Li Sanniu was very unhappy to see the way Chen Deyun looked at Yan Qingqing, even though he knew Chen Deyun definitely didn't have any other intentions.

But Yan Qingqing is, after all, a widow, and she's beautiful. More importantly, she's his second sister-in-law. If something were to happen to her, his second brother would probably be turning in his grave.

Li Sanniu coughed and said, "Alright, we've invited the people and looked at the blueprints. Go do what you need to do."

Chen Deyun then realized his rudeness and quickly averted his gaze, cupping his hands in a gesture of respect and saying, "I'm sorry, I was impolite. It's mainly because my sister-in-law is so talented that I admire her."

Yan Qingqing exchanged a few more pleasantries with him before making an excuse to leave. It's said that widows attract a lot of gossip, and it's true that being a widow is tough these days. If you talk to other men too much, rumors might spread.

Fortunately, Yan Qingqing is a grandmother now, so there will be much less gossip. If it were a young widow, her spittle would drown her.

One day, half a month after Yan Qingqing's new house started construction, an unexpected guest arrived in Canghe Village.

A woman with a charming appearance and swaying figure entered Old Li's house next door. After a while, Zhao Yumei's wailing and cursing could be heard from inside.

Because Yan Qingqing's family and Li's family are separated by only one wall.

Yan Qingqing's new house is not far from the old one. The people who were working for Yan Qingqing's family stopped what they were doing when they heard the noise.

An, the daughter-in-law of the village family, looked at Xu, who was sitting to the side, and asked, "Third sister-in-law, why does this crying sound like eldest sister-in-law's voice? Has something happened in your family again?"

Li Kaishan and Old Master Li were of the same generation, so their children were naturally cousins. According to seniority, they were also sisters-in-law.

Before Xu could speak, Liu, who was sitting to the side, said sarcastically, "I don't know what's there to cry about all day. The Li family had a promising young scholar who was destined to become an official, but all that crying and wailing has ruined it."

If it weren't for this Zhao woman, our village would probably have produced a scholar or a successful candidate in the imperial examinations long ago.

Yan Qingqing, who had just entered the courtyard, was somewhat surprised by Liu's words. Liu and Zhao Yumei shouldn't have had any past grievances. Why would Liu harbor such resentment towards Zhao Yumei?

Before Yan Qingqing could figure it out, Old Mrs. Li's scolding voice came from next door: "Alright! What kind of behavior is this, crying and sobbing like this! The matter hasn't been clarified yet."

Zhao Yumei persisted, saying, "This vixen has come all the way to our house. What else is there to be unclear about? Mother, I am your niece from your own family. You must stand up for me!"

Everyone was shocked by the news, and they all looked at each other in disbelief.

Yan Qingqing let out a mocking laugh. The mistress had finally come to the door; what was bound to happen had finally happened.

Soon the neighborhood became lively, and more and more people gathered to watch. The workers at Yan Qingqing's house could no longer stay still and rushed over to see what was going on.

These days, without entertainment or news, even the smallest, most trivial matters become topics of conversation after meals.

Since Yan Qingqing arrived, the Li family has become the focus of everyone's attention. Yan Qingqing, however, didn't care at all and went along to join in the fun.

The Li family courtyard was crowded with people. Old Master Li stood to one side with a livid face, Li San Niu looked helpless, and Zhao Yu Mei was lying on the ground throwing a tantrum.

The graceful woman stood there, looking aggrieved.

Seeing this, Old Mrs. Li had no choice but to bite the bullet and ask, "What's your name? Chengye of our family is a student of the Imperial Academy. Don't make up stories like this, lest you tarnish his reputation."

The woman replied softly, "Grandma, my name is Wan Niang. My husband often mentions you to me, saying that you are the wisest old lady. He said that if he becomes an official in the future, he will let you manage the household, and you will definitely be able to manage his backyard well."

When the old lady Li heard that her son was so filial, she twitched her lips, but then, realizing it was inappropriate for the occasion, she put on a stern face and said, "Of course my son is filial, but what does it have to do with you?"

"You little slut, you're obviously not respectable. Get out of here, or you'll ruin my son's reputation."

Although Old Mrs. Li was domineering, she was, after all, quite old and shrewd. She could tell from Wan Niang's behavior that she was not a respectable person.

Wan Niang felt a surge of resentment when she heard Old Madam Li insult her like that, but she didn't show it on her face and said, "Old Madam, look at what you're saying. I am still my husband's woman. My husband bought me a house outside."

Moreover, my husband said that he would marry me after I give birth to a son or daughter.

Once he passes the imperial examinations, he'll make me his second wife!

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yumei was outraged. She lay on the ground, throwing a tantrum and rolling around, saying, "My God, I don't want to live anymore! Li Chengye, that heartless bastard, I've borne him children and even a grandson, and he still has other women outside."

Li Chengye's eldest son, Li Xiangjin, was also ashen-faced upon seeing the commotion at home. He felt ashamed of his parents' behavior, but as a junior, he didn't want to interfere.

Finally, it was Old Master Li who spoke up: "Third son, you take a few of the younger ones and bring that beast back to me from the academy!"

Upon hearing this, Li Sanniu responded with an "eh" and agreed.

He was truly disappointed in his elder brother. All these years, they had poured the entire family's resources into supporting his brother's education, only to receive this result.

After Li Sanniu left, Old Master Li turned around and went back into the house without saying a word. His back seemed to have aged considerably in an instant, making people feel even desolate.

Liu, who was standing to the side, kept changing her expression as she watched the Li family's situation, but no one noticed her.

Li Xiangbao arrived in the evening.

Yan Qingqing invited him to sit down and eat. Li Xiangbao looked at the fragrant food at his second aunt's house and swallowed hard, saying, "Second Aunt, Uncle is back. Grandpa wants you to come over."

They've already separated, so Yan Qingqing has absolutely no need to get involved. But since Grandpa Li has treated them quite well, she can just go through the motions.

Yan Qingqing urged Li Xiangbao to sit down and eat, saying that she would go with him after he finished eating.

Li Xiangbao knew the sky was falling at home and dared not delay, but he was indeed hungry. He hadn't eaten since noon, so he quickly ate a couple of mouthfuls of rice and followed Yan Qingqing home.

The atmosphere at the Li family home was very heavy. Li Chengye was kneeling on the ground with several bloodstains on his face. Zhao Yumei had disheveled hair and red, swollen eyes. Wan Niang stood aside without saying a word.

Grandpa Li, village chief Li Kaishan, and several close elders of the Li family were all present.

Although it is said that family scandals should not be aired in public, Li Chengye's matter is already common knowledge and there is no point in hiding it.

Upon seeing Yan Qingqing's arrival, Old Master Li said, "The second son is gone. Although we have separated the family, you are still a member of the Li family. We called you here because such a big thing happened in the family."

Yan Qingqing glanced at Old Master Li without saying a word, and consciously stood with Madam Xu. Anyway, this matter had nothing to do with her; she was just there to go through the motions.