Chapter 1396: Shu Yu's Lack of Insight

The final look that the master of Dongqing Temple gave her showed resignation and compromise.

Shu Yu believed that her master would come out to find her after finishing her business.

To be safe, she told Xia Yan and Ying Xi, "Stay at the back door. If my master comes out from there, stop her."

"Okay."

The two of them went to the back door.

Not knowing what was going on inside, Shu Yu and Meng Yun Zheng leaned against the carriage and waited for a long time without seeing anyone come out.

Just when Shu Yu thought her master had quietly left again, the gate of the Zhou family finally opened.

Zhou, the village head, waved his hand and asked the villagers to step back.

But many people wanted to talk to the master of Dongqing Temple and inquire about things. It took a while before the master and the Zhou family came out.

Shu Yu let out a sigh of relief, about to step forward, but then she saw the master of Dongqing Temple pointing in their direction and saying something.

Zhou and his family came over with quite a few things, placing eggs and pastries in several gift boxes on the carriage.

Shu Yu was stunned. The master of Dongqing Temple bid farewell to Zhou, the village head.

"Get on the carriage." The master of Dongqing Temple glanced at her.

Shu Yu "..."

She pushed the gift boxes inside the carriage and climbed back up. Meng Yunzheng helped her from behind.

Once they were settled, Meng Yunzheng drove the carriage toward the back door of the Zhou family and picked up Xia Yan and Ying Xi who were guarding there. Only then did they leave the Zhou family village.

The master of Dongqing Temple looked at Shu Yu and asked, "Feeling unwell?"

Her actions just now were too stiff.

Shu Yu twitched her lips. "I rode a horse day and night, whipping it to hurry here. If it weren't for that, how could I have seen you again?"

....

This novel is translated by the Eternal Novel Hits translators. Please read it at eternalnovelhits.com

....

The master of Dongqing Temple then turned to Meng Yunzheng. "With him around, what are you worried about? You're being overly dramatic."

Shu Yu snorted. She wasn't being overly dramatic. She was genuinely worried about missing her.

The master of Dongqing Temple didn't hurry to catch up on old times. After making sure she was fine, she spoke to Meng Yunzheng, "The matter with the Zhou family has been resolved."

"Do you know what's wrong with Zhou's son?" Shu Yu asked, getting interested in the topic.

Meng Yunzheng understood what was happening. It seemed that Zhou's son had some love-related issue, but it didn't sound like he was possessed.

However, the master of Dong Qing Temple didn't seem willing to say much, so he didn't ask further.

But...

Shu Yu leaned forward. "So, what exactly happened? Master, please tell us in detail."

The master of Dongqing Temple looked at Meng Yun Zheng and said, "How come she has half of your insight?"

Insight? She had it!

Shu Yu quickly poured a cup of water. "Master, have some water first and moisten your throat before you speak. No need to rush."

The master of Dongqing Temple "..."

Meng Yunzheng lowered his head and silently laughed.

Shu Yu was quite upset when she mentioned her master before, but now that they were face to face, the master of Dongqing Temple couldn't counter her and was left speechless.

Ah Yu, she was clearly seeking revenge.

"Narrow-minded," the master of Dongqing Temple finally took the tea cup, drank some water, and then started talking about the Zhou family's matter. "Zhou Haosi ate a live chicken in the middle of the night just to ruin his reputation. It was a deliberate act, not possession or someone else's scheme."

From the condition of the Zhou family's road, it could be seen that it was a relatively affluent village.

As the village head, Zhou's family was the wealthiest in the village.

 Chapter 1395: Two Women

At the next moment, the master of Dongqing Temple closed her eyes instantly.

Shu Yu's expression froze, and she turned back to look at Meng Yunzheng. "She saw me just now, right?"

Meng Yun Zheng cleared his throat and nodded. "Yes, she saw you."

"Then why did she close her eyes without saying a word? It's like she doesn't want to see me," Shu Yu said, feeling quite certain due to the fleeting look of Dongqing Temple's master.

"Why would she not want to see you? You're overthinking," Meng Yunzheng said, touching his nose.

"I'm not overthinking. She really doesn't want to see me, and I'm sure she's feeling guilty," Shu Yu insisted, recalling the fleeting and evasive gaze of the master of Dongqing Temple.

Guilt about what? Guilty for not settling the scores with her?

Shu Yu gritted her teeth. If it weren't for Meng Yunzheng holding her hand, she would have stormed in.

At that moment, loud noise came from outside the crowd.

"They're here, make way, the village head is back. Clear the path."

Shu Yu and Meng Yunzheng were standing by the door, so they didn't have to make way. They turned their heads and saw a middle-aged man walking with his hands behind his back, creating a path as the crowd parted.

Behind the middle-aged man, there were two people, both women—one older and one younger.

However, both of these women looked very thin and weak, and their clothes were full of patches. Compared to the village head walking in front, they were like heaven and earth.

Once the village head entered the courtyard, his family members surrounded him, and he pointed towards the two women behind him.

The villagers shifted their gazes to the mother and daughter duo, their eyes filled with criticism and dissatisfaction.

The mother and daughter were visibly nervous, and the younger one almost shielded herself in front of the older one.

But the villagers didn't do anything, and the village head directly went to the master of Dongqing Temple, whispering, "Immortal master, as you said, I have found the person. Take a look, is she the one who can save my son's life?"

The master of Dongqing Temple opened her eyes and carefully examined the young girl.

After a moment, she nodded to the village head.

....

This novel is translated by the Eternal Novel Hits translators. Please read it at eternalnovelhits.com

....

The village head and his family suddenly felt a mix of disappointment and happiness. Their expressions were complicated.

The master of Dongqing Temple said something more, and the village head and his family nodded repeatedly. Later, the village head kindly invited the mother and daughter to sit inside. Their attitude had changed significantly from before.

Shu Yu raised an eyebrow, not quite understanding what the master had said.

However, the village head soon came out and drove people away, closing the courtyard gate.

Shu Yu reached out to stop him, but when she looked up, she met the master of Dongqing Temple's gaze again. However, the gaze swiftly moved away.

Then she silently lowered her hand and took a few steps back, allowing the village head to close the gate.

Outside the gate, some people dispersed, but some still lingered and discussed.

"Isn't that the girl from the Li family? Why did the village head bring them over? It seems to be related to that immortal master. Do you think Haosi's affliction is related to the Li family mother and daughter?"

Shu Yu and Meng Yunzheng didn't listen any further. They walked out of the crowd and returned to the side of the carriage.

Meng Yunzheng handed Shu Yu the water flask, and after she drank a few sips, he said, "I thought you would go in to see the master directly."

"No, she has important matters to attend to. We'll just wait outside," Shu Yu replied.

  Chapter 517: A Plan with No Regrets (1)

Upon learning that Wu shi and her daughter had been taken away by Mo Yan, Hong shi was furious. She banged pots and pans, sat at the doorstep, and cursed angrily throughout the noon.

Mo Yongxi was even more discontented, continuously cursing Wu shi and her daughter. It wasn't clear if this stemmed from anger or jealousy, perhaps both. Others in the Mo family kept their thoughts to themselves, silent and contemplative.

Only Mo Yonglu, who hadn't gone to work in the city today, couldn't bear it any longer. Ignoring the midday heat, he picked up a hoe and went out to the fields. Before leaving, he looked disappointedly at Mo Yongfu, who stood silently under the eaves of the house. "Before, I always thought Big Brother was just a bit dull, not good at socializing but kind to his wife and children. Now I realize, not only are you dull, you're also heartless! You will regret this. Someday, you will regret driving Sister-in-law and Big Niece out of the house today!"

After saying this, he glanced pityingly at his pale-faced elder brother and left without turning back.

This household was no longer the same as before. Perhaps it had always been this way, but he had failed to see it clearly himself. This family had decayed to its core, with no hope in sight. Perhaps one day, this family wouldn't even accommodate him anymore, or maybe he would leave on his own...

Mo Yongfu leaned against the wall as if drained of energy, gradually sliding down to the ground. His unfocused eyes stared into an unknown void. Suddenly, a faint figure appeared before him, walking away with its back turned. He reached out hastily, trying to grab hold, but the figure vanished abruptly, leaving only a faint breeze passing through his fingertips, leaving no trace.

Mo Yongfu stared blankly at his own hand, unsure of what memory had surfaced. His face contorted with intense pain. He buried his head deeply into his knees, hands tightly clutching them. His shoulders trembled violently, suppressed sobs escaping through his knees. But the woman who had once regarded him as her everything, the woman he had abandoned, would never appear before him again with gentle words of comfort.

...

"Yan, just find us a room for my daughter and me to settle down. Why bother with so many things?" Wu Shi looked at the well-furnished and elegantly decorated room with tables, chairs, beds, and cabinets, feeling both helpless and grateful.

Mo Yan poured water for the mother and daughter, scolding gently, "These things were already set up when we moved. Now that Aunt Wu and Da Ni are moving in"

Since being driven out of the old Mo family, Wu Shi no longer used the Mo surname. Mo Yan's address to her also changed from the previous aunt-by-marriage to Aunt Wu, still calling herself a niece.

Hearing Mo Yan's words, Wu Shi was skeptical. She looked down at the round table in front of her. Seeing that the paint on it did not look freshly applied, she believed Mo Yan's words and her smile became more natural. "My daughter and I have never lived in such a good house before. This time, we really owe it to ah Yan for your blessings! In a few days, when I build my own house, I will also build a spacious brick-and-tile house with a large courtyard, raise chickens, grow vegetables, and it will be even better."

Mo Yan was stunned, then understood the implied meaning in her words, and smiled, saying, "If it's your own place, of course, you should tidy it up nicely. Living there will be more comfortable."

Their own house was large, with many rooms and spacious grounds, enough to accommodate dozens or even hundreds of people. Even if Aunt Wu and her daughter continued to live there, it wouldn't be a problem. Now that Aunt Wu planned to build her own house and didn't want to stay long at their home, it was clear that she had her own considerations. Forcing them to stay would be unwise.

Moreover, the snack stall had been open for almost four months now. Because the few dishes they served were unique and delicious, business had been good all these months, and the monthly income was considerable. Even though several others had imitated them later, it had not affected them too much.

  Chapter 516: Separation (3)

"Yes, it's better to do fewer shameful deeds to avoid passing down retribution to future generations! It's a pity for Wu Shi and her daughter. How will they live from now on?"

"Sigh..."

...

As villagers cursed the Mo family and pitied the crumbling Wu shi and her daughter, they shook their heads in resignation.

"Humph, whatever happens, it's our Mo family's business. None of you have any say! If you're so kind-hearted, take these mother and daughter in, feed and clothe them! If not, shut your mouth!"

Hong shi's nostrils flared with anger as she listened to the villagers' discussions.

Those two worthless women were of no use at all. They wanted to stay in their home? Now that they finally rid themselves of this burden, even if they were cursed at, so what? Were they supposed to treat them like ancestors? What value was their reputation worth? It was their own fault for ending up like this. What did it have to do with her?

Hong shi's shameless words silenced the villagers. In these times, everyone's lives were difficult. Providing a meal or two for the mother and daughter was manageable, but more than that, they were genuinely unable.

Wu shi, though still looking weak, was extremely satisfied with the outcome. She and her daughter had finally escaped from the Mo family. Their reputation remained intact, and they gained the sympathy of the entire village. The suffering they endured earlier seemed worthwhile! If not for the circumstances, she wanted to laugh out loud.

In her sleeve, she tightly grasped the divorce document. She had put a lot of effort into obtaining this piece of paper. This time, if it weren't for her "injured" body and her daughter's "disability," those people wouldn't have easily given her the divorce document just to rid themselves of these "burdens."

Although Wu shi regretted losing a few silver coins, the thought of living freely with her children in the future made her regret disappear in an instant! From now on, she had no relation to this home that offered her no warmth! But thinking of the three children she couldn't take with her, Wu shi began to worry again, silently praying that her next plan would succeed.

Seeing the villagers rendered speechless, Hong shi strutted away like a victorious rooster. She spat in the direction of Wu shi and her daughter, brushed off imaginary dust from her clothes, slammed the door shut behind her, shutting out the nosy villagers and their disdainful looks.

"Sister Mo... Don't be sad. It's better to be away from such heartless people! If you and your daughter have nowhere to go, come stay at my house. I have an empty room. If you don't mind, come stay!"

A woman stepped forward, comforting Mo Wushi before inviting her and her daughter to her home.

Adding flowers to brocade is easy, but helping in times of need is hard!

Wu shi never expected such kindness from a woman she had only exchanged a few words with. Gratefully, she said, "Thank you, Sister, for your kindness. My daughter and I have a place to go. We won't trouble you by going to your house."

The woman didn't quite believe her, "Sister, don't fool me. Without any relatives, where will you go?"

Someone nearby chimed in, "That's right, sister. You and your daughter should go to Sister's house. When you recover a bit, you can find a more permanent place to stay."

Wu shi thanked them for their kindness and was about to say something when she saw Mo Yan and Li Xiu approaching with a door panel. A smile spread across her face.

Seeing them carry the door panel, everyone knew Mo Yan had come specifically to fetch them. Realizing how close their relationship had been, they suddenly understood and rejoiced for Wu shi and her daughter.

Mo Yan and the others indeed came for Mo Wushi and her daughter. After exchanging a few words with the villagers who came to greet them, Mo Yan and Li Xiu carefully lifted Mo Dani, who dared not move from where she lay, onto the door panel.

Thanking the villagers for their kindness in wanting to help, Mo Yan and Li Xiu carried Mo Dani towards their home, while Xin'er and Tang Xin supported Mo Wushi from either side.

Since they had played this act, they naturally had to play it well. Wu shi had just had a miscarriage!

 Chapter 1394: Finally Meeting

The carriage headed towards Zhong Village, and the village's geographical location was quite good, not too far from the county city.

It took only half an hour to get there after leaving the city, without any detours.

The road to the village was well-maintained and smooth, indicating the village's prosperity.

Meng Yunzheng asked around and soon found the location of the village head's house, a large brick-and-tile building at the center of the village.

However, at this moment, the entrance to the village head's house was crowded with people, and they were making a commotion. It was impossible to see what was happening inside.

Meng Yunzheng helped Shu Yu down from the carriage, and she curiously peeked ahead.

"How is it? Can you walk?" Meng Yunzheng asked in a low voice, wearing an expression that seemed to say, "If you can't, I'll carry you."

"I can walk," Shu Yu coughed lightly. After resting for a whole day and applying the medicine provided by Zhao Xi, she felt much better and could walk without any issues.

Meng Yunzheng asked Xia Yan and Ying Xi to wait by the carriage while he took Shu Yu to the front.

But there were too many people, and it was so crowded that even the people at the back couldn't enter.

Meng Yunzheng furrowed his brows slightly and looked up at the tall walls surrounding the place.

Suddenly, Shu Yu grabbed his hand. "Don't. If we try to climb over the wall, we'll be seen as thieves for sure. With so many villagers present, they will all come after us. Besides, we don't even know if the matter has been resolved. Let's first see the situation."

Meng Yun Zheng had to give up the idea of climbing over the wall. He turned his head and glanced at Xia Yan.

Xia Yan immediately ran forward and created a path.

With his agility and strength, he quickly cleared a passage in the crowd.

Meng Yunzheng protected Shu Yu and stood at the forefront, shamelessly ignoring the villagers' curses and glares, and stood right next to the entrance of the courtyard.

Inside the courtyard, there were many people, but not too crowded. They should all be family members.

Shu Yu scanned the area and saw a familiar figure sitting on a chair with her eyes closed.

"It's the master of Dongqing Temple," Meng Yunzheng whispered.

....

This novel is translated by the Eternal Novel Hits translators. Please read it at eternalnovelhits.com

....

"Finally, we get to see her. Luckily, she hasn't left yet," Shu Yu let out a long sigh.

Compared to two years ago, Dongqing Temple's master hadn't changed much. She was instantly recognizable.

"What is the master doing there?" Meng Yunzheng asked uncertainly as he looked at the scene in the courtyard.

"It seems like she's waiting for something," Shu Yu replied.

Waiting for what?

The people in the courtyard were trying to remain calm, either sitting or standing, occasionally glancing at the entrance, then back at the master with her eyes closed, wanting to ask her something but not daring to disturb her, so they could only fidget or frown.

Meng Yunzheng and Shu Yu tried to understand the situation from the discussions of the villagers around them, but they were just as confused.

Shu Yu hesitated about whether to go in or not.

At this moment, the master of Dongqing Temple opened her eyes and immediately looked directly at Shu Yu, her gaze direct and swift, as if she knew exactly where Shu Yu was.

Shu Yu's expression brightened, and she waved her hand, "Master..."

 Chapter 1393: Strange Happenings at Zhong Family Village

Shu Yu was taken aback and instinctively lowered her voice, "You are shamelessly stalling her, how did she fall for it?"

Meng Yun Zheng facepalmed, "What do you mean by falling for it? Do you think I have the ability to deceive her?"

Thinking about his master's abilities, Shu Yu realized that saying he deceived her was inappropriate.

"What happened in Zhong Village that made her stay there for so long?"

Meng Yun Zheng said, "Two days before the start of the prefectural exam, I was talking with a few examinees, and one of them mentioned something strange happening at Zhong Village. I overheard it."

"What strange thing?" Shu Yu became curious.

Meng Yunzheng leaned closer to her, afraid that she might strain her wound with sudden movements. "It's about the village head's only son. He gets possessed-like every half month. He wakes up in the middle of the night, catches a live chicken, and eats it raw. His face is covered in blood, but he seems completely unaffected. However, the next day, he has no memory of what happened, and he looks confused when his family asks him about it."

Shu Yu widened her eyes. An extraordinary event?

"My master removed the possession?" she asked.

Meng Yunzheng chuckled, "What do you think?"

"My first thought is that he might have sleepwalking."

Meng Yunzheng smiled, "But why is it happening so regularly every half month? The pattern is too stable."

Shu Yu pursed her lips, pondering for a moment. "Could someone be up to something?"

Meng Yunzheng looked at her serious expression and couldn't help but laugh. See, she doesn't believe in possession at all.

Even though she was the disciple of the master of Dongqing Temple and had witnessed her master's abilities.

He didn't believe it either, but, well, unknown things in this world are mysterious, and no one can say for sure.

He once even went to Dongqing Temple to ask about the destined emperor.

Meng Yunzheng said, "I don't know what's really going on. I heard about this matter a day before the prefectural exam, and that was it. Who knew that after the exam was over, I met your master, and she was about to leave for the capital in two days. In order to delay her, I told her about the situation in Zhong Village."

....

This novel is translated by the Eternal Novel Hits translators. Please read it at eternalnovelhits.com

....

That night, the master left for Zhong Village.

The next day, it happened to be the half-month period when Zhong Family's son ate the live chicken in the middle of the night.

Due to the short time, the master was not well prepared, and Zhong Family didn't trust her and refused her entry.

In fact, they were so angry that they cursed at her, and it led to the master not being able to find out the truth of the matter in time.

So, the master could only wait for the next time Zhong Family's son "fell ill."

Meng Yun Zheng delayed her for more than half a month, allowing Shu Yu to arrive at Changjin Prefecture on time.

"Last night was the half-month mark. If nothing unexpected happened, with my master's abilities, she probably found out the truth."

So, they went to Zhong Village at the right time. Otherwise, if the master had resolved the issue, she might have directly gone to the capital without meeting Meng Yunzheng again.

That would have been a missed opportunity.

That's why Meng Yunzheng rushed over with Shu Yu without even looking at the results of the prefectural exam early in the morning.

  Chapter 515: Separation (2)

Mo Dani snapped out of her thoughts and, seeing her mother's anxious expression, suddenly smiled. She gently held Wu shi's trembling hand and said earnestly, "Mother, whatever you decide to do, I will support you. Wherever you go, I will go. You will always be my dear mother!"

Wu shi's tears instantly fell. She covered her mouth to stifle her sobs. These tears were not of sadness but of genuine joy.

Seeing their mother cry again, San Ni and Shi Tou stood by her side. Ten-year-old Da Ni seemed to understand something, and with a stern face, she said, "Mother, San Ni'er will follow you too. We siblings all want to follow you. You can't leave us behind. San Ni doesn't want to be a child without a mother..."

By the end of her words, her eyes were red, and she choked up, unable to continue.

Four-year-old Shi Tou didn't fully understand what his mother and sisters were talking about, but he grasped the word "follow" and thought they were going somewhere. He hurriedly shouted, "Follow, follow, Shi Tou wants to follow!"

Wu shi could no longer hold back her tears. She sobbed as she pulled her son and daughter into her arms. "Everyone will follow, everyone will follow. Mother won't leave anyone behind."

The three of them cried together, and even Mo Dani, who was bedridden, was in tears.

The thin wooden door couldn't block the sound of their crying. Hearing it in the main hall, Hong shi slammed the table and shouted towards the bedroom door, "You unlucky wenches, I'm not dead yet, and you're already wailing like it's a funeral? If you keep it up, get out of my house!"

Old Mo, thinking about living under the same roof with a daughter-in-law who had miscarried, frowned and felt uneasy. He remained silent, watching Hong shi's increasingly loud scolding.

He wanted no part in these sinful acts!

The other three, aside from Mo Yongxi occasionally chiming in with insults, kept their heads down. Niu shi and Mo Yongfu looked at the dust at their feet as if they hadn't heard anything. One was indifferent, and the other had already given up.

Three days passed quickly, and the Mo household appeared calm and normal.

Just when the villagers thought the Mo family had a change of heart and would treat Wu shi and her daughter better, they were thrown out on the fourth day, in the heat of midday.

"Wu Shi, you failed to preserve the Mo family lineage, making you a sinner in the Mo family! With such a sin, you can't stay here, or else the ancestors will be angered. Who could bear that? And Wu Dani, your life is too tough. You cursed your mother’s unborn child! Don’t blame me for being harsh. If you stay, you'll only bring more harm. From now on, you will take your mother’s surname and are no longer part of the Mo family. Your fate, good or bad, is yours to bear. The Mo family will no longer care for you!"

Hong shi stood at the door, hands on hips, addressing Wu shi and her daughter, as well as the villagers who had come to watch, with these grandiose words. She acted as if she had no choice, thinking someone might actually believe her.

Whether from guilt or something else, none of the other Mo family members were present. In the hall facing the door, only San Ni'er held her brother’s hand, her young face devoid of expression.

"This is inhuman, inhuman! How can they treat a daughter-in-law who had a miscarriage and their own granddaughter this way? Heaven is watching, the Mo family will face retribution, they surely will!"

"Humph, the Mo family has already faced retribution. Look at Mo Yongshou, he was exiled and is probably dead by now; and their daughter, if she were from another family, matchmakers would be lining up, but she hasn't had a single suitor. If that's not retribution, what is?"

  Chapter 514: Separation (1)

Seeing her daughter's understanding brought tears to Wu shi's eyes. Noticing her daughter's disapproving look, she quickly wiped her tears with her sleeve and choked out, "I'm not sad, I'm not sad! As long as you get better soon, I'll be at ease."

Hearing her mother's words, Mo Dani's body began to tremble. She quickly turned her face away, afraid her mother would see her tears and become more upset.

Mo Dani knew her bone was set, but she had also heard what Doctor Du said in the hall. She believed that even if she recovered, she wouldn't be able to work and would be bedridden for life.

At such a young age, what girl would want to spend her life in bed? If she couldn't recover, even living a long life would be meaningless.

Wu shi understood her daughter's thoughts and felt a mix of pain and relief. Relief that her daughter's injury wasn't as severe as they had made it out to be, and that she hadn't ruined her daughter's future due to a moment's negligence.

Ignoring the protests of her younger children, she insisted on getting out of bed and walked to Mo Dani's bedside. She touched her daughter's tear-stained face and said with certainty, "Dani, trust your mother, your injury will be fine! I'm waiting for you to recover soon so we can start our business together!"

The loss of three taels of silver and the miscarriage were all part of Mo Yan's plan to help Wu shi successfully divorce and take her children away from the Mo family. This plan was meant to preserve Wu shi's reputation, allow her to leave the family with dignity, and tarnish the Mo family's name.

However, they hadn't anticipated Mo Dani's injury. If they had, they wouldn't have risked her getting hurt, even if they couldn't think of a better plan at the time.

Mo Dani hurriedly wiped her tears and urged her mother to go back to bed. "Mother, you shouldn't be out of bed. Please go back, I'm fine, really."

Wu shi smiled and shook her head. She listened to the sounds outside, hearing the family discussing how to get rid of them. A cold smile appeared on her face.

Turning back to her daughter, her cold smile turned into a gentle motherly look. She whispered a few words into Mo Dani's ear.

Mo Dani's eyes widened in disbelief. If it weren't for the genuine smile on her mother's face, she would have thought she misheard.

Her gentle, submissive mother, who didn't even dare raise her voice at home, was now determined to divorce her father and take the children away from this cold home to live a free life.

How much suffering and pain had her mother endured to reach such a resolute decision!

Thinking back to the years of hard work, the lack of kindness from her grandparents, the absence of good things in their lives, and even the money her father earned from odd jobs all went to please her grandparents and aunt, not considering the poor conditions his own family lived in.

Recalling how her father had even threatened to divorce her mother to get her to hand over money, and how he hadn't comforted them at all despite all that had happened today, Mo Dani's heart grew cold.

Seeing Mo Dani's uncertain expression, Wu shi's heart was filled with worry.

Whether it was divorce or taking the children away, she had never mentioned it to her children. She feared they wouldn't be able to hide it from the Mo family, feared the plan would fail and they couldn't leave, and most of all, feared her children wouldn't understand or want to go with her, thinking she was abandoning them and growing to hate her.

  Chapter 513: The Plan Succeeds (2)

These people gathered to watch the drama unfold, curious to see if the Mo family would cause another scene and if Hong shi, the malicious mother-in-law, would once again torment her daughter-in-law and granddaughter. Seeing Mo Yan standing there, they wondered if she would stand up for Wu shi and her daughter, as everyone in Liuyang Village knew of their close relationship.

The villagers were mainly there for gossip, not ill-intentioned. Without them, Wu shi and her daughter might still be lying under the old poplar tree!

Mo Yan ignored their probing questions and, after greeting familiar faces, kept her eyes fixed on the Mo family's gate, unfazed by the scrutinizing gazes.

By now, Doctor Du had taken Wu shi’s pulse, set Mo Dani’s bone, and applied medicine. He was inside, explaining the diagnosis to the family.

Ignoring the long faces of old Mo, Hong shi, and the others, Doctor Du explained the severity of the mother and daughter's condition in refined language. Finally, with a grave expression, he told the ashen-faced Mo Yongfu, "Given your wife's age, conceiving is already difficult. This miscarriage has severely damaged her vitality. Even if she appears to recover, internally, she is thoroughly weakened. If she is well-nourished with good medicine, she might live peacefully, though she will be unable to do any heavy work. As for your daughter, she is in a dangerous condition. She should stay in bed and rest, or the broken bone might shift, potentially injuring her internal organs and threatening her life..."

“What? What did you say?” Before Doctor Du could finish, Hong shi shrieked, “Can't work and needs good medicine to nourish her? Bah! Those two wretches are nothing but disasters. Do they expect me to support them like some noble ladies? They should take a look at themselves in the mirror!”

Hong shi's coarse words flowed smoothly, but Doctor Du found them extremely jarring. He glanced at her indifferently and said, “Everything I’ve said is true. If you don’t believe me, feel free to consult another doctor. I’ve said all I can; whether you treat them or not is up to you.”

With that, he didn’t bother arguing further and walked out of the Mo family’s gate with his medical box.

Doctor Du’s voice was loud, and the Mo family’s thatched house had poor sound insulation. The onlookers outside heard everything clearly, and their hearts filled with even more sympathy for Wu shi and her daughter. Some villagers, understanding the Mo family’s character, began to worry about the mother and daughter. However, this concern was weak, as no one had the courage or ability to solve their impending difficulties.

With no more drama to see, the villagers gradually dispersed. Mo Yan took Doctor Du back to her home and inquired about the condition of Wu shi and her daughter.

Learning that their health wasn't in serious jeopardy and that Da Ni’s shoulder blade was set correctly, Mo Yan felt relieved. She eagerly went to the kitchen to prepare a meal to thank Doctor Du.

...

“Mother, should we treat those two wretches as the doctor said?” As soon as Doctor Du left, Mo Yongxi impatiently asked.

Treating them would cost money, and she didn't want the family to spend her dowry on this bottomless pit. Besides, the doctor had said that even if they recovered, they would be useless. Treating them was a waste! They would need good medicine and care; better to throw them out!

“Treat, treat, treat? What for? Those two ungrateful wretches, treat them so they can spite me more?” Hong shi glared at Mo Yongxi, uncharacteristically harsh toward her daughter.

Mo Yongxi was pleased and said, “But Mother, if we leave them untreated, they won’t get better, but they won’t die either. They’ll just lie in bed, needing food and care. We can’t leave them like that!”

Hong shi’s face grew even darker. She pursed her lips and didn’t respond, but her eyes showed she was plotting something related to Wu shi and her daughter.

Mo Yongfu hesitated, looking from Hong shi to old Mo, whose face was also dark. A struggle flashed across his face, but he swallowed his words.

The earlier guilt he felt for his wife and daughter was fading, replaced by fear of the financial burden and the future. 

A weak and selfish man, pitiful and detestable!

Niu shi, who was eating sunflower seeds, looked at the faces of old Mo, Hong shi, Mo Yongfu, and Mo Yongxi, noting their indifference and compromise. She felt a sudden sense of confusion.

She was also a daughter-in-law in the Mo family, considered an “outsider” like her elder sister-in-law. Yet she had joined her mother-in-law and sister-in-law in tormenting her elder sister-in-law, causing her to lose her child, her daughter to become disabled, and leaving her with lingering health issues—all for a few taels of silver. Had she done the right thing? Could she have a good outcome living with such a cold-blooded family?

No, it was different. She was different from her elder sister-in-law! Her elder sister-in-law was too soft-hearted and easy to bully, with a weak and useless husband. That’s why she was bullied so badly! She was different, she could be ruthless, and her husband wouldn’t let her be bullied. She couldn’t end up like her elder sister-in-law, right?

Except for Tie Tou, who had gone to the grain shop, Mo Yonglu, who was working in the city, and a few clueless children, the five people in the hall, each with their own thoughts, seemed to be subtly drawn together, silently reaching a dark consensus...

In the room, Wu shi, with a bit of color returning to her face, sat on the bed gently comforting her frightened younger daughter and son. Her eyes shone with a burning light, the light of joy and hope as her wish was about to come true.

However, when she looked at her eldest daughter on the opposite bed, her face still pale, the light in her eyes dimmed instantly, filled with guilt and self-blame.

Mo Dani happened to look over and met her mother’s gaze. She forced a smile and softly comforted her, “Mother, I’m fine. Please don’t blame yourself, or I will truly be sad!”

  Chapter 512: The Plan Succeeds (1)

Mo Yan and the others, napping at home, were unaware of the incident under the old poplar tree until a woman who had helped Wu shi and her daughter knocked on the Mo family's gate, asking to borrow a cart to fetch a doctor for them. It was then they learned of the dire situation.

Upon hearing the details, Mo Yan and her companions were furious. When they found out that old Mo and Hong shi were unwilling to spend money on a doctor for Wu shi and her daughter, they were even more enraged, wanting to rush to old Mo's house, bring the mother and daughter back, and let the villagers' scorn drown those heartless people.

The doctor was urgently needed. Mo Yan personally drove the cart to fetch the doctor, not having time to ponder why Wu shi didn't inform her of the plan beforehand.

Although Wu shi wasn't really having a miscarriage, Mo Dani's shoulder blade was indeed broken. Mo Yan urged Xiao Hei to run faster, fearing that any delay would cause Da Ni's bones to heal improperly and leave her disabled. This wasn't the modern era with advanced medical equipment.

Xiao Hei ran swiftly, and the road was sparsely populated. The cart quickly reached the city. Mo Yan headed straight to the clinic of Doctor Du, whom she knew well, and brought him back to the village in a hurry.

Doctor Du was the one who had previously treated Xin'er and prescribed calming medicine for Mo Yan. Mo Yan considered Doctor Du highly skilled and ethical, so she gradually sold him some herbs she grew in her space.

The herbs from her space were top-notch, considered the best of their kind. Naturally, Doctor Du was eager to acquire them and grew fond of Mo Yan, a straightforward and cheerful young girl. Over time, they became familiar with each other.

As for the source of the herbs, Mo Yan simply said she had gathered them from the "mountains."

On the way back, Mo Yan confided in Doctor Du that Wu shi wasn't really having a miscarriage and pleaded with him to confirm it in front of the Mo family, emphasizing the severity of Wu shi's condition—saying she was too weak to do heavy work and needed to rest. She also asked him to say that Da Ni's bone was badly broken and required careful treatment to prevent it from injuring her internal organs.

Despite his high regard for Mo Yan, Doctor Du, a man of integrity, refused to lie. Mo Yan pleaded with him, but he wouldn't agree until she recounted the years of abuse and mistreatment Wu shi and her daughter had endured. Something in her story moved Doctor Du, and he finally agreed to help, but on one condition: Mo Yan had to gather fifty catties of good herbs for him.

Knowing Doctor Du's temper, Mo Yan dared not refuse.

The Mo family had severed ties with old Mo's family on New Year's Day. Despite getting along well with Wu shi and her children, this fact remained unchanged. 

Whenever they met, Hong shi and her people would often hurl insults. To avoid trouble, Mo Yan left Doctor Du at old Mo's doorstep and watched from a distance, ready to intervene if Hong shi or anyone else caused more trouble for Wu shi and her daughter.

It wasn't long before a crowd of villagers gathered outside old Mo's house. Word had already spread throughout Liuyang Village about Hong shi's brutal kick that caused her daughter-in-law's miscarriage and the heartless stomp that broke her granddaughter's shoulder blade. Everyone condemned Hong shi as "vicious," and even children as young as three would cry at the mention of her name.

From the women who had brought Wu shi and her daughter back, the villagers learned that the Mo family refused to call a doctor. Mo Yan bringing Doctor Du to the village wasn't a secret and soon spread.

  Chapter 511: The Unexpected Ruse (2)

Mo Hongshi glared at the woman and, hands on her hips, retorted without any remorse, "You said these two wretched people are my daughter-in-law and granddaughter. I'll discipline them however I want. Why is it any of your business?"

"You—you're the dog! Your whole Mo family are mad dogs that bite anyone they see!"

The woman, enraged at being called a dog, angrily retorted and rolled up her sleeves, ready to fight. She had long been fed up with this old woman and saw this as a chance to teach her a lesson. But before she could act, her husband glared at her and forcefully pulled her back into the crowd.

Hong shi, hearing her whole family insulted, couldn't stand it and rolled up her sleeves, ready to rush at the woman, but Mo Yongxi held her back. "Mother, don't be impulsive. Dani's arm is broken because of you. If you keep causing trouble, it'll only make things worse for our family. Don't forget what the village chief said."

Hearing this and seeing the villagers' looks, Hong shi felt a bit uneasy and didn't dare to confront the woman further.

Seeing that the woman who stood up for Wu shi and her daughter didn't fare well, the other kind-hearted women refrained from speaking out. They approached Wu shi and her daughter, separated them, and had one of the men fetch a door panel from the village to carry Mo Dani back to the village and find a city doctor to treat her injuries. Otherwise, her arm might be permanently disabled.

A young girl with a disability would have no chance of finding a good husband.

As the women were about to place Mo Dani on the door panel, one of them noticed dark red blood seeping from the hem of Wu shi's gray-brown skirt and screamed in shock, "Oh my God, so much blood! Mo's daughter-in-law, you're bleeding a lot. What's going on? Could it be...could it be..."

Could it be a miscarriage? A menstrual period wouldn't cause so much blood!

This exclamation drew everyone's attention. Realizing what had happened, the women hurriedly pushed their men away to avoid them seeing anything inappropriate and damaging Wu shi's reputation.

Wu shi, with vacant eyes, looked at the blood beneath her, subconsciously touching her deflated abdomen. Seeing her weak daughter lying on the door panel, she suddenly covered her face with her hands and cried out in pain, like a mother beast who had lost her cub.

The onlookers naturally interpreted her grief as mourning a miscarriage.

First, her eldest daughter's arm was broken, and now she had lost an unborn child. Even villagers who had no dealings with Wu shi felt sympathy for her and detested Hong shi even more for causing this tragedy.

All the men except old Mo and Mo Yongfu left. Old, who had silently allowed Hong shi to beat Wu shi, walked over with a sullen face, followed by a silent and thoughtful Mo Yongfu.

Old Mo glared fiercely at Hong shi for disgracing him again. Then, looking coldly at the dazed Mo Wushi, he said, "Eldest daughter-in-law, today's incident was just an accident. The child was unlucky, so don't blame your mother-in-law! If you hadn't made such a fuss, she wouldn't have hit you. It's your fault! Considering you lost a child, we won't punish you further. Go home now and stop embarrassing us in front of others!"

His words, sounding so magnanimous, painted Wu shi as the culprit ruining the family's reputation, while he and Mo Hongshi seemed forgiving.

Wu shi, not seeming to hear him, kept stroking her daughter's hair with her blood-stained hand, muttering something inaudible.

No one knew she was apologizing to her daughter, regretting her actions that led to her injury, and for harboring false hopes about that man.

Her "oblivious" behavior infuriated old Mo, who coldly snorted and rebuked his eldest son, "Useless fool, can't even control your wife. Get her home now before we lose more face!"

Mo Yongfu stiffened, but didn't move or look at Wu shi.

During the whole ordeal, he didn't speak up or stop his mother from beating his wife, and when his daughter's bone was broken, he still stood by silently.

Now, facing old Mo's rebuke, he couldn't argue or face Wu shi. He feared her disappointed gaze and her future hatred.

Seeing his cowardice, old Mo fumed, "How did I raise such a useless son? Get out of my sight!"

Mo Yongfu, pale and trembling, finally mustered the courage to approach Wu shi, trying to help her up, but she recoiled in disgust.

"Don't touch me with your filthy hands!" Wu shi bit her lip and spat out the words, looking at him coldly before turning away.

The women, seeing this, glanced at Mo Yongfu with disdain before helping Wu shi up.

Wu shi, supported by the women, walked past Mo Yongfu without looking back, her last hopes for him extinguished when he didn't stop their daughter's assault. She no longer had any affection for him.

  Chapter 510: The Unexpected Ruse (1)

Hong shi's buttocks hurt badly, and she was frightened by Wu shi. She was completely at a loss and didn't know what to do. Hearing her daughter's words at this moment, the little bit of guilt she had felt vanished instantly. In her eyes, Wu shi's painful expression was entirely an act, aimed at ruining her reputation in front of others and making her give up the silver she had in hand. It was truly hateful!

"You wretched woman, how dare you play tricks right under my nose! I'll beat you to death, you ungrateful wretch!" Hong shi's anger surged. She stood up abruptly and kicked Wu shi hard in the stomach. "Keep pretending, I'll make you keep pretending! If I don't teach you a lesson today, others will think my Mo family has no discipline!"

One kick wasn't enough to calm her anger. Ignoring Wu shi's screams, Hong shi lifted her right foot high and stomped down heavily again. She didn't consider that the Mo family's reputation was already in ruins in Liuyang Village. Her own reputation as a cruel mother-in-law who mistreated her daughter-in-law and loved to stir up trouble had spread to neighboring villages. She had no reputation left to speak of!

....This novel is translated by the Eternal Novel Hits translators. Please read it at eternalnovelhits.com....

With that stomp, Wu shi's frail body couldn't bear it. Her pale face and increasingly weak cries told everyone about her fragility. How could she withstand such a heavy blow?

A few nearby villagers, unable to bear it any longer, wanted to stop Hong shi's violence, but it was too late. They could only watch helplessly as her heavy foot came down on the prostrate Mo Wushi, who couldn't even sit up.

"No! Grandma, no!"

Mo Dani, who had been following Wu shi, had just arrived and witnessed this horrifying scene. She screamed shrilly and, without thinking, threw herself onto Wu shi, her frail body protecting her equally frail mother.

Wu shi couldn't stop her daughter in time. She felt a weight on her body as Hong shi's heavy foot came down. She clearly heard the dull thud as it landed on her daughter's shoulder and back.

"Ah—"

Mo Dani let out a cry of pain, her face drained of color, and her right arm hung limply to the ground as if it had lost all support.

Hong shi's stomp had actually broken Mo Dani's shoulder blade.

The sudden turn of events shocked everyone present.

Niu shi, who had been sitting on a rock watching the spectacle, widened her eyes and stood up abruptly. She started to walk towards Mo Dani, but after a few steps, as if thinking of something, a look of struggle crossed her face. She saw Mo Dani, drenched in sweat from the pain and on the verge of fainting, and finally stopped in her tracks.

"Dani, Dani, my child, why are you so foolish? Why are you so foolish..." Wu shi wept bitterly, holding the unconscious Mo Dani, crying out in grief.

At this moment, she forgot all her calculations, forgot about her plans to separate and live a peaceful and happy life with her children away from the Mo family. She was just a mother, a mother heartbroken for her injured child!

Wu shi's helpless wails echoed in the hearts of every villager under the ancient poplar tree. Many felt secretly guilty for not stepping up earlier to stop Hong shi's violence, causing such suffering for the mother and daughter.

Hong shi was too heartless, to lay such a heavy hand on her own granddaughter, she was simply inhuman!

A straightforward woman couldn't help but step forward to defend Wu shi and her daughter, "Mo Daye, they're your daughter-in-law and granddaughter, how can you not feel any remorse for being so harsh on them?"

  ## Chapter 509: Kicking Up Trouble (Part 3)

These few silver coins added up to just over three taels, but for Hong Shi and the others, it was already quite a sum. Yet, they were not satisfied, sensing that there might still be more money yet to be found.

When Wu Shi and Da Ni'er returned from their stall, what greeted them was a scene of chaos. Beddings were strewn across the floor, and the only piece of furniture—a crude wooden box—was overturned and emptied onto the ground.

Wu Shi said nothing, immediately rushing out of the house towards the several ancient poplar trees in the center of the village. Da Ni'er, worried that something might happen, hurriedly followed.

At this hour, under the scorching sun, most of the villagers were cooling off and chatting under the shade of the ancient poplar trees. It wasn't until the weather cooled down a bit that they would pick up their hoes and head to the fields to work. The people of the old Mo family were no exception, except for a few children who were napping at home; all the adults were gathered here.

....This novel is translated by the Eternal Novel Hits translators. Please read it at eternalnovelhits.com....

When Wu Shi arrived under the ancient poplar tree, her face was already streaked with tears. She knelt directly in front of Mo Yongxi, who was eating dried fruits, and cried out with a heart-wrenching voice, "Younger sister-in-law, I beg you, please return the silver to me. That's my dowry silver, specifically saved for Tie Tou to marry. Tie Tou is already nineteen; we can't delay any longer. Please, have mercy on your nephew and return that dowry silver to me!"

With that said, Wu Shi's forehead hit the ground heavily, knocking loudly against Mo Yongxi's feet. In a short while, her not particularly fair forehead turned purple.

From the moment Wu Shi rushed out and said those words to knocking her head, it was only a short moment. The villagers sitting under the acacia tree to cool down were unable to react. When they finally realized what was happening, Wu Shi's forehead was already broken, and beads of blood rolled down her face, looking particularly pitiful.

At first, there was silence all around, then it was like a drop of water had fallen into a boiling oil pan, and the buzzing discussion began.

"What is Mo Jia Dajie doing? Why is she knocking her head in front of her younger sister-in-law?"

"Where have your ears gone? Didn't you hear Mo Wu Shi say that the dowry money for her son's bride had been taken away by Mo Yongxi?"

"Tsk tsk, in the past, she was wild and willful, and her thoughts were wicked, but it didn't affect anyone else if she couldn't get married. Now, she has simply stolen her sister-in-law's silver. From now on, we must be careful. We don't have so much family property for others to steal!"

......

There was a lot of discussion among the crowd, and the villagers pointed and talked about the people of the old Mo family with obvious disdain on their faces.

Mo Yongxi was initially stunned by Wu Shi's actions. When she heard those unpleasant words, she was so angry that she wanted to tear Wu Shi apart. However, after being framed and seriously injured by Mo Yan last time, she became much smarter, at least not as impulsive as before.

Suppressing her anger, Yong Xi pulled her mouth and concealed her distorted face. She was about to step forward to help Wu Shi and salvage her reputation. However, before she could act, Hong Shi rushed over and pointed at Wu Shi, cursing loudly, "You despicable thing! Eating my food and drinking my drink, you still dare to ask me for money? Where do you get the face?"

Wu Shi seemed to be frightened and suddenly softened to the ground. She looked at Hong Shi fearfully, gritted her teeth, rushed up, and hugged Mo Hong Shi's legs, crying sadly, "Mother, that's my dowry silver. It's for Tie Tou's marriage. If you want money, I will definitely earn more money in the future and take it back for you to spend. Please return that silver to me!"

Hong Shi was shocked by such a fierce hug. Under the impact, she did not stabilize for a while. She sat down on the ground with a sudden pain in her buttocks. She didn't think about it and kicked it over, kicking it directly on Wu Shi's stomach, but she didn't expect that this kick would cause a big event!

"Ah—!" Mo Wu Shi was kicked out and fell on her back to the ground, letting out a miserable scream. She covered her stomach, her face suddenly turned pale, and large drops of sweat rolled down her cheeks, looking even worse.

"Ah—It hurts—my stomach hurts!" Wu Shi curled up, weakly screaming.

Mo Hong Shi, on the other hand, was dumbfounded. Her buttocks hurt badly, and the kick she kicked out didn't use much force at all. How did she kick the person up and couldn't get up?

Mo Yongxi frowned and looked at Mo Wu Shi, who was crying and screaming with her hands on her stomach. She had clearly seen the kick just now and couldn't have kicked anyone. Mo Wu Shi was pretending to be like this and wanted to get back the money.

The more she thought about it, the more she felt like this. She snorted coldly, squatted down to Hong Shi's ear, and quietly said her guess...

  ## Chapter 508: Kicking Up Trouble (Part 2)

The fluffy, soft touch seemed to reach deep into Mo Yan's heart, miraculously lifting her spirits from the depths of despair.

In times like these, there were some things that couldn't be changed just by disapproval. Ultimately, she was just an ordinary person. Could she really oppose the entrenched feudal customs that had existed for centuries?

It was more productive to live well herself and grow stronger. In the future, if she encountered unfortunate women, she could lend a helping hand. That would count as a small act of kindness...

The three beasts keenly sensed Mo Yan's change in mood and began playing with her without reservation. Xiao Hua and Mao Tuan were especially mischievous, chasing their tails one moment, tumbling into a playful tussle the next, finding endless ways to amuse their master.

....This novel is translated by the Eternal Novel Hits translators. Please read it at eternalnovelhits.com....

"Hahaha! Mao Tuan, you're so clumsy! Can't you use your claws to take off that cloth from your head?" Mo Yan pointed at Mao Tuan, who kept stumbling backwards, either bumping into walls or the stone table, instead of removing the black cloth, and burst into tears of laughter.

This guy was truly hopeless. No matter how many times they played this game, Mao Tuan still couldn't figure out how to untie the black cloth, despite it being loosely tied by Xiao Hua.

On the side, Xiao Hua excitedly darted around, howling with laughter, clearly teasing Mao Tuan.

Da Bai stood by, watching disdainfully with its aloof demeanor. It didn't hide its contempt as it observed Xiao Hua's antics. It had no intention of mating with such a foolish creature!

Xiao Hua was oblivious to Da Bai's thoughts. Ignoring its lack of interest in playing, Xiao Hua continued to pounce on it, nibbling ears and tugging tails with all its might, persistently "harassing" Da Bai.

Initially, Da Bai could ignore it. But after repeated attempts, especially when its sleek fur was left disheveled and unkempt, Da Bai couldn't take it anymore. It chased after Xiao Hua, ruthlessly roughhousing until Xiao Hua transformed from a majestic silver wolf into a disheveled "mud dog." Only then did it cease its one-sided "torture"!

Xiao Hua, however, was thoroughly satisfied. Covered in dirt, it circled around Da Bai, continually wagging its tail and emitting a pleading whimper. Despite being swatted away repeatedly by Da Bai's unceremonious paw, Xiao Hua showed no signs of stopping.

This creature not only loved mischief but was also a glutton for punishment!

Mo Yan's laughter didn't cease. Tears streamed down her face. The laughter of one person and three beasts echoed through the vast night, traveling far and wide...

Over the next few days, Mo Yan didn't venture outside, keeping a close watch on the affairs of the old Mo family. Little did she expect that the shamelessness of the old Mo family would once again reach new heights.

As Mo Yan anticipated, when the old Mo family mentioned driving out Wu Shi, it was merely a threat aimed at coercing her into surrendering the money and recipe she had earned over the past few months. They had no intention of actually writing a divorce decree.

After all, given the reputation and financial circumstances of the old Mo family, they didn't have spare silver to find a new bride for Mo Yongfu. Even if someone overlooked their reputation and the bride price, they would likely end up with a lazy, disreputable older girl or a widow with dependents—certainly not someone as capable as Wu Shi.

Seeing that Wu Shi refused to hand over the money despite their relentless pressure, Hong Shi and her daughter, along with Niu Shi, finally couldn't sit still. Taking advantage of the moment when Mo Wu Shi was at her stall, Niu Shi kicked open the dilapidated door and searched every inch of the house, not even sparing the mouse holes. Finally, in the crevice under the mattress, they unearthed four or five silver coins.

 ## Chapter 507: Kicking Up Trouble (Part 1)

Although Wu Shi couldn't take her four children with her when divorcing Mo Yongfu, it wouldn't be difficult for the four children if they were willing to break away from the old Mo family and establish themselves elsewhere.

However, there was a prerequisite for this "breakaway"—Tie Tou and his siblings must not carry the label of being unfilial and endure the villagers' scorn when leaving the old Mo family! 

While the old Mo family had long lost any reputation and was despised by everyone in the village, Mo Yongfu, Hong Shi, and Mo Yongxi were still the immediate elders of the four siblings. If they dared to abandon their grandparents and father, even if the villagers didn't side with the old Mo family, they would still privately criticize the siblings for their unfilial behavior. They would never be able to hold their heads up in the village, and worse, they would not be accepted by the villagers, who would fear their corrupting influence on the village's customs.

Under these circumstances, it would be difficult for the four siblings to marry well in the future. After all, respectable families wouldn't accept tainted individuals as sons-in-law or daughters-in-law.

....This novel is translated by the Eternal Novel Hits translators. Please read it at eternalnovelhits.com....

But what if the four siblings were pushed to the brink by the old Mo family and had to leave to seek a new path?

The more Mo Yan thought about it, the more feasible it seemed. She detailed her thoughts to Wu Shi and sought her opinion.

Wu Shi, on the verge of collapse, couldn't think of any other way. She grasped Mo Yan's hand like a drowning person clutching at a straw and exclaimed emotionally, "Yan, I'm willing, I'm willing! As long as I can be with the children, I'm willing to do anything!"

Mo Yan patted her hand reassuringly and reminded her, "Aunt, the most important thing right now is to obtain the divorce certificate. Don't tell Tie Tou and the others about what I just said. We don't want the old Mo family to catch wind of our plans and spoil everything."

Understanding the gravity of the situation, Wu Shi nodded hastily. She had already informed the children of her decision when she arrived, and thankfully, they all stood by her side, crying and pleading to leave with her. Otherwise, she wouldn't have known how to convince them.

After discussing for half a day and ensuring there were no loopholes in their plan, Wu Shi thanked Mo Yan repeatedly and left the Mo family home with hope in her heart.

Despite having a solution in sight, Mo Yan couldn't shake off her melancholy.

In this world, life was too harsh for women! Before marriage, if parents were loving, it was bearable. But if a girl was born into a family that favored sons over daughters, she would be treated like a commodity—beaten and scolded at will.

As girls grew up and reached marriageable age, their parents often valued the groom's wealth. In such cases, the chances of encountering a terrible husband were high.

They said marriage was a woman's second life. If she didn't "reborn" well, the rest of her life could be utterly ruined.

Such misfortunes, even in a past life of gender equality and freedom of marriage, occasionally occurred. In this era, they were even more prevalent. Just around her, there were already two examples. Compared to Li Xiu's fate, Wu Shi was much luckier.

Mo Yan sat in the courtyard, staring blankly at the starry sky, maintaining the same posture motionlessly. It wasn't until the dew moistened her forehead, forming a droplet that slid down to her nose, cooling her with its tiny chill, that she was jolted awake.

She smiled bitterly, rubbed her slightly numb and stiff legs, and slowly stood up. Turning back towards the house, she noticed under the moonlight three beasts sitting in a row at the doorstep, their six eyes fixed on her without blinking.

It turned out that the three beasts, sensing Mo Yan's distress, had understood and didn't demand to enter the space, choosing instead to sit quietly behind her, silently keeping her company.

Mo Yan's eyes grew warm. She rushed forward, opened her arms, and awkwardly hugged the necks of the three beasts, rubbing their big heads over and over.