When Han Mingyuan was about to give birth, he didn't dare to go out, for fear that the same thing would happen again.
The baby turned out to be a girl, and Old Mrs. Han scolded her for days. She called her a barren hen and said that Han Mingyuan had married a worthless woman who couldn't produce a son.
With the addition of a son born to Old Master Han's wife, Yunniang only had two daughters, making her even less influential in the Han family.
It's only because Han Mingyuan loves her and doesn't care whether she has a son or a daughter, otherwise she would have given up long ago.
When Yunniang became pregnant again, Old Lady Han gave her a cold shoulder, pushed all the housework onto her, and kept cursing her for not being able to give birth to a son.
This was the second year of the famine, and the family had little food left. She ate the least, and became so thin that she was barely noticeable even when she was seven or eight months pregnant. Although Han Mingyuan tried to resist, Old Madam Han was too powerful; who could argue with her?
As Yunniang neared her due date, she hadn't eaten properly for several days. Han Mingyuan knew this couldn't continue, so he wanted to go hunting in the mountains. But Han Laosi and the others shamelessly insisted on going with her.
Han Mingyuan was paralyzed due to an accident, and Yunniang gave birth prematurely to a son in a moment of panic. This time it was a son, but he was as thin as a little mouse. Old Mrs. Han didn't treat her any differently, only saying that the child wouldn't survive and that she would have to go back to work in the fields while still in her postpartum period.
If it weren't for their eldest daughter, their family would have been ruined long ago.
“I… Yunniang, Mother always listened to their instigation in the past.”
Old Mrs. Han's eyes darted around. She knew that Han Mingyuan's family had a high status in the village now, and as long as Yunniang and the others spoke up, the village head would definitely help her get the grain back.
"Do you remember how good your mother was to you at the beginning? It was your eldest sister-in-law and second sister-in-law who kept talking badly about you."
"Mom, how can you say that? You're not a three-year-old child anymore. You don't believe everything we say."
Old Master Han curled his lip in disdain and laughed, "Anyone who didn't know better would think you're a child, believing whatever I say?"
“That’s right, Mom. I never said that my third sister-in-law couldn’t have a son. Look at Mengze, he’s over a year old and he’s growing up so well.”
Han's wife also hurriedly spoke up, looking at Yunniang with a smile. After hesitating for a moment, she stepped forward, took Yunniang's arm, and asked affectionately, "Yunniang, where's Mengze? Why didn't you bring him out? He should be able to walk by now, right? That boy is so handsome, he looks just like the third brother."
“Yes, Yunniang. I miss Mengze too. I’ll go see him another day.”
They used to ignore Han Laosan's family, but things are different now. Han Laosan's family has a capable and outstanding daughter. If they can build a good relationship with them, their future will be much better.
Although they had some minor conflicts in the past, they are relatives after all, and blood is thicker than water. As long as they sincerely change their ways, how could the third son's family ignore them?
"Third Sister-in-law, how is Mengze doing now? And Xueya, she should be back soon, right? The sweet potatoes she gave us are growing really well."
The fourth brother's family also came over to say nice things. Faced with three incredibly enthusiastic sisters-in-law, Yunniang was still a little uncomfortable.
"Yunniang, don't listen to their nonsense. It was really those few who instigated it back then."
Grandma Han is now filled with regret. After all, Mengze is her little grandson. Why didn't she treat him better back then?
"Cough cough cough!"
Looking at the shameless Han family, Han Qiang was a little embarrassed. He coughed and asked, "Let's put other matters aside for now and deal with the things you need to do today."
"Han Qiang, those three families stole our grain, leaving us not a single grain."
Grandma Han hurriedly spoke up.
"Oh, Mother, you know the harvest is bad these days, every household has no food. You said you wanted to divide the family property, and that we would all be left with nothing, while you and Father would be stuck with a few hundred pounds of grain. How can you be so shameless? Don't you feel guilty?"
"That's right, you've starved us to death. If you two die, who will burn paper money and offer sacrifices at your graves!"
"Yes, Mother. You've gone too far. Leaving us with nothing and not giving us any food, aren't you forcing us to die?"
Before the three Han brothers could say a word, their wives each said something to shut the old lady up, leaving her speechless.
One against three, Grandma Han was no match for the three of them.
Grandma Han was anxious to come over and say nice things to Yunniang, but her three daughters-in-law blocked her way completely, and she was no match for them under the camellia tree.
Grandma Han was frustrated. She had controlled her four daughters-in-law her whole life, but now none of them were obedient.
She didn't even consider that before they moved, she had all the food and money in her hands, and she could do whatever she wanted with it. But now it's different; she has nothing, so who cares about her anymore?
"You, you, you all..."
Old Mrs. Han angrily pointed at the three of them. Perhaps she was too angry, because her thin fingers trembled violently, like eagle claws. It was Han Datou who couldn't stand it anymore. He took a few steps, came to the front of the group, and said loudly, "Han Qiang, my family's grain has been stolen. Will you help us deal with it, or should I go directly to the authorities?"
Upon hearing that Han Datou wanted to report to the authorities, the expressions of Han Laoda and his brothers changed. The three brothers exchanged glances, wondering if Han Datou was telling the truth.
Thinking of the old couple's resolute decision, Han**'s eyes darted around.
Of the four brothers, she had the most ideas and the sharpest mind. However, most of the time she didn't use them for good.
“These are all trivial matters. You’re really something, Han Datou.”
Hearing Han Datou say he would report it to the authorities, Han Qiang's brow twitched violently. Did their Tiger Head Cliff Village really need to become even more infamous?
If word gets out that a father accused his son of stealing his grain, no one in the village will ever need to leave their home again.
"But we old folks can't do anything about it. We've lost our grain. We can't just starve, can we?" Han Datou said fearlessly.
He's just being a scoundrel. The village has to take responsibility for the grain issue, whether they want to or not. If they really report it to the authorities, it won't just be the Han family who will lose face.
"Exactly! How did I end up with such a bunch of troublemakers? They even steal their own mother's food! What a terrible thing to do!"
Old Mrs. Han started crying again. Han Qiang frowned deeply; he was truly exhausted by the affairs of the Han family. He looked up at Yunniang, who had already subtly taken a few steps back, keeping her distance from the Han family's wives.
She understood what these people were thinking; it was only because they were doing well that the sisters-in-law would come over.
Back when they were left with nothing, the villagers, knowing they received nothing, would send them things even if they weren't related by blood. But one of Yuan Ge's brothers came over and asked, "How are you going to survive after this division of the family property?"
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