Chapter 26

"Mom, this must be something said by Fourth Uncle's family!" Song Zhiyang's wife, Zhu shi, cried and complained in the room, "They're just angry that my son-in-law broke off the engagement with their family's Dingxiang and went to Taohong. Now that my son-in-law has passed the imperial examination, they want to slander my son-in-law and my daughter. Mom, what should we do about this, sob..."

Gao shi said angrily, "Old man, isn't your brother going too far? It wasn't our fault that the engagement was broken off in the first place. It was their family's Dingxiang who fell into the river and was saved by another man. The Xu family looked down on her! Now look at all the gossip outside, saying all sorts of nasty things. Your brother used to be all smiles and seemed like a good person, but now... people's hearts are deceitful!"

Song Xingren took a puff of his pipe, lifted his eyelids to look at his wife, and said, "So what? Did you see them say it?"

"Who else would hate Taohong as much as their family does? It's pure jealousy. Oh, their granddaughter's husband went off to the army, that's not our doing. In the blink of an eye, our granddaughter's husband passed the imperial exam, and that's a future official. How could their family not be jealous, not be angry?"

Gao shi fumed, "Ever since our Taohong married into Xu family, they've been looking down on us and talking behind our backs. If we were rich, would we not give them good gifts? I say, don't send them anything in the future, can their family handle it?"

"That's right, mom. When we sent New Year's gifts last year, their family even looked down on our gifts. They all looked at me as if there were knives in their eyes," Song Xingren's eldest son, Song Zhishen, also said, "We've been sending them gifts like this for years, and they never said anything. Suddenly this year, they're acting all weird. Is it not because Taohong married well?"

Wu shi frowned, suppressing her displeasure and said, "Head of the household, you should hold your tongue. This matter may not necessarily have been spread by Fourth Uncle's family..."

"I think you're just making excuses. Who else could have said such things besides their family?" Song Zhishen looked displeased.

Zhu shi cried again, "Exactly, exactly. Two years ago when their Dingxiang came to deliver New Year's gifts, oh, the way they talked was clearly criticizing our family. Can they blame us for marrying off a short-lived ghost? I think she's just not content and wants to make things difficult for our Taohong... Dad, mom, Taohong is your granddaughter, you have to stand up for her..."

Just as she had cried a few times, someone outside loudly asked, "Is Third Brother and Third Sister-in-law at home?"

Song Zhiyang, who had been silent, glanced outside and said, "Fourth Aunt is here..."

Zhu shi immediately stood up, full of anger, "They still have the face to come? I want to see on what grounds they're coming!"

Li shi brought her eldest daughter-in-law, eldest granddaughter-in-law, and Song Dingxiang to stand calmly at the door. However, their faces didn't look good, with a gloomy expression and a cold aura.

Zhu shi opened the door curtain and mockingly said, "Oh, Fourth Aunt, what brings you here? It seems you only come when there's trouble. Normally, you doesn't bother visiting our humble home."

Li shi beckoned to her, saying, "Come here."

Zhu shi pursed her lips and took a few steps forward, asking, "What's your command, Fourth Aunt?"

Gao shi also came out, trying to force a smile but failing, and asked, "What's the matter, Fourth Sister-in-law?"

Li shi walked forward, stood in front of Zhu shi, then suddenly raised her arm and slapped Zhu shi across the face. Despite her age, Li shi, being from a prosperous family, was still quite strong from her daily activities.

The force of the slap made Zhu shi stagger back several steps, clearly shocked.

Gao shi, surprised, sternly asked, "Fourth Sister-in-law, what are you doing?"

Li's voice rose as well, "Third Sister-in-law, why don't you ask your good daughter-in-law what she said and did? I've overlooked your previous behavior of taking advantage of me, but now, do you think my family is easy to bully and can come here to act wild on my turf?"

Only then did Zhu shi come to her senses, crying out, "I didn't say anything! Why did you hit me, Fourth Aunt?"

Li shi sneered, "Didn't you spread rumors that your family's Taohong had a miscarriage because of interference from my family's Jin Qiao'er? How dare you ask me to find witnesses? I gave you face, but you don't appreciate it. Slapping you is nothing. If not for your in-laws, I would tear your mouth apart! Just because of your words, my Jin Qiao'er almost lost her milk. If anything happens to my granddaughter, surnamed Zhu, I'll break your legs!"

She snorted and continued, "Why did your daughter marry into the Xu family? Everyone knows. I don't want to argue with you not because I've forgotten about it, but because I see it as saving face for my husband. Don't push me, none of you will have an easy time! Let's go!"

Li shi turned and left with her entourage, leaving everyone in the courtyard bewildered and flustered, along with a few onlookers outside.

Gao shi was beside herself with anger. She turned and entered the house, saying to his eldest son, "Stop gawking and close the door. You, come in!"

Zhu shi shrank her neck, covering her face and crying as she entered the house.

Inside, Song Xingren smoked heavily in the room, sighing heavily when they entered. "Have you forgotten what your Fourth Aunt was like when she was young?"

Gao shi's heart skipped a beat, and she looked at Zhu shi with an even darker expression, "Second Daughter-in-law, have you been spreading rumors outside?"

"I-I haven't..." Zhu shi stammered, covering her face.

"You, why did you badmouth Jin Qiao'er?" Seeing her reaction, Gao shi knew the truth.

Upon seeing her like that, Gao shi instantly felt frustrated and exclaimed, "You, why are you badmouthing others' families? Do you even know the background of your Fourth Aunt? How dare you speak ill of her..."

Back in the day when Li shi was still a young maiden, she was quite beautiful. Her family was small, with an older brother who had a disability, and two younger sisters and a brother who were still children.

The entire family relied on her.

Her grandparents were not pleasant people – her grandmother was said to be a maid from a wealthy family who, while not learning much else, mastered the art of causing discord among family members. She especially looked down on her honest son and caused suffering for his wife and children.

Despite all this, Li shi persevered and somehow managed to separate her family, starting a new life on their own.

Her meeting with Song Xingyi was quite dramatic – as she pushed a cart carrying grain, she encountered some ruffians who tried to harass her, only to be beaten back with a grain rake by her.

This incident was witnessed by many, spreading her reputation for being tough, and no one dared to propose marriage to her.

Among those who witnessed this incident was Song Xingyi, who immediately took a liking to her. Through intermediaries, he arranged a marriage proposal and brought Li shi back home.

Song Xingyi's reasoning was simple – as he was often away on business, he needed a strong-willed wife to protect the family from any trouble in his absence. With a tough wife like Li shi, nobody dared to speak ill of the family in front of her, even when Song Xingyi was away.

As time passed and Li shi had more children, she became less inclined to go out and became more reserved and composed. Nowadays, aside from the elderly, hardly anyone remembered the true nature of this woman.

Hearing her mother-in-law's words, Zhu shi was only scared and cried.

Song Zhishen nonchalantly replied, "So what? She's old now, isn't it normal for her to be more reserved than when she was young?"

Gao shi snorted and said, "Stop talking about that. Go to the side. As for the second daughter-in-law, tell me, what did you say about Jin Qiao to others?"

Zhu shi hesitated but eventually revealed the words she said, "I just thought it was a coincidence, I didn't mean anything by it. What should we do now, sob..."

Song Gaoshi was so angry he felt dizzy, "What should we do? What else can we do? She came and slapped you first, everyone saw that it was you spreading rumors, and you couldn't say a word at that time. And now you ask me what to do? Do you want me to confront her, asking if she said bad things about Taohong outside? Even if she did, this time we'll have to bear the loss!"

...

Li shi was usually quiet but fiercely protective of her family, and known to be highly intelligent. Even though she appeared unassuming, those who knew her were aware of her extreme loyalty towards her family.

Despite Song's six siblings dividing their families, the households before the fifth and sixth brothers were known to be chaotic. However, the family of the fourth brother remained calm and peaceful, leading a simple life as if they hadn't split at all.

From this, it can be seen how superior Li's skills are, to the extent that even the daughter-in-law who constantly praises her mother-in-law is rarely found in the whole village, yet Li shi dares to take the lead.

Zhu shi only knew how to cry, which made Gao shi feel annoyed and restless. She waved her hand and said, "Stop arguing in this room, all of you go back to your own rooms. It's early in the morning and you've been making noise non-stop, giving yourselves headaches."

After their son and daughters-in-law left, Song Xingren began to sigh again, saying, "Now we have completely offended the fourth family. Offending the fourth family will likely make the fifth and sixth families distant from us, and in the future if anything happens, we can only rely on the eldest and second sons... sigh..."

"Rely on who? Don't rely on anyone!" Gao shi turned over on the kang bed and said, "Reliance... hmph, now it's better to rely on our own Taohong. She has given birth to a big, healthy boy for the Xu family, and she's on her way to becoming an official's wife. At least we can benefit from it. This situation... I think the second family is too presumptuous. Always thinking that Taohong is her own, fearless and still trying to climb over me. Disgusting!"

Song Xingren continued to sigh, while Gao shi lay for a while before getting up and saying, "No, I have to go to the Xu family. We can't let the second family go, that woman... how didn't I see she was like this before. It's just the right time to help Taohong with breastfeeding, I'll grab a chicken and go over."

With that, she hurriedly ran to the backyard.

Upon returning home, Li shi couldn't help but smile.

Song Dingxiang was full of admiration, her grandmother was truly a remarkable person, not only did she handle the situation effortlessly, but she also silenced the other party completely. Now their family had the upper hand, and didn't benefit themselves, but also caused trouble.

"Grandma, you are really formidable." Song Dingxiang massaged Li's legs in admiration, "Teach me? "

Li shi chuckled and said, "Teach you what? You don't even have a mother-in-law, let alone sisters-in-law. Your mother's family is your support, what else do you want to learn? Isn't it enough trouble at home? "

"No, grandma, you are so powerful, teach me, so I won't be bullied outside." Song Dingxiang flattered.

She admired Li shi too much, back then, in order to protect her family's industry, she confronted relatives directly, but barely gained any benefit, until after liberation when she finally had a chance to shine and turned the family soy sauce factory into a branded business.

She initially thought that Li's intimidating words were just to disgust the other party, little did she know she had an ace up her sleeve. Early in the morning, Li shi got everyone ready and took them out to "settle the score."

And within the time it took for a cup of tea, she managed to impress Song Dingxiang.

Li shi sat down with a needle and thread basket, saying, "There's nothing special to teach, just think long-term before you act or speak. Consider the potential consequences of your actions and words, and that's basically it."

It's easy to say this, but hard to do. At least Zhang shi couldn't do it, and Fang's straightforward nature also made it impossible.

With Jin Qiao'er's revenge fulfilled, her mood lightened and her breast milk increased, as if the discomfort she felt during her confinement vanished in an instant.

"Your grandmother is a formidable person," at night, Fang shi was mending shoe insoles and telling her daughter, "Back then, your grandmother fought off four men on her own, and made them crawl on the ground. Then your grandfather noticed her, your grandfather was also a formidable person. If it were others, they would have been scared to come near her, but not your grandfather. He insisted that the family agreed, found a matchmaker to propose, spent two taels of silver and two hundred catties of grain to marry your grandmother back."

"But you can't tell by looking at her..." Song Dingxiang was also mending shoe insoles, as the dim light at night was hard on the eyes. Only this simple task was suitable to do before bedtime.

"You can't tell what?" Song Zhiyuan smiled, "After you were born, your grandmother was no longer the same as when she was young. Your older uncle was quiet when he was a child, didn't speak up when he was bullied, and your grandmother found a way, made those who bullied your older uncle come and apologize and even give gifts. In this village, who dares to underestimate your grandmother?"

Song Dingxiang said, "Then why does my third grandfather's family always want to bully our family?"

Song Zhiyuan sighed, "Your third uncle can't control his family, your third aunt looks smart but doesn't actually understand anything. One only cares about her own family, the other always wants to take advantage, do you think they can live a good life? Let's forget about their family, you and your mother should rest now, lighting oil lamps and straining your eyes, it's tiring."

Song Dingxiang lay in bed, her mind filled with Li's impressive demeanor.

After some consideration, although she had been reborn after living for so long, she realized that in terms of handling such matters, she was no match for Li shi. Therefore, she decided to tell Li shi about the situation with her sister Song Yulan, to see if Li shi had any good ideas.

The next day, when Fang shi was not around, Song Dingxiang told Li shi about the issues at her sister Song Yulan's husband's family.

Song Li nodded and said, "You're right, this matter shouldn't be known to your mother, her temper could make her sick if she finds out that her eldest daughter married into a bad family. Her health can't afford to be shaken now."

Song Dingxiang said, "That's what I was thinking too, but grandma, my brother-in-law's side is bullying people a bit."

Song Li said, "Do you know why everything was fine before, and now your brother-in-law suddenly started making trouble?"

After some thought, Song Dingxiang said, "I think it's because Song Taohong had ill intentions, when they got married my sister was unwell and didn't go, when she came back she told me that her husband and in-laws were acting odd. Now that Xu Qiang has passed the imperial examination, they might be even more inclined to cause trouble."

"This is simply human nature," Song Li said, "Initially, their family was satisfied to be able to marry our eldest daughter, after all, your sister went with a generous dowry. Their family also had some prestige, right?"

"As for your sister, when she just got married, she probably wanted a reputation for being virtuous and well-behaved. However, she made a mistake in not understanding that this reputation cannot be bought with money. By spending money, she actually increased the expectations of the Xu family, leading to the current consequences. Just like you said, if your sister doesn't stand firm, there will be even more troubles ahead."

"But what about my sister..." Song Dingxiang was getting anxious.

Song Li said, "We're not at that point yet, right? Your sister is not someone with a very soft character, after all, she's married off. There are many things the family can't interfere in, she needs to figure things out herself and come to terms with it. Otherwise, she will have a very difficult life in the future."

"If worst comes to worst, they can just divorce!" Song Dingxiang suggested, observing Song Li's expression.

"Divorce? It's not as simple as you think. And do you think the Xu family, with someone now backing them up, will agree to divorce? Sending your sister a divorce letter will only make her life harder. A woman who has married off must find ways to make her own life better. If a man can be relied on, then rely on him. If not, then she must rely on herself," Song Li explained.

"But they've already exchanged five gifts, won't Xu Qiang support him?" Song Dingxiang asked with a hint of doubt.

"You silly girl, even if they've exchanged five gifts, he is still a Xu by surname, and they still live in the same village. It might be different with others, but Xu Qiang had an engagement with you in the past, and your sister married into their village. It was supposed to strengthen the relationship, now it's uncertain. It all depends on how your sister handles it," Song Li said before letting out a sigh, "This woman, destined for a hard life. If she had married well, it would be fine, but if not, well..."

What Song Dingxiang didn't expect was for there to be more trouble in Song Yulan's family while they were discussing it.

Song Dingxiang: I thought I was a formidable person, but it turns out the real challenge is still ahead!