Dingguo Hou Mansion——

Several servants were chatting on a long bench by the side door.

A waiter from Jiuqin Tea House came over and said, "Gentlemen, this is the osmanthus milk jelly that Miss Shen ordered. Please take it in."

The servants immediately put on stern faces: "Excuse me, our young lady did not order dessert. Please leave."

When the Second Master and Miss returned to the capital, with such a big commotion as closing the docks and streets, who wouldn't have heard the news?

However, the Second Master and his family never appeared in public, proving they didn't want to go public. Those who knew better didn't dare to visit the Second Master and his daughter to present them with visiting cards.

Moreover, the steward had just instructed yesterday that no one should be informed if they were looking for the Second Master or the Second Miss.

Seeing this, the waiter could only awkwardly pick up his things and leave.

The Lin family—

Lin Yaxian was reclining on the chaise lounge reading a book when Shangxue walked in, looking troubled:

"The dessert wasn't served."

Lin Yaxian responded faintly, and after a long pause, she said softly, "As long as she knows... I've never forgotten her, that's enough."

But......

Four years! How long are they going to torture her?

They weren't there, and she felt lost and helpless.

When they returned, she suffered greatly.

Seeing the sadness on her face, Shangxue said urgently, "Madam, don't think too much about it. People are all made of flesh and blood. In time, Miss will eventually come to terms with it."

"And then there's Second Master... For the past four years, he hasn't had a single woman by his side. The Old Madam will definitely bring up the matter of remarriage with him, but he hasn't proposed marriage, which proves that he still has a wife in his heart. Doesn't the Madam know his character?"

Lin Yaxian's dim eyes finally regained some luster.

......

Ye Caiping has also arrived home.

He was sitting in his study drawing blueprints.

Shen Zhiyan sat next to her, staring at her for a long time: "Is it finished yet? How much longer?"

Ye Caiping didn't even look up: "Let's draw a hand pump well and build one at home."

What is a hand-operated water well?

“Wells are dangerous and it’s hard to get water. This can seal the well opening. Just add a ladle of water in and press it gently and the water will come out.”

Shen Zhiyan raised an eyebrow: "That's amazing?"

"Um."

Shen Zhiyan stopped urging her and sat down to watch her paint.

He couldn't even touch her while she was working; he could only sit there.

While drawing, Ye Caiping casually remarked, "Maybe someone will bring Manman dessert today."

"Where are the desserts from?"

"Nine Qin Tea House, Osmanthus Milk Pudding. Manman's favorite."

Shen Zhiyan understood: "If you don't tell me, neither Manman nor I will know."

Ye Caiping understood; they couldn't even get through the door.

Shen Zhiyan and his daughter completely ignored the other party, giving them no chance whatsoever; otherwise, the Marquis's mansion would not have issued such an order.

Ye Caiping's lips curled up slightly.

To be honest, it's impossible for her not to feel anything when her ex-wife is desperately trying to seduce her husband.

She was indeed a little bit upset today.

She needs to work harder!

She'd wanted to build this hand pump well for a long time, but she just hadn't had the time. She originally planned to do it after the New Year, but now, after being a little spurred on, she's going to get it done ahead of schedule.

In this way, one's rank can also be raised.

She knew how others would view her after their relationship became public.

Since you've decided to marry this person, work hard to move forward and let everyone know that she's a good match for him.

......

Lijia Village —

"Ahhh—"

"You shameless woman! You put so much oil in your cooking! Do you still think you're some rich young lady? You've ruined the house like this!"

Another series of ghostly wails and howls came from Li Zhi's house.

The neighbors around shook their heads at the sound of it.

Is this going to go on forever?

Moreover, the things they criticize every day seem to be the same, yet also different.

For example, today they complain about using too much oil in stir-fries, but yesterday they complained about not using any oil at all, asking how anyone could eat it!

Anyway, Zhang Shuiniang beat her five times a day.

At first, they were somewhat wary, fearing that Zhang Fu would cause trouble. They beat him once, and Zhang Fu's family did nothing. They beat him twice, and still nothing! They beat him a third time, and still nothing!

Granny Li finally let loose, hitting whenever she wanted, whether there was a reason to hit or not, she would find a reason to hit.

At first, only Granny Li would beat him, but later even Li Zhiyuan would beat him when he was drunk.

Especially recently, the family's money is almost gone, and Li Zhiyuan doesn't know how to earn money, nor does he work in the fields. Soon, the family will be starving.

Granny Li was in a bad mood, so she beat him even harder.

Zhang Shuiniang huddled in a corner. In the past, she would argue and beg for mercy, but now she could only scream in pain and couldn't say anything.

She huddled in the corner, emaciated from hunger, her hair brittle and her eyes lifeless.

What terrible things has she done?

He didn't kill anyone, he didn't commit arson, and he didn't even abuse cats or dogs!

Why live such a life, worse than that of pigs and dogs?

First marriage is like falling into a fire pit, second marriage is like falling into a wolf's den!

"You wretch, I'm talking to you! You've used up all the oil! How are we going to cook tomorrow?" Granny Li slapped her across the face.

Zhang Shuiniang's face swelled up even more.

"Have you had enough!" Li Zhiyuan rushed out of the room and threw the wine bottle in his hand at Zhang Shuiniang's head.

With a loud bang, Zhang Shuiniang's head was instantly ruptured and bleeding profusely, but she couldn't even utter a sound. She curled up in the corner, numb and dejected.

Just then, two men walked in and knocked on the open door: "Is there someone here named Zhang Shui Niang?"

Granny Li was somewhat frightened when she saw that the two men looked fierce: "Yes, what's wrong? Did she commit a crime? If she did, just beat her up, you won't have to pay."

The man choked for a moment: "We are from the Bai family of the prefectural city. Recently, our livestock have been failing to survive. We invited a Taoist priest to come and said that we need a woman whose birth date is auspicious to take care of the livestock."

Then he told her Zhang Shuiniang's birthday.

"We've found out that your family's woman, Zhang Shuiniang, was born at this very hour. The head of the family wants to buy her for thirty taels of silver. Will you sell?"

When Granny Li heard about the thirty taels, her eyes lit up, but then she frowned: "If we sell it, who will work for my family?"

Li Zhiyuan was already fed up with Zhang Shuiniang, feeling that Ye Caiping left him because of her.

The reason he didn't divorce her was simply because if he did, he would never be able to find another wife, and there would be no one to do the work.

Now someone is willing to pay thirty taels to buy it, so who wouldn't want to?

He said urgently, "Sell! With thirty taels, what kind of woman can't I buy!"

Granny Li thought it made sense. Besides, Zhang Shuiniang didn't lay eggs, so they could sell her and buy a young girl to give Zhiyuan a few sons!

After thinking for a moment, he said, "Fifty taels!"

The broker sneered, "With such poor quality, thirty yuan is the maximum! If you won't sell, we'll find someone else."

"No, no, no, sell!"