These days, there's not much entertainment. Even dog fights in the fields or on the streets can be a source of laughter, let alone a lazy wife bullying her niece, which is enough to make them stop and watch!

Many people began to whisper among themselves, and a young woman who didn't get along with Fang Shi couldn't help but sneer, "Oh, Fang Shi, you're really lucky! Your parents-in-law work to earn money for you, and your niece cooks porridge for you from dawn till dusk. You still have the nerve to make a scene after getting up so late! It's only because Aunt Han is kind that you're allowed to get away with this. If you had another mother-in-law, she would have sent you back to your parents' home!"

Some older women, who were already mothers-in-law, also shook their heads in disapproval and muttered, "Old Han has always been shrewd, but I never expected her to make such a mistake in Erbao's marriage. Marrying a virtuous wife is truly a misfortune for the family!"

"Hmph, serves her right for not listening to me back then, saying that Erbao liked it. She'll regret it someday! Hmph!"

The old woman's words were laced with sarcasm. She had wanted to introduce her niece to Wang Erbao, but the Wang family had rejected her offer, saying Wang Erbao already had a girl he liked. If he had married a decent girl, she wouldn't be so gloating. Look what a lazybones he's married! He's nowhere near as good as her own niece! Diligent and gentle!

...

"It's none of your business how our family affairs are handled! You're just busybodies!"

Hearing so much gossip, even if Fang Shi had a thick skin, she was still a young wife with a less-than-stellar reputation to begin with, and now it was even worse! She turned around and glared fiercely at Daya before quickly hiding in the kitchen!

Daya looked extremely apologetic and wronged, but to those with ulterior motives, it seemed as if her second aunt had forced her to do chores, especially when her parents-in-law weren't around! What a vicious woman!

After closing the courtyard gate, Daya swaggered into the backyard and gave her mother a victory sign. Qiu couldn't help but smile, thinking to herself that this child was a clever little devil! At the same time, she felt a pang of sadness. Daya was a sensible child, but unfortunately, she wasn't a good mother. If it weren't for Daya's cleverness, she didn't know how many times she would have suffered under her second brother's wife's thumb!

Seeing her mother looking downcast, Daya quickly stepped forward to comfort her, "Mother, take good care of yourself and don't think so much! I'll make you some rice for lunch. Erya and Sanya found two wild duck eggs yesterday and made them for you!"

Upon hearing that there were duck eggs, Qiu was initially surprised, but then felt a little awkward. The Wang family hadn't divided their property, and their mother-in-law, Han, usually distributed food. They rarely had the autonomy to decide for themselves, but Han was always fair, so Qiu didn't feel she was being taken advantage of. However, she was still a little hesitant to eat duck eggs behind her mother-in-law's back.

Seeing her mother's expression, Daya knew what she was thinking. She pretended to be serious and said, "Mother, we went through a lot of trouble to find these duck eggs. Erya's hands were all scraped raw by the stones! If you don't eat them, how can you face the three of us sisters? How can you face the... baby in your belly? Grandma isn't home, so I'm in charge of everything in the kitchen. Didn't you hear what she gave us?"

She didn't dare say for sure that the baby in her mother's belly would be a boy, although all three of them hoped that she would give birth to a younger brother this time. Although they were still young, they knew that a boy was not only their mother's support, but also their support in their maternal home. But if they really couldn't have a boy, Da Ya wouldn't be angry; it was their fate! She would follow the example of the women in those operas and never marry, so that she could find a husband who would live with her and be filial to her parents!

If these duck eggs were given to Han, although Grandma would distribute them more fairly, with so many people in the family, how many would actually reach Mother's mouth? She's not stupid!

Qiu was eventually persuaded, but she couldn't eat two no matter what. She said she would share one with her sister and share it with the man.

While working for the Qin family, Wang Tieniu always thought of his wife and daughters at home. Whether it was half a chicken leg, a few slices of meat, or eggs, he would carefully wrap them in clean leaves and bring them back to eat.

Daya nodded and didn't argue anymore. The younger sisters also needed to eat some nutrition. They were all as small as little beans and could be hidden in the grass.

About half a month later, the house at the Qin family's house was finally completed. Looking at the row of impressive brick and tile houses, Liu and Wu Chunhua were so excited that they shed tears of happiness.

The Qin family's courtyard was quite large, paved with smooth stone slabs, so they wouldn't get muddy on rainy days. It was really a headache for her!

"Madam Qin, we can hand over the house today! If there's anything you're not satisfied with, please let me know, and I'll have it fixed. Of course, if you find anything you're not happy with after moving in, you can also tell me, and we'll come and fix it." Old Wang said, squinting his eyes. He was very satisfied with the house! "By the way, about the courtyard wall you mentioned, I've already bought the stones, and it should be finished in about seven or eight days!"

The landlord's food is good, so the men work hard and always manage to finish a few days ahead of schedule! Besides, the busy farming season is just around the corner, and everyone will be busy. These past two years have been filled with war, and no one has been able to focus on growing crops. Having experienced hunger, everyone knows how precious food is! This year, everyone is putting in their best effort, ready to make a big splash!

"That's great, thank you so much, Uncle! I'm very happy with this house! Please get the courtyard wall repaired as soon as possible!"

"I'll add some more meat to everyone's meals. You can tell them to work harder, because the busy farming season is coming soon!" Qin San Niang said with a smile.

She looked at the house from top to bottom and was really satisfied. It looked very sturdy! There were drainage ditches in front of and behind the house. Old Wang was meticulous and handled all the details very well.

However, custom-made furniture takes at least a month! She needs to hurry up and draw up the blueprints, and then find a suitable craftsman to make it together.

"Uncle Wang, I need to have my furniture custom-made. Do you have any suitable craftsmen you could recommend? I won't ask anyone else; it's better to do the same thing for two people, right?"

Old Wang thought about it carefully and said, "Actually, there is a very good carpenter in your Shiligou village. Old Chen from the east end of the village is a very skilled carpenter. However, his son and daughter-in-law have passed away, leaving only a grandson. Old Chen can't go out to work, and he is having a hard time. But now that the child is older, he shouldn't need much care. If you can invite him, you will definitely not be disappointed."

As craftsmen, Old Wang and Old Chen were kindred spirits, having worked together before and both being good people. Alas, fate played a cruel trick on them. Old Chen's wife, son, and daughter-in-law were all killed by bandits, leaving only a young grandson to depend on. To take care of his grandson, Old Chen could no longer go out to work.