Though she thought that way, Yu Tingwan couldn't just rip off someone else's clothes during a meeting; she'd be scolded as a hooligan.
If another girl heard this, her face would have been blazing red long ago.
But not Yu Tingwan.
She was born not knowing how to feel ashamed, and she listened very intently.
The young lady was earnestly learning.
After tidying the house just enough for someone to live in, the villagers didn't linger. As they all left the courtyard, someone shook their head repeatedly.
"If we hadn't rushed over just now, and if the Village Chief hadn't backed her up, I'm afraid she would've been pressured by Mrs. Wang and the Xu Family to agree to something."
"This child is pitiful too. How could anyone ignore the chilblains on her hands? She spoke softly and thanked us numerous times, totally different from when she first came to Xilin Village."
A young bride newly married into Xilin Village couldn't help but ask, "What was she like at that time?"
"Her father was a Spear Master, quite skilled. He doted on his only daughter, and she was adorned in gold and silver from a young age."
"Back then, the young girl had a proud temper and was covered in thorns. If she was in a bad mood, she'd stop on the road to scold a dog for a bit."
Someone laughed along: "She used to quarrel with Mrs. Wang all the time."
"Every time Hu Dazhu wasn't around, Mrs. Wang would treat her with sarcasm, and Yu Tingwan wouldn't tolerate it one bit."
"Mrs. Wang would be hopping mad with no comeback, yet Yu Tingwan would be even more brazen."
That person imitated Yu Tingwan's wanton and troubled tone, raising their head high.
"Aunt, better calm down, what if you get angry to death because of me?"
Someone in the crowd burst out laughing.
"I know, I know, she said something else after that."
"What did she say?"
"Dying would be good too, so I can have a new aunt."
An older woman sighed: "Wan Niang has suffered quite a bit, and it's made her temper gradually stable. Ultimately it's about learning to read people."
Li Lian was the last to leave.
She said to the gentle young girl in front of her.
"No need to see me off."
"The quilt you brought from the Hu Family seems thin, and it's cold at night. Burn more firewood."
She said this in a lowered voice.
"I've been busy these days and haven't gone out. But everything about you, I've kept in mind. Tomorrow, I'll pull a pig over from Butcher Wu's place and mention you to him."
"As the year-end approaches, people from nearby villages will also be coming over, he'll be busy too."
"If he's willing, I'll ask him to spare some time to see you sooner."
Yu Tingwan felt at ease hearing this.
After bidding farewell to Li Lian, she returned to the house and locked the door. Only then did she have the chance to take a proper look at this old house.
After all that happened, Yu Tingwan was exhausted.
The night had been nerve-racking, and moving to a new place again might have seemed unavoidable, but once she lay down, she quickly fell into a deep sleep.
As time passed, light crept over the walls, and daylight replaced the night.
Yu Tingwan knew she'd have to stay in this old house for some time, so she cleaned it thoroughly inside and out.
The scrape on her leg hadn't scarred over and would tug painfully if she wasn't careful. Her movements were slow, but fortunately, there was no rush.
Someone used to live here before. Though there was no setup for cooking, Yu Tingwan found a makeshift pot in the corner.
It was damaged, but the bottom was intact, making it usable.
She cleaned it up and boiled some hot water.
By the time everything was tidied up, it was noon, and Yu Tingwan was sweating from the heat.
"Wan Niang! Wan Niang!"
Someone called for her from outside.
Aunt Wu stood outside with a basket.
"Auntie, what brings you here?"
"I brought you some food."
Aunt Wu lifted the cloth covering the basket, revealing several coarse-grain buns inside.
Yu Tingwan guessed her intention.
Indeed, Aunt Wu grabbed her hand in fear as she said: "It's a good thing you warned my daughter-in-law, or there would've been trouble."
Yu Tingwan didn't even need to ask before Aunt Wu vented angrily.
"That Xu family's boy is nothing but trouble!"
Yu Tingwan was stunned.
"Didn't the Village Chief chase them away?"
How did trouble still occur?
"Chased them off, sure, but their legs are their own, and they dawdled around, not wanting to leave. They even tried to make your aunt pay for roof repairs."
Yu Tingwan: ...
How would that penny-pincher, Mrs. Wang, agree to that?
"I was in a rush and didn't pay much attention."
"Everything was fine until suddenly someone from Widow Shi's place jumped out as they left the village and crashed into Xiu Fen."
Yu Tingwan: "What if she had been hit?"
Yes! Luckily, she was there. If she hadn't been strong, if she hadn't been quick to intervene...
Aunt Wu spat: "Those Xu kids are worse than dogs! Rotten to the core! Stealing Widow Shi's purse at such a young age! If Xiu Fen's baby had been hurt, I'd have thrashed him!"
After this incident, the Village Chief was furious and had the Xu Family kicked out of the village.
She shoved several coarse buns into Yu Tingwan's arms.
"Don't be polite with me, auntie. Now that you're living outside, what will you eat if you have no grain? I make the best buns; try them."
"When Xiu Fen gives birth, you must come to our home for a meal."
Yu Tingwan smiled.
By then, she'd likely have married herself off.
She was indeed hungry. After thanking her, she was just about to take a bite when there was movement next door, and a woman in coarse clothing came out with a food box.
Yu Tingwan saw who it was and felt uneasy all at once.
Isn't that Wei Shen's mother?
How did she end up moving to the village's edge?
Aunt Wu greeted with a smile: "Hui Niang, bringing meals again, huh?"
She asked with concern: "How is your Lang?"
A rare smile appeared on Hui Niang's face: "Doctor Qian said if things stabilize in a few days, he can move back and recuperate."
After all, staying at the Qian Family's place was inconvenient.
Old Man Qian's medical skills were limited, and all he could do every day was prescribe teas and apply ointments.
"That's good news."
Aunt Wu continued: "Once he pulls through, and gets sent to the town hospital, once he's recovered, you'll have something to look forward to."
She introduced, "This is Wan Niang, Hu Dazhu's niece, who just moved here yesterday. Knowing you're busy, when Lang comes home and you have some free time, make sure to get in touch."
Turning to Yu Tingwan, she added, "Who doesn't know the skill of the Wei Family's Lang? He's someone who's been on the battlefield, and living next to him, nobody would dare mess with you."
Yu Tingwan: ..."Isn't that inconvenient?"
Hui Niang: "It's no inconvenience, it's just that..."
Her face was filled with worry: "It's just that the child insists he's not Lang."
Aunt Wu was shocked: "Ah?"
"I asked him, if you're not Lang, then who are you."
"What did he say?"
"He fell silent."
Aunt Wu slapped her thigh: "See, couldn't answer."
"He doesn't recognize us either."
Aunt Wu felt sorry for this couple.
"But after that, he turned around and put the peace charm from the bedside around his neck!"
After that, no matter how they teased, he wouldn't smile.
The most crucial thing! He still wanted to leave.
However, he barely got out of bed before Old Man Qian pushed him back down.
Hui Niang was distressed: "He must've hit his head hard when he fell from the mountain that day."