Yuan Huiniang looked at the two of them and said, "Don't even mention my mother-in-law hitting him, I would like to hit him too!"
Both Yuan's mother and Yuan Huicong looked at her in disbelief. Was this really the Yuan Huiniang they knew?
Yuan Huiniang said indifferently, "Actually, you didn't come to see me today at all. No family member of a pregnant woman comes empty-handed to visit her daughter."
The moment you arrived, you started telling me how good you were to me. It's one thing to recount how considerate you were of me in the past, but you also kept verbally attacking my in-laws.
It's a shame I didn't recognize it at first.
Mother Yuan opened her mouth to explain, "Your father and I have always loved you since you were little. We valued you and your younger brother equally."
Besides, your younger brother has always been filial and sensible since he was little. How can you bear not to grant him this small wish?
Yuan Huiniang laughed sarcastically, "Such a small wish, Mother, you really dare to say it."
Xinniang is my younger sister, and she was raised by my mother-in-law.
She's literate, good at business, and a capable manager, but your son is illiterate. He just talks the talk and wants to marry her. It's like a toad trying to eat a swan.
And don't say you treat us both equally.
I admit you've been good to me, and I had a better childhood than other girls in the village.
But ask yourselves honestly, aren't you all biased?
He only gives me the best food when he doesn't want it anymore; he makes me new clothes several times a year, but I can't even get one made for myself.
As Yuan Huiniang spoke, she felt a little wronged. In fact, she knew that her parents had been somewhat biased since she was a child, but because her parents had always instilled in her how good they were to her, she hadn't thought much of it.
But seeing how her mother-in-law treated the younger generation in the family these past few days, she finally understood what it meant to love one's daughter and to treat everyone equally.
Yuan's mother was rendered speechless by Yuan Huiniang's retort, while Yuan Huicong glared fiercely at Yuan Huiniang, about to curse her, but seeing Yan Qingqing's warning gaze and his own swollen face, he was immediately too frightened to utter a sound.
But Yuan's mother still said with a stiff upper lip, "Don't forget who raised you. I can go to the yamen and sue you for being disobedient and unfilial."
Just as Yan Qingqing was about to have someone ask them to leave, Li Xiangping returned from the field.
As soon as he entered the door, he heard his wife and mother-in-law arguing.
He quietly asked Du Ruxiu, who was standing outside, and Du Ruxiu told him the truth.
Li Xiangping immediately went into the house with a dark face. He could treat his in-laws better for the sake of his wife, but that didn't mean he could tolerate them coming to his door to insult his wife and sister.
When Yuan's mother and Yuan Huicong saw Li Xiangping enter the door, they knew that Li Xiangping was always good-tempered and thought that he was easy to manipulate. So the mother and son took turns complaining about him.
Li Xiangping's face grew darker and darker as he listened. He felt that his mother-in-law and brother-in-law were simply insane, complaining about his own mother and wife in front of him.
How could he not know what kind of people his mother and wife were?
Yan Qingqing and Yuan Huiniang sat on chairs to the side as if watching a play.
Li Xiangping glanced at the two of them helplessly, then interrupted the mother and son, saying, "Alright, I'll let it go this time because you raised Hui Niang. But if it happens again, don't blame me for being ruthless. Go back now!"
I have never wronged you. Since my family's life has improved, Hui Niang has given you plenty of money and things.
If you still think we are disobedient and unfilial, then go ahead and file a complaint with the authorities.
We will accept whatever the magistrate decides.
Ordinary peasant families wouldn't dare to meet with officials so casually, and besides, they knew at least a little about the relationship between the county magistrate and the Li family.
So Yuan Huicong bared his teeth at Li Xiangping and said, "Hmph, don't think you can do whatever you want just because the county magistrate is protecting you."
Instead of getting angry, Yan Qingqing laughed and said, "So you mean Magistrate Ling is incompetent and can't distinguish right from wrong?"
What do you think his reaction would be if he knew people were talking about him like that behind his back?
Startled, Yuan Huicong quickly denied it, saying, "Don't talk nonsense, I didn't say that."
Yan Qingqing scoffed, "You know my family has a good relationship with Magistrate Ling, so do you think he trusts you or me?"
Both Yuan's mother and Yuan Huicong were terrified, fearing that Yan Qingqing would complain to the county magistrate. They had no choice but to say a few more conciliatory words and then flee in panic.
After they left, Yuan Huiniang walked up to Yan Qingqing and knelt down on the ground with a thud, startling both Yan Qingqing and Li Xiangping.
Yan Qingqing quickly helped Yuan Huiniang up and said, "You're pregnant, what are you doing?"
With tears in her eyes, Yuan Huiniang said, "Mother, I really didn't know that my mother and brother had this idea."
If I had known they were after my sister, I would never have let them come.
I apologize to Mother on their behalf. I don't expect her to forgive them; I only hope she won't be angry.
Yan Qingqing sighed and said, "Hui Niang, I'm not angry because they're after Xin Niang."
It is said that a family with a daughter will have many suitors, but my daughter is so outstanding that people come to my door to ask for her hand in marriage.
But I absolutely cannot tolerate them making advances on Xinniang while verbally abusing her.
The marriage between Xinniang and the lame man had left a deep scar on her mind.
It took me a lot of effort to comfort and guide her before she recovered and became the lively and radiant person she is today.
I will not let anyone hurt her again.
Mother knows you're a sensible person. Mother has always loved you and didn't want to embarrass you, but Mother just couldn't hold back anymore.
This time, I only slapped him once out of consideration for you. If it were anyone else, they wouldn't be walking out the door standing up today!
Yan Qingqing's tone grew colder as she spoke, and Yuan Huiniang couldn't help but recall the scene of Yan Qingqing beating the leper.
Yan Qingqing was pregnant at the time, and the cripple had been beaten so badly that he was kneeling and begging for mercy. At that moment, she felt that Yan Qingqing really wanted to beat the cripple to death.
Yuan Huiniang, fighting back tears, said, "I know Mother is only doing this for my sake. I'll apologize to my sister later."
Yan Qingqing shook her head and replied, "We're all family, so there's no need for apologies. I'm sure Xinniang doesn't want to put you in a difficult position."
Your parents gave birth to you and raised you. As long as you don't go too far when you visit your parents' home or give them money, your mother won't interfere.
However, your mother and younger brother are never allowed to set foot in the Li family again. This is my bottom line.
Yuan Huiniang knew that her mother-in-law's decision was generally unchangeable, and Li Xiangping also seemed to agree. Knowing that there was no room for negotiation, she could only nod.
At the same time, she resented Yuan's mother and Yuan Huicong for not only being delusional but also speaking recklessly. She used to help them out from time to time, but now that they had offended her mother-in-law so much, they were probably getting further and further away from a good life.
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