Chapter 2

Meng Yao pushed Madame Née Li away and pounced toward Song Xiu’er. Fortunately, she caught Song Xui’er’s wrist, and the hairpin only pierced her skin, not causing any significant damage.

Meng Yao heaved a sigh of relief and said, “Let go of the hairpin, Xiu’er. I know you’re upset, but you can do that no matter what.”

Song Xiu’er let go of the hairpin while struggling to break free from Meng Yao. Meng Yao was afraid that Song Xiu’er would try to hurt herself again, so she grabbed the hairpin with her other hand.

Meng Yao knew that a person determined to die would possess extraordinary strength. Song Xiu’er broke free of Meng Yao while her eyes came across an inch-long wound on the back of Meng Yao’s hand. The skin ripped as blood dripped from it.

Song Xiu’er was shocked by the sight of the wound, while Meng Yao took the opportunity to throw the hairpin out of Song Xiu’er’s reach.

Meanwhile, Zhao Dajiang ran into the room breathlessly, followed by a doctor who was panting. When Zhao Dajiang saw the ghastly wound on his mother’s hand, he cried out, “What happened to you, Mother? Tell me who hurt you, and I will kill them!”

Zhao Dajiang was unmoved when Ying Luo’s predecessor tortured his wife and when his mother-in-law kicked his wife, killing his unborn child, but he was furious when he saw the wound on Meng Yao’s hand. Zhao Dajiang was a difficult person to describe with just a few words.

Zhao Dajiang stifled Meng Yao’s heart, but she did not want to pay attention to her dutiful son.

“Please check on Xiu’er, Doctor Li,” Meng Yao said.

Doctor Li glanced at the wound on the back of Meng Yao’s hand in puzzlement because she did not seem to care about her injury. Instead, she asked Doctor Li to check on Song Xiu’er. He was curious about Meng Yao’s sudden change.

Although Doctor Li was suspicious of Meng Yao, he did not show it. He followed Meng Yao’s instructions and tended to Song Xiu’er.

They all lived in the same village, but this was the first time Doctor Li had checked on Song Xiu’er.

Doctor Li knew he could not save the unborn child since Zhao Dajiang had told him about the amount of blood Song Xiu’er had lost. Since that was the case, even a God could not save the unborn child.

However, Song Xiu’er’s health surprised Doctor Li. He knew that such a person could not survive while she was pregnant. Simply put, she did not have enough nutrition to support the unborn child, meaning she did not have enough to eat.

The weather in Zhou State was good, and people led decent lives. They had no problems even if they could not afford to eat rice.

Meng Yao knew that Song Xiu’er was severely malnourished and noticed Doctor Li’s distraught expression.

Song Xiu’er had become a member of the Zhao family last autumn. Although Ying Luo’s predecessor was not pleasant to live with, the Zhaos had treated Song Xiu’er well and would eat whatever they ate. Song Xiu’er would never go hungry.

Meng Yao asked, “Will Xiu’er be okay, Doctor Li?”

“I’ve never liked meddling in others’ affairs, Mrs. Zhao, but I have to speak up now. I know it wasn’t easy for you to raise four children, and you’ve even found Dajiang a wife, but you have to treat Madam Xiu’er like your own daughter.”

“It is human nature, and no one can say anything, but you should at least let Madam Xiu’er eat her fill. The baby wouldn’t have survived if she didn’t get kicked.” Doctor Li became increasingly angry as he spoke, and his voice rose in volume.

Doctor Li was worried that something terrible had happened and wanted to lend the Zhao’s a hand when Zhao Dajiang hurriedly dragged him to the house. Thus, he followed Zhao Dajiang without question.

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However, Doctor Li found out something terrible. The Zhao family’s eldest daughter-in-law was pregnant, but the child did not survive.

Madam Née Li pestered Meng Yao for not giving her daughter enough food. Even if she did not kick Song Xiu’er, her body was so weak that the unborn child would not have survived.

Madam Née Li stomped her foot and pointed at Meng Yao as she scolded, “You’re terrible, Meng Yao. How could you torture my daughter like this? I was naive to let my daughter marry into your family!”

Then Madam Née Li pulled her daughter and said, “Let’s go, Xiu’er. I will take you home. If Meng Yao wants her son to divorce you, then so be it. I will find you a better family.”

If Meng Yao did not know what Madam Née Li was like, she would have thought Madam Née Li was a good mother who loved her daughter.

Meanwhile, Song Xiu’er, who was in a daze, trembled violently. She shouted, “I’m not going back with you, Mother!”

Madam Née Li stood up for her daughter, but her daughter did not care.

Everyone was puzzled, but Meng Yao could understand Song Xiu’er’s decision since Madam Née Li was capable of kicking her own daughter. One could imagine the horrors Song Xiu’er went through in the Song family.

“Why are you such a wretched girl?! Meng Yao is abusing you, yet you want to stay here?!” Madam Née Li thundered as she pinched her daughter.

“Do you think I’m stupid, Madam Née Li? Why are you blaming me for everything? Remind me of how Xiu’er lost her child. Others don’t know, but you sure do. My fellow villagers, this heartless hag kicked my eldest daughter-in-law,” Meng Yao said as she wiped her tears.

Meng Yao was not faking it and was genuinely aggrieved.

“Hmph! Didn’t you all hear what Doctor Li said? The child wouldn’t have survived even if I didn’t kick Xiu’er,” Madam Née Li said.

Then Meng Yao retorted, “Since you put it that way, I’ll have to reason with you. Doctor Li said that Xiu’er didn’t have enough to eat. I dare not say that I’m perfect, but when it comes to food, I feed Xiu’er well. Didn’t I feed you enough, Xiu’er?”

“You tortured my daughter, and she’s afraid of you. Of course, she will agree with whatever you say!” Madam Née Li argued indignantly.

“Since the Gods are watching and listening, I, Meng Yao, swear that I have never mistreated Xiu’er since she entered my house, especially during meals. I may not be perfect, but the Gods would strike me with lighting, and I would die a horrible death if I lied.” Tears streaked down Meng Yao’s face, and her tone was unyielding as she spoke.

Still, Meng Yao’s vow was frightening. At the very least, her words were worth believing in the eyes of the people of that era.

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Madam Née Li’s eyes glinted with panic as she knew better than anyone else why her daughter starved. Nonetheless, she felt her daughter was not worthy enough to have a full meal.

“Everyone swears up and down. Do you think the Heavens care?” Madam Née Li stiffened her neck and continued, “Stop putting on an act in front of others, Meng Yao!” Then Madam Née Li pulled her daughter and urged her to leave.

However, Song Xiu’er still resisted, unwilling to return to the Songs. The past six months of her marriage were the happiest time in her life. Ying Luo’s predecessor never hit Xiu’er even though she constantly picked on Xiu’er and told everyone she was terrible.

Moreover, Meng Yao loved Zhao Xiaohua very much. Although Meng Yao never doted on Song Xiu’er, she did not feel envious when she saw how well Meng Yao treated her daughter. Not all mothers would talk about loss.

Meanwhile, Zhao Dajiang treated Song Xiu’er well whenever Meng Yao was not instigating. At least Zhao Dajiang did not beat and scold Song Xiu’er as her brothers did.