Chapter 69

Chapter 69

"What do you youngsters know? Keep this thing; it could save someone's life in the future. Someone in our family will inevitably get sick and need it. How can we sell such a valuable item so easily?" Wang Shoucheng’s face darkened, making his wrinkles appear even more severe.

"Dad, are you losing your mind? What kind of family are we? Do you think we can afford ginseng when we're sick?

Unless...you're planning to give the ginseng as a gift? Right, I heard that Second Brother and Old Fifth haven't secured their jobs yet. You wouldn't...?"

Bai Xiuxiu looked at them with confusion.

Chen Fang became even angrier. "This ginseng must be sold, and I want to see the money. Otherwise, I'll accuse Zhou Jiaojiao of trying to kill me. Don’t think my family will let this go; this matter won’t end easily."

"Right, the ginseng must be sold. Otherwise, I’ll testify on behalf of Fourth Sister-in-Law." Zhao Cuihua joined in.

She had already sold some ginseng with her eldest sister-in-law, and now there were two more plants. She couldn’t dare to imagine how good her life would be if she kept them.

How wonderful would that life be?

They had to be sold.

If the old couple kept them, they would have no chance. They would all go to Second Brother and Old Fifth.

Those two bookworms were the real treasures of the family, while everyone else was just an afterthought.

"Third Son, Fourth Son, aren’t you going to intervene? Selling this would be a waste," Wang Shoucheng said, turning to his sons since his daughters-in-law were unresponsive.

Wang Qingzheng and Wang Qingliang were already thinking about how to spend the money and didn’t want to listen to their father.

"Dad, I think it should be sold too. Otherwise, how can there be peace in this house? Eldest Sister-in-Law is right; what kind of family are we? Can we really afford to use such expensive items for treatment? We should sell it and buy something nice to eat; that’s the sensible thing to do," Wang Qingliang refused without hesitation.

Wang Qingzheng also nodded. "That’s right. My wife broke her leg because of this ginseng. If we don’t sell it and share the money, we won’t agree."

"You two...are you trying to drive me to my grave?" Wang Shoucheng felt like banging his head against a wall due to his foolish sons.

But for the sake of keeping the family together, he had no choice but to concede.

"Dad, just sell the ginseng. Who knows, maybe we’ll find even better ones later." Zhou Jiaojiao, having fixed her hair, looked proud. Ever since marrying Wang Qingqi, her luck had improved significantly.

There would definitely be more ginseng in the future.

These people were so ignorant; what was there to argue about?

As long as they treated her well, she would bring them all kinds of benefits.

Hearing Zhou Jiaojiao’s words, Wang Shoucheng felt even more heartbroken. Had Old Fifth’s wife’s brain been damaged by Fourth Sister-in-Law? Couldn’t these things be discussed behind closed doors?

No, he had to separate the eldest son’s family. The eldest son hadn’t brought back any game today and still wanted a share of the money.

Wang Shoucheng’s resolve was firm.

"Let’s sell the ginseng, but everyone’s busy these days, so..."

"No problem. I think Third Sister-in-Law and my husband can go sell it in the city together." Bai Xiuxiu interrupted Wang Shoucheng. Want to sell it after the separation? Dream on.

Wang Shoucheng felt even more distressed. "Eldest Daughter-in-Law, do you understand propriety? When has it been your place to speak for this family?"

"Hmph! Dad, what era are we living in? Are we still following those outdated rules? Everyone is equal now. I just went to the Women's Federation today and learned a lot. If you don’t understand, I can invite Director Chen to educate you."

Bai Xiuxiu’s eyes held undisguised ridicule as she gave a cold laugh.

Ignoring the murderous looks from Wang Shoucheng and Zhao Guifen, she continued: "Oh, right. Speaking of the Women's Federation, the village chief made a decision today.

Starting from tomorrow, those registered under the Women's Federation who mistreat their daughters-in-law, those daughters-in-law who mistreat their mothers-in-law, and those daughters who are disrespectful, along with stepmothers who torment children, will be required to either carry manure or perform other menial tasks around the village.

I think, Mother, you’re included in that group.

Mother, do you prefer carrying manure or...carrying manure?" Bai Xiuxiu looked at Zhao Guifen.

Zhao Guifen, if not for her injured leg, would have jumped up in anger. "What nonsense? Who’s going to carry manure? Who’s mistreating their daughter-in-law?"

"You are. This year, I reported everything to the county office, and you’re officially registered in the village. You’re a key target, and Director Chen said she would notify you. I thought I’d spare you some embarrassment and deliver the message myself. You should take good care of your leg; I’ll try to schedule your work a few days later.

Otherwise, you’ll struggle to carry manure while limping."

Bai Xiuxiu glanced at Zhao Guifen’s leg.

Zhao Guifen was so infuriated by Bai Xiuxiu that she struggled to catch her breath.

"Eldest Sister-in-Law, how can you treat Mother like this?" Zhou Jiaojiao added fuel to the fire.

Bai Xiuxiu looked puzzled. "How did I treat her? Isn’t it her fault? If she wasn’t at fault, why would I report her? Why would the village keep her name on the list? This is karma!"

"Pah! You...can’t you tell them that I didn’t mistreat you?" Zhao Guifen managed to catch her breath.

"But you did mistreat me. Just the other day, you made me work, and everyone in the village saw it. Even if I say something, they’ll only believe that you forced me to say it. Mother, this labor is what you deserve."

Bai Xiuxiu smiled at Zhao Guifen’s expression, which was worse than eating feces.

Her smile only infuriated Zhao Guifen further. This was deliberate; Eldest Daughter-in-Law wanted her dead.

"Eldest Sister-in-Law, even if Mother did wrong before, we’re still a family. If you spoke up for her, it wouldn’t have come to this. You’re too heartless. You...," Zhou Jiaojiao, her eyes red, supported Zhao Guifen as they both condemned Bai Xiuxiu.

A sense of satisfaction welled up inside her.

How could someone as wicked and vile as Bai Xiuxiu be worthy of her eldest brother? As long as Mother disliked her, it was only a matter of time before her eldest brother divorced her.

There were plenty of examples in the village of wicked daughters-in-law being sent back to their natal homes.

Someone like her needn't even return to her family home; it's better she's gone for good, free from any future entanglements.

Truly, my sister-in-law could have acted more swiftly.

Bai Xiuxiu looked at her with composure. "Heartless? Compared to you causing Old Fourth's wife to break her leg, I'd say I'm still quite kind."

"You!" Zhou Jiaojiao gritted her teeth.

"Mom and Dad, to avoid any unforeseen complications, let's sell the ginseng first thing tomorrow morning." Bai Xiuxiu brought up the matter of selling the ginseng again.

"Yes, Mom and Dad, my sister-in-law is right; our family needs money." Zhao Cuihua chimed in support.

"This must be done; otherwise, the issue with Old Fifth's wife pushing me will never end." Chen Fang pressured the elders, though she didn't intend to completely fall out with the family. Still, an opportunity like this shouldn't go to waste.

Wang Shoucheng could only nod reluctantly. "Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you!"

Worst comes to worst, we'll just claim it was lost tomorrow morning!

"Oh, if the ginseng happens to go missing tonight, Mom and Dad, you'll have to compensate us for its value." Bai Xiuxiu extinguished Wang Shoucheng's thoughts with a single sentence.