Chapter 17

Chapter 17

The sudden loss of four hundred yuan left Zhao Guifen deflated.

She mulled over what the old man had said about letting the daughters-in-law sort things out themselves, but she couldn't figure out how to incite conflict among them.

She spent two whole days thinking about it!

After two days, she still hadn't come up with a plan to stir up strife between her daughters-in-law.

One midday, Zhao Guifen distributed lunch to the family. Looking at Bai Xiuxiu, who did no work yet ate her meals without fail, filled her with anger.

But she could not find a good solution!

How could she, when Bai Xiuxiu was pretending to be sick and the eldest son had taken over her chores?

The squad leader was also pleased, as Wang Qinghe was more efficient than Bai Xiuxiu!

And...

Thinking about Bai Xiuxiu made Zhao Guifen curse inwardly. That wench somehow managed to get on good terms with the squad leader's wife, Chen Jinhua! Yesterday, she tried to expose Bai Xiuxiu to everyone, but only got a few words in before Chen Jinhua scolded her.

Chen Jinhua said that she, as a mother-in-law, was being too harsh, and mentioned seeing Bai Xiuxiu getting medicine from Old Zhang.

She added that if Bai Xiuxiu didn't take care of herself, she might not be able to have children in the future.

Zhao Guifen couldn't forget the looks people gave her after that! *Yunjiu Novels*

Were these people blind?

Didn't they see how well-fed and plump Bai Xiuxiu was? How could she possibly be unwell?

"Mom, I heard that the work in the fields isn't heavy now. The squad has agreed that women don't need to work there. Each household can leave a few people to gather wild vegetables and other delicacies in the mountains, which can then be sold to the supply and marketing cooperative for some money."

Old Fifth's wife, Zhou Jiaojiao, spoke up unexpectedly.

Everyone in the room turned their attention to her.

Zhao Guifen, who had been racking her brain for ways to torment Bai Xiuxiu, suddenly had an idea! Of course, Little Fifth's wife often went into the mountains. She could take Bai Xiuxiu along, and it would be best if Bai Xiuxiu were lost or abandoned there!

If that little wench died in the mountains, the family would finally have peace.

Then she could find an ugly wife for the eldest son, so he wouldn't listen to his wife anymore.

She shouldn't have listened to the eldest son back then and let him marry Bai Xiuxiu. She was nothing but a vixen!

An ugly wife wouldn't cause trouble.

With this in mind, Zhao Guifen immediately said, "I think it's a good idea! We have enough people earning work points, but we're short on coupons. We should sell any mushrooms and medicinal herbs we find in the mountains to the supply and marketing cooperative and exchange them for coupons.

Here's what we'll do: all the wives will go to the mountains.

I'll stay home and look after the kids."

All the other daughters-in-law felt a surge of joy, except Bai Xiuxiu.

If they found medicinal herbs in the mountains, they could secretly sell them for extra cash!

Bai Xiuxiu wanted to go to the mountains as well, not just for the herbs and seeds, but also to observe Zhou Jiaojiao's strange luck.

She needed to observe more before deciding what to do.

Avoiding Zhou Jiaojiao wasn't an option since they were enemies. The best course of action was to learn more about her rival!

Going alone with Zhou Jiaojiao was out of the question.

She didn't want to risk her life. But there would be many people going this time, so one trip would suffice.

However, she would go, but leaving her children with her mother-in-law was like sending lambs to the slaughter.

Bai Xiuxiu looked at Wang Qinghe beside her.

Wang Qinghe understood her well and knew she wanted to go but was worried about the children.

He spoke up, "Mom, the kids can't be apart from us. I'll take them to the fields, and you'll have less to worry about. Otherwise, you'll have to watch over Second Brother's kids, Third Brother's, and then ours. It's too much."

Zhao Guifen was speechless.

"Alright, that settles it. Let's eat," Wang Shoucheng interjected, sensing another outburst from his wife.

Recently, the eldest son had become less respectful towards them, which was not a good sign.

They needed to regain his loyalty.

The family finished lunch peacefully. Bai Xiuxiu pulled Wang Qinghe into their room and quickly drew the curtains.

Seeing her actions, Wang Qinghe's eyes flickered, and a hint of confusion appeared on his fair face. "Xiuxiu, this... Midday isn't enough time. Why don't we wait until tonight?"

Bai Xiuxiu, who had been coaxing the children to play in the courtyard, was taken aback by his words. She turned around and saw his flushed face, laughing and scolding him, "Tsk! Do you have anything decent on your mind? I'm talking about something serious."

Wang Qinghe looked puzzled. Wasn't this serious?

Bai Xiuxiu grabbed his hand. "Keep a close eye, okay?"

Amid Wang Qinghe's confusion, Bai Xiuxiu tapped the "harvest" button on the invisible water screen that only she could see.

Soon, a small pile of honeysuckle appeared on the kang.

Wang Qinghe had heard fanciful tales from the past, which he always took as amusing stories. Seeing this scene, his first reaction wasn't excitement or joy, but bewilderment, followed by suspicion tinged with anger.

He suspected that something might have possessed his wife!

But there was nothing unusual about their interactions over the past two days.

Looking at her, he asked softly, "Guifen, do you remember what I said to you when we first met?"

Huh?

Bai Xiuxiu felt that this was an odd turn of events, but after so many years together, she immediately knew what he was thinking!

Amused yet exasperated, she said, "You asked me if I could marry you and said you'd be willing to do anything."

During their matchmaking meeting, she was shocked! She had encountered straightforward people before, but never someone so direct!

Wang Qinghe felt reassured and then looked at the honeysuckle on the kang: "These..."

Bai Xiuxiu told him about the bracelet, but didn't mention her death, only that she accidentally touched the bracelet and bound herself to something strange.

"No wonder you asked me to find medicinal herb seeds," Wang Qinghe sighed in relief. As long as his wife was still his wife, everything was fine.

As for the peculiar bracelet, Wang Qinghe felt a weight on his heart.

Treasures can captivate the heart. A treasure capable of making medicinal herbs grow so quickly, if word got out, how dangerous would it be for their family?

However, not using such a treasure seemed like a waste.

Wang Qinghe subconsciously made a decision: "Xiuxiu, let's move out after the New Year."

Upon hearing this, Bai Xiuxiu smiled: "Move out? Wouldn't we be losing out big time?"

Wang Qinghe just chuckled, not saying anything.

He had been married to Xiuxiu for several years, so he knew her thoughts well!

He had ways to get back the money he invested in the household.

"We'll dry these honeysuckle flowers indoors. Later, I'll sell them in the county. For now, don't let anyone into our room. After the autumn harvest, I'll gather more medicinal herb seeds." Wang Qinghe instructed his wife without revealing detailed plans for moving out.

"I know all that. You should get to work." Bai Xiuxiu was pleased with her husband's behavior.

There was no wild joy or greed.

His first thought was to keep things under wraps.

After Wang Qinghe left, it wasn't long before Zhao Guifen started pounding on the door: "Elder Brother's wife? Why are you closing the door in broad daylight? Come out quickly! It's time to go to the mountains."