The journey of Wang Guifang to the Shen Residence did not escape the notice of the village busybodies. Once the villagers saw the opulent carriage from the Shen family escorting Wang Guifang back to the old Wang residence, laden with expensive gifts, every household with a daughter in the village began to spin schemes in their minds.

The Wang and Liu families had a massive falling out over the matter of selling Liu Qian'er to a wealthy family in town as a concubine. Later, the Liu family even divorced their Wang daughter, so many in the village knew the details—specifically, that the Liu family had received fifty taels of silver for their daughter back then.

But now, word had spread that the Liu daughter had been elevated to the status of an Yiniang (concubine), meaning she was secure in her living, clothed, and fed. Not only that, but she could invite her own mother to visit and chat, and even send provisions back to support her birth family. It seemed sending a daughter to a wealthy family as a concubine wasn't entirely without merit after all! Consequently, recently, more people were seeking out Granny Liu, the matchmaker who had handled the original transaction, hoping she could find a prominent family for their own daughters, ensuring both the daughter's comfort and future support for the family.

After Wang Guifang returned to the old house, the Shen family’s coachman helped move the items brought by Yiniang Liu into the residence before taking his leave back to the Shen manor.

Tian Shi’s eyes had not left the items since they were brought in. These were all fine things, surely worth a considerable sum.

After watching for a moment, Tian Shi’s eyes darted around, and she turned to the Old Madam, who was also observing the goods, saying, “Mother, look at this fabric, how fine and soft it is. It would be perfect for making little children’s clothes!”

Tian Shi used the pretext of needing the silk to benefit the child in Luo Yin’s belly to request these bolts of cloth.

The Old Madam frowned. While she adored the potential great-grandchild in Qingyun’s wife’s womb, she cared deeply for her own daughter as well. “These are all things belonging to your paternal aunt. You shouldn’t set your sights on them. However, the child in Qingyun’s wife’s belly is indeed important. How about this: I will pay for Qingyun to go into town and purchase some good fabric.”

Wang Guifang, having seen off the Shen family personnel, overheard the conversation between Tian Shi and the Old Madam. After a moment’s thought, she said, “Mother, I won’t be able to use all this fabric. Later, you and Eldest Sister-in-law can both take some!”

Tian Shi was secretly delighted, but the Old Madam shook her head and refused. “These are your possessions; keep them safe. You might not need them now, but you never know when they might come in handy.”

After speaking, the Old Madam glanced pointedly at Tian Shi, for she knew exactly what was in Tian Shi’s mind. Usually, she paid no mind to Tian Shi’s petty calculations regarding the Second and Third branches, but she felt deep guilt toward her only daughter. Furthermore, since her daughter had been divorced and would have no one to care for her in her old age, she needed some property to rely on. She would not permit Tian Shi to covet her daughter’s assets, and this precedent must not be set, lest Tian Shi’s greed grow unchecked.

Tian Shi’s heart fluttered nervously under the Old Madam’s gaze, and she quickly said, “Mother, how could I possibly think of coveting my paternal aunt’s belongings? I only meant that when we buy fabric for Qingyun’s wife’s child, we could use the kind my aunt brought back!”

Though Tian Shi spoke this way, she was already seething inwardly. That divorced widow actually dared to covet such fine cloth—it was simply spoiling good material.

Only then did the Old Madam nod. “It’s good that you understand.” She then turned back to Wang Guifang. “You keep these things safe for yourself.”

Wang Guifang nodded in response. “Yes!” Then, clutching the items, she returned to her own room.

In the evening, Master Shen came to visit Liu Qian’er and happened upon her wiping her eyes with a handkerchief. He quickly walked over, took her onto his lap, and gently coaxed, “What is wrong, my dear? Were you unhappy seeing your mother today?”

Liu Qian’er was startled by the sudden entry of Master Shen and quickly wiped away her tears. “No, Master. I was very happy to see my mother today.”

“Then why are your eyes still red from crying?” Master Shen inquired.

Liu Qian’er paused, then lowered her head sadly. “My father divorced my mother, saying she failed to bear the Liu family a son. But my mother worked tirelessly for the Liu family all these years, and now my grandmother, grandfather, and father have heartlessly cast her out. I grieve thinking of my mother being all alone in the future.”

Master Shen held Liu Qian’er tighter. “Don’t be sad. If you wish, you can have your mother visit you more often to keep you company!”

Liu Qian’er knew the rules of the manor; for Master Shen to say this was already a great concession. She quickly nodded, “Thank you, Master!”

Within a few days, the Liu family heard that Wang Guifang had visited the Shen Residence and returned with many valuable things. They were instantly furious. Liu Qian’er was their daughter from the Liu family, and since Wang Shi had been divorced, she was no longer considered part of the Liu lineage. Yet, Liu Qian’er only thought of supporting her divorced mother, neglecting to send any aid to the Liu family. The Lius were highly displeased.

The Liu family only learned of this from others. Many in the village had heard the gossip, always recounted with a tone of mockery. “Look at the retribution for the Liu family selling their daughter! Now that the daughter has succeeded as an Yiniang, she only cares for her own mother, why would she think of the Liu family? I hear that Wang Shi brought back a great deal of fine things; the Lius must be consumed with envy...”

Others were even more infuriating: “That’s right, who would want to associate with the people who sold them off? Besides, once sold, that person has no ties to the family anymore. She belongs to the Shen Residence now; she can support whomever she pleases.”

Thus, Liu Song had been stewing in anger recently. Not only was he constantly pointed at because his daughter was supporting Wang Shi, but ever since the Wang family caused that disturbance at their house last time, matchmakers refused to take on the job of finding him a new wife. Finally, after spending a fortune to secure one, the moment a good family’s daughter heard his name, she immediately shook her head. It was understandable; the Liu family mistreated their wives and seized their dowries, and when they bore a daughter, they treated her as nothing and sold her off. What decent family’s daughter would dare step into their household?

The more Liu Song thought about it, the angrier he became. He blamed it all on that jinx, Wang Shi. Since he was suffering, he wouldn't let Wang Shi have an easy time either.

So, that day, Liu Song and his mother, Old Woman Liu, arrived at the Wang family's door. The Wang family members were baffled—how dare the Lius show their faces at their door?

News traveled fast in the village, and soon a crowd gathered at the old Wang residence to watch the spectacle. Seeing the crowd, Old Woman Liu was quite satisfied; she intended to humiliate the Wang family in front of so many people.

“Old Woman Liu, we Wangs have been polite enough not to seek trouble with your Lius, yet you dare to show up here? Truly audacious!” the Old Madam pointed at Old Woman Liu and declared.

“Hmph! Do you think I want to step into your house? I am only here today to reclaim our Liu family’s property. Give me the goods, and I will leave immediately,” Old Woman Liu retorted fiercely.

The Old Madam was almost driven to laughter by this audacity. “Property? Our Wang family isn't like some people who enjoy taking others’ things. Now, tell me, what have we Wangs taken from your Lius?”

“You dare say you haven’t taken anything? Are the things your daughter brought back from the Shen Residence not the property of our Liu family? Qian’er is one of us, the Liu family! By what right do you Wangs take our Liu family’s property?” Old Woman Liu hissed hatefully.

The Wang family members, along with the onlookers, were stunned into silence by the sheer absurdity of her logic.

Seeing everyone frozen, Old Woman Liu proudly straightened her back. “Be sensible and return the things quickly, lest this escalates into an ugly scene!”

“Hahaha… Hahahaha… Old Woman Liu, are you sure you didn’t take the wrong medicine? What connection does what the Shen Residence gave our Wang family have to your Lius?” the Old Madam sneered, pointing at her.

“How is it unrelated? Qian’er is one of us, the Liu family!” Old Woman Liu insisted again.

“One of your Liu family? Hmph, I’ve never heard such nonsense! I distinctly recall my poor granddaughter being sold off to town by your Liu family. How can she still be considered one of yours? Furthermore, even if Qian’er wasn't sold, once a woman marries, she belongs to her husband’s family! How can she still be yours? I think you must be desperate for money, forgetting even basic sense!” the Old Madam scoffed.

Some of the onlookers couldn't help themselves and chimed in with ridicule. “I never thought the Lius could be this shameless, trying to take back things their daughter gave to her own mother out of filial piety...”

“Indeed. They sold their own child, and they still have the nerve to claim her as family. If it were me, I wouldn't know where to hide my face...”

“Well, their skin is thick; they don't feel shame...”

“Hahaha… You’re right about that...”

Old Woman Liu and Liu Song grew furious hearing the crowd’s commentary. Old Woman Liu decisively threw herself onto the ground and wailed, “Alas! Is there any justice left in this world? Our Liu family worked hard to raise this child, and now the respect she shows her mother is being embezzled by you Wangs! There is truly no heaven!”

Everyone was stunned by the old woman’s dramatic collapse. Was she resorting to a tantrum because she couldn't win the argument?

Just as everyone hesitated and Old Woman Liu’s wailing continued, a sharp shout cut through the air: “You old hag! Who told you to howl like that here? Today, I’ll beat you so you never howl again!”

As the words rang out, everyone saw a figure rushing toward them, wielding a long stick. Old Woman Liu, who had been shamelessly sprawled on the ground moments before, suddenly exhibited surprising agility, scrambling up and darting behind her son, Liu Song: “Aiya! Murder! They are withholding what belongs to others and now they try to kill someone! Is there no law left in this land?!”

Liu Song saw the long stick in the man’s hand and noticed that he showed no sign of slowing his charge toward his mother, still brandishing the weapon ready to strike. Terrified, he quickly grabbed the still-wailing Old Woman Liu from behind him and fled rapidly.

This sequence of events unfolded so swiftly that by the time the crowd reacted, they burst into loud laughter. Some, remembering the surprising speed of Old Woman Liu’s retreat, laughed so hard they cried.