Song Xiu'er stared at Madam Née Li mockingly. Song Xiu'er had always hoped for her mother to love her, even if it was not as much as Madam Née Li loved her son. Song Xiu'er would be happy if her mother shared a little love with her.
But, Song Xiu'er ended up overthinking. Her mother had also kicked her when she was pregnant in the past. Doctor Li said that Song Xiu'er's body had gotten damaged and that she would not be able to get pregnant again.
Meng Yao was flustered and exasperated and fought with Madam Née Li, but Madam Née Li lost. Then Madam Née Li tried to force her daughter to return to the Song family.
Even Madam Née Li said that Song Xiu'er couldn't bear a child anymore, and she would not have a promising future even if the Zhao family did not stop her. Madam Née Li mentioned that Song Xiu'er should return to the Song family and that they would not mistreat her.
Moreover, Song Xia'er could rely on her younger brother if she could not bear children in the future. Unfortunately, Song Xiu'er believed it when her mother said that her brother would not leave her side. Madam Née Li also promised her daughter that her brother's children would care for her if her brother could not.
"I have more than one son besides Dajiang. Dahe and Xiaoshu can continue the Zhao family lineage when they marry and have future children. Xiu'er, you can always adopt a child if you and Dajiang are willing."
But what did Madam Née think?
'Oh, so that's how it is, Meng Yao.'
"Do you believe your mother-in-law's nonsense, Xiu'er? She's just manipulating you so that you would stay with the Zhaos and make a workhorse out of you. You're a fool if you believe her lies! Come back with me, my daughter. We won't starve you as Meng Yao does."
Song Xiu'er had to choose between her mother and mother-in-law, but what would Madam Née Li do? She expected Song Xiu'er to return with her even after causing her daughter to have a miscarriage.
Before Song Xiu'er got married, she would do all the hard work but ate the least. She had endured too much. When Song Xiu'er's brother got married, Madam Née Li said she wanted a bigger house, so Song Xiu'er's brother obliged. Then Madam Née Li forced her daughter to move to the little house next to a pigpen, which was damp and smelled of dung.
However, the girl that Song Xiu'er's brother fancied complained that her family was poor. During that time, Song Xiu'er could eat her fill and did not have to do so much work. She was overwhelmed and thought she had finally received her mother's love.
When Song Xiu'er no longer looked thin and weak, her mother took her to a tailor to get some clothes. A muscular man was waiting at their door when they returned home. The muscular man had a crippled leg, a long scar across his forehead, and his eyes were fierce. Song Xiu'er shivered at the sight of the muscular man.
Madam Née Li told her daughter, "You can't always be a homebody and alone at such a young age. I've asked someone to find you a good family so you can live in peace."
Then the muscular man threw a money bag at Madam Née Li. Song Xiu'er's mother smiled and sighed, saying it was a long day. Then she urged the muscular man to take Song Xiu'er away quickly. She even told Song Xiu'er not to think about home anymore and that she should obediently serve the man when she gets to his house.
However, Song Xiu'er did not want to leave home and go to an unfamiliar place. She was afraid of the muscular man, so she pulled on her mother's arm and begged, but Madam Née Li slapped her away.
Song Xiu'er could remember her mother saying, "I have already accepted betrothal gifts, and you belong to someone else now. You can live with us anymore, Xiu'er. Our mother-daughter relationship ends here."
The muscular man became impatient when he saw Song Xiu'er dawdling. He raised his hand and slapped her twice, warning her to be obedient or he would kill her.
The muscular man then brought the dazed Song Xiu'er back to the mountain. The muscular man was from the mountain. The mountain people did not have fields, so they relied on hunting for a living, making their lives inconsistent regarding resources.
Hunting was dangerous, and one would lose limbs or even their life if one were not careful. It was difficult for mountain men to marry, so they usually saved some silver to buy a wife from elsewhere.
The families that sold their daughters would not welcome them back. They would cut ties with their daughters after sending them to the mountains.
Nonetheless, Song Xiu'er was not just a wife to one man. Instead, she was a wife to five brothers. Her body violently trembled when she thought of those dark and hopeless days.
Meng Yao quickly approached Song Xiu'er and held her hand, and the warmth immediately brought Song Xiu'er back to her senses. The terrifying memories of Song Xiu'er's past overwhelmed her.
"Don't be afraid, Xiu'er. Speak slowly," Meng Yao said gently.
Song Xiu'er nodded heavily and began speaking, "My mother-in-law is angry because of my mother, Mr. Li Zheng."
Madam Née Li glared at her daughter fiercely.
"My mother forced me to send my food to the Song family. She said she would stab me with a needle if I didn't obey her orders. She also said the needle would not be visible, and no one will ever find out that she did it." Song Xiu'er heaved a sigh of relief after she spoke. In the past, she would have to take this secret with her to the grave.
Song Xiu'er felt much more relaxed after exposing her mother's true colors before everyone present. It was as if she broke free from the hands which strangled her. At that moment, Song Xiu'er felt like the Heavens had given her another chance to live.
Everyone finally understood what was happening after hearing Song Xiu'er's words. Even they would not ask their in-laws to help with their family.
The villagers then thought it was okay for Meng Yao to say that she wanted her son to divorce Song Xiu'er. It would even be reasonable for her to beat Song Xiu'er. Although life was not as bad, food was still a precious resource, especially amongst the Zhao family.
The Zhao family consisted of a single mother and children and even had to support a scholar. Their lives were more demanding than other families. It would be okay if the Song family did not help, but they thought of stealing food from their daughter. They were the most shameless people in the village.
'Née Li planned to kill Xiu'er with a needle?!' The scene of Xiu'er getting stabbed appeared in Meng Yao's mind. The thought sent a shiver down her spine, not to mention if it did happen. Meng Yao regretted going easy on Madam Née Li.
"So, the Zhao family has nothing to do with Xiu'er's malnutrition. It's you who is cruel and vicious, Madam Née Li!" Li Zheng's expression turned unsightly. He knew the Song family valued men over women, but he never expected it to be that bad. The Song family fed on their family member's food, causing them to starve.
"Why am I the cruel one?! I birthed Xiu'er and raised her, so it's only fitting that she repay me. Besides, I did not steal from the Zhao family. I just told Xiu'er to save some food for her actual family since we're still growing. Since Xiu'er is the older sibling, she should let her younger brother go hungry," Madam Née Li said with conviction.
It was difficult for an honest official to resolve family matters, especially since Madam Née Li was such an uncouth person. She would start spewing nonsense whenever one tried to reason with her. As the head officer, Li Zheng had no idea how to deal with this matter.
Then Li Zheng said to Meng Yao, "You're not at fault here, Meng Yao. The Zhao family are the victims instead. So, tell me. How do you want me to handle this?"
Meng Yao revealed a severe expression as she answered, "A life for a life."