"I heard they ransacked Old Wang's place, took all the dowry, and sent the people to the mines. Tsk tsk..."
"You wouldn't know how people in the brigade have been talking about your family these past few days. As a neighbor, I'm too embarrassed to even mention it."
She had been with Su Manxiang for quite some time and naturally knew why Su Manxiang was there. Therefore, she spoke in a way that she knew Su Manxiang would like.
As expected, upon hearing what she liked, Su Manxiang, a woman with a screw loose, immediately acted as if she had found a kindred spirit.
"Second Aunt, who's not saying that? I advised my mother and brother to let them go. Others would say our family is benevolent, but they're all acting like lunatics."
Su Manxiang confided her dissatisfaction with her family to Liu Xiuying, treating her as a confidante. Su Manxiang's thinking was that Su Manxiu was already dead, so why should others suffer because of it?
As long as the Su family didn't pursue the matter, and Wang Gouzi and the young widow had a few children and lived a good life, she wouldn't have to endure the disdain of the Kang family, and the Su family wouldn't be pointed at. Wouldn't that be a happy ending for everyone?
"You're right. Your sister is dead, but it wasn't their fault. Besides, even if they killed her, so what? Once she married into the Old Wang family, she was part of the Old Wang family. They could chop her or kill her, and no one could say anything." Liu Xiuying became more excited as she spoke.
Su Manxiang felt something was not quite right upon hearing this.
But she didn't think too much about it and just said, "It's still Second Aunt who is sensible. My mother is truly muddled. What's the point of sacrificing our entire family for someone who is already dead?"
"Who's not saying that? Manxiang, Second Aunt knows you must have been upset these days. Just bear with it for now, and I'll help you persuade your mother later. Or, why don't you go find the brigade leader now?" Liu Xiuying's old eyes darted around, and an idea quickly came to her.
Grandma Su was crying miserably in the house, completely unaware that Su Manxiang, who had been driven out, had not gone home but had gone to the brigade leader's house.
She was still lamenting her misfortune.
One daughter was gone, and another daughter was driven out today, which was as good as being gone. Why was her life so bitter?
"Mother, please don't be sad. Little Sister is confused." Liang Xiu sat beside her mother-in-law and comforted her in a low voice.
The atmosphere in the house had been somber these past few days. She didn't expect Su Manxiang, this confused thing, not only not to side with her own family but also to say those outrageous things.
Manxiu was her own sister. The sisters had grown up together, and Manxiu had taken good care of her. Everyone in the family had seen it. Yet, despite this, Su Manxiang still said those inhuman things.
"It's good that I still have you all." Grandma Su wiped away her tears.
"Mother, we are all family." Liang Xiu held Grandma Su's hand and said.
"Third Daughter-in-law, let your eldest sister-in-law and second sister-in-law come in. I have something to say."
Soon, Wang Xianghua and Qi Liangying came in and sat in the main hall. The daughters-in-law sat on the edge of the kang, waiting to hear their mother-in-law's arrangements.
"I've called you here today to ask if you share Manxiang's idea that Manxiu disgraced you and hindered the children's marriages?" Grandma Su asked directly.
Grandma Su was not a muddled, feudal matriarch. She knew that their large family could live together harmoniously because, whenever there was a major issue, the family members could sit down and discuss it.
Wang Xianghua and the others exchanged glances, feeling that what was said was completely wrong.
Su Manxiu was dead, and she was worn down to death by her in-laws. She was a victim. How could that affect the children's marriages?
"Mother, please don't listen to Manxiang's nonsense. As long as people are sensible, they can see that the Old Wang family did something wrong. How can you blame our family?" Qi Liangying said.
"That's right, Mother. If we really cower and dare not say a word after our daughter was worn down to death by the Old Wang family, people will suspect that we are all cowards and dare not marry our daughters to us," Wang Xianghua quickly added.
"Mother, I have the same idea as Eldest Sister-in-law and Second Sister-in-law. If there are really foolish families who think we did something wrong, then we wouldn't dare to take their daughters, would we?" Liang Xiu also expressed her thoughts.
Hearing her daughters-in-law's words, Grandma Su felt much better.
The daughters-in-law were much more considerate than her youngest daughter.
"Is this all your true feelings? You're not just saying it to comfort me, are you?" Grandma Su asked again.
"How could it not be our true feelings, Mother? These are our genuine thoughts." Liang Xiu forced a smile. "We've lived together as a family for so many years. Don't you know us? We all feel heartbroken about Manxiu's matter. We just wish we could tear apart that scoundrel couple and the entire Old Wang family."
Grandma Su was finally relieved.
Grandpa Su and his three sons, who had been eavesdropping outside after returning, were also much relieved.
They had been worried that Su Manxiang's words might cause the women in the family to have other ideas.
"It's a blessing to have such daughters-in-law in our Old Su family," Grandpa Su sighed.
"Father, please don't overthink it. With Little Sister's personality, it's probably unchangeable. She was always competitive and arrogant since she was young, and after going to the Kang family, she felt even more superior," Oldest Son Su advised his father.
"If it can't be changed, then don't change it. I don't care for such a daughter!" Grandpa Su said wearily.
As a daughter, Grandpa Su could tolerate some minor flaws, like being greedy or selfish, but her performance this time was too disappointing.
Just as he finished speaking, someone called from outside the yard, "Third Brother, Third Brother, are you home?"
It was Li Zhuzi's voice.
"Zhuzi, come in. I'm here," Old Third Su quickly replied loudly.
"Third Brother, you must come with me quickly to see. Su Manxiang is causing a scene at the brigade leader's house, asking the brigade leader to find a way from the commune to release Wang Gouzi and that young widow." Li Zhuzi ran into the Su family's yard and only managed to say this.
Everyone present turned pale. The wives and daughters-in-law in the house also changed their expressions. Grandma Su became even more furious, rolled her eyes, and fainted.
"Grandma, Grandma, what's wrong?" Little Sweet Su immediately tried to help Grandma Su, but unfortunately, she was too young and weak and fell down herself.
"Eldest Sister-in-law, run quickly to find Doctor Li," Qi Liangying called out, while she herself had already started to pinch Grandma Su's philtrum. Liang Xiu held her mother-in-law tightly in her arms.
People outside also heard the commotion inside.
Li Zhuzi knew he had caused trouble and quickly said, "Eldest Sister-in-law, I'm fast. I'll go find Doctor Li."
After saying that, without waiting for Wang Xianghua's agreement, he dashed out.
Grandpa Su staggered but did not fall, but his complexion clearly worsened.
"Father, please go inside," Old Second Su said.
"I'll take Eldest Brother and Third Brother to the brigade leader's house. Second Brother, you stay home and take care of things. If anything happens, come to the brigade leader's house to find us."
Old Second Su nodded, "Eldest Brother, Third Brother, take care of Father."
Qi Liangying pinched Grandma Su's philtrum, but Grandma Su did not wake up. Old Second Su and the three daughters-in-law of the Su family were all anxious.
Little Sweet Su was also anxious, regretting why she had read so many books but hadn't found one about first aid.
Just as the Su family was anxious, Li Zhuzi, carrying Doctor Li on his back, ran in breathlessly.
"Here they come, here they come! Doctor Li is here!"
Li Mingcai climbed down from Li Zhuzi's back, still lamenting that this Old Su family always called for a doctor so urgently.
"Doctor Li, you're finally here. Quickly check on Mother!" Old Second Su, a grown man, was on the verge of tears.
Mother was fine this morning, and in just a short while, she became like this. It was all Su Manxiang's fault.
"Still not awake?"
"I pinched her philtrum, and she still didn't wake up," Old Second Su said anxiously.
Li Mingcai did not delay and quickly walked into the main hall.
Li Zhuzi also followed. This time, he had been too reckless.
After taking her pulse, Li Mingcai took out a packet of silver needles and began to apply them.
After a few needles, Grandma Su slowly woke up.
Upon waking, Grandma Su cried out loudly.
The daughters-in-law wanted to comfort her, but Doctor Li stopped them.
"Let her cry for a while. Venting her unhappiness will be good for her health," Li Mingcai sighed.
The Old Su family had been living in harmony, so why did disaster suddenly strike from the heavens?
Manxiu, such a good child, why was she so ill-fated?
Grandma Su cried heartily, and indeed, her mood became much calmer.
"Where are your father and Eldest and Third Brothers?"
Grandma Su scanned the room. Apart from the grandsons who had gone to the mountain to gather pig feed, these three were missing.
"My father took Eldest Brother and Third Brother to the brigade leader's house," Old Second Su quickly replied.
Grandma Su's expression changed noticeably. How could she have forgotten that Su Manxiang was causing trouble at the brigade leader's house?
"Mother, let me make you a bowl of brown sugar water." Fearing his mother would get more angry, Old Second Su quickly said.
"I've already made it. Mother, please drink a bowl of brown sugar water before you speak." Wang Xianghua carefully brought the brown sugar water to her mother-in-law's lips.
Grandma Su did not drink it. Instead, she took it and placed it aside.
"Second Son, go tell your father that we are severing ties with Su Manxiang and will have no further involvement with her."
Grandma Su said this without any hesitation, clearly heartbroken.
The expressions of the Su family members were not good. They knew how heartbreaking it was for the elder to say these words.
"We have already severed ties. This child Manxiang has gone astray!" Grandpa Su happened to enter the house and replied in a low voice.
"Does she agree?" Old Second Su did not believe Su Manxiang would agree.
She was a leech who wanted to suck blood. How could she be willing to sever ties with their family?
"She doesn't agree. But Father said that regardless of whether she agrees or not, her door to the Su family will be closed from now on," Oldest Son Su said.
This time, both Father and Mother had been deeply hurt by their youngest daughter. How could their youngest daughter be so selfish?
Was her elder sister's life worth nothing in her eyes? What about the lives of her brothers and nephews? Were they also worth nothing?
If that were the case, it would be too terrifying!
Thinking of this, a grown man shivered.
Old Third Su did not speak, but he was calculating in his mind that Su Manxiang was someone who wouldn't act without benefit. If she wasn't given any benefits, she would sever ties herself.
"Old Brother Su, you must be strong. Children don't always obey their mothers!" Li Mingcai sighed and comforted him.
They were all born to the same parents, so why were the others good, but Su Manxiang had become like this?
"My wife's health..." Grandpa Su asked worriedly.
"She was too depleted before. Being extremely angry and agitated, she needs time to recover. It's best to get something good to nourish her," Li Mingcai said.
The couple had suffered so much to raise five children.
Moreover, Grandpa Su was a benevolent person and often helped others. Their lives could be imagined.
The whole family was worried. Although they didn't lack food and drink now, where could they get nutritional supplements?
These were things that couldn't be bought even with money; they required coupons.
Old Third Su looked at Grandma Su. In the past six months, his mother had taken out quite a few coupons, but he didn't know if she had coupons for nutritional supplements.
Old Third Su did not know that even with coupons, nutritional supplements might not be available. Sometimes, there was only one shipment a month, and if you missed it, you wouldn't get it.
Little Sweet Su was thoughtful.
In this era, nutritional supplements were rare. The most common was malted milk, but not everyone could buy it.
Milk powder was even more precious, and ordinary people rarely saw it.
If there were no nutritional supplements, eating more meat and eggs should also be fine.
"Doctor Li, is it okay for Grandma to eat meat porridge every day?"
Li Mingcai also knew that nutritional supplements were hard to come by, but meat porridge was also hard to come by. Eating meat porridge every day was something ordinary families couldn't afford.
Let alone meat porridge, even eating eggs was something ordinary families couldn't afford!
"Yes, eating a sugar-water egg every morning is also fine, and so is meat porridge," Li Mingcai nodded.
Eggs and meat were precious items. Meat was rarely seen, and eggs were a hard currency. They had to be saved to exchange for oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, needles, and thread. Which peasant family would be willing to eat eggs?
The Old Su family had been taken care of by someone during this period, and their lives had improved a bit, but they could barely eat their fill, unlike before when they were starving.
The Su family members were relieved.
The family could collect six eggs every day, which was enough to nourish Mother.
Li Zhuzi quickly said, "I'm alone, and the chicken at home is almost starving. I'll kill it when I get back and send it to Mother."
"Zhuzi, don't be silly. We have chickens at home. Raising a chicken is not easy for you. Raise it well," Wang Xianghua quickly said.
Li Zhuzi did not raise chickens before. This chicken was raised in the past few months, which could be considered the first step towards living a good life.
"That's right, Zhuzi. Your eldest sister-in-law is right. You should live well yourself," Grandma Su also refused.
Li Mingcai was carried by Li Zhuzi and also volunteered to take him back.
After seeing off the doctor, Liang Xiu went to the kitchen to cook sugar-water eggs for her mother-in-law.
She looked at Grandpa Su's grayish-white complexion and felt that her father-in-law's health was probably not very good either.
With a fierce resolve, she directly took out four eggs and made them all at once.
"Why did you make two eggs? It would be better to save them for Little Sweet to eat." Grandma Su looked at the two eggs in the coarse porcelain bowl and unhesitatingly refused.
She had lived frugally her whole life, and an egg would be cut into eight pieces to eat. When had she ever eaten two eggs at once?
"Mother, I cooked four. Two for you and two for Father. You must eat them. Only when your bodies are well can we juniors be well." Liang Xiu said forcefully.