Carefree Farmwife: Training the Husband, Raising the Bun - Chapter 145

The burly woman who had come with Feng Qiufang had sharp eyes. She had already noticed Ying Su driving a brand-new ox cart home. Seeing the spacious brick house, she thought, “Feng Qiufang didn’t lie to us, this widow really is rich. I’d better get her married into our family quickly. I’ll even tell my father to give me that ox cart.”

“Sister-in-law,” she said to Ying Su matter-of-factly, “your Third Aunt isn’t wrong! My younger brother is a first-class man. Let’s settle this marriage in the next two days. As for the child, he can just stay in Dongjun Village. You’ll have a few more babies with my brother, and your life will be peaceful and happy!”

“What nonsense are you spouting? Who’s your sister-in-law? Dream on! Cuihua is the wife my Erlang married through a proper ceremony!” Madam Li, with Ying Su beside her, spoke with more confidence than before. She jabbed a finger at Feng Qiufang. “Third Sister-in-law, you’re really meddling where you shouldn’t. Do you think this is fair to Erlang down in his grave?”

Though Madam Li knew Huzi wasn’t really Erlang’s child, Cuihua was still his daughter-in-law in name, now widowed for him. For the old house to pull such a stunt was the same as putting a green hat on Erlang. She had always known the third branch was restless, and now they were scheming against her family.

They just can’t stand seeing us live well. We’ve barely had a few good days, and the old house already stirs up this mess.

“Elder Sister, don’t take it out on me. It was Father who made the decision. If you’re upset, go talk to him! Either way, Cuihua’s marriage has been set. And besides, how do you know what Cuihua really wants? Maybe she does want a man to live with!” Feng Qiufang said shamelessly.

“I’ve seen shameless people, but never anyone as shameless as you! Since you love arranging marriages so much, why don’t you marry your daughter into their family? My marriage is none of the old house’s business! If not for Mother-in-law’s sake, I wouldn’t even be speaking politely to you right now!” Ying Su shot back bluntly. She cared nothing for “family feelings.” If they were scheming against her, she had no reason to sugarcoat her words.

Feng Qiufang’s face burned with embarrassment, but she still tried to persuade Ying Su. “Cuihua, don’t be stubborn. You’re still young now, but in two years when you’re older and faded, even a widower who’s lost his wife won’t want you. I’m only thinking of your future. Can I possibly harm you?”

Ying Su actually laughed at that. “Spare me your fake kindness. I know exactly what you’re plotting. Let me make it clear, if I, Shen Cuihua, remarry, it won’t be up to your old house to decide. You arranged this marriage on your own? Then marry her yourselves! If you keep scheming against me, don’t blame me for storming into the old house and making sure you have no peace!”

The so-called elder sister-in-law grew anxious. Afraid the marriage would fall through, she jumped in, never expecting this little widow to be so fierce. “Heavens, listen to you! You’re no longer young, and you’ve got a burden of a child dragging behind. My brother is already doing you a favor by agreeing to marry you. Don’t look down on him. If you have conditions, just say them. Or do you mean to drag that little burden along forever?”

Huzi glared at her, hugging Ying Su tightly. “You’re the burden! My mommy’s the best, she can find a much better man than your brother!”

The woman snapped back, “And what would a little burden like you know?”

Huzi’s words made Ying Su chuckle. She pinched her son’s cheek lovingly. “My son doesn’t understand your shameless logic. To him, I’m the best mother in the world. And to me, he’s not a burden, he’s my most precious treasure, priceless! That’s the end of it. If you don’t leave our doorstep now, don’t blame me for fetching a kitchen knife to chase you out!”

In the crowd, Wang Lanhua shuddered, recalling the last time Shen Cuihua had stood with a kitchen knife, looking fierce as a demon. She was glad she hadn’t taken this chance to step on her, or else if the madwoman really brought out a knife, she might have been hacked at a few times.

She had only come to watch the widow’s humiliation. After suffering several silent losses at Cuihua’s hands, her teeth itched with hatred, but she dared not provoke her again. “This widow’s madness was never cured. Look at that sharp tongue, there’s not another one like her in ten miles.”

Feng Qiufang knew Ying Su’s temper and felt some fear. Hearing her words, she wanted to back down. But the elder sister-in-law, unaware, grew more aggressive. “What’s a little widow acting so arrogant for? Do you think I’m giving you face? My brother’s willing to marry you, count it as your blessing! Don’t turn up your nose at him. The betrothal gift has already been accepted. I don’t care about your excuses. This marriage will happen!”

Is this woman brain-damaged? Ying Su rarely got angry, but this time her face turned cold with fury. To try and force her marriage like this and with such righteousness? She sneered. “I was giving you face by letting you stand here disgusting me. Words are for people who can understand them. For those who don’t, the only answer is, get out!”

“You little widow, who are you telling to get out? Any man who marries you must be blind!” The woman spat.

Ying Su pointed at her, teeth clenched. “Get out! Get out of my sight! Whoever took your betrothal gift, go marry them! Don’t you dare disgust me at my own door. If you don’t leave right now, I’ll beat you out myself!”

She had never seen anyone so unreasonable. Furious, she set the little bun aside, grabbed a stick from the gate, and swung it at Feng Qiufang and the woman.

They jumped back to dodge. The elder sister-in-law’s face twisted as if she had swallowed dung. Spending five taels on a betrothal gift was supposed to bring glory. Now she was being driven off with a stick, it was humiliating beyond words.

“I’ve never seen such a shrewish widow! You deserve to stay a widow forever! My brother lowering himself to take you in, and you act like this? If you ever marry, Heaven must be blind!”

“Get out! Leave now! Whether your brother’s good or bad has nothing to do with me. Stop spewing filth at my doorstep. Whether I live alone or not is none of your damn business! Even if I stay a widow forever, I wouldn’t look twice at your stinking dog of a brother!” Ying Su cursed furiously, waving the stick as she chased them out.