Jiang Wanwan sobbed as she continued, "Fortunately, the neighbors next door came to put out the fire, and my daughter escaped unharmed. Later, the patrolling officials discovered the incident and took us all to the county government office."

After some interrogation, Liu Si and the so-called "owner" were exposed for their lies. It turned out that the so-called owner was not the owner at all; he was just a gambler from Wangjia Village who had conspired to deceive Uncle Er because Liu Si had given him money.

Upon hearing about her daughter's harrowing experience, Madam Lu completely erupted in anger.

With red eyes, she looked at Uncle Jiang and said, "Uncle Jiang, I have never wronged you two in all these years. When I was pregnant with Wanwan, you and my parents went to my uncle's house for the funeral, leaving only me, two-year-old Dahu, and one-year-old Xun'er at home."

At that time, Dahu had a persistent high fever, so I entrusted Xun'er to Aunt Wang's care while I, heavily pregnant, carried Dahu on my back and walked step by step to the town to find a doctor.

The local doctors examined Dahu, but none of them could help him. I didn't give up, so I carried Dahu on my back to the county town, a journey that took two and a half hours. I was so exhausted I almost fainted, but I gritted my teeth, endured the discomfort, and carried him to find a doctor.

That's why I suddenly went into labor and gave birth to Wanwan ahead of schedule. My daughter and I missed each other for twelve years, and we're only now returning to Old Jiang's house.

Tell me, what have my daughter and I done to wrong you, the second wife, that you would treat my Wanwan like this?

Upon hearing this, Uncle Jiang and Madam Zhu looked at Madam Lu with shame.

"Third sister-in-law, Jiasheng and I really didn't know Liu Si was a swindler!" Zhu hurriedly explained.

"Yes, Third Sister-in-law, I'm Wan'er's second uncle. I wouldn't possibly harm her," Uncle Jiang said, his face flushed and his words tumbling out incoherently.

With tears welling in her eyes, Madam Lu looked at Old Madam Jiang with a sorrowful gaze. "Mother, I know you've always favored my second brother's family all these years, but Jialin, my eldest brother, and my sister-in-law have never held it against us. But now, in order to help my second brother find a job, you've gone so far as to send my husband and me away and trick Wanwan into going to the county town."

Do you think our family is too easy to bully? If even the Jiang family can't accept Wanwan and me, then I'll take Wanwan back to my parents' home!

Jiang Jialin quickly stopped her, saying, "Mingzhu, what nonsense are you talking about? I'm still here, how can I let you and your daughter go back to your father-in-law's house!"

"Yes, Third Aunt, it's all Second Uncle's fault. How could you take my sister back to Grandpa Lu's house?"

When Jiang Erbo heard that Lu Shi was going back to her parents' home, he was terrified.

He raised his hand and slapped himself several times. "It's all my fault, I almost ruined Wanwan. Third brother, third brother's wife, you two can do whatever you want with me, I will have no complaints."

"Yes, yes, you can do whatever you want with the second son. But you can't go back to your parents' house, third son's wife," Grandma Jiang said hastily, her face flushed.

“That’s right, it’s all my dad’s fault. If anyone should leave, it should be my dad, not you, Third Aunt,” Jiang Hu said angrily.

Jiang Hu thought the idea was more and more feasible. "That's right, my third aunt and sister can't leave. If anyone should leave, it should be my father. Or, why don't we just separate him out and let him live on his own!"

"Or you could separate my parents from me, but I won't. I want to stay with my third uncle and aunt."

Uncle Jiang stared blankly at Jiang Hu.

What a fine son he is!

“Dahu’s idea is good, let Second Uncle live on his own,” Jiang Jiang and Jiang He agreed.

"Nonsense! Dahu, what nonsense are you spouting! Your grandma and I aren't dead yet, what are you talking about dividing the family property!" Old Man Jiang was so angry that he jumped up and down, and gave Jiang Hu a vicious scolding.