Even though Lu Mingyang thought so, he didn't voice it out. After all, his maternal grandfather and grandmother were still kind and pleasant towards them. It wasn't a good ti to add to the trouble.
Shen ng's speech had coaxed the two young children into a flood of tears. Suddenly, hearing a noise outside, she abruptly sat up, took out the land deeds, so household bills, and the last bit of money from under the pillow.
"Mingyang, Ming Liang, co here. Mingyang, your mother is sorry. I've failed you and your father's trust. These are our family's land deeds and food coupons, and these fifteen yuan are all the money we have left. You must keep them safe. After I'm gone, you need to take care of your younger brother and sister. I didn't want to leave this ss to burden you, my child, but look at your grandmother and all your uncles and aunts – they're all eyeing what little you boys have. I'm really afraid that if I pass away, you won't be able to survive in the Lu Family. If the Shen Family doesn't want you, you must not stay at the Lu Family's. Even if you have to beg, don't stay here where there's no hope. Jiaxuan, Jiaojiao, please have rcy. Our house has already been taken over by you. Once I'm gone, please let my children have a way to live. I'm begging you!"
Lu Mingyang was called over to the kang bed, and suddenly, a stack of items was thrust into his hands. Then he saw the woman, who had seed near death's door, sit up and even shakily step down from the kang, seemingly to kneel before their grandmother and uncles and aunts at the door. He was startled and quickly pulled Ming Liang aside to make way for her. He and Ming Liang were still children and could not bear her kneeling. A mother kowtowing to her son was an ominous sign.
"Xiao ng, what are you doing? Get up! If the sky falls, we have your father to support us. Let's see who dares to bully my grandchildren," snorted Old Lu. "Old Lu Family, you said you would treat my daughter as your own, but then you take the main house's brick and tiled house for your youngest son to live in? Even favoritism should have its limits, don't be utterly heartless."
Liu Sanjin, furious, fell back and began to berate Shen ng.
"Shen ng, you little hoof, what nonsense are you babbling about? When did Jiaxuan and Jiaojiao ever seize your main house? Wasn't it agreed they'd just stay there for a while after getting married, to make things a bit more festive? If you were unhappy, you should have spoken up sooner. What kind of act are you putting on now, making it seem like the Lu Family is bullying you alone? Haven't you asked around? In the entire Lu Family Village, who can bully you? Mingyang, Ming Liang, Ming Kai, grandma's dear grandsons, look at the state of your mother. You must speak up for grandma!"
"Exactly, exactly, elder sister-in-law, what are you talking about? Didn't we agree from the start? Just living there temporarily for the new marriage this year. Every month, mother even gives you rent money, two yuan a month. Not to ntion in our countryside, even in the big apartnt buildings in the Provincial City, it's roughly the sa price. You saying seizure now is really unreasonable!"
Lu Jiaxuan was a bit angry, but he was too caught up in retorting to notice the guilty expressions on Liu Sanjin and Zhou Jiaojiao's faces.
"But third son, our Zhenping gives three yuan a month for elderly support, and we haven't shortchanged our parents. And... and it's been half a year, I haven't seen a penny of it! Jiaxuan, who did you give the money to?"
Lu Jiaxuan: "...."
Didn't he just say the money was given by mother? Why is he being asked now? Could there be a problem with his hearing?
"My dear, my dear, how are you? Don't worry, an upright official has arrived; the village chief and the Secretary from Lu Family Village are here, and they will see justice done for you. My dear, speak out if you have any grievances, wuu wuu... What's going on, why are you still getting out of bed? Old man, do you not realize our girl is seriously injured?"
Shen ng, led by Shen Fugui, barely able to kneel or stand, stood weakly with blood oozing from the wound on her forehead. She looked as pale as a ghost, with wrinkled clothes, a stark contrast to when she was carried back previously. Their gazes imdiately turned to Liu Sanjin.
With Lu Changzhu not at ho, Liu Sanjin was the one in charge. When they and a few collective mbers sent Shen ng back ho, Liu Sanjin had insisted she was fine, claiming there was no need to call a doctor. Now, she looked as if she was on her deathbed.
Regardless of her character, Shen ng was indeed Lu Zhenping's wife, a bona fide military family mber. He was serving in the military, defending the country. If his wife were to die under unexplained circumstances, they would surely be held accountable by their superiors.
"Aunt, what in the world happened here? When we left, Zhenping's wife was fine, how did she end up like this?"
Liu Sanjin always knew how to conduct himself in front of others, and now, questioned by soone younger, his face turned beet red, at a loss for words.
Zhou Jiaojiao quickly intervened, "Debang, my elder sister-in-law was fine before this. The folks from the Shen Family, grandpa and grandma, talked with her in the room, and we don't know why, but she suddenly beca gravely ill. Jiaxuan brought food, but she wouldn't eat, then she ran out all of a sudden. My mother, , and my second brother and his wife hurried over. The elder sister-in-law said she couldn't make it, it's embarrassing for you all to see this, alas!"
"Yes, yes, Debang, Hongfa, Xiao ng ca ho cursing at Jiaojiao, didn't you see it too? Now she's acting like she's on her deathbed. I sympathize with the in-laws for loving their daughter, but everybody knows how much I dote on Xiao ng and the children; alas, it's my fault. I've let down the organization, I've let down my son, I've failed as a mother-in-law. Xiao ng, stop making trouble, get back into bed quickly. Whatever you want to eat or use, just tell your mother, and I'll make it for you."
With his arm propped up by Zhou Jiaojiao, Liu Sanjin imdiately reacted, and hurriedly said this to Li Debang and Zhang Hongfa.
The two village cadres, who were brought over by Wang Guizhi, hearing Liu Sanjin's seemingly kind and loving words, instantly felt that Shen ng was ungrateful, and their faces changed instantly.
Shen ng squinted her eyes. Old Deng, so now that it's co to this, not only do you want to dump the chamber pot on her parents, but you also want to make her hold the pot marinated with filth. Heh, since that is the case, old lady today will sure let you know, a person from the 21st century when flipped upside down, won't let you off easily.
"Village chief, Secretary, thank you for making the trip. Although I was almost killed by a bull from the production team, with a gaping head wound, and although no one from the production team called a doctor for or even ca to check on , and up until now, I haven't had a drop of water or a bite of food, with the children left uncared for, hungry enough to trap sparrows to eat, and even though my elderly parents were beaten and cursed, I'm still breathing. The production team and my in-laws have been very generous to . After all, it's not like I lost a life. Jiaojiao was scolded by , and she'll have to continue living in my house, starving my child. The production team's bull wasn't hard by , so I'm still very thankful."
Her words turned the faces of everyone in the room red, leaving them gasping for breath and trembling all over.
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