Chapter 56: The Rules ◇

◎ Hoping Eldest Sister-in-law can lead them out of this abyss ◇

Zhu Ying's efforts were not in vain. As luck would have it, just as the family was having breakfast one morning, his homing pigeon returned with a message tied to its leg. He read the letter while the family continued their meal, discussing the situation quietly.

Mrs. Chen was deeply worried and could barely eat her porridge. The matriarch, on the other hand, remained calm, eating and drinking as usual. She had come to terms with the fact that since their family was already at rock bottom after being stripped of their possessions, there wasn't much worse that could happen. If the young man truly met an unfortunate end, would it really render their entire family unable to survive?

"Mrs. Chen, don't despair. Our family being together is more important than anything else."

"If Yu Lian is truly that unlucky, Grandmother still has a bracelet that can be pawned to help that family, as a token of our goodwill."

Yu Lian had spent the previous night contemplating various scenarios and had a clear understanding of the situation. Consequently, she maintained her composure, sipping her porridge as usual, accompanied by a side of pickles and steamed buns.

"In the worst-case scenario, I'll contribute a few taels of silver to purchase a coffin for him. It would be a final act of kindness. Grandmother, Father, Mother, we owe them nothing. This disaster was unforeseen. If they persist in pursuing the matter, there's no need to show them any leniency."

"It would be best if everything turns out alright. Then, I'll settle scores with Hua Baogui properly. Not only will I demand compensation for medical expenses, but also address the incident where his mother and wife assaulted me and Mother."

The matriarch nodded in agreement, "Yu Lian, as long as you have a plan, that's all that matters. I know you're hurting because your mother took that blow for you, and you want to seek justice for her, right?"

Mrs. Chen smiled. "It's nothing... Lian, eat more." She then handed Yu Lian another steamed bun.

After breakfast, the family waited at home for Sanshu to return with the others. They expected him back early in the morning, but by noon, he still hadn't shown up.

Mrs. Chen grew increasingly worried, fearing something had gone wrong. The old matriarch also began to lose her composure.

But Yu Lian knew that regardless of the reason for the delay, Hua Baogui had likely survived. Otherwise, the clinic would not have kept a dying person there; they would have taken him back to the village as soon as possible. If he had not returned after such a long time, it was highly probable that he had pulled through.

When Aunt Mei started preparing lunch, Sanshu finally returned with the carriage. Though he looked displeased, his demeanor was relaxed, suggesting that everything was under control. Yu Lian knew then that her assumption about Hua Baogui's survival was correct.

As soon as Sanshu got off the carriage, he began to complain, "Hua Baogui's parents went to town yesterday too and insisted on riding our carriage back today. I thought it was fine for neighbors to share a ride, but once we reached the village, they ordered me to take Hua Baogui's sisters back to their husbands' homes. They shamelessly treated our carriage as if it were their own and treated me like their personal driver!"

"I didn't bother arguing with them and just dropped them off."

Yu Lian asked about Hua Baogui's condition, and Sanshu sighed. "The doctor said there might be some lingering effects, but his life is no longer in danger. Right now, Hua Baogui is half-awake and half-asleep, so it's hard to tell. I'm wondering if he's become foolish?"

"His head was hit. If it's damaged, he'll surely be foolish. There was someone in the village before who became foolish after a similar injury."

"The doctor said Hua Baogui's situation is uncertain, and he should stay in the clinic for a few more days for easier treatment. When Hua Baogui's mother heard how much money the doctor wanted, she asked about Miss Yu Lian. Apparently, she was hoping you'd pay. Fortunately, Miss Yu Lian and Uncle Mu weren't there at the time, or else that shameless old woman would have surely upset you. Since I was the only one present, what could she do with my two copper coins? She couldn't think of any other way, so she ignored the doctor's advice and insisted on taking him home for care."

"I suspect that if Hua Baogui truly is foolish, it'll be due to his own mother's negligence!"

The physician was skilled and proficient in acupuncture, with exorbitant consultation fees. Even though Hua Baogui's mother doted on her son, she would have to weigh the cost. Perhaps in her eyes, as long as he survived, it was merely superficial wounds, no different from common bumps and bruises, which could heal with time and rest.

Upon Sanshu's return and explanation of the situation, the matriarch and Mrs. Chen were relieved. As long as he didn't die, it didn't matter if he became foolish. If not for Yu Lian's prompt action in taking him to the clinic and paying the fees, would he still be alive?

With everyone unharmed, the family resumed their usual tasks, each attending to their own business.

Mrs. Chen had used the fabric Yu Lian bought to sew clothes for everyone. "Two outfits for each person. From the scraps, I've made shoes and socks. Lian'er, you're still young, so I recalled some beautiful patterns I saw in the capital before and embroidered them onto your clothes. When you finish your chores tonight, try them on and see if they fit. If not, I'll alter them for you."

Delighted with their new garments, the children eagerly carried them back to change, even Aunt Mei received two outfits, leaving her so astonished that she didn't know where to place her limbs. When had a lady of the house ever made clothes for a concubine?

She had previously observed that being a concubine in a farming family brought no fortune or leisure, only laborious tasks, making life seem devoid of pleasure. But now, she sensed a difference. Back when they were still part of the East Yuan Marquis's household, how could a mere concubine like her have dared to dream of receiving clothing personally crafted by the lady of the house?

Despite their current state of adversity, the family dynamic felt less hierarchical and more intimate. Even Lady Hua considered her when sewing clothes for the family. Aunt Mei's eyes welled up with gratitude as she said, "Thank you, Lady."

Yu Lian also received the clothes with a smile, putting them away before proceeding with her chores.

Instead of visiting Hua Baogui for silver, she went to the construction site of their new home. Summoning the foremen, Hua Dameng and Ma Dafen, she instructed them to gather everyone and explained the entire situation.

"It's fortunate that he didn't die. Miss Yu Lian, your kindness saved him. If not for you sending him to the town in your carriage yesterday, we might not have been able to save him. Relying on Madam Hua Baogui would have been hopeless."

The villagers generally agreed that Hua Baogui deserved what happened and that Yu Lian's timely intervention and efforts were crucial to his survival. However, Yu Lian knew that if Hua Baogui had died, the situation would have been different.

Her expression turned slightly solemn as she quieted them down. "Due to the incident with Hua Baogui, I have a few requests for you all. From now on, no outsiders are allowed on this construction site. Whoever sees someone entering should turn them away. If anyone insists on causing trouble, inform me immediately."

She directed her gaze at the two foremen. "I will pay you extra to take charge, but that also means you must manage the site properly. If anyone gets in, I'll deduct from your wages—five copper coins for each unauthorized person."

As Hua Dameng frowned, ready to speak, Yu Lian turned to the others. "For each person you catch, I'll reward you with one copper coin."

Upon hearing this, everyone eagerly rubbed their fists, keen on identifying the culprit.

Hua Dameng didn't get a chance to finish his words and led his group back with a frown.

Yu Lian kept Ma Dafen behind to inquire about the construction progress. Ma Dafen's face flushed slightly as he replied, "At first, we were quite behind. Hua Dameng is indeed skilled, and his team members are strong and efficient, completing tasks swiftly. I lagged significantly behind them."

"After some days of contemplation, I gradually figured out ways to coordinate their work, which improved the efficiency significantly. We've started to catch up slowly."

"Miss Lian, green bricks aren't inexpensive. If we only use them for the courtyard walls, we could save a considerable amount of silver." Rarely taking such initiative, Ma Dafen ventured a suggestion, scratching his head as he continued, "If you wish for a more comfortable living space, we could also construct it with a combination of bricks and tiles. It would still be quite impressive."

Yu Lian smiled and shook her head. "Hua Sanduo has already gone to discuss the purchase of bricks. He found a way to get them at a lower price. Hurry up a bit, don't fall too far behind."

Buoyed by the encouragement, Ma Dafen immediately gathered his energy and returned to rally the team for work. Yu Lian walked around, making sure there were no issues before heading to the land they were clearing.

The progress here was much faster than the house construction. The previously trampled wild grass had been turned over multiple times, revealing soft soil. From a distance, the area looked neat and appealing.

The villagers were accustomed to working in the fields, and they attacked their tasks with great enthusiasm. Even as they worked, they discussed Hua Baogui's situation. News traveled quickly in the village, and even those working knew that Hua Baogui had been sent home to recover from his injuries.

"Fortunately, Miss Yu Lian reacted quickly. His mother and wife only knew how to cry and throw tantrums. If not for Miss Yu Lian, he would have been long gone."

"I heard from Sanshu's wife that last night, these two old folks went to town as well. The doctor said he needed to stay for a couple more days for observation. Hua Baogui's mother was even hoping for Yu Lian to pay the medical bills. How shameless!"

"How much silver did Yu Lian give? That doctor from the clinic is quite influential, and the consultation fees must be expensive."

"It's said to be five taels and half of silver. Do you think Hua Baogui's miserly mother could come up with such an amount?"

"If she couldn't, would Yu Lian just consider herself unlucky?"

"One has to say, their family has really crossed the line. They made the mistake, yet they cling on persistently. Didn't Mrs. Chen, Yu Lian's mother-in-law, also get injured in the process?"

...

Yu Lian entered, and as people caught sight of her, they greeted her with smiles, causing the field to fall silent.

However, some still couldn't resist asking Yu Lian when she planned to confront Hua Baogui's mother to retrieve the silver.

"We'll go with you. That woman is notoriously difficult and has been a shrew all her life. Be careful, Lian," they advised kindly.

Yu Lian thanked them all with a smile. Looking around, she noticed her father-in-law working at the edge of the field, wielding his hoe without engaging in the villagers' chatter. He seemed almost invisible, blending into the background.

Beside him, the twins, dressed in their mother's newly made clothes, were laboriously digging with their small hoes, drenched in sweat. They caught Yu Lian's pleading gaze, hoping that their sister-in-law could rescue them from their endless toil. Their father dragged them here every day for pointless hard work – it was unbearable!

"Big Sister, do you have any tasks that need assistance?"

"Big Sister, Big Sister, has anyone been bothering you? Do you need bodyguards?"

Yu Lian: "..."