My whole family time-traveled! I became a god during my exile in a famine.

Chapter 43 Same people but different fates

The mother and daughter looked at each other, both seeing disbelief in each other's eyes.

"You think that girl might really be possessed by some evil spirit?" Zhuang asked, still shaken. "Why does she keep doing this every now and then?"

Xin Mengxue twisted her mother's dirty sleeve. "Then, Mother, have you noticed any other changes in her? Could it be that she isn't actually Sixth Sister? Should we tell Grandma?"

“Her appearance and figure haven’t changed at all. Even if we tell the old lady that she’s acting strangely, we can’t produce any substantial evidence.”

She knew the old lady fairly well; accusing her of something without evidence was useless. She wasn't the kind of old woman who would blindly believe everything she said and wouldn't listen to her in everything.

"Then, Mother, what should we do now?"

"Let's observe first," Zhuang said, pinching the girl's fingers. "Don't provoke them lately."

"How could I possibly recruit them?" Xin Mengxue said, her eyes drooping, looking aggrieved.

Zhuang thought about it and agreed; her own daughter was indeed gentle and timid. Even now, with Sixth Sister's transformation, she dared not have any contact with her, and in the past, she wouldn't have provoked her for no reason.

"Sister." As the two were talking, a smiling woman approached them.

"What are you doing here?" Zhuang glanced at the woman, making no attempt to hide her disgust.

"I just took Mengye to fetch some water. I didn't know something had happened to my sister. I only found out from the master..."

"Aunt Qiu, don't think I don't know you came here to see me make a fool of myself."

"How could that be, sister?" The woman lowered her eyes, her eyelashes trembling slightly.

Zhuangshi couldn't stand the woman's behavior.

In the past, when the family was wealthy and powerful, this aunt always dressed in plain clothes, her eyebrows would furrow from time to time, and she would timidly raise her face, her eyes always filled with tears.

Now that everyone has been driven out and exiled, they still act so delicate and frail. All that's missing here is a pair of red candles, reflecting the peach blossoms and the faces of women.

Speaking of which, the Duke's mansion was known throughout the capital for its strict family discipline.

The old Duke had only one wife and no concubines. His sons, raised by his own example, were also considered to be virtuous and upright.

Even the most disgraceful spendthrift fourth master never took any concubines, except for the third master.

When Zhuang Shi entered the family, her family used many tricks to get close to the third master of the Duke's mansion, so she was never favored by him.

Her family background was humble, and her younger brother was unambitious. It was only through the backing of the Duke's mansion that her father, Zhuang Rengui, was able to rise to the position of Prefect of Binzhou.

The Third Master was not close to her; less than three months after marrying her, he welcomed his beloved concubine, Aunt Qiu, into the household.

She gave birth to her two daughters one after the other. Because of this, she was often ridiculed by other wealthy women at gatherings.

The wife and concubine were constantly vying for power, and with the Third Master protecting her, the concubine was always the one who suffered losses.

If it weren't for the old lady's intervention, the third concubine would probably have gone too far.

Now, Zhuang suddenly felt somewhat disheartened.

Suddenly, I realized that the mutated sixth girl was absolutely right about one thing: they'd already been exiled, so why bother with palace intrigue? They were just wasting their time.

Seeing that the mistress's fighting spirit was low, Aunt Qiu raised an eyebrow in surprise and continued to manipulate her with her words, "What's wrong with you, sister? You haven't really been intimidated by the sixth young lady, have you?" Zhuang turned her head to look at her and sneered, "Didn't you say your feet hurt earlier and you wished the master could carry you? How come you look so energetic now?"

“Sister, what are you saying?” Aunt Qiu blushed and lowered her head, speaking softly, “In public, how could I possibly let Master carry me behind my back? It’s not impossible for me to insist.”

"Oh, by the way, I heard from the master that those officials intentionally stayed in Heng County for half a day to resupply some things."

"As you know, when the earth dragon turned over before, the yamen lost a lot of shackles and food."

"They need to buy things, so we can rest a little longer. As long as we hold on until Hengxian, we can get a good night's sleep and definitely won't have to get up at dawn to travel tomorrow."

"Why are you telling me all this?" Madam Zhuang sneered. "You're showing off all the information your husband found out, down to the smallest detail, while I know nothing about it?"

Aunt Qiu twisted her sleeves and followed the two of them step by step, chattering, "Sister, you have a deep misunderstanding about me. What I mean is, if you have some money on you, and the officials are going to Heng County to make purchases, we can ask them to buy some necessities."

"For example, it's time for the old man to change his straw sandals. I saw today that half of the sole of his foot is rotten, and it's very uncomfortable around his toes."

Zhuang was furious. "Do you think I have any silver on me??"

If she had the money, she would have bought her daughter a pair of thick-soled straw sandals long ago!
Suddenly, it was discovered that the fourth wife's mischievous daughter had gotten half of it right again; the third wife's family was truly poor! Penniless!

That's why she kept a close eye on the situation of the fourth wife's family.

It's really different fate for the same person.

Both are now wives, but her family is far away in Binzhou and can't help her at all. As for Xie Ninglan's family...
They secretly delivered things more than once; that cartload of food and supplies—no one said a word, but everyone was secretly envious and jealous.

"Sister, can't you give the old lady some advice? You can't be so biased. She's been eating soft bread and dried meat all the way here, and she's been soaking her feet every day. We're all family, and we haven't separated yet, so the old lady can't be so unfair to her."

Zhuang sneered, "Did you say that yourself, or did Third Master send you here to say it to me on purpose?"

"Oh, sister, what does this have to do with Third Master?" Aunt Qiu exclaimed in surprise.

“I always take the lead, it’s time for you to show yourselves.” Zhuang pulled Xin Mengxue aside, turned to Aunt Qiu with a mocking smile, and said, “Isn’t the master your most beloved person? You should hurry up and whisper in front of the old lady and borrow some money from your fourth sister-in-law so you can buy the third master a new pair of shoes.”

Aunt Qiu opened her mouth, watching the mother and daughter walk faster and faster, and couldn't help but feel annoyed.

The old lady disliked this concubine the most and never even glanced at her. Why would she go and make a scene in front of her? Did she think her life was too easy?

Xin Mengye stepped forward and said calmly, "I've already told you not to be so obvious. The Zhuang family isn't completely brainless; they won't let you be their pawn. Let's wait and see."

Aunt Qiu frowned deeply. "If it weren't for your eldest sister's kindness in giving us a water bag, we would all be dying of thirst right now."

"Take it easy. You've seen the state of your dad's shoes."

“Some things will never come if you don’t try. I’ll go and mention it to the old lady.”

“Auntie,” Xin Mengye disagreed, “Let’s…”

A thunderous boom resounded.

Everyone shuddered and looked up at the sky in unison.

"Oh no! A torrential downpour is coming! Run!"

(End of this chapter)