“Ever since you sold me, I’ve been motherless!”
Liang Xiu’s eyes were filled with disappointment and sorrow!
For years, this matter had weighed heavily on Liang Xiu’s heart, a burden she couldn’t release.
All these years, she had hoped that her parents would at least say a few soft words, explain how desperate they were back then.
But as the years passed, not only did they never offer an explanation, they continued to exploit Liang Xiu relentlessly.
They wished she would neglect her own life to take care of them.
It was fortunate that the Su family had never split, and the elders made the decisions.
Otherwise, Liang Xiu wasn't sure if she could have withstood it.
Thinking of this, Liang Xiu felt even more distressed, her gaze fixed on Old Madam Liang.
Old Madam Liang, knowing her daughter’s character, had never seen Liang Xiu look at her with such an expression.
She couldn’t help but feel a little scared.
“You wretched girl, what is that look on your face?”
Although Old Madam Liang was a little intimidated by Liang Xiu’s gaze, she mustered her courage, thinking she was Liang Xiu’s mother, and asked.
Liang Xiu said, “For years, I’ve tolerated this only out of familial affection. But if you no longer want this bond, I don’t mind!”
Logically speaking, after her daughter hadn’t returned for over a year, parents should at least show some respect.
Even if they wanted money, shouldn’t they ask in private?
How could they be so loud and tearful in front of everyone?
On such a joyous occasion, wasn’t this bad luck?
How could she explain this to her eldest brother and his wife?
“You unfilial wretch, I’ll beat you to death!” Old Man Liang shouted, his bluster masking his fear.
Liang Xiu ignored him, confident that even if Old Man Liang came at her with his fists, someone would protect her.
“Eldest sister-in-law, I’m sorry. I’ve ruined the big celebration today!” she said sincerely to Wang Xianghua.
At this moment, Liang Xiu was filled with regret.
If she had known, she wouldn’t have invited the Liang family.
But now that they were here, what could be done?
Liang Xiu even regretted coming back at all!
“It’s alright, today is just a banquet, not the wedding!” Wang Xianghua’s words were uncertain, whether she was comforting herself or Liang Xiu.
Still, it made Liang Xiu feel a little better.
Li Cuihua, seeing that Liang Xiu wasn’t lying, her eyes began to dart around.
She had heard that her sister-in-law and her husband had made a fortune in the capital. No matter what, she had to find a way to get some money.
Otherwise, once her sister-in-law left, who knew when she would see her again.
Asking for money would be even more impossible.
“Little sister-in-law, I’m not saying this to be mean, but there are no unfilial parents in this world. As a daughter, can you really hold grudges against your parents?”
Li Cuihua, with her large mouth, rambled on with a lecture.
Hearing Li Cuihua still muddying the waters, Liang Xiu felt even worse.
It was one thing for her eldest and second sisters-in-law, but this third sister-in-law had a personality that thrived on chaos.
No, it should be said that she was someone who only thought of herself in everything.
If she was unwilling to work hard and live a good life, she would only think of exploiting others’ money.
“Third sister-in-law, my parents aren’t without sons. When they sold me for three dou of grain and seventy yuan, they made it very clear that the grain and money were to support their sons and grandsons, right?”
Because of this incident, Old Madam Su had complained about Liang Xiu many times, and most people in Nanling Village knew about it.
When Liang Xiu said this so bluntly, the crowd began to whisper, pointing out the Liang family’s wrongdoings.
Hearing so many people’s accusations, Li Cuihua threw a tantrum.
“Liang Xiu, let me tell you, I’ve already asked the village cadres. Daughters also have the obligation to support their parents. You’d better give me your parents’ support money.”
Li Cuihua acted as if she wouldn’t back down unless she got the money today.
“Give you my parents’ support money? Are you my mother?” Liang Xiu was furious at such shameless words. “Look at your character, are you worthy!”
If not for Li Cuihua, perhaps everything would have been different.
Her parents might have treated her a little better.
Even though her heart had grown cold, Liang Xiu still couldn’t believe she had no standing in her parents’ eyes.
“You woman, go ask around the ten-mile, eight-village area. Which family has sons who rely on their daughters for support? And support money? Are all your sons dead?”
A sharp-tongued villager directly addressed Li Cuihua, speaking without any restraint.
Although current laws stipulated that sons and daughters had equal obligations to support their parents, saying it was one thing, and doing it was another.
Families with sons truly found it hard to ask their daughters for support.
Yet, this Liang family was different from others.
Once someone spoke up, others couldn’t help but chime in.
“Exactly, you big men, how dare you come here and say such things?”
“Aren’t these all women?”
“I think so too. If they were real men, how could they do such a thing? They are perfectly capable and yet expect their sister to support their parents!”
The people of Nanling Village, disliking the Liang family’s disruption on such a joyous occasion, spoke with considerable impoliteness.
Their barbs and jibes made the faces of both families even more unsightly.
Old Man Liang, who had originally intended to rush forward and hit his daughter, found himself cornered by the accusations and had to consider his reputation.
Old Madam Liang simply began to sob.
She truly felt that having this daughter was worse than not having one.
Which daughter didn’t think of her maternal family? How could she have given birth to such an unfeeling creature?
If she had enjoyed the good things and thought of her maternal family, their lives wouldn’t be so miserable.
“My life is truly bitter. My daughter doesn’t think of her maternal family, but thinks of outsiders. Even that scabby-headed outsider is closer to us than our own!”
Old Madam Liang sobbed, not forgetting to blame Liang Xiu.
However, no one listened to her. The head of the Su family wasn’t Liang Xiu, so why was it Liang Xiu who didn’t think of her maternal family?
Besides, a married daughter, even if she thought of her maternal family, couldn’t possibly move all her household belongings back to her maiden home, could she?
Li Zhuzi’s wife, who had been watching the spectacle, hadn’t expected her own family to be involved.
“You old woman, you’re being unreasonable. My man and I are close to the Su family because we know what’s good for us and have gratitude!” Li Zhuzi’s wife said with a cold snort.
Her tone and attitude clearly implied that the Liang family lacked heart.
“What, are you trying to bully us with your influence?”
Li Cuihua, seeing her in-laws fall silent and her three sons-in-law acting like scared children, dared not even lift their heads, naturally became displeased.
Qi Liangying, standing nearby, could no longer hold back. Being a daughter herself, why was her third sister-in-law so ill-fated?
“Pah! What do you mean bullying with influence?” Qi Liangying spoke, then lunged forward and began hitting Li Cuihua.
When women fought, they usually scratched and clawed, and Qi Liangying and Li Cuihua were no exception.
Before anyone could fully comprehend what was happening, the two women were locked in a brawl, their hair disheveled.