Carefree Farmwife: Training the Husband, Raising the Bun - Chapter 76

The topic soon shifted from food to wine. Madam Li had originally planned to mention that it was Cuihua who prepared the dishes, thinking that if Old Man Li was pleased, perhaps Cuihua could finally be entered into the family genealogy.

Although Li Yin had not appeared, Feng Qiufang had not forgotten her true purpose. By the time Old Man Li had drunk three rounds, the women’s and children’s table was also lively and full. 

Feng Qiufang pondered whether it was the right moment to bring up the matter of asking Madam Li for silver. She glanced at Li Zhi, who was also keeping his eyes on Madam Li’s table. Noticing his wife’s look, Li Zhi quickly gave her a nod.

Earlier at the dining table, he had already tried sounding out Li Dalang, but Dalang had pushed back, saying he was not in charge of the household. Clearly, they would have to go through the eldest sister-in-law instead.

At that very moment, Madam Li stood up. Feng Qiufang hurriedly called out, “Eldest Sister-in-law, I have something to say to you—”

“Later!” Madam Li cut her off and walked toward Old Man Li’s table. Smiling, she said, “Father, since Elder Zhang and the village head are both here today, I would like to add Cuihua’s name to our Li family genealogy.”

Old Man Li, who was happily drinking, suddenly froze at her words. “What did you just say?”

Madam Li repeated with a smile, “Father, I want to add Cuihua to our Li family genealogy.”

Crash!

A porcelain bowl was hurled at Madam Li, smashing against her and shattering on the ground. She cried out in shock.

“You wretched woman! Are you trying to anger me to death? Don’t think just anyone can waltz into our Li family! That Shen Cuihua is nothing but a bringer of misfortune!” Old Man Li trembled with rage, pointing a shaking finger at her.

The room instantly fell silent, the earlier cheer gone. Liu Chuncao and Li Dalang quickly stood up and went to support Madam Li.

Li Zhi rose to smooth things over, “Eldest Sister-in-law, today is Father’s eightieth birthday. Let’s speak of this another day. Everyone, let’s sit down and eat, eat…”

But Madam Li stood firm, not flinching. Her voice carried unusual steel.

“Father, no matter what anyone says, I will have Huzi and Cuihua entered into our genealogy. Back then, when I married into this family, you and Mother forced me to abandon my own family’s genealogy and burn it, making me enter yours. If you refuse to recognize Cuihua today, then I will revive my own branch’s genealogy myself.”

Old Man Li’s face turned livid. He jabbed his finger at her, shouting again and again, “You dare! You dare! You… cough, cough…”

Suddenly, he doubled over in a fit of coughing and wheezing.

The family panicked. Li Zhi quickly patted his father’s back and poured him a large bowl of water. After a few gulps, Old Man Li’s breath steadied, but his glare at Madam Li was fiercer than ever.

“Don’t think I don’t know! That woman’s background is completely unclear. You claim you bought her from a broker, but who knows what she was before? Likely from some filthy, lowly place! And yet before Erlang ever even touched her, she gave birth to a child! You! You’re trying to taint the Li family’s bloodline!”

Madam Li blanched but argued back, “Cuihua comes from a decent family. She was tricked and sold off by traffickers.”

She deliberately avoided the matter of Huzi’s bloodline, for everyone knew he was not Li Erlang’s posthumous son.

“Silence! Don’t think just because Eldest Son isn’t here anymore that you can do whatever you want! I will settle this now, this woman with an unknown background is to be driven out of the village!” Old Man Li declared.

All eyes turned to Cuihua. Yet her expression remained calm, as if it was not her being cast out.

“Cuihua was my son’s lawful wife. As long as my Erlang never divorced her, she remains a daughter-in-law of this family!” Madam Li shot back, shielding Cuihua.

“Foolish woman! My Eldest Son may be gone, but I will not watch you disgrace this family any further! This woman is trouble, our Erlang died on his wedding day, surely because of her cursed fate! And after his death, she brought even more shame by bearing another man’s child. Everyone in the village laughs at us! And now you even want to put that bastard into our genealogy? Impossible! Unless I’m already in the grave, I’ll never allow it!”

Madam Li’s face grew paler. In her heart, she knew Erlang’s death had nothing to do with Cuihua. Still, the shame of Erlang being mocked even in death weighed heavily on her. Her hand curled tightly inside her sleeve, veins bulging.

But then she thought of how capable Cuihua was now, even helping Dalang open a shop in town. Her resolve strengthened. She drew a deep breath and said firmly:

“Father, no matter what you say, I will not cast Cuihua and her child out.”

Bang!

Old Man Li slammed the table so hard the dishes rattled.

“Madam Li! Are you rebelling against me? If you don’t drive her out, the Li family will never lift its head again! You’ll be the death of me!”

Still, Madam Li refused to yield. “I will not send Cuihua away.”

“You wretched, wretched woman! Defying heaven itself! You—you…” Old Man Li cursed furiously.

Seeing that the situation was about to reach a deadlock, Li Zhi hurried forward to mediate.

“Father, calm down. Let’s not talk of such things today. It’s your birthday, a happy day. Elder Zhang and the village head are both here, let’s not make a scene. Eldest Sister-in-law, just soften your words a little. We’re all family. Surely we can talk this through another time.”

Old Man Li, who trusted his youngest son, reluctantly sat back down, especially with guests present.

Li Zhi urged everyone to continue eating and winked at Feng Qiufang, signaling her to help Madam Li save face while also scoring favor.

“Eldest Sister-in-law, Father may speak harshly, but it’s only for the good of us all. Don’t take it too much to heart.” Feng Qiufang coaxed her to sit down.

Looking up, she noticed Cuihua calmly helping herself to food, as if the quarrel had nothing to do with her. Irritated, Feng Qiufang could not help but mutter, “Eldest Sister-in-law, when you stand up for someone, pouring out your heart, you should at least think whether they’re worth it! Otherwise, your kindness will just be fed to the dogs!”

Liu Chuncao quickly smoothed things over with a laugh, “Come now, Mother has good judgment. She wouldn’t back the wrong person.”

Fortunately, both Madam Li and Cuihua paid little mind to Feng Qiufang’s jab.

Still, Madam Li looked at Cuihua with some sadness, “Judging from Father’s attitude, it seems the genealogy won’t be possible for now. Don’t worry, Cuihua. I’ll think of another way. Just be patient.”