Chapter 13: Stirring Up More Trouble

Third Uncle Qiu and his wife did not hit back when they were beaten, nor did they argue when scolded, but being younger and stronger, the old couple simply couldn’t drag them away.

While they were still at a standstill, Ersheng finally brought the clan elder over.

Qiu Yuruo secretly let out a sigh of relief and pulled Yunche and her little sister back a few steps.

Third Uncle Qiu knew that things had come this far, and today he had to push the matter through to the end.

He raised his dirt-streaked face and said to the clan elder, “Fourth Uncle, I want to split from the family!”

Third Uncle Qiu explained that his father and eldest brother had forced Second Brother’s only daughter to marry in place of the eldest brother’s own daughter into the Su family. Despite his brother’s decades of education, he had never taught him nor his son how to read.

He firmly requested to divide the family, citing an unkind father and an unbrotherly elder sibling.

This kind of matter, if kept quiet, no one would interfere. But once it was aired out in public, the clan had no choice but to get involved.

The clan head and other elders were invited to the house, and even Eldest Uncle Qiu could no longer hide in his room. The main hall echoed with sobbing and shouting.

The courtyard was filled with onlookers eager to witness the drama, while Qiu Yuruo followed her third uncle’s children and hid in their room.

It wasn’t until midday had passed that the Qiu family, under pressure from the clan, finally agreed to divide the family.

With a patient in need of care back home, Qiu Yuruo didn’t wait for them to prepare lunch and asked Third Uncle Qiu to take her back first.

After getting a share and tidying himself up, Third Uncle Qiu was practically glowing with pride.

He had seized the opportunity and forced the old man to agree to the family split under clan pressure.

The family’s land was divided into four portions—one portion kept by the old man for his retirement. Whichever son he chose to live with would inherit that share after his death.

The remaining land was split among the three Qiu brothers. Third Uncle Qiu had both the moral high ground and two sons, and he promised to handle all ancestral rites and offerings for the second brother. In the end, he walked away with half the family’s assets.

Old Man Qiu naturally chose to live with Eldest Uncle Qiu.

On the way back, Third Uncle Qiu said to Qiu Yuruo, “If I could seize this chance, it’s all thanks to your reminder. From now on, you’re like my own daughter. If anything happens, come straight to me.”

No matter what would happen in the future, Qiu Yuruo believed he meant those words—at least for now. After all, he had just secured a large piece of property, and all it cost him was a promise to support her. For him, it was hardly a loss.

Qiu Yuruo replied, “Alright.”

Now that the Qiu family had split, Old Man Qiu’s authority and holdings were halved. Eldest Uncle Qiu, once the center of the family’s support, would now have to get used to reduced rations and on top of that, he’d have to care for the aging parents.

It was unlikely their days ahead would be as easy as before.

As long as they weren’t living well, Qiu Yuruo felt much better.

Her reply was too calm, and Third Uncle Qiu couldn’t help but glance back at her. The sunlight bathed the girl’s face, her expression serene and untroubled, completely different from the image of her in his memory.

Suddenly, he realized that the seemingly close bond between them was built on rather flimsy foundations.

He had once thought she was timid and dull, but when she went on a hunger strike to protest her forced marriage, he realized she had a mind of her own.

And when she squeezed ten taels of silver each from the old man and Eldest Uncle Qiu, he knew this niece had fangs behind her quiet exterior.

Looking at her calm face now, he suddenly felt a chill in his heart. Was everything that had happened today really just a coincidence? Did she have nothing to do with it at all?

Maybe she hadn’t caused the family split directly, but everything leading up to it had her fingerprints all over.

The excitement in Third Uncle Qiu’s heart finally began to cool.

He thought back over the years. Though he hadn’t done much for her, he hadn’t mistreated her either. And when she married out, he had given her two quilts and some clothes as part of her dowry.

And besides, he had clearly benefited the most from today’s outcome.

Finally reassured, his heart began to settle again.

A girl like her, with a calm face and sharp mind, was someone he’d rather ally with than make an enemy of.

He cleared his throat and said, “Yuruo, your uncle hasn’t done enough for you all these years. You’ve suffered a lot. Don’t worry, now that you’re in the Su family, if anyone dares to bully you, I’ll stand up for you, even if it costs me my life!”

Qiu Yuruo always knew her third uncle was a shrewd man. Now that the heat of the moment had cooled, he had figured things out quickly.

A faint smile appeared on her face. “You and Third Aunt have been kind to me all these years. Besides, life wasn’t that easy for you in that family either.”

Third Uncle Qiu felt her words struck right to his heart. “Exactly. I wasn’t the head of my family before. But now, things are different. I can be my own master. If you need anything, just send word, I’ll be there.”

Qiu Yuruo liked working with smart people. Over on the Su family’s side, she’d still have to wrangle with Old Man Su. She needed support from her maiden family. And Third Uncle Qiu’s family wasn’t bad. Letting him benefit first meant she wouldn’t be too beholden to him later.

As they had reached a cooperative understanding. Qiu Yuruo happily replied, “Alright.”

…

Back at home, Su Yunche greeted Third Uncle Qiu and let Qiu Yuruo handle him while he jumped off the cart and ran inside to help his brother relieve himself.

The gifts Qiu Yuruo had brought for her return visit had already been eaten while waiting for the family division discussions. The Qiu family kept the wine and tea, but returned the live chickens. In exchange, they gave her some steamed buns as return gifts.

No one had eaten lunch, and it was already past 2 p.m. Qiu Yuruo quickly steamed the buns and made a simple soup with whatever ingredients she had on hand.

Third Uncle Qiu drank two big bowls in one go and sighed, “Since you got married, I haven’t had such a satisfying meal!”

Qiu Yuruo said, “We didn’t have time today, but I plan to open a small food stall at the entrance to Sujia Village. The day after tomorrow, I’ll go pick out a handcart. Uncle, could you and Grandpa help me take a look? When we’re back, I’ll stew a chicken for you.”

Third Uncle Qiu said, “Just picking a handcart? Leave that to me, your third uncle.”

Qiu Yuruo didn’t say much, just smiled at him. Then she asked Yunche to clean up the dishes and invited Third Uncle Qiu to her room to talk.

He sat back in the same seat from that morning, suddenly feeling a bit tense.

As his niece calmly laid out her plan, Third Uncle Qiu realized that the next time he sat in this spot, he’d better be mentally prepared in advance.

…

The next morning, just before lunchtime, some folks lounging and chatting on the main street of Sujia Village saw Su Yunting’s wife heading toward Old Man Su’s house, with her little brother-in-law in tow and a basket in her hand.

The hottest gossip in the village lately had been Su Yunting’s wedding. Add to that the two topics Qiu Yuruo stirred up just after getting married, and the Su family had stayed at the center of attention.

Now seeing her out again, one of the more talkative women who had gone with her to Qingshi Town the other day called out, “Yuruo, where are you headed?”

This cheerful woman, named Dalan, was Qiu Yuruo’s elder by marriage, so she called her “sister-in-law.”

Qiu Yuruo stopped and said, “Sister-in-law, are you out enjoying the breeze? I went to town early this morning to buy meat, and now I’m delivering some meat sauce to Grandpa.”

Sister Dalan was taken aback. “Ah! You—weren’t you all…”

Qiu Yuruo smiled, “I know what you’re thinking. But yesterday, when I returned home, both my grandfather and uncle repeatedly told me to take the initiative and ease things with the elders. You know how my family is deeply rooted in values like integrity and filial piety.”

Those nearby all nodded. The elders in the Qiu family were indeed like that.

Sister Dalan said, “Your family may be righteous, but you’re the one being wronged.”

Qiu Yuruo answered generously, “They’re still my elders. A little hardship isn’t much. The main thing is Yunche. His brother is ill and who knows when he’ll wake up. If the relationship with Grandpa and Second Uncle eases, then at least someone can help him in the future.”

After she finished speaking, the people nearby praised her even more.

After a few more pleasantries, Qiu Yuruo continued on with Su Yunche.

By the time they reached Old Man Su’s gate, half the village already knew she was bringing gifts and going to make peace with Old Man Su.

She knocked on the gate. Second Uncle Su’s wife opened the door, wearing a suspicious expression.

Qiu Yuruo smiled and said, “Second Aunt, I made some meat sauce and brought it over for Grandpa to try.”

Since she was there to give something, Second Aunt let them in.

The Su family had been lying low for the past two days to avoid gossip, so the whole family was at home.

When Second Uncle Su heard her voice, he came out and immediately spotted the shrewd gleam in her eyes—clearly not concealed at all. He braced himself and stayed on guard.

Qiu Yuruo wore a flattering smile and said, “Everyone’s here! I made some meat sauce and wanted everyone to try it. If it tastes good, I plan to set up a little stall at the village entrance. This way, our family will have some extra income.”

Second Aunt was about to agree, thinking they could enjoy free food later. But her husband quickly grabbed her arm.

Second Uncle Su looked at Qiu Yuruo with a sour face. “Hah. As if anyone would buy meat sauce at a village entrance. Who would?”

Qiu Yuruo replied with good temper, “You’re well-experienced, Second Uncle. One look and you know meat sauce won’t sell. That’s why I thought of pairing it with noodles. A bowl of noodles with a spoonful of meat sauce makes a meat noodle dish. It’s easy to set up a stall in the village, we just need a few tables and two cooking pots.”

Second Uncle Su sneered inwardly. The fox was finally showing its tail.

“So you’re setting all this up, but you can’t just leave it out there at night, can you? You’ll need a cart to haul it back and forth.”

Qiu Yuruo simply smiled at him, then turned to the old man lounging in the courtyard, pretending to nap.

“Grandpa, it won’t cost much to set up. And once it’s going, I’ll always save a portion of meat sauce just for you. If we earn anything, I’ll use it to get medical help for Yunting. When your grandson wakes up, you can then…”

Before she could finish, Second Uncle Su exploded, “Shut your mouth!”

Qiu Yuruo’s smile disappeared. “Why should I shut up? What did I say wrong?”

Second Uncle Su gritted his teeth and narrowed his eyes. “I know exactly what you’re up to. You’re buttering up the old man so he’ll buy everything you need!”