, let alone having something nutritious.


    Mu Shuangshuang had long made up her mind to raise this little girl well, so she would be chubby and healthy, ensuring that the other branches of the Old Mu Family would not bully her.


    "You little glutton, the fish still needs to wait a bit, but don¡¯t worry. Sister picked some mushrooms and wild vegetables today, ensuring our Little Zhi will have a full tummy."


    No pot? Then grill. It¡¯s just a different method anyway. Waiting for the fish to cook was torturous for both Mu Shuangshuang and Little Zhi. After all, a big fish was right there, and the morning¡¯s piece of bread was long gone, making their stomachs growl with hunger.


    Mu Shuangshuang decided to talk to distract them.


    "By the way, Little Zhi, after Sister left, did Gou Dan tell on us?"


    Recalling that snot-nosed brat who dropped his own bread after being hit by her, Mu Shuangshuang suddenly felt energized, and her hunger eased a bit.


    "Yes, indeed, Brother Gou Dan is so mean. He clearly didn¡¯t want the bread, threw it away, and yet blamed Sister, saying that Sister hit him. But at that time, only Brother Gou Dan was there."


    Little Zhi said indignantly to Mu Shuangshuang. At that moment, Little Zhi¡¯s cheeks puffed up with anger at Gou Dan¡¯s behavior. She was furious but didn¡¯t dare to confront the second aunt.


    "Oh, what did Grandma say?" Mu Shuangshuang was a bit curious.


    "What else? Of course, she gave him a good beating, pulled down his pants to do it."


    "What? Grandma hit Gou Dan?"


    "Yeah, when I left, he was still crying."


    It turned out that once Mu Shuangshuang left, Gou Dan started wailing, bringing Old Mrs. Mu, who was having breakfast, out of the room. Naturally, Gou Dan started whining, clutching Old Mrs. Mu¡¯s leg and telling her that Mu Shuangshuang had beaten him, pointing to his face claiming it was swollen.


    Unfortunately, the skin on Gou Dan¡¯s face was too dark, and with half a piece of bread still lying on the ground, Old Mrs. Mu recalled not having disciplined Mu Shuangshuang earlier over breakfast, and ended up giving Gou Dan a harsh beating, making him howl in pain, even Mrs. Lin couldn¡¯t stop it.


    Listening to Little Zhi¡¯s recount of events, Mu Shuangshuang laughed until she shook.


    "I can¡¯t take it anymore, Little Zhi, Sister¡¯s internal injuries haven¡¯t healed, I can¡¯t laugh."


    Mu Shuangshuang clutched her stomach with a strained expression towards Little Zhi. Little Zhi stared blankly at her sister, unable to comprehend why she was laughing.


    Gou Dan is so bad, shouldn¡¯t she hate him?


    "Sister, have you forgiven Gou Dan?" Little Zhi¡¯s little mouth pouted, almost ready to cry. "Sister, did you forget when Gou Dan bullied you?"


    Mu Shuangshuang paused, realizing the little girl misunderstood. "Little Zhi, Sister isn¡¯t laughing because she forgave him, but because Gou Dan had it coming. What kind of person is Sister? If someone hits Sister, Sister will make sure they pay dearly, how could I let it go so easily?"


    Children¡¯s thinking is simpler, there¡¯s only like and dislike, hate and not hate. They don¡¯t understand the subtleties of social nuances, and their emotions are easy to reveal. Mu Shuangshuang didn¡¯t intend to correct these emotions. Children should be children, but she still needed to remind about necessary caution.


    "Little Zhi, remember to keep your distance from Gou Dan and the second aunt in the future; they¡¯re not good people."


    Mrs. Lin was always scheming against the third branch, so Little Zhi only stood to benefit by staying clear of her.


    "Ah, the fish is ready."


    Said Mu Shuangshuang, grabbing the fish from the rack, and without caring to let it cool, began tearing into it.


    "Ouch~" Mu Shuangshuang burned herself and quickly squeezed her earlobe with the burned hand, and sure enough, the burning sensation faded.


    It was a method taught by a senior at the institute, claiming a nerve connected to the earlobe helps with burns, and placing the hand on the earlobe works wonders. Mu Shuangshuang never doubted its effectiveness.


    "Little Zhi, this is for you." Mu Shuangshuang handed most of the fish to Little Zhi, keeping only a small tail portion for herself since it had more bones, which Little Zhi could choke on.


    Little Zhi swallowed but refused to take the fish.


    "What¡¯s wrong? Afraid Sister¡¯s cooking is not good?"


    "Sis... Little Zhi doesn¡¯t want so much, can¡¯t finish it."


    After speaking, Little Zhi forcefully swallowed her saliva, her stomach grumbling, eyes slightly dim, turning her head away to avoid looking at the fish in her sister¡¯s hand.


    "Silly girl, if Sister gives it to you, then eat it. Sister has enough, plus we still have mushrooms and wild vegetables."


    Seeing through Little Zhi¡¯s thoughts was part of Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s life, and she understood why Little Zhi hesitated.


    "Do you think Sister gave you the bigger part, Little Zhi?" Mu Shuangshuang said with a smile, looking at Little Zhi with soft eyes.


    "Sister, Little Zhi doesn¡¯t want to take all the food; I don¡¯t want Sister to go hungry..." Mid-sentence, the little girl started to sob, looking pitiful.


    Mu Shuangshuang sighed and re-divided the fish before giving it to Little Zhi.


    "Eat, and after we¡¯re done, don¡¯t tell anyone what we had for lunch. Tomorrow morning, Sister will take you out for food again."


    During this harvest season of over forty days, the children of the Mu Family didn¡¯t get lunch, so Mu Shuangshuang needed to warn Little Zhi not to forget.


    "Yes, Little Zhi knows."


    Taking the grilled fish, Little Zhi didn¡¯t care if it had bones, and shoved it all into her mouth. Shocked, Mu Shuangshuang quickly grabbed her hand, soothing her while also removing the fishbones.


    Holding the deboned fish piece from Mu Shuangshuang, Little Zhi couldn¡¯t stop giggling foolishly.


    "Sister, I feel like you¡¯ve changed a lot."


    "How so?" Mu Shuangshuang asked curiously. She wasn¡¯t the original soul, so changes were expected, but she wanted to know Little Zhi¡¯s thoughts.


    "Sister used to always get bullied by them, and she was dirty."


    Children spoke straightforwardly, Mu Shuangshuang understood and nodded, signaling Little Zhi to continue.


    "Now Sister knows how to protect mom and Little Zhi, and she doesn¡¯t stink anymore."


    Of course, she, Mu Shuangshuang, had just taken a bath.


    "Does Little Zhi like the sister now?" Mu Shuangshuang asked shamelessly. Since she took over the body, she wanted all the love and hate given to it.


    She was greedy, not role-playing for others, not even for the original owner. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Of course, the sister now. Little Zhi has decided, from now on, to stick with Sister, wherever Sister goes, Little Zhi will go too."


    "Even if Sister goes to the outhouse?"


    "Then Little Zhi will go too. Our outhouse plank is big enough for two."


    "..."

 Chapter 37: The Road to Making Money

    Chapter 37: Chapter 37: The Road to Making Money"Sister, you¡¯re sweating."


    Little Zhi, who was gnawing on a fish, noticed that Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s face was sweating, and it was even black sweat. He didn¡¯t even accept the fish Mu Shuangshuang handed over because he wanted to help her wipe the sweat off.


    "No, Little Zhi, I¡¯ve applied something on my face. Don¡¯t wipe it off."


    After taking a bath, Mu Shuangshuang was clean, and the smell was gone. For now, she wasn¡¯t planning to let the Old Mu Family see her real appearance. At least, she couldn¡¯t let them know that her face was quite pretty.


    As the saying goes, people¡¯s hearts are unpredictable. She was already thirteen years old, and in two years, she would be of marriageable age.


    She had heard of cases where children were sold for survival. She trusted Yu Si Niang and Mu Dashan completely, but as for Old Mrs. Mu, who knew if she might not sell her to an old widower in the village for money?


    So, it¡¯s better to be cautious.


    "Is that so? Then I won¡¯t wipe your sweat, Sister. By the way, why did you gather so many mushrooms and wild vegetables? We can¡¯t eat that much."


    After finishing the fish, the two of them were basically full and could only eat a couple more wild vegetables. Wild vegetables that weren¡¯t boiled or oiled tasted bad. Even if hungry, one person couldn¡¯t eat many.


    This was also what Mu Shuangshuang considered. She could take a couple of wild vegetables back to Old Mrs. Mu to make soup, but mushrooms were definitely not something she could do. If Old Mrs. Mu found out, she would probably make her go out to pick mushrooms every morning.


    Her eyes darted around and eventually spotted a large and a small figure coming down from the mountainside, and Mu Shuangshuang immediately had an idea.


    "Little Zhi, quickly finish the fish. I¡¯ll tell you later how to handle these mushrooms and wild vegetables."


    "Alright!"


    After finishing a whole fish and roasting two pieces of mushrooms, they scooped up a few handfuls of spring water to drink and finally felt full. The creek had running water, so Mu Shuangshuang dared to drink it after bathing in it, as the bathwater flowed away with the stream.


    As the people on the mountain drew nearer, Mu Shuangshuang and Little Zhi stood in the shade, waiting for them to approach before quietly calling out.


    "Lu Yuanfeng, come here for a moment."


    Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s voice was not clear, still carrying a hoarseness from a long illness, as if there were grit in her throat. Lu Yuanfeng paused before walking towards her.


    "You... What" he was about to say before he stopped mid-sentence when Mu Shuangshuang directly handed him the basket full of mushrooms.


    "This is for you. Thank you for the herbs."


    "Wow, these are mushrooms! Xiangxiang, you¡¯re amazing, managing to gather mushrooms. My second brother has been on the mountain for so long and never saw these things."


    Lu Yuanfeng went hunting on the mountain every day, but he never paid attention to wild vegetables in the mountains. So, at the Lu family¡¯s house, meat was their most common fare.


    They had no restraint on Yuanbao¡¯s diet and made no demands, resulting in Yuanbao growing fatter and rounder, yet still, no one stopped him from eating, as if that sort of body shape was quite normal.


    The villagers of Er Gui Village were generally thin, either with sunken eyes or cheeks. Fat people in the entire Er Gui Village were few and far between, which might be why Old Lady Lu didn¡¯t impose any dietary restrictions on Yuanbao.


    "Xiangxiang?" Mu Shuangshuang frowned. Isn¡¯t that the name of Old Mrs. Mu¡¯s youngest daughter?


    She was the same age as her, usually treated like a little princess by the family, currently living at their oldest aunt¡¯s husband¡¯s house ¡ª indeed, Old Mrs. Mu¡¯s youngest daughter.


    Aside from Mu Dade, Old Mrs. Mu cherished Mu Xiangxiang and Mu Zhenzhen, who had already married into another village, the most.


    Years ago, Old Mrs. Mu hadn¡¯t had any children for six years after having Mu Dashan, and the children born afterward, except for Mu Danian, were greatly valued by her.


    "I¡¯m not Mu Xiangxiang. I¡¯m Mu Shuangshuang, and Mu Xiangxiang is my little aunt."


    "Yuanbao, what¡¯s wrong with you, calling others by the wrong name? Be careful in the future." Lu Yuanfeng¡¯s tone was more stern than usual, lacking his usual gentleness. He thought such mistakes shouldn¡¯t happen.


    "Second brother, I didn¡¯t mean it that way," Yuanbao said, aggrieved. "Didn¡¯t you tell me not to mind Sister Shuangshuang being smelly? I said she¡¯s the sweetest-smelling person in the world, so I just called her Xiangxiang Sister."


    Yuanbao wasn¡¯t very old, and his encounters with the Old Mu Family barely went beyond the time when his second brother saved someone from the ground. As for who was in the Old Mu Family, how would he know?


    "You can call me Sister Shuangshuang. This is Little Zhi, probably of the same age as you."


    Yuanbao¡¯s attention was immediately drawn to Little Zhi, especially after hearing they were the same age, prompting him to ask, "How old are you? I¡¯m six years old now."


    Little Zhi bore no ill will towards Yuanbao and Lu Yuanfeng; on the contrary, she remembered Lu Yuanfeng as the one who saved her sister.


    "I¡¯m not six yet, but Mother says I already am."


    "Then I¡¯m still the elder brother. Little Zhi, you can call me Brother Yuanbao, and I¡¯ll give you delicious food." Yuanbao thumped his chest without considering that his food came from Lu Yuanfeng.


    Since it was midday, he was likely to be drenched in sweat by the time they walked back, so Lu Yuanfeng suggested resting in the shade where Mu Shuangshuang and Little Zhi had roasted the fish.


    On his back, he carried a deer, with his bow, and the pole weighed down with two wild chickens. The morning¡¯s catch seemed modest.


    Lu Yuanfeng glanced at the girl in front of him. Perhaps because her hair was dry, Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s hair was tied up, using a forked twig twisted into a bun.


    What surprised Lu Yuanfeng the most was why her face, even after being washed clean, was daubed again with some dark substance. Could it be that she didn¡¯t want to be recognized?


    "Lu Yuanfeng, may I ask you something?" Mu Shuangshuang stared at him earnestly.


    "You... You can ask!" Lu Yuanfeng was somewhat nervous, especially after seeing something he probably shouldn¡¯t have. Whenever the person in front of him stared at him, he felt like he¡¯d done something wrong and had been caught, feeling very guilty inside.


    "The things you hunt, besides selling them to the villagers, do you take them to the town?"


    "Not all of them. My second mother demanded quite a few," Yuanbao interjected, answering for Lu Yuanfeng.


    "Yuanbao..." S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Okay, okay, I¡¯ll be quiet now."


    At this moment, Mu Shuangshuang found it amusing. Lu Yuanfeng seemed mature despite his age; yet, he had a very talkative brother, with a childish heart, unlike Little Zhi, who, though small, showed a greater level of maturity. Little Zhi was obedient and usually didn¡¯t engage in conversations unless provoked.


    "Most of the prey is taken to town. After all, there are only a few villagers who buy meat."


    People couldn¡¯t even eat enough, let alone have silver to buy meat.


    "So, what¡¯s the market in town like? Are there many vendors?" Mu Shuangshuang felt a bit excited. She knew she could soon go to town, but she had to prepare and find out what goods made money in town.


    Lu Yuanfeng shook his head, then nodded.


    "What do you mean by that?! Is there a lot or not?"

 Chapter 38: Token of Love?

    Chapter 38: Chapter 38: Token of Love?"There are many people doing business in the town, but the turnover is fast. We¡¯ve just finished fighting wars, and everyone has no silver in their pockets. It¡¯s quite difficult to make a long-lasting business in town."


    Lu Yuanfeng almost had to go to the town every two days. Each time he saw the vendors, the next time they would be gone, probably having stopped their businesses.


    For the game he hunted on the mountain, he would usually leave one alive so that the animals could be kept fresh longer. When taken to the market, they were more popular. Even so, it was just enough for him to make ends meet. Saving any silver was simply a luxury.


    Life after the war indeed was tough, but compared to the time in the camp, it was quite good.


    "Is that so!" Mu Shuangshuang nodded. It seemed she had to go to the town herself to truly know what the situation was.


    "Yuanbao, let¡¯s go back!"


    After staying for a while, with the sun dissipating a bit, Lu Yuanfeng said to Yuanbao, who was still boasting to Little Zhi. Perhaps because they were close in age, ever since Little Zhi called him Brother Yuanbao, Yuanbao began telling Little Zhi all sorts of tales about him and Lu Yuanfeng hunting together.


    The tales of a six-year-old child weren¡¯t entirely truthful. Listening next to them, Mu Shuangshuang occasionally heard Yuanbao say Lu Yuanfeng hunted a giant monster with teeth longer than chopsticks. Other times, the rats in the mountains were as big as chickens. She just smiled, while Little Zhi listened very seriously.


    "Little Zhi, Brother Yuanbao has to go. Next time when we meet again, Brother Yuanbao will tell something else. This is for you."


    Yuanbao ran to Lu Yuanfeng¡¯s little bamboo carrier, untied a grey rabbit secured by straw rope, and stuffed it into Little Zhi¡¯s arms.


    "Little Zhi, this is a gift from Brother Yuanbao. Take good care of it."


    "No, I can¡¯t." Little Zhi quickly waved her hands. "Little Zhi has nothing to feed the little rabbit; it will starve to death."


    The little grey rabbit¡¯s fur was sleek and shiny. Although it was still a young rabbit, it looked particularly silly and exceptionally cute.


    "Not at all. Little rabbits can eat many things¡ªwild vegetables, wild grass, it eats them all. Brother Yuanbao believes in Little Zhi; you can definitely raise the little rabbit into a big rabbit."


    "Okay, thank you, Brother Yuanbao. Little Zhi promises to take good care of the little rabbit. But Little Zhi has no gift for Brother Yuanbao; Little Zhi has nothing. Mother said if you take something from someone, you should exchange something for it." Little Zhi finished speaking and lowered her head.


    "Who says you don¡¯t have anything? Little Zhi, look at this."


    Mu Shuangshuang extended her right hand, and a grass-woven grasshopper lay in her palm. It was originally prepared for Little Zhi when they returned, but now it seemed giving it to Lu Yuanbao as a return gift was also good.


    Although compared to a rabbit, this was worth much less, Mu Shuangshuang wouldn¡¯t always do this; one day, she would repay the kindness of the Lu brothers.


    "Wow, a grasshopper! Sister Shuangshuang, did you make this?" Yuanbao was excited; boys and girls were different. Compared to a cute rabbit, they liked these handmade things more. Lu Yuanbao took the grasshopper from Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s hand and said to Lu Yuanfeng.


    "Second Brother, Second Brother, look, Sister Shuang made it, it¡¯s Little Zhi¡¯s gift to me." Lu Yuanbao raised the grasshopper high above his head, face filled with pride.


    Lu Yuanfeng stared at the grasshopper, a bit dazed. How could a few grass-blade woven things look so realistic?


    How did Mu Shuangshuang know how to do this? S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In Lu Yuanfeng¡¯s heart, Mu Shuangshuang was becoming increasingly mysterious. Zhang Huai Shu told him Mu Shuangshuang was dumb, didn¡¯t talk for years, and stunk so badly no one dared approach. But now?


    Everything had changed, or did she have some hardship before?


    "Thank you, for the rabbit and those herbs, I¡¯ll repay you later." Seeing Lu Yuanfeng in deep thought, Mu Shuangshuang feared he would notice the change in her. People from the military camp should have stronger perceptive abilities than ordinary people.


    She didn¡¯t want her secrets uncovered.


    "No need, it¡¯s rare for Yuanbao to make friends."


    Lu Yuanfeng wasn¡¯t a petty person. If a rabbit could help Yuanbao gain a friend, it was a good thing.


    Mu Shuangshuang said no more; actions speak louder than words.


    Little Zhi was overjoyed. Before Lu Yuanfeng could walk far, she was holding the little rabbit, vigorously smoothing its fur, her small face full of smiles.


    "Sister, do you think when we get back, mom will eat the little rabbit?"


    "No, with Sister here, that won¡¯t happen. Little Zhi just needs to take care of the little rabbit. Later, Sister will wrap up the little rabbit, and when I hold back mom, you secretly take the little rabbit home. We¡¯ll keep it in our room, and every night bring it some wild vegetables, making sure the little rabbit grows plump."


    Only then was Little Zhi at ease.


    According to Old Mrs. Mu, they all had to wait until dinner time before they could return, or they would be severely scolded.


    In the remaining time, Mu Shuangshuang took Little Zhi up the mountain once. In the coming days, she would spend almost most of her time in this mountain, so she had to find a safe place to store the mushrooms and wild vegetables she gathered.


    In the end, Mu Shuangshuang chose a cave shaded from the sun. The cave wasn¡¯t deep, but it was covered with grass. Even if villagers went up the mountain, they might not find this place.


    "Little Zhi, from now on, this is our secret base. All the things we find on the mountain, we can hide them here. When we go to the market, we¡¯ll take it all and sell it to the townspeople."


    With Old Mrs. Mu¡¯s keen eye, if she doesn¡¯t see the silver, let¡¯s see how she can act up.


    "Mm, Little Zhi remembers, so mom won¡¯t snatch our stuff."


    The impression Old Mrs. Mu left in Little Zhi¡¯s mind was deep. Mentioning her, Little Zhi was afraid she would take away her things.


    Carrying a few old wild vegetables that were almost as tough as loofah sponge, Mu Shuangshuang carefully wrapped the little rabbit in leaves. Once back at the Old Mu Family, Mrs. Lin came to greet them.


    "Oh, what good things does this Shuang girl bring? It mustn¡¯t be a few weeds, treating them as wild vegetables for us to eat?" Mrs. Lin covered her mouth, laughing loudly.


    "Here, this." Mu Shuangshuang extended her hand, and a bunch of amaranth appeared before Mrs. Lin.


    Mrs. Lin was first delighted, quickly reaching out to snatch the wild vegetables from Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s hand.


    "Why not show it to Second Aunt? You stinky girl, are you itching for a beating? Believe it or not, I¡¯ll smack you."


    "Second Aunt, Shuangshuang is still not well. Are you planning to make her sick again, spending twenty or so silver coins on medicine per prescription?" Mu Shuangshuang raised her eyebrow, looking provocatively at Mrs. Lin.


    "Hey, you shameless girl, how did Yu Si Niang teach someone like you..."


    Mrs. Lin started cursing, but Mu Shuangshuang flung the wild vegetables into Mrs. Lin¡¯s face.


    "Oh my..."


    A handful of wild vegetables hit her face; it would be a lie to say it didn¡¯t hurt. Mrs. Lin covered her face, and before she could scold, Mu Shuangshuang spoke.


    "Second Aunt, what are you doing? I told you, these wild vegetables are for Grandma. Even if you want to eat, you can¡¯t just grab them like that, can you? You can¡¯t cook it yourself, can you?"

 Chapter 39: The Little Rabbit Goes Home

    Chapter 39: Chapter 39: The Little Rabbit Goes HomeMrs. Lin thought Mu Shuangshuang had gone mad. It was clearly her who had thrown the wild vegetables at her face, yet now it turned into her stealing them. Wasn¡¯t this just pouring dirty water on her?


    "You crazy girl, no matter what you say, it won¡¯t be of any use. I won¡¯t spare you today."


    Mrs. Lin rolled up her sleeves and raised her hand, pretending to slap Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s face. Mu Shuangshuang deliberately showed a shivering demeanor, her eyes fixed on Old Mrs. Mu, who was like a seasoned person standing behind Mrs. Lin.


    A barely noticeable sinister smile appeared at the corner of Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s mouth.


    At this moment, Old Mrs. Mu had already stepped out of the house, approaching Mrs. Lin. Originally, she intended for Mrs. Lin to properly discipline this girl, but what did she overhear instead?


    Mrs. Lin dared to steal her things and even thought of privately cooking for herself, as if she, the old woman, didn¡¯t exist?


    In Old Mrs. Mu¡¯s eyes, everything in the Mu Family, whether at home or outside, belonged to her. So, the wild vegetables Mu Shuangshuang picked were naturally hers as well. She decided who could touch them. If she said no, then nobody was qualified to touch her belongings.


    Mrs. Lin¡¯s behavior, in Old Mrs. Mu¡¯s eyes, was betrayal and rebellion, alongside undermining her power, an act worthy of being dragged out and drowned in a pig cage.


    Old Mrs. Mu¡¯s face was full of anger, with her sunken triangular eyes almost piercing the back of Mrs. Lin¡¯s head. Yet, Mrs. Lin was only focused on disciplining Mu Shuangshuang, unaware of the fire behind her.


    "Second aunt, everything in the Old Mu Family belongs to grandma. Even the copper coins you hid in the room to buy sugar cakes for Gou Dan belong to grandma. You must not... must not steal from grandma."


    Mu Shuangshuang looked directly into Mrs. Lin¡¯s eyes, speaking boldly and shamelessly.


    The bold words were based on her analysis. Mrs. Lin was considered one of the smartest people in the Old Mu Family next to Old Mrs. Mu. She had access to as much as Old Mrs. Mu did, and there was no guarantee she wouldn¡¯t secretly sell things for copper coins or food.


    Regardless of the truth, she decided to pin this blame on Mrs. Lin first.


    It could only be said that Mu Shuangshuang was indeed lucky. Mrs. Lin¡¯s embroidery skills were well-regarded in the village. She relied on selling embroideries to earn some copper coins to help with household expenses. However, she was different from Yu Si Niang, as she would set aside a few coins from each sale to buy food for her son.


    With a bit of embroidery and some gifts from relatives, Mrs. Lin saved for three years. Now, those savings amounted to nearly five hundred big coins, a considerable sum for villagers where half an ounce of silver was significant.


    Mrs. Lin¡¯s heart skipped a beat. How did this damn girl know she had hidden silver in her room? Realizing her secret had been discovered, Mrs. Lin¡¯s expression grew increasingly vicious.


    "You little brat, I¡¯ll tear your mouth today if you keep jabbering. I don¡¯t believe you could talk through my skin."


    "Well, Lin Xiaozao, I was wondering why nine hundred big coins were missing from my room. Turns out you stole them. You scheming woman, your mind is so heavy as to even have ideas about the Old Mu Family. If I don¡¯t teach you a lesson today, I¡¯d be failing our Mu ancestors."


    When it came to money, Old Mrs. Mu¡¯s mind was sharper than a fox¡¯s. At most, ordinary people would ask where Mrs. Lin got the silver, but Old Mrs. Mu outright accused her of stealing, clearly intending to label Mrs. Lin as a thief.


    If Mu Shuangshuang remembered correctly, one of the seven grounds for expulsion was theft, meaning if Mrs. Lin were labeled a thief, Mu the Second could divorce her and leave her empty-handed.


    Old Mrs. Mu¡¯s sudden interjection startled Mrs. Lin, nearly causing her to fall. She screamed internally, things were really bad now. Old Mrs. Mu must have listened to that damn Mu Shuangshuang, and the silver she saved would probably end up in Old Mrs. Mu¡¯s pocket today.


    "Oh mother, don¡¯t listen to Shuang girl¡¯s nonsense. My place has nothing, apart from Da De and Gou Dan¡¯s little things."


    "Are you implying I haven¡¯t treated you well, making you live disgracefully?" Old Mrs. Mu glared, hands on hips, ready to fight.


    "That¡¯s not what I mean; mother has been great to me, better than my own. It¡¯s just that my place really has nothing. Don¡¯t fall for Shuang girl¡¯s tricks; she¡¯s trying to cause discord between us by saying that."


    "I¡¯ll know once I search myself."


    Having said her piece, Old Mrs. Mu strutted toward Mrs. Lin¡¯s room with her skinny legs.


    Mrs. Lin panicked, trying her best to hold back Old Mrs. Mu. When she searched, it was like a locust swarm, leaving nothing untouched in her path.


    "Mother, there¡¯s really nothing in my room. Please don¡¯t go..."


    "Get out of my way, you vile woman. If I find silver in your room today, you can prepare to be dismissed by Old Mu. Pah, shameless fool, ungrateful wretch!"


    Old Mrs. Mu shoved Mrs. Lin aside, cursing a long string as she went. In no time, the two were pushing and shoving, arriving at Mrs. Lin¡¯s room. Mu Shuangshuang placed her thumb and index finger in her mouth and whistled. Upon hearing the whistle, Little Zhi dashed into the yard, heading straight to his own house.


    Mu Shuangshuang felt she only saw a blur of dust, and when she came to her senses, Little Zhi¡¯s shadow was gone.


    "This girl, she¡¯s so fast. She might even be a sprinter in modern times."


    Mu Shuangshuang chuckled, picked up the wild vegetables scattered across the ground, and happily entered the kitchen. She wasn¡¯t too late; her fourth aunt hadn¡¯t started cooking, so these wild vegetables would serve as a fancy dish for the Old Mu Family.


    As soon as Mu Shuangshuang entered the kitchen, Gou Dan, who was playing by the grass pile in the corner of the yard, poked his head out.


    "Hey, did Little Zhi just come in with something? It was all green. Did you see it?"


    Upon hearing Gou Dan¡¯s words, Mu Xiaohan stuck out his head and shook it, "No."


    "Then why was she running like her tail was on fire?"


    "Little Zhi was probably thirsty, rushing back in to get water to drink. Gou Dan, let¡¯s keep playing. It¡¯s your turn to be the eagle, and I¡¯ll be the chick."


    "Pah, with a sister like yours, who wants to play with you?"


    "She is her own person; I am mine. We¡¯re not the same," Xiao Han insisted.


    "I don¡¯t care, anyway, my mom says everyone in your family is useless." Gou Dan spat on the ground next to Xiao Han, continuing, "I¡¯ll tell you, my mom¡¯s saved a lot of silver for me to buy sugar cakes. You haven¡¯t tasted a sugar cake, have you? So sweet, so delicious, but I¡¯m not giving you any, humph."


    While talking about sugar cakes, Gou Dan snorted hard, nearly inhaling the snot dangling by his lips. Then he wiggled his small butt and trotted back to his house.


    Mu Xiaohan stood there, his face turning somewhat grim.


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 Chapter 40: Cold Dressed Wild Vegetables

    Chapter 40: Chapter 40: Cold Dressed Wild VegetablesMu Shuangshuang entered the kitchen. Mrs. Liu hadn¡¯t started the fire to cook, but the vegetables had been washed and placed on the kitchen table. She was carefully searching through a basket of rice for something.


    Rice from the countryside is dried in muddy fields, and even if an oilcloth is spread underneath, it¡¯s inevitable that some dirt or stones get mixed in. Before cooking, the wives usually carefully sift through the rice once, and then again during rinsing, to reduce the chances of biting into something hard.


    "Aunt Si, these wild vegetables were just picked and are a bit old. You need to remove the back stem, just keep the front leaves."


    "It¡¯s not a problem, the old wild vegetable stems are tasty too, delicious..." Mrs. Liu adjusted her sleeves, which reached her elbows, and looked momentarily embarrassed when Mu Shuangshuang started talking to her. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "But these old stems are hard to chew, Aunt Si. Even without the stems, the wild vegetables should be enough for our family to have a meal." These were wild vegetables Mu Shuangshuang gathered herself. Although she deliberately chose older ones, she estimated that even if the stems were removed, the Old Mu Family could still enjoy a good meal.


    "Well... alright, thank you, Shuangshuang." Mrs. Liu decided to be indulgent after seeing the sizable bunch of wild vegetables in Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s hand.


    "There¡¯s no need to thank me¡ªit¡¯s not like I¡¯m the only one eating these. Aunt Si, cook them up and see if they¡¯re good. If they are, I¡¯ll pick more wild vegetables when I find them in the future."


    Mrs. Liu nodded vigorously. The Old Mu Family¡¯s garden produced just enough for her daily needs, while the rest was gathered by Old Mrs. Mu and given to Yu Si Niang to sell in town for silver. Though even a bunch of vegetables couldn¡¯t fetch much money, Old Mrs. Mu tirelessly saved up silver for Mu Dajiang.


    After taking the wild vegetables, Mrs. Liu quickly removed the stems cleanly, while Mu Shuangshuang stood by watching her.


    The Old Mu Family¡¯s four daughters-in-law were similar to their husbands¡ªsimple, hardworking people who rarely spoke. But Mrs. Liu¡¯s life was much harder compared to her husband Mu Dajiang. Old Mrs. Mu, no matter how mean, wouldn¡¯t bully her own son, but a daughter-in-law was different. She¡¯d scold them when in a good mood and scold them even more when in a bad mood, sometimes even coupled with a beating.


    People often say a bitter daughter-in-law eventually becomes a hardened mother-in-law; that¡¯s certainly true in the Old Mu Family. The daughters-in-law really had a tough life. Good food, drinks, and items were reserved for Old Mrs. Mu and the husband; getting a new dress every three years was a pipe dream for daughters-in-law.


    Mu Shuangshuang looked at Mrs. Liu¡¯s outfit, wondering how many years it had been patched up. It was impossible to discern the original fabric¡¯s color.


    "Aunt Si, would you like me to tend to the fire for you?"


    Before even starting the meal, Mrs. Liu was already sweating profusely, not to mention the rigorous task of managing the stove fire.


    "No, no need. It¡¯s hot tending the fire, and you¡¯re still young, Shuangshuang, go and play."


    Mrs. Liu had accepted the fact that Mu Shuangshuang could speak anew. She was someone with a strong acceptance ability, taking in both good and bad situations wholeheartedly.


    "By the way, Aunt Si, when are Xiaochu and Xiaxia coming back? I heard from my mother that they went to their grandmother¡¯s place; it¡¯s been over a month, hasn¡¯t it?"


    The fourth household of the Mu Family had one son and one daughter. The daughter, Mu Xiaxia, was one year younger than Mu Shuangshuang, while the son, Mu Xiaochu, was only two and a half this year, an innocent young boy.


    "Yes, their uncle said they¡¯d stay for two days, but it¡¯s been a month now. They should be coming back." Talking about the children softened Mrs. Liu¡¯s expression considerably, even a slight arc could be seen at the corners of her eyebrows. Mrs. Liu rarely smiled, hence she often received scolding from Old Mrs. Mu for her bitter melon face.


    But before the smile reached its brightest, Old Mrs. Mu entered the kitchen.


    "You lazy woman of the fourth household! I told you to make a meal, yet you dared to throw all the wild vegetable stems away! Do you think you¡¯re some precious mistress now, wasting like a landlord¡¯s wife? You must be itching for a beating, right?"


    Old Mrs. Mu started scolding Mrs. Liu right away, it was clear she was in a foul mood.


    Old Mrs. Mu had turned everything inside Mrs. Lin¡¯s room upside down, pulling apart the bed, turning the closet, rummaging through clothes, but found nothing, not even a fart. The fury within Old Mrs. Mu had nowhere to go, so she came looking for Mrs. Liu, knowing she wouldn¡¯t fight back or talk back.


    "Mother, no, I¡¯m not wasting. These stems are too old."


    "Oh, I see, you think being wasteful is justifiable? Watch me not beat you to death today." Old Mrs. Mu¡¯s eyes wandered around aimlessly, clearly looking for a switch.


    Mu Shuangshuang rolled her big black eyes, quickly coming up with a plan. "Granny, Aunt Si said she was planning to use these wild vegetable stems to make a cold dish with them; it¡¯s just temporarily on the ground, not thrown away."


    When Mu Shuangshuang spoke up, Old Mrs. Mu finally noticed her standing at the kitchen entrance. Her fury flared up even more.


    "You stinky girl! You dare to deceive your old granny! Didn¡¯t you say your second aunt had silver in her room? I¡¯ve rummaged through everywhere, and found nothing! Today I¡¯ll beat you too so you won¡¯t dare to lie again."


    Mu Shuangshuang hurriedly pretended to be frightened, looking timidly at Old Mrs. Mu. "Granny, it wasn¡¯t me who said that. It was Gou Dan, saying we didn¡¯t have lunch and would go hungry, yet he had sugar cakes and didn¡¯t share with us, not even with Granny."


    "Humph! You still try to fool me, the second household¡¯s room didn¡¯t have any silver at all! You black-hearted wicked girl! Since Yu Si Niang won¡¯t discipline you, I¡¯ll do it today!"


    Old Mrs. Mu grabbed the cutting board from the table, intending to hit Mu Shuangshuang with it, scaring Mrs. Liu to the point where her face turned pale and her legs shook uncontrollably.


    Mu Shuangshuang bit her lip, her eyes filled with defiance. This dead old woman kept finding trouble for her; today she wouldn¡¯t hold back. Her hand was already on the firewood by the stove wall.


    Suddenly, Mu Shuangshuang saw Old Mrs. Mu¡¯s shoes and had a thought.


    "Granny, I heard Gou Dan say yesterday, he had a pair of shoes with the upper worn off. Second Aunt refused to throw them away; no one knows what treasure they were, but Second Aunt cherished them quite a bit."


    Upon hearing Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s words, Old Mrs. Mu¡¯s eyes lit up, discarding the cutting board and leaving the kitchen as swiftly as the wind.


    The kitchen instantly calmed down, but Mrs. Liu was still shaken, unable to walk properly, as she approached Mu Shuangshuang.


    "Shuangshuang, quickly go to the village entrance to wait for your mother. She¡¯ll be returning in the time it takes to brew three cups of tea. With her here, you won¡¯t be beaten too severely. Hurry."


    "It¡¯s no problem, Aunt Si. I still need to help you prepare the cold wild vegetable stems, don¡¯t worry, Granny won¡¯t be back for a while."

 Chapter 41: Is there chili sauce?

    Chapter 41: Chapter 41: Is there chili sauce?Mrs. Liu heard Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s words and surprisingly felt at ease, no longer thinking about Old Mrs. Mu¡¯s matters. However, she truly had never heard of this cold mixed wild vegetable stalk.


    "Shuangshuang, do you know how to make that wild vegetable stalk?"


    The granddaughter of the Old Mu Family had never cooked, so Mrs. Liu found it quite odd when Mu Shuangshuang mentioned the wild vegetable stalk.


    "Don¡¯t worry, Fourth Aunt. You cook your meal, I¡¯ll make my wild vegetable stalk. You just need to boil some water for me."


    Mu Shuangshuang took a large sea bowl from the cupboard, placed it on the floor, then squatted down to pick up the wild vegetable stalks from the ground. Since they were amaranth, they were slightly different from other wild vegetables. Even if the amaranth is old, peeling off the outer skin won¡¯t affect the taste.


    Curious, Mrs. Liu simply started the fire, boiled water for Mu Shuangshuang, and prepared to watch her make the wild vegetable stalk.


    "Fourth Aunt, does our house have chili sauce and dried garlic?"


    "Yes, how much do you need?" Mrs. Liu glanced at the earthen jar lying in the corner and said to Mu Shuangshuang.


    "Grab another bowl, help me put two spoons of chili sauce, then peel four garlic cloves and dice them."


    As soon as the words fell, Mrs. Liu started preparing the things Mu Shuangshuang mentioned: two spoons of chili sauce, four dried garlic cloves, the kitchen soon resonated with the sound of chopping vegetables.


    Mu Shuangshuang peeled the wild vegetable stalks, scooped half a ladle of water to wash them, and looked at the boiling water in the pot. It was bubbling joyfully, burst suddenly, and then the whole pot started to roll.


    The water finally boiled, and she poured the cleaned wild vegetable stalks into the pot, turning them with a spatula a couple of times before lifting them all out.


    The temperature of the boiling water is very high; when scalding wild vegetable stalks, you must be wary of the timing. Too long, and they become tough, making them inedible. Turning them two to three times with a spatula is best, not only ensuring even heat but making them crisp and delicious.


    Cold mixed dishes emphasize crispness, placing the lifted wild vegetable stalks aside, rinsing them with cold water once, then putting them into the large sea bowl Mrs. Liu prepared, mixing them evenly with chopsticks, ready to sit for the flavors to meld. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Fourth Aunt, the cold mixed wild vegetable stalks are ready. They should be flavored by the time you finish cooking. You can first taste them, but don¡¯t tell others I made them." Mu Shuangshuang placed everything back and looked earnestly at Mrs. Liu.


    "Why¡¯s that? The dish Shuangshuang made looks really tasty."


    The green wild vegetable stalks dotted with red chili sauce made it very appetizing at first glance.


    "Because Shuangshuang is lazy and doesn¡¯t want people knowing she can cook and then later have her cooking!" Mu Shuangshuang spoke the truth, trusting Mrs. Liu¡¯s character, but didn¡¯t forget to add, "Fourth Aunt would understand Shuangshuang, right?"


    Mrs. Liu understood clearly; if one could avoid cooking, who would want to?


    She had no choice, being someone¡¯s daughter-in-law meant serving the in-laws and taking care of her husband, but Shuangshuang was still a child, should play while she could.


    "Fourth Aunt understands; you should hurry out to play, don¡¯t let your grandma see you in the kitchen in the future."


    "Thank you, Fourth Aunt!"


    Mrs. Liu looked at Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s frail figure, her eyes suddenly reddening, feeling heavily in her heart.


    Shuangshuang was bullied terribly by Old Mrs. Mu, and as her aunt, she always just watched, never helped once, not even a kind word. But this time, when she was nearly beaten by Old Mrs. Mu, the one who stood up was Shuangshuang; how could she not feel distressed?


    "I hope mom stops bullying you!" Mrs. Liu sighed and continued attending to dinner.


    Mu Shuangshuang returned to her room, intentionally taking a long detour, just to see if Old Mrs. Mu found anything.


    But hearing the unusually harsh curses inside, she feared something had been found.


    As the saying goes, a blind cat meets a dead rat. Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s luck was extraordinary, but she did indeed use a bit of her scouting knowledge, understanding the personalities of the Old Mu Family members thoroughly, then analyzing what actions these characters would likely take, getting it right most of the time.


    "Alright, Lin Xiaozao, you better explain to this old lady what the thing inside the shoe is."


    Old Mrs. Mu was raging this moment. Normally, she only called Yu Si Niang by her maiden name because she greatly disliked Yu Si Niang. Now she directly called Mrs. Lin¡¯s name as well, clearly showing how angry she was.


    Mrs. Lin felt terrified and angry, unable to figure out how her silver hidden for three years was discovered by Old Mrs. Mu.


    "Mom, this silver was Gou Dan¡¯s uncle¡¯s New Year gift to him. He saved it himself, intending to use it when he went to school next time. Doesn¡¯t Gou Dan¡¯s uncle only have two daughters? Our Old Mu Family has to have someone educated to inherit his legacy."


    Mrs. Lin¡¯s mind was as agile as ever, pushing all issues onto her son, and saying it was Gou Dan¡¯s New Year money, meaning it was the children¡¯s own money and silver, leaving Old Mrs. Mu embarrassed to take it away.


    Unfortunately, Mrs. Lin was too confident, forgetting Old Mrs. Mu¡¯s reasoning. After big money was stolen from her room, Mrs. Lin¡¯s explanation was useless to Old Mrs. Mu.


    "I spit on that, Lin Xiaozao, you must be bitten by a rabid dog. Your family that doesn¡¯t even have a decent tile roof could produce this money? Must have labored on the dock, unable to earn this silver in a lifetime!"


    Old Mrs. Mu spat directly onto Mrs. Lin¡¯s face, making her nearly retch with disgust.


    "Mom, it¡¯s really the New Year¡¯s gift from Gou Dan¡¯s uncle; check with Dazhong, he was there too." Mrs. Lin was sure if she let her husband know the situation, he would definitely take her side.


    Mu Shuangshuang sensed the situation might change, quickly darting into Mrs. Lin¡¯s room.


    Mrs. Lin¡¯s room could only be described as a pigsty. The bedding on the kang was overturned, cabinets kicked down, clothes scattered everywhere, and the most conspicuous was the pair of shoes without tops in the center of the room, surrounded by copper coins scattered around.


    It was just like when Mrs. Lin brought people to mess up her room.


    Mu Shuangshuang felt great, seeing Mrs. Lin finally suffer the consequences of her actions.


    "Shuang, what are you doing in my room, out, out!" Mrs. Lin was suddenly alert and immediately tried to shoo Mu Shuangshuang away.


    Mu Shuangshuang pouted and said, "It was Gou Dan who said Second Aunt held lots of silver and even bought him some sugar cakes. I¡¯ve never seen sugar cakes, wanted to see, promise I won¡¯t eat it, Second Aunt don¡¯t shoo me away, just one look."


    The innocent words, coupled with the pitiful expression, made Old Mrs. Mu not suspect Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s intention, but she caught the phrase about Mrs. Lin storing silver.


    "You shameless woman, so you really stole Old Mu Family¡¯s silver! I¡¯m telling you, if you don¡¯t cough up the remaining four hundred copper coins today, you can go back to your Old Lin Family; we don¡¯t have people who eat inside and out like you in the Old Mu Family."

 Chapter 42: Warm Days

    Chapter 42: Chapter 42: Warm Days"Shuang, go to the fields and fetch your grandpa and your second uncle. Tell them your second uncle¡¯s wife has stolen the family¡¯s silver, let them inform the village chief that our Old Mu Family no longer wants this daughter-in-law."


    Old Mrs. Mu shot a fierce glare at Mrs. Lin, then turned to Mu Shuangshuang with a look of triumph.


    Mu Shuangshuang secretly rolled her eyes at this in her heart. This old lady was truly something else. The money and silver on the ground amounted to no more than five hundred coins, about half a tael of silver, likely used to buy a few small items.


    Despite this, Old Mrs. Mu prefers those few items over this daughter-in-law.


    No matter how bad Mrs. Lin is, she has birthed children for the Old Mu Family and taken care of Mu Dazhong for over ten years, holy moly, today Mu Shuangshuang has truly met the ultimate oddball.


    When Mrs. Lin heard Old Mrs. Mu¡¯s words, her face turned white with fear.


    Women in ancient times valued reputation greatly. If Lin Xiaozao were to be cast aside like this, she might never be able to hold her head high anywhere for the rest of her life. After weighing the situation repeatedly, Mrs. Lin decided to swallow her grievances silently.


    Mrs. Lin gritted her teeth and spoke to Old Mrs. Mu, "Mother, this five hundred coins is actually from when my brother sold fish from the pond last time, and the silver he earned was meant to nourish his wife.


    Since giving birth to Gou Dan, my health hasn¡¯t improved, and I haven¡¯t brought the Old Mu Family a big fat grandson for years. I was momentarily foolish and didn¡¯t bring the money and silver to you. Dispose of me as you wish, just please don¡¯t let Daddy Gou Dan abandon me..."


    Once Mrs. Lin claimed the silver as hers, it was no longer money meant for the children, making her taking the silver seem justified.


    Old Mrs. Mu nodded in satisfaction, "Since you say this is from Gou Dan¡¯s uncle, then it rightfully belongs to our Old Mu Family.


    Later, count all the coins on the ground clearly and bring them to my room. I won¡¯t punish you, but if you dare to hide silver again in the future, beware I¡¯ll make you go home and eat your own words."


    Having won the benefit without bending to pick up the silver, Old Mrs. Mu was the cheekiest Mu Shuangshuang had seen. Watching Old Mrs. Mu leave, Mu Shuangshuang quickly slipped out of Mrs. Lin¡¯s room.


    Old Mrs. Mu closely followed her, humming a little tune only she understood, like a rooster who won a fight, heading to her room.


    Mu Shuangshuang shivered with disgust, but she grew increasingly certain about one thing: anything that could be measured in money should never be seen by Old Mrs. Mu, or nothing would remain.


    Before entering her own room, Mu Shuangshuang carefully looked around to ensure no one was following before she went inside.


    "Sister, the little bunny is asleep." Little Zhi pointed at the little grey rabbit on the kang. Just as Little Zhi said, the rabbit was indeed asleep, lying on the kang with its eyes tightly shut.


    "Little Zhi, come over here!"


    Mu Shuangshuang waved at Little Zhi, who immediately climbed down from the kang. She briefly recounted what happened in Mrs. Lin¡¯s room and then spoke to Little Zhi, "Little Zhi, since we¡¯re raising the little bunny, we have to take good care of it and definitely can¡¯t let grandma see it."


    "Don¡¯t worry, sister, Little Zhi knows what¡¯s up and won¡¯t let anyone enter the room."


    Even though the families of the Old Mu Family lived in different houses, they had no privacy. Someone like Old Mrs. Mu could enter anyone¡¯s house without hindrance.


    This isn¡¯t what worried Mu Shuangshuang at the moment; starting tomorrow, at worst she could ask Yu Si Niang to lock the room, but there was one person who couldn¡¯t be kept in the dark, and that was Mu Xiaohan. As a member of the third branch, if Mu Xiaohan couldn¡¯t keep the secret, then all of Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s efforts would be futile.


    "Little Zhi, go secretly fetch Xiaohan without alerting anyone, especially Gou Dan."


    Mu Xiaohan held animosity toward her; unless ignored, days ago, Mu Shuangshuang realized this method was ineffective. She couldn¡¯t ensure Mu Xiaohan would obey her, but she must prevent the third branch from betraying family secrets, revealing everything.


    In the courtyard, Mu Xiaohan looked cold, especially after hearing Little Zhi say Mu Shuangshuang wanted him. His mood worsened.


    "Little Zhi, didn¡¯t I tell you not to talk to that annoying girl? Why didn¡¯t you listen? Or do you want to be annoying like her, to be looked down upon?"


    "Sister is not annoying, Brother Xiaohan is mean, Little Zhi won¡¯t play with you anymore."


    Upon hearing Mu Xiaohan speaking ill of Mu Shuangshuang, Little Zhi forgot the task Mu Shuangshuang had assigned, repeatedly hitting Mu Xiaohan¡¯s elbow with anger visible in his dark eyes.


    Mu Shuangshuang waited for a long time but didn¡¯t see Mu Xiaohan enter, only for Yu Si Niang returning from work later.


    She left in the morning and only came back when the sun set; Yu Si Niang worked hard every day. Mu Shuangshuang quickly took Yu Si Niang¡¯s hand and had her rest on the kang.


    "Mother, you¡¯ve worked hard, have a cup of water first."


    Yu Si Niang looked fondly at her daughter, who had suddenly come to her senses after hitting her head. She never imagined that one day, after working all day, she could sit in the house and have someone pass her a cup of water.


    Except for Little Zhi being too young and Xiaohan constantly following Mrs. Lin¡¯s child, even when bullied badly, he would rather not look at this home, just the big daughter who wouldn¡¯t even lift her head. She felt like a mouse meeting a cat.


    Luckily, Bodhisattva blessed her, everything was fine, and Yu Si Niang could finally sip warm tea.


    "Shuangshuang, lately Wealth Master Zhang¡¯s family has been making birthday wine; many people go daily. Mother hasn¡¯t had time to care for you and your siblings. What do you want to eat? I¡¯ll bring it from the town when I return." Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Does mother have secret savings?" For some reason, Mu Shuangshuang wanted to tease Yu Si Niang to see her attitude toward hiding money.


    Yu Si Niang¡¯s body stiffened; she didn¡¯t know how to respond momentarily.


    "Haha, Shuangshuang is joking with mother. I know you wouldn¡¯t dare hide money; our grandma is as cunning as a weasel; mother must be afraid."


    Upon hearing Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s metaphor, Yu Si Niang laughed heartily and then earnestly said to Mu Shuangshuang.


    "Shuangshuang, don¡¯t say such things in the future. If grandma hears, she¡¯ll hit you."


    Mu Shuangshuang noticed Yu Si Niang¡¯s wording; the reason for not saying this was out of fear Old Mrs. Mu would strike her, not because of the so-called patriarchal system. It seemed Yu Si Niang¡¯s view on traditional family hierarchies was much shallower than Mu Dashan¡¯s.


    Perhaps this could be a breakthrough for the third branch to split off in the future.


    "Mother, Shuangshuang wants to ask you something." Mu Shuangshuang looked pitifully at Yu Si Niang, stretching out her small hands to massage Yu Si Niang¡¯s shoulders.


    "Tell me, what¡¯s the matter?" Yu Si Niang looked dotingly at her daughter, not daring to blink, suddenly noticing her daughter¡¯s hair was shorter than before.


    "Shuangshuang, who bullied you? Why is your hair shorter?" Yu Si Niang urgently stood from the kang, inspecting Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s hands for injuries.


    "Mother, I¡¯m fine. I just never went to the town before and want to take a look. Would you agree to let Shuangshuang go?"


    (If you¡¯re reading Fengfeng¡¯s writings, remember to cast a recommendation vote for Fengfeng; Fengfeng¡¯s new book needs everyone¡¯s support~)

 Chapter 43: A Dog Does Not Despise Its Poor Home

    Chapter 43: Chapter 43: A Dog Does Not Despise Its Poor Home"To the town? But Shuangshuang¡¯s illness isn¡¯t better yet. How about this, let Shuangshuang rest a bit longer, then mom will take you to town."


    Er Gui Village is twenty to thirty miles away from the town. Yu Si Niang goes to town every day on foot. It¡¯s nothing for her to walk, but if Shuangshuang were to accompany her, she would definitely refuse. It would be better to wait until Shuangshuang feels better, then go.


    "Mom, I¡¯m already better, really! If you don¡¯t believe me, look at me. Aren¡¯t I super healthy, like someone who could take down a cow with one look?"


    As Mu Shuangshuang spoke, she presented a muscle-flexing pose. Originally, she was as thin as a bamboo pole, so performing such a pose naturally appeared quite comical.


    Yu Si Niang couldn¡¯t help but burst into laughter.


    Mu Shuangshuang took the opportunity to rub her nose against Yu Si Niang¡¯s sleeve and said, "I know mom is worried about my health, but you also know that most healthy people frequently work or exercise. How about this, you take this as a chance for me to exercise, I¡¯ll go with mom to help with the work, and mom can return home earlier."


    Yu Si Niang sighed. Her daughter rarely acted childishly with her; how could she refuse?


    "Alright, alright. Whatever my Shuangshuang says goes."


    Mu Shuangshuang felt elated that her request was granted and set a time with Yu Si Niang to go early the day after tomorrow.


    That day happens to be a market day on West Street in the town, where many villagers set up stalls to exchange goods. Mu Shuangshuang can take advantage of that entire day to collect some wild vegetables and fresh fungi to trade for an iron pot, which should be achievable. Thinking this, Mu Shuangshuang couldn¡¯t help but smile.


    "Oh dear, why is there a rabbit in our house?" Yu Si Niang was about to change clothes but was startled to see the little grey rabbit tied next to the wardrobe.


    "Mom, I forgot to mention; it¡¯s the Lu Family¡¯s boy Lu Yuanbao¡¯s rabbit for Little Zhi to keep. He said his family doesn¡¯t allow pets, so Shuangshuang thought her brother was nice and agreed."


    Mu Shuangshuang didn¡¯t tell Yu Si Niang that the rabbit now belongs to Little Zhi. Yu Si Niang wasn¡¯t too concerned, but Mu Dashan worried her a bit; he listens to Old Mrs. Mu too much.


    Maybe one day Old Mrs. Mu will find out, speaks to Mu Dashan, and he¡¯ll hand over the rabbit.


    "Keep it carefully. Your grandmother can¡¯t bear others having nice things. If she sees the rabbit, she¡¯ll definitely take it and skin it to nourish your uncle."


    Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s old scholar uncle has always lived in the east wing. Though they say it¡¯s the east wing, it¡¯s a few minutes away from the Old Mu Family, not as close as neighbors next door. Usually, Old Mrs. Mu personally cooks for the Mu Family uncle and brings it over herself, never delegating this task.


    So biased is Old Mrs. Mu, yet the Old Mu Family doesn¡¯t express dissatisfaction. Perhaps everyone is waiting for Mu Dade to become a scholar, leading this big family away from farming!


    "But dad..."


    "Don¡¯t worry about your dad. Since we¡¯ve promised to keep the rabbit, it¡¯s our responsibility to raise it well. Consider it our thank you for the Lu Family¡¯s boy saving you twice."


    "Twice? He only came to our house once, right?" Mu Shuangshuang furrowed her brow, puzzled that Lu Yuanfeng might have saved her twice.


    "Yes, wasn¡¯t it that day when Ma Houhou from the village upset you so much? You fainted, and it was Yuanfeng who brought you back. Our family still owes him."


    Mu Shuangshuang recalled that the day she crossed over, Linshi, that woman, hit her head, and she taught Linshi a lesson, planning to wash up first. But she fainted midway, always thinking it was Yu Si Niang who saved her.


    Thinking of this, she owes the young man even more.


    "Mom, Shuangshuang understands and will repay Lu Yuanfeng properly in the future."


    Just as Mu Shuangshuang finished speaking, the door creaked open, and Little Zhi poked her head in, followed by a less-than-pleased Mu Xiaohan.


    Mu Shuangshuang had long been accustomed to Mu Xiaohan¡¯s cold demeanor upon seeing her, so she wasn¡¯t annoyed at all.


    "Little Zhi, close the door!"


    "Got it!" Little Zhi cheerfully closed the door and guarded it. Who knows if it was to keep others out or those inside from leaving.


    "Mom, no matter what Xiaohan and I say later, don¡¯t make a sound."


    Yu Si Niang, still looking at the rabbit, paused, considering her elder daughter¡¯s recent demeanor, and nodded in agreement.


    "Last time Little Zhi brought a cornbread into the house, it was you who tattled to grandma, wasn¡¯t it?"


    Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s voice was calm, her expression unreadable. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "What are you babbling about? You stole the family¡¯s cornbread yourself, why blame me?"


    "Mu Xiaohan, enough! Who are you showing that sour face to every day? Is it for Aunt¡¯s family or people from our third branch? You cling to the second branch¡¯s Gou Dan, does he even treat you like a person? Did aunt ever let you eat the sugar cake she bought for Gou Dan?


    During midday, they eat well while you starve at home, watching them eat lavishly. Don¡¯t forget, we are the real family.


    When you were sick, it was mom who cared for you; when you were hungry, it was mom who saved food for you. You neglect her devotion, yet cluster with the aunt¡¯s family who bullies mom. Who are you trying to please?


    People say a dog doesn¡¯t despise a poor family; I think you aren¡¯t even as loyal as a dog."


    Mu Shuangshuang carefully analyzed the situation last time. If it were Old Mrs. Mu or Linshi who discovered it, they would have stopped Little Zhi immediately, not allowing her to bring it into the house.


    Mu Xiaohan didn¡¯t intend for Yu Si Niang to suffer directly, rather his plan was for her to be silently hurt. His manipulation strategy is quite good; he just didn¡¯t realize Mu Shuangshuang specializes in solving and judging cases. Dare to play tricks with her, perhaps in another life!


    Yu Si Niang¡¯s mouth hung open in shock, unable to believe her eyes as she looked at her son.


    With his secret exposed, Mu Xiaohan stopped denying, instead using Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s words to continue, "Is it wrong to dislike you? Because of you, I¡¯m looked down upon, because you¡¯re dirty, everyone refuses to play with me, I hate you, I hate you, why don¡¯t you just die, it would be better if you were dead..."


    "Slap!" Mu Shuangshuang directly slapped Mu Xiaohan across the face, his fragile body stumbled, glaring fiercely at Mu Shuangshuang.


    "You hit me..."


    "Not only did I hit you, but I¡¯ll also teach you how to be a human." With that, Mu Shuangshuang pushed Mu Xiaohan onto the bed and started spanking him wildly, constantly reminding him of Linshi and Gou Dan¡¯s actions.


    "Listen, Mu Xiaohan, today who hit you is Mu Shuangshuang, because you¡¯re ungrateful, befriending traitors, unable to distinguish foes, indulging yourself with those who bully mom..."


    Immediately, the room filled with Mu Shuangshuang¡¯s curses, mingled with the sound of spanking...


    Memories in times of pain are the most profound, this Mu Xiaohan may never be close to her, but he won¡¯t be close to the second branch either in the future.