"Hmm." Madam Wang nodded gently.

Her expression was unnatural; she seemed to want to say something, but ultimately buried her head again.

“Be careful these next few days, don’t say anything that will upset your second sister-in-law,” Huang Laoda paused and warned, “You made a mistake last time that already made the family very unhappy. Mother didn’t pursue it because your father-in-law and mother-in-law apologized for you. If you do it again, no one will tolerate you anymore.”

There's no such thing as a third time; these days, my wife has almost worn away all the affection my family has for her.

Even he felt tired.

Upon hearing this, Wang couldn't help but flinch, and the color drained from her face. "I...I understand."

Seeing this, Old Master Huang felt a little sorry for him. "Don't be afraid. It's good that you know you've made a mistake and correct it. No one in our family is petty. No one will hold a grudge about the past."

"Yes, I understand..."

The next day, when Ms. Xie got up, she suddenly had a strange feeling: she had become the family's precious darling.

When Jin saw Xie, she immediately went over to her ingratiatingly, "Second sister-in-law, you're up. Come and wash your face. I've already prepared some water for you; it's just the right temperature."

Grandma Huang smiled and said, "I made your favorite steamed pork ribs in the pot, a whole bowl full, so you can eat your fill."

“Grandma,” Xie said, both amused and exasperated, “why are you eating such greasy food so early in the morning? I can’t even finish a whole bowl or a whole basin of it.”

"It's alright, we can eat the rest at lunch, so it won't be a waste."

Just as he finished speaking, Huang Lao Er rushed over and said, "Wife, you've always wanted to eat sweet cakes in the morning. I bought them for you. I've been keeping them warm in my arms. They're still warm. Eat them quickly."

As he spoke, he handed it over as if presenting a treasure.

Seeing this, Xie's eyes welled up with tears. "Fool, I was just saying it casually, why did you take it seriously?"

The sugar cake vendor is in the county town, and it takes at least an hour to get there and back. By the time the cake is ready, my husband would have already left.

Suddenly, I felt a mix of sadness and warmth in my heart.

Although she was abandoned by her parents, there are still people who cherish her and hold her dear.

"Grandma, Third Sister-in-law, thank you!"

Xie shouted loudly.

"No need, no need," Jin quickly waved her hand. "Second sister-in-law has always taken care of my younger sister, and this is all I can do."

She really felt like she was the laziest one in the family.

In the past, I hid in town and dared not come back, so I didn't participate in family affairs.

When I returned home, my two sisters-in-law, seeing that I was young, gave in to me and didn't let me do much housework or other chores.

“This is no small matter,” Xie said with a smile, wiping her face with a towel. “It’s very thoughtful and considerate. I’m very grateful.”

Sure enough, this is my home.

These lovely people are like family.

Those demons in the Xie family, go to hell!

"I'm glad you like it, Second Sister-in-law," Jin said shyly, lowering her head. "You go ahead and wash, I'll pour the water out later."

"What are you talking about?" Jiang Nuan came out of the room after changing her clothes. "Hurry up and eat, then get ready, I'll take you to raid the county town."

"Are we going to buy Jiangnan brocade?" Madam Xie's eyes lit up.

“Buy whatever you like,” Jiang Nuan said extravagantly. “It doesn’t matter if it’s jewelry, headwear, or cosmetics, it’s all up to you.”

As she spoke, she turned her head and asked, "Mother, would you like to come along?"

"What should I do with the two girls? Should I take them with me?"

"It's fine to show it to the bosses, or to bring it along with them."

“Alright then,” Old Mrs. Huang slapped her thigh, “I’ll go with you.”

She found that she had become increasingly wild since coming to live with her youngest son.

I feel like going out every few days.

Even though the house is quite big enough to stroll around in, I still want to go out for some fresh air.

"Sure, let's take a look at how the shop is being renovated."

When will our shop open?

"It's almost done, it won't take more than a few days."

"That's great, I'll have to help out then."

"Can."

While the family was having a great time strolling around the county town, the extraordinary story of Xiaoxiezhuang spread far and wide.

"Have you heard? Those guys in Xiaoxiezhuang don't treat girls like human beings."

"What does it mean to not treat someone as human? There are even people who murder their own daughters just to have one less mouth to feed."

"And there's something even more ridiculous: the old man makes his married daughter pay for his funeral. I've searched all over the Great Zhou Dynasty and never heard of such a rule."

"No wonder the husband's family wants the daughter to sever ties with her parents' family. Who would want relatives like that? Five taels today, ten taels tomorrow, no matter how much wealth they have, it won't be enough to pay them off."

"They say you can know a person's face but not their heart. The people from Xiaoxiezhuang don't seem like bad people, so how could they do something so disgusting?"

"Just wait and see, they'll get their comeuppance sooner or later. Let's just watch the show."

In a dilapidated courtyard, a thin, dark-skinned woman stood uneasily before her mother-in-law. "Mother, what do you want to see me about?"

“You’ve been married into the Ding family for eight years and have given birth to three sons and one daughter. You’ve done your part, even if you haven’t done anything particularly meritorious. Don’t say that I’m being heartless and that I’ve severed ties with your family. I’ll let you stay in the Ding family.”

"Sever ties with your family," the woman exclaimed in shock. "Why? Why would you do this out of the blue?"

"What do you think your family is?" the woman spat. "Not only do they not treat their daughter like a human being, but they're also a bunch of bloodsuckers. The Ding family will not tolerate traitors. If you continue to associate with the Xie family, take the divorce papers and leave."

Upon hearing this, the woman felt all her strength drain away. "Mother, I will definitely correct my mistakes. Please don't divorce me, please don't divorce me."

“I don’t want to divorce you until the very end,” the woman’s mother-in-law sneered. “The Xie family may not care about their reputation, but the Ding family does. Cut ties with your family so they won’t say I’m bullying them.”

"Mother," the woman tentatively asked, "could you tell your daughter-in-law what happened?"

“It’s alright to tell you,” the woman said, glancing sideways at her daughter-in-law and raising her chin. “Your Xiaoxie Village doesn’t treat girls like human beings. Not only do you murder your own daughters and no one cares, but you also make married daughters give money to their fathers for funerals, and your mothers have the audacity to ask for filial piety as well.”

She paused for a moment, then said loudly, "The Ding family is very poor, barely able to make ends meet, and has no extra money to support your family. We must sever this relationship."

"Mother," the woman pleaded tearfully, "Could you please..."

"No, you can't just pack your bags and leave now if you don't want to."

This scene played out in many households.

When Chief Xie learned that the news had spread far and wide, he was so anxious that blisters appeared on his lips. "How could this be? The Huang family clearly promised not to spread it. How come everyone knows in just one night?"

"Father," Xie's eldest son suddenly asked, "were only members of the Huang family there yesterday?"

Upon hearing this, Chief Xie was immediately stunned. "There was also a doctor and about ten thugs. I don't know if they are from the Huang family."

"Dad, you're confused. What good is it if the Huang family doesn't say anything? There are so many people here. If one of them blurts out, our Xie family's reputation will be ruined."

Judging from the current situation, there's more than one person talking nonsense...