Chapter 24: A Lame Leg
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The villagers of Green Mountain Village knew that Sheng Wanqiu had always been a fierce woman, but no one had expected her to become even more ruthless now that both her parents were gone.
Without a word, she had kicked Liu Juan, making it perfectly clear that even if the Emperor of Heaven himself came today, he would have to crawl out.
Liu Juan lay sprawled on the ground, her entire body trembling with pain. It took her considerable effort to swallow the blood rising in her mouth.
“Everyone, bear witness! I was minding my own business in the courtyard when my aunt-in-law charged in and tried to hit me. I was acting in self-defense. Even if she takes me to the county magistrate, I’m not afraid!”
“Liu Juan, let me make this clear: if an elder comes looking for trouble, I’ll hit them all the same!”
“If you want to act crazy, go home and shut the door before you do it. If you dare come here looking for trouble again, I’ll chop off your hands and feet!”
Sheng Wanqiu picked up the ax from the ground and brought it down on a tree trunk as thick as a bowl, splitting it in two. The sight sent chills through every onlooker.
At her words, Bai Haoyu, who was wedged among the spectators, shuddered as well.
“It’s all your fault! If it weren’t for you, my Zhaodi wouldn’t have had one of her legs bitten off by a wild boar!”
“You’re not leaving until you give me an explanation!” Liu Juan struggled to her feet and began making a scene in front of Sheng Wanqiu.
“That’s ridiculous. Did I hold a knife to her throat and force her up the mountain?”
“You saw me dig up ginseng and sell it for money, and you got jealous. That’s why you sent all three of your daughters up the mountain. Did you think I didn’t know?”
“Don’t forget, our two families live so close together. I knew exactly what you were plotting.”
“You came here to extort money from me, didn’t you? And you still have the nerve to pretend to be a good mother? Bah!”
“Leave if you want, or stay if you want. But if you dare set foot in my courtyard again, I’ll tie Sheng Yaozu up tomorrow and throw him into the mountains to feed the wolves!”
Old Madam Sheng stood coldly in the courtyard, as though she had not even noticed the clash between her eldest daughter-in-law and granddaughter.
Liu Juan did not dare continue causing trouble. Sheng Yaozu was her only son and the apple of her eye. That little wretch Sheng Wanqiu truly seemed capable of carrying out her threat, and for the first time, Liu Juan felt afraid.
“Hmph! I’m not arguing with you anymore. Wait until your uncle comes home—I’ll settle accounts with you properly then!”
She had lost her nerve, but not her tongue. Clutching her aching stomach, she issued one final threat before slowly making her way home.
Sheng Laidi and Sheng Pandi belatedly hurried after her into the courtyard.
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Once the villagers saw that the main participants had left, there was no more spectacle to enjoy, and they dispersed.
“Grandmother, you don’t blame me, do you?” Sheng Wanqiu asked softly after closing the courtyard gate and coming inside.
“Didn’t I already tell you? From now on, you’re in charge of this family. Whatever you say goes. I’ll simply sit back and enjoy my blessings.”
“And don’t worry. Your uncle is a coward. He won’t dare come looking for trouble.”
“Once our new house is finished, we’ll move out at once. Just looking at that household nuisance next door gives me a headache!”
Old Madam Sheng stared at the neighboring courtyard with undisguised disgust, her face full of contempt.
Sheng Wanqiu slipped an arm around the old woman’s shoulders and affectionately rested her head against them.
“Grandmother, you’re the best grandmother in the whole world!”
“All right, all right! Don’t crush my earrings. I’m very fond of them!” Old Madam Sheng pushed her head away and touched her earlobe.
Sheng Wanqiu: “...”
Sheng Zhaodi’s leg was beyond saving. The wild boar had bitten straight through her lower leg. By the time the village head accompanied her there, night had already fallen. They had forcibly knocked on the door of a medical clinic before finally securing treatment, but it was already too late.
The only way to save her life was to amputate the lower leg. When Sheng Dashan heard the physician say this, his vision went black. His eldest daughter would be crippled for life.
When he learned that the amputation, life-saving treatment, and subsequent care would cost ten taels of silver, he nearly collapsed on the spot.
Ten taels of silver! That was more than the entire family could save in two years, even if they neither ate nor drank.
He did not have enough money on him. After pleading desperately, he managed to pay three taels and signed a contract promising to return with the rest the following day. Only then did the physician agree to begin treating Sheng Zhaodi.
Those three taels had come from the property divided among the brothers when the family split up. Afraid that Liu Juan would send the money to her own family, Sheng Dashan had kept it on his person. Now it had all been spent in an instant, and he still owed the clinic another seven taels.
Early the next morning, Sheng Dashan returned and knelt directly outside Sheng Wanqiu’s gate.
It was the only plan he had been able to think of after a night of deliberation.
By the time he rushed back that morning, everyone in the village already knew that Sheng Zhaodi would become a cripple.
They also knew that Sheng Dashan was in debt. Thus, when they saw him kneeling outside Old Madam Sheng’s gate, they immediately understood his purpose: he had come to borrow money.
When Sheng Wanqiu opened the gate and saw Sheng Dashan, she understood at once. People who shared the same bed could never be entirely different. Whether someone came to extort money or borrow it, the result was the same—they were all like meat buns thrown to a dog, never to return.
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She walked straight past him, slung a bamboo basket over her arm, and left without sparing him even a glance.
Her money belonged to her alone. If she did not want to lend it, no one could force her.
The villagers had all witnessed her kicking Liu Juan down the day before. When they saw her emerge, they assumed the girl would beat Sheng Dashan senseless. None of them expected her to ignore him completely and walk away.
Sheng Dashan was somewhat taken aback. His niece clearly had money. Could she really intend to stand by and watch him die?
How could she be so heartless? He was, after all, her own paternal uncle.
Just as he was about to call after her, his mother, Old Madam Sheng, came out of the small courtyard. She looked thoroughly displeased.
Old Madam Sheng was secretly astonished. Everything was exactly as Wanqiu had predicted the night before. Her eldest son had indeed come to borrow money, using pity as a weapon. Wanqiu had called it emotional blackmail.
She gave her eldest son a long, profound look, then tossed a money pouch at him.
“Children are debts. I can honestly say that I owe none of you anything. I treated all of you brothers fairly.”
“Since you’ve come to me today, I can’t simply stand by and do nothing as your mother.”
“There are six taels here. Three are mine, and the other three belonged to your second brother. Take them all.”
“I know what you’re thinking. Wanqiu is in charge of this household now. Her money belongs to her, and I have no say over it. As for the three taels that belonged to your second brother when the family divided its property, consider them payment from your dead brother for severing all those years of brotherly ties with you.”
“You needn’t repay this money. From now on, don’t come looking for me when you have trouble. I’m old now and can no longer help you.”
“Go on. Go.”
Old Madam Sheng sighed and turned back into the courtyard.
Sheng Dashan’s aged face flushed crimson with shame at his mother’s words. For a moment, he did not know what to say. In silence, he picked up the money pouch from the ground and returned home.
Before long, Liu Juan’s wailing rang out from their courtyard, as though someone were beating her—and not lightly.
“If you don’t go and get that money back today, I’ll divorce you!”