Chapter 1400: Scholar Meng is Ranked First

Shu Yu raised her eyebrows; it seemed that the third-ranked scholar was quite good.

Without realizing it, she held Meng Yunzheng's hand, and when she turned to look at him, she could feel him smiling at her, even with the hat covering his face.

When they reached the entrance of a private room, Shu Yu asked the waiter, "Your inn offered special discounts for the third-ranked scholar. The inn where the second and first-ranked scholars are staying must be even more lively, right?"

The waiter chuckled, "No, no. The second-ranked scholar is a local, and he is staying at his own home. As for the first-ranked scholar..."

Shu Yu suddenly felt a little nervous.

The waiter continued, "The first-ranked scholar, Young Master Meng, is staying at a rented courtyard."

Shu Yu's eyes lit up when she heard "rented courtyard." She immediately grabbed Meng Yunzheng's hand and turned to look at him.

It was really him. He had indeed ranked first.

Seeing them holding hands, the Daoist from Dongqing glanced at them, then looked away and stepped into the private room first.

The waiter didn't notice anything unusual and continued to talk, "That Master Meng's rented courtyard is surrounded by a lot of people right now. It's a pity that he left the city early in the morning, and no one knows where he went. Can you believe it? On such an important day, he actually left the city. What could be more important than the announcement of the exam results? After studying hard for ten years, isn't it all for this moment?"

Shu Yu turned her head to look at Meng Yunzheng again. What could be more important than the exam results? It was her matter.

Her nose felt a bit sour, and she immediately pursed her lips.

The waiter continued, "But when Master Meng's rented courtyard becomes available for rent again, the rent will definitely be doubled. Tsk tsk, you know, if Master Meng had stayed at our inn, our boss would have waived his rent and meal expenses as soon as he passed the exam."

Shu Yu sighed, "Maybe the landlord of that courtyard might also waive his rent. After all, it's such an important occasion."

The waiter was taken aback and scratched his head, "You're right." But he was still unwilling and added, "But if he had stayed at our inn, our boss might have given him some money as well."

The landlord of that courtyard would definitely be unwilling, after all, the inn was running a business.

....

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....

This time, Shu Yu didn't retort. She knew that just knowing that Yunzheng was the top scorer was enough.

The waiter didn't notice the change in her mood and continued, "Dear guests, what would you like to eat? Our inn has some good signature dishes."

"We don't need anything special...," Meng Yunzheng said, but before he finished, Dongqing Temple master interrupted, "Don't worry about me. Since it's a happy day, let's celebrate and order some special dishes."

Although she said that, Dongqing Temple master only ordered three special dishes, and the others were relatively light.

She didn't say anything about it, but she felt content with this decision.

When the waiter left, Shu Yu immediately grabbed Meng Yunzheng hand and said, "You really made it! The top scorer! The first rank!"

"Why are you so happy?"

"Of course, I'm thrilled!"

"In that case, let's eat more later." In fact, compared to becoming the top scorer, Meng Yunzheng was more excited about reuniting with her.

It had been almost half a year since they last met.

Luckily, the exams were finally over.

After the waiter served the dishes and left, Meng Yunzheng took off his hat.

hello dear patrons we only have 1000 chapters left with this pace we will be able to finished this novel in 2 months thank you so much for the support guys.

 Chapter 1399: Exam Results Are Out Today

Shu Yu was completely stunned, "The exam results for the prefectural were supposed to be out tomorrow, right?"

As someone who cared deeply about Meng Yunzheng's future, she had been keeping track of when the academy exams were held and when the results would be announced.

When the exams took place and when the results would be released were all dates she had carefully calculated.

Yesterday, she was relieved that she had rushed over in time and could celebrate with him when the results were announced. However, now it seemed that something didn't add up with her calculations.

Meng Yunzheng smiled, "You must be counting according to the time in Dong'an Prefecture. Although the exam results are generally released around the same time, sometimes there could be a day or two difference between two different places."

Shu Yu swallowed nervously, "So, they are really out now?"

"Yes."

Shu Yu became excited, "You must have passed the exam! Has the messenger already gone to our little courtyard? Xia Yan, we should hurry back home!"

Xia Yan also wanted to hurry back, but the road was too congested.

The carriage couldn't move forward for a long time, and Shu Yu almost felt dizzy sitting inside.

Meng Yunzheng chuckled, "Calm down. At this hour, the messenger has probably already been to the little courtyard. There might be a crowd outside the courtyard now. If we go back at this time, we'll probably get stuck at the entrance."

"But..."

"I think it's getting late. Why don't we find a restaurant nearby and have a meal first? After eating, the road should be smoother."

Shu Yu felt anxious, but she could only listen to his arrangement as there was no way they could get through this scene.

The group found a restaurant nearby, and when Meng Yunzheng got off the carriage, he took out two hats—one for himself and one for Shu Yu.

Shu Yu was surprised when she saw him wearing one too.

Then she realized that when Meng Yunzheng was the top scorer during the prefectural examination, many people must have recognized him.

....

This novel is translated by the Eternal Novel Hits translators. Please read it at eternalnovelhits.com

....

Now that the results of the academy exams were out, even though she didn't know his exact ranking or whether he was still the top scorer, she could guess that he had definitely performed well and achieved a high position.

Wearing the hat would prevent others from recognizing him and causing unnecessary trouble.

Shu Yu chuckled and got off the carriage to enter the restaurant.

Inside the restaurant, it was also lively. The waiter came over and said, "Dear guests, please come inside. We have a special offer in our restaurant today. Everything is discounted by 20%."

Shu Yu asked curiously, "Is there a special occasion in your restaurant today?"

The waiter smiled, "Of course! Miss, are you new to the city? Today is the day when the academy exam results are announced. The person ranked third on the list stayed in our restaurant a few days ago. When the messenger came to deliver the good news, our boss was overjoyed, so today we offer special discounts."

Third place?

The waiter led Shu Yu upstairs, and in a short while, the upper and lower floors were filled with people. Especially, there were many scholars and students, some discussing various topics enthusiastically, while others looked downcast, probably preparing to leave.

When Shu Yu reached the second floor and looked down, she saw a man talking excitedly in the center of the hall, with many people surrounding him and engaging in discussions.

Seeing her pause, the waiter said, "That scholar also passed the exam. He ranked thirteenth and stayed in our restaurant as well. The people around him are discussing academic matters with him. They've been surrounding him since the announcement of the results."

Shu Yu nodded and asked, "Why didn't I see the scholar who ranked third?"

"The scholar who ranked third went to thank his mentor as soon as he learned about his success. He's not in the restaurant."

 Chapter 521: Dust Settles (2)

At this moment, neither of them knew that the girl who would wholeheartedly treat Iron Head well would appear so soon, especially due to her identity, catching them off guard!

...

Seeing that Mo Yongxi's supposedly "good" marriage in Mo Hong Shi's eyes was about to fall through because the old Mo family couldn't produce a decent dowry, Mo Hong Shi intensified her coercion on Tie Tou. Not only did she prevent him from working at the rice mill, she also confined him at home, withholding food and water, intending to force his compliance through these means.

But Tie Tou was as stubborn as iron, even though Mo Hong Shi painted a rosy picture of the brothel girl, he wouldn't be swayed into pressing his handprint on the marriage contract.

"Humph, you can resist all you want! I've eaten more salt than you've eaten rice. I don't believe I can't handle you!" Mo Hong Shi spat out with resentment, kicked Tie Tou who remained silent, and stormed out of the room with a grim expression to discuss with Mo Yongxi for a solution.

The brothel girl had said that as long as the marriage contract was stamped and registered at the government office, she would give her family one hundred taels of silver! That was one hundred taels of silver! She had lived for most of her life and had never had more than thirty taels of silver, much of which came from the old dead man and his dead sister-in-law.

With this one hundred taels, she could take out half to provide a decent dowry for Xi'er, make two sets of fine clothes, and buy two sets of silver jewelry. Then, she could marry into the city in a grand and prosperous manner.

With the remaining silver, she could also build several spacious and bright brick houses. Living in brick houses was much better than being crushed under a thatched roof by snow, except for that family of hypocrites, no other family in the village had the ability to live in a brick house!

Humph, she wanted to be the second, and even if she couldn't compare to that family of hypocrites, she wanted to trample on those gossiping bitches in the village underfoot!

Mo Hong Shi and Mo Yongxi, this pair of mother and daughter, in cahoots, still had no way to force Tie Tou to comply. She spread the news of her grandson being deprived of food and water throughout the entire village again. The villagers said all kinds of harsh things, and even many villagers spontaneously went to the village head's house to request that Yang Bao evict the old Mo family from the village so that the village's atmosphere would not be corrupted by them.

Although Yang Bao also wanted to do so, what the old Mo family had done recently did not violate the village rules previously formulated. No matter how they tossed and turned, they were only tormenting their own people, neither hindering others nor harming the interests of the village. Even if they were really evicted, they had to find a reasonable and legitimate reason to do so. Otherwise, with the temper of those shameless people in the old Mo family, if they were forced to do so, who knew what kind of trouble they would cause.

Seeing that the village head did not take action, the other villagers sympathized with Tie Tou's plight, but they had no way to help him. They could only spit on those who came from the old Mo family to show their disdain.

Mo Hong Shi's entire mind was focused on forcing Tie Tou to comply. Faced with the villagers' contempt and scorn, she completely ignored them. But no matter how hard she and Mo Yongxi tried, whether using soft or hard tactics, Tie Tou not only did not die of thirst or hunger, but his spirits seemed even higher than before.

Mo Hong Shi and her daughter found it very strange. After observing for several days in turns, they finally caught Mo Yonglu who secretly brought water and food to Tie Tou. The mother and daughter were so angry that they smashed the bowl on the spot.

Mo Yonglu was scolded so badly that he couldn't argue with these two already crazy women, so he carried his hoe to the field, just heartbroken and hungry for his nephew.

After Mo Yonglu left, seeing Tie Tou's flushed face, this pair of top-notch mother and daughter were so angry that they wanted to put a knife to his neck and force him to press the handprint!

But they didn't have the guts!

Tie Tou became more spirited the more he was confined, naturally thanks to Mo Yan. Knowing that Tie Tou was deprived of food and water, she prepared clear water mixed with spiritual springs and food every night to be secretly sent to him by the night guard.

  Chapter 520: Dust Settles (1)

Lately, Tie Tou had been frequently pressured by Mo Hong Shi to marry the brothel girl. Although he was a bit slow and simple-minded, often seen by others as just a step above a fool, he had one strong point: he could heed kind words from others, especially those spoken by his birth mother, Wu Shi.

Even though he didn't quite understand why his birth parents had left them siblings, in his heart, Wu Shi weighed heavier than anyone else. From childhood to adulthood, it was his mother who always protected him and never found fault in his simplicity.

When Mo Hong Shi tried to force him to marry, insisting he place his handprint on the marriage contract in front of the matchmaker, he staunchly refused. He silently resisted Mo Hong Shi's ill intentions, enduring her scolding without budging.

At midnight, after the old Mo family had fallen asleep, Tie Tou quietly left the house and came to knock on the Mo family's courtyard gate at the back mountain.

Knowing her son wasn't as clever as children from other families, and reasoning might not get through to him even if she talked herself hoarse, Wu Shi didn't say much to him. She only told him not to agree to this marriage, leaving everything else alone.

Tie Tou, upon hearing his mother's words, revealed a foolish grin, "If Ma says don't press, then I won't press today, nor in the future!"

Wu Shi couldn't help but laugh and cry, lightly patting his head, "Could it be that you won't marry in the future? Marrying means pressing your handprint on the marriage contract. However, if your grandparents ask you to press it, you absolutely must not, understand?"

Tie Tou understood that marrying meant bringing a girl home to live with and have children with. Hearing his mother teasing him, an image suddenly flashed in his mind, and his simple face turned red. He shook his head in confusion, driving away the image.

Seeing this, Wu Shi thought he was shy and couldn't stop laughing. Mo Yan also couldn't help but bend over laughing, embarrassing Tie Tou so much that his face turned red, wishing he could dig a hole and hide.

Using the excuse of caring for his sister's injury, he sneaked into the room to visit his eldest sister. Seeing his sister's spirits improving day by day, he relaxed and fled from the Mo family, fearing his mother would embarrass him again.

Wu Shi sighed and shook her head, her tone filled with worry, "Tie Tou's looks are just average, and his temperament is like this. I don't know if there will be a girl who likes him in the future!"

Although a mother would never dislike her own child, Wu Shi couldn't deny that her son's temperament was not very likable, and having such worries was only natural! She could try her best to set up a business for her son with her own hands, but she couldn't use money to find a daughter-in-law who knew the cold and warm, and really cared about him.

Mo Yan was clear about Wu Shi's concerns and reassured her, "What's wrong with Tie Tou? With such a temperament, he doesn't have many schemes. He will only treat others with single-hearted sincerity. For a girl who wants to live a steady life, it's probably hard to find such a husband. You don't need to worry too much."

She really felt that Tie Tou was a rare good man, and it would depend on which girl could recognize his worth! However, this girl not only needed to sincerely want to live her life with Tie Tou, but also needed to be a bit clever. After all, Aunt Wu couldn't watch them live together for the rest of her life.

This was something that reached Wu Shi's heart, and a loving smile appeared on her face, "Aunt can't guarantee anything else, but Aunt guarantees that Tie Tou is a good child. I just hope there's a girl who won't dislike him, and will live a steady life with him. In the future, Aunt can close her eyes and rest assured!"

Mo Yan nodded, "There will be such a girl!"

 Chapter 1398: Why Are There So Many People

Shu Yu pretended not to notice the look in the Dongqing Temple master's eyes and asked, "When did you find out about these things, Master?"

"A couple of days ago."

As someone skilled in physiognomy, the master of Dongqing Temple master naturally saw that Zhou Hao was not afflicted by any curse or illness.

Last time, when she arrived, Zhou, the village head, didn't trust her. However, this time, she demonstrated her abilities in front of the villagers, and many of her predictions came true, which earned her the respect of Zhou, the village head, who treated her as an esteemed guest.

However, Zhou Hao was still wary of her and tried to avoid her, fearing she might figure out his true intentions.

Unfortunately, Zhou Hao was still too naive in front of the master of Dongqing Temple, and his attempts to hide were quickly exposed.

When he realized he had been found out, Zhou Hao could only plead for the master of Dong Qing Temple's mercy and help. He genuinely wanted to be with Li Miao.

Although the Dongqing Temple master came to investigate and solve the issue with the Zhou family, she was not heartless. For minor favors, she wouldn't just stand by and do nothing.

She went to see Li Miao, and surprisingly, her physiognomy matched perfectly with Zhou Hao's. If they were to become a couple, their future together would be harmonious, loving, and dedicated, a rare example of a close and loving relationship.

As this was a good thing and a heaven-sent match, the Dongqing Temple master naturally supported it.

She promised Zhou Hao that when the half-month period was up, and Zhou Hao "relapsed," she would provide him with another talisman. However, she warned that relying on talismans was not a long-term solution. It would be better for him to find a woman whose destiny and zodiac sign were compatible with his own. This would help control his condition and gradually reduce its effects over time.

The Zhou family was bewildered. Where could they find such a woman?

The master of Dong Qing Temple gave them a date of birth and a direction to find a suitable match for Zhou Hao. Zhou, the village head, quickly found the Li family girl and brought her over.

When Shu Yu and Meng Yunzhi were at the entrance of Zhou Family Village, they saw Zhou, the village head, bringing people to the master of Dong Qing Temple for physiognomy reading.

After confirming that Li Miao was Zhou Hao's destined partner, the Zhou family was disappointed, but they had no choice for the sake of Zhou Hao.

Li Miao was from the same village, and the Zhou family had a good understanding of her. Despite her slightly lower social status and heavier burdens, her character was quite good.

....This novel is translated by the Eternal Novel Hits translators. Please read it at eternalnovelhits.com....

Zhou Hao's wish was fulfilled, but for the Dongqing Temple master, it was just a case of going with the flow.

Given their physiognomy, even if she didn't help, they would have ended up together sooner or later. However, there would be many twists and turns and difficulties in the process. The result would be the same.

Upon hearing this, Shu Yu couldn't help but look at her again and again.

Dongqing Temple master furrowed her brows, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Master, I didn't expect you to be a matchmaker for these two."

Dongqing Temple master "..."

Had she forgotten that she and Meng Yunzheng had met at Dongqing Temple?

While they were talking, the carriage had already entered the city gate.

At this moment, the city was even livelier, with a commotion ahead caused by the crowd of people.

Shu Yu poked her head out to take a look, surprised. "Why are there suddenly so many people?"

Meng Yunzheng calmly sipped his tea, "It's probably because today is the day when the results of the prefectural exam are announced."

Shu Yu was stunned, "What did you say?"

"He said today is the day when the results of the prefectural exam are announced," the Dongqing Temple master repeated for him.

 Chapter 1397: Cause and Effect

The village head, was the wealthiest family in Zhou Village. With a strong family background and two successful elder brothers – one a scholar and the other a businessman in the county, Zhou Hao's status and value in the village were the highest.

Now at the age of sixteen, matchmakers from neighboring areas almost broke through Zhou Family Village's threshold trying to propose marriage to Zhou Hao. If it weren't for the Zhou family being picky and unable to make a decision, Zhou Hao could have gotten married even when he was thirteen or fourteen.

However, now that he was at this age, the Zhou family realized they couldn't delay any longer. They found a family with excellent conditions in the county and wanted to propose a marriage.

However, Zhou Hao disagreed. He was interested in Li Miao, a girl from the Li family in the village.

When the master of Dongqing Temple mentioned this, she took a sip of water and looked at Shu Yu. "She's the slim girl you saw today."

The reason why the village was called Zhou Village was that two-thirds of the people in the village had the surname Zhou; they were all from the same family.

On the other hand, the Li family was an outsider. Li Miao and her mother had moved to the village a few years ago to escape famine and settled down here.

Apart from Li Miao and her mother, there was also an eight-year-old younger brother in their family.

They lived a very difficult life, and in Zhou Family Village, where most people had the surname Zhou, they had little presence. Moreover, Li Miao's mother was not in good health, so Li Miao had to support the family in many ways.

As a result, despite being seventeen years old, Li Miao had not yet been married.

Not just the Zhou family, even the other villagers in the village didn't think much of the Li family's situation.

Zhou Hao was well aware of this.

Li Miao was even more aware of this. So, when she learned of Zhou Hao's feelings, instead of trying to climb the social ladder, she distanced herself from him and tried to avoid him.

Shu Yu asked curiously, "What does Li Miao think of Zhou Hao then?"

The master of Dongqing Temple sighed softly, "That's why I said they're a pair of infatuated youngsters. Li Miao and her mother came here to escape famine. They were strangers in the village and faced many difficulties. As the son of the village head, Zhou Hao helped them a lot and even saved Li Miao's life once."

Shu Yu understood; Li Miao also liked Zhou Hao.

However, due to their different backgrounds and the many concerns they had, she wouldn't let her emotions take over.

....

This novel is translated by the Eternal Novel Hits translators. Please read it at eternalnovelhits.com

....

Compared to the burdens on Li Miao's shoulders, Zhou Hao grew up being pampered by his family. He had not experienced the same hardships as Li Miao and therefore had a more straightforward and direct mindset.

As a result, Zhou Hao was resolute in his feelings, and the young boy's passion made him willing to brave all obstacles for their future.

Thankfully, despite being naive, he was not foolish. He didn't mention this matter to his family.

He knew where the root of the issue lay. His parents believed that Li Miao was not worthy of him, so he decided to make himself worthy of her.

Shu Yu nodded in understanding, "So, he intentionally eats a live chicken once every half month, waking up in the middle of the night to make it appear as if he is possessed. Wealthier families would look down on him, and his parents had to postpone the marriage proposal?"

"Yes," the master of Dong Qing Temple confirmed.

Shu Yu's expression was peculiar, filled with hesitation.

The master of Dongqing Temple raised an eyebrow, "I know you don't approve of his methods."

"No, it's not that I don't approve. I just think... isn't it disgusting to eat a live chicken? And doing it once every half month, how can he swallow it?" As she spoke, Shu Yu couldn't help but shudder at the thought.

Dongqing Temple master "..."

She began to doubt her fortune-telling skills. How could she not see what was on Shu Yu's mind?

  Chapter 519: A Plan with No Regrets (3)

Therefore, any movement or action in the old Mo family could not escape Mo Yan's ears. Inappropriate plans were adjusted accordingly, eventually achieving their desired results, even better than expected.

...

June was the hottest month of the year. After a day of scorching heat, the villagers finished their work, had a simple dinner, and then gathered in groups under the cool breeze of the ancient poplar trees to relax.

With more people, naturally, there were various topics of conversation. The men mostly discussed the weather and crops, while the women were more interested in neighborhood gossip. Soon enough, someone spilled some juicy news.

"Hey, hey, did you hear? Old Granny Mo Hong Shi has caused trouble again! This time, what she did was even more despicable than forcing Wu Shi and her daughter to leave!" a young woman whispered mysteriously.

As soon as these words were heard, someone immediately responded, "Ah? She caused trouble again? Tell us what happened. My mother-in-law got heatstroke, and I've been too busy to find out what's going on! I heard earlier that the old maid in the old Mo family, who couldn't get married, was spotted by a wealthy family in the city. They want to bring her back as the main wife, and Mo Hong Shi was flaunting it around the village!"

Before the first woman could respond, another slightly older woman interjected, "Hmph, it's all because of that unmarried old maid that Mo Hong Shi caused trouble, isn't it? In my opinion, Mo Hong Shi isn't causing trouble; she's digging her own grave. If we let her continue like this, the old Mo family will sooner or later be ruined by her."

Upon hearing this, the uninformed women became even more curious and began to ask eagerly.

When they finally learned what kind of trouble Mo Hong Shi had caused, they couldn't help but spit on the ground in disgust and relief. "Back then, I married into my husband's family for several years without giving birth to a child. My mother-in-law treated me like dirt and caused me a lot of grievances! When I finally got pregnant and gave birth to a daughter, my mother-in-law slapped me in the face and kicked me out of bed on the third day to work in the fields. During the months of breastfeeding, she didn't even give me an egg to eat!

At that time, I felt like there was no other daughter-in-law in the whole village who suffered more than me! Now, thinking back, my mother-in-law was still pretty good. Although she wasn't good to me, she was very kind to her granddaughters and grandsons. During the drought a few years ago, she even shared her food with several children! Later, when human traffickers exchanged biscuits for children, my mother-in-law refused to sell her child, saying she wouldn't sell even if she starved to death. Just because of this, I have to honor my mother-in-law well. If my mother-in-law were like Old Granny Mo Hong Shi, I'm afraid I would have hung myself with a rope long ago!"

After hearing the woman's words, the other two women fell silent for a moment and involuntarily thought of their own mothers-in-law.

Although their mothers-in-law were not as severe as the woman's, they were not easy to get along with either! Sometimes, they hated their mothers-in-law so much that they wished they would die sooner. But now, with the comparison to Mo Hong Shi, they realized their mothers-in-law had already been quite lenient. At least they had never beaten them, kicked them when they were pregnant, or broken their granddaughters' bones. Nor had they ever forced their sons to marry a brothel woman for her dowry money, as Mo Hong Shi had done to her own grandson for a hundred taels of silver.

Leaving aside the brothel woman's background, she had money but had long ruined her body and could never have children. Yet, to pave the way for her own daughter, Mo Hong Shi had no problem using her grandson as a stepping stone, even if it meant he would have no descendants!

The brothel woman was sensible and honest about her situation, wanting to find a good man to settle down with. She revealed her background and infertility, giving the Mo family the option to refuse. However, somehow, her background and infertility soon spread throughout the village.

Unbeknownst to Mo Yan, this scheme not only highlighted Mo Hong Shi's shamelessness but also became a "reference point" for many young wives in the village. Comparing their mothers-in-law to Mo Hong Shi, they all felt their own were reasonable people. They dropped their prejudices and began trying to get along better with their mothers-in-law.

For a time, the petty squabbles between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law significantly decreased, greatly improving the atmosphere in Liuyang Village.

  Chapter 518: A Plan with No Regrets (2)

The money they earned, minus costs, was split evenly between the two families. Over the past few months, the mother and daughter had accumulated nearly one hundred taels in Wu Shi's possession. Building a simple three-room brick-and-tile house would cost no more than twenty taels. Even if they wanted to build a few more rooms, it wouldn't exceed fifty taels. That money was more than enough.

Seeing Mo Yan understood her intentions, Wu Shi's smile grew even brighter. "It should be like this. Isn't there a saying, 'One's own dog kennel is better than a golden palace'? When I build my house, ah Yan, you must help me plan it well and make it comfortable!"

Mo Yan readily agreed, already having preliminary ideas about the layout of the house.

Da Ni, who could only lie down to recuperate due to a shoulder injury, listened to the enthusiastic discussion about building the house. Her previous unease and restraint vanished in this positive atmosphere.

Thinking that soon they would have a new home where there would be no scolding, no indifference, completely belonging to their family, Da Ni began to look forward to it. She fantasized about the future happiness of their family, her smile becoming even brighter.

Wu Shi and her daughter settled in at Mo's residence. Due to Wu Shi's recent miscarriage and need for postpartum care, and Da Ni's injury not healing quickly, under Mo Yan's strong persuasion, they temporarily set aside their snack stall business and stayed at Mo's to recover.

Physician Du, who visited every few days, was brought over by Mo Yan to treat Da Ni's injury. With his excellent medical skills and Wu Shi's meticulous care, after more than half a month, Da Ni, who had been lying on the bed for a long time, could finally walk around. Although she couldn't work, at least she could sit at the dinner table and eat with everyone.

Da Ni's shoulder injury was properly treated and recovering well. Wu Shi breathed a sigh of relief. She couldn't wait to find Mo Yan and implement the plan they had previously discussed to get the other three children out of the old Mo family as soon as possible. Otherwise, she wouldn't be able to rest easy for another day.

"Aunt Wu, this matter can't be rushed. Let's stick to the plan we made earlier. As long as the old Mo family doesn't notice, Tie Tou and the others will definitely be able to leave the old Mo family and reunite with you."

Mo Yan comforted the anxious Wu Shi, her eyes showing a confidence that strangely calmed her down.

Wu Shi tightly held Mo Yan's hand, her eyes red. "Ah Yan, you are our family's benefactor. Without you, the few of us would probably have died in that house sooner or later."

"Aunt Wu, please don't say that. If it weren't for you standing up for yourself, even if I helped more, it wouldn't have made a difference. Besides, I haven't done much, and any credit I have is already offset by the red lines on the merit bead."

Mo Yan couldn't stand Wu Shi treating her as a benefactor. She really didn't think she had done much. Even if she had, any extra credit had already been offset by the red lines on her merit bead.

Wu Shi quickly shook her head. "Aunt Wu doesn't see you as an outsider. You are closer to me than my real niece. With a niece like you, Aunt Wu must have accumulated eight lifetimes of virtue."

These words came from Wu Shi's heart. She really felt that without Mo Yan as her adopted niece, she wouldn't be where she is now.

Mo Yan felt helpless hearing this and quickly changed the subject, talking about the next steps. Wu Shi's attention shifted accordingly, and she stopped mentioning those words.

The implementation of the plan was even smoother than the two had imagined. When they heard that two matchmakers had gone to the old Mo family to propose marriages for Tie Tou and Mo Yongxi respectively, they breathed a long sigh of relief. Subsequently, they paid even closer attention to the activities of the old Mo family.

Knowing oneself and knowing the enemy ensures victory in a hundred battles! To this end, Mo Yan even used one of the two undercover guards Xiao Ruiyuan had sent to protect her (actually, Ruiyuan was worried, and later sent four, just that Mo Yan didn't know, and the mind knows that this is for her.)

 Chapter 1396: Shu Yu's Lack of Insight

The final look that the master of Dongqing Temple gave her showed resignation and compromise.

Shu Yu believed that her master would come out to find her after finishing her business.

To be safe, she told Xia Yan and Ying Xi, "Stay at the back door. If my master comes out from there, stop her."

"Okay."

The two of them went to the back door.

Not knowing what was going on inside, Shu Yu and Meng Yun Zheng leaned against the carriage and waited for a long time without seeing anyone come out.

Just when Shu Yu thought her master had quietly left again, the gate of the Zhou family finally opened.

Zhou, the village head, waved his hand and asked the villagers to step back.

But many people wanted to talk to the master of Dongqing Temple and inquire about things. It took a while before the master and the Zhou family came out.

Shu Yu let out a sigh of relief, about to step forward, but then she saw the master of Dongqing Temple pointing in their direction and saying something.

Zhou and his family came over with quite a few things, placing eggs and pastries in several gift boxes on the carriage.

Shu Yu was stunned. The master of Dongqing Temple bid farewell to Zhou, the village head.

"Get on the carriage." The master of Dongqing Temple glanced at her.

Shu Yu "..."

She pushed the gift boxes inside the carriage and climbed back up. Meng Yunzheng helped her from behind.

Once they were settled, Meng Yunzheng drove the carriage toward the back door of the Zhou family and picked up Xia Yan and Ying Xi who were guarding there. Only then did they leave the Zhou family village.

The master of Dongqing Temple looked at Shu Yu and asked, "Feeling unwell?"

Her actions just now were too stiff.

Shu Yu twitched her lips. "I rode a horse day and night, whipping it to hurry here. If it weren't for that, how could I have seen you again?"

....

This novel is translated by the Eternal Novel Hits translators. Please read it at eternalnovelhits.com

....

The master of Dongqing Temple then turned to Meng Yunzheng. "With him around, what are you worried about? You're being overly dramatic."

Shu Yu snorted. She wasn't being overly dramatic. She was genuinely worried about missing her.

The master of Dongqing Temple didn't hurry to catch up on old times. After making sure she was fine, she spoke to Meng Yunzheng, "The matter with the Zhou family has been resolved."

"Do you know what's wrong with Zhou's son?" Shu Yu asked, getting interested in the topic.

Meng Yunzheng understood what was happening. It seemed that Zhou's son had some love-related issue, but it didn't sound like he was possessed.

However, the master of Dong Qing Temple didn't seem willing to say much, so he didn't ask further.

But...

Shu Yu leaned forward. "So, what exactly happened? Master, please tell us in detail."

The master of Dongqing Temple looked at Meng Yun Zheng and said, "How come she has half of your insight?"

Insight? She had it!

Shu Yu quickly poured a cup of water. "Master, have some water first and moisten your throat before you speak. No need to rush."

The master of Dongqing Temple "..."

Meng Yunzheng lowered his head and silently laughed.

Shu Yu was quite upset when she mentioned her master before, but now that they were face to face, the master of Dongqing Temple couldn't counter her and was left speechless.

Ah Yu, she was clearly seeking revenge.

"Narrow-minded," the master of Dongqing Temple finally took the tea cup, drank some water, and then started talking about the Zhou family's matter. "Zhou Haosi ate a live chicken in the middle of the night just to ruin his reputation. It was a deliberate act, not possession or someone else's scheme."

From the condition of the Zhou family's road, it could be seen that it was a relatively affluent village.

As the village head, Zhou's family was the wealthiest in the village.

 Chapter 1395: Two Women

At the next moment, the master of Dongqing Temple closed her eyes instantly.

Shu Yu's expression froze, and she turned back to look at Meng Yunzheng. "She saw me just now, right?"

Meng Yun Zheng cleared his throat and nodded. "Yes, she saw you."

"Then why did she close her eyes without saying a word? It's like she doesn't want to see me," Shu Yu said, feeling quite certain due to the fleeting look of Dongqing Temple's master.

"Why would she not want to see you? You're overthinking," Meng Yunzheng said, touching his nose.

"I'm not overthinking. She really doesn't want to see me, and I'm sure she's feeling guilty," Shu Yu insisted, recalling the fleeting and evasive gaze of the master of Dongqing Temple.

Guilt about what? Guilty for not settling the scores with her?

Shu Yu gritted her teeth. If it weren't for Meng Yunzheng holding her hand, she would have stormed in.

At that moment, loud noise came from outside the crowd.

"They're here, make way, the village head is back. Clear the path."

Shu Yu and Meng Yunzheng were standing by the door, so they didn't have to make way. They turned their heads and saw a middle-aged man walking with his hands behind his back, creating a path as the crowd parted.

Behind the middle-aged man, there were two people, both women—one older and one younger.

However, both of these women looked very thin and weak, and their clothes were full of patches. Compared to the village head walking in front, they were like heaven and earth.

Once the village head entered the courtyard, his family members surrounded him, and he pointed towards the two women behind him.

The villagers shifted their gazes to the mother and daughter duo, their eyes filled with criticism and dissatisfaction.

The mother and daughter were visibly nervous, and the younger one almost shielded herself in front of the older one.

But the villagers didn't do anything, and the village head directly went to the master of Dongqing Temple, whispering, "Immortal master, as you said, I have found the person. Take a look, is she the one who can save my son's life?"

The master of Dongqing Temple opened her eyes and carefully examined the young girl.

After a moment, she nodded to the village head.

....

This novel is translated by the Eternal Novel Hits translators. Please read it at eternalnovelhits.com

....

The village head and his family suddenly felt a mix of disappointment and happiness. Their expressions were complicated.

The master of Dongqing Temple said something more, and the village head and his family nodded repeatedly. Later, the village head kindly invited the mother and daughter to sit inside. Their attitude had changed significantly from before.

Shu Yu raised an eyebrow, not quite understanding what the master had said.

However, the village head soon came out and drove people away, closing the courtyard gate.

Shu Yu reached out to stop him, but when she looked up, she met the master of Dongqing Temple's gaze again. However, the gaze swiftly moved away.

Then she silently lowered her hand and took a few steps back, allowing the village head to close the gate.

Outside the gate, some people dispersed, but some still lingered and discussed.

"Isn't that the girl from the Li family? Why did the village head bring them over? It seems to be related to that immortal master. Do you think Haosi's affliction is related to the Li family mother and daughter?"

Shu Yu and Meng Yunzheng didn't listen any further. They walked out of the crowd and returned to the side of the carriage.

Meng Yunzheng handed Shu Yu the water flask, and after she drank a few sips, he said, "I thought you would go in to see the master directly."

"No, she has important matters to attend to. We'll just wait outside," Shu Yu replied.

  Chapter 517: A Plan with No Regrets (1)

Upon learning that Wu shi and her daughter had been taken away by Mo Yan, Hong shi was furious. She banged pots and pans, sat at the doorstep, and cursed angrily throughout the noon.

Mo Yongxi was even more discontented, continuously cursing Wu shi and her daughter. It wasn't clear if this stemmed from anger or jealousy, perhaps both. Others in the Mo family kept their thoughts to themselves, silent and contemplative.

Only Mo Yonglu, who hadn't gone to work in the city today, couldn't bear it any longer. Ignoring the midday heat, he picked up a hoe and went out to the fields. Before leaving, he looked disappointedly at Mo Yongfu, who stood silently under the eaves of the house. "Before, I always thought Big Brother was just a bit dull, not good at socializing but kind to his wife and children. Now I realize, not only are you dull, you're also heartless! You will regret this. Someday, you will regret driving Sister-in-law and Big Niece out of the house today!"

After saying this, he glanced pityingly at his pale-faced elder brother and left without turning back.

This household was no longer the same as before. Perhaps it had always been this way, but he had failed to see it clearly himself. This family had decayed to its core, with no hope in sight. Perhaps one day, this family wouldn't even accommodate him anymore, or maybe he would leave on his own...

Mo Yongfu leaned against the wall as if drained of energy, gradually sliding down to the ground. His unfocused eyes stared into an unknown void. Suddenly, a faint figure appeared before him, walking away with its back turned. He reached out hastily, trying to grab hold, but the figure vanished abruptly, leaving only a faint breeze passing through his fingertips, leaving no trace.

Mo Yongfu stared blankly at his own hand, unsure of what memory had surfaced. His face contorted with intense pain. He buried his head deeply into his knees, hands tightly clutching them. His shoulders trembled violently, suppressed sobs escaping through his knees. But the woman who had once regarded him as her everything, the woman he had abandoned, would never appear before him again with gentle words of comfort.

...

"Yan, just find us a room for my daughter and me to settle down. Why bother with so many things?" Wu Shi looked at the well-furnished and elegantly decorated room with tables, chairs, beds, and cabinets, feeling both helpless and grateful.

Mo Yan poured water for the mother and daughter, scolding gently, "These things were already set up when we moved. Now that Aunt Wu and Da Ni are moving in"

Since being driven out of the old Mo family, Wu Shi no longer used the Mo surname. Mo Yan's address to her also changed from the previous aunt-by-marriage to Aunt Wu, still calling herself a niece.

Hearing Mo Yan's words, Wu Shi was skeptical. She looked down at the round table in front of her. Seeing that the paint on it did not look freshly applied, she believed Mo Yan's words and her smile became more natural. "My daughter and I have never lived in such a good house before. This time, we really owe it to ah Yan for your blessings! In a few days, when I build my own house, I will also build a spacious brick-and-tile house with a large courtyard, raise chickens, grow vegetables, and it will be even better."

Mo Yan was stunned, then understood the implied meaning in her words, and smiled, saying, "If it's your own place, of course, you should tidy it up nicely. Living there will be more comfortable."

Their own house was large, with many rooms and spacious grounds, enough to accommodate dozens or even hundreds of people. Even if Aunt Wu and her daughter continued to live there, it wouldn't be a problem. Now that Aunt Wu planned to build her own house and didn't want to stay long at their home, it was clear that she had her own considerations. Forcing them to stay would be unwise.

Moreover, the snack stall had been open for almost four months now. Because the few dishes they served were unique and delicious, business had been good all these months, and the monthly income was considerable. Even though several others had imitated them later, it had not affected them too much.

  Chapter 516: Separation (3)

"Yes, it's better to do fewer shameful deeds to avoid passing down retribution to future generations! It's a pity for Wu Shi and her daughter. How will they live from now on?"

"Sigh..."

...

As villagers cursed the Mo family and pitied the crumbling Wu shi and her daughter, they shook their heads in resignation.

"Humph, whatever happens, it's our Mo family's business. None of you have any say! If you're so kind-hearted, take these mother and daughter in, feed and clothe them! If not, shut your mouth!"

Hong shi's nostrils flared with anger as she listened to the villagers' discussions.

Those two worthless women were of no use at all. They wanted to stay in their home? Now that they finally rid themselves of this burden, even if they were cursed at, so what? Were they supposed to treat them like ancestors? What value was their reputation worth? It was their own fault for ending up like this. What did it have to do with her?

Hong shi's shameless words silenced the villagers. In these times, everyone's lives were difficult. Providing a meal or two for the mother and daughter was manageable, but more than that, they were genuinely unable.

Wu shi, though still looking weak, was extremely satisfied with the outcome. She and her daughter had finally escaped from the Mo family. Their reputation remained intact, and they gained the sympathy of the entire village. The suffering they endured earlier seemed worthwhile! If not for the circumstances, she wanted to laugh out loud.

In her sleeve, she tightly grasped the divorce document. She had put a lot of effort into obtaining this piece of paper. This time, if it weren't for her "injured" body and her daughter's "disability," those people wouldn't have easily given her the divorce document just to rid themselves of these "burdens."

Although Wu shi regretted losing a few silver coins, the thought of living freely with her children in the future made her regret disappear in an instant! From now on, she had no relation to this home that offered her no warmth! But thinking of the three children she couldn't take with her, Wu shi began to worry again, silently praying that her next plan would succeed.

Seeing the villagers rendered speechless, Hong shi strutted away like a victorious rooster. She spat in the direction of Wu shi and her daughter, brushed off imaginary dust from her clothes, slammed the door shut behind her, shutting out the nosy villagers and their disdainful looks.

"Sister Mo... Don't be sad. It's better to be away from such heartless people! If you and your daughter have nowhere to go, come stay at my house. I have an empty room. If you don't mind, come stay!"

A woman stepped forward, comforting Mo Wushi before inviting her and her daughter to her home.

Adding flowers to brocade is easy, but helping in times of need is hard!

Wu shi never expected such kindness from a woman she had only exchanged a few words with. Gratefully, she said, "Thank you, Sister, for your kindness. My daughter and I have a place to go. We won't trouble you by going to your house."

The woman didn't quite believe her, "Sister, don't fool me. Without any relatives, where will you go?"

Someone nearby chimed in, "That's right, sister. You and your daughter should go to Sister's house. When you recover a bit, you can find a more permanent place to stay."

Wu shi thanked them for their kindness and was about to say something when she saw Mo Yan and Li Xiu approaching with a door panel. A smile spread across her face.

Seeing them carry the door panel, everyone knew Mo Yan had come specifically to fetch them. Realizing how close their relationship had been, they suddenly understood and rejoiced for Wu shi and her daughter.

Mo Yan and the others indeed came for Mo Wushi and her daughter. After exchanging a few words with the villagers who came to greet them, Mo Yan and Li Xiu carefully lifted Mo Dani, who dared not move from where she lay, onto the door panel.

Thanking the villagers for their kindness in wanting to help, Mo Yan and Li Xiu carried Mo Dani towards their home, while Xin'er and Tang Xin supported Mo Wushi from either side.

Since they had played this act, they naturally had to play it well. Wu shi had just had a miscarriage!

 Chapter 1394: Finally Meeting

The carriage headed towards Zhong Village, and the village's geographical location was quite good, not too far from the county city.

It took only half an hour to get there after leaving the city, without any detours.

The road to the village was well-maintained and smooth, indicating the village's prosperity.

Meng Yunzheng asked around and soon found the location of the village head's house, a large brick-and-tile building at the center of the village.

However, at this moment, the entrance to the village head's house was crowded with people, and they were making a commotion. It was impossible to see what was happening inside.

Meng Yunzheng helped Shu Yu down from the carriage, and she curiously peeked ahead.

"How is it? Can you walk?" Meng Yunzheng asked in a low voice, wearing an expression that seemed to say, "If you can't, I'll carry you."

"I can walk," Shu Yu coughed lightly. After resting for a whole day and applying the medicine provided by Zhao Xi, she felt much better and could walk without any issues.

Meng Yunzheng asked Xia Yan and Ying Xi to wait by the carriage while he took Shu Yu to the front.

But there were too many people, and it was so crowded that even the people at the back couldn't enter.

Meng Yunzheng furrowed his brows slightly and looked up at the tall walls surrounding the place.

Suddenly, Shu Yu grabbed his hand. "Don't. If we try to climb over the wall, we'll be seen as thieves for sure. With so many villagers present, they will all come after us. Besides, we don't even know if the matter has been resolved. Let's first see the situation."

Meng Yun Zheng had to give up the idea of climbing over the wall. He turned his head and glanced at Xia Yan.

Xia Yan immediately ran forward and created a path.

With his agility and strength, he quickly cleared a passage in the crowd.

Meng Yunzheng protected Shu Yu and stood at the forefront, shamelessly ignoring the villagers' curses and glares, and stood right next to the entrance of the courtyard.

Inside the courtyard, there were many people, but not too crowded. They should all be family members.

Shu Yu scanned the area and saw a familiar figure sitting on a chair with her eyes closed.

"It's the master of Dongqing Temple," Meng Yunzheng whispered.

....

This novel is translated by the Eternal Novel Hits translators. Please read it at eternalnovelhits.com

....

"Finally, we get to see her. Luckily, she hasn't left yet," Shu Yu let out a long sigh.

Compared to two years ago, Dongqing Temple's master hadn't changed much. She was instantly recognizable.

"What is the master doing there?" Meng Yunzheng asked uncertainly as he looked at the scene in the courtyard.

"It seems like she's waiting for something," Shu Yu replied.

Waiting for what?

The people in the courtyard were trying to remain calm, either sitting or standing, occasionally glancing at the entrance, then back at the master with her eyes closed, wanting to ask her something but not daring to disturb her, so they could only fidget or frown.

Meng Yunzheng and Shu Yu tried to understand the situation from the discussions of the villagers around them, but they were just as confused.

Shu Yu hesitated about whether to go in or not.

At this moment, the master of Dongqing Temple opened her eyes and immediately looked directly at Shu Yu, her gaze direct and swift, as if she knew exactly where Shu Yu was.

Shu Yu's expression brightened, and she waved her hand, "Master..."

 Chapter 1393: Strange Happenings at Zhong Family Village

Shu Yu was taken aback and instinctively lowered her voice, "You are shamelessly stalling her, how did she fall for it?"

Meng Yun Zheng facepalmed, "What do you mean by falling for it? Do you think I have the ability to deceive her?"

Thinking about his master's abilities, Shu Yu realized that saying he deceived her was inappropriate.

"What happened in Zhong Village that made her stay there for so long?"

Meng Yun Zheng said, "Two days before the start of the prefectural exam, I was talking with a few examinees, and one of them mentioned something strange happening at Zhong Village. I overheard it."

"What strange thing?" Shu Yu became curious.

Meng Yunzheng leaned closer to her, afraid that she might strain her wound with sudden movements. "It's about the village head's only son. He gets possessed-like every half month. He wakes up in the middle of the night, catches a live chicken, and eats it raw. His face is covered in blood, but he seems completely unaffected. However, the next day, he has no memory of what happened, and he looks confused when his family asks him about it."

Shu Yu widened her eyes. An extraordinary event?

"My master removed the possession?" she asked.

Meng Yunzheng chuckled, "What do you think?"

"My first thought is that he might have sleepwalking."

Meng Yunzheng smiled, "But why is it happening so regularly every half month? The pattern is too stable."

Shu Yu pursed her lips, pondering for a moment. "Could someone be up to something?"

Meng Yunzheng looked at her serious expression and couldn't help but laugh. See, she doesn't believe in possession at all.

Even though she was the disciple of the master of Dongqing Temple and had witnessed her master's abilities.

He didn't believe it either, but, well, unknown things in this world are mysterious, and no one can say for sure.

He once even went to Dongqing Temple to ask about the destined emperor.

Meng Yunzheng said, "I don't know what's really going on. I heard about this matter a day before the prefectural exam, and that was it. Who knew that after the exam was over, I met your master, and she was about to leave for the capital in two days. In order to delay her, I told her about the situation in Zhong Village."

....

This novel is translated by the Eternal Novel Hits translators. Please read it at eternalnovelhits.com

....

That night, the master left for Zhong Village.

The next day, it happened to be the half-month period when Zhong Family's son ate the live chicken in the middle of the night.

Due to the short time, the master was not well prepared, and Zhong Family didn't trust her and refused her entry.

In fact, they were so angry that they cursed at her, and it led to the master not being able to find out the truth of the matter in time.

So, the master could only wait for the next time Zhong Family's son "fell ill."

Meng Yun Zheng delayed her for more than half a month, allowing Shu Yu to arrive at Changjin Prefecture on time.

"Last night was the half-month mark. If nothing unexpected happened, with my master's abilities, she probably found out the truth."

So, they went to Zhong Village at the right time. Otherwise, if the master had resolved the issue, she might have directly gone to the capital without meeting Meng Yunzheng again.

That would have been a missed opportunity.

That's why Meng Yunzheng rushed over with Shu Yu without even looking at the results of the prefectural exam early in the morning.

  Chapter 515: Separation (2)

Mo Dani snapped out of her thoughts and, seeing her mother's anxious expression, suddenly smiled. She gently held Wu shi's trembling hand and said earnestly, "Mother, whatever you decide to do, I will support you. Wherever you go, I will go. You will always be my dear mother!"

Wu shi's tears instantly fell. She covered her mouth to stifle her sobs. These tears were not of sadness but of genuine joy.

Seeing their mother cry again, San Ni and Shi Tou stood by her side. Ten-year-old Da Ni seemed to understand something, and with a stern face, she said, "Mother, San Ni'er will follow you too. We siblings all want to follow you. You can't leave us behind. San Ni doesn't want to be a child without a mother..."

By the end of her words, her eyes were red, and she choked up, unable to continue.

Four-year-old Shi Tou didn't fully understand what his mother and sisters were talking about, but he grasped the word "follow" and thought they were going somewhere. He hurriedly shouted, "Follow, follow, Shi Tou wants to follow!"

Wu shi could no longer hold back her tears. She sobbed as she pulled her son and daughter into her arms. "Everyone will follow, everyone will follow. Mother won't leave anyone behind."

The three of them cried together, and even Mo Dani, who was bedridden, was in tears.

The thin wooden door couldn't block the sound of their crying. Hearing it in the main hall, Hong shi slammed the table and shouted towards the bedroom door, "You unlucky wenches, I'm not dead yet, and you're already wailing like it's a funeral? If you keep it up, get out of my house!"

Old Mo, thinking about living under the same roof with a daughter-in-law who had miscarried, frowned and felt uneasy. He remained silent, watching Hong shi's increasingly loud scolding.

He wanted no part in these sinful acts!

The other three, aside from Mo Yongxi occasionally chiming in with insults, kept their heads down. Niu shi and Mo Yongfu looked at the dust at their feet as if they hadn't heard anything. One was indifferent, and the other had already given up.

Three days passed quickly, and the Mo household appeared calm and normal.

Just when the villagers thought the Mo family had a change of heart and would treat Wu shi and her daughter better, they were thrown out on the fourth day, in the heat of midday.

"Wu Shi, you failed to preserve the Mo family lineage, making you a sinner in the Mo family! With such a sin, you can't stay here, or else the ancestors will be angered. Who could bear that? And Wu Dani, your life is too tough. You cursed your mother’s unborn child! Don’t blame me for being harsh. If you stay, you'll only bring more harm. From now on, you will take your mother’s surname and are no longer part of the Mo family. Your fate, good or bad, is yours to bear. The Mo family will no longer care for you!"

Hong shi stood at the door, hands on hips, addressing Wu shi and her daughter, as well as the villagers who had come to watch, with these grandiose words. She acted as if she had no choice, thinking someone might actually believe her.

Whether from guilt or something else, none of the other Mo family members were present. In the hall facing the door, only San Ni'er held her brother’s hand, her young face devoid of expression.

"This is inhuman, inhuman! How can they treat a daughter-in-law who had a miscarriage and their own granddaughter this way? Heaven is watching, the Mo family will face retribution, they surely will!"

"Humph, the Mo family has already faced retribution. Look at Mo Yongshou, he was exiled and is probably dead by now; and their daughter, if she were from another family, matchmakers would be lining up, but she hasn't had a single suitor. If that's not retribution, what is?"