Yang Tiegen came to an understanding rather quickly and made a decision—that is, to give it a try. Even if there weren't for the second sao's help, he still desired to work diligently and earn silver this year.

嫂 (sǎo): older brother's wife / sister-in-law

Farming could also certainly provide enough food and warm clothes. However, besides this bit, there weren't any bigger prospects. From just these 2 mu land, he has to pay taxes, store an adequate amount of grains for a year, and give annual elderly support to Yang laoyezi. To make up for the expenses, he would have to do some odd jobs. He might as well directly go and get odd jobs now itself. Although the work might be exhausting and arduous, his earnings would also be high.

Once Yang Tiegen expressed his decision to Lin Qingwan, he began thinking about whom he should give the land. Often, people had reservations in leasing their land to strangers, dreading the tenants might delay paying the rent, making it troublesome for them.

After understanding their intentions, Yang-shi resolved this issue of theirs.

For quite a long time, Yang-shi's land had been cultivated by tenant farmers. This time, with Xia Dacheng returning to a village in dire straits, they planned to take their land back. Yang-shi had conveyed their intentions to the tenant farmers before the end of the new year. Although they were pretty helpless, in the end, everyone was from the same village, and then having difficulties in their family was also understandable.

It's just that their family's condition was quite destitute. There were many people in the family, but they had only four mu of barren land, and the yield was nowhere enough to feed everyone at home. Thus, they had been leasing Yang-shi's fields to make up for the rest all these years. But now that Yang-shi was taking her land back, they instantly sank into a predicament and were in strained circumstances.

Yang-shi was also quite guilty because of this. But no matter how remorseful she felt, her family's situation needed to be taken into consideration first. Fortunately, these two brothers, Yang Tiezhu and Yang Tiegen, were planning to lease their fields. Their portion of land could be given to the tenant farmers.

Yang-shi had been dealing with them for several years, and the two families knew each other well. Their family was honest and would pay the rent timely and never had a record of putting them on overdue.

This was just right, the tenant farmers' families didn't have to worry about their livelihood, and Lin Qingwan and others found a suitable tenant farmer as well.

After Lin Qingwan, Yang Tiezhu, and the third branch's couple signed the lease documents with the other party, they handed over their land for farming. Now, the next step was to think about their next plan of action for their livelihood.

Actually, Lin Qingwan was unquestionably sure when she had given advice to the third branch's couple earlier. After a few days of a market slump soon after the new year, the business of several restaurants in the town gradually improved, and the sales volume of Laweixian also steadily recovered.

The reason why she had named Laweixian as so was naturally because it was made in the cold weather of the twelfth lunar month. Lin Qingwan had thought hard and considered it over from all angles in this period. In her past life, the stores that sold pot-stewed dishes sold sausages all year round too. In other words, sausages weren't just made and sold during the wintry twelfth lunar month but at other times too.

腊味鲜 (làwèixiān): là in here also means twelfth lunar month, hence the name.

It's just that the sausages made at other times lacked the texture and mellow taste it has when made during the twelfth month. However, as long as she put time and energy into modifying its flavor, she could make up for that limitation.

Indeed, keeping it fresh was also another aspect she had to consider. In summer, this sort of food wouldn't be able to last long. That was to say, they wouldn't be able to make in large quantities and sell slowly like how they were doing currently. As soon as they made it, they had to sell it quickly. At that time, the work would surely be hard and tiresome, but could it be as tedious and exhausting as it would be when working in fields, where the farmers had shed sweat in the farm toilingly to forage every grain of rice? Both were tiring, but the one which could make more money would be the best option.

After giving it a good thought, Lin Qingwan put her heart at ease. Apart from raising her fetus, she began fiddling with some flavors and spent her time taste-testing them.

Lin Qingwan thought they could promote laweixian in other places as well. For instance, all the neighboring towns, Huaihe county, or perhaps even farther places. But all these would have to wait till the future. Currently, she was pregnant, and her stomach was also growing. These matters could only be left to Yang Tiegen and Yang Tiezhu after his arm had healed. Lin Qingwan still held some scruples and apprehensions regarding the Yang Tiegen. Although he had become a lot more flexible and nimble than before, he was still clumsy in communicating. In this aspect her man was pretty good and could perform the tasks such as business promotions much more easily….

Such thoughts swirled in Lin Qingwan's mind as she gently caressed her stomach.

Feeling that his arm had more or less healed, Yang Tiezhu went to town to have his bandage removed.

After unwrapping the bandage, just as Lin Qingwan expected, Yang Tiezhu grimaced in pain when he moved his arm. It seemed he required quite a bit of rehabilitation to restore his arm to its former condition.

Based on her paltry medical knowledge, Lin Qingwan advised Yang Tiezhu to take it easy during rehabilitation without vigorously rushing. And exercise slowly, such that muscles and bones in his arm could slowly react.

Yang Tiezhu followed her words obediently. Though he wasn't aware why his wife said such words, he listened to her and slowly exercised his shoulders and arms every day.

Once Yang laoyezi was done plowing the land, he began sowing the seeds. Yang Tieshuan's attempts to stealthily run away were of no use. Now that there weren't any strong people at home, the two had to go to work in the fields.

Although He-shi tended to be eccentric and unreasonable, distress nevertheless beset her. Seeing her old man extremely exhausted this while, she had Wang-shi join them in work.

Wang-shi tried to resist several times, but they all turned futile. After a series of quarrels and cacophonous disputes in a row, He-shi, in the end, gave an ultimatum that she would have Wang-shi divorced out. No matter how resentful she was, Wang-shi had to go to work with no other choice.

However, Lin Qingwan had an inkling that Wang-shi wouldn't be able to preserve for long. Soon, she presumed Wang-shi would make a din again, leaving He-shi with headaches. But, what does this have to do with her?

Gradually days became warmer as the sun's warm rays enwreathed the mother earth. Every day, when the sun was bright and cozy outside, Lin Qingwan would move a chair out and bask under the sun and spectate over the entertaining show in the main room.

To have comfortable seating, Lin Qingwan specially made a visit to Carpenter Cui's place to order a rocking chair. Upon asking Carpented Cui, Lin Qingwan, to her surprise, found that there were rocking chairs here too. Though in Luoxia village, they were seldomly seen, Carpenter Cui agreed to make her one.

Lin Qingwan, who had initially reckoned that explaining might be troublesome, could only touch her nose and return.

Once the rocking chair was made, Lin Qingwan instantly fell in love with it. She personally made a thick cotton cushion to put on it. Whenever the outside weather was warm and cozy, she would let Yang Tiezhu help her move the chair out and comfortably bask under the sun.

Though Yang Tiezhu couldn't use one of his arms, he was quite strong. Thus lifting a rocking chair and moving it out wasn't much of a problem for him with just one hand.

At this moment as well, Lin Qingwan was languidly sitting outside by her family's doorway, basking under the sun on her rocking chair. Fearing that she might get thirsty while sitting outside, Yang Tiezhu specially made a small table to put by her side. Placed on it were a water kettle and small snacks to nibble upon.

Wang-shi was just sorted out by He-shi and was downtrodden and low-spirited. When she turned, her eyes happened to fall upon a leisurely sitting refreshed Lin Qingwan. Instantly, rage overwhelmed her. Seeing that He-shi hadn't come yet, she decided to stir up a little trouble.

"Aiyo, second dimei, your days seem to be quite leisurely, no! Other people are busy working to death in fields, but your family seems to be very idle. It's fine if the idle one is just you, but you even pulled the laosan and his wife together. Do you intend to drink the northwest wind in the future or what? It's not much of a problem even if you had to drink northwest wind, but don't forget the annual support you have to give to father and mother."

老三 (lǎosān):third-eldest child in a family/Old three

喝西北风 (hē xī běi fēng): lit. drink the northwest wind (idiom); cold and hungry

Sweeping her eyes at He-shi meaningfully, Wang-shi asked fawningly, "Isn't that so, mother?"

When He-shi's gaze fell upon Lin Qingwan. She, too, found her appearance extremely irksome; subsequently, her face became serious.

"Laoer's wife, where is your family's man?"

老二 (lǎoèr): second-eldest child in a family/Old two

Lin Qingwan lazily squinted her eyes, feeling lethargic under the sun.

"You are asking about my husband? He is in the room." While saying so, she reached to take another candy and put it in her mouth before slowly savoring it.

Glancing at Lin Qingwan's leisurely appearance and then at the snacks beside her, Wang-shi's eyes reddened from ire.

"Second dimei, to eat snacks in such a carefree manner, your days must be extremely good. It seems you are living a beautiful life. Seemingly, the silver in the house must be plenty, no."

弟妹(Dìmèi): younger brother's wife

"Thank you for your compliment, eldest sao. But what do you mean, I am pregnant. My family's husband said pregnant women should not overwork themselves." Lin Qingwan said innocently, appearing quite furious.

"There are quite many pregnant women in this village, yet they don't laze around like you every day. This big, yet you nibble on snacks."

"What? You are feeling indignant? My family's Tiezhu just loves me to death?" Lin Qingwan unhurriedly uttered, word by word.

Wang-shi was further pissed off!

Hearing the sounds outside, Yang Tiezhu came out and glanced at He-shi. Perhaps, he must have heard the words from earlier, but he didn't say anything.

"Laoer, you aren't going to the fields these days and rather have been staying in the room all day long. Do you want to drink the northwest wind?" He-shi rebuked him with an extremely fierce expression on her face, "It doesn't matter if you drink northwest wind, but annual support shouldn't have even a grain less!"

So it turned out that this was why He-shi had asked about her husband earlier!

Lin Qingwan languidly squinted her eyes. She remained silent to see how her family's man would answer.

Yang Tiezhu truly felt disinclined to exchange words with He-shi. But, it wouldn't be proper to not reply; thus, he could only stiffly utter, "Be at ease! Whether my wife and I would drink the northwest, we wouldn't skimp on the annual support."

Yang Tiezhu's tone was slightly bad, causing He-shi's face to darken.

Feeling that the two had disturbed her sun-basking time, Lin Qingwan began to lose patience as she said to Yang Tiezhu, "Husband, I don't want to sunbathe anymore. Help me bring this stuff in."

Saying so, Lin Qingwan headed in whilst supporting her bell

Thinking that the eldest sao's anger at his wife earlier, Yang Tiezhu was disinclined to wrangle with her and He-shi any longer. Hoisting up his wife's treasured rocking chair, he followed in after his wife. Under his strength, lifting such a huge chair seemed to be tantamount to a trifling play.

After carrying it in, he again turned around, picked up the table on which the snacks were placed, and brought it into the house. This while, he didn't pay any heed to He-shi and Wang-shi, angering the two.

Stepping into the room, Lin Qingwan removed her shoes and got onto the kang. The place where Yang Tiezhu used to lie down previously now became her sole throne. Adjusting the cushion behind her to lean upon, she commanded Yang Tiezhu to bring her needlework basket.

These days, Lin Qingwan began giving Yang Tiezhu commands spiritedly. Knowing that there wasn't any major issue with his arm and that it could be restored to normality in die course, she began tossing him from here to there. Not to mention, Yang Tiezhu himself was fond of getting tossed by her. Once Lin Qingwan perceived this; naturally, she began ordering him to do this and that. For she was aware in her heart that after lying on the kang for a few months all the time, he wanted to show off now all the more. Thus, she simply fulfilled his wish.

Inside the needlework basket were the tiny clothes for infants that Lin Qingwan was making. Initially, Yang Tiezhu refused to let her do needlework, but she persuaded him, saying that pregnant women make the clothes for babies by themselves. Only then did Yang Tiezhu let her do it.

"Wife, are you making clothes for the baby?" After bustling around, Yang Tiezhu sat near her on the side of kang.

"Yeah, I want to take advantage of my comfortability now and finish it now itself. Otherwise, later once my belly grows even bigger, I won't be able to sit for long." Lin Qingwan replied as he picked up the needle and thread and resumed making a piece of baby clothes that she had almost finished making last time.

The baby's clothes were quite small, just palm-sized. Lin Qingwan reckoned that the baby would be born around the seventh or eighth month when the weather would be neither too hot nor too cold. By that time, the clothes for the baby should surely be finished. Thus, she made a lot of clothes and cotton-padded coats for toddlers.

Now that she had a lot of silver in her hands, Lin Qingwan was willing to spend it on the baby. All the inner wear were made with first-rate cotton fabric. After buying the cotton fabric, she thoroughly scrubbed them first while washing and dried them before making clothes. In this way, the soft texture of the fabric would not scratch the baby's tender and delicate skin.

These tips were all given by Yang-shi. That's why Lin Qingwan made sure to sew the edges on the outer side while sewing.

Lin Qingwan's pair of hands was quite agile and dexterous. The clothes that were almost done last time were wrapped up by her, and soon a set of baby's clothes were finished.

Yang Tiezhu held it to take a close look. When placed in his huge palm, the size of the baby's clothes was almost equal to the size of his palm. His face turned into a 囧. After glancing at the clothes made by Lin Qingwan, he exclaimed that these clothes would not be enough for the baby. Amused, Lin Qingwan let out a peal of laughter before telling him that baby would be tiny after it was born and the clothes needed to be this small.

After this, whenever Yang Tiezhu glanced at the clothes made by Lin Qingwan, he couldn't help but feel amused.

"Did you practice writing characters today? Don't just keep sitting here and watch me do needlework. Go and practice the characters you had learned yesterday." Glancing at Yang Tiezhu's listless appearance, Lin Qingwan couldn't help but say so.

Yeah, Yang Tiezhu was now precisely literate.

But of course, he didn't know many characters yet. As recently, the two of them were just lazing around in the room and had nothing to do; Lin Qingwan taught him how to write. The original Lin Qingwan was literate. Though she couldn't compose poetry and the likes, reading simple characters wasn't much of a problem. And as Lin Qingwan inherited the original owner's memories, she was able to understand the traditional Chinese characters quite easily.

Lin Qingwan had the idea of teaching Yang Tiezhu how to read for quite a while. She doesn't expect him to become a xucai or something. It was fine as long as he was able to read and write. She was planning on having him go out and work, do 'business promotion', which is not possible if he remained illiterate, no? Thus, in the past few days, whenever she had time, Lin Qingwan began teaching him how to read every day; not much, just ten characters every day.

秀才 (xiùcai): a person who has passed the county-level imperial exam

For this reason, Lin Qingwan had the carpenter make a red-lacquered wooden slate board from him to practice on with charcoal.

From a young age, Lin Qingwan had been familiar with the practice of using blackboard and chalk in school. Thus it was easy for Lin Qingwan to come up with the idea of making a simple blackboard for beginner students to practice.

At Lin Qingwan's words, Yang Tiezhu obediently took out his 'blackboard' and placed it on the table. Then he took out a charcoal wood pencil and began honestly practicing the few characters his wife taught the previous day.

Lin Qingwan sat on the kang and resumed stitching baby clothes while glimpsing him from the corner of her eyes. Seeing his clumsy appearance of her man as he obediently practiced writing characters, she couldn't stop from covering her lips and chuckling.

At that moment, it was tranquil all around, as the rays of sunlight spilled in, brightening the room.

Lin Qingwan spent her days leisurely while raising her fetus and teaching Yang Tiezhu how to read and write simultaneously. On the third branch's side, contrarily, Yang-shi and the third branch's couple were so busy that their feet barely touched the ground. They were busy making laweixian and salted peanuts and then delivering them to the restaurants in the town. Simultaneously they also had to sow seeds in Yang-shi's share of land.

Though Xia Dacheng's injuries had healed, going to work in the fields was nevertheless somewhat difficult. Yang-shi's family had only two women and two kids around ten years old. Doing the work in the fields simply proved challenging for them.

With no other way, the third branch's husband and wife had been helping Yang-shi for the past two days.

However, their help wasn't much. The couple took all the work related to making Laweixian on their shoulders. And would go to help in the fields every two to three days. Firstly, Yang-shi didn't let them help them in the fields. Secondly, they were afraid that Yang laoyezi might have other thoughts after seeing them do so. Yang-shi was sort of a person who had to do everything correctly. Even though the work might be exhausting and toiling, she would never do something which would invite criticism from others behind her back.

On He-shi's side, He-shi began preparing for Yang Xuezhang's marriage. Past few days, she had been bustling in and out of the house, completely different from her indolent appearance at Yang Tiezhu's marriage.

Lin Qingwan's days were quite systematic. Once in a while, she would cook. Nevertheless, most of the cooking was actually done by Yao-shi. After eating, she would go on walks. Lin Qingwan was distinctly aware that the medical technology here wasn't much developed. Yang-shi had also previously explained to her to exercise control over the quantity she ate and move about more, enabling her to give birth more easily later on.

Though Lin Qingwan had never experienced giving birth, she still had a slight impression of it. Understanding that Yang-shi was saying for her sake, she bore Yang-shi's words in her mind. Along with Yang Tiezhu she would make sure to have a walk on a daily basis.

This day, after lunch, Lun Qingwan took out a nap and called Yang Tiezhu to go on a stroll.

Yang Tiezhu knew it was his wife's daily habit, so he put on his clothes and helped his wife out.

They strolled on the village trail. Few villagers who were aware of Tiezhu's little wife's recent habit, nodded their heads in greeting when they saw Lin Qingwan. Occasionally, every two or three villagers would exchange a few words with them.

After strolling for a while, they came across a married woman with a grey-coloured kerchief wrapped around her head. That woman was dressed in old and worn-out clothes and had her head lowered as she walked. Only when she was a few steps away from the two did the woman react and raise her head.

When the woman glanced at them, she seemed to be astonished. Her lips quivered, and her eyes were welled up with tears.

Yang Tiezhu's expression also seemed to be complicated.

Lin Qingwan glanced at them, a little speechless…

This couldn't be her man's former relationship, could it? One can't blame Lin Qingwan for being so melodramatic. These two people's expressions simply made one's thoughts go awry.

As such thoughts arose in her heart, Lin Qingwan felt her breath become agitated and pinched his arm.

Only then did Yang Tiezhu return to his senses. Simply ignoring him, Lin Qingwan turned around and left. Her steps were heavy, and strides were big, exuding angry aura.

Yang Tiezhu didn't care about these complex feelings anymore and dashed to his wife's side to help her walk.

Lin Qingwan refused his touch and walked straight after flinging his hand away. Dreading that she might fall down if any big movements happened, he quickly put his arm around her back, a few inches away, without touching her.

"Wanwan, what happened?" Yang Tiezhu's brows were beaded with sweat, unaware of what had happened to his wife.

Lin Qingwan turned her face towards him. Ever since her pregnancy, her face complexion had become even fair, plump, and smooth-skinned. Her pair of eyes, which usually used to be filled with smiles, had now become red.

"You are still asking me this? I was standing just beside you, yet you began ogling at some other woman …." With a choked voice, tears began to trickle down as she spoke.

Lin Qingwan herself was unaware of why she was behaving in such a manner. Anyway, she wanted to cry out, for she felt melancholic in her heart.

Seeing that he had made his wife cry, Yang Tiezhu swiftly began coaxing her, "Wife, I wasn't ogling at another married woman. I just happened to bump into an acquaintance. Don't dwell on it much, alright. I truly didn't mean that way, ah. "

The more Lin Qingwan thought about it, the more she detested it. She furiously wiped her tears, turned her head away, and walked back.

Yang Tiezhu wanted to stop her but was scared that he might injure his wife if he pulled her. He could only put his arm behind her as protection, Beaded with sweat, appearing extremely comical.

While on the other hand, the married woman behind them swallowed the words 'Elder Brother Tiezhu' that were about to spill out from her lips. As she glanced at the distant silhouettes of the two people, her tears trickled like rain.

After returning to the house, Lin Qingwan flung her shoes away, got onto the kang, reclined down facing the inner side, and wrapped herself tightly with a quilt.

Yang Tiezhu bent by the kang and called her name a few times but received no response from her.

Yang Tiezhu breathed out a sigh and sat on the kang with his head lowered down. From time to time, he would turn his head and glance at his sulking wife. But the more he looked, the more he felt something was wrong. Why was the quilt continuously shaking?

Alarmed, he quickly flicked aside the quilt covering his wife. When the quilt was pushed away, his wife's face streaked with tears with closed eyes came into his sight.

Suddenly, Yang Tiezhu had an urge to thrash himself to death. Using his one arm, he quickly pulled her into his embrace.

"Wife, don't cry. It was entirely my mistake earlier. From here on, I will never do such a thing. Don't cry, all right?" While cajoling her, he quickly wiped her tears with his still unhealed arm. Such movements elicited deathly pain, yet he kept wiping her tears with that arm.

Still furious, Lin Qingwan refused to pay heed to him.

In fact, she was internally aware that she had overreacted. But she just couldn't control herself. When she recalled how Yang Tiezhu was gazing at that married woman, she became overwrought.

Yang Tiezhu plonked himself upon the kang and cuddled his wife. Realizing that the root cause of his wife's distress was that married woman, he slowly explained the ins and outs of the matter.

It turned out that this woman was the young girl called Tian Cuilan, who was previously engaged to Yang Tiezhu.

Tian Cuilan's family and Yang-shi were next-door neighbors. When Yang Tiezhu was young, he liked to run to Yang-shi's place. Thus, gradually, he became acquainted with children living next door as well. Tian jia had two sons and two daughters, with Tian Cuilan being the youngest among the four. She was just one year younger than Yang Tiezhu.

As a kid, Yang Tiezhu often played with Tian jia's second son, Tian Dachang and also Tian Cuilan, who at that time was fond of following Tian Dachang wherever he went. Naturally, with time, Yang Tiezhu and Tian Cuilan became familiar with each other. It could be said that the two had grown up together as childhood sweethearts.

If Tian Cuilan was formerly fond of running behind her second brother, she later became fond of running behind Yang Tiezhu. And even until they had grown up, this habit of hers hadn't changed.

Having observed these two, the elders at Tian jia felt that it would be pretty good if these two kids got together. After all, the two family's circumstances were more or less similar—not very good yet not bad either. Thus they put forth their intentions before Yang Laoyezi.

Yang laoyezi, dreaded that He-shi wouldn't be meticulous in handling Tiezhu's marriage matters, as the child wasn't well-received by the family since young. Thus he gave his consent, and the two families fixed both of their marriage matters.

Rural families don't have many customs and rules; thus, they didn't have any written drafts or the like. They just exchanged verbal promises to have the two kids marry each other once they grow up.

But who would have thought that later on, as an able-bodied strong man, Yang Tiezhu had to get enlisted in the army and tread the battlefield? Tian jia's elders didn't wish for their family's maiden to become a widow at a young age. Thus, not long after Yang Tiezhu set off, they dropped by Yang jia and withdrew the engagement. Once Tian Cuilan reached 15 years, they looked for a suitable family for her and married her off.

After Yang Tiezhu came back and heard about this matter, he didn't react much. After all, the other person doing this was just natural. No one was sure when those few who had gone to the battlefield would surely return safely. Not to mention, it takes several years for them to come back.

Unexpectedly, he met her again while he was going on a walk with his wife. Actually, at that time, Yang Tiezhu didn't have many thoughts in his mind. It's just that after seeing his childhood friend again, he felt as if it was a lifetime ago. Who knew his wife would end up misunderstanding him?

Upon hearing Yang Tiezhu recount the past matters and being coaxed by him, Lin Qingwan's tears gradually ceased. She wasn't an unreasonable person. It was just that her heart became perturbed, and she broke into tears.

But after crying, she felt a little embarrassed. Lin Qingwan directly placed the blame for her strong emotions on pregnancy. She refused to admit that she drank vinegar.

After managing to coax his wife with great difficulty, Yang Tiezhu quickly brought a wet kerchief and wiped her face.

Caressing her eyes with distress, he uttered, "You are pregnant, yet you love to cry. Be careful lest you give birth to a crybaby."

Displeased, Lin Qingwan glared at him, red-faced. Yet, the words that left her mouth expressed her hunger and gave Yang Tiezhu a slew of orders to bring her some snacks.

Thus, Yang Tiezhu once again became busy getting her snacks and water. However, after taking a few bites of snacks, she expressed she wasn't hungry anymore. After waiting upon his wife and having her drink water, he took away all the things.

Once he was done, Lin Qingwn pulled him onto the kang to couddle her.

Yang Tiezhu knew his wife was delicate and what's more, he was fond of coaxing her. Thus, he jubilantly climbed onto the kang.

The two buried the hatchet and once again became lovey-dovey. As for Tian Cuilan, the two flung her beyond the topmost clouds and forgot about her.

He-shi exuberantly began preparations for Yang Xuezhang's marriage. Yang Xuezhang's marriage preparations were in full swing under He-shi's supervision.

Soon after the New Year, she visited Feng jia and fixed a marriage date, and that day was just around the corner.

She had to arrange a banquet and also decorate the bridal chamber. He-shi was so busy that her feet barely touched the ground all day long. Even Wang-shi was assigned a lot of work and was frantically busy. Initially, Wang-shi was very much unwilling to work, but recalling the meat dishes in the banquet, she endured.

Wang-shi could hardly tell when was the last time she had eaten the meat.

The last time she had eaten a bit was only on lunar New Year's Eve dinner and on the second day of the lunar new year when she returned to her natal house. However, the situation in her natal family was also not good. Thus only bits and pieces of meat were scattered in the dishes. With meat as a motivation force, Wang-shi busily worked to eat meat to her satisfaction on the wedding day.

Yang Xuezhang's marriage matter surely needed to be conveyed to Yang Tiezhu and Yang Tiegen, these two elder brothers. Yang laoyezi came to them to tell them about this matter.

He didn't mention anything about helping them with wedding arrangements and only asked them to help the family receive guests on the wedding day. After all, everyone lived in the same courtyard. If they didn't come out even to welcome the guests, they would become the target of gossip, making the situation unsightly. Thus they had to take the occasion into consideration and concede. It would be inconvenient for Yang Tiezhu and his wife; thus, they were exempted. But the third branch's husband and wife couldn't escape.

On that day, Yao-shi was called by He-shi early to wash the vegetables and prepare dishes in advance. While Yang Tiegen jostled around to borrow chairs, tables, and cutleries. This was a common practice followed in Luoxia village. When any family holds a banquet, naturally, the cutleries, tables, and chairs at home wouldn't be sufficient for the guests. Thus, they would borrow from the neighbors and return them when the banquet was finished.

Although He-shi's reputation in the village wasn't good, Yang layezi and Yang Tiegen maintained good relations with the villagers. Thus, few villagers nevertheless let them borrow. After all, everyone was from the same village; it wouldn't be good to reject the people on the face.

On the wedding day, afternoon, along with the bridegroom, Yang Xuezhang, the three brothers of Yang jia also stood by the courtyard gates and received the guests. Usually, the wedding banquet would begin when the night falls after the bridegroom and bride had paid their respects to heaven and the earth. However, everyone liked to join in the fun, so many guests arrived earlier.

As Lin Qingwan had a big belly, she didn't make it difficult for herself. After lunch, she took a nap. Only when it was approaching dusk did she get up.

As soon as she ambled out, a yard bustling with people came into her sight. With cheerful smiles on their faces, everyone was chit-chatting. The wedding banquet in the countryside didn't have many rules and standard seating order. All the chairs and tables were arranged in the courtyard, and the guests could sit anywhere they wished to and enjoy the feast.

Yang Tiezhu was greeting the guests who had come for the wedding banquet. When he saw his wife coming out, he quickly walked away from the people around him and rushed to her side.

"Wife, have you woken up?"

Lin Qingwan slightly nodded, feeling a little unclear about the situation. Yang Tiezhu was aware that his wife was still feeling somewhat groggy. Ever since the beginning of her gestation, his wife didn't suffer from morning sickness and the likes, but she seemed to have become fond of sleeping.

He glanced at the clamorous crowd and said, "Wife, how about I find a quiet place for you to take a seat, lest you bump into anyone. From hereon, the crowd would only increase more and more."

Lin Qingwan nodded, turned around, and locked the room's door.

Yang Tiezhu's gaze combed through the crowd and stopped on Second tangsao Nie, who was sitting at the farthest corner of the table. While supporting Lin Qingwan, he walked toward her.

"Second sao, it's inconvenient for my wife. I will have her sit beside you. Can you watch over her for me? "

Beaming with smiles, Second tangsao Nie pulled Lin Qingwan to sit beside her.

"Alright, your sao will help you watch over her for you. You can go and carry on with your work, Younger Brother Tiezhu."

Only then did Yang Tiezhu feel reassured and left.

Two unfamiliar young married women were also sharing the table along with Second Tangsao Nie. Lin Qingwan knew that Second Yang laoyezi's entire family had also come today. No matter how unharmonious the relationship between the two families was, they still had to come and wish the other on happy occasions such as weddings.

Usually, this Second Tangsao Nie was a person with a lively temperament. Last time, when she and Yang Tiezhu got married, she acted as a matron of honor. But, today, Lin Qingwan didn't see her receive the guests as a host of the family.

After a moment of thinking, Lin Qingwan understood the reason. He-shi and Second tangsao Nie's mother-in-law, Li-shi, had conflicting views. At Yang Tiezhu's wedding, she helped them receive the guests only after considering Yang-shi's face. But, for Yang Xuezhang's marriage, she seemed to be lukewarm.

Second tangsao languidly ate the stir-fried melon seeds placed on the table whilst conversing with Lin Qingwan and also with the other young married women from time to time. While chatting with Lin Qingwan, the topics mainly centered around pregnancy and related stuff. After all, they had already given birth to one or two kids and had a bit of experience. Thus, Lin Qingwan, too, carefully listened to Second Tangsao Nie's advice.

Not long after, the crackling sounds of a string of firecrackers came from the main gate. A few people fond of joining in the fun rushed to the gates.

Lin Qingwan remained seated, for she was pregnant, and second, she felt disinclined to join them. Second Tangsao Nie also didn't move from her place and simply sat while she enjoyed the bustling scene from far.

Yang Xuezhang used an ox cart to escort his bride to the wedding ceremony. Most of the Luoxia villagers use the ox cart to escort their bride; thus, it didn't seem too unpresentable.

But of course, compared to when Yang Tiezhu escorted his wife at that time, the current spectacle was a bit less.

Following the couple, the crowd stepped into the main room, where they worshipped heaven and earth. While here in the yard, they began serving the food. Today, even the Elder Sister Yang returned. Perhaps, He-shi had commanded her to do so. At the moment, she was hustling around with Wang-shi and Yang Ermei, while Yao-shi seemed to be in charge of the cooking in the kitchen.

A few more people joined around the table Lin Qingwan was sitting at. As she wasn't familiar with any of them, she could only sit with her head lowered bashfully while Second tangsao Nie greeted the newly arrived women.

Just as she was feeling languorous, she heard Second Tangsao Nie exclaim, "Aiya, Tian shen is here too. Come sit here. Who is this? Aiya, is it Cuilan? It's been so long since I saw you last! I almost failed to recognize you."

Raising her head, Lin Qingwan swept a glance towards her. It wasn't because she was feeling sensitive. But because not long ago, she had a row with her man over Tian Cuilan, this name sounded quite familiar to her face.

A forty-five-year-old shen pulling a timid young married woman came into her sight. This shen had a round face, small eyes, thin lips and was dressed like a typical rural married woman. The countenance of the young woman beside her was invisible, for she had her head silently tucked down all the time.

Tian shen gave Second Tangsao Nie a smile, "Yang Wei's wife, you must also be aware that Cuilian has returned home. These days she has been feeling depressed, sitting at home all day long. So, today I brought her out to enjoy this bustling scene."

Second tangsao Nie's husband was called Yang Wei and ranked second in Seong Yang laoyezi's family. Usually, apart from working on the farm, in his leisure time, he would sell a few trinkets on the streets to increase the family income. Here in Luoxia village, unrelated elders in the village were used to address the married women from younger generations by using their husbands' names. For instance, Second tangsao Nie was often addressed as Yang Wei's wife, while Lin Qingwan was addressed as Yang Tiezhu's wife.

Tian Cuilan timidly raised her head and greeted all the women at the table with a light smile. Just as she was about to lower her head again, her eyes paused at Lin Qingwan.

As this day was a joyous occasion, Lin Qingwan was dressed quite festively. Clad in red ruqun, she finished her look with a pea-green colored short-sleeved coat. Moreover, pregnancy added a rosy hue to her complexion. Coupled with her fair complexion, she appeared dazzling and gorgeous. Although due to pregnancy, her belly was sticking out, her clothes seemed appropriate and loose. At first glance, she didn't appear like a pregnant married woman.

Although Luoxia villagers weren't well-off, they were however particular about their clothes and occasion. When going to attend joyous events or visit relatives, they would take care to attire themselves presentably. Thus, Lin Qingwan didn't seem too conspicuous due to her dressing.

Nevertheless, Tian Cuilan was still left dumbfounded. Momentarily, she was unable to peel her eyes away from her and lower her head.

When Second tangsao Nie's gaze swept towards her, her heart skipped a beat. How could she have forgotten that Second tangsao Nei was Tiezhu's former fiance? But, since the other person had already taken the seat, she couldn't have them leave. Thus, with no other option, she began conversing with the person next to her, trying to change the topic.

However, it wasn't that only Second tangsao Nie who was aware of the past relationship between Yang Tiezhu and Tian Cuilan. Glancing at Tian Cuilan's gaze locked upon Lin Qingwan, everyone's eyes turned strange.

Momentarily, a strange atmosphere befell upon everyone around the table.

While on Lin Qingwan's side, she got a clear look at her face only when Tian Cuilan had raised her head.

Last time's encounter was too abrupt. At that time, when the scene of Yang Tiezhu gazing at Tian Cuilan fell into her eyes, she was beyond furious and didn't look at the other person carefully. But today, having taken a clear look at her face, she found that this Tian Cuilan was also actually quite pretty. She possessed a melon face and fair skin tone. But, her somewhat wan and pale complexion diminished her overall appearance. Furthermore, coupled with her timid bearing and weak presence, she looked like a bullied young woman.

After glancing at her for a while, Lin Qingwan shifted her gaze away from Tian Cuilian. Because, for starters, she had regained her cool-headedness long ago. At that time, it was only because she became muddle-headed that she misunderstood her man like that. And secondly, since Yang Tiezhu cherished her, just based on this bit of affection, she felt she didn't have to feel apprehensive because of this woman.

But just because Lin Qingwan was unemotional didn't mean Tian Cuilan would also share such emotions. As she gazed upon Lin Qingwan, the thought that this woman was Elder brother Tiezhu's wife spurt in her heart….she was very pretty…. Her thoughts drifted towards the childhood memories of Yang Tiezhu and her and her rough and unfortunate fat. Thereupon, tears welled up in her eyes.

Seeing that something was wrong, especially the tears in her daughter's eyes, Tian shen swiftly got up and pulled Tian Cuilan up with a hollow laugh.

"You all sit and continue chatting. I will go and see where my family's old man is. Sit down first, let's see where my old man is." Saying so, she dragged Tian Cuilan and walked away.

Everyone was aware that this was just Tian shen's pretext to leave the place. Thus, they didn't force her to sit. Waiting till the two left, the others began engaging in conversation.

But of course, since the main protagonist, Lin Qingwan was still sitting there, they didn't discuss the past relationship between Tian Cuilan and Yang Tiezhu. Rather, they gossiped about matters pertaining to Tian Culian….

Only then did Lin Qingwan become aware that Tian Cuilan was married into another village. Then how come she bumped into her twice within such a short span of time.

So, it turned out that—

The year after Yang Tiezhu left home to serve in the army, Tian shen's family wanted to withdraw the engagement between the two. But Tian Cuilan adamantly refused, wailing that she would wait for Elder Brother Tiezhu's return.

Seeing her resolute attitude,Tian jia's people put off this discussion for later. After all, Tian Cuilan wasn't much old and only fourteen years old—one year younger than Yang Tiezhu.

But, once the new year passed and Tian Cuilan turned fifteen, they wished to go to Yang jia to withdraw the engagement to look for another match for her. Tian Cuilan still stood on her grounds and adamantly refused. However, Tian shen ignored Tian Cuilan's wails and opposition and let her family's man go and sort out with Yang jia. Once the marriage engagement was broken, she right away began looking for another match for Tian Cuilan. The next prospective groom was a young man from outside the village. Compared to Yang jia's family's condition, their family was faring quite better. Thereupon, the marriage between the two was fixed.

Seeing that her family was unwilling to give in to her, Tian Cuilan had no other choice but to tearfully marry into another village.

Afterward, as the time gradually passed, her days with her husband were quite good, and she slowly forgot Yang Tiezhu.

But who would have imagined that she was born under an ill star? Even after several years of marriage, Tian Cuilan failed to conceive even once, and her husband's family began to become anxious. Nevertheless, their family was kind and honest and didn't admonish her much. They just let the young couple take some silver and consult a physician in the town to see what the problem was.

The results turned out to be bad and indicated that, unexpectedly, it was a problem on the women's side.

No matter how kind and honest other people were, they just can't helplessly look on as their son's bloodline ceases in the future. In the countryside, people didn't have the custom of taking a concubine in. Thus, without any better option, they decided to divorce Tian Cuilan.

But, at that time, Tian jia rushed to their house and made a fuss several times. However, no matter how much fuss you make, you would still be the unreasonable one. They just can't marry a wife who can't lay eggs and keep them in their houses and let their family's son's bloodline be cut off. Tian shen put her face aside and implored them. In the end, that family complied with her. They didn't divorce Tian Cuilan but married a secondary wife. The former and later shared the same status in the family.

The day the secondary wife married, Tian Cuilan vacated the room she and her husband used to share and moved into her husband's younger sister's room. Her mother-in-law's words also sounded reasonable—there aren't many rooms in the house, and they still wished to hold their grandson soon. Her intention was plain as day—Anyways, you can't give birth. Then don't hold back others and move away, and let the other person give birth.

That secondary wife came from a very poor household. In order to collect silver to marry that secondary wife's brother, her father heartlessly sold her daughter to get a high bride price. Furthermore, this secondary wife's belly was also quite good. Not long after carrying, she became pregnant.

This made Tian Cuilan's in-laws become fond of her, and their favourability towards the secondary wife increased more and more. And Tian Cuilan's situation became even worse among the two.

In the beginning, that secondary wife was quite timid. After all, it hadn't been long since she had married into the family. However, ever since she became pregnant, her in-laws and husband were as if they were itching to hold her in the cusp of their palms. Thus, gradually, her courage grew, and the more she looked at Tian Cuilan, the more she began to dislike her.

No one wishes to be just a secondary wife. Even though they were called secondary wives, in actuality, they didn't have much status. They didn't have a marriage contract, and their marriage wasn't registered in official records. Although a wedding banquet was set up in the village, and villagers also regarded her as so-and-so person's wife, how could one accept someone else snoring by one's own bedside?

Tian jia's old couple had erred and merely thought that as long as their daughter didn't get a divorce, she would be able to continue living on. How could they have foreseen that ever since the second wife stepped in, a live-or-die situation would arise in the house? But of course, though it wasn't as exaggerated as this, nevertheless, the situation escalated to the point where either the east wind would prevail over the west wind or the west wind prevail over the east wind. And certainly, if the suppressed one could keep on enduring, the days would still go on in that manner.

That secondary wife found Tian Cuilan unpleasant to the eyes. Thus, all day long, she began inciting her man and mother-in-law against her, making it hard for Tian Cuilan at every turn.

To begin with, households in rural areas weren't quite rich. And to raise a daughter-in-law who can't lay eggs was not an ordinary matter. One or two days were fine, but as the days passed, Tian Cuilan's mother-in-law also began to hate her, feeling that the food at home was being wasted on her. After further being instigated by the secondary wife, she began to throw all the house chores on Tian Cuilan.

Tian Cuilan's true hard days began. On the one hand, she had to hurry to finish all the house chores, on the other hand, she also had to wait upon that pregnant secondary wife. Moreover, she was a petulant one too. She coaxed her husband into favoring her alone and even had Tian Cuilan clean the couple's foot wash too.

Later, that secondary wife gave birth to a son, solidifying her situation even more in the family. Tian Cuilan's situation worsened even more. It was as if she had become a free, unpaid female servant of a family.

It would have been fine if it was just physical labor and stress, but Tian Cuilan was even tormented mentally. That secondary wife was all smiles on the surface, but behind everyone's back, she always ridiculed Tian Cuilan for being a hen that couldn't lay eggs and also even flaunted how much strength her man had shown the previous night…. As the days passed, Tian Cuilan couldn't endure any longer. Physically and emotionally exhausted, Tian Cuilan spent the day in, day out, washing her face with tears. Her body also became all skin and bones. After a few years, Tian jia's members were unable to bear her daughter living such an exhausting life. Their own family's daughter was tossed till she no longer seemed human. They knocked on their door and requested divorce before taking Tian Cuilan back home.

Tian Cuilan came back last winter. But not after she came, Yang Tiezhu sustained injuries. Dreading that villagers would make thoughtless remarks, Tian shen hid her in the house and didn't let her out.

It was only in the spring of this year that villagers got wind of Tian Cuilan's matter and began gossiping over it. Since the jar had already cracked, Tian shen simply broke it and brought Tian Cuilan out.

Amid the heated discussion among the young women over Yian jia's affairs, Second tangsao Nie slowly whispered to Lin Qingwan apologetically, "Younger Cousin Qingwan, I am truly sorry, ah. After so many years, Tian Cuilan's matter slipped out of my mind, and didn't think about it. I must have made the situation awkward."

With a smile, Lin Qingwan comforted her in a low voice," Second tangsao, don't mull over it too much. I didn't take it to heart at all. Besides, it was a matter that happened many years ago."

"It's alright."

Although her mouth was busy speaking with Second Tangsao Nie, not a single word from the discussion at the side slipped from her ears. Upon hearing this, in her heart, she couldn't help but think that Tian Cuila's days were too tragic. First, her engagement was withdrawn by her family's compulsion. Then, when she got married, she couldn't become pregnant. On top of all of these she even had to work like an ox and wait upon that secondary wife….

How unfortunate was she to encounter such things?

As the hubbub in the main room died down, the crowd poured out of the room and became ready to feast on the banquet. The dishes also were served one after the other.

Glancing at the dishes, Lin Qingwan thought, He-shi indeed spent a lot of silver. For the feast was quite sumptuous with chicken, pork, and fish. She reckoned that for today's event, He-she must have killed almost all the hens at home.

Once the banquet came to its end, all the guests gradually retired to their homes.

Second tangsao Nie sent Lin Qingwan to Yang Tiezhu's side before following the rest of the crowd. The rest of the Yang jia members got busy cleaning up the area.

Yang Tiezhu's left shoulder still hasn't healed completely yet. Thus Lin Qingwan had warned him again and again, forbidding him from using his left arm, earlier this morning itself. Thus, at the moment, Yang Tiezhu wasn't of much help and only helped in carrying a few slightly heavy things. Lin Qingwan stood by the side and watched as the crowd busily cleaned up the entire place.

The third branch's husband and wife were so busy that their feet barely touched that ground, forget about eating anything this while. tIn the entire Yang jia, apart from Yang laoyezi and Lin Qingwan, who sat at the banquet, no one else got to eat.

They quickly put away the tables and chairs, stored the leftovers away and washed all the borrowed cutleries, and returned them to their owners. Otherwise, the other families won't have any bowls to eat breakfast in the morning.

Quickly finishing the work, Wang-shi wished to go and have dinner. She had been starving for ages. But all this while she happened to be too busy to care about her starving belly. When she marched to the kitchen, she found that all the dishes with leftover food had gone missing. Upon hastily asking Yao-shi she got to know that He-shi had taken all of them into the main room.

Stopping at the kitchen doorway, Wang-shi shouted at He-shi, asking her where the dishes were.

"Eat, eat, eat, all you can think about is to eat. Would you die if you ate a moment later?" Lifting open the curtain, He-shi criticized her.

Wang-shi's mouth at once deflated, unable to produce a syllable.

After reprimanding Wang-shi, He-shi's pair of eyes trailed towards Lin Qingwan and narrowed as she gazed at her. But then, upon thinking something, she didn't say anything to her. Rather, she called for Yao-shi.

Yao-shi hurriedly dashed to her with her brows beaded with sweat.

"Alright, you and lasaon need not tirelessly do things here. Hurry back to the room and take a rest. Wang-shi will wrap up the rest of the things.."

If you thought He-shi was thinking for the third branch's couple and didn't want them to tirelessly work themselves, then you are gravely mistaken! He-shi's words 'go back to room' didn't only fall in Lin Qingwan's ears but in everyone's ears who were working in the yard. Having drunk too much alcohol and intoxicated, Yang laoyezi had already returned to the room to lie down. The newlyweds were in their bridal chamber. The rest of the Yang jia's members were helping in the yard.

As soon as He-shi's words left her mouth, a complete silence befell in the yard.

Hearing these words, Yao-shi's complexion darkened. However, without a further word, she removed the apron that was tied around her waist and flung it aside in the kitchen before stamping out.

After coming out, she glanced at her man, and the two returned to their room.

Yang Tiezhu didn't know what to say anymore. He, too, hadn't eaten anything. He noiselessly threw the things in his hand away before turning around to his wife and supporting his wife, intending to help his wife back.

At first, Wang-shi was dumbfounded, feeling stuffy in her heart. But when she heard He-shi asking the third branch's couple to 'go back to room', she at once tittered evilly.

Lin Qingwan gave He-shi an oblique glance—truly coming to an understanding of her level of shamelessness! Besides, who wanted to eat her food. The only reason they agreed to help them was to uphold their honor in the presence of outsiders.

Standing by the third branch's room, she called out, "Third younger brother, third dimei, come to our room for dinner, alright. Yesterday, I stewed some spare ribs. There's still a big pot of it leftover." With a smile, she then turned over to He-shi and said, "With you being like this, who would even wish to lend you a hand. After tirelessly working, the person isn't even called to eat a meal. Even outsiders wouldn't be treated as such. In future, don't come looking for us again for these sorts of matters."

After finishing saying, she muttered aloud, as if speaking to herself, "So foolish of me, ah! Why compare with outsiders? They have already separated and are truly outsiders only."

Afterward, without throwing so much as a glance towards He-shi, pulling her man, she unlocked her room door and stepped in.

Humph, even if you don't invite us to eat, we can just cook and eat by ourselves!

The next day, early in the morning, Yang Ermei called the second and third branches to the main room to meet the new daughter-in-law. Naturally, neither of them went in.

After toiling around for several days, they didn't even bother to call them for a simple meal! What's there to meet the new daughter-in-law? Did they appear that cheap?

If those people wish to have a face in front of their new daughter-in-law, then that was their own problem. Anyway, they won't show up. By lending their hands in Yang Xuezhang's marriage, they had already given enough face to those people. Yesterday, when He-shi put her words in that way, even the always-calm-tempered Yang Tiegen and his wife became furious.

To this, He-shi didn't react much. Anyways, the new daughter-in-law had already entered their family's door.

When basking under the sun in the yard outside, Lin Qingwan often got to see Yang Xuezhnag's new wife while going in and out of the house. Ever since Yang Xuezhang got married, contrary to his former self, who would usually remain holed up in his room, he would often be seen following behind his wife everywhere. The relationship between the two seemed pretty good. Even He-shi regarded this new daughter-in-law of hers highly and would seldomly assign any house chores to her, forget about having her work in the fields.

The new daughter-in-law's surname was Feng, and was called Feng Xuilan. A very beautiful young lady. But at the same time, it could be seen that she was shrewd to be able to coax Yang Xuezhang around her in circles. Even He-shi treated her well.

Once, seeing her basking under the sun by her room's door, Feng-shi approached and began conversing.

Lin Qingwan didn't have any favorable impression of anyone associated with the main room. Thus, she simply paid no heed to her. Even after speaking several sentences, Feng-shi only got monosyllabic replies like en and oh from Lin Qingwan. This Feng-shi also seemed to be perceptive enough, for she never approached to speak up after being ignored by Lin Qingwan as such.

Feng-shi's days were smooth-sailing, and Wang-shi was certainly unwilling to reconcile with such a situation. Both of them were daughters-in-law, yet one seldomly did any work while the other was swamped with work. This scenario was undoubtedly similar to Wang-shi and Yao-shi's before Lin Qingwan married in.

Wang-shi couldn't take it anymore and didn't give anyone a face either. Thus, every two to three days, chaos would rise over there.

As astute as that Feng-shi was, she never confronted Wang-shi openly. She would always flee behind He-shi and let her deal with Wang-shi. At least for Yang Xuezhang's sake, He-shi would never let her eldest daughter-in-law bully her youngest daughter-in-law. Thus every single time, Wang-shi was severely rebuked by He-shi and met a disastrous end.

If you are oppressed, you ought to rebel. And Wang-shi was never the type who liked getting oppressed. Nevertheless, she had never rebelled against He-shi in a genuine sense. However, you would never know if you don't try rebelling even once, no?

The more Wang-shi was oppressed, the more she liked to rebel. Thus, as of late, there was absolute mayhem in the main room.

However, all of these were the least of concern to Lin Qingwan and them.

With the changing climate and warming weather, preserving laweixian to their utmost quality was their topmost priority.

Yang-shi and they no longer dared to make laweixian in large quantities and store them to sell slowly. Rather they only made them every few days and delivered them to the town when they were done.

Yang Tiezhu's shoulder was also completely healed. But apart from a few close ones, none of the outsiders had the idea about it.

Once Yang Tiezhu was completely back to normal, Lin Qingwan shared her plan of expanding the sale of laweixian to neighboring villages and towns.

Upon hearing this idea, Yang Tiezhu felt it was pretty good and wanted to give it a try.

Currently, Laweixian's supply was solely limited to a few restaurants in Luoyun town. And their daily sales volume amounted to about 40 jin. Although the quantity didn't amount much, they generated a revenue of about 2-3 silver taels per day. This was before the initial cost and dividends deduction. After deducting manufacturing costs and other expenses, Yang Tiezhu and his wife earned approximately 1 silver tael, while Yang-shi and the third husband's husband and wife earned about 400 wen each.

Riches and wealth could stir people's hearts. These were only Luoyun town's profits. If they managed to sell these in other town's restaurants like Luoyun town, wouldn't they make even more profits?

No one would deny wealth. This was particularly so when Laweixian's business was going smoothly, unimpeded. Riding this wave, they had to rush to expand it. Even if it might get exhaustive, for peasants who toil in the fields with blood and sweat, how much of a problem would this pose?

After contemplating it, Yang Tiezhu wanted to give it a try. However, Lin Qingwan felt transportation might be a problem.

The current situation was unlike her past life, where you could go anywhere on cabs. Even if there weren't cabs, they could use public transportations, subways, and travel to distant lands via trains and flights. The transport here was lagging. It was possible to go to the other towns and the distance wasn't much. There were even mule carts available, but the fare price was too high.

If she solely relied upon the person to travel by foot or even hire a mule cart, wouldn't the person become exhausted to death? Furthermore, if they truly begin selling laweixian in other areas, they can't count only on travel by foot or mule cart for delivering the goods. Not only would it be inconvenient timewise, but transporting would also be difficult in that way.

Thus, Lin Qingwan decided to buy a mule cart. As for a horse-drawn carriage, forget about it. There wasn't any need to mention, this sort of luxurious article could only be afforded by wealthy households. Currently, they were at most wealthy peasants. Not to mention, their wealth was limited, and they couldn't afford such pointless expenses. It also can't be an ox cart. Because, for one, they didn't have a space at home to accommodate an ox and cart. And two, the ox cart's speed was too slow. If they had to rely upon ox carts to travel long distances, it might make people too impatient ah..

A mule cart was just right. Though it wasn't as fast as a horse-drawn carriage, it was also not slow. And most importantly, the price was also reasonable. A mule cart and rear carriage would cost about twenty silver taels.

A mule cart would cost a little over ten silver taels. But the two-wheeled cart that comes along with it won't do. They have to have a separate carriage made with a few extra silver. Though a cart was also good for traveling. But if they wished to transport the goods, they had to have a completely enclosed carriage.

Taking out twenty silver taels wasn't much of a problem for them at the moment. Lin Qingwan had earned about 100 silver tales from Laweixian business in the past few months. Furthermore, she still had savings left from selling her embroidery piece. Recently, their expenses haven't been much either. Thus, they still had 200 silver taels altogether and could easily afford a mule cart.

If you desire to buy something, you could. Such was the capriciousness that came with wealth.

Yang Tiezhu too clearly understood that his wife was worried for him. Owning a cart was a must if he wanted to expand the business to other places. Moreover, delivering in one's own mule cart would be convenient to deliver large quantities at a time. Else he would have to deliver the goods in a large wicker basket every day by hiring an ox cart.

After wandering around the town for a long while, Yang Tiezhu finally returned home with a black mule and an almost new carriage at its back.

This black mule seemed to be over two years old and had not completely reached adulthood. His shiny and smooth fur was proof of its previous owner's care and meticulousness towards it.

As soon as Lin Qingwan saw the carriage, she realized that this carriage came along with the mule and asked Yang Tiezhu how it happened. With a smile, he narrated his chance encounter with a family who wanted to sell their mule cart for silver. Along with a carriage at the back, they were willing to sell at 18 silver taels.

After calculating the pros and cons, Yang Tiezhu decided to buy it.

A mule was bought, and even a carriage was bought. But now a question arose: Where would they shelter it, ah? Yang jia's yard need not be mentioned; Lin Qingwan didn't invite trouble to herself. Thus, they could only keep it in Yang-shi's home and build a separate shed over there for the black mule there.

But then, Yang-shi's place became even smaller. The backyard was already filled with the drying racks for laweixian. Now, with the addition of this, the space in the front yard was also occupied. Yang-shi didn't utter a single word of objection and had them keep it in her place. Even the third branch's couple assured that they would be in charge of feeding the mule and wouldn't trouble eldest gumu. Nonetheless, Lin Qingwan still felt apologetic for them in her heart.

However, they had no other way. All they had was a single room, with the yard being a public place shared by all the residents of Yang jia. They truly didn't have any other place.

Inevitably, the thought of building a house for them and moving into it arose in Lin Qingwan's mind.

This wasn't a spontaneous idea that she pondered for a day or two. Since the beginning, Lin Qingwan had always wanted to move away from here.

Although she would usually, once in a while, assume the stance of watching a drama and have fun watching the mayhem in the main room, which also increased her appetite. However, if it becomes a regular affair, it would be a disturbance. While sitting outside, she could hear the sound from inside the main room till there. Not to mention, sharing the yard with the people in the main room is inconvenient. And if they wish to do something, they have to be secretive and watchful of the main room's people.

Lin Qingwan was an activist. No sooner than such thought arose in her mind, she wished to put her plan into action at that very moment. But her huge belly posed an inconvenience and lacked understanding about how to have a house built. Thus, she approached Yang-shi and inquired her.

Upon listening to her plans, Yang-shi also seconded her opinion.

In the past, they were short of silver. But now when they have ample, for what reason should they cram with that family and bring inconvenience to themselves should they want to do something. Yang-shi was aware that Yang Tiezhu and his wife possessed plenty of savings. They had been making laweixian for quite a lot of time now. She and third branch's husband and wife get twenty percent of dividends each. Then Yang Tiezhu and she should earn even more and should have sufficient to build a house.

Yang-shi advised her to not get impatient and discuss it with everyone. And reassured her that she would surely help her to find a place to have their house built.

Lin Qingwan, too, after thinking it over, felt this matter couldn't be rushed. Currently, she was five months into her pregnancy. She was still left with a few months before her gestation period ended. So long as the house could be built before this time period, it would be fine. She wished to give birth her and Yang Tiezhu's new child in the new house.

Back at home, she put her idea in front of Yang Tiezhu, who, after listening to her, joked with a smile—saying, after becoming wealthy, she became cocky. It hasn't been long since she bought a mule cart and was already planning to build a new house.

Nevertheless, after giving it a thought, Yang Tiezhu also felt this idea was pretty good. Lin Qingwan wasn't the only one feeling annoyed by the noises from the main room. He, too, felt the same. On normal occasions, whenever they run into one another in the yard, the two parties maintain silence, making the atmosphere awkward and uncomfortable. Moreover, he also didn't plan to have anything to do with those people. Apart from providing elderly support every year, the rest of the matters are least of his concern.

Yang Tiezhu was also aware in his heart that quite a lot of matters were happening in the main room. Just because nothing has happened as of yet, it doesn't mean it would continue to be so. Eldest sao's every now and then actions of approaching his wife and trying to start a conversation didn't slip from his notice. He was distinctly aware of what sort of people the eldest branch's couple were. People like them would be itching to get benefits once they saw anyone profitable. Later in the future, as their business flourishes, a day would inevitably come when others will get to know about it. If they continued to live under one roof even then, they would certainly be annoyed to death.

Yang Tiezhu, too, was comprehensive in his thoughts and asked Lin Qingwan to wait for him to return back from his trip to nearby towns and see if the business could be settled with them. If they could expand the business, they would have even more silver when building the house.

He knew that his wife still had about two hundred silver taels of savings. Of which, a hundred came from selling her embroidery, and the other half came from laweixian business. However, they were about to have a baby; having more silver is always better.

Lin Qingwan also felt the same, and thus the two unanimously came to an agreement.

Thereafter, Yang Tiezhu, who was occupied with other thoughts, couldn't sit still anymore and began to prepare for his trip the next day. Before going away, he had to make arrangements for his wife. Even after requesting the third branch's husband and wife to look after his wife, he went and brought Dahei as well to keep guard.

One might say he was making a din out of nothing, but Yang Tiezhu was aware of the personalities of Yang jia's people too well. Who knows when they will drop by and make a fuss? His wife was alone, and the third branch's husband and wife still had to go to Yang-shi's place for work. Inevitably, there would be times when she would be left alone. If Dahei was there to accompany her during those times, he would feel reassured.

After handling all these matters, he informed Lin Qingwan that he might be away for several days this time. After all, it was his first time, and everything might not go smoothly. The neighboring town wasn't far from them, just two shichen away from them. But this time, he wished to make a trip to several other towns collectively.

Lin Qingwan sent him off with some silver and a silver banknote that was hidden in a secret pocket of the clothes she had made for him.

That's right; currently, Lin Qingwan also had a silver banknote.

The former denomination of small copper coins had gradually expanded to silver. Later on, with the increasing of silver taels, storing them posed quite a problem and were then turned into silver banknotes by her—a quantitative leap indeed! The value of silver banknotes in their possession wasn't much. The largest denomination was fifty taels and was given to her by Jinxiufang's shopkeeper Su in exchange for her embroidery article, which hasn't been used till now. The rest of the amount was twenty taels, but it was fortunately easy to carry for Yang Tiezhu.

Mounting on the mule cart, Yang Tiezhu bid farewell to his family members. Although he was reluctant to part with his wife and the child in his wife's womb, he resolutely bid said his goodbye and set off.

Nevertheless, as his entire thoughts were consumed by his unwillingness to go, he seemed to have forgotten that this parting was just about a couple of days.

Yang Tiezhu soon suppressed his reluctance to part with the surging enthusiasm to accomplish the matter. After all, his trip outside this time was to earn money to build a nice house for his wife and to raise the kids.

As for Yang Tiezhu, it's been a while since Yang jia had seen him.

In the second branch's room, Lin Qingwan was the only one living there. As for the third branch's husband and wife, they seem to be appearing and disappearing elusively all day long; even their silhouette couldn't be seen. And then there was this dog that Yang Tiezhu had been raising; he had never brought it home. Don't know when it returned, but all day long it kept following Lin Qingwan.

Piqued with curiosity, Wang-shi asked Lin Qingwan about Yang Tiezhu's whereabouts when the latter was basking under the sun outside.

Yang Tiegen helped her move the rocking chair outside along with the table for snacks before he left. Reckoning that her man had asked Yang Tiegen to do so, Lin Qingwan's heart felt as if it had been suffused with sweetness upon identifying her husband's attentiveness towards her.

Lin Qingwan languidly squinted her eyes, unwilling to respond to her. However, while Wang-shi's hands were busy washing the clothes, her mouth was nevertheless unwilling to concede as she continued to ask for the second time.

She impatiently replied, "Eldest sao, my man has gone out to earn money for his wife and kids. If not, wouldn't our whole family have to drink the northwest wind?"

Wang-shi curled her lips in displeasure, 'What money can a crippled earn?' Just as she was about to open her lips, a silhouette entered her sight from the corner of her eyes.

"Yo, where is the fourth dimei going? What is in your hand?" Feng-shi's oddity in her action as she came hadn't slipped from Wang-shi's notice. Just because she was engaging in conversation with Lin Qingwan, it doesn't mean that her eyes were solely focused on her as well.

Feng-shi's body stiffened momentarily before her pace quickened towards the main room as if she hadn't heard a word.

Had it been someone else, upon seeing the other person disinclined to pay attention to them, they would simply brush it off.

However, Fang-shi seemed to have highly underestimated Wang-shi's bottom line. Wang-shi leaped up like a tiger. Her plump sprinted up from the stool and dashed to bar Feng-shi's path.

Not only didn't she bar her way, but she also snatched things from the other person's hands.

Wang-shi was enraged when she tore open the cover yet found it laughable.

"Aiyo, fourth dimei, your life is truly good, even eating a boiled egg! From where did you get these eggs? Our family doesn't eat eggs alone, yo! Our family meals are 'fixed meals' yo!"

Lin Qingwan was amused by Wang-shi's series of yo's. Sensing a good play was about to begin, she put away her indolent and spiritless appearance and quickly sat upright and fixed her eyes over there.

Da Hei, who had been lying beside her chair, also detected the movements over there. He turned his head and trained his eyes there without moving. Thereby, a pair of a person and a dog watched over the spectacle with great enthusiasm. Lin Qingwan took a handful of peanuts and deshelled them before eating one and feeding the other to Dahei.

After a few days, Dahei had become accustomed to his hostess's habit of stuffing something or other into his mouth. His actions also became quite fluid. As soon as Lin Qingwan threw one towards him, he would open his mouth and catch it swiftly and accurately.

While over there, Feng-shi's face turned pitch black.

Feng-shi was truly astute and realized this eldest sao of hers, Wang-shi, was not easy to deal with long ago. After marrying into the Yang jia, apart from Wang-shi, who made a fuss at every turn, everyone else treated her quite well.

As for the family's dietary habits—although Feng jia has a xuicai, their family's financial straits were quite poor, far from prosperity. Usually, their meals were composed of thin porridge and a steamed bun, passing their days with difficulty. Thus, she didn't find the food here unbearable. Besides, her mother-in-law, He-shi, would always try to secretly give her and her husband food at every possible opportunity. And whenever her eldest sao opposed her, her mother-in-law would always help her obstruct her. Her mother-in-law spoiled her while her husband treated her well too. If her eldest sao, Wang-shi, had also given her some snacks, it would have been perfect.

Unfortunately, that was unlikely to happen. Just like today, her mother-in-law gave her a few eggs to boil and eat along with her husband secretly. Obviously, she had been cautious and even boiled the water only on the pretext of taking a bath. Yet, she didn't escape from Wang-shi's scrutiny.

Feng-shi's face turned slightly red, a little flustered and exasperated. After all, it hadn't been long since she married, and she hadn't trained her facial expressions yet. Having been caught in the act red-handedly, inevitably, she was beset with slight guilt.

"Eldest sao…"

Feng-shi's words were yet to finish before He-shi came out to help her out of embarrassment.

Hearing the noise outside, He-shi lifted open the curtain and stepped out. Without a word, she then walked towards Wang-shi and snatched the cover from her hands.

"What's this fuss about? I let Fang-shi boil a few eggs. Do I need to get your approval?"

This while, Wang-shi and He-shi's battle of wits has geared a bit, and a mere short sentence as this was unlikely to cool down the situation. Wang-shi's hands were soaking wet, having been washing clothes till a moment ago. Thus, she began flinging them, also using the act to gain herself momentum.

"Mother-in-law, you are siding with Feng-shi, aren't you? Why are you shouting at me? Feng-shi secretly pilfered a few eggs and boiled them to eat. When I caught her in the act, you protect her, saying you let her do so. How can you be this biased?

As she was avoiding the water droplets, rage crept up to Fang-shi's face, turning her red. However, she was caught in the act, making it difficult for her to find words of rebuttal. Thereby, she could only stand aside with the rims of her eyes turning red in ire.

At this moment, Yang Xuezhang also made his way out upon hearing sounds.

Seeing Wang-shi finding faults with Feng-shi again, a crease formed amid his brows. Taking in the reddened eyes of his wife, Fang-shi, he, who had never stepped into women's quarrels, stepped in.

With respect to his wife, Feng-shi, Yang Xuezhang was pleased to an immense degree. Not only was she pretty good-looking, she also came from a family with a xiucai. Yang Xuezhang's regard towards this wife of his was pretty high. Thus, he opened his mouth to help her out of trouble for the first time ever.

"Elder sao, those words of yours are extremely unpleasant to hear? Pilfering food? Catching in the act? Do you think everyone is like you?"

Have to say, this Yang Xuezhang wasn't quite good with words. He was the one who was in the wrong in actuality, yet rather than diverting the topic with a few light quips, he went ahead and stabbed the other person's sore spot. In such a case, wouldn't it fuel other people's ire even more?

No sooner than Wang-shi heard Yang Xuezhnag's words, sure enough, rage overwhelmed her.

Speaking about this matter, it was a long story.

He-shi always had tight control over the food at home, while Wang-shi was inherently gluttonous. After craving it for a long time, she couldn't bear it anymore.

In the past, Yang jia used to raise dozens of hens. Although they killed a lot of them for Yang Xuezhang's marriage, they still had a few hens that could lay eggs.

These hens laid eggs almost every day, but nevertheless, there would be days when they didn't lay any eggs. One time, even after the chicken laid an egg, He-shi didn't have the time to pick them up. Usually, He-shi never allowed her daughters-in-law to pick the eggs. If anyone happened to pick them, she would severely reprimand them.

That time, Wang-shi reckoned she must have been craving for them too long, for she dared to pilfer three eggs to boil them and eat.

He-shi still had a basic idea of how many eggs the hen laid every day. That day, when she went to collect the eggs, she didn't find any. It would be plausible to say one hen didn't lay an egg but to say none of the three hens laid eggs would be hard to believe. Suspicion crept into He-shi's heart, but she hadn't seen who had stolen them; thus, she remained silent. Who would have imagined that after eating the eggs the previous day, Wang-shi seemed to have become addicted and once again went to steal the eggs the next day as well? He-shi, who had been keeping an eye all along over this side, caught her in the act.

He-shi flew into a terrible rage and showered Wang-shi with a torrent of curses onto Wang-shi in the yard. Wang-shi didn't even have a bit of face left and was thoroughly embarrassed.

At that time, Lin Qingwan was sitting in the room. Upon hearing bits and pieces of He-shi's tongue-lashing, she understood the gist of the situation.

Generally speaking, the situation shouldn't be far from this.

Wang-shi was ruthlessly reprimanded; consequently, she became truly well-behaved for the next few days. With great difficulty, she and her mother-in-law had finally forgotten about this incident. Thus naturally, Yang Xuezhang mentioning this matter again made her furious.

Had it been an ordinary person, in the event their weakness was unmasked, they would be overwhelmed with shame and embarrassment.

However, was Wang-shi an ordinary person? No, she was not! Her reactions were never like an ordinary person's!

Wang-shi rolled her small eyes before opening her mouth, "Aiyo, fourth younger brother, we cannot be compared with you. We were raised by a stepmother and aren't welcomed at home. Our entire family, adult and young alike were all picked from the roadside and brought home. To say nothing of a hen egg, we can't even eat a hen's sh*t. If we don't resort to pilfering, how would we be able to even eat? We are not you to have a mother who secretly stuffs you with all sorts of food every day.

Eccentricity was overflowing from Wang-shi's tone. Lin Qingwan, who was listening to all of this from the side, was nearly choked by peanuts from her remark. She quickly poured a glass of water and drank.

Wang-shi's words didn't just cause Yang Xuezhang to flush but also made He-shi's face become livid.

"Woah! this is how you have regarded this old lady. Had I dug your ancestral grave or what? Every day you ride on top of this old lady's head…"

"Mother, don't say my words are unpleasant. I truly feel that our eldest branch was picked from outside. We do the dirty work and work tirelessly, but all the delicacies are concealed and eaten by you guys. This is the only time I happened to catch you, but who knows how many of such incidents have been happening out of my sight. How can you all bully a person like this?"

The more Wang-shi spoke, the more wronged she felt and the more she wanted to cry. Why was it that her life was drifting more and more away from her expectations? Those days when the second and third branches were living together were far better. At least there was Yao-shi, who was below her.

Recalling her past days, Wang-shi was beset with gloom.

When she was unhappy, how could others possibly be happy?

"Our family's Dalang, Erlang, and Sanlang are your blood-related grandsons, but I never saw you giving them any boiled eggs to eat? Why? In other families, boys are treated previously, but in our family, they are treated as if they were picked from the roadside. In the end, in the entire Yang jia, only Yang laosi is precious. The rest of us all are equivalent to grass, right?"

Yang Xuezhang's face turned red. However, whether the cause for redness was embarrassment or fury was unknown.

Feng-shi chipped in, "Eldest sao, do not indiscriminately frame a person. It was just this once…"

Wang-shi cut in, "I only happened to see once, but what about the times when I haven't seen? All of this stuff is locked by the mother in her room. How will I know how much of the food is pilfered by you all?"

Never heard of the saying, 'Getting caught once is equivalent to getting hit ten times'?

Similar thoughts were running in Wang-shi's brain, too. Furthermore, an unfettered imagination begets unlimited thoughts in a person. The more Wang-shi mulled over it, the more confident she became in her assumptions. Subsequently, her words similarly became unpleasant.

He-shi was itching to seize Wang-shi's flapping mouth. Unfortunately, Wang-shi nimbly dodged away from her.

Utterly discomfited, He-shi picked up the broom in the yard and began thrashing Wang-shi with it. Nevertheless, don't get fooled by Wang-shi's plump figure. She was quite agile and excellent at dodging. All of He-shi's strikes fell upon Yang Xuezhang and Feng-shi, who grumbled while continuously avoiding them.

Though Wang-shi was busy dodging, her mouth didn't stop.

"Mother, are you now even raising your hand on others? You can condemn others when you catch them, but others can't even say a few words…"

While scampering all over the yard, Wang-shi trotted towards Lin Qingwan's side.

Initially, Lin Qingwan was cheerful watching the play from the sidelines, but when Wang-shi's movements and He-shi's figure chasing from behind fell into her eyes, an ominous feeling crept over her. She quickly wanted to stand up and move far away from them. But her big belly posed an inconvenience in her movements.

Anxiety flooded her heart, dreading that a calamity might befall her. At this time, Dahei, who was lying beside her, moved.

Dahei issued out low guttural sounds as his body leaned in as if he would pounce on them at any minute. Dahei resembled a wolf in appearance and possessed a lofty and robust body. He appeared extremely frightening when he postured himself in a hunting stance with bared fangs.

Wang-shi was intimidated by Dahei to the point she didn't bother about hiding from He-shi. Her legs became soft and slumped onto the ground. While He-shi, who was chasing her from behind, didn't have time to stop her momentum and directly crashed into Wang-shi, causing the two to roll into a ball.

Seeing them not approaching, Dahei, still not feeling reassured, growled a few more times and bared his fangs as if warning them he wouldn't be polite if they came again.

Both Wang-shi and He-shi were plump; thus, even after struggling for a long time, they were unable to get up. Seeing his mother tumble over, Yang Xuezhang quickly rushed over to help her up and was only able to do so after expending a lot of effort.

After stumbling down, He-shi and Wang-shi both forgot about their fight. Their faces flushed with anger, and they wished to berate Lin Qingwan a bit. But upon glancing at the Dahei, who was glaring at the two akin to a tiger watching its prey, they didn't dare to open their mouths.

Lin Qingwan's belly was about to burst from restraining her laughter, but her face didn't show any expressions.

The incident today was so hilarious, particularly when He-shi and Wang-shi fell together; they resembled a human pyramid. And her family's Dahei was also quite cool.

Lin Qingwan supported her waist and stood up before patting Dahei's head, wishing to hurry into her room and burst into laughter inside.

"Good job, Da Hei. I will cook you some stew tonight."

Nevertheless, she had yet to step into the room when Lin Qingwan broke into a peal of laughter.

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha…"

The people in the yard weren't aware of what made her laugh so much, but they were sure she was laughing at them, causing their faces to turn black.