Chapter 194: Tenderness

Seeing that Liantang Village was just ahead, Yuan couldn't help herself. She took two quick steps and squeezed to the other side of Qin Fangci. Her tone was excited but also regretful. She said, "Mother, are you just going to let that old woman from the Xu family go? Her attack on the third son was in vain? And that scholar Xu, he admitted his guilt so readily. Otherwise, he would definitely have been punished in prison!"

Qin Fangci looked at the village ahead, where smoke was gradually rising from cooking fires, and said calmly, "Xu Jiahuai's fame and reputation will certainly be ruined. He will also face beatings and imprisonment. As for his mother," she paused, "she's a shrewd old woman, without her son to rely on. Her future in Dongshi Village will be her greatest punishment. If we continue to hold her accountable, we'll only be known as those who are unreasonable. That's enough."

The old village chief nodded approvingly. "The Mugen family is very thoughtful. We in Liantang Village want justice, not oppression. Today's matter was handled openly!"

This statement attracted the approval of the surrounding villagers.

"That's right! Let's see who dares to look down on our Liantang Village from now on!"

"So what if he's a scholar? He broke the law and he'll still be arrested!"

"Aunt Li is the one who has the ideas and can keep the situation under control!"

Aunt Wang listened to everyone praising Qin Fangci with a smile on her face, and tried to get closer: "Mother-in-law, tonight..."

Qin Fangci seemed not to hear, and slightly quickened her pace. She said to the old village chief beside her, "Brother Village Chief, thank you and everyone for making this trip today. Let's have dinner at home. I'll have the wives roll noodles and use chicken soup as the topping."

The old village chief couldn't help but lick the corner of his mouth, smiled and waved his hand, saying: "Forget it today, you just came back, go back and have a good rest, there is no rush to eat your meal now, the workshop is about to be built, you can prepare a feast and come back to eat this meal."

The old village chief had spoken, and the people of Liantang Village wanted to have a good relationship with the Li family, so naturally no one was so ignorant as to insist on having a meal at the Li family's house today. Everyone agreed with the old village chief's words and got Qin Fangci's promise to continue building the workshop tomorrow as before, and then everyone dispersed.

In addition to Wang's two brothers from her mother's side, Qin Fangci called the two of them and took them home on the pretext that the family needed help.

After two days' absence, Qin Fangci returned to the Li family courtyard.

The people in the yard heard the noise and ran out.

Li Yulan was holding a brazier in her hand, and Qiu Caifen was holding a basin of water with bunches of mugwort and peach branches in the water, both of them smiling happily.

"Your Majesty, hurry up, jump over the fire basin." Li Yulan said as she threw some more straw into the basin.

Qin Fangci waited until the flames of the fire had weakened a little before stepping in.

Qiu Caifen immediately picked up the mugwort and peach branches from the basin and slapped them against Qin Fangci, saying, "Step over the fire basin to get rid of bad luck, dispel disasters and usher in good fortune, and bring prosperity and peace."

Li Laoda followed in, and then Li Laosan. Yuan, who was following behind, also joined in the fun, praising and urging, "Third sister-in-law, you come in too, quickly, let's get rid of that unlucky thing of old lady Xu."

When Wang heard this, she stepped in decisively.

Mrs. Du couldn't wait any longer. When she heard the news that Qin Fangci had returned, she wanted to follow her to the village entrance, but was persuaded by Daya and Wang.

Later, when she heard that Da Ya, Er Ya and San Ya came back and said that her mother-in-law was fine and had gone to Dongshi Village, she still couldn't let her heart go completely. When she heard the noise, she couldn't help but put on her clothes and came out to see.

When Boss Li saw his wife come out, his eyes were filled with tears. After going through life and death situations in the past two days, he realized how important Mrs. Du was to him.

A night of marriage is worth a hundred days of love, not to mention that Mrs. Du gave birth to four children for him and served him tirelessly.

"Mother, I'm back. You don't know what I've been through these past two days. My butt still hurts from the fall..."

This was also an important reason why he was unable to rush out in time to stop Old Lady Xu today, as he was still injured.

Mrs. Du nodded to Boss Li, hummed softly, and looked past Boss Li at Qin Fangci.

Her usual gentle voice was filled with deep fatigue, and like a tired bird that had finally found its nest, Mrs. Du stumbled towards Qin Fangci.

"Mother~"

Mrs. Du's cry of "mother" was full of twists and turns, expressing worry, fear, grievance, and at this moment, relief and dependence that was like a flood breaking through a dam.

Mrs. Du's steps were unsteady, and she almost fell in front of Qin Fangci, tears streaming down her face, and her body was weak as she was about to kneel down.

The flesh that had just been gained was mostly lost again, and Qin Fangci sighed deeply in her heart.

"Okay, eldest brother's wife, it's okay, it's all over." Qin Fangci's voice slowed down a bit, with an imperceptible fatigue.

"I'm fine. This family won't fall apart. Everyone in the family is fine. You're still in confinement, so it's not good for you to be exposed to the wind. Don't cry anymore. Second girl, third girl, help your mother go back and have a good rest."

Erya and Sanya obediently sent Mrs. Du back.

Qiu Caifen said cheerfully, "Mother-in-law, I've boiled some hot water for you all. Go back to your rooms and wipe yourself off. The food will be ready soon."

Qin Fangci expressed her sincere gratitude and said, "I really have to thank my mother-in-law today."

Qiu Caifen waved her hand and said, "Don't be so polite, mother-in-law. When you get better, ask my Ah Yi and Ah Sheng to do more work for you."

"Of course. Ayi and Asheng are hardworking and capable. We'll need their help in the future."

"Oh, that's great," Qiu Caifen laughed cheerfully, and hurried to the kitchen, muttering, "The noodles are ready, and the chicken soup is stewing. All I have to do is roll it out and put it in the pot!"

"Cuiyun, come and get some hot water for your mother-in-law to wash herself. Don't just stand there. Ah Yi is fetching water and Ah Sheng is chopping wood. Don't just stand there!"

Yuan knew Wang was worried about Li Lao San, so she pushed her and said, "Third sister-in-law, you go take care of Lao San. My aunt and I are with mother. Daya and Erya, go get your father a basin of hot water. Be careful not to get burned."

The eldest sister-in-law lay down, and the second sister-in-law Yuan took over.

Li Yulan handed over the work in the kitchen, fetched some water and brought it into the house to help Qin Fangci wash herself.

Qin Fangci saw that Li Yulan had something to say and said, "Just say whatever you want to say."

Li Yulan wrung out the towel in her hand and wiped Qin Fangci's back, "Mom, I've caused you trouble again."

"Everyone takes the wrong path a few times in their life, but there's nothing to be afraid of as long as it's not a dead end. Mother knows that you're not doing this just because you want to marry that person..." Qin Fangci was gentle and patient.

Li Yulan's eyes were red. "Mom, I'm really scared. If something like this happens again next time, I want to stay by your side..."

"Do you want to have another chance?"

Realizing she had said the wrong thing, Li Yulan slapped herself on the mouth and said, "No, no, this won't happen again, Mom. I just don't want to leave you."

Qin Fangci smiled and touched Li Yulan's head, "Silly child~"