Housekeeper Li, with a stern expression, warned, “Zhang, you know nothing about today’s events. Don’t mention it to anyone. Otherwise, don’t blame my master for being rude to you…” “Yes, yes…” Zhang was too frightened to say anything else. Avoiding the villagers, they circled around with Housekeeper Li and arrived at the place where Su Jinniang was buried. Glancing at the not-so-high mound, Housekeeper Li instructed his men to start digging. They dug for a long time. But all they found was dirt. There was no sign of Su Jinniang. One of the young men among Housekeeper Li’s entourage couldn’t help but say, “Housekeeper Li, could that old woman have deceived us?” “She wouldn’t dare.” Housekeeper Li squinted his eyes and had them dig a little longer. They confirmed no one was there. Housekeeper Li then took them back to the mansion in a carriage. Upon returning, Housekeeper Li headed straight to the courtyard where An Xiyue lived. Seeing An Xiyue picking flowers in the yard, Housekeeper Li approached her quickly to report, “Young Madam, Su Jinniang’s body is gone.” The flower in An Xiyue’s hand fell to the ground. She stared at Housekeeper Li and asked, “Are you sure you didn’t dig in the wrong place?” “No, that Zhang doesn’t have the guts to deceive us.” Housekeeper Li replied. An Xiyue pondered for a moment and said, “Isn’t it said that Jiang Da Ya and her family went to live in the village where their uncle lives? Su Jinniang’s body might very well be buried in Su Village. Go and send someone to Su Village to inquire if anyone saw where they buried the body, but remember, don’t let Jiang Da Ya and her family know!” “Yes, Young Madam.” Housekeeper Li later sent people to Su Village, but even with threats and bribes, they couldn’t find out anything. An Xiyue couldn’t help but get very angry, picking up a teacup and throwing it at Housekeeper Li, “You useless bunch, can’t even handle a simple task! What good are you for!” Housekeeper Li was hit squarely, but he didn’t dare to complain. He stepped forward with a suggestion, “Young Madam, why don’t we do this? We’ll bribe someone in Su Village to secretly inquire about this matter. Once we find out, we’ll dig up Su Jinniang’s body and dispose of it to erase the evidence?” “Go do it.” An Xiyue agreed. … Housekeeper Li had someone inquire and bribed Miao Juxiang from Su Village. Miao Juxiang was the sister-in-law of Sun Shi, and their relationship was neither good nor bad. The reason they approached her was partly because she was related to Sun Shi’s family, and partly because she was easily bribed; as long as you gave her some money, she would agree to help. Miao Juxiang already knew about Sun Shi’s family selling the divine tofu, and she had been thinking about visiting to ask about it. Now, someone was bribing her to find out where Su Jinniang was buried. Miao Juxiang didn’t delay for a moment; after dinner, she came straight to the Su family. “Sister-in-law, are you home?” Miao Juxiang called out loudly from the doorway. Sun Shi and her family had just finished dinner when they heard Miao Juxiang’s voice. Su Jixiang couldn’t help but mutter, “Auntie, she hasn’t visited us for so long, she must be up to no good.” “You child…” Wang Xiuzhen gave him a stern look. Although she agreed with her son, after all, the person was an elder. Jiang Yan had no memory of Miao Juxiang, but since her cousin Jixiang said so, she must not be a good person. She was just thinking when… Sun Shi’s voice sounded, “I’ll go see her, don’t worry, if she wants to learn about the divine tofu, I won’t agree.” After saying that, Sun Shi went to open the door. Miao Juxiang, with a beaming smile, handed over a basket to Sun Shi, “Sister-in-law, my daughter-in-law brought back quite a few fish from her parents’ home today, so I brought two for you.” “You’re too kind, please come in and sit.” Sun Shi casually took it. Entering the yard of Su Lao Er’s family, Sun Shi handed the basket to Wang Xiuzhen, then brought out two stools, and they sat in the yard to chat. “Sister-in-law, it’s been quite a while since you last came to our house.” Miao Juxiang was looking around when she heard Sun Shi say this, she forced a smile, “I wanted to come, but both of my daughters-in-law are pregnant, right? I have to work, cook for them, I’ve been so busy I barely have time to go around.” If Sun Shi hadn’t heard her scold her own daughter-in-law before, she might have believed her. Seeing that Sun Shi didn’t respond. Miao Juxiang continued, “Sister-in-law, I noticed your granddaughters have been staying here these days, aren’t they going back home?” “Don’t mention it, it’s all upsetting.” Sun Shi’s heart ached when she mentioned this. Miao Juxiang wouldn’t let her go easily, pressing, “Sister-in-law, just tell me, what happened?” Sun Shi still spoke up. After hearing the story, Miao Juxiang slapped her thigh, “Those Jiang family members are really something, no wonder Da Ya and her family want to cut ties with them! By the way, I heard you’ve been selling that what’s-it-called, divine tofu, was that Da Ya and her family’s idea?” “Sister-in-law, why are you asking about this?” Sun Shi looked at her. Of course, Miao Juxiang wanted to learn how to make divine tofu. She said with a bitter expression, “Sister-in-law, you know the situation in our family, with over ten mouths to feed, two grandsons needing to study, life is really hard. I was thinking if I could learn to make divine tofu, sell it for some money. Don’t worry, if I learn, I’ll definitely share some of the earnings with you…” “This is out of the question, it’s not possible.” Sun Shi stated directly. Miao Juxiang couldn’t help but curse inside, but she didn’t dare say it out loud. She sighed, “Well, it’s true, the divine tofu isn’t yours to decide on.” Sun Shi hadn’t responded yet. Miao Juxiang changed the topic to something else, and after chatting for a bit, she brought up the real issue: “Sister-in-law, with Jinniang meeting such a tragic end, did you bring her body back for burial?” Miao Juxiang sized up Jiang Yan before starting her act: “Auntie, my eyesight isn’t good anymore, I couldn’t even recognize you. But you do look quite like your mother. It’s a pity your mother married such a scoundrel. If I had known, I would definitely have helped you deal with them…”
“Auntie, you’re such a kind person.”
Jiang Yan said, then fetched a stool and sat down beside her.
Suddenly, Miao Juxiang had an idea and asked, “Daya, how old are you now?”
“Thirteen.”
Jiang Yan replied casually.
Miao Juxiang’s eyes lit up. She grabbed Jiang Yan’s hand and said, “Daya, I like you the moment I saw you. Are you betrothed? If not, why don’t you consider one of my grandsons? They are all quite diligent, and I promise I’ll treat you well if you marry into our family.”
Her grandsons were indeed hardworking, but neither she nor their mothers were easy to deal with.
Sun Shi, fearing Jiang Yan might agree, quickly interjected, “Sister-in-law, Daya doesn’t look like a thirteen-year-old girl. I don’t plan on marrying off my granddaughters so early; I want them to take care of their health first.”
“What’s the harm? You can get engaged first.”
Miao Juxiang wouldn’t let go of Jiang Yan’s hand.
Jiang Yan smiled and said, “Auntie, I appreciate your affection, but I want to marry someone with no parents. That way, I can take charge of the household and also bring my three sisters with me.”
You little brat.
Dreaming so big!
Miao Juxiang could hardly keep her smile.
Jiang Yan took the opportunity to pull her hand back.
Miao Juxiang felt uneasy but tried to keep her expression amicable: “You’re still young, if you marry someone with no parents, who will help you with the children?”
“There’s no such thing as perfection in this world.”
Jiang Yan said calmly.
