Chapter 990 - 967: Glory Amidst Chaos 35

Chapter 990: Chapter 967: Glory Amidst Chaos 35

Anning knew that the Old Madam definitely wouldn’t go to the third branch even when she spoke politely.

When the Old Madam said she wouldn’t go, Anning immediately smiled and said, "Alright, whatever you say goes. If you say don’t go, then we won’t go. But, you must take good care of your health, otherwise, all these children and grandchildren will be worried."

Mrs. Hui quickly added, "In a while, I’ll ask our master to get a doctor to come and have a look at you."

The Old Madam waved her hand, "No need. If you really care, just give some Silver so your elder sister-in-law can make me a few good meals. I’m afraid this illness of mine can’t be cured. Before I die, I need to eat a bit better, so at least I won’t feel shortchanged even if I die."

Anning nodded, "Okay then, whatever you want to eat, I’ll make it and send it over to you."

The Old Madam became more irritable, "I don’t need you to make it. I dare not eat what you make. Just give your elder sister-in-law the money to handle it."

Anning didn’t argue, she nodded in agreement.

She and Mrs. Hui stood for a while, then got up to leave.

When leaving, Anning rubbed her eyes until they became red, with tears brimming within.

Seeing her like this, Mrs. Hui also took out her handkerchief and rubbed her eyes, making them red too.

The two of them came out from the main house and quickly ran into people.

"Third Sister-in-law."

Anning ran into a few village wives, and they greeted her with a smile when they saw her.

Anning stopped, turned her face to the side, and wiped her eyes with a handkerchief, "Oh, it’s you. What are you up to?"

Those wives laughed and said, "Our kids are catching fish by the river. We’re going to take a look."

Anning also smiled, "Then you better watch closely. It just rained the other day, and the water level in the river has risen. Be careful with the kids."

She said to one of the wives, "Mrs. Gou’er, the other day your husband asked when our private school will open. Since I ran into you today, let him know that it opens the day after tomorrow. If your kid wants to study, send him over."

Mrs. Gou’er quickly agreed, "That’s great news. I’ll let my husband know right away. Several families in our area are looking to send their kids over."

She glanced at Anning and asked in surprise, "What happened? Why are your eyes red?"

As soon as she asked, Anning’s tears almost fell, "What’s there to say, worrying over my mother-in-law’s issues. The Old Madam is getting on in years, and once she fell ill, her health declined visibly. When we visited, she held our hands and asked us to send some money over so my elder sister-in-law could prepare a few good meals for her. She also said that eating what she craved would make no regrets even if she died right away. Isn’t that a bit morbid? I told the Old Madam that if it really comes to it, she should come to our side for a while. I’d cook whatever she wants and take good care of her, but she refused to come, even said..."

Anning turned away again to wipe her tears.

Mrs. Hui also lowered her head and sobbed, "My mother-in-law says we mean to harm her. Heaven knows that’s not true; may lightning strike if we have such thoughts."

Anning wiped her tears again, "The Old Madam has become more stubborn with age. I know she looks down on our Third Young Master, but she can’t unjustly accuse us like this. I even told her if she couldn’t trust me cooking, I could try tasting it first for her to trust it’s safe, but she still refused and kicked me and my sister-in-law out."

Mrs. Hui supported Anning, "Third Sister-in-law, take care of yourself. We’ll come up with something later. If it really comes to it, we can sell a few things for money to send to the elder sister-in-law. Whatever happens, the Old Madam’s illness should be treated, and if there’s no money for a doctor, we should help, right?"

Mrs. Gou’er couldn’t help but say, "Don’t be so naive. It looks like your Old Madam is just pretending to be sick to get Silver from your big house. Otherwise, why won’t she go when you asked her, and why refuse the food you offer but only wants Silver? Anyone with a brain can see through that, but you two have such honest hearts that you never think along those lines."

"Exactly."

The other wives chimed in, "Your big house isn’t any good. They have too many schemes. If you sisters-in-law don’t wise up, who knows when they’ll sell you out."

"Exactly, just like our family. Our second branch is overly sly, and they’ve tricked us more than once or twice."

"Be careful."

Anning was shocked, "Is it really like this? Me and the Fourth Family never thought about it this way. But now that you mention it, it does seem to be the case. But knowing doesn’t change anything. If the Old Madam wants Silver, we can’t not give it. As our elder, we owe her respect. Even if she wanted to beat us to death, we’d just have to bear it."

Mrs. Hui rubbed her arm, and Anning asked anxiously, "Fourth Sister-in-law, has your arm gotten any better? How could the Old Madam hit you like that? Even in her state, she had the strength to strike you..."

"I’m much better now."

Mrs. Hui’s eyes were red as a rabbit’s, and she choked back a few sobs, "Third Sister-in-law, let’s hurry back. The children are waiting at home."

Anning supported Mrs. Hui, and the two, with uneven steps, headed home.

Watching the backs of the two sisters-in-law, those wives began to defend them.

"The Xiao Family’s third and fourth branch wives are good people. They seem straightforward and honest, especially Mrs. Liu. She’s just wonderful. She’s friendly to everyone in the village and always smiles when speaking. She never hesitates to help anyone in need. Just the other day, my little Gou’er was sick, and it was Mrs. Liu who climbed the mountain to gather herbs and told us how to prepare them. Thanks to her, Gou’er got well."

"Exactly, Mrs. Liu truly is a good person. Before she got married, she even learned some medical skills. Many families in the village with sick members seek her help. Our old master had a cold, and it was Mrs. Liu who treated it."

"How unfortunate, their Old Madam doesn’t appreciate such a good daughter-in-law. She’s always bending over backward for that Zhao in the big house. What good is she? All she knows is to hide secrets. Sooner or later, something bad will happen to the Old Madam because of her."

Anning and Mrs. Hui had made some comments to Mrs. Zhao and returned home in relatively good spirits.

Once home, Anning called over Xiao Song and Xiao Hui.

She asked the two children, "Do you know Houshan Village?"

Both children nodded, "Yes, it’s not far from here, about ten miles away."

Anning said, "I have a task for you two. Go to Houshan Village and inquire about a woman named Lady Qiu. Find out about her family, her reputation in the village, her character, if she’s entangled with any men, and so on. Do a thorough investigation, and when you’re finished, I’ll reward you."

Xiao Song lit up, "Mom, this is easy. We’re good at gathering information. Just wait, we’ll get everything for you."

Xiao Hui added, "Mom, my brother and I will find out everything."

Anning handed a string of Copper Coins to the children, "Take this. Don’t walk there; take a cart or something. If you get hungry on the way, use the money to buy some food."

Xiao Song wanted to leave at once with the money, but Anning said, "It’s late today, so go tomorrow. Leave early in the morning and come back at night."

Xiao Song agreed with a smile, "Alright, I understand."

Xiao Hui stayed behind, and Anning took her to the inner room, had her undress, and applied homemade ointment to her wounds.

Xiao Hui’s life has been truly hard over the years. Not only has she suffered from hunger and cold, but she’s also been beaten regularly, with various old and new injuries all over her body. Her hands and feet are covered with wounds, and her hands still have painful sores from last winter. With the cold weather, her hands are itchy and painful, making them uncomfortable to look at.

Anning applied medicine on all her wounds and then had her put on clothes, "Come here every other day, and I’ll apply the medicine for you. We’ll try to heal all your wounds this winter so they don’t return, and you won’t have to suffer again."

Xiao Hui held back tears and said, "Thank you, Mother, I..."

After putting the medicine away, Anning turned to see Xiao Hui’s eyes filled with tears. Her heart softened, and she hugged the child, "Alright, from now on, you have a mother too. Speak to me about anything, and if you wish to cry, just cry. There’s no need to hold it in."

Xiao Hui burst into tears.

She leaned into Anning’s embrace and cried uncontrollably, "Mother, Mother, I have a mother now! I have a mother, please don’t abandon me. I’ll be good, I’ll work hard..."

Anning patted Xiao Hui’s back, "Why would I abandon you? You called me Mother, so you’re my child. How many heartless parents in this world would abandon their children? Huihui, you are all cherished by your parents. Losing any of you hurts like losing a piece of flesh."

After hugging Xiao Hui for a bit longer, Anning smiled and helped her stand straight, "Alright, you’re crying like a little kitty; clean up your tears, and help me with dinner later."