Chapter 18 Not Foolish

Chapter 18 Not Foolish

As soon as she pushed open the courtyard gate, she saw Tang Yuan dancing around in the yard, brandishing a stick used to drive livestock.

The only light in the yard came from a lantern hanging under the eaves, making it dim and hard to see Tang Yuan's expression, but her exorcist-like movements were clear.

"Just killed one demon, and now two more monsters have come over. Watch me knock your dog heads off!"

Her stick swung aimlessly, buzzing loudly.

The cows, horses, donkeys, and mules in the livestock sheds on either side continued eating grass calmly, occasionally lifting their heads to look at her.

Just as Auntie Eldest was about to scold Tang Yuan for acting crazy and not giving meat to Grandma, she was grabbed by the arm by Old Tang.

"Shut up!" Old Tang hushed her, pulling her back slowly.

Afraid that Tang Yuan would see them.

At this moment, Mother Tang approached to coax her daughter, "Yuan Yuan, the dew has fallen. Let's go inside and sleep?"

Tang Yuan shouted, "No, I won't sleep. Every time I sleep, a white-faced ghost comes out to find me, saying she wants me to change wives for her son."

Mother Tang: "We won't change wives for anyone. Let's go inside and eat elm seeds? Today, Rich Peasant gave me a handful of sweet elm seeds."

Tang Yuan shouted again, "Ah, there's a snake demon on the elm tree. I'll chop, chop!"

With a "whoosh," she threw the stick towards the south.

Auntie Eldest, being pulled by Grandma, moved back slowly and was hit by the stick.

She exclaimed "Ouch!" but Grandma covered her mouth and dragged her away.

Hearing them leave, Tang Yuan sneered and went inside to wash her feet, preparing to sleep, as she had to go into the mountains tomorrow.

Dad Tang knew that his mother and sister-in-law had come, so he picked up the small package of meat, intending to give it to his mother.

Although it wasn't much, he felt uneasy if there was something good to eat and didn't share it with his mother.

He would rather not eat himself and save his portion for his mother.

Carrying the meat, he walked outside and heard his mother scolding his sister-in-law just as he reached the door.

"How did I not know you were so picky before?"

Auntie Eldest felt wronged, "Mother, wasn't it for our Old Tang family? Can you watch your grandson remain single?"

"He's only 19; how is he going to remain single? After selling the pig, we should first get him a wife instead of paying debts."

Auntie Eldest: "I think Yuan is lying. She was perfectly normal when she went into the mountains this morning."

Grandma was furious, "You better behave yourself. Don't come here to provoke her. If you make her sick and ruin Second's family, I'll see how you can stay peaceful."

Auntie Eldest wanted to say something else, but seeing her mother-in-law's fierce demeanor, she held back.

Ever since Grandma had her beaten, she knew that Grandma still ruled the household. Despite her reluctance, she had to be cautious.

Fortunately, Grandma favored her grandson. Although she was harsh on her, the meat would eventually go to her son.

Still, she couldn't help feeling resentful that Second and his wife earned more work points but didn't contribute to the family after the division.

Grandma was too lazy to argue with her and simply shooed her home.

After the eldest daughter-in-law left, Grandma paced a few steps outside, wanting to call her son out to show concern but worried that Yuan might hear her voice and go crazy.

Zhonghe had clearly stated that arranged marriage, Auntie Eldest, Tang Wu, Tang Xiang, and even herself were triggers. She said she scolded her granddaughter the most, Tang Xiang fought the most, and Auntie Eldest and Tang Wu wanted to arrange a marriage for her.

Just as she turned to leave, Dad Tang chased out of the courtyard.

Dad Tang only came out after his sister-in-law left, fearing she would feel embarrassed knowing he had overheard her words.

Especially since he heard that his sister-in-law had been secretly watching and wanted to arrange a marriage for Wu using Yuan.

"Mother," Dad Tang called softly, quickly approaching and handing her the corn husk-wrapped meat.

Grandma: "Second? What is it?"

Dad Tang whispered, "Yuan Yuan felt sorry for me and her mother, so she insisted on going into the mountains to dig wild vegetables. She got scared by a snake and had an episode, killing it and bringing it back."

Grandma immediately reproached, "She's sick, yet you let her go into the mountains? What if she had an episode outside and fell into a ditch? How would you handle that?"

She didn't wish for her granddaughter to die, which would free Second's family.

After all, she had raised her granddaughter herself. Even though they argued, once the girl fell ill and separated, she would miss her.

Naturally, she hoped for her own child's well-being.

Dad Tang: "She's recovered quite well this month and hasn't had many episodes. Zhonghe said that as long as she isn't provoked, she's almost normal."

There was no way to assign someone to watch over her constantly, as he alone couldn't earn enough work points to feed the three of them.

Grandma sighed, "Second, don't blame your mother and your elder brother."

If she had treated her granddaughter better in the past, perhaps Tang Yuan wouldn't be triggered by her presence, allowing her to help watch over her.

Seeing Grandma feeling guilty, Dad Tang felt ashamed, "Mother, what are you talking about? How could I blame you? Mother, the meat is delicious. You should eat it. There aren't many pieces, so I didn't send any."

Saying this made him feel even more embarrassed, as if he had eaten the meat secretly without sharing it with his mother and elder brother.

He had always been honest and open with his mother and elder brother, and eating meat behind their backs seemed sinful and shameful to him.

Grandma Tang consoled him, "Second son, you did nothing wrong here. Now you need to take better care of your wife and child."

In the past, she thought that as long as her two sons lived together, they were one family, and the uncle would help his nephew get married. When the uncle had no son to support him in old age, the nephew would take care of him until the end.

But after this incident, she realized things weren't as simple as she had imagined.

When the second son was in trouble, the eldest son's wife wanted to split the household rather than help each other out.

Now that the second son and his wife are still capable, just because Yuan is sick, it’s like this. What if the second son grows old and can't work anymore? Would the eldest son's wife still be able to support him?

Thinking about this, Grandma Tang couldn't sleep at night.

When the children were young and close, she felt joy watching them, hoping for a harmonious life forever.

But how could everything go as planned?

Dad Tang agreed and stuffed a piece of meat into her mouth.

The meat was slightly cold and a bit fishy, but who would complain in these times?

Still, Grandma Tang spit it out and wrapped it back in the corn husk, holding it in her hand. She said to Dad Tang, "Keep a close eye on the girl. When she gets better, find her a husband who will live with us."

Since they couldn't have a son, they needed to make other plans.

The second son and his wife were still young; they should quickly find a husband for their daughter to bear a grandson. It would be the same thing.

Dad Tang was a bit confused. Why did his mother change her mind every day?

Grandma Tang gave him a few more instructions, knowing that this couldn’t be rushed. They had to wait until Yuan got better, or else they’d only attract a man with flaws.

A man like that might as well not exist!

Grandma Tang held the meat as she walked home, savoring its taste but not putting it in her mouth.

She met Uncle Tang carrying firewood.

"Is it Wen?"

Tang Wen: "Grandma, it's me. I saw it's getting cloudy and feared it might rain tonight, so I’m bringing some firewood inside."

If it rained, there wouldn’t be any dry wood for cooking the next day.

Grandma Tang nodded and handed him the corn husk. "Just a little bit, give it to Houtu. Don’t ask questions or tell anyone."

Tang Wen felt the meat and instantly understood it came from his second uncle. Surprised, he asked, "Grandma?"

Grandma Tang briefly explained Yuan’s condition, "It fluctuates."

Tang Wen: "Then why does my second uncle let her go into the mountains?"

Grandma Tang didn’t like others criticizing her second son. Irritated, she said, "You know your sister’s wild temper. When has she ever listened? Who can keep track of her when her legs are her own?"

Tang Wen didn’t say anything more, understanding that Grandma had saved the meat for him despite her own hunger. He felt a pang of emotion.

When would they escape this poverty?

When Grandma Tang returned home, Auntie was still crying to her husband in the east room.

Uncle Tang was annoyed by her constant crying. Ever since the separation, he hadn’t been at ease.

He thought he had rid himself of the burden of his crazy niece, but the mental burden grew heavier. He feared people would talk behind his back and thought those who spoke to him face-to-face were secretly mocking his lack of sentiment.

Auntie started nagging about setting up a marriage for Wu.

This month, she had approached many matchmakers for Wu, but none had agreed.

Especially after hearing about her niece’s illness and the separation, the dowry demands had skyrocketed.

Damn it, someone must have spread the news in the village.

Thinking about paying twice or even more for a daughter-in-law, neither of them felt good. They were resentful. Why should they pay more?

Wu wasn’t bad; he was strong and had a good character.

Auntie complained, "The family offering a trade is pushing us, saying if the niece won’t do, the daughter will. But our Xiang is going to marry into the city." She nudged Uncle Tang and whispered, "I’m telling you, it’s true. Yuan is better now. She even went to the mountains today. If she weren’t better, her parents wouldn’t let her go. But Grandma doesn’t believe me."

Uncle Tang initially felt embarrassed about using his niece to arrange a marriage for his son, but his wife nagged him constantly, saying, "The second couple has no son. Won’t we have to take care of them in old age? That’s practically the same as having a son. So isn’t it right for Yuan to get a wife for her brother?"

After hearing this repeatedly, he got used to it.

Even if he didn’t want to listen, what could he do? Scolding her or hitting her wouldn’t stop her nagging. She would cry and then continue nagging.

He couldn’t kill her, could he?

So he felt helpless and let her talk.

Seeing that he didn’t rebuke her, Auntie continued, "I see that Grandma favors your second brother. Her heart is with the second family. Right after the separation, she secretly gave them food and pickles, probably eggs too. If she had told us that the second family was struggling and needed more food and eggs, would you, as the elder brother, refuse? Why did she have to do it secretly?"

Uncle Tang didn’t like her talking badly about his mother. "Stop talking nonsense."

But Auntie persisted, "I’m talking nonsense, but I’m doing it for you and the kids. Not for myself. When you grow old and need care, won’t you rely on me? Not on Grandma or your second brother?"

She lay down and deliberately added, "Don’t ask Grandma about giving things to the second family. She might spit in my face, and I’ll be embarrassed."

Uncle Tang: "Stop talking nonsense and go to sleep."

Auntie: "You should also visit the second family occasionally and talk to your second brother. If Yuan gets better, marry her off quickly. Once she leaves, bring the second couple back. I’ve already talked to Wu. Let Yuan get him a wife, and their second son can be a grandson for the second family."

Uncle Tang: "That sounds reasonable."

Mother Tang was pleased when she saw that Tang Yuan had agreed with her. "I'll also talk more to Mother and your aunt."

In her view, Old Mother Tang doted on her second son, and having a grandson from the second son was more important than Tang Yuan.

Mother Tang felt similarly; without a son, at least they should have a grandson, right?

If Wu'er and his wife were to have five or six children, they could give one to the second branch as a grandson. What was the big deal?

She wasn't a petty person.

She was certain that Old Mother Tang and the second son's couple would be more than happy to do so.