“Since I sold them, how could I have the face to go back to them? Besides, the indentures were signed back then. They belonged to them in life and in death. How could I possibly acknowledge them as my parents again?”

“Sister-in-law, you’re wrong to say that. The family is having difficulties. After all, they raised us. It’s only natural to help your own brother.”

Niu was speechless for a moment.

Those two girls really don't want their parents anymore since they left.

There was no other way but to sell those two girls back then. Why couldn't they understand their parents' suffering?

Seeing that she didn't speak, Madam Lü was furious but had nowhere to vent her anger.

Madam Lü was determined to stick to her guns and not let Yuan Ge go to the village school; otherwise, she would not agree to sell Xiao Hua for money.

“Father, Mother, we’ve decided to send Yuyuan to the village school. The tuition is only 500 coins a year, and the family doesn’t want to pay for it. Shu’er gets 1 tael of silver a month for tuition. If you’re going to be so biased, then we, the third branch of the family, won’t hand over the money we earn. Let’s just each look after our own interests.”

“Back then you insisted on driving the second wife away, but now she’s doing well and making a lot of money every day. If the family hadn’t separated, all the money she earns every day would have gone into the common account.”

"Now it's really tough; we can only watch others move into their new houses."

It would have been better if Lady Lü hadn't mentioned the second wife, because her mention of it immediately struck a chord with everyone.

Shen Cheng is doing better and better now. If only they hadn't been forced to leave, they could have lived in a new house, Yu Shu and Yu Yuan wouldn't have to worry about tuition fees anymore, and there would be someone to do the housework.

Now I'm kicking myself.

Chen was also a little regretful, for she had spoken too soon and revealed his background.

She kept it a secret for almost forty years without any problems, but when that bitch came back, not only was Shen Cheng's true identity exposed, but the Shen family also suffered a series of misfortunes.

It's all that jinx's fault.

"Alright, stop arguing. Yu Yuan can go to the village school to learn to read, but the family cannot be divided. You should also go to Ningzhou City and see if you can get some money from Yu Hong and Yu Zi."

As soon as Old Man Shen spoke, everyone shut up.

Although he rarely speaks, he has the final say in the family.

When he speaks, the children will still listen.

"Third brother's family, did you find out exactly how much money you'd get from the young thug you hired last time?"

"Father, they think Xiaohua is too thin and won't give her much money, only ten taels of silver."

Upon hearing that it was only ten taels of silver, Shen Quan immediately fell silent.

Ten taels? That's not enough to do anything, not even cover the medical expenses for someone who drowned.

Chen said, "Then why don't you find another child? Ask around at a few more places."

At this point, Niu chimed in: "Selling a brothel makes a lot of money, at least thirty taels, maybe even fifty."

Although Madam Lü didn't take Shen Xiaohua seriously, she was still her own flesh and blood, and she immediately objected when she heard about brothels.

"No, if Xiaohua goes into a place like that, her life will be over."

Chen lifted her eyelids slightly and said, "It's decided then. Anyway, we're selling, so it's better to make more money. Besides, there's nothing wrong with that kind of place. We don't have to work and we can still eat and drink well."

Shen Wan absolutely refused. If people found out that his daughter had been sold into a brothel, how could he ever face the town again?

But before he could speak, Chen cut him off.

"If we sacrifice her, everyone will be satisfied, and she will have done a good deed. There's no need to mention this matter again."

"Eldest brother, third brother, go to town and ask around. Sell the goods and come back to get medicine for fourth brother."

At this moment, Shen Xiaohua was standing by the window. When she heard her own family members, her parents who gave her life and raised her, along with her grandparents, uncles and aunts, about to sell her to a brothel, her heart sank to the ground.

She was panicked and felt weak all over. She wanted to escape, but she didn't know where she could escape to.

But she quickly calmed down.

No, she had to escape from here. She knew this day would come. This house was like hell, and the whole family was like demons.

Then she thought of her second uncle, Shen Cheng, but would he save her?

Will her going cause trouble for her second uncle and aunt?

If she doesn't go to her second uncle's house, who else can save her? Selling her into a brothel is worse than letting her kill herself.

Driven by a strong will to survive, she ran out of Old Shen's courtyard and headed towards her second uncle's house.

Hearing the commotion, the people inside came out to look, but there was no trace of Shen Xiaohua, only a few pieces of clothing soaking in the washbasin.

Niu was the first to react: "Oh no, hurry and chase after her! Xiaohua overheard our conversation. If that brat gets away, we're completely finished. Our family will be starving."

Upon hearing this, everyone panicked and rushed out to look for Chen Xiaohua.

At this moment, Shen Xiaohua didn't dare to linger for a moment and ran to her second uncle's door.

They happened to run into Shen Danru and Qingtan as they were leaving.

She knelt down in front of Shen Danru with a thud, crying, "Second cousin, please save me, please save me! I'll be your slave in my next life."

Shen Danru recognized the voice and reached out to help her up, asking, "Who are you?"

Just as Shen Xiaohua was about to speak, she heard the sound of the Shen family chasing after her from behind, which frightened her so much that she quickly hid behind Shen Danru.

Only then did Shen Danru remember that she was a member of the Shen family, specifically the third branch. She remembered the voice clearly from last time; it was this girl who warned her to be careful behind her.

"Little Flower, what are you doing here? Come home with me."

As she spoke, Madam Lü was about to come up and pull the person away.

Qingtan stepped forward and blocked Lu Shi.

"What do you mean by this? I've come to take my daughter home. Why are you stopping me? This is outrageous!"

Shen Danru felt very sorry for Shen Xiaohua, who was in a panic and had tears streaming down her face.

She trembled with fear as soon as Madam Lü spoke; there must be something fishy going on.

Since she had helped her last time, and since she called her cousin, whether she was really her cousin or not, she couldn't just sit idly by.

Shen Danru used a handkerchief to wipe away Shen Xiaohua's tears and comforted her:

"Don't be afraid. You must be Little Flower Sister. Tell your second sister if you need anything, and she will definitely help you."

At first, Shen Xiaohua was afraid that Shen Danru would push her out, but when she heard what Shen Danru said, her heart immediately warmed, and a heavy stone was lifted from her shoulders. She cried even harder.

She said she was the second older sister, and she acknowledged her as the younger sister.

After all the grievances she had endured all day, she finally found support and threw herself into Shen Danru's arms.

"Second sister, my mother and the others are going to sell me."