Chapter 2273: Death Notice (19)

Yang Ruxin also followed into the yard, and the crying was even clearer; it was indeed coming from the Yang Family’s old residence, and the voice should be from Yang Baihe.

At this moment, Li Xiang came running in, gasping for breath: "Mom, Xinxin, Yang Anshi has passed away."

"What’s gone?" Wang Hehua didn’t react.

"It’s Xinxin’s grandmother who has passed away." Li Xiang glanced at Yang Ruxin, "I just passed by the door, Yang Baihe was crying, Yang Baichuan was about to go to the school to find Yang Rusong, and there will probably be someone going to the little building to report the death."

Wang Hehua looked at Yang Ruxin: "They say bad people live long, I truly didn’t expect her to go so quietly."

Yang Ruxin shrugged: "I’m quite surprised too."

"But it’s good that she’s gone; at least without her, your grandpa isn’t too muddled."

"Mom, it doesn’t concern Xinxin anymore."

"What do you know?" Wang Hehua glared at her daughter, then looked at Yang Ruxin, "Don’t blame your aunt for being verbose. Even though you’ve severed ties, blood is thicker than water. They say in death, all is settled. If you truly treat it like strangers now, people may see you as cold-hearted."

"Thank you, Aunt, I know what to do." Yang Ruxin nodded. Generations have lived here; even if not relatives, the village helps with red and white matters, so Aunt Hehua’s reminder is right. The Yang Family’s main house has to show some attitude. "I’ll head back now, Xiaoxiang, we’ll chat later."

"Go on, my words aren’t urgent."

As she left the gate, glancing at the crying old residence, Yang Ruxin felt peaceful. She hated Yang Anshi but never thought of killing her; after all, she was just a wicked mother-in-law, quite common in rural areas of this era. They’re a reflection of this era.

She could kill one Yang Anshi but not the countless Yang Anshis of this era, just as she couldn’t change the era’s mindset.

There’s a saying, "A daughter-in-law’s thousand-year wait to become a mother-in-law." Women’s status is low in a patriarchal society, even if a man treats his wife well, concubinage is common, and wives suffer under mother-in-laws, varying in severity. Once a son marries, many women become warped, imposing their mother-in-law’s ways on daughters-in-law for psychological balance.

Yang Anshi, frankly, was also a tragic figure.

Now that she’s dead, she’s liberated.

But the only one affected might be Yang Baihe. The marriage might be delayed and she has to mourn for a year, but that’s not her concern. The immediate concern is how to express condolences.

When Yang Ruxin returned home, Dong Wenxiu and others were discussing making pillow covers and curtains for Du Juan and Du Man. Seeing Yang Ruxin return, they pulled her for input.

"Du Man likes crabapple flowers, Du Juan likes plum blossoms." Yang Ruxin glanced, "Easy to differentiate, isn’t it?"

"Madam is so considerate." Du Yeshi nodded, "I, the mother, don’t even know what flower the girl likes."

"You just need to know her favorite food."

Everyone laughed.

"Now I have something to say." Yang Ruxin spoke after everyone finished laughing, "Grandma has passed away."

Everyone was stunned, Dong Wenxiu didn’t even respond: "Whose milk is gone? Your Aunt Hehua’s? We need to figure something out; those two boys can’t go without milk..."

Yang Ruxin’s mouth twitched, suppressing the urge to burst into laughter with great effort, her mother’s reaction was too unique, she was thoroughly impressed.

"What happened?" Dong Wenxiu suddenly noticed her daughter’s odd expression and quickly stopped.

"Mom, I meant Yang Anshi has died, your mother-in-law, our grandma, Yang Baihe’s mother is gone!" Yang Ruxin explained word by word, "When I returned, the old residence was already in tears."

"What? She’s... she’s gone...?" Dong Wenxiu frowned deeply, obviously surprised.

"Yes." Yang Ruxin nodded, "The old residence will likely send someone soon to announce the death."

Dong Wenxiu sighed and sat in the chair: "Just like that, gone?"

"Humans are fragile." Yang Ruxin chuckled, "I initially thought bad people live long, but didn’t expect..." paused, "Mom, you should prepare; I don’t quite know how to express condolences."

"It’s fitting she’s gone." Erni suddenly muttered.

"Xuexue, she was your grandmother."

"I have no grandmother." Erni shook her head, "Mom, proper etiquette is fine, but I’ll never acknowledge them."

"Ah!" Dong Wenxiu sighed.

"Xuexue’s feelings match mine." Yang Ruxin glanced at her sister, "But Daxuan values filial piety, so we must handle appearances professionally; we can’t come off as cold-hearted."

"Okay." Dong Wenxiu nodded, "I understand."

"Aunt Ye, the next few days will be hard on you and Uncle Du."

"What madam says is part of our duty." Ye Family waved it off, "I’ll arrange it now."

At this moment, someone outside announced that the old master from the old residence had arrived.

Yang Ruxin hurriedly helped Dong Wenxiu to greet him.

"Eldest daughter-in-law." Yang Peili’s back seemed more hunched, "No need for apologies, but with death, all is extinguished. I hope you can leave behind your biases and come pay respects, it’s... it’s..." not knowing how to continue.

"Rest assured, we will come." Yang Ruxin nodded. Since severing ties, seeing this old man felt awkward, not knowing how to address him, so she mostly avoided addressing him.

"Good," Yang Peili smiled and nodded, "I’ll return now, lots to handle, cough... Ah, can we notify the fifth son?" suddenly remembered, "His wife is due soon, far in the county, his leg isn’t well, better let it be, ah!"

Watching Yang Peili’s departing figure, Dong Wenxiu sighed: "How long has it been? Why does your grandpa look so aged?"

Yang Ruxin looked over.

Dong Wenxiu sheepishly smiled: "Just felt sorry for the elderly."

Yang Ruxin smiled, understanding her mother’s nature, becoming soft-hearted, but it didn’t matter, just an old man. Without Yang Anshi, nothing significant could stir.