Chapter 149: I'm Not Just Your Grandmother.

Lu Laotai, exhausted, felt that Wang Chunniang had caused her a lifetime of frustration.

It was as if trouble was always delivered right to her doorstep, uninvited.

Gazing at her kneeling grandchildren, she couldn't bring herself to reproach them. It was natural for children to have a soft spot for their mother.

She simply asked her grandchildren, “Do you think your father's approach is too harsh?”

No need for the children to answer; their kneeling and pleading clearly showed they thought it was.

She continued, “Last time, our family nearly brought trouble to several households. Everyone was lenient, just having you pick grains. They said it was picking grains, but in reality, your elder branch, including you, Shuanzhu, only has three able-bodied people. Despite that, we took in all seven members of your family during this time of refuge. Do you think this was a duty owed to you? What great contribution did your family make to warrant such disgust yet still be spared by others?”

“We won’t dredge up the past, but just think about it: after the last incident, has it been long? Did any of you ever imagine your mother would steal grains in the valley? If she steals when there’s no shortage, what might she do when there is? Can you even fathom it?”

“Can't imagine, right? Even without a grain shortage, see, you didn’t expect her to steal either, did you?”

Lu Laotai crouched in front of her grandchildren and tapped her head, saying, “You can never predict what an irrational person might do. Do you think this valley is impregnable? What if your mother, in her thoughtlessness, decides to scream at the entrance, alerting outsiders? Everyone in the valley would be endangered. I might be speaking harshly, but even if you care more about your mother than everyone else here, have you considered your siblings? Do you still think your father's suggestion is too harsh?”

“You think she’s your mother and wouldn't harm you, right? Have you thought about how her actions now prevent you and your siblings from ever holding your heads high in this valley again?”

“You can’t predict her actions because her mind works differently.”

The old lady chuckled self-deprecatingly, “Shuanzhu, I regret not being harsher back then. I should have divorced your mother on the spot, confined her in the house, left her behind when we moved the grains, and departed overnight. You and your siblings, if unwilling to part with her, could have been tied up and left for the villagers to find.”

“If I hadn't been concerned about you and your siblings, would we be facing these troubles now? It's my fault for accepting such a daughter-in-law. How unlucky the other families are to be stuck with us and your mother!”

“You think your father is harsh? True harshness isn't like this. Your father is actually trying to protect her by taking action himself.”

“Do you know what real harshness looks like?”

“Peaceful times and war are different. You've seen too little. Or perhaps, our family has been too kind, making your lives too comfortable, emboldening you to kneel and beg.”

“Real harshness is silent, calm, and unsuspecting. It's letting you all out early in the morning, where wild pigs, wolves, jackals, blind bears, tigers… any encounter can spell danger. Others don’t need to harm you; they just save themselves or delay rescuing you by a fraction.”

“See, with little effort, your mother's troubles can be eliminated, and if convenience is preferred, you all could be included. Torn and devoured by beasts, there’s no need even to bury the remains.”

“So, everyone in this valley is decent and kind-hearted. They might be annoyed with you but won’t go to such extremes. However, even the kindest people have limits, and they can deal decisively, perhaps even sending you away.”

"Don’t think we won’t drive you out for fear of you spilling secrets. Think about it, if you left the valley now, could you even encounter another person in a few days’ travel without Shen Lie and Da Shan's protection? How will you survive in the wilderness before even getting the chance to divulge secrets? Even if by a stroke of luck one or two of you survive and find people, could you live to tell the tale? Do you know how desperate refugees are during famine and war? People to the north are fleeing south; who knows when they'll reach us? Have you any idea of what desperate refugees are capable of in times of extreme famine?"

"Let me tell you, those who eat dirt in extreme hunger are the honest ones, and they're likely not to survive. Those who do survive either have skills or have lost their humanity."

"Do you know what people are called during famine and war? Two-legged sheep. You’re just like the wild pheasants and rabbits caught outside, no different than a piece of meat, whether it's cooked, stewed, roasted, or fried."

"Do you know whose flesh is considered the best?"

Shuanzhu recoiled in terror, his face pale and nostrils flaring in disbelief.

Lu Laotai continued relentlessly, her gaze fixed on her eldest grandson, emotionless yet pressing, “In your family, the best meat would be on Stone's body, then Tiger, followed by Daniu, Tiezhu, and then you! All still children, the tenderest of meats.”

Pushing Shuanzhu from kneeling to a retreating half-reclined position, his hand gave way, and he collapsed onto the ground. She then turned her gaze to Wang Shi, who was gagged and sweating, "The prime cut, besides children, would be a woman like you. Your age is just right, more tender than your husband's flesh. Ever heard ancient tales about extreme hunger driving people to unthinkable acts? They might leave the head but would chop up the rest. Just as you craved pheasant, hungry refugees would crave your flesh."

Wang Shi was on the brink of insanity, gagged, breathing heavily through her nostrils, terrified at Lu Laotai's words.

Lu Laotai's gaze then landed on Lu Dalong, "Next in line would be a man in his thirties like you. Though the meat is tougher, the quantity compensates – enough to feed a dozen people for several days."

Lu Dalong’s legs went weak, clutching at Lu Erlong for support.

Lu Erlong glanced at him but remained silent, not interrupting their mother.

The longhouse family turned ghostly pale; even Feng Liuniang from the second house and Lu Sanlang, standing steps away, trembled.

Having said enough, Lu Laotai casually sat down on the ground, her energy seemingly spent. She glanced at the four members of the eldest house and instructed Lu Dalong, "Take that gag out of her mouth."

Lu Dalong's lips trembled as he struggled to find his voice, "Mother?"

"Afraid she'll scream?" Lu Laotai chuckled coldly, "Let her scream. Do you think after what your wife has done, our family has any dignity left? She’s already discarded her own and her family's face; why would anyone else care about saving it for her?"

"You all are lucky, too lucky. That's why you neither cherish nor feel grateful for what you have. But this kind of fortune won’t last forever."

Pointing at Wang Shi with her chin, she said, "Remove the cloth and untie her feet. Leave her hands tied. Your father and I will take her to gather everyone and explain this matter of stealing grain."

"If others don't pursue the matter, we can't afford to be shameless. You can’t stay here. I won't let someone like her jeopardize those who've helped us. Apologize to everyone, compensate for the grain, and then your family should leave the valley. Whether you survive out there depends on fate."

This statement startled everyone outside the longhouse; even Lu Laohan looked at his wife in disbelief.

Lu Laotai’s face revealed nothing.

Initially stunned, Lu Dalong knelt when he realized his mother was not joking. He first begged Lu Laotai, clutching at her legs, then turned to crying and begging his father and brothers.

He pleaded for them to consider the children; being forced into the wilds, they likely wouldn’t survive until morning.

He pulled his dazed children and the bound Wang Shi to kneel alongside him, repeatedly kowtowing.

The usually quiet cave suddenly felt as if it was on the verge of an uproar.

Lu Laotai coldly glanced at Lu Dalong.

Lu Er looked on intently, his expression also showing signs of panic. It was only after a while that he and his equally anxious wife Feng Liunong stepped forward to speak on their behalf.

Lu San, who never had a liking for Wang Chunniang, was also stunned and no longer guarding the cave's entrance. He approached Lu Laotai and called out to her.

Lu Laotai didn’t pay attention to her other two sons and daughter-in-law, her gaze fixed solely on Lu Dalong and his wife.

"Don't want to leave the valley?"

Lu Dalong nodded frantically: "Mother, for the sake of Shuanzhu, Tiezhu, Huzi, and Shitou, please..."

Wang Chunniang's head bobbed even faster than Lu Dalong's, whimpering in agreement.

She feared death, feared her husband dying, and even more, feared dragging her children to death with her.

Death had always seemed distant. Even knowing about the chaos outside, it never reached her directly. Even upon entering the forest, they were protected and quickly found refuge in the valley, always feeling safe.

But now, if the whole family were forced out, once leaving the natural barrier of the valley, they might face immediate danger from wild animals, even before any chaos reached them.

Terrified, Wang Chunniang kept whimpering, her saliva soaking through the gag.

Hearing her muffled sobs, Lu Dalong finally reacted and yanked the cloth from Wang Chunniang's mouth, releasing her cries and wails.

"Mother, please forgive me this once. I didn’t mean it. I was just foolish, thinking if the rats can eat it, I could just take a little, really just a little. I’ll never dare again."

"Shuanzhu and the others are your grandsons too, Mother. Please, be lenient. As long as we don’t leave the valley, I’ll do anything."

Suddenly grabbing at a lifeline, she pleaded, "Mother, lock me up, I don’t mind being confined in a small cave within this large one. Gag my mouth, I promise not to leave and won’t have any complaints."

Old Lady Lu scoffed, "Think I can lock you up? Maybe if I cut out your tongue and break your legs, it might work."

Her words terrified Wang Chunniang, who started knocking her head desperately on the ground.

Lu Dalang assured repeatedly, "Mother, she can be confined. I'll make a wooden gate, allowing her to occasionally move around our big cave. Shuanzhu, Tiezhu, and I will accompany her. If she steps out of this cave, you can chase us away, and we won't dare to plead again."

……

In the Lu family's drama, Old Lady Lu didn't opt for secrecy. She bound Wang Chunniang, instructed Lu Dalang to carve a stone cave, and led Lu Shuanzhu and Lu Tiezhu from house to house to apologize for the stolen grain, be it by rats or Wang Chunniang, returning it double, and declaring that Wang Chunniang would no longer leave the cave, with all families overseeing.

Naturally, this grain was taken from the head of the family.

When they delivered to the Chen family, Old Lady Chen sighed, recognizing such action as typical of Old Lady Lu’s style.

She looked at Shuanzhu and Tiezhu with their heads lowered, shaking her head, "It's tough on these kids, try to console them properly."

Old Lady Lu glanced at her grandsons, "There's nothing too hard about it. Keeping it a secret might have made them more comfortable, but knowing the truth has its benefits. At least they'll clearly understand what should and shouldn’t be done in the future."

When delivering to the Shen family, Shen Lie and Sang Luo didn't say much. It could only be said that the Lu family's efficient handling somewhat alleviated their discomfort. They exchanged some pleasantries before sending them away.

At the Xu family, Old Lady Xu showed surprise on her face, and once the visitors left, she breathed a sigh of relief.

She did a lot of embroidery when she was young, and her eyesight wasn't great, but it wasn't so bad that she couldn't see. She wasn't sure whether it was just her family’s grain that was less, or if it was the case for all families. She didn’t bring it up explicitly, weighing the situation internally before deciding to ask Sang Luo for needles and thread.

It wasn't about coveting that little bit of grain; discovering such a trend made her uneasy.

In the valley, actually, it's Chen Dashan and Shen Lie who lead, especially the Shen family. The Xu family can be said to rely on the Shen family for protection. And Sang Luo, in her position among the families, has a somewhat extraordinary status. That's why she chose to confide this matter to Sang Luo.

About the restriction of leaving the valley this morning, Old Lady Xu knew, and the couple, Shen Lie and his wife, probably guessed who it was, and had already made a targeted response.

Observing everything, she had vaguely guessed about the elder branch of the Lu family but didn't anticipate such a follow-up.

Fortunately, the Lu family had sensible members who could control Wang Shi.

In times of war, having a foolish person who can roam freely is a terrifying prospect.

The current situation is much better.

Accompanying her grandchildren, she remains alert, ensuring their safety before returning them to her son and daughter-in-law.

……

On the way back, passing by the secluded waterfall, Lu Shuanzhu finally voiced the question that had been weighing on his mind.

"Grandma, was everything you said today... true?"

Lu Laotai paused, turned to her grandson, "Which part? About driving you out?"

Lu Shuanzhu hesitantly nodded.

Lu Laotai slightly curved her lips, "You don't believe I could abandon you too?"

"Let me tell you, driving you out was a bluff. Right now, sending you away still poses a slight risk to everyone in the valley, which I won't allow. But abandoning your mother or you is a definite possibility."

"Don't think I'm heartless. Times of chaos are brutal. I am not just your father's mother, I am the grandmother of all five of you siblings, your second and third uncles' mother, and Ah Xu's grandmother. Our family owes its survival to the protection of the Chen and Shen families. I won’t allow anyone who might endanger us all to roam free."

She continued earnestly, looking at her grandsons, "So, whether for your mother's sake or for your own safety, keep an eye on her. Her tranquility ensures the peace of our room, our family, and all six families in this valley. The 'two-legged sheep' - I wasn’t lying about that either, understand?"

Lu Tiezhu, who only knew about his mother stealing grain and not the details, asked Lu Shuanzhu, "Brother, what are 'two-legged sheep'?"

Lu Shuanzhu, with trembling lips, shook his head, "Let’s go back. Don't ask."