Xi'er looked at the two people in front of her, both wearing worried expressions. Instead, she let out a hearty laugh. "Don't look at me like that. The former master used to say that life is our own. I never understood it before. But today, I've finally figured it out. It's them who are evil and filthy. They've got black hearts. Even if I tried my best to hide myself, it would be hard to avoid being bullied by others."
Shen Yuning didn't expect her to understand so quickly. She nodded happily at once. "That's right. It was never your fault. It's them who are evil and filthy. If you keep feeling sad and blaming yourself, aren't you just punishing yourself for other people's mistakes?"
Xi'er spread her arms and spun around. "This was picked out by the madam for me. Do I look good?"
Shen Yuning nodded vigorously. "You look good."
Xi'er took a deep breath and felt extremely carefree. "In the past, if a woman in the village wore perfume, people would point fingers at her and say she was trying to seduce men. But today, I finally realize that I dress up for my own happiness. What does it matter to those stinky men? I really regret it today. When he dared to bully me, I should have grabbed the fire tongs and stabbed his manhood!"
In her eagerness, she didn't hold back her words. Zhang Rong gave her a hard slap. Only then did she realize that Yuning and Xuanzhi were still young.
Hearing the commotion, Cen Xiaoniang came out. When she saw Xi'er, she felt both guilty and self - reproachful. She quickly grabbed Xi'er and said that she shouldn't have let her make the soup today. If she had gone herself, this might not have happened.
Xi'er pouted and comforted her. "Sister Cen, don't say that. That man is extremely dirty - minded. If it weren't me, it would be you. We wouldn't have fared well. Moreover, even if we managed to avoid this disaster today, he would surely find a way to bully us sooner or later. It's good that it's out in the open. I'd like to see how this shameless man has the nerve to keep living here."
In the past, they had given that man some face because he was the master's elder brother. But today, after listening to Zhang Rong's detailed analysis, Xi'er thought that since the master disliked this elder brother, why should she still give him face?
When it was time for dinner, Old Man Zhang and Shen Fugui came back, but Shen Jingui was nowhere to be seen. Old Man Zhang was being supported by Shen Fugui. There were some scratches on his face, and he walked unsteadily, indicating that he was also injured.
When asked, Shen Fugui just shook his head. "I searched all the way to the outskirts of the city. I only found my father - in - law sitting there. I quickly took him to the medical clinic. I didn't see elder brother. I don't know if he ran to the wrong place in a panic. I don't know if he'll come back."
Hearing this, Zhang Rong quickly stepped forward to take the bag from Shen Fugui's hand. She rummaged through it for the wound medicine, then lifted Old Man Zhang's clothes in the yard and applied the medicine to his back.
Old Man Zhang grumbled irritably. "It's best if he never comes back. I think it would be even better if he died outside. You didn't see how he beat me today. Ouch, be gentle. It hurts..."
Zhang Rong lightened her hand but her words became harsher. "Well, you just had to show off. You're such an old man, and you still wanted to hit someone with a shovel? In the end, you got beaten, didn't you? We were all worried about you."
Xi'er brought over the heat - relieving soup and poured a bowl for Old Man Zhang and Shen Fugui respectively.
Old Man Zhang took a big gulp, waved his hand and sighed. "One can't defy old age. That scoundrel is very cunning. In the crowded part of the town, he deliberately pretended to be helpless and kept hiding. It wasn't until we got outside the town that he snatched my shovel and almost beat me to death. Fortunately, a passing villager came and chased him away..."
Zhang Rong was both angry and心疼. "From now on, just stay at home and take care of Huzi. Can't you wait for Fugui to come back if there's something? Fortunately, you met a good person today. Otherwise, what would we do?"
Old Man Zhang cursed a few times and spat. "That scoundrel won't come back. If he dares to come back, I'll surely report him to the officials and have him arrested. Ouch, it hurts..."
Shen Fugui also sighed. On one hand, there was his father - in - law who had raised him like a real father, and on the other hand, there was his elder brother. Naturally, he was on his father - in - law's side, but he just couldn't bring himself to ignore his brother.
Old Man Zhang still muttered. "I don't think Shen Jingui is a good person. I don't know how, although they have the same surname and were born from the same mother, Fugui and Yuning are so different from him."
Afraid that he would hurt himself by scolding too much, Zhang Rong quickly comforted him. "Of course they're different. Don't you think about who raised Fugui? He would never do such disgusting things."
Shen Yuning was slightly stunned. In fact, since she was a child, she always thought that blood relations were very wonderful. People with blood relations not only looked alike but also had similar natures.
But now, looking at all these things, it wasn't like that. Upbringing was far more important than birth. For example, Shen Fugui might have a bit of the Shen family's timidity, but because Old Man Zhang was an upright man, his heart wouldn't go astray. And then there was Xiaorou. She was a descendant of the Xue family, but she was stubborn and shortsighted, and her actions were cruel but not smart enough. Maybe it was because she was raised by the shortsighted people of the Shen family.
Even thinking further, the eldest uncle of the Xue family was the legitimate son of a marquis's mansion. As an official in charge of the Ministry of Personnel, he was well - known for his integrity. But the father who raised her in the Xue family for fifteen years was spoiled by his grandmother since childhood. When he grew up, he achieved nothing and always liked to complain about the family's partiality.
After dinner, when everyone was there, Shen Yuning said formally. "I've thought about today's incident. It was my fault for not handling things properly. We shouldn't have all crowded together. So I've thought about it all afternoon. Sister Cen and Xi'er can stay in the embroidery workshop for the time being. They can also help me with some of the shop's affairs."
She looked up at Zhang Rong. "But if that's the case, I'll have to rely on sister - in - law for all the household matters."
Zhang Rong quickly waved her hand. "You guys just focus on your work. It's only right. Sister Cen and Xi'er have already helped me with so much work. That's more than enough. Don't worry about me."
Shen Fugui also immediately responded. "Xuanzhi has been busy with the dyeing workshop. I don't understand anything. I'm just idling around. I can spare some time to help at home. You can rest assured. If there's something in the shop, just ask your sister - in - law for help. We'll take care of the family."
Shen Yuning smiled. This was what she liked most about the Zhang family. Although Old Man Zhang's words were very sexist, there was never a single such action in his behavior. On the contrary, he always thought that men could also do the household chores. After all, his wife died early, and he had raised Zhang Rong alone as both a father and a mother. He never thought that men shouldn't do things like washing clothes and cooking.
However, after less than half a month of peace, Shen Jingui came back again.
As soon as Old Man Zhang saw him, he got angry. He quickly called the neighbors on both sides and wanted to beat him.
But Shen Jingui wasn't afraid. He just had a servant - like person following him. They both looked at Old Man Zhang disdainfully.
"Where's Shen Yuning? Call her back. And Yuanbao too. I'm taking them away."
Old Man Zhang stammered and asked. "What did you say? What right do you have to take them away?"
Shen Jingui sneered. "One is my younger sister, and the other is my daughter. Shouldn't I take them away? Humph, you've let my younger sister earn so much money for you here. It's time to share some of it!"
Old Man Zhang almost couldn't catch his breath. Hearing the commotion, Yuanbao in the back room saw her father coming. She was so scared that she ran away at once and rushed to the dyeing workshop to find her aunt.
When Shen Fugui and Shen Yuning rushed back, Shen Jingui had already left. Old Man Zhang was in a panic, holding Huzi and looking helpless.
Seeing Shen Fugui come in, he seemed to find his backbone. He stepped forward and grabbed Shen Fugui's hand. "Fugui, Fugui, what should we do? I think your elder brother came here deliberately to cause trouble this time. He won't give up. What should we do?"
Shen Fugui was also in a complete mess. He just looked at Shen Yuning with a questioning look.
What could they do now? As the saying goes, an elder brother is like a father. Since Shen Yuning's parents had passed away, theoretically, she should follow her elder brother. As for Yuanbao, there was no doubt about it. He was her biological father. There was no reason for her not to follow her father but to live with her uncle.
Old Man Zhang said anxiously. "Otherwise, Yuning, you take Yuanbao and hide for a while. When you guys weren't here today, he just threatened us and said he'd come back tomorrow. If you guys hide for a while and he can't find you, he probably won't come back."
Shen Yuning shook her head. "It's useless. Since he came prepared, he won't give up easily. And you said that there was someone with him. I think maybe there's someone behind him giving him advice. Otherwise, last time, he seemed to accept his fate and thought that the shop had nothing to do with me. How come now he's talking about me earning money for you?"
Old Man Zhang thought she was right, but at this moment, just talking wasn't useful. The whole family was in a gloomy mood, not knowing what to do.
Shen Yuning gritted her teeth and thought. "If there's really no other way, I'll write a letter to that elder brother of the Xue family in the capital for help."
Shen Fugui said helplessly. "But it's reasonable for him to take you guys away. I'm afraid even that elder brother of the Xue family won't have a good solution. Unless he uses his power to pressure, but from what you've said, that person is upright and probably won't do something unfair."
Shen Yuning bit her lower lip tightly. Yes, Cousin Xue compared himself to a just official. How could he do something to bully others with his power?
Xuanzhi closed his eyes and tapped on the table. "Don't be afraid, sister. Wherever you go, I'll follow you. I'll never let you be bullied."
Now, they could only say such comforting words to make everyone not worry too much.
But even so, Yuanbao's face turned pale with fear. They didn't know her father's nature. They just thought it meant leaving their current stable life. But she knew that when she was a child, she didn't have enough to eat or wear, and she was beaten and scolded every day. If it weren't for her mother protecting her a bit, she wouldn't have survived until now.
Moreover, she often heard others tell her how much suffering and beating her aunt had endured at home. It was said that after she was sold as a maid, her life was even better than at home.
If her father took her away, the best result would be the same as that of her former aunt.
At this time, Old Man Zhang slapped the table and looked up. "Fugui, we'll go back to Xiaoshu Village tomorrow. We'll go to the clan head and change the family register. From now on, you're no longer the son - in - law of Xiaoshu Village. You take Rong'er and Huzi and accompany Yuning and the others back."
Shen Fugui was stunned for a long time before he reacted. "What are you talking about, father?"
Old Man Zhang waved his hand. "Come on, your elder brother is a bad person. If Yuning and Yuanbao follow him, they'll surely be sold sooner or later. With you around, he'll have some scruples and naturally won't be able to do it."
Shen Fugui quickly asked. "But what about you?"
Old Man Zhang smiled. "What? Even if you're not the son - in - law of the Zhang family, you're still my son - in - law. What, I don't have a son. After you married my daughter, are you going to ignore me?"