Chapter 61.2

Translated by Aviana

Meanwhile, Yang-shi also arranged enough grains for Lin Qingwan and others during this period. These were all accumulated from collecting grains from several households with few excess grains. Yang-shi had bought them with silver from them. Everyone was clear about the price, so there was no room for saying anything.

Yang-shi’s sudden action of buying a lot of food grains, naturally, piqued many villagers’ curiosity. After all, Yang-shi had farms under her name, which she usually gave to others for cultivation on lease. And every year, as a rent, she receives a certain quantity of food grains. Thus, Yang-shi had never been short of food.

And, of course, Yang-shi would not conceal it when asked by others. After all, she, too, found her younger brother and his wife’s actions sickening and was seething with ire. Thus, she straightforwardly divulged the matter to others without covering up for the two.

Upon hearing the ins and outs of the matter, others suddenly realized the situation. But at the same time, they couldn’t help but spurn Yang laoyezi and his wife.

The matter regarding Yang jia suddenly splitting up had resulted in quite a bit of rumor spreading around the village. Thus, most of the villagers were aware of why Yang jia split up and how Yang laoer and Yang laosan’s families were separated.

老二 (lǎo’èr): second-eldest child in a family

老三 (lǎosān): third-eldest child in a family

But, this was someone else’s family matter, and it wouldn’t be good for them to interfere. Thus, they could only comment about it behind their back.

There was a heresy that when the Yang jia split up, they didn’t give any food grains to their sons. And now, it hasn’t been a month yet since the separation, yet they asked their son to give the next year’s support in advance. Even though the Daxi dynasty heavily emphasized filial piety, the villagers felt the old couple had gone too far. After all, everyone was aware of the circumstances in which Yang Tiezhu and Yang Tiegen had to separate from the family. They were practically swept out of the family, with minimal house and 2 mu of land. Apart from this, not even a single grain was given to them.

亩 (mǔ): classifier for fields/unit of area equal to one-fifteenth of a hectare

Upon hearing this, everyone shook their heads one after the other. However, as an outsider, it wasn’t right to interfere in other’s family matters. After all, the father and mother have only sought their sons to ask for elderly support, which is—heaven’s law and earth’s principle—right and proper. But in private, the villagers couldn’t help but condemn the old couple for being unethical and force their sons as such. Aren’t they worried that if they cross the line in such a way, there wouldn’t be no one to look after them?!

Upon hearing this comment, the person next to him added that the old couple still had two sons. But the people who were acutely aware of the inside story sneered in response, “Just those two, heh… you see, ah, with Yang laoer and Yang laosan’s branches separated, in the future Yang jia would be very lively”.

Yang Tiegen visited Yang-shi’s place and carried all the grains back to the house and, without delay, handed over the two families’ food grains and silver to He-shi.

Relief washed over He-shi’s heart as soon as she received the food and silver. After He received the silver and food, he felt at ease. This time, not only did she wouldn’t have to sell the grains in exchange for silver, but she also had enough silver in her hand.

Feeling over the moon, He-shi happily prepared the engagement gifts to be sent to Feng jia and agreed with them to have the marriage done at the start of the new year. However, all of these matters were irrelevant to Lin Qingwan and the others.

Furthermore, this while, Elder sister Yang visited again along with her kids.

The entire family, big and small, were all attired in tattered cotton-padded clothes; their complexions sallow and emaciated. He-shi personally received Elder Sister Yang and the group and invited them into the house.

Detecting the loud noises outside, Lin Qingwan opened the door and peeked out to see Elder Sister Yang returning yet again.

At that time, Yao-shi was also in the second branch’s room. Seeing this, Yao-shi filled Lin Qingwan in regarding Elder Sister Yang’s visit every winter and on her stay here for a while.

Though Yao-shi’s words were implicit, Lin Qingwan could nevertheless conjecture the reason behind Eldest Sister Yang’s visit. If not for anything else, at the least, the eldest sister could save firewood and rice. Or perhaps, it could also be to coax elderly couple and elicit sympathy from them for her children, benefiting one or two sets of clothing in the passing.

But, Lin Qingwan sometimes couldn’t understand the thoughts of Elder Sister Yang’s husband’s family. To regularly send their daughter-in-law to her natal family in such a manner. Of course, it might also be possible that her husband’s family weren’t the ones making her do so rather it was Elder Sister Yang herself who came back on her own accord. But, if any other married woman returns to her natal family, with a flock of kids in tow, regularly, it’s hard for people to not speculate that this might be her husband’s family’s idea.

Nonetheless, these matters held no significance to Lin Qingnwan. Thus, they didn’t know if Eldest Sister Yang got her wish fulfilled this time.

Though Lin Qingwan regarded this matter as inconsequential, others didn’t share her sentiments.

It was unknown what He-shi said to Elder Sister Yang, but she visited their room the same afternoon. Initially, she went to the third branch’s room to meet them, but there was no one in the room. Reckoning that they might be in the second branch’s room, she marched to this room.

At this time, the second branch’s room was packed with people. As it was daytime, the door wasn’t bolted. Anyway, with the thick curtain and the lightly closed door, the room’s interior wouldn’t be visible from outside.

Apparently, Eldest Sister was quite riled up, for she pushed open the door with a bang.

The moment she burst in, all eyes in the room fell onto her.

At this time, Yang Tiezhu, Lin Qingwan, Yao-shi, and the two little kids were all crowded on the kang, casually conversing while snacking on peanuts. But, such an abrupt loud noise froze all of their smiles and words, resembling a frozen TV screen.

Lin Qingwan’s face sank, for she too was unaware what sort of expression she should have when facing this person.

Fortunately, Elder Sister Yang solved this dilemma of hers.

She didn’t target anyone else rather she strode right up to Yang Tiezhu as she opened her mouth.

“Laoer, what’s up with you? You actually made a ruckus and separated from the family just for the sake of a woman? Laosan, you too? You both are men, but are you being controlled by women?” Though her words were addressed to Yang Tiezhu, they were aimed at Lin Qingwan and Yao-shi.

Yao-shi was apoplectic with rage, unable to formulate any refute. However, Lin Qingwan was certainly not one to suffer losses.

Tossing the peanut husks in her hands onto the kang table, she refuted, “Later on, don’t go on saying that your dimei’s words are unpleasant. But before you march up to someone and criticize them, you had better go back and get a clear idea of the situation first. Don’t just charge into others’ rooms without knowing what is happening. We are unable to understand what your words mean.”

弟妹 (dìmèi) : younger brother’s wife

Elder Sister Yang was anything but a virtuous person. Usually, she might appear pitiful in the presence of the elderly couple, but when treating others, she had no patience. Besides, in her heart, her two younger brothers were her juniors and thought she could speak whatever she wished, let alone her younger brothers’ wives.

“Why are you interrupting when I’m speaking with your husband?” Elder Sister Yang narrowed her eyes, disdain evident on her face.

Truthfully speaking, she was slightly scared of going against Lin Qingwan. The one time she went against her, she suffered a setback. She might as well suppress Yang Tiezhu, for she still had a grasp of this younger brother of hers.

However, the times have changed. Yang Tiezhu was also not silent and obedient to his family now in contrast to his former self. Particularly now, when his wife was pregnant and wasn’t allowed to get angry. “Eldest sister, for whatever you had to say, my reply is the same as my wife’s: before criticizing others, you had better go back and get a clear idea of the situation first. Don’t just charge into others’ rooms without knowing what is going on. We are unable to understand what your words mean.”

At that moment, Elder Sister Yang was put on the spot. Her face turned livid from fury.

“Laoer, how come you have become like this? Are you so bewitched by this vixen that you are even disregarding our parents now?! What is this sl*t is regarded as that she, a woman bought from outside, is riding over your head?” She spat out with her shrill voice.

You are the vixen, you are the sl*t, your whole family is!

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