Chapter Forty-Seven
Yu Ying took a nap and woke up at 9:00 a.m. By then, Fu Ning had already gotten up and gone out to play.
When she woke up, her shoulders and neck were a little sore, probably because she was too tired in the past few days. Now that she suddenly had some free time, her body was a little not used to it.
She massaged herself, but it was inconvenient no matter how she did it.
Fu Wei noticed her discomfort and put the nearly finished curtain aside. He said to her, "When I was practicing martial arts, my master taught me how to relieve shoulder and neck pain. If you don't mind, I can help you with a massage."
Yu Ying naturally agreed without minding, but because Fu Wei couldn't stand up and it was inconvenient to press his shoulders, she moved the small wooden block outside.
Just as he sat down, he heard Fu An's excited voice from outside the yard: "Auntie, auntie, the yamen runners are coming, the yamen runners are coming!"
Yu Ying just sat down and stood up again, saying to Fu Wei, "I'll go take a look."
Fu Wei watched her walk out of the house and silently put down his hands that had just been raised.
After Yu Ying came out of the house, she asked Fu An to lead the way and went to the Sun family with him.
After three days, the marks on Fuan's face gradually disappeared, but his cheek was still a little swollen. However, it still couldn't stop his desire to see Aunt Cuilan suffer.
Yu Ying discovered that Fu An's personality had changed, completely different from when she first met him.
In the past, Fu was like a little hedgehog, covered with thorns all over his body. If anyone slandered or hurt his family, he would not hesitate to stab back with his own thorns.
But these days, he smiles more and more and acts more like a child.
Perhaps it was because he had his aunt to rely on that his parents were able to return, and his grandmother's eyesight gradually recovered. With so many adults he could rely on in the family, the burden on his shoulders was lightened and he became more cheerful.
After walking for about a moment, we saw many villagers gathered outside a large courtyard from afar.
Yu Ying and Fu An walked over. When some people saw that it was Yu from the Fu family, a look of awe appeared on their faces.
As they approached, someone made room for them.
When Yu Ying looked into the yard, she saw Aunt Cuilan hunched over with a pale face.
In front of her were Yachai Huo and another Yachai.
"Sir, it's all a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding. I was just joking before."
Although Huo Yachai was greedy for money, he was not too ruthless. When he heard that the woman was joking about slandering another woman's reputation, his face suddenly darkened and he shouted sternly: "To joke about a woman's reputation is like forcing her to die. Do you know that if you cause a death, you are breaking the law, you evil woman!"
The word "evil woman" frightened Aunt Cuilan so much that her face changed drastically, and her already pale face lost all color.
Someone said, "Aunt Cuilan has gossiped about countless people. Last year, the Song family's little girl was almost killed in the river because of her gossip and went into the woods with someone. Later, after it was proven to be a misunderstanding, she still refused to repent. This time, she thought that Madam Yu from the Fu family was easy to bully and didn't dare to report it to the authorities. She kept making up stories. This time, she has finally been caught."
"She's been behind the plots against many of the village's widows, forcing them to stay home. Her mouth will eventually kill people. She was shouting outside the Fu family this morning that she wouldn't pay a penny even if she went to jail. It would be better if the officials sent her directly to jail, so she doesn't die without repentance!"
Aunt Cuilan heard what the others said, and cold sweat broke out on her forehead. She quickly turned around and scolded them: "Stop spewing filth and slandering me!"
She suddenly saw Yu in the crowd and quickly pointed her finger at her: "Sir, sir, these injuries on my body were caused by Yu who poisoned me. Catch her, catch her!"
Yu Ying didn't even need to say anything; someone, because she had actually filed a complaint, had already developed a fear of her, so they spoke up for her: "You're the one spouting filth. We all saw it clearly. Even until now, Madam Yu hasn't even touched you. You're accusing Madam Yu without any evidence. You have ulterior motives!"
After listening to what the villagers around him said, he originally just planned to take the compensation and go there, but when he saw that this woman was still unrepentant, he was really disgusted.
He shouted angrily: "Sun family wife!"
Aunt Cuilan's body trembled suddenly after being drunk, and she quickly put her hand away.
"Answer the truth. If you hide anything, I will take you to the government office immediately!"
"Do you deny that you orchestrated Madam Yu's affair?!"
This matter was known to the whole village. Aunt Cuilan could not deny it. She could only close her eyes tightly and nodded with gritted teeth: "I admit it..."
"You said Madam Yu poisoned you, but do you have direct evidence to prove it? If there is no evidence, it is purely speculation and false accusation, and you will be convicted of false accusation!"
Aunt Cuilan widened her eyes and trembled for a long time, not daring to point.
After washing with the water boiled with sedge grass today, the itching is gone and the redness and swelling have also subsided a lot, as if she was really stung by scorpion grass. Although she doesn't know where she provoked the scorpion grass, she can't be 100% sure that it was Yu's trick on her.
Aunt Cuilan didn't dare to speak, the answer was already obvious.
Huo Yachai said sternly, "You evil woman! You're so quick to accuse others without caring about their reputation. If we let you go today, you'll definitely cause trouble in the future. We'll take you back to the county office for you to deal with!"
Upon hearing this, Aunt Cuilan fell to her knees and cried out, "Sir, please forgive me, Sir, please forgive me. I will never dare to gossip about others again, never again!"
Huo Yachai said in a strong voice, "Forgive? Can Madam Yu forgive you?"
Aunt Cuilan seemed to see hope when she heard this. She quickly turned around and knelt down towards Yu Ying: "I am an ignorant woman and a gossip. Madam Yu, please be magnanimous and forgive me this time!"
The onlookers sighed. How arrogant and gossipy this woman was before, and how embarrassed she was now.
She brought this upon herself. The villagers had no sympathy for Aunt Cuilan at all.
She dares to talk nonsense to anyone and always thinks that no one can do anything to her. Now someone finally disciplines her.
Let’s see if she dares to make up stories again after this.
Yu Ying stood outside the courtyard fence, her voice slow and calm, "I've already said, I just want an apology and a hundred coins in compensation."
"I'll give it to you, and I'm willing to apologize!"
Aunt Cuilan, who had clamored that she would rather go to jail than pay compensation, was faced with the situation of being taken away, and she agreed to it all in a cowardly and cowardly manner.
Huo Yacha looked at Madam Yu and asked, "Are you willing to reconcile?"
Yu Ying feigned a friendly attitude and said, "After all, we are from the same village, so we shouldn't make things too awkward. If she can agree to my request, I am willing to reconcile."
Yachai Huo secretly discovered that she could speak, then turned back to the gossipy woman in front of him and said sternly, "Since it was Madam Yu who sued you, and now she is willing to reconcile with you, you have three days to apologize and send compensation to the Fu family. If you fail to do so within the deadline, you will be taken back to the yamen!"
Aunt Cuilan nodded repeatedly: "I will definitely keep my promise!"
Seeing that he was almost frightened, Huo Yachai said one last thing: "If I find out that you are still fabricating and framing others without any reason, I will not forgive you!"
After saying that, the two yamen runners left the Sun family yard with their swords in hand.
Yu Ying calmly glanced at Aunt Cuilan, who was slumped on the ground in the courtyard, then retracted her gaze and said to Fu An, "Let's go."
After seeing what happened to Aunt Cuilan, Fuan no longer cared what would happen to her in the future. He responded, took his aunt's hand and went back.
The villagers watched the aunt and nephew leave, and couldn't help but whisper that the Fu family's luck had really changed.
The Dalang couple of the Fu family are back and are now protected by the officials. If this isn't a change of luck, then could they be gods?
*
Yu Ying and Fu An returned home, and Fu An couldn't wait to tell his grandmother and mother what he had just seen.
After listening to her grandson's description, Mrs. Luo spat softly, "She deserves it."
The eldest sister-in-law said, "Then she will definitely not dare to gossip again, nor will she dare to cause trouble for our family."
Yu Ying nodded: "After just one time, it was enough to scare her."
She no longer cared about Aunt Cuilan's affairs, but walked to her sister-in-law.
Seeing my sister-in-law tidying up the straw bed she had moved out of the small house, I asked curiously, "What are you doing?"
Wen Xing smiled shyly and said, "I think my sister-in-law and mother will be uncomfortable sleeping on the bamboo bed, so I plan to dismantle this straw bed and make some cushions to put on the bed."
Hearing this, Yu Ying thought of her aching shoulders and immediately became motivated: "I'll do it with you."
The two of them worked much faster. First, they spread layers of straw on the ground without any sand or stones. Then Yu Ying took a handful of mugwort, lit it, and extinguished the flame, leaving only smoke.
Use the hot smoke from mugwort to smoke all the straw.
Finally, put the straw in the sun for most of the day, and then collect it in the afternoon when the sun is not so strong.
After finishing the straw, Yu Ying broke out in a sweat, washed her face and hands, and went into the house.
Entering the house, Yu Ying saw Fu Wei using a kitchen knife to cut bamboo. She asked curiously, "What are you doing?"
Fu Wei did not stop and replied: "I plan to improve your repeating crossbow and make another one for you, big brother."
Yu Ying thought of the repeating crossbow and asked, "How can we improve it?"
Fu Wei said, "The bamboo used to make bows before was much older. I asked my eldest brother to cut down some bamboo that was only four to five years old. Bamboo at this age is strong and flexible, making it the best for making bows."
Having said this, he paused and looked at Yu Ying: "Next time you go to the market, see if there are any animal skins for sale."
Yu Ying asked doubtfully, "What do you want the animal skins for?"
Fu Wei touched the bowstring of a nearby repeating crossbow and explained, "This string is made of hemp, so it's not very strong and will loosen after a few uses. The last time you used it to shoot a wild boar, it failed to penetrate its flesh. This is because the bow and string are made of poor materials."
Yu Ying was very knowledgeable about herbs, but knew very little about weapons, so she asked curiously, "Isn't the bowstring made of animal sinew? Is it made of animal skin?"
Fu Wei smiled faintly, "Beast tendons are more stretchable, making them suitable for arm bows. Small bows don't require such strong stretching, so animal hides are more suitable. Of course, if animal hides are unavailable, animal tendons can also be used, depending on what is available."
Yu Ying nodded, not quite understanding, and replied, "Then I'll go to Yu County in a few days to take a look."
As they were talking, there was a knock on the door.
Yu Ying and Fu Wei looked towards the door at the same time.
The eldest sister-in-law was standing at the doorway, holding a bamboo ruler and a thin hemp rope. She said softly, "I'm here to measure the size of the clothes for my sister-in-law."
Yu Ying remembered the fabric she bought in Yu County yesterday, so she let her sister-in-law in.
Wen Xing entered the room somewhat cautiously and called out to Fu Wei who was lying on the bed: "Second brother."
Fu Wei nodded slightly and called out "Sister-in-law."
Yu Ying stood with her hands open for her sister-in-law to measure her, trying to avoid suspicion and secretly averting her gaze.
Every time Wen Xing measured a place, he would use a sharp stone to carve a mark on the bamboo slip.
After the string was tied around her waist, Wen Xing was surprised: "Sister-in-law, your waist is so thin."
Hearing this, Fu Wei subconsciously looked over and saw that the waistline, which was usually not noticeable due to the loose corset, was now slightly tightened by the thin rope, making the hips wide and the waist thin.
That slender waist is so thin that it seems not even able to be held in one hand.
Fu Wei's breathing stagnated, his throat rolled, his eyes seemed to touch something he shouldn't touch, and he suddenly looked away.
After a while, Wen Xing memorized the approximate size and whispered to her sister-in-law, "I'd like to trouble you to measure the size of my second brother's clothes."
After saying that, Wen Xing left the bamboo ruler and the thin rope with several details tied to it and left the house.
Before Yu Ying could ask her sister-in-law to make two sets of clothes for her and her brother, her sister-in-law left. She could only go over and ask her later.
She turned back with the string and bamboo ruler, looked at Fu Wei, and asked, "Do you mind if I measure you?"
Fu Wei didn't dare to look at her, and just said, "Call my elder brother over."
Yu Ying just asked a routine question:...?
They were lying together, why did he suddenly care about it?
Yu Ying still respected Fu Wei's opinion and did not measure him.
When Fu Zhen came back dragging a few thick bamboos to build a thatched hut, Yu Ying called him in to measure Fu Wei.
Wen Xing had just brought tea to her husband. When she heard what her sister-in-law said, she was slightly stunned and a little puzzled.
Aren't my sister-in-law and my second brother husband and wife? Why does Dalang have to go in and measure?
Just when she was wondering, her sister-in-law came over and asked her to make two sets of clothes for herself and her elder brother. Wen Xing was so surprised that she forgot all her previous doubts.
After measuring the size, Wen Xing began to cut the cloth to make clothes.
Because ordinary people don't wear clothes of such complicated styles, and Wen Xing doesn't know how to make complicated ones, a simple set of clothes can be made in about three days.
In the afternoon, Yu Ying, her elder sister-in-law, and her elder brother collected the straw, picked out the better ones, and re-woven them with straw ropes to make a mat the size of a bamboo bed, about an inch thick.
Several people were making mats, but Fu An and Funing didn't go to play. Instead, they helped to pick out the unwanted straw.
It was dusk and several people were still busy. Mrs. Luo did not call them and went straight to prepare evening breakfast.
Finally, when the evening meal was ready, all the mats were ready.
There were two large and one small mats, and seven straw pillows made according to Yu Ying's requirements.
If you use this pillow directly, it will be a bit prickly. Yu Ying was suspicious and gave the remaining scraps of fabric to her sister-in-law, letting her make the pillowcase herself.
After the mat was made, it was rolled up and brought into the house.
While Fu Zhen was helping Fu Wei up, Yu Ying and her sister-in-law spread a mat on the bamboo bed and then covered it with a straw mat.
After her eldest brother and sister-in-law left, Yu Ying took out the pillowcase she had made last night and put the straw pillow in it.
The fabric used for the pillowcase was chosen by Yu Ying herself, a combination of indigo, ochre, and black. Because the pieces were trimmed and shaped slightly during the stitching process, they didn't look ugly at all, but rather had a certain inexplicable harmony.
Yu Yingfu then pulled a hemp rope above the window, passed the rope through the curtains, and hung them up.
After finishing, Yu Ying returned to the edge of the bed and sat down. Feeling the bed was slightly soft, she couldn't help but climb onto the bed and lay down next to Fu Wei with her head resting on the pillow.
Compared to the insecure straw bed, there is a hard bamboo bed. After adding a cushion, it has a faint smell of sunshine. After Yu Ying lay down, she felt so satisfied that she wanted to roll around on it.
Fu Wei lowered his eyes to look at the woman whose eyes were filled with smiles, and was a little confused: "Just adding a cushion makes you so happy?"
Upon hearing this, Yu Ying lay down on her side. When she looked at him, her eyebrows curved and she smiled, "Why don't you lie down and try it too?"
Fu Wei thought about it for a moment and lay down as she asked.
Lying on the mat, with his head resting on the straw pillow, he carefully felt it for a moment and agreed with her: "It is indeed much more comfortable."
Yu Ying turned over and lay back down, saying, "Since ancient times, people have always paid attention to food, clothing, shelter and transportation. I care about these things too. From the original straw bed, to the old bamboo bed, to the new bamboo bed with a mattress and a pillow, I am naturally happy."
Since coming to this era, after starting out with almost nothing, Yu Ying's material desires have been easily satisfied.
As long as everything goes smoothly, she will be satisfied.
Fu Wei and she lay quietly on the bed together. A breeze blew in through the window, and the curtains fluttered slightly.
*
The next morning, Yu Ying went into the mountains with Uncle He, Aunt He, and her elder brother.
The eldest sister-in-law stayed at home to help out and made clothes at the same time.
At the same time, if it rains while you are drying the herbs, there will be an extra person to collect them.
With the addition of Fu Zhen, there are only four people collecting herbs. It is almost August now, and there are only more than two months left.
Herbs cannot be collected all day long, nor can they be collected every day.
Although there are medicinal herbs all over the mountains, we cannot go too deep into the mountains. We can only look for herbs that can cure colds and febrile diseases in areas that are not too dangerous.
According to the current approximate quantity, even if they collect 11 or 12 kilograms a day, and only 8 or 9 kilograms after drying, it will take two months to reach 500 kilograms. Excluding rainy days and other times, it is not known whether they can still store 500 kilograms of herbs by the time of delivery.
Besides, Yu Ying didn't intend to rely on just one deal for everything.
After calculating the time, Yu Ying found that not only was there a shortage of people, but there was also a shortage of space to store medicinal materials.
After thinking about it, Yu Ying discussed with Fu Wei, her elder brother and sister-in-law, and Uncle He and Aunt He to see if they could find two or three more people to help.
Fu Zhen moved the table and chairs outside the yard, and then carried his second brother back into the yard.
Only after everyone was present did Yu Ying tell them the current situation.
Ever since they earned more than a hundred coins from collecting herbs last time, Uncle He and Aunt He have been thinking of asking their eldest son to come home and help Madam Yu together.
My son worked for that noble family and was often treated harshly. Sometimes when he came back, he could still see whip marks on his back.
Not only do they suffer hardships and fatigue for a few cents a day, but they also get beaten. If it weren't for the need to make a living, they wouldn't want to see their eldest son like this.
So now when Yu Ying mentioned this matter, Aunt He also mentioned it.
"Sixth Lady, what do you think of my Dalang?"
Yu Ying had only seen He Jia Dalang once, when she was building the thatched hut, and she remembered that he was a man who worked efficiently.
She replied, "Of course you can, but doesn't the eldest brother of the He family have work to do now?"
Aunt He sighed and said, "Those wealthy families are usually very harsh. Although working for them gives you some respect in the village, in reality, you're just being treated like animals..."
Yu Ying was silent for a moment, then said, "If Big Brother He can help, that would be great, but I also hope Big Brother He can make a decision after carefully considering the pros and cons."
Uncle He, who had been silent for a long time, finally spoke up and said, "After I gather herbs tomorrow morning, I'll go talk to him in the afternoon."
At this time, Fu Zhen asked Uncle He, "Is Song Sanlang also working in the same place as He Dalang?"
Uncle He nodded: "Yes, together."
Fu Zhen pondered for a moment and said, "Then I'll go visit Song Sanlang with Uncle He."
Yu Ying remembered Fu An saying that his father had a close relationship with Song Sanlang. When his father was not around, Song Sanlang would come to the Fu family to help out when he had free time, and would even send some food over.
Being able to take such good care of an orphan and a widow, Song Sanlang must be a very good person.
Let’s talk about finding someone again. For now, the only candidate is He Dalang. After all, not everyone can be trusted and can cooperate with Yu Ying, so we have to take our time.
*
On the third day after Huo Yacha came to Lingshui Village,
Aunt Cuilan came to the Fu family. Although she was reluctant, she did not dare to delay for another day.
Yu Ying has been so busy these days that she almost forgot about Aunt Cuilan.
Aunt Cuilan was really afraid of Yu.
When Yu said she would report it to the police, she really did it. She was not just trying to scare people.
It would be fine if he just reported it to the police, but the most important thing is that the police actually came.
She could even hire the police, how could she not be afraid?!
Everyone in the village said that Yu dared to sue the officials so confidently, and she might have some supporters in the government.
When Aunt Cuilan heard this, she became even more frightened.
If Yu Shi really had a backer in the government, then it would be easy to get her. Terrified, he quickly gathered a hundred coins and went to the Fu family within three days.
When she saw Yu Ying, Aunt Cuilan quickly apologized and said, "Madam Yu, I brought a hundred coins."
When she handed over the hundred coins, Aunt Cuilan's heart was bleeding.
This is most of her family’s savings!
Yu Ying directly took the string of copper coins and handed it to her sister-in-law, asking her to help count if there were any missing copper coins. Finally, she looked at Aunt Cuilan quietly.
The scratches on Aunt Cuilan's face were still mottled, looking a little scary.
Aunt Cuilan knew what Yu was waiting for, but outside the courtyard were villagers watching the excitement. She had lost face in the past few days and didn't want to lose face again, so she discussed with Yu and said, "Madam Yu, can we go inside and talk?"
Yu Ying rejected her coldly: "No, let's talk about it right here."
Seeing her like this, Aunt Cuilan could only apologize to her: "Madam Yu, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have fabricated you to ruin your reputation, nor should I have falsely accused you of poisoning without any evidence. Please forgive my mistakes and don't bother with a villain like me."
Yu Ying didn't express her opinion, but simply said, "I apologized here, but what about Fu An?"
When Aunt Cuilan, who was in her thirties, heard that she had to apologize to an eight-year-old boy, her face turned red.
After his face twitched a few times, he looked towards Yu's side and saw Fu An raising his head and glaring at her.
After hesitating for a long time, Aunt Cuilan finally apologized: "I'm sorry, Fuan. Aunt Cuilan was unreasonable and hit you. It's Aunt Cuilan's fault. I hope you can forgive Aunt Cuilan."
After she apologized, she heard laughter from the villagers behind her. They said that she was almost a grandmother and she actually had to apologize to an eight-year-old child. It was really hilarious.
Although Aunt Cuilan was thick-skinned and shameless, she still felt ashamed. After apologizing, she covered her face and ran out of the Fu family yard.
The widow who came to watch the fun, as well as the younger sister of the Song family, had all been framed by Aunt Cuilan and suffered greatly from her. Now Aunt Cuilan finally got her retribution. They spat in the direction she left and said it was bad luck.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
