Chapter 7: Chapter 7 Bold Family_1
Translator: 549690339
After finishing her speech, Liuliu looked around. By now, the moon hung high in the profound sky, splendidly veiled with twinkling stars. She marveled at the stunning beauty of ancient night skies. In the 21st century, due to the severe air pollution, such an impressive starry night was hardly visible. The pure beauty of ancient times was unparalleled.
Liuliu strolled around their backyard. Surprisingly, they had a small pond there. It didn't cover much space but Liuliu liked it. She thought about cultivating some watermelons and lotus flowers in the pond. They would add to the view and serve a purpose, given the opportunity.
Meanwhile, Yang Xiaowen was quite offended due to being told off by Liuliu.
"Xiaowen, pack your books away and go to sleep. Don't annoy your sister-in-law. She might get angry and throw away all your books," Xiaowen's mother advised him reluctantly. She was oblivious about the harm that the faint lamplight could cause to the eyes. However, she was aware of her daughter-in-law's temperament, the daughter of a butcher, always stubborn and argumentative.
Xiaowen's father sighed heavily. What misfortune has the Yang family wrought upon themselves! He held the table for support and slowly got up. Seeing his father stand, Xiaowen rushed for his aid. Liuliu was right in her guess that her father-in-law's left foot was disabled. He couldn't walk because of an injury in his warrior days. It was a comminuted fracture caused by a horse trampling in the battlefield. Lack of proper treatment at war led to a permanent disability.
During those days, his family had fled to Lijiang County. His father, along with his siblings, had settled in this land. A draft happened, and as the eldest son, it was his duty to serve in the armies. He survived the ordeals of war but at the cost of his foot. Thankfully, there was some savings left by his ancestors. His parents had taken good care of their children during his service, even financially supporting his younger brother's family.
Remembering the recent conscription, his son was out hunting. Both the elder and younger sons of his younger brother's family were drafted, hence fulfilling a spot for his family. He knew they felt guilty for his disability.
However, his little brother was right. Yang Xiaotian couldn't go to war. The livelihood of both families depended on him. Xiaotian was an expert huntsman. While others could barely hunt hares and wild fowls, Xiaotian regularly hunted boars, jackals, and even tigers, which fetched a handsome amount of money. The inheritance left by the forefathers had already been spent, and they were able to live comfortably in this mountainous region with no paddy fields thanks to Xiaotian. If only he hadn't married the butcher's daughter, they wouldn't have ended up in this predicament.
A quarter of an hour later, noticing that her parents-in-law were resting and the brat was not in the kitchen, probably sleeping, along with Xiaoquan. She saw no need for formalities, took a lantern, and went into her room. She looked around meticulously for any sign of hidden savings that her youngest brother-in-law had mentioned.
Inside her bedroom, besides the ancient bed, there was a wardrobe in a corner. Liuliu opened it to find a heap of women's clothes of all seasons. There were a few grey and black men's clothes as well, presumably belonging to her cheap husband. Liuliu searched every corner of the wardrobe, but it was in vain. No silver.
Undeterred, she checked the bed next. Two quilts on the wooden bed, mattresses, two pillows. Nothing. They were really poor! There was no sign of any savings from earlier. The youngest brother seemed to be mistaken.
Liuliu decided to accompany Xiaoquan to sell fish the following day. Afterwards, they could start thinking about earning money. Later that night, the temperature dipped even further. Even under two quilts, Liuliu felt cold. She found herself missing her 21st-century apartment. It had centralized heating!
Liuliu felt like she had just fallen asleep when she heard a ruckus outside. Half opening her eyes, she noticed that the sun was already high in the sky. She had surprisingly slept well.
She put her clothes on to see what was happening outside. As soon as she opened the door, she saw a group of ancient people waving swords. Two men and one woman, all looking quite fierce. Liuliu was bewildered. The house was so bare and poor, how could it attract thieves?
"Liuliu? Didn't I tell you to come home if you got hurt? Don't worry, I'll avenge you! If someone bullies my daughter, I'll hack him to death!" Spotting Liuliu, a ferocious middle-aged woman rushed towards her, pulling Liuliu's hand in a protective manner, showcasing a very strong presence.
"Liuliu, where is Yang Xiaotian? He hit you and now he's hiding? I'll flay him!" A sturdy-looking man in his twenties yelled, eyes bloodshot.
Another powerful young man, about 17 or 18 years old, struck the table hard a few times with his sword. His face full of rage. Liuliu saw the old woman cry, trembling in fear, murmuring, "He didn't hit her. She had an accident! She bumped into something."
Her grandfather was aware this would happen, which was why he'd sent Xiaotian out hunting. Chaos would've ensued if he were home. They could hack the table or chairs; all that mattered was Xiaotian's well-being.
Luckily, Xiaoquan had caught some fish yesterday. He'd left early with Xiaowen for the market, hoping the latter could dissuade Xiaoquan from gambling. Hopefully, they might buy some grains with the earnings. It was fortunate they were not home, or else they would've been implicated as well.
In a flash, Liuliu understood. These must be her domineering relatives from her husband's side, notorious for their protective nature. She felt a sense of gratitude. In this patriarchal ancient society, to have relatives who cared so much was truly touching.
Although moved, she did not wish them to cause a ruckus. Her previous self had been beaten and was now dead. Hereafter, I will be their daughter and take care of them.
"Mother, I am fine. It doesn't hurt anymore. It was my carelessness. He is not to blame." Liuliu tried to pacify her, almost hugging the woman who held a butcher's knife in her other hand.
"I know you're defending him. Still, you are my flesh and blood. I can't bear to see you hurt. Where is he? Thinking he can hide? I'm gonna kill him!" Liuliu's mother kept waving the butcher's knife.
"Mother! If you kill him, wouldn't I be a widow?" Liuliu was defeated against such an overprotective mother.
"Then, I'll just chop off his hand. The hand he used to hit you, I'll chop it off! Then let's see how he bullies you." Liuliu's mother seemed a bit calmer. She couldn't make her daughter a widow.
"Mother, if you chop off his hand, won't he become my burden?" Liuliu was worried whether her mother was a person of action or just had a tough tongue.
"Even if we have to take care of him, we won't let him bully you!" Liuliu's second brother interjected.
Liuliu was at a loss for words. It was a headache dealing with such unreasonable relatives.
Ah! Liuliu held her head, a look of pain on her face. Mother, do we have to be so unreasonable?
"Ah, Liuliu, what happened? Is your head hurting?". Seeing her daughter in pain, the mother immediately dropped her knife, rushing towards Liuliu with a hand on her head, looking worried.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone