Mrs. Wu cleared her throat and said softly, "Although the Wu factory owner is no longer with us, he inherited the bad habit of beating his wife. I heard that he beat his first wife to death."

"Grandma, how do you know? You've been married for so many years, how come you know so much about the younger generation?" Li Yan asked

"Isn't this my niece-in-law? I told her this when she came to pay me New Year's greetings. I almost married your aunt to that beast." After saying this, he quickly chanted Ami Tou Buddha, may the Bodhisattva bless you.

Knowing that it was such a family, Second Mistress would surely be able to find out from others, and Li Yan's heart, which had been hanging in the air for a long time, finally settled down.

Because of the anxiety caused by the events of the day, Li Yan had no appetite. After a simple dinner, she went to bed early.

The next morning, Li Yan went next door to ask about Xiu'er's situation.

Li Xiu told Erya with a smile that her grandmother had inquired about Wu Chang and heard that he had a very bad temper and had even beaten his wife to death.

Although the second grandmother wanted to marry Li Xiu off to relieve the pressure, it was impossible for her to ignore her granddaughter's life and death and insist on marrying her to a beast who was a domestic abuser.

Li Xiu asked Erya if she could go to Aunt Lin to learn embroidery today?

Li Yan slapped her head and almost forgot about it.

He then took Li Xiu home and brought Xiu'er into Lin's room.

When Lin saw Xiu'er, she immediately reached out to Li Xiu to sit next to her. She patiently walked her through her needlework and took out a piece of scrap cloth for her to try embroidering on.

Li Xiu held the material nervously. The white fabric made her hands look extremely rough. The fine lines and cracks on her fingers hooked the white cloth.

Li Xiu was a little frustrated: "Auntie, my hands will damage the fabric."

Lin touched Li Xiu's head and said, "Let's practice on this cloth first. I have some hand oil here. Soak your hands in warm water for half an hour before going to bed at night. Then apply the hand oil and wrap them in a cloth while you sleep. It will gradually get better."

Li Xiu lowered her head and said in a muffled voice, "But I still have a lot of work to do."

Lin said, "It's okay. I'll make you a pair of gloves. You can wear them when you chop wood or fetch water."

Li Xiu couldn't help but tear up when she felt the warmth of her mother's hand. It had been a long time since she had felt her mother's warmth. For a moment, the only sounds in the room were the two of them discussing.

Li Yan arranged for Li Xiu and prepared to go to the town. As soon as she got on the road, a bullock cart passed by. Li Yan quickly called out to the driver to stop, jumped on the cart, and drove towards the town.

The usually empty streets were exceptionally crowded today, with all kinds of pedestrians carrying loads on their shoulders or pushing wheelbarrows. Their sole purpose of this trip was to go to the grain shops in the town.

The ox cart swayed slowly to the city gate. Li Yan jumped off the cart, paid a penny for the fare, stretched her back which was sore from the bumpy ride, and lined up to enter the city.

The city is still bustling with people today. Li Yan struggles to move forward in the crowded crowd, occasionally bumping into passers-by going the opposite way.

Finally we arrived outside Piaoxianglou. It was not yet time for dinner and there were only a few people sitting inside.

Li Yan saw her cousin serving tea and greeting guests skillfully. She took a few quick steps into Piaoxianglou and happened to meet the sight of Shopkeeper Qian.

As soon as he saw Li Yan, Shopkeeper Qian immediately smiled and said, "I was just about to ask your cousin to tell you. Your idea and recipe really helped me a lot. Come on, have dinner with me today. I have to thank you very much!"