Chapter 16: Make Lu Feng Write Me a Letter of Divorce
“Who spoke ill of her… I’m busy looking for food every day, I don’t have time for that!” Xiao Sixi said, her neck stiff with disdain and arrogance.
This child is quite pitiful.
My father went to the battlefield and never came back. Everyone said he was dead, but he wasn't on the death list, so he didn't even receive any compensation.
My mother remarried and left, and now I live with my grandmother.
His grandmother was kind-hearted. When she first met Lu Qingqing, she would earnestly offer some advice. Later, she was scolded as an old hag and accused of meddling in other people's business, so she dared not say anything more.
Looking at Xiao Sixi's thin and frail body, Lu Qingqing took out two more duck eggs.
"Don't go fishing. If you fall into the river, no one will come to help you. You don't want your grandma to die alone, do you?"
Lu Qingqing's words were harsh, but they were all true.
Although Xiao Sixi is young, he has suffered a lot of cold looks and has become sensible at a young age. Hearing these words, he couldn't help but lower his head.
Anyone wanting to catch fish, the riverbank is steep and slippery. I almost fell in last time. But Grandma's health isn't good; she's been short of breath lately and needs to eat something good.
"How about this, I'll pay you for finding herbs for me from now on," Lu Qingqing said.
Who are you trying to fool?
If he knew about herbs, he wouldn't need to search for food all over the mountains.
"Hey! Why are you rolling your eyes like that!" Lu Yun gave Xiao Sixi a flick on the forehead.
"But Qingqing, you're not kidding, are you? I can find the herbs if I need them. Why would I need this kid?"
"No, second brother, I don't just need a little, I'm going to sell it."
Lu Qingqing walked to the side, squatted down, and pulled out a blade of grass.
"This is *Euphorbia humifusa*, also known as blood-stopping herb. It has a strong hemostatic effect and can also be used to boil eggs or fish soup. It is very good for postpartum women."
If you are accidentally bitten by a snake, chewing the snake and applying it will quickly relieve the pain and reduce the swelling.
After being dried, it can be used to make tea, which is said to nourish the whole body, kill bacteria, and inhibit some ailments such as tumors.
That day, Feng Xiaowan experienced postpartum hemorrhage, and Lu Qingqing's prescription included Euphorbia humifusa, which is truly a valuable medicinal herb.
Seeing that Lu Qingqing spoke logically and clearly, Xiao Si was filled with surprise and doubt, staring intently at the grass in his hand.
Isn't this a sparrow's nest? Or is it a medicinal herb?
“If you gather herbs for me every day, I will give you half a tael of silver a month.”
Half a tael a month, that's six taels a year. Nowadays, the average annual income of a strong laborer is only ten taels, and a bookkeeper can earn twenty taels. For a ten-year-old child like him, that's the maximum he could get, enough for him and his grandmother to live very well.
But Sixi was even more skeptical. How could Lu Qingqing let him have such a good deal?
"You're not going to only let me collect this one kind of herb, are you?" he couldn't help but ask.
"Of course not. You pick this kind for me tomorrow, and then I'll teach you how to identify the others."
"You've taught me how to make money, aren't you afraid I'll learn it and sell it myself?"
Lu Yun nodded vigorously. If anyone should be taught, it should be someone from our own community. Why teach an outsider?
Lu Qingqing smiled and said, "Then you're not very smart. You'll only be able to make enough to eat and wear in this life, and you'll never get rich."
Pharmacies sell medicine at high prices, but they can buy herbs for much cheaper prices, since these are readily available everywhere.
Processed medicine is the only kind that's valuable!
"Alright, if you've made up your mind, pick a basket of creeping violet grass and send it to the Lu family tomorrow."
Lu Qingqing and Lu Yun hadn't walked far when Xiao Sixi called out from behind:
"You've given me too many duck eggs. I won't take advantage of you; I'll just take three!"
Lu Qingqing waved her hand with her back turned: "Take it, consider it my apology to you."
After the two left, Xiao Sixi lifted up his right trouser leg.
A large lump had swelled up on his ankle.
He chewed a clump of creeping privet and then pasted it onto the surface.
...
Lu Qingqing and Lu Yun returned home happily, but before they even entered the door, they heard arguing coming from inside.
Lu Yun almost thought that Lu Qingqing had gotten into trouble again and that someone had come to settle scores with her.
Unexpectedly, it was my sister-in-law's family who came.
They actually wanted to take Feng Xiaowan home.
Inside the house, Feng's mother was making a scene, insisting on taking Feng Xiaowan away.
"Perfect timing, the baby's been born now. From now on, our family has nothing to do with the Lu family. They're all clueless, you'll never have a good life!"
"Mother, I won't go, I won't go!"
"Mother-in-law, let go, she's weak." Lu Feng tried his best to stop her.
But this time, Feng's mother seemed determined, and the two continued to argue.
The child was crying like a kitten in the house, and Feng Xiaowan's tears streamed down her face.
"My daughter is old enough to understand things now, and she will never bully Xiaowan again. Please trust us one more time, in-laws!"
Old Man Lu was outside trying to reason with the Feng family father and son.
But how could anyone believe that!
"Get out of the way! Your daughter will probably be sensible only after you're buried in your grave!"
Brother Lu, you can't blame us. We'll let my daughter stay, but only if you marry her off right away!
"That won't do! Even if I'm going to get married, I have to find a good family."
"Ha! Still thinking of finding a good family? Your bad reputation has spread for miles around! Xiaoyong, what are you standing there for? Go inside and take your sister away!"
"Let's see who dares to take my sister-in-law away!"
Lu Yun and Lu Qingqing rushed in and helped Lu's father, who was about to fall.
"A married daughter is like water spilled from a bowl; you've brought our daughter-in-law into the family through proper channels, and you've forcibly taken her from our home. Do you want to go to the yamen to settle this matter?"
The Feng family was in the wrong and dared not confront them directly, so they softened their tone: "Lu Yun, it's not that your uncle is being unreasonable, but you know that your sister-in-law is living a miserable life in your family. She gets scolded by your sister even when she's pregnant and eating an egg."
We've heard that she borrowed money at exorbitant interest rates. Can you believe there's such a shocking thing happening in the world?
If you pay it back this time, what about borrowing it again next time?
Perhaps he'll have to sell his wife and daughter?
We can't let your sister-in-law stay here any longer!
“There won’t be a next time. My sister has changed for the better!” Lu Yun said firmly.
"Oh dear! It's all over the surrounding villages. Your sister borrowed money from loan sharks for a man. Her reputation is utterly ruined. I'm too embarrassed to say anything more nasty!"
Now I get pointed at and gossiped about whenever I go out. You're all shameless! My son is getting married soon!
Lu Yun was furious and was about to retort when he heard Feng Xiaowan crying and shouting from inside: "Fine, let Lu Feng write me a letter of divorce, and I'll go with you! I'll hang myself at my doorstep when I get back!"
"..."
It was completely quiet, both inside and outside the house.
Actually, the Feng family came today to support their daughter and force the Lu family to kick their troublemaking daughter out of the house. They didn't really want their daughter and son-in-law to have any problems.
After all, Lu Feng is a very good man, a rare and excellent son-in-law.
Sigh, it's true what they say, a married daughter is like water spilled from a bowl.
This girl is really hopeless.
Mr. Feng felt he had lost face today, having wasted half a day of planning at home.
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