"Hmm? Ah? This… this isn't good, is it?" Guo Fugui initially shrank his neck and didn't want to speak, but when he heard Old Madam Guo directing her words toward him, he had no choice but to say something.
Guo Fugui was by nature timid, and Old Madam Guo had complete control over his husband, leaving him no space to maneuver. For all family matters, he preferred to stay out of decision-making.
Old Madam Guo narrowed her eyes and snapped, "What do you mean by that? Not good? This little wretch has bullied me to this point, and you still have something to say? Are you waiting to watch her kill me first before you're happy?"
Guo Fugui shivered and had no choice but to reply, "The third wife is indeed too unreasonable. How could she speak to you in such a way? If she dares to keep acting so insolently, I'll go to the clan leader and have you and your children expelled from the clan."
Originally, this was meant to leave some leeway for Li Xiangli. This had been the pattern in the past—whenever Old Madam Guo caused trouble for Li Xiangli, she would cry and beg for forgiveness, and Old Madam Guo would let her off the hook.
After all, if expelled, they would have no way of surviving. Orphaned and destitute, they wouldn't even have access to basic rations unless they maintained their clan identity. This was why Li Xiangli had always been so desperate to appease Old Madam Guo.
However, this time, Li Xiangli said coldly, "Then expel us, if that's what you want. At this point, being in the clan or not being in the clan is no different. Mother's only complaint is that we waste public resources. She's wanted to drive us away for a long time. If that's the case, let's just go with what she wants."
The words shocked the Guo family members. Even the villagers nearby were startled. Was Li Xiangli insane?
Aunt Chen, who had come over upon hearing the commotion, was shocked upon seeing the situation. She immediately said, "Xiangli, don't act recklessly. Expulsion will make it even harder for you and these children to survive. Not to mention, their future registration would become a problem—this affects their whole lives!"
Others joined in, "Yes, Xiangli, as a widow with children, if you're expelled, you'll have no place to go. Don't be so stubborn. Just apologize to your mother-in-law and make peace."
Li Xiangli's voice turned sharp, "Apologize? I've apologized to them too many times, which is why they think I'm weak and easy to manipulate. Since Guo's family has brought this up today, what do I have to fear?!"
Wei-shi spoke mockingly, "Oh, look at this. Now that she's got a high branch to climb to, she's fearless! Isn't she flaunting her position with Feng An? What a joke—does she think she won't starve one day?"
Li Xiangli glared at her, "You should watch your tongue, Second sister-in-law. Don't slander my name with baseless words unless you'd like me to take you to the authorities. I have nothing to do with Feng An. You have no proof to accuse me!"
Wei-shi sneered, "Feng An has already come to propose marriage. Yet you still have the audacity to claim your innocence?"
Li Xiangli laughed coldly, "Is proposing marriage equivalent to committing adultery? Second sister-in-law, your daughter Yuelan has probably had three to five proposals in the past few days. Based on your logic, she's not so clean herself."
Guo Yuelan immediately lost her temper, "Li Xiangli, what are you talking about?!"
Li Xiangli retorted, "That's what your mother said. What does that have to do with me? Besides, I'm your aunt. I outrank you. How could you disrespect me by using my name so casually? That kind of upbringing is appalling. I pity the family that ends up marrying you."
Everyone began to murmur in disapproval, "What kind of education did the Guo family give their daughters? To say things like that is shameful."
Yuelan's face turned red with anger, and she stomped her foot. She glared at her mother, annoyed that her mother had caused unnecessary trouble for her.
Guo Fugui originally intended for Li Xiangli to meekly admit her fault and beg for forgiveness, but her firm resolve angered him. His voice boomed, "Li Xiangli, do you truly want expulsion from the clan? Very well, I'll make that happen. I'll go to the clan elder right now and have you and your children expelled. Let's see how you survive without us!"
Li Xiangli had already resolved that she didn't want to remain in the clan any longer. The small rations they received were barely enough to live on, and she couldn't stand being bullied by them anymore. She would rather rely on her own strength.
"Thank you for your trouble, Father-in-law," she said without fear, standing with unshakable confidence.
The Guo family members exchanged glances. Old Madam Guo had always wanted to expel Li Xiangli from the clan. However, they were worried about gossip from the villagers. Li Xiangli had always begged for leniency, which was why they hadn't gone through with it. Now that Li Xiangli was proposing it herself, they thought it was an opportunity to get rid of them entirely.
Old Madam Guo didn't care about Li Xiangli or her children at all. To her, they were just a burden. She preferred to leave them behind to starve rather than continue to feed them.
Guo Fugui grew uneasy as Li Xiangli remained resolute. His eyes darted nervously at Old Madam Guo's cold, calculating gaze.
Wei-shi, however, was cunning. She smirked as she said, "If you're expelled, you won't even have a house to live in. That house belongs to the Guo family, after all."
Aunt Chen spoke up, "Are you planning to drive these orphans and widows out completely?!"
Wei-shi boldly retorted, "So what if we do? She asked for it herself."
Li Xiangli interrupted, "Second sister-in-law, you've already got your eyes set on the benefits, haven't you? Even a dilapidated straw hut isn't enough for you? But you seem to have forgotten something. This house was already divided to us five years ago when my husband passed away. It has always belonged to us!"
Li Xiangli was shrewd. She didn't act recklessly, knowing they had no wealth left. She couldn't risk the children suffering just because of her. Therefore, she would never give up their home.
Wei-shi fell silent for a moment. Li Xiangli had grown much sharper since she regained her clarity. She remembered that Guo's family had only expelled her at that time to prevent her from using clan resources for free. They had only given her this single small straw hut to live in.
Wei-shi had long coveted this house, thinking she could claim it for herself, but now Li Xiangli had proven herself far more cunning than expected.
Disclaimer:
I am not the original author of this work. This is a translated version of the original text, shared for reading and reference purposes only. All rights to the original content belong to the original author. I do not claim ownership of the original work or its characters. This translation is intended solely for informational and entertainment purposes.