"Since you both know you were wrong, and given that this matter isn't exactly honorable, I won't pursue it further. However, punishment is necessary. You two brothers will immediately go to the mine for three months of training." Seeing Zhao Dayou's sincere attitude in admitting his mistake, Zhao Youtian's initial suspicions vanished. They really had stolen their own mother's money to buy alcohol! These two unfilial sons!
"Go to the mine?" the two brothers said in unison, then looked at each other; neither of them wanted to go!
Not only are there lots of mosquitoes on the mountain, but you also have to mine every day. It's no place for a human to live!
"Chieftain, didn't my mother give you the silk?"
"Smack!"
Before Zhao Er could finish speaking, he received a solid slap across the face. Zhao Youtian didn't hold back on the slap, and it drew blood from the corner of Zhao Er's mouth.
"Eryou, you've only had a little wine and you're already talking nonsense?" Zhao Youtian said, feigning gentleness. "This is a bad habit; be careful not to bring trouble upon yourself."
Zhao Eryou shuddered and dared not utter another word. He nodded hastily. He knew that the emperor was far away and the clan chief was the local tyrant of the clan. He had been punished by the clan chief many times for disobeying him in the past!
Zhao Dayou rolled his eyes and said, "Clan leader, we have no problem going to the mine, but we want to say goodbye to my mother before we leave."
Zhao Youtian had no idea what Zhao Dayou was planning. This Aunt Zhao was known for being fiercely protective of her own. If the two brothers came home and complained and begged for forgiveness, would Aunt Zhao really have the heart to send them away?
Originally, he could have just let the matter drop; there was no need for him to insist on sending the two brothers to the mine. However, Zhao Er's words had given him a wake-up call. Only by confirming that the two brothers had gone to the mine could he cover up the fact that he had accepted the silk from Aunt Zhao.
Thinking of this, Zhao Youtian didn't hesitate. He took out the written agreement and waved it in front of the two brothers, saying, "To tell you the truth, this is what Aunt Zhao meant. This is her fingerprint. She said that you two made a mistake and that you should go to the mine to reform yourselves."
Seeing this, Zhao Dayou gave up hope. After all, he had accidentally killed Li Rouniang, and his mother had to cover it up for him. He couldn't disobey her, so he nodded and said, "Clan leader, let's go. We did do something wrong, and we accept the punishment."
Zhao Er was unhappy when he heard this. What wrong had he done? His older brother had killed the man, and he had only helped carry him up the mountain. Why should he have to suffer in the mine with his brother? He felt wronged!
However, when he looked up at the clan leader Zhao Youtian, who was coldly staring at him, he hurriedly nodded, "I'll listen to the clan leader and my elder brother." The baby felt wronged!
"That's more like it. It's good that you admit your mistake. I think you shouldn't go back. Just leave. There are two other people from the village going today too, so you can go together. Let's go now." Zhao Youtian waved his hand.
"Chieftain, shall we go back and get some clean clothes or something?" Zhao Er made a last-ditch effort, mustering his courage.
"There's everything on the mountain, food and supplies are all there, no need to go back for more. Let's hurry up and go, otherwise the sun will set and the road will be difficult to walk on," Zhao Youtian said, gesturing for the villagers to follow, afraid the two might try to run away again.
Zhao Eryou hung his head in despair and, together with Zhao Dayou, turned and started walking up the mountain path.
Meanwhile, Li Rouniang returned home, and the rain stopped shortly after. She didn't dare relax completely, using every available space to stuff everything she could into the house. Then, armed with a shovel, she stood guard at the door, prepared to fight if the clan chief went back on his word.
Actually, she didn't completely rely on the clan leader. She had a second plan: when the two brothers returned, she would fight them to the death and make a big scene.
Even if I get injured, the spiritual spring water in my space will heal me quickly. Then I can cause trouble again. As long as they don't kill me, I'll fight to the end. Eventually, Zhao Dayou will get fed up and want a divorce, and then I'll have three children.
If they don't give it to me, I won't get a divorce. I'll keep making a scene and wage a protracted war. Even if I can't win, I can't take a beating, can I?
She'd make a scene and bite off a chunk of Zhao Dayou's flesh, then they'd see if Zhao Dayou had more flesh or if she'd outlive him.
As she pondered, Li Rouniang tightened her grip on the shovel.
"Mother~" Zhao Erni walked over and gently tugged at Li Rouniang's sleeve.
"Erni, what's wrong?" Li Rouniang lowered her head, suppressing her emotions, and asked softly.
"Mother, Erni will wait for Father with you. Erni will take the beating with you. Erni ate meat today, so she's not afraid of being beaten!" Zhao Erni said firmly and earnestly.
Today, Mother locked up Grandma and Aunt, killed a chicken, and dressed her in Aunt's clothes. Father will probably beat Mother to death when he comes back. If I do it myself, Mother will suffer fewer beatings. If Erni and Mother share the burden, Mother won't be beaten to death.
"My dear Erni." Li Rouniang hugged Erni, her voice choked with emotion. This child was only five years old, yet she already said she wanted to protect her mother.
Zhao Dani, who was in the inner room, stood by the window watching the two of them. She was seven years old, and she could do anything her younger sister could think of. However, she was afraid. Her father was so fierce, and she was really scared. What should she do? How could she prevent her mother and sister from being beaten?
By the way, if I secretly go and release Grandma now, and beg Grandma, maybe Dad won't beat Mom. Isn't Dad the one who listens to Grandma the most?
Thinking of this, Zhao Dani turned and walked towards the woodshed.
At this moment, Zhao Youtian's wife came over and said, "Dayou's family, my husband told me to tell you that you don't need to leave the door open for Brother Zhao Dayou. They've gone up the mountain. Lock the door and take care of the house. They'll be back in three months."
Upon hearing this, Li Rouniang became excited and quickly reached out to grasp Zhao Youtian's wife's hand, saying, "I understand, thank you for telling me, sister-in-law."
When Zhao Youtian's wife saw Li Rouniang like this, she felt a little sorry for her. She had heard some of the gossip about family matters from others, but every family has its own troubles. Li Rouniang married Zhao Dayou, and that was her fate.
Women, each with their own suffering, are things men will never understand.
"Take good care of the children. Things will get better in a few years when they're all grown up," Zhao Youtian's wife could only offer a weak consolation.
"Yes, I know, sister-in-law," Li Rouniang nodded, then said politely, "Well, sister-in-law, would you like some water in your room?"
"No, I'm going back. You should get some rest too." Zhao Youtian's wife waved and left.
"Erni, Father and Uncle aren't coming back!" Li Rouniang repeated the good news to Zhao Erni as she locked the door.
"Great!" Zhao Erni skipped happily back into the house, eager to share the good news with Zhao Dani: "Sister, Dad isn't coming back!"
Upon hearing Zhao Erni's shout, Zhao Dani trembled and dropped the burlap in her hand to the ground.
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