Chapter 21. Going to the market (part 1)

Knowing that old Mrs. Chen and others were going to the market on the 26th, You Jin will naturally go over. But she has to go before old Mrs. Chen and others and return back before them too. Taking advantage of the two days of pigweed gathering trip in the mountain, You Jin had went to the usually inaccessible place in the Cuifeng Mountain alone and had laid down a lot of ropes. She held a large a bag that was sewn together from Mrs. Su's old broken coarse clothes for smoking rabbits.

Carrying an empty bamboo basket on her back, she cleared the path with a long bamboo pole in her hand. One by one, she searched the ropes she set on the path. She found a good bunch of wild chicken's nest and a lot of eggs. It was a abundant harvest.

Before reaching the end of the knot that was laid down yesterday, she heard a fluttering sound. You Jin instantly became energetic: Caught something! After walking around a towering tree the size of a three-person embrace, she saw a wild chicken with colorful feathers fluttering its wings and trying to break free from the knot that tightly bound its left foot. The knot remained unbroken. You Jin arrived.

Seeing that it turned out to be a large rooster, surprise flashed in You Jin's eyes. She hurried over to grab the wild chicken that was about to break free. Then she pulled a vine and tightly tied the wild chicken's feet to stop it from escaping. Afterward, the large wild chicken around three or four jins was casually thrown into the basket. She continued to look for the next knot that was placed yesterday.

You Jin's harvest today was quite good. She laid thirteen nooses yesterday. Today she collected a total of four wild chickens and two hares. It can be said to be quite fruitful. Carrying a basket full of pheasants and rabbits, You Jin hummed a little song and found a small cave which can only fit two people.

Standing on the edge of the small cave, she put all the pheasants and hares in the simple bag that Mrs. Su sewed for her and then put them in the small cave. Finally, she broke a lot of branches and leaves to cover the small cave. Strictly, after checking that there was no trace of hiding such things could be seen from the outside, she breathed a sigh of relief. Clapping her hands, she then gathered pigweed before heading home.

You Jin's desire to take everyone away from Yue family had became a common secret among the sisters. Everyone knew that Third Elder Sister was going up the mountain today to hunt stuff to exchange for money. So everyone lined up to sit at the door of the west wing with their heads raised as they looked forward. As soon as they heard the courtyard door sound out, they all swarmed over: "Third Elder Sister!"

You Zhu ushered to speak, "Third Elder Sister, how is it?"

Although her mouth was quick, she knew what to say and what not to say. Especially since the grandparents were in the main room and Eldest Aunt and Eldest Sister were also watching from the east wing.

You Jin first smiled and stretched her hand into the basket behind her and took out a leaf-wrapped bundle. After opening it, a cluster of ripe goat's milk fruit. She distributed a few to each sister and merrily replied: "Don't worry. there are more!"

After listening to You Jin's words, You Yin, You Zhu, and You Bao, who knew the inside story, jumped up happily. While clueless You Ling, You Luo, and You Chou ate the delicious goat's milk fruit and laughed with joy. However, the happy atmosphere in the second branch didn't last long. Yue You Ting, who came back from the toilet hut in the backyard, frowned lightly. She was copying the city girls. She was dressed in fine cotton clothes, covered her mouth with a handkerchief, and sashayed over.

Seeing the few lowly girls from second branch making a fuss, she thought there was something fun. Unexpectedly, it was just a few goat milk fruit. She rolled my eyes slightly and pouted: "It's really some lowly bugs who has never seen the world. A few goat's milk fruits is worth being happy like this? Don't say that you are from our Yue Family when you go out, lest that to lose our family's face!"

The sisters, who were initially high-spirited about eating goat's milk fruit, bowed their heads and didn't dare to speak after being disdained by Eldest Sister's shooting remark. When You Jin saw it was her, the smile on her face faded about seventy percent. She stared at her coldly and said, "We are all country girls who have never seen the world. Eldest Sister, you, the eldest miss of a scholarly family, better not talk to us. And prevent your mouth from getting dirty, right?"

Then the smile on her face gained a slight malicious edge: "Eldest Sister is prettily dressed. Unlike us who are dressed in rags. If you get close in a while, a flea or itchy bug will jump to you, don't blame us for this!"

After listening to You Jin's words, Yue You Ting took a few steps back as if she had encountered something dirty. Afterward, she grumpily scolded 'lowly girl'. Only then, she regained her senses. Imitating You Jin's cold-eyed glance, she replied: "I'm too lazy to bother with you lowly girls!"

With a light "hmph", she sashayed her hips and went back to the east wing.

Seeing her act like a defeated cockfight persisting to hold her head high with a stern look, You Jin couldn't help but want to laugh. This Yue You Ting really thinks of herself as an official family's young miss. She hasn't become an official family's miss yet and her music score are filled to the max. If her two brothers are really lucky in the future and gain a rank, then won't her tail be raised to the sky?

Taking her younger sisters back to the west wing, You Jin whispered to Mrs. Su about today's situation. Then she instructed the younger sisters: "I will go to the town the day after tomorrow to sell the wild chickens and hares I caught. They can definitely exchange for some money. You guys stay at home. If Grandmother and Eldest Aunt come back early, You Zhu wait for me at the old elm tree at the foot of Cuifeng Mountain, understand?"

Everything was properly arranged. The next day, You Jin went up the mountain to catch a lot of pheasants and hares. Perhaps due to having no hunters in Cuifeng Village these years, these wild animals on the mountain weren't very afraid of people. The traps set up by You Jin was very easy to use. She placed the ones caught today and hide them with the pheasants and hares from yesterday. Only need to wait until tomorrow morning to carry them all to the market and sell them for money.

In the early morning of the second day, You Jin first put on the clothes Mrs. Su changed for her underneath. Then she put on her usual clothes outside. Although she looked a little bloated, it was almost late autumn. Since the weather was cold, nobody would find it strange.

You Jin passed by in front of old Mrs. Chen and others and went straight up the mountain. Old Mrs. Chen and the others were busy packing up the goods they were going to sell in the market. They didn't notice anything out of the ordinary with You Jin.

After going to Cuifeng Mountain, You Jin made way to the small cave where she stored her prey. First, adjust the clothes she was wearing inside to outside. Then put the wild chickens and hares that had been here for a day or two into a specially prepared big backpack and carried the heavy backpack on her back. She have to passed over the Cuifeng Mountain from the side and then walk to the other end of the Cuifeng Mountain before she can take the official road.

In the mountain forest in the early autumn morning, the branches were covered with transparent dewdrops. With a heavy bag on her back, You Jin struggled to climb over Cuifeng Mountain along a narrow, winding trail. She had traveled on this path before when she was being adventurous. She knew that this road eventually led to the south of Cuifeng Mountain. Then walk for another half an hour, she'll reacg the official road on the edge of a small village. There, there were many ox carts sending customers around market days. They can take people to Liutun Town for a penny.

You Jin went out early today. When dawn reached the east side, she left Cuifeng Village. When she got to the edge of the official road, the red round sun was already half exposed. It seemed to be shyly peeking on the top of the east hill as it watched the world that had gradually become lively.

After You Jin reached the official road for a moment, an ox cart slowly came over. You Jin hurriedly reached out and flagged: "Uncle! I want to catch a ride!"

The uncle, who was driving the ox cart, hurriedly stopped the slow ox cart when he heard someone called him to halt. When he saw that it was a half-growth boy, he merrily said: "Boy, sitting on an ox cart require money. Do you have money?"

You Jin hurriedly digged around her body. Finally, a penny was taken out and handed to the uncle: "Uncle, I have money!"

The ox cart uncle saw that she had the money, so he jollily let her get in the cart. At this time, there were already two women in the cart who were also going to Liutun Town for the market. Seeing that You Jin was getting on, they politely moved over and made room for her.

You Jin smilingly thanked and then sat down quietly. The ox cart staggered to Liutun Town.

One of the women looked You Jin up and down a few times and noticed that the big basket on her back was covered with a sackcloth. She smilingly asked, "What the adults in your family, kid? How can they be rest assured enough to let a half-grown boy like you go to the market alone?"

"My father is a hunter on the Cuifeng Mountain. He got some mountain goods and told me to take them to the town to sell them and then get my mother some medicine back!"

You Jin made up a nonsense without blinking her eyelids: "Auntie, don't judge by by my size. I'm twelve! My father said I'm already a man!"

You Jin's words made the two women laugh out loud: "You hairless half-grown boy dare to call yourself a man!"

You Jin let out an embarrassedly grin and then inquired with the two: "Auntie, this is my first time going to the market in Liutun Town. I don't know where this mountain goods should be sold!"

One of the biggest characteristics of the villagers was their friendliness. Seeing You Jin ask this question, the two women told what they knew: "In Liutun Town, we usually go to the west side's market on the market day to sell. If you want to sell it at a good price, I'm afraid you have to go to the restaurants' back kitchen and ask the chefs if they want mountain goods."

The uncle at front also heard it. While driving, he spoke: "In our town, the place that buy a lot of mountain goods is Umami Room. Anyone who has some money in our town likes to eat there. I had taken a hunter to town before and he sent the games to Umami Room. If you want, you can try there."

Hearing this, she hurriedly thanked: "Thank you uncle for the advice. I'll ask there when I get to the town later."

Although You Jin traveled from the ox cart on the official road in the south of Cuifeng Mountain, it took half an hour to reach the gate of the town. The speed of the ox cart was much faster than that of human legs. After the ox cart stopped, You Jin got out of the cart with a heavy basket on her back. She thanked the man who was driving the cart before walking into the town.

This was You Jin's third time to the town. Liutun town wasn't very big. So it was easy for You Jin to find the back door of Umami Room.

The author has something to say: Well, let me explain to little cuties: You Jin is just a little girl in her early teens with a relatively determined mind. Her strength is only a little bigger than that of normal children. No natural supernatural power. Lastly, she and a few younger sisters belonged to the disadvantaged group in Yue Family. Many things could only be endured. After all, if they went face on, they would be the ones who would suffer...

Qingshan knows it's hard to watch now. I've been scolded by Ji You more than 800 times.

Chapter 22. Going to the market (part 2)

The surrounding area's villagers liked to buy a needle, thread, or other small bits and bobs during the market day. So the market day in Liutun Town can be said to be very lively: people selling rouge, playing tricks, and even begging along the street. There were more beggars than ever before.

The first two times that You Jin came to town, she was in a hurry. Didn't get to experience the ancient festival full of life and the smell of fireworks. Today, she was just as indifferent.

With a heavy basket on the back, she knocked on the back door of the kitchen of Umami Room. After a while, the guy who was responsible for guarding the back door came to open the door. Initially, he thought it the daily supply farmer. Unexpectedly, it was a half-grown lad. His face was covered with some unknown stuff like soot from the bottom of the pot or something. He couldn't even see his face. Then he asked, "Did you knock on the door?"

Normally, inns and restaurants would have some people sell things to them from time to time. The young man was used to it. He glanced at the big bamboo basket behind You Jin, which was covered tightly: "What are you carrying?"

You Jin pasted a smile on her face: "Brother, what I'm carrying are the pheasants and hares that my father caught on the mountain. They are still alive and kicking. Want to take a look?"

As soon as he heard that it was pheasants and hares, the young man was interested: "Open it and let me see before we discuss."

Now it was the late autumn season, there were more guests coming to Umami Room to eat game than in summer. There weren't many hunters near Liutun Town. And the mountain goods they can receive every day were limited.

When You Jin heard his response, there was a glimmer of hope. She quickly put down the heavy back basket and then lifted the sackcloth covering it in front of the young man. Seven or eight wild chickens cooing and the huddled gray hares all crowded into the basket entered sight.

With a 'hee", the young man let out a grin: "You'e quite capable, boy! With so many pheasants and hares, you can carry them with your bean-sized body to the town!"

He squatted down and energetically examined these mountain goods. Finding that everything was good-quality, he stood up and said to You Jin: "Wait here. I'll ask the steward in charge of purchasing in our kitchen if we want the mountain goods."

You Jin gratefully thanked him: "I have trouble Brother."

You Jin originally thought it wasn't that simple. Surprisingly, it went smoothly. In fact, it was because the pheasants and hares sent by most hunters were often shot and killed. When they reached Umami Room, the body of the pheasants was hard. It was rare for them to be alive and kicking like the ones sent by You Jin. So it was so smooth.

Not even a quarter of an hour after the guy entered, he came out with a slightly fat middle-aged man: "Steward, it is this kid selling the mountain goods."

The steward had a pair of gleaming eyes, which spun around You Jin a few times. Twisting his goatee beard a few times, he asked, "Where did you get all these mountain goods from, boy? What's the price?"

You Jin imitated the ancients and gave a heartily half-bow: "Responding to the steward's words, my family is a hunter on Cuifeng Mountain. These mountain goods are all caught by my father. Because my old mother is sick, my father sent me to the town to sell the mountain goods. I must exchange some money back for my mother to see a doctor."

Hearing what she said, the steward didn't ask any further questions. He motioned her to lift the sackcloth on the top of the basket and checked it carefully. In the end, he asked for eight pheasants and four hares.

You Jin was carrying a basket as light as nothing when compared its heaviness when she came. In her arms, she carried the small purse that Mrs. Su sewed out of linen yesterday. It contained the silver from selling mountain goods. You Jin felt that her heart was burning.

After exiting the alley where the back door of Umami Room was located, she made way to the place where everyone set up the stalls on the market day in the West Market. There were still two small wild chickens left in You Jin back basket. She want to sell these two wild chickens while the West Market was lively.

As expected, entering the streets of the West Market, there were people setting up stalls and selling things everywhere. You Jin finally found a narrow place in the crowded corner and hurriedly put down the basket. Afterward, the dead wild chickens was taken out and displayed on the ground.

Looking at the vendors who were constantly hawking around, You Jin opened her mouth but felt a little embarrassed. As someone with two lives, You Jin had never done any job selling along the street. So she really couldn't open her mouth.

When You Jin was almost ready to open her mouth to sell, a middle-aged woman in half-old fine cotton clothes came over with a basket: "Boy, how do you sell this wild chicken?"

When You Jin saw a customer coming, she quickly returned to her senses. She smilingly replied, "Four dimes each."

This was nearly half the price of a live pheasant. In Liutun Town, good-quality pork and farmhouse-raised chickens and ducks cost more than two dimes per jin. This wild game isn't as easy to obtain as poultry. So the price was often much higher than that of domesticated chickens. If a live pheasant was sold, it can be sold for nearly dimes a jin!

However, the woman frowned and pulled the pheasant that had died. She clapped her hands in disgust: "You brat actually dare to ask for this price. It's just a dead mountain chicken! Dare to ask for five dimes! How about three dimes a piece?"

After hearing this woman's words, You Jin couldn't help but want to laugh. Taking advantage of her cause she look young! She moved the pheasant that she had turned over without a trace and then smilingly said, "Auntie, three dimes is too little. Don't coax me because I'm young."

The woman's face was a little hot when she said this. She tsked: "Don't know how long they have died and you dare to sell them. Aren't you afraid of people getting sick from eating it and reporting to the officials to arrest you!"

Then she twisted her butt and walked away angrily.

You Jin didn't take it seriously. The transaction was unsuccessful, righteous still exist. She didn't expect it to sell so soon. Seeing that the old auntie walked away swearing, she quietly retreated to the corner and continued to guard her two mountain chickens.

Facts have proved that the price of You Jin's wild chickens wasn't too high. Within half an hour after the woman left, You Jin sold all the pheasants for a price of four dimes. Afterward, she carried an empty back basket and left the West Market humming a tune. On the way back, she spent five cents to buy a large bag of caramel and eight big meat buns, which was three cents each.

After leaving the town and meeting the uncle who drove her over, You Jin happily paid a penny and got on the ox cart. Now, the sun was hanging high in the air. There were many people rushing to the market. The ox cart was filled with five people after a while. The uncle drove the ox cart to the direction of Cuifeng Mountain.

Once they reached official road in the south of Cuifeng Mountain, You Jin got off the ox cart at the place where she got on the cart in the early morning. After waving goodbye to the driver uncle, she went up to Cuifeng Mountain with a bamboo basket on her back.

On the way back, because there was no weight of the mountain goods on her body. You Jin's pace were much faster. She trekked back to the north of Cuifeng Mountain. After seeing the figure of Cuifeng Village, she slowed down and went to gather pigweed again. Only then, she returned home with the heavy load of pigweed.

Within half an hour after You Jin arrived home. Old Mrs. Chen and Mrs. Chen also came back from outside. However, their return was a little different from You Jin, who came back with joy at the corners of her brows and eyes. Old Mrs. Chen was displeased. While Mrs. Chen had a drooping face. She trialed behind old Mrs. Chen with a dejected slump.

You Jin, who was cutting pigweed and preparing to feed the pigs in the courtyard, saw that something was wrong between the two of them. She waved to You Zhu, who was picking vegetables at the corridor of the west wing, and whispered, "You Zhu, quietly go to the back of the main room. Listen and see what Grandmother is saying to Eldest Aunt."

In the past, You Zhu would sometimes eavesdrop. But it was all trivial matter. Now that she had decided to leave Yue Family, the more she knew, the more handle she had. She hurriedly released the little spy, You Zhu.

You Zhu's round eyes were shining. She nodded vigorously before quietly going to the backyard. Sitting on the porch picking vegetables, You Yin watched You Zhu's movements. She felt a little uneasy in her heart: "Third Elder Sister, what if she gets found out?"

It's not an exaggeration to say she'll get killed!

You Jin gave her an assuring look: "Little Fifth is very clever. You can rest assured."

You Zhu lived up to You Jin's expectations. Silently, she approached the window at the back of the main room and then crouched under a window that opened a few inches. Just in time to faintly hear Mrs. Chen's defense: " Mother! I have never embezzled the public fund. You must not be angry!"

However, old Mrs. Chen snipped: "Then I wrongly blame you? You thought I could be coaxed since I didn't go to town for a long time? Eggs are sold in town for two cents each. You black-hearted thing came back and told me it's one cent for one. If it's not you who embezzle my money, who did?"

Mrs. Chen was choked up by her rapid-fire rhetorical question. Then she sobbingly defended herself. It was nothing more than saying that her two sons wanted to study and the family was spending a lot of money.

But it was these words that stung old Mrs. Chen's nerves. Sitting on the kang, she almost jumped up and pointed at her as she scolded: "What kind of your money did Wen Tao brothers spend on studying? Which time it wasn't subsidize by the family fund? Even the 100 liang they wanted to use buy the papers this time were all from the public fund. Have you ever paid a cent?"

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law quarreled fiercely. In the end, Yue Da Fu made the decision: "Enough! What else do you know besides quarreling? Eldest's wife, don't think about it. It's not like we didn't know you have private fund. But embezzling the public fund can't do. According to my opinion, you go and get two silver liang. Treat it as the money embezzled all these years. The rest, I won't settle with you."

After listening to Yue Da Fu's words, both Chen jumped up: old Mrs. Chen found it too little. Mrs. Chen found it too much. The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law spoke over each other.

In the end, it was Yue Dafu who directly slammed the small wooden table on the kang with his pipe: "Enough! It's settled like this. Eldest's wife, you can go get the money now."

Mrs. Chen pouted her mouth in reluctance. However, she didn't dare not take it out. Unwillingly, she went back to the east wing to get two silver liang and handed it over to old Mrs. Chen. Old Mrs. Chen snatched the silver and then glared at her fiercely: "If I find out again in the future, I'll rip your skin off!"

Mrs. Chen eyed the money she had saved for an unknown amount of time. In a blink of an eye, it entered the hands of her mother-in-law. Her heart filled with unwillingness.

Chapter 23. Meat bun

In the main room, the case of Mrs. Chen's pilfering old Mrs. Chen's money made both mother-in-law and daughter-in-law have grudges in their hearts. No one discover that someone outside the half-opened window had listened to everything they said and told You Jin all about it.

You Jin, who had already finished feeding the pigs, listened to You Zhu talked about what happened in the main room. She rested her chin with one hand and pondered for a while before instructing You Zhu: "Don't tell anyone other Third Elder Sister what you just heard. Understand?"

With a piece of candy in her mouth, You Zhu nodded earnestly, "Understood."

Third Elder Sister told them more than once that the family affairs shouldn't be told to others. Especially the secret with Third Elder Sister. Can't even tell mother.

The few little girls hid in the west wing and each ate a small piece of candy first. Then at noon, they divide the big meat buns that You Jin bought from the market. Because Yue Family's lunch only involved the main room and the east wing. West wing's Yue Chang Lu didn't eat lunch at home. So Mrs Su and the few money-wasting things had no lunch.

Although the meat buns bought by You Jin were expensive, they were big, good value buns. They have cooled down. The fatty and fragrant gravy immediately fills the whole mouth, when bitten into. This made people unable to stop. One bite came after another. The size of an adult man's fist buns were all eaten up. Even little Ninth, the youngest, ate a big bun in one go. Afterward, her mouth were still smacking. She was a little unfulfilled even when she took a nap.

After everyone finished eating the buns, You Jin opened the doors and windows of the west wing to ventilate. Once the aroma of the meat buns in the house dissipated with the autumn wind, she closed the doors and windows with eased mind.

Mrs. Su, who hadn't had meat or fish for a long time, felt satisfied after eating a big meat bun. She latched on You Jin to ask about today's market trip.

Except for little Seventh, little Eighth, and little Ninth, who had already taken a nap, the rest stared at her. She pretended to smile mysteriously, and whispered: "When I take it out, don't let out a shout. If you attract others over, it will be trouble!"

You Yin, You Pearl, and You Bao reached out their hands to cover their mouths and nodded obediently: "En!"

Their eyes closely followed You Jin, for fear that they had missed something.

Under the expectant eyes of Mrs. Su and the few younger sisters, You Jin took out a heavy purse from her pocket and then poured out all the silver in it on Mrs. Su's kang.

"So much money!" Mrs. Su whispered. Unable to believe her eyes. "There's around several silver coin, right?"

"Wow!" The younger sisters still didn't know how much money they had. Hearing what their mother said, they all exclaimed in low voices. So much money!

You Jin merrily replied: "Eight wild chickens exchanged seven silver coin, and four hares exchanged four! There were also two dead wild chickens for eighty cents. The meat buns and candies were for thirty cents. So now there is still one silver liang and fifty cents!"

After listening to You Jin's announcement of the correct number, even Mrs. Su was a little surprised: "So much money? Is wild chickens and hares worth that much?"

"The price of meat isn't low. The rich people in the city like to eat some game. The price of these mountain goods is naturally higher. Besides, the hare's skin ca still be sold for money? Naturally, it is more valuable." With a smile, she put the money back into her purse, and then stated, "I will keep the money in my custody. When we leave Yue Family in the future, I will definitely to let Mother and younger sisters suffer too much."

Hearing what her daughter said, Mrs. Su thought how Yue Chang Lu had changed a lot in the past few days. He had spoken a lot more kindly to her. So she hesitated: "Jin'er, I saw that your father has changed a lot now. How about we give him another chance?"

Unexpectedly, Mrs. Su actually changed her mind. The originally joyful small faces were instantly stunned. They looked at each other and didn't know what to say.

On the other hand, You Jin was the first to react. She knew that Mrs. Su only agreed in the moment of impulse. After all, she was a woman who had been abused for so many years and didn't know how to resist. How could she put her hope in her waking up? Then she smiled lightly and said, "I can understand Mother's feelings. However, it's better that I mind the money, ok? After all, younger sisters are getting older. If the money is given to Father, it may be confiscated. It's more convenient to keep it in our own hands. What do you think, Mother?"

After expressing her regret, Mrs. Su looked at eldest daughter very nervously. For fear that she would not agree with her thoughts. Seeing that eldest daughter could understand her thoughts of keeping a complete family, Mrs. Su heaved a long sigh of relief and nodded with a smile: "This is the money you earned yourself. It's only right for you to keep."

Seeing her smiling face, You Jin nodded slightly: "Then I'll take younger sisters out first. It's time for Mother's afternoon nap."

After leaving Mrs. Su's room, You Zhu puffingly shook off You Jin's hand that grasped her. Then she simply laid on the kang and ignored others. You Yin and You Bao looked at difficult You Zhu and felt clueless. They stood there, glancing between You Jin and You Zhu.

You Jin sighed, then sat next to You Zhu and reasoned with her in a low voice: "You Zhu, Third Elder Sister know that you aren't happy. But this is Mother's marriage. If she does not want to end this kind of life, what can, we, the children, do? Could it be that you want to leave alone? Leaving Mother and little Seventh, little Eighth, and little Ninth to suffer in Yue's house?"

After listening to You Jin's words, You Zhu snapped into sitting position: "But Third Elder Sister, I don't want to stay at Yue's house. I don't want to be treated worst and inferior than animals like pigs and dogs every day!"

You Jin took her into her arms and comforted her in a hushed voice: "You Zhu, rest assured. Third Elder Sister will not let you be bullied. Mother is reluctant to leave now because she still doesn't know the truth. Once Mother is truly determined, it's time for us to leave Yue's house."

"Will there be such a day?" You Zhu looked at You Jin with confusion in her eyes. As if once You Jin say something negative, all her beliefs would be completely destroyed.

You Jin slowly whispered. There was an inexplicable strength in the voice that made people feel reassured: "There will be. There will be."

Not only You Zhu, but also slightly disappointed You Yin and You Bao lost the doubts in their eyes. It left behind pure trust and enthusiasm. Exceedingly bright.

In fact, You Jin's idea was very simple. Dogs can't change its poo-eating nature. Yue Chang Lu had abused Mrs. Su for so many years. How could he be so friendly for no reason? If something was amiss, there must be something going on. Just need to see when Yue Chang Lu show his fox tail. At that time, they will see if Mrs. Su will continue to muddle through.

The chill of late autumn was getting stronger. Not only You Jin need to go up to the mountain to forage pigweed every day, but also accumulate firewood for the winter. So she had more time and excuses to continue her private-fund-gathering work outside.

Yue Chang Lu was indeed just like what Mrs. Su said. It had been a while since he went home and didn't attack his wife and children. You Jin, whose temperament was most like Mrs. Su, began to hesitate. Thinking the current father was good. If they leave the Yue family, they will all become fatherless children. Just like west village's Widow Wu's family. Those children had been bullied since they were young because they have no father.

Because of this, a small conflict broke out between You Yin and You Zhu. You Zhu firmly stood on You Jin's side. She didn't believe that worst-than-animal man who only knew how to beat his wife and children would come out of it. She roared at You Yin: "If he knows his mistakes and can correct them, why have you be beaten for so many years? Instead of saying he reflect on himself, it is better to say a ghost taken over him!"

You Yin was the softest among the sisters in the second branch and a crybaby. She just persuaded You Zhu and unexpectedly got yelled at by the other party. Her tears fell at once: "You Zhu, what's wrong with Father? That's our father! Could it be that you really want to be a fatherless child?"

You Zhu was so angry that she didn't want to speak because of blockheaded Fourth Elder Sister. While You Jin was pulled over by clever little Eighth to meditate.

After asking the reason, You Jin sighed slightly. It won't work out if the sisters weren't united with the matter of leaving Yue Family. First, she helped You Yin dry her tears. Then motioned for You Bao to pull You Zhu away. She tlead You Yin and sat on the kang. She asked softly, "Is You Yin worried about getting bullied after leaving Yue's house?"

She grew up watching You Yin from a young age. Naturally, she knew that You Yin was open to persuasion but not to coercion despite having a soft temper.

You Yin meekly glanced up at Third Elder Sister, who gazed at her seriously. She knew that Third Elder Sister was looking out for her and the few younger sisters. But if Father had changed, wouldn't it be better for them to live together as a family than them orphans and weak mothers wandering outside?

After listening to You Yin's words, You Jin sighed lightly and asked, "Does You Yin think Father has really changed his temper? How about we give Father three months. If Father really change, we won't leave. But if Father commits another mistake, what do you think?"

When You Zhu, who was eavesdropping on the edge of the wall outside, heard Third Elder Sister mentioned not leaving, she wanted to rush in immediately. However, she was stopped by You Bao: "Since Third Elder Sister say that, she naturally has her reason. With your cannonball personality, you'll get into quarrel with Fourth Elder Sister again when you go in, no?"

In the end, she dissuaded You Zhu.

You Jin ignored the movement outside. It went without saying, she knew You Zhu was eavesdropping outside. She continued to persuade You Yin: "Why do you think You Zhu wants to leave? Did you forgot that when You Zhu and You Bao were just born, Grandmother wanted to drown them. Also, ..."

You Jin selected some of the hardships the sisters have endured over the years to remind You Yin.

After speaking, You Yin was solemn in silence. You Jin knew that her words reached her. She was internally relieved: "You Zhu wants to go because she don't want to live worst than pigs and dogs. Her temper is a little hasty. She has no malice towards you. No matter what, you are good sisters, aren't you?"

"Third Elder Sister, I understand." You Yin stared at You Jin with red eyes. She was just sad that You Zhu was determined to leave Yue's house. Still, she knew that she was doing it for everyone's sake. So she wasn't angry with her.

First, reasoning with You Yin was completed. You Jin turned around and educated You Zhu: "How many times have I talked about your impatience? Is there anything that can't said peacefully? Your fourth elder sister is kind-hearted. You're fumingly quarreling with her. Almost cutting off the relationship?"

You Zhu was lectured to the point she couldn't raise her head. She understood in her heart that Third Elder Sister was thinking the best for her. So she nodded solemnly: "Third Elder Sister, I know I was wrong."

In this way, a small dispute between sisters was resolved and broke apart by You Jin. This chapter was quietly turned over.

Chapter 24. Fox tail revealed

Maybe due to a good season this year, there were bountiful harvests everywhere. At first, Yue Da Fu thought that he could gather some money by selling food. The plan broke apart. On the contrary, the same amount food earned ten percent less than last year. Old Mrs. Chen was so angry that she laid on the kang for a few days and refused to get up.

This year was a good year. The mountain chickens and hares in the mountains were also plump. There were more people eating game in the town than in previous years. You Jin exchanged the caught wild chickens and hares for money every time she went to the market. She had got familiar with the purchase steward from Umami Room's kitchen. Every time she got mountain goods, they were sent straight to Umami Room. Which saved You Jin a lot of trouble.

When the first snowfall of this winter fell, You Jin had already saved seventeen silver liang from the wild chickens and hares. Seventeen silver liangs can buy less than three mu of top-quality farmland or build a few spacious mud-brick houses in Liutun Town.

But for You Jin, this was far from enough. She had to support six younger sisters, as well as the unknown gender baby in Mrs. Su's womb. Seventeen silver liang was probably not enough for the cost of them leaving Yue's house and settling down.

But now it had started to snow, all the animals in the mountains have entered hibernation. It seems not plausible to go hunting and make money again. She had to find another input.

Before You Jin thought of a new way to make money, something big happened in Yue Family.

Yue Chang Lu brought a big-bellied woman back to Yue's house!

In the main room of Yue's House, Yue Chang Lu supported the young woman whose stomach was at least seven months old. The two knelt together in front of Yue Da Fu and old Mrs. Chen. Yue Chang Lu stammered: "Father, Mother, the child in Wan Niang's womb belongs to son. Son can't let the mother and son suffer outside. Father, Mother, please fulfill our wish!"

Old Mrs. Chen looked at somewhat enchanting and seductive Wan Niang, who was kneeling on the ground. Her eyes were dark for a while. She leaned back on the kang without speaking. Even Yue Da Fu didn't expect that his second son, who was honest and didn't even speak much on most days, would stir something up. Frowning, he sat cross-legged on the kang as he smoking his pipe. For a while, the main room was dead silent.

On the other side at the west wing, You Jin, who first came out to add firewood to the kang, saw Yue Chang Lu lead a woman through the entrance. Then she hurried back to the west wing to instruct You Yin and the other girls: "No matter what happens outside, don't come out. Watch Mother, okay?"

As a result, the little girls, who didn't know what happened, obediently listened to Third Elder Sister and nodded.

Seeing the few girls nodding earnestly, You Jin frowned and left with pursed lips. Before You Jin went out, You Zhu felt an unknown nudge in her heart and followed her: "Third Elder Sister, what happened?"

You Jin just went out, when she saw her following. She hurriedly pushed You Zhu back into the room: "Go back quickly."

Then she turned around and went to the backyard. Seeing Third Elder Sister's reaction, You Zhu felt that something big happened at home. So she quietly followed behind You Jin and made way to the window at the back of the main room.

You Jin noticed You Zhu as soon as she turned her head. Afraid that her voice would alert the people inside, she wink to imply that she wasn't allowed to make a sound. Braving the snow, the sisters hid behind the main room and listened quietly to the action.

In the main room, Yue Da Fu and old Mrs. Chen were silent for a long time. Yue Chang Lu knelt for a long time. It wasn't until the tobacco in his hand were exhausted that Yue Da Fu coughed twice and looked at Wan Niang who was kneeling beside Yue Chang Lu: "What do you like about my second son?"

Wan Niang opened her mouth and replied in a soft tone: "I have known Elder Brother Yue for more than a year. Although Elder Brother Yue is a man of few words, he is sincere to me. I can't repay him. I can only repay him with my sincerity. Master, please allow our marriage!"

Laced in the words, the sincerity can be said to be touching.

"Did you know that old Second has already married?" Although Yue Da Fu hadn't met countless people, he still had the ability to see people. She was a woman in her early twenties and got some beauty. How could she fancy the taciturn and disfigured old Second?

Wan Niang smiled guiltily: "I did Elder Sister Su wrong. However, Elder Brother Yue and I really love each other. I don't ask for a title. Just implore you two elders to allow us to be together."

"Pah! Stinky shameless vixen!" When old Mrs. Chen heard what she said, she could not wait to jump up and peel off skin: "Really don't ask for a name!? Why are you here today?"

If it wasn't for the wrong timing, You Jin, who was eavesdropping outside the window, would almost have laughed out loud. This old Mrs. Chen's ability to embarrass a woman was to its max!

"Mother! I begged Wan Niang to come back with me. I want to give her a name. Don't blame Wan Niang!" Yue Chang Lu steadily guarded the heavily pregnant Wan Niang behind him and blocked old Mrs. Chen's thrown shoe: "If you want to beat or scold, you can only aim at me!"

This was the first manly act You Jin and You Zhu seen from Yue Chang Lu. If it wasn't for the fact that this man was their father and was now begging their grandparents to allow mistress to enter the house, You Jin would applaud this pair of bitter mandarin duck. You Jin gave You Zhu a 'don't be reckless' gaze. How could this drama be messed up before the show was over?

Yue Da Fu lit another tobacco. After a few puffs, he said solemnly: "Old Second, do you know, let alone our Yue clan, even our Cuifeng Village and us ordinary family in eight villages and ten miles away had no precedent for concubinage!"

"Those rich and noble people take in concubines. We, a peasant family, taking in concubine is downright laughable!" Old Mrs. Chen viciously glared at Wan Niang. Although she hated Mrs. Su, she hated Wan Niang in front of her even more. When she used to beat and scold Mrs. Su, old Second never stopped her. Now she just took a shoe and threw it over, worthless old Second stepped forward to stop it. If she really let her in, would old Second still listen to her words in the future?

However, Yue Chang Lu didn't want to take in a concubine. But rather, marrying in an equal wife! Got to say, this Wan Niang really had some ability. She can actually make the cowardly and incompetent Yue Chang Lu bewitched and fight his parents head-on for her.

Kneeling on the ground, Yue Chang Lu glanced at Wan Niang, whose eyes were full of water. He spoke with courage, "I won't accept concubine. Father, Mother, I want to marry Wan Niang and enter the door as an equal wife."

"Equal wife!" Both Yue Da Fu and old Mrs. Chen were taken aback. They didn't expect their son to make such a request.

Before Yue Da Fu could respond, old Mrs. Chen jumped out and objected: "Having a concubine has defiled my Yue Family's front. And you still want an equal wife. Not happening!"

Although old Mrs. Chen would peck at people like a fighting cock, Wan Niang wasn't afraid. That was because she had a trump card in her hand: she gently rubbed her eight-month-old belly and said softly, "Old Master, old Madam, the day before yesterday, I asked Rejuvenation Hall's gynecological sage to take a pulse. They said my baby is probably a baby with a handle."

Softly glancing at Yue Chang Lu, she slowly said: "If it wasn't for the sake of giving birth to a son to continue the line for Second Brother Yue, how can I still have the face to live!"

When she heard that she was carrying a son in her womb, both Yue Da Fu and old Mrs. Chen's eyes lit up, "Really a son?"

Yue Chang Lu hurriedly answered: "Really, Father, Mother. How could what Doctor Zhao from Rejuvenation Hall say be false? Wan Niang wants to give birth children for son. Son really doesn't want to wrong her. I beseech Father and Mother to allow son!"

After saying that, he kowtowed heavily.

Yue Da Fu sighed. The fact that old Second had never had a son was not only old Second's heart disease, but also his heart disease. Now suddenly a woman who was pregnant with old Second's child that said to be a son in her womb, how could he not be overjoyed? But when he thought of marrying an equal wife, it was a little difficult for Yue Da Fu to nod his head. After all, it wasn't a trivial matter!

He pondered about it for a long time. It wasn't until the second pipe was finished that Yue Da Fu slowly stated: "This matter is not something I can decide alone. Ask your eldest brother and third brother for their opinions. Also Mrs. Su's. After all, if she enter the door, both of them are people who will serve you."

"Ai!" Yue Chang Lu was relieved to hear his father loosening up. He happily kowtowed again. Old Mrs. Chen pursed her lips and disgruntledly muttered, "It's such a cold day. Still not getting up?"

Outside the window, You Jin and You Zhu had a lot of snowflakes on their heads and bodies. But the chill brought by the snowflakes wasn't as cold as the chills brought by Yue Chang Lu's action. It was unknown how long it took before there was no voice in the main room. You Jin dragged the already numb You Zhu quietly along the wall back to the west wing.

You Yin and the others were anxiously waiting in the room. They didn't dare not to disobey Third Elder Sister. Each one of them didn't know what was going on. Still, they were all inexplicably flustered. They finally waited for You Jin and You Zhu's return and instantly surrounded them: "Third Elder Sister, what happened?"

You Jin and You Zhu both sat on the edge of the kang in silence with serious expressions. This made You Yin and the others even more panicked: "Third Elder Sister, Little Fifth, just tell us what happened! Don't remain silent. Don't scare us!"

You Zhu's scarlet eyes stared straight at You Yin and then suddenly pointed at You Yin as she cried out, "You said that he can correct your mistakes! It's all a lie! Big liar!"

In fact, how could You Zhu's heart not want to have a father who was kind and didn't beat people? But the reality was so cruel. The little desire in the most hidden part of You Zhu's heart had been wiped out.

"You Zhu!" You Jin stopped You Pearl's movements. Then she shook her head at You Yin who was in the dark: "It's okay. She's just feeling down. It'll be fine in a while."

Hearing the movement outside, Mrs. Su, who was on the inner kang, forcefully supported her seven-month-old stomach to get out of bed. She gasped for breath before walking to the door of the room: "What's wrong? Why did you fight out of the blue?"

Seeing that Mrs. Su came out, You Jin hurriedly helped her back to the inner kang to lie down. Then she replied, "It's nothing. You Zhu was throwing a little temper."

However, Mrs. Su sensed something was amiss in You Jin's eyes and sighed: "What are you guys hiding from me?"

Due to motherly feeling and being familiar with daughter, how could Mrs. Su fail to see something was wrong?

You Jin shook her head: "It's all right. You Zhu lost her temper. Mother, don't think too much about it. Now it's the time to nurture the baby with peaceful mind!"

Although Mrs. Su's pregnancy reached seven months, she looked the size of the full-term. Last time Doctor Ma came to check. Although he couldn't tell the gender, he felt two pulses: one strong and one weak. Mrs. Su was pregnant with twins this time. There can be no mishap.

Previous

Chapter 25. Wan Niang enter the door (part 1)

Yue Da Fu's side had loosen up. So Yue Chang Fu and Yue Chang Shou naturally wouldn't have any objection. Yue Chang Lu happily hugged Wan Niang and sat in the small house rented by Wan Niang. He rubbed her already heavily bulging belly and softly spoke: "Wan Niang, both Father and Mother have agreed. Tomorrow, I'll go to the fortune teller to see which is an auspicious day and then marry you in a glorious way!"

Wan Niang snuggled into his arms obediently and said thoughtfully, "As long as I can be with Second Elder Brother, I don't care what's glory or not."

This gentle and careless appearance made Yue Chang Lu's heart immerse in more and more. He tightly grasped Wan Niang's pair of hand that was jade smooth compared with his worn-out drudge wife's dry wood-like claws. He promised her with an oath: "Wan Niang, I will let you enter the gate of my Yue Family in a glorious. I will never wrong you in the slightest!"

Wan Niang sat up straight, looking at Yue Chang Lu's eyes with admiration: "Second Elder Brother, I am a lonely and helpless woman. To be be able to enter your Yue family's door and serve you and Elder Sister Su for a long time, it is already a great blessing for me. How can I dare to ask for anything else?"

Although Wan Niang claimed to be a widow to the outside world, she revealed her identity with half-truth to Yue Chang Lu. What she lied about was a manor's master covets her own beauty and she fled overnight. Such a virtuous and ungreedy temperament made Yue Chang Lu feel more pity for her.

"Pah, why do you mention that worn-out drudge? When you enter the door, her serving you is more like it." Speaking of the yellow-faced woman who was haggard and thin all the year round at home, Yue Chang Lu angrily let out a few 'pah'.

After Wan Niang heard what he said, she snuggled back into his arms with satisfaction. Naturally, it was impossible for her to serve Mrs. Su. She was saying this as an act to attract Yue Chang Lu and make him even more determined to treat her well.

In fact, Wan Niang was born with some beauty. Nor was she too old. She could have married a widower with much better conditions than Yue Chang Lu. Initially, she was just a maid of a major household. Because she climbed on the master's bed and became was pregnant with a child, the mistress found out. First, the baby was aborted and then kicked her out of the house.

She was a helpless, lone woman. She never thought of going back to the home that had sold her. After ending up in Liutun Town, she claimed she was a newly widowed widow and spent the only money she had on renting a small dilapidated house in Liutun Town. She set up a stall near where Yue Chang Lu worked and sold some food.

Yue Chang Lu often went to her stall to buy some food. The two became acquainted with each other: she also found out about Yue Family's background. The family had more than 30 mu of fertile land. He got two nephews in the county town studying. Although it was still a peasant family now, once one of the two nephews succeed, then Yue Chang Lu will be transformed into a master, right?

Knowing that Yue Chang Lu's wife only gave birth to seven daughters, Wan Niang knew that her chance had come. As long as she could give birth to a son for Yue Chang Lu, would she afraid of not becoming the legitimate wife of Yue Family's second branch? Wan Niang, a poor maid, was able to climb onto the master's bed among the maidservants who were above her and proved that she was indeed a bit beautiful. .

The two had only hooked up for two months and she was pregnant with Yue Chang Lu's baby. This time was different from last time. Wan Niang didn't let the legitimate wife know at the early stage. She gritted her teeth and endured until eighth month before finding Rejuvenation Hall's doctor to get a pulse. Only then, she revealed it to Yue Chang Lu that she was pregnant with a son. Like this, Yue Chang Lu impatiently took her back to Cuifeng Village to meet his parents.

Thinking of her bright future, Wan Niang's smile deepened by three degree. A pair of affectionate man and woman were each fantasizing about the future in this leaky little house.

Yue Chang Lu was relieved by his father and two brothers' approval. He soon found someone to check the auspicious day. The date was set. How on the issue of how planning the day, it was the first time that Yue Chang Lu had disagreement with Yue Da Fu and his wife. Yue Chang Lu insisted on marrying Wan Niang in a glorious way. How could Yue Da Fu and old Mrs. Chen agree?

First, marrying an equal wife had never been heard of in common households. In the eyes of the two, it was embarrassing to make a big deal of marrying a little wife. They can't afford to lose their face. Second, Yue Family really didn't have much money now. They currently have only twenty liang of cash in total. It can't be that they should take it out for him marry a little wife? Yue Chang Lu will have it glorious marrying a little wife, but the whole family will drink the northwest wind together?

"Father, Mother, when Wen Tao brothers said they wanted one hundred silver liangs as gifts to buy papers, you took it from the public fund. I, their second uncle, agreed without blinking an eye. Now it's my turn to need some support from family. You guys are not willing. This is too biased!" Yue Chang Lu knelt upright at the kang's bottom in the main room. Because Yue Da Fu refused to give out the money, the father and son were in conflict.

Yue Da Fu frowned a little unhappily. This old Second. His temper changed since he brought that Wan Niang back. Old Second, who was the most taciturn in the past, had learned to talk back. His dislike for Wan Niang increased.

Old Mrs. Chen uttered a few words in a heartache: "Old Second, if you say that, you are stabbing your father's heart with a knife! Think about it carefully, when Wen Tao brothers successfully become Juren and profit as officials, would you get omitted from life of luxury?"

"You are Wen Tao's Second Uncle. You're also my son. How can I just take care of them and ignore you? You were there when Wen Tao brothers' matter almost empty everything at home." Yue Da Fu sighed. Sure enough, children were debts! "Once you marry her in, won't she give birth? Does giving birth to children not cost money? The family has only a few silver liang. We just look glamorous on the surface!"

Old Mrs. Chen was the quickest. She hurried to add on Yue Da Fu's words: "Exactly! After your son is born, every few days this or that need to be eaten during post-natal. Isn't it all money? In the future, your son will grow up, study, and marry wife. Which doesn't cost money? If you spend all the money now, what will happen in the future?"

The couple bombarded Yue Chang Lu with words after words. They wanted to dispel his desire of make it big.

After listening to Yue Da Fu's words, Yue Chang Lu was also a little shaken: "It's just that I promised Wan Niang to marry her and let her gloriously enter the door..."

Seeing that his son's heart was shaken, Yue Da Fu hurriedly gave a verdict, "How about this? When she gives birth to a son, let's invite relatives and friends for a lively celebration. This is considered showing her face. How about that?"

When old Mrs. Chen heard that the banquet was still to be held, she muttered in a low voice, "Hosting banquet money cost money!"

However, neither father and son paid any attention to her. Yue Chang Lu pondered about it and knew that the situation at home wasn't as good as before. So he nodded in agreement. Holding a celebration after giving birth to a son was also giving Wan Niang an explanation!

The auspicious date given to Yue Chang Lu was the sixth day of December. There was only about half a month left. And Mrs. Su didn't know anything about it. After the date was set, Yue Chang Lu dug out the two coins that he had kept privately and bought a lot of items. Then he rushed to tidy up the cluttered up, junk-stored room next to You Jin sisters' room.

You Jin and the younger sisters stood at the door of the full of debris room. You Jin gave Yue Chang Lu an eerie smile: "Father, why are you cleaning this room? No one lives here."

Yue Chang Lu felt goosebump from the stare. He felt a little guilty in his heart. He involuntarily puffed out his chest and scolded: "You money-wasting thing dare to intervene in my affairs? Since I told you to clean up, just clean up. Why talk so much?"

The smile on You Jin's face didn't change. She solemnly said: "Father told us to clean up, then we will clean up."

After hearing her say that, Yue Chang Lu stopped looking at her. He spat at the ground and clapped his hands before going to the main room.

Seeing him leave, You Zhu threw the broom in her hand viciously to the ground. She furiously asked You Jin: "Third Elder Sister, Father is obviously... do we have to clean up for him!"

"If we don't, what can you do? Go and tell Father to let the person in? Or tell Grandfather? Tell Grandmother?" You Jin swept her gaze to You Zhu. Then she turned to the main room: "This matter isn't about what you want and can stop it. Whether it's a blessing or a disaster, it can't be avoided. Maybe this is our opportunity?"

Standing at side, You Yin and You Bao listened to the inexplicable conversation between the two of them like listening to the scriptures. They only felt confused: "Third Elder Sister, what are you talking about? Is there something going on at home?"

You Yin instinctively felt that something was wrong. Otherwise why did You Zhu have an outburst and scold her that day? Why was Third Elder Sister getting more and more strange these days? Even Father became more and more weird during this time. You Yin felt that she could almost grasp the truth of the matter, but she was always separated by a layer of veil.

"It's alright. Hurry up and clean up. If not, Father will be angry when he come back and sees that it hasn't cleaned up." You Jin gave You Yin a soothing look. Then she lead the younger sisters into the room where the junks were piled up all the year round. After cleaning up, they managed to clear up until somewhat room appearance.

You Jin sisters took three days to clean up the room. Still, it got disdained by Yue Chang Lu: "It's so sloppy. How can anyone live in it?"

If it were for Wan Niang's consideration and didn't want to make Mrs. Su move out of the room, how would he let Wan Niang be wronged and live in this utility room? Thinking of Wan Niang, Yue Chang Lu was really satisfied with her in every possible way. He wished he could hold her in his palms and protect her every day.

Two days later, Mrs. Chen, who was entrusted by Yue Chang Lu to put the newly purchased red quilt and pillowcases embroidered with the mandarin ducks into the room, came out and saw You Yin sisters standing and peeking at the door. She gave a very sharp and high-pitched laugh: "You Yin! You sisters will soon have another mother to love you. Are you happy?"

Another mother? You Yin had some doubts in her heart: "Eldest Aunt, isn't my mother in the room? How can there be another mother?"

Can't blame You Yin for her ignorance. There was no such custom of having concubine or marrying an equal in this area. How could she know this?

After listening to her naive question, Mrs. Chen let out a giggle: "Silly girl, who said you can only have one mother?"

After speaking, she snorted like a peacock with an open tail as she head back to the east wing. The people in the second branch didn't seem to know that old Second was going to marry an equal wife! Now, there'll be a good show!