The Chen family has lived here for decades.

She also knew a little about what had happened to the He family.

The only problem is that it's unclear whether Jiao'er or Bai Ruixue is the concubine.

When she saw that Jiao'er was heavily pregnant, she assumed that she was He Tian's wife.

Because the alley was small, almost everyone in the alley could hear Song scolding and beating Bai Ruixue.

Everyone thought she was disciplining a disobedient concubine.

"Oh, let her go then. My He family has fallen on hard times and can no longer support her. It's better to be kind and benevolent. I've lived for so many years and never made enemies. My husband died young, and I raised my son from infancy. To send him to school, I sold most of my dowry. But him... sigh! Let's not talk about it. Sister Chen, you know I've never done anything wrong in my life, so why does God torment me like this? You must have heard me beating and scolding that concubine, but you don't know what she did. She was also pregnant with my son's child, but to avoid physical pain, she gave herself to Shen Jiading and had an affair with him."

"I miscarried her baby. How could I keep her? I was the one who drove her away. I couldn't bear to sell her. I felt sorry for her; she was so small and thin, like a kitten. She called me 'Auntie,' and my heart softened. I rescued her from the refugee camp and made her a maid in my He family. But what did she do? She slept with my son! If she hadn't been pregnant, I wouldn't have let Xiaotian take her in. Good riddance! At least the three of us will have some peace and quiet. We've lost the house, the money, and who knows how we'll survive from now on."

Mrs. Song sighed.

He was spouting complete nonsense.

Half of what he said was true and half was false.

Unfortunately, Ms. Chen believed it completely.

"Ah? How could she be so wicked? You did well! If you ask me, Sister Song, you're just kind-hearted. If this happened in my house, I would have broken her legs. She's such a vixen. You treated her so well, you could call her your savior. Sure enough, a refugee is a refugee, an ungrateful wretch. It's better to get rid of her than to keep her at home and cause trouble for you later. Take this egg back with you. I have enough food at home. If you need a wooden cart again in the future, just come and borrow it from me."

Chen then handed the eggs in her hand to Song.

But her eyes showed heartache.

"No, no, no, that won't do. One thing at a time. I used your wooden cart, Sister Chen, so I have to give you the eggs. I took these eggs from the old house. There are two in total, and my family is reluctant to eat them. It's just right for each of our families to have one. When I get back, I'll make some steamed egg custard for my son and daughter-in-law to nourish them. Please accept them quickly, otherwise I'll really be embarrassed to borrow anything from you again."

Song pushed the eggs back.

“Alright, I’ll take the eggs. I bought a bag of brown sugar this morning. I’ll scoop some out for you. Let your daughter-in-law drink it after she gives birth so she can recover and have another baby.” Chen didn’t know that He Tian was now without chickens.

Since it concerned a man's dignity, Magistrate Lu did not make it clear in court.

So she thought that He Tian had only broken his arms and legs.

That thing is still usable.

When Song heard the words "brown sugar," her eyes lit up.

She achieved her goal.

Her words were meant to slander Bai Ruixue while simultaneously complaining, making Chen feel sorry for her, and then spreading her words throughout the alley. In just a few days, Song had thoroughly understood Chen.

Chen has one advantage and one disadvantage.

The advantage is that he is kind-hearted and loves to help others.

The downside is that his mouth is too big, and he likes to gossip.

Song carefully grasped her strengths and weaknesses, creating an image of a kind and gentle person for herself.

That way, if she encounters difficulties in the future, she can ask her neighbors for help.

People will definitely help her without hesitation because they feel sorry for her.

look.

Now we get brown sugar.

Brown sugar is more precious than eggs.

The Song family simply cannot afford it now.

"Wait here for me, don't leave, or I'll have to take you all the way to your house." Chen told Song to wait at the door, then turned and went home.

After entering the kitchen, she took out a large bowl and scooped out a small portion of brown sugar, but as soon as she closed the cupboard, she felt a pang of regret.

"Oh dear, why did I eat so fast? Half a bag of brown sugar is gone in just half a bowl. Brown sugar is so expensive, what's an egg compared to that? Oh well, I've already said it. Poor Song is so pitiful, I'll just give it to her." Chen poured the brown sugar back into the bowl.

I took out a small wooden bowl that my grandson used to hold the brown sugar.

Only half the original amount.

But it still pained her.

Chen muttered to herself, filled with regret.

She walked to the door and found that Mrs. Song was still waiting, but she had a troubled look on her face.

"Sister Chen, really, there's no need. Brown sugar is so precious, you should keep it for yourself. I'm really embarrassed to take it. Although my son was crippled and my house and money were taken away by Shen Jiading, I'm still alive and well. I'll wash clothes for others and pick up rotten leaves on the street, so my son won't go hungry. I'm just a miserable person. Sigh, I'm leaving now, Sister Chen, there's no need for me to take the brown sugar."

The Song family did not take it.

She finished speaking and turned to leave.

But his eyes gleamed with a sharp light.

Chen did not discover it.

Hearing Song's words, the reluctance she felt just moments before vanished instantly.

Then Chen forced the wooden bowl in her hand into Song's hand.

“Take it. We’re all neighbors, so let’s help each other out! My family’s life isn’t easy either, but my two sons are capable. They carry sandbags every day and earn some money. Although we’ve lived in this dilapidated house for years, we never starve. This brown sugar is for my youngest daughter-in-law. It’s been four years since she gave birth, and she’s still not feeling well. I thought I’d give her some tonics. It’s alright, I still have plenty left. Take this bowl back. If you need anything in the future, come to me. If I can help, I definitely will.”

With a wave of her hand, Chen pulled the wooden cart home.

They were afraid that Ms. Song would refuse the brown sugar.

Close the door quickly.

"Mother, is the wooden cart back? Have you seen Atong's bowl? He's been asking for a small bowl to eat from." Chen's youngest son, Jiang Dafeng, came out of the kitchen just as his mother was closing the door.

The wooden bowl that Chen just gave to Song was her grandson's special rice bowl, which Jiang Dafeng also made by hand for his son.

"Mother just filled this bowl with some brown sugar for Song Shi. Her family is poor and was terribly harmed by Shen Jiading, the one who was beheaded. You were carrying sandbags that day, you don't know, but Mother went to see it. It was so scary, but Mother felt very relieved. I heard that Shen Jiading killed a lot of people. He deserved it. He died so quickly, it was too easy for him! By the way, take the wooden cart back to the storeroom. It's too much of a hindrance at the door."

As she spoke, Ms. Chen handed the wooden cart to her son.

Tell him to take it to the storeroom.